UML Connector

A nation brought together through sports

Nick Alexandropoulos — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:49:30 +0000

The field cleared. The pitcher stretched and walked off the mound. The game stopped. And the speakers buzzed with the tune that every Red Sox fan knows.
As “Sweet Caroline” belted through all corners of Yankee stadium, the fans swayed, danced and sang along. Through one two minute song, everyone in that stadium banded together in tribute, allying themselves with their longstanding, most heated rivals.
Sports are more than just entertainment or a source of competition and play. Through this one act at Yankee Stadium, and the many others that have both proceeded and followed, they have shown us that unity is not only possible, but easy to attain.
The first true tributes to the tragedies of the Boston Marathon were based on and focused in on sports. Before its, what will eventually become legendary, “Sweet Caroline” tribute, Yankee Stadium started it all by putting a banner—depicting both a Yankees and Red Sox logo that read “We stand with Boston”—to broadcast their support.
The next day, the Chicago Tribune sports page printed a nearly full-page picture with the words “We are Chicago Red Sox. We are Chicago Celtics. We are Chicago Celtics. We are Chicago Patriots. We are Chicago Revolution” in support for Boston, and to show that in these times of tragedy, we are one.
And all through this week, ballparks and fans across America did the same—from singing “Sweet Caroline” to cheering at the capture of the second bombing suspect.
During Saturday’s game against the Royals, Neil Diamond himself walked upon the field and joined Fenway Park in its eighth inning “Sweet Caroline” sing-along.
You don’t need to be a Red Sox fan, a Yankees fan, or even a sports fan, to see it. When the Yankees come to town, we boo. When they win and claim a spot higher in the division standings, we curse. But when they come join with us as people in support of freedom and peace, we cheer.
The Red Sox logo has become almost a household symbol for Boston itself, its image appearing on nearly every sign and picture supporting the city. Perhaps now, and even in the future, the iconic B will not only be a symbol for Boston and the Red Sox, but a universal sign for justice.
What happened was painful, yes, but it served as a wake-up call for all of us. It doesn’t matter if you knew someone directly involved or not.
Perhaps we have become complacent. Perhaps some things need changing. But from what we’ve been through, now we know— through our pain we have come to realize that, no matter what happens, we stand together.

A nation brought together through music

admin — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:46:10 +0000

By Melissa Almonor
Connector Staff

In times of despair and tragedy music has been a driving force in bringing people together. Following Hurricane Sandy, Madison Square garden held,121212 The Concert for Sandy Relief to help spread the world and donate to those effected. About a month after 9/11 The Concert for New York helped raise money and honor the first responders New Yorks Fire and Police Department. Hitting closer to home, the Boston Bombing last Monday has followed displaying this theory.
Music is collectively enjoyed by everyone, but what is it about music that truly brings people together? It’s a strange concept because music is not exactly necessary for living. One needs food and sleep but, music, why? The answer is not exactly black or white as a group of Umass Lowell Music Majors have pointed out. “I’ve never though as to why, says, Sam Allen, rubbing his chin. He ponders for a few seconds and finally concludes, “It doesn’t need a reason.” Eduardo Casella, takes that thought and in a way compares music to instinct it’s like a “mother sooths her baby” he says. It simply works as a way of making tough situation better. Adam Bougault chimes in and says, “Music is a universal language common to all cultures,” and goes on to remark on how no matter what culture one comes from music in a way is a medium. The trio played back and forth on each other’s ideas basically concluding that this has no answer. It may be labeled necessary for living, but it seems like it is the best way to convey a common message.
The day after the tragic events Yankee Stadium paid tribute to Boston by playing Fenway’s signature song “Sweet Caroline.” No one can really answer as to why “Sweet Caroline” is so important to Boston, as Casella comments on the songs upbeat tempo and sing a long lyrics that may get us going. Any how for those two minutes or so, rivals for years were united with the help of music. There was another incident Wednesday night when Boston Bruins and Buffalo Saber fans came together at the TD Garden to collectively sing the national anthem. In these upcoming weeks we will see the story of the Boston Bombing unfold and give some much needed answers to everyone effected. Now with our constant attention focused on the news, at some point it maybe draining. With that being said we need to make sure we take care of ourselves and each other. Some every once and a while mute the TV and play a record.
“There is a lot of comfort that music can offer” -Neil Diamond

What to do when Interacting with the Police

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:07:34 +0000

Sara Jonas
Connector staff

“What to do when interacting with the police: let law professionals tell you about it” a forum open to all students, sponsored by the UMass Lowell Prelaw Society, was held Tuesday March 26 5:00PM at the O’Leary theater. Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavalee, Senior Parole Officer Michelle Bucceri-Hawes, and Attorney and UMass Lowell alum Reynold Ilg, were the panelists invited to speak. Ilg is with the Law Offices of Ilg and Devore, and is a retired state trooper. He focuses in criminal OUI/DUI/DWI and drug cases. Superintendent Lavalee was accompanied by Officer Soben Buth who graduated from UMass Lowell in 2008.

“My goal for this event was to give students on campus a venue to ask legal professionals and police officers the hard questions that they wouldn’t be able to ask” says junior Corey Lanier, the president of the Prelaw Society.

After sharing stories of rowdy parties and uncooperative party goers, Superintendent Lavalee imparted this advice for the students in attendance: “It’s best not to antagonize the police in any way shape or form. It’s best to cooperate. That’s your best avenue for resolving the issue favorably towards you.”

When asked to comment from his experiences with DUI cases, Ilg said: “You don’t realize when you are consuming alcohol how it effects you…that’s one of the things about alcohol, it diminishes your ability to make decisions and to recognize this happening. By the time the police stop you you’re in big trouble.”
When asked her advice for students not in attendance, Officer Bucceri-Hawes stated in an email: “Students should look beyond impulsive, temporary moments, and into the far future. There, they can consider the worst possible consequences of their actions, and reassess the risk factors. Taking a moment to care about the well being of themselves, their families, and others might hold just enough influence to alter their path in a positive manner.”
The presentation concluded with questions from the audience. Questions about searching rights and DUI charges were asked. One young woman asked Superintendent Lavalee and Officer Buth if crying would get her out of a ticket.
“As treasurer of the Prelaw Society I’ve been to a couple of these forums and this is definitely the best one. We had the best turnout at this one and we can’t wait to throw another one” Said audience member Aaron Kearney.
“People were disappointed we ended at 6:30” said Corey Lanier.
“It was good to have this interaction with the police and see their point of view…it was good to hear them talk about specifically college students because a lot of us don’t know that information and we need to know that information.” Said audience member Olamide Adeyianka.

The Prelaw Society began planning this event in late February. There were approximately 60 in attendance.

Boeing Boeing Review

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:00:02 +0000

Sara Jonas
Connector Staff

Boeing Boeing has soared to new heights at the UMass Lowell
Comley-Lane Theater. Directed by Professor Dale Young, this rendition
of the popular French play kept the audience captivated and laughing.

“I really enjoyed it…I thought it was really well done” says audience
member Sam Frey.

The lines were fast and the acting energetic. Punch lines were
delivered with quick precision.

“Being able to please the audience and make them laugh is a wonderful
thing” says sophomore Marcelle Durrenberger who plays Gabriella.

The set was impressive with six working doors and noticeable attention
to detail.

Set in the 1960’s, Marc Camoletti’s Boeing Boeing is the fast-paced
story of an American swinging bachelor living in Paris. Bernard (John
Cellini) has successfully been able to juggle three love interests:
Gabriella (Marcelle Durrenberger), Gloria (Kate Munoz), and Gretchen
(Erica Tremblay) – all flight attendants on separate airlines. He
manages well enough until unanticipated changes in flight schedules
throws him for a loop as he tries to prevent his three fiancés from
encountering one another. With the aid of his high strung friend
Robert (Billy Cannon) and his comical maid Berthe (Melissa Kiessling),
Bernard scrambles to maintain his three relationships.

In his first acting role ever, lead John Cellini gives a performance
of a seasoned actor. In her seventh performance at UML, Kate Munoz
displays a natural talent. She seems very comfortable on stage. Billy
Cannon’s high energy drives the play. Melissa Kiessling’s witty
performance delivers the laughs. Erica Tremblay and Marcelle
Durrenberger play convincing foreigners with their spot on accents.

“This was a great cast to work with. They took a reasonably good
script and made it into a really great show. We had a blast and we
learned a lot during it and I’m really excited to see how much success
they had with the play. It was great fun” says director Dale Young.

Well attended performances were held on South Campus at the
Comley-Lane Theater, Wednesday March 27 through Saturday March 30,
2013.

Senate debate preview: UMass Lowell to host Markey, Lynch showdown

Patrick Cochran — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:26:50 +0000

As we continue to roll through the age of a political stranglehold fueled by the most polarized congress since the late 1800s, UMass Lowell will take center stage in the next chapter of congressional election.
On Monday night, the campus will play host to its second senatorial debate in the last year when Congressmen Ed Markey (7th district) and Stephen Lynch (8th district) pitch head-to-head for the Democratic nomination.
Republican hopefuls Gabriel Gomez, Michael Sullivan and Daniel Winslow have yet to respond to their invite. Should they accept, the trio of right-wingers would hold their own debate before the Democratic showdown.
The special election comes following the appointment of incumbent Senator John Kerry to Secretary of State. Kerry received the nomination from President Obama on December 21 and was confirmed on January 24, following his resignation from his senate seat.
Primaries for the two major parties will be held at the end of the month. A final vote on June 25 will send the state’s next senator down to Capitol Hill.
Coming in ahead in most polls is elder State Representative Ed Markey, the longest tenured congressman from the Bay State.
Markey is the classic blue-blooded old dog Massachusetts liberal. His outspoken support of party policy as well as aggressive opposition to their rivals has already cemented the Malden native as a leader within the Democratic Party.
Representing Markey’s inner-party opposition is the more moderately natured Stephen Lynch.
While adamant and firm in his uncompromising support of mainstream Liberal economic policies, Lynch has the reputation of being one of the most socially conservative Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Viewed by some to be a Massachusetts moderate in the same mold as recently uprooted Senator Scott Brown, Lynch actually falls opposite of Brown on the political spectrum. Brown often found himself on the fence or the left on social issues, while still holding to his conservative economic standards.
Lynch, on the other hand, has split from his party on several key social issues, including outspokenly pro-life. He was also strong supporter of military intervention in the Middle East during the Bush administration. However, despite having a history of opposition to gay rights early in his political career, Lynch has since worked with his party in their support, and voted down the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006.
It will be an uphill battle for the South Boston native to convince Massachusetts Democrats, the most liberal of liberals, to give a socially conservative candidate the nod for the Democratic nomination.
And that’s where UMass Lowell comes in.
Markey’s the Democratic golden boy, already receiving key, high up endorsements from the party’s elite. He’s everything they want to stabilize the pure blue MA senatorial representation after the nearly four hectic years following the death of Ted Kennedy. He’ll look to snuff out his opponent’s chances quickly and convincingly to put some wind at the campaign’s back, heading down the straightaway with a furlong lead over the Republican challenger.
For Lynch, it’s a chance to go hard after Markey; not simply to convince, but to attack. He’ll need to be aggressive, and, more importantly, he’ll need to make a splash.
Polls indicate that the lack of general attention and knowledge about the special election could play a major role in the results. Having a spotlight on Monday night, no matter how minute it is, gives a politician like Lynch, who already sports a strong underbelly of working class voters, the chance to heighten his popularity and reputation in the quick surge before decision time.
Never mind the eventual sparring match between the Republicans and Democrats, even picking the kind of Democrat to join the Senate could create ripples in the decisions of social and economic policy.
Should Markey claim the seat, Obama and the Democrats have a key chip, a reliable proven force loyal to the Left.
With Lynch, it is the Republicans that could receive a favor, picking up a legitimately socially conservative Democrat who has never been afraid to split from his party – from a state that they can never expect to have in their pocket.

Tournament Preview: River Hawks to take on red hot Wisconsin in NCAAs

Patrick Cochran — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 02:11:37 +0000

One would think that finishing in first place, capturing one of the top conference championships, and earning a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament would deal a team an easy first round match-up. Well, not in college hockey.
On Friday afternoon the River Hawks will ride up to Manchester, NH, to take on arguably the hottest team in the nation in the University of Wisconsin (the River Hawks are the only other club in contention for having a better second half of the season).
The mere fact that the River Hawks will be considered favorites, if not ignorantly strong favorites over UW is a testament not only to the development of this Lowell program, but to college hockey in general. But we can get to the history and milestones when the season’s over. Now we’re talking this weekend.
The Badgers, fresh off of claiming their fifth Broadmor Trophy as the champions of the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association), have been bulldozing through strong competition since December. That is no small achievement considering that, at a glance, the WCHA has been the clear cut top conference in the NCAA this season, boasting an astonishing six club participation in this year’s tournament field of 16.
Wisconsin’s low seeding can be attributed to the fact that they got off to an anemic start of 1-7-3 through the first month and a half of the season.
However, since that mark, the future members of the newly established Big-10 Conference have rattled off an eye-opening record of 21-5-4 (for reference, Lowell is 22-4-1 since that point), upending highly touted schools like Minnesota, Minnesota State, and St. Cloud State along the way.
Despite a relatively weaker schedule, the River Hawks downed some top echelon opposition along the way as well, such as the defending national champions Boston College, Providence, and most recently completed a four game sweep of Boston University en route to the program’s first Hockey East championship.
While not to the extent of teams like Maine and Providence, the River Hawks will be dealing with another team that looks to win closer, defensive games from the net out. Friday’s match will most likely play stylistically similar to the Hockey East final with the Terriers— another quick moving yet defensively savvy club.
For the Badgers, it all starts from the net out. While unable to statistically compare to the unreal numbers put up this season from Lowell freshman Connor Hellebuyck, sophomore netminder Joel Rumpel has been stellar between the pipes, showcasing a sub-two goals against average and a .93.3 save percentage.
Wisconsin gets some strong back-end leadership from senior captain and two time USA world junior medalist John Ramage. Ramage is fourth on the team with a +18 rating and is also second among defensemen with 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists). Jake McCabe, this year’s gold medal winning team USA captain, leads defensemen with three goals and 18 assists for 21 points.
Up front, a freshman in Nic Kerdiles has been an offensive dynamo. After missing the beginning of the season to injury, the rookie from Irvine, CA, has been explosive, putting up over a point per game with 10 goals and 22 assists in 31 games.
In the second game of the regional, a struggling New Hampshire team that hasn’t played in two weeks will likewise take on a WCHA foe in the University of Denver. The winners of both games will compete for a spot in the Frozen Four in Pittsburg.
Rounding out the three squads representing Hockey East will be Boston College in the Eastern regional down in Providence, RI. The Eagles also find themselves somewhat backing into the tournament after a mid-game collapse to BU in the conference semi-final last Friday. They will take on ECAC champions Union in the night game following the Quinnipiac vs. Canisius contest.
It is a tough draw as a number 1 seed to face off with a red hot Wisconsin team in the opening round of the tournament, but this Lowell club has made a routine of dumping tough obstacles, and yet another stands in their way.

Rock out with your mom out

Travis Benson — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:24:25 +0000

There is not enough paper to explain the significance of music, its reflection of society, and its place as a pillar of progression of humanity, but there is enough room to cheaply recall the importance of giving back to the art of sound, and expressing appreciation for such a profound field that appreciates expression.
It can be safely assumed that the reader is a human being, and as such, most likely enjoys music on some level. Further speculation reveals that said person’s listenings may involve the works of the female variety, and that such works should be shown support and appreciation for their prevalence in a more than overdue male-dominated industry. So how do we recognize the obvious role women play in it?
By throwing the annual Mother’s of Rock Concert silly!
The recently installed 9th annual benefit show hosted performers of the University and Greater Lowell Community who put on entertaining shows with songs originally written and/or performed by female musicians. It was not just about moms.
The show was held last Saturday at the Durgin Concert Hall on South Campus. Admission was generous and free, but loved receiving donations.
It was quite exuberant for a Mothers of Rock Show, or for any show in Durgin for that matter. Some of the first noticeable décor upon entrance were the giant Chinese lanterns hanging from the stage ceiling that could knock out a Chinese dragon. They played patterns of warm colors that complimented the negative colors of the stage behind them.
The performers were just as stand-put as well, opening with student acapella group known as Vocality covering Florence and the Machine with exciting and dynamic moving. Throughout the night were students, faculty, and citizens alike doing justice to the likes of Janis Joplin, The Pretenders, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Nicks, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Bjork, and Spice Girls, with the latter’s choreography being especially special, ending with Lauren Boutillette’s acoustic cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”
The Mothers of Rock hosted a variety of performers from males to females with their bands, solo acts, and acapella groups covering songs from notable females in the industry. It was a trail mix bag of the history of women in music, and did a grand job of delivering the female’s mark in rock and pop.
The event was sponsored by the Music and Entertainment Industry Association, or MEISA, to give tribute to women in music and benefit for Girls, Inc. of Lowell, who were more than happy to raise in donations for afterschool programs for enriching highschool girls. MEISA is a national organization that helps students connect and learn about the music and entertainment industry.
With all the musical gifts women have provided us over the years, it is in great spirits that Mothers of Rock thanked them for their efforts and merits in providing the public with art to reflect upon, and give the audience the chance to give the gift back. Stay tuned for the 10th anniversary.

Punkin’ out at VPAC

Matthew Sychantha — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:23:00 +0000

Pop-punk and hardcore punk; one is an overdistorted mess of short riffs lost against a frantic rhythm, a wall of cymbal-white noise and a bunch of screams about how hard it is to be a white kid from the suburbs. The other is hardcore punk.
While I’m not a fan of pop-punk, I appreciate a good show that can get me pumped up and every once in a while it’s nice to get out of a person’s musical bubble, so to speak.
On Thursday, VPAC’s show did both of those things. It was a fun night filled with good music and such a positive vibe that it was infectious and made the evening great.
Up first was a band called Deep Woods from Maine. Relative newcomers, the band has been receiving good press for well written pop punk songs throughout New England. The band itself delivered a solid set, with tightly woven guitars and well crafted hooks that were pleasing to the ear.
However, there was a lot that the band has to learn in the way of style. What I mean is that during songs both guitars and the bass would play the same thing, creating a sort of-monotonous groove. While I realize it’s part of the pop-punk aesthetic to be down to basics while still delivering a great melody line, having a single line tripled created a wall that constantly threatened to overpower the melody.
Contrast this with the second band, American Verse. Boasting a new power-trio format, the band delivered tight grooves with beautiful melodies. Their new bass player wove around the guitar lines and the drummer wove around that, creating a simple yet powerful sound that was as infectious as pop-punk can be.
Woven through their set was a number of covers by more famous pop-punk artists that, as a testament to the strength of their songwriting, stood on the level with their originals despite having very little change in their arrangements.
The next band was known as The Navidson Record. I can honestly say that as I listened to this band, what I was drawn to wasn’t really the music, but instead the spectacle of the lead singer. Singing infront of the stage and right in people’s faces, he flailed and brought a strangely magnetic level of intensity to the show. To describe it, I’d call him a more flamboyent Henry Rollins. He came up to people and got eye to eye with them, staring at the ceiling to make himself look like he had pupil-less eyes.
Rounding out the set was Actor|Observer. Tight, fast, and energetic, the band moved around the stage with an infectious charisma. Quick riffs, limitless energy and tight fills rounded out their set, and it doesn’t hurt that they encouraged people to come up on stage and scream along with the band.

Omegathon: a tournament across genres and generations

admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:22:05 +0000

Matthew Burckardt
Connector Staff

Gamers of UMass Lowell gathered in the University Dining Commons on Saturday March 2 for the yearly video game competition: Omegathon. The tournament featured a surprise game every round and took the competitors from Just Dance on the Nintendo Wii (released in 2009) to Combat on the Atari (released in 1977). The resulting voyage across generations and genres of games kept the crowd and competitors on their toes throughout a fun tournament to win the grand prize: a Nintendo Wii U, the latest video game console released by Nintendo.
The 32 competitors were in for plenty of surprises as the tournament progressed. By genre, the competition consisted of a dancing game, 3 puzzle games, a fighting game, a variety game, and an isometric shooter. Not even the grand prize winner, student Jason Thibodeau, was ready for the lineup of games, having only played one of the featured games before.
Throughout the tournament, the crowd cheered on their friends, player characters, and even a computer player. UMass Lowell student Joanna Sutton, lead coordinator of the event, was happy with the crowd’s enthusiasm and their participation in a raffle which raised over $170 for Child’s Play, a charity organization that provides video games to children in hospitals. Sutton, who will be graduating this spring, said that while she will not be around for future Omegathons, she will continue to provide her consoles for the tournament.
Sutton was also pleased with the location of the tournament. Sutton said that the event room in the dining hall was an improvement over their previous location on the 3rd floor of Fox. Food and drinks were provided for Omegathon by University Dining and Pepsi with coordination by Food Service Director Greg Gamwell. Tables of bottled drinks and baskets of snacks were provided courtesy of Pepsi, and a taco bar was arranged especially for the event, thanks to the dining hall.
The lineup gave everyone in attendance a chance to look back across generations of video games, from those that came before their time like Zoom and Combat to childhood classics like Pokémon Stadium 2. The full lineup consisted of Just Dance on the Wii, Doctor Mario on the NES, Zoom on the Sega Genesis, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai on the Playstation 2, Pokémon Stadium 2 on the Nintendo 64, and Combat on the Atari.
The final game was supposed to be Pong in homage to one of the first video games ever created, and as an ironically simplistic finale, but there was an issue with acquiring the original controllers. Omegathon is hosted yearly, so expect it back around this time next year.

Six steps to delicious nachos

admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:21:02 +0000

Derek Doubleday
Connector Contributor

Warm, cheesy, salty, spicy, crunchy, meaty, combined with cool, creamy, tangy, colorful arrangements of a giant mess makes up one of the world’s greatest inventions of all-time: nachos.
The following is a six step guide to making your very own home-made, delicious nachos.
Step 1
Large, flat pan.
You must first choose what kind of platform upon which you will lay the structure of your nachos. To make sure you have an even amount of nachos with a well-established and balanced mix of ingredients, it is best to use a large, flat cooking pan such as one you might use to bake cookies.
Step 2
Tortilla chips.
“The key to a great nacho is fresh tortillas,” says Scott Olsen, head chef of Lowell Beer Works. Since it is unlikely that the average person will have the resources to make their own home-made tortilla chips, it is easier to just buy a bag at the store. The best chips to buy from the store are the whole-grain, scoop-shaped version sold by Tostitos, called Scoops, because of their durability.
Step 3
Beans and meat.
Anyone can throw a bag of chips on a plate, toss some shredded cheese on top, microwave it for a minute and call the result nachos. In the business of making real nachos, you need to supplement the tortilla chips and cheese. A hearty layer of black beans, corn and your choice of precooked meat will transform ordinary nachos to extraordinary. I am a big fan of steak strips but you can also use ground beef, shredded or diced chicken, pork or a combination thereof.
Step 4
Cheese (a lot of it!)
The most important part of nachos is “a good amount of cheese, and try to be consistent,” said Romiro Villa, co-owner of La Caretta in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Olsen agrees. “A key is to have a good amount of cheese and make sure it is melted properly,” he said.
The best cheeses to use are a mixture of cheddar, Monterey Jack and American cheese.
Step 5
Oven.
By the time you get to this point you have laid the chips and smothered them with beans, corn, meat and a generous portion of mixed cheese. Now all you have to do is pop this gargantuan sized medley of awesomeness into a preheated 350 degree oven for about 7-10 minutes and then the toughest part of all: wait.
Step 6
Toppings.
The toppings are what make the nachos. A healthy couple dollops of sour cream accompanied by a few generous scoops of freshly made guacamole, shredded lettuce, two fat slices of tomato for garnish and lastly a serving of pico de gallo.
Two toppings that take a little work to make are guacamole and pico de gallo. Guacamole is made by taking fresh, ripe avocados and mashing them in a bowl combined with crushed garlic, diced onions, squeezed lime and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Pico de gallo is a topping that is similar to salsa, but it is made with a mixture of diced tomato, crushed garlic, freshly squeezed lime juice, cilantro and salt and pepper.
After you have dressed the nachos with these cool succulent toppings, your nachos have cooled to a perfect warmth and are ready to devour. After you take your first bite, there will not be any way to fully describe the experience other than – delicious.
Afterword
I asked every one of the nacho creators whom I interviewed, “On a scale from 1-10, 1 being lame and 10 being amazing, how would you rate your nachos?” Of all three, the highest was a nine and the other two were eights. I would say I had some humble interviewees/nacho-creators. I also followed up that question with, “How could you make it a 10?” The responses that came were quite interesting, ranging from homemade cheese to organic meat, but the one piece of sage advice that I would pass along and implore all to implement was by UMass Lowell’s north campus cook at Southwick on the Border, Kazumi Hickman, who said: “Use a special ingredient that someone does not use.” My special ingredient is a secret, but now you have the basics.