' r v}. 0 0. 108 - The Michigan Daily Weekend Magazine - Thursday, January 21, 1999 'U,' A2 snow-clearing efforts kick into h gear DAVID ROCtIQNDa4I University crews work to clear snow late last week. The Ann Arbor area got 10 inches of the white stuff than sloshed through another 4 Inches just as students were returning from winter break. The result: Long, fgid hours and many sleepless ngts for snow removal crews which scrambled both on and offcampus. A: The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: " promotes spiritual growth and professional development " preares rabbis for congrowion pulpis, Kilel, chaplaincy, cO muxal oWgnizalios, andJewish education creates alearning communr com- mitted to diversity and plurallsm fosters an informal participatory * wpades the vis onof Judaism as an evolving eo vilizaion to stdng Jewish d -t, and pracoe r unites traditonal learning and modern schoaship: a provides inuvative programs for jes Ethics, Women's and Gender Studies Scombineeintensive curelearning and EVER WONDER ABOUT THE POOL HALL AT THE MICHIGAN UNION? TAKE A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK'S WEEKEND, ETC. By WhEM ash Arts Writer Though winter came in like a lamb - by Jan. 3 it had roared to the tune of 10 inches of snow and just days later dumped four more inches on unsuspecting Ann Arbor streets. Although schools in the area and across Michigan immediately can- celed classes, the University, the Ann Arbor Traffic Division and pri- vate contractors battled Jack Frost enough to clear the way for stu- dents. But, as the struggle against the white stuff continued, more than a few nerves were frayed among city traffic division clean-up crew mem- bers - many of whom had been forced to work around the clock to keep up with area needs. "People don't realize the "Guys w inconvenience is eve r y w he r e," wooi, ' said Lars, a traf- fic officer whose 2 work included blocking off part of State Street. Owner, T "Just look in ther summer when the Art Fair comes and the same thing happens." Problems have arisen when dri- vers disregarded motorcades and other removal blockades because "apparently they couldn't walk the extra 50 or 100 feet," Lars said. But some businesses owners and students have been thankful for his work as well as the work of the rest of the crew. Members of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) even brought workers hot chocolate and coffee one day to ease the freezing temperatures. Lars said he has seen storms of this magnitude five or six times in the past but none in the past 10 years. When it comes to predicting the chances of more snow in the future, Lars cited the unpredictability of weather in Michigan. "It's a craps shoot. The odds are 50/50, so yes I think we will get more snow and no I don't." Ann Arbor officials report they have been forced to dump the excess loads of snow on the city's outskirts and in various parks. Lars estimated that the in some places snow dunes reach 40 to 50 feet high. The University hires private con- tractors, such as Terrascape snow- removal company, to clear many of the parking lots and structures around campus. Bob Rasch, owner of Terrascape, estimated that 10 to 15 percent of his business comes through the University. The first significant snowfall, which happened to be not the usual two to four inches but ten tested the grit of his workers, Rasch said. "I saw quickly whether or not they did all their homework," he said. "Guys were working 100- to Fore 1006 to r week" - Bob Rasch errascape snow removal service that work morning, noon and night to clear the cam- pus. But even with such man-power the results have been unsatis- factory, said Michael Gaubatz, assis- aMosphere 120-hour weeks." One hazard of such grueling con- ditions is just staying awake behind the wheel, Rasch said. Learning how to plow is "not rocket science," Rasch said. "But staying awake 30 hours straight behind the wheel is tough." Besides the huge number of man- hours needed, another difficulty with cleaning more than a foot on snow is being able to see curbs and islands in parking lots. "Some guys were doing their first jobs in 10 inches of snow," Rasch said. "We had a few broken plows and trucks from hitting into buried obstacles " But the brunt of campus snow is shoveled and plowed by University employees. University employees have shifts ptmctialintenshls RRC announces full tuition merit scholarships plus iing expenses for two rabbinical students entering the College in the Fall of 1999. Renewable annually for up to five years. Applications must be completed by March 1,1999. Other scholarships and financial aid also available. If you want to study in an envirnment tfat wll support your personalourney and help you preparetoasene the jewishpeople, consider RRC. Together me can add vitality toJexish Ufe. We invite you to come and visit in suburban Phlade4phia. CONTACT} Rabbi Reena Spicehandler ' Den o~ndm ion Reconstructionist Rabbinical College 1299 Church Road Wyncote PA 19095 A(215) 576-O800ext. 35 E-mail: rrinfo@rrc.edu .6 I tant manager of Grounds & Waste Management Services. Usually a typical year's snow load can be cleared and fully taken care of in about 24 hours, but current conditions should take weeks to be fully cleared and handled, Gaubatz said. The University has deployed its entire winter fleet and had to rent trucks and equipment to combat the current conditions. "We have everything from the loaders that take up the width of the sidewalk to (those that take) the width of a traffic lane," Gaubatz said. The Athletic Department, parking maintenance and grounds and waste management have been cooperating in clearing the streets. University officials said they have been trucking their clef :ed snow onto Elbel field on the band practice pad. The dirt-capped, and black-snow - covered snow mountains reach heights of up to 12 feet, making it so the rims of the basketball hoops are dwarfed and are left only to pro- trude from the pile. Students have been quick to take advantage of the snow wasteland, carving tunnels and having snow fights on the mounds. As for the future, Gaubatz said the news is far from encouraging - he has to look ahead to the time when the weather warms up, which, he said, may trigger minor floods and icy conditions. And, of course,various multitudes of other undesirable phenomena are always very possible. "We're paying attention i how to minimize the effects when all this snow begins to melt," he said.. Late-night shoppers find peace at Meijer By Sasha Higgins Daily Arts Wrter When urges to eat gummy bears, ridek bikes, and play with Etch-a-Sketches become too strong to subdue, your neighborhood Meijer can provide a solution. Even if it is 3 a.m. The Meijer experience satisfies a ' multitude of needs from essentials a like snow shovels; to indulgences such as chocolate covered donuts: or inadvertent whims including jigsaw puzzles. One can shop for groceries, reading materials, greeting cards, CDs and gerbils all in one trip - and this would just be skimming the depths of this vast megastore. Upon entering the store, shelves upon shelves stretch into the hori- zon. There seems to be no end to the Meer c rows of fruit shelves, freezers, and Shoppn clothing racks. Around every corner is another stretch of shelves, all call- bils, a ing out to the thousands of con- more a sumers who go by every hour of the ride on day. Meijer is open 24 hours a day Shah every day except for Christmas. only av While other area stores including ceries, some Busch's and Kroger locations from sci offer grocery shopping during all "It's fu hours of the day and night, Meijer's ing' sai selection and appeal among univer- is such a sity students is unparalleled. Johan Managers at both area Meijer MBA st locations refused formal comment, the prac but a Meijer employee, wishing not sides of to be identified, said the early hours "Meij of the morning are a prime time supplies shopping time for some people. also a g "People come to shop all through the form pa night," she said. "We get a lot of groups Engin of students in the early morning hours, very fax especially on the weekends." late-nig "Late-night Meijering" is often "It's a advantageous because of more avail- run out able parking spaces and shorter lines at with fri registers. Students can pick up party Hausers necessities or study-break snacks, avoid giant be frazzled parking attempts and don't volleyba have to worry about store hours. "Students buy all sorts of things during the night. Normally it's food and drinks, but sometimes they come out with a big cart full of things," said the Meijer employee. Cc Neha Shah, an Engineering sophomore, shops at Meijer, often late at night. "Meijer has everything all in one o, place and is a lot less expensive than Frien downtown. For students that's important," Shah said. Often a trip to Meijer doesn't involve spending money at all. Although browsing the immense stock of this store might take hours, targeting specific sections is quite a popular activity. The toy section awakens the inner child. For animal lovers, there is a whole aisle of fish; hamsters, ger The Michigan Daily Weekend ® Classic VCR Selo ainet nd canaries. And for those thletically inclined, a trial a bike is always offered. finds going to Meijer not way to get the week's gro- but also a chance to get away ;hool stress. in to come at three in the morn- d Shah. "Playing with the toys release. A good study break." nes Neander, a second-year udent, also is drawn to both tical and the non practical Meijer. er is cheaper and has more ," said Neander. "But it's ood stop when coming home rtying." eering junior Josh Hauser is miliar with the bonuses of ht Meijer shopping. good place to go when you of things to do. I go a lot iends after late movies," said. "Once we bought a ach ball there, and set up a ll game in the parking lot." -operative lousing f by andfor stuaaTs dly People Sharing of Meals Economical Living Tstte-C