The Blaze - January 2013 by Lafromboise Communications, Inc.

The

A Publication of The Chronicle for Centralia College Since 2012 • www.centraliablaze.com

Month at a Glance Wed, Jan. 9 Lyceum: “Hugelkultur” Where: WAH 103 Time: 1 p.m. Cost: Free Sat, Jan. 12 Women’s Basketball vs. Grays Harbor at CC Gym Time: 5 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Men’s Basketball vs. Grays Harbor at CC Gym Time: 7 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Wed, Jan. 16 Transfer fair Where: NSC Foyer Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 p.m. Free Lyceum: “Make Fitness a Part of Your Day” Where: WAH 103 Time: 1 p.m. Cost: Free

Photo by Elliott Townsend / For The Blaze

Steve Ward, Vice President in charge of finance and administration and one of the many brains behind the Centralia College master plan, surveys the area where the new TransAlta Student Commons is to be erected. The Commons alone is estimated to cost $46 million upon completion.

The Master Plan: million difference will be accounted for as the project moves through legislation. The building will also be A Master Plan that annihilates privately funded by a donation of the main parking lot? Sounds sinister at first, but it’s really about as half a million dollars from local and international enterprise TransAlta, far from it as is possible. The Centralia College Master for whom the structure will be named. Plan, more commonly known “TransAlta is a valuable as the campus expansion plan, member of the community,” calls for a new building to be said Steve Ward, vice president constructed starting in either 2013 of Centralia College and the or 2015 (depending on when all the funding becomes available), in project’s primary coordinator. “How many international corporations the center of the main parking lot, between Washington Hall and the are that involved with the local Kirk Library, directly across from the communities? They actually walk the talk in being an active member New Science Center. of the community.” An estimated $46 million The other $3 million will come will go toward erecting this out of student fees, as a part of a 70,000-square-foot building, with student initiative passed years ago the hope that $42 million of that by student council to impose a will come from state funding. In Gov. Christine Gregoire’s outgoing facilities use fee on tuition, most of which will be going directly towards budget proposal, $37 million has been allocated towards this project funding the project. The amount thus far, with the hopes that the $5 is dispersed widely enough not

By Hallie Simons For The Blaze

TransAlta Commons

to have a large effect on overall tuition per student, though tuition is still expected to rise due to other economic factors. The TransAlta Student Commons will have three floors: First floor will house a new cafeteria and student center, to include spaces for clubs and other such spaces for student interaction. Moving up to the second floor, student services (financial aid, registration, counselors) will all be moving to the new building as well. Finally, third floor will house more classrooms and faculty offices. This begs the question, however, of what will happen to the building these services currently occupy? The current student center, after the construction of the TransAlta Student Commons, will house the Phoenix Center, which in turn will free up space in the Kirk Library for the library to expand. “The current Student Center

will survive for awhile,” said Ward. “It will be used as long as it’s feasible.” Both the Student Center and Kemp Hall were built with the intention of being temporary buildings, meant to last just 30 years. Maintenance funding has essentially run out for these particular buildings, and the results are visible. “It’s a cost-benefit. We have to look at how long the facility is usable,” said Ward. And finally, there is the student’s worst nightmare: parking. As previously mentioned, the building will be constructed in what is currently the main parking lot, across from the New Science Center and Washington Hall. Parking is a wreck as it is, and this building will take up about 100 of the existing spaces.

Plans to expand parking elsewhere will be elaborated on in the February edition of The Blaze.

Chronicle Launches The Blaze By The Blaze Staff The Chronicle has launched a new monthly newspaper produced by students of Centralia College and focused on campus news. This monthly newspaper, which will be distributed for free at Centralia College and inserted into print editions of The Chronicle, is part of a new comprehensive journalism program, independent of Centralia College, operated by The Chronicle as a service to the college and the community. This new newspaper will focus on news of and about Centralia College, including Centralia College East in Morton, and is being called The Blaze, in homage to the college’s Blazer mascot. The Blaze fills a gap created by the closing of the former paper sponsored and published by the college, known as B&G, or Blue and Gold, according to Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Brian Mittge. “Centralia College deserves a great student newspaper like The Blaze, and we’re looking forward to seeing what news our Blaze reporters will dig up for students and

Chronicle readers alike,” Mittge said. The concept demands that students of the college work in The Chronicle’s newsroom as interns, learning the ideas and real-world skills that the news industry actually needs. This will include news writing, photography, page design, and web development, among others. Eric Schwartz, assistant editor at The Chronicle, had the idea to create this newspaper. Schwartz attended Centralia College and worked on the Blue and Gold several years before it ceased publication. He worked with Centralia College Dean of Instruction for Academic Transfer Programs T.R. Gratz, who for many years was the advisor of the Blue and Gold. The goal of this newspaper, Schwartz said, is to create a mutually beneficial partnership between The Chronicle and Centralia College that generates real-world journalists as well as a younger base of newspaper readers. Another key member of this new effort is Centralia College student Hallie Simons, a 2012 Centralia High School graduate who served as editor of the Columns high

school newspaper. Simons, who joined The Chronicle as an intern this summer, is the first editor-in-chief of The Blaze. Other members of The Blaze Board include Chronicle Publisher Christine Fossett; Chronicle Editorin-Chief Brian Mittge; Chronicle Retail Sales Director Brian Watson; Chronicle web developer Brittany Voie; Chronicle Sports Editor Aaron VanTuyl, who is also an adjunct professor at Centralia College; Chronicle sports photographer and writer Brandon Hansen; Chronicle Visuals Editor Pete Caster; and Chronicle design supervisor Kelli Erb. The goal is to essentially develop a “newsroom within a newsroom.” This is both metaphorically and literally true — a corner office in The Chronicle’s downtown Centralia newsroom has been converted into an office and a working college newsroom for The Blaze. Students will produce a monthly edition of The Blaze to be inserted in the Main section of The Chronicle, producing their own content, photos, and page design. In addition, they will also work with Chronicle mentors to develop their unique skills and produce content for the

Chronicle. There is some hope to expand the comprehensive program to include other newspapers in the Pacific Northwest, allowing participants to experience life in other newsrooms as well. From Centralia College’s standpoint, they’re having one of the most hands-on journalism programs in the country given to them. The skills developed will be more than just credits, but rather real-world experience and know-how that is invaluable and can’t be taught in a mere classroom. Students are welcome from more fields than just journalism. Other useful programs include art, business, graphic design, English, and so many others. Those students that can work with multiple departments will be the most useful, though they don’t necessarily need to be studying in multiple fields. Stories will be online at www. centraliablaze.com and at www. facebook.com/centraliablaze. Students interested in participating in this newly-launched program are welcome to contact Hallie Simons at (360) 807-8250 or at editor@centraliablaze.com.

Sat, Jan. 19 Women’s Basketball vs. Highline at CC Gym Time: 5:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Men’s Basketball vs. Grays Harbor at CC Gym Time: 7:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Mon, Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Day Campus closed Wed, Jan. 23 Lyceum: “Decoding Food Labels and Packaging” WAH 103 Time: 1 p.m. Free Women’s Basketball vs. Clark at CC Gym Time: 6:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free

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Men’s Basketball vs. Clark at CC Gym Time: 8:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Sat, Jan. 26 An Evening with John Ford Coley Corbet Theater Time: 7:00 p.m. General Admission: $20 Golden Circle: $25 Box Seats $30 For tickets, call 736-9391, ext. 777 Or purchase in Centralia at Heymann Whinery or at Book n Brush, Chehalis. Tues, Jan. 29 Blood Drive NSC Foyer Time: 10-4:00 p.m. Lyceum: “International Student Programs” WAH 103 Time: 1 p.m. Free Women’s Basketball vs. Lower Columbia at CC Gym Time: 6:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Men’s Basketball vs. Lower Columbia at CC Gym Time: 8:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free

MAKING THE SWITCH TO

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Wed, Feb. 6 Lyceum: Slavery in the Northwest — The Charles Mitchell Story WAH 103 Time: 1 p.m. Free Women’s Basketball vs. Pierce at CC Gym Time: 6:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free

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Men’s Basketball vs. Pierce at CC Gym Time: 8:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Fri, Feb. 8 Chinese New Year Celebration NSC Foyer Time: TBA Sat, Feb. 10 Women’s Basketball vs. Tacoma at CC Gym Time: 5:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Men’s Basketball vs.Tacoma at CC Gym Time: 7:00 p.m. General Admission: $5 Student or Senior: $2 Children under 13: Free Wednesday, Feb. 13: No classes held

BE A NEW PERSON IN THE NEW YEAR See Page 2

Centralia College Student News on the Web

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BEAT on the STREET “What class are you most looking forward to?”

“U.S. History II with Jody Peterson. I like learning about history and she’s an excellent professor.” - Nick Gennick, 19, Chehalis

“Intro to Dramatic Literature, because Brian Tyrell is teaching it and there are a bunch of cool people in it.” - Catherine Brassey, 17, Centralia

“English 102. I haven’t written anything for a while so it’s like “Cool, I get to write and get a grade for it.” - Andrew Rasmussen, 17, Napavine

“I’m excited for Spanish because I love learning from Professor Yocum. She makes the class interesting and fun.” - Seth Nishiyama, 17, Chehalis SEE MORE BEAT ON THE STREET ON PAGE 3

Your Look at Centralia College Life

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Blaze 2 • The Blaze, Centralia, Wash., January 2013

How to Keep that New Year s Resolution: Lyceum Spotlights How to Make Exercise a Part of Everyday Life By Delanie Willows For The Blaze It’s the time of year when people are driving full-swing into resolutions to lose weight and get into shape. Perhaps it’s not the first time this kind of attempt has been made to get rid of those pesky holiday pounds. There is always the danger that a healthy ambition may soon lose ground once the resolve turns to a loss of where to begin. Enter Carrie Johnson, physical education professor and program coordinator for the Prevent Injury & Enhance Performance (PEP) Program at Centralia College for 20 years. Her focus on healthy eating composes an entire lyceum on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. in WAH 103, fittingly during National ‘Staying Healthy’ Month. Through high school, Johnson did not consider herself particularly athletic; she did not enjoy traditional sports. “I couldn’t hit or catch a ball,” she said. “I could, however, ski, hike, and ride bikes. I later realized that these activities could also make one athletic.” It is this idea of finding one’s own interests that spurs the motivation to make exercise fit into a daily schedule. Teaching as many as six PE and health classes combined, being a fitness instructor and personal trainer at Thorbeckes FitLife Center for 23 years, and working as a ski instructor at White Pass during the season, Johnson knows the importance of keeping herself healthy and focused. She knows that time management and proper planning are essential. One makes the argument ‘there’s just not time,’ but if Johnson is the example of how being healthy while on-the-go and taking on a full load is possible, then nobody has any excuse as to why they can’t get in shape. The lyceum is open to all individuals, particularly those who are interested in personal health or want to make a lifestyle change. It’s geared towards those that are already conscious about being healthy by exercising, but don’t know how to make progress after the infamous plateau, and those that have made the classic New Years’ resolu-

tion to get into shape and are starting from the ground up. “Some people are totally overwhelmed by the idea of exercise,” Johnson said, noting the common misconception that a large investment is required in order to achieve the ultimate physical results. Along with the intimidation of a new resolution, add the economic burden from exercise machines and annual gym club fees. “My goal is to show that exercise does not need to involve a lot of fancy equipment, a lot of time, or even a gym membership,” Johnson said. “There are ways to build it into your day with the items around you.” Spare time between class? Textbooks make great weight resistance for arm extensions or arm curls. Free moment at home? Soup cans can serve as resistance/overhead weights. These are two simple examples of upper body exercises that can be accomplished with little to no additional accessories than are already on hand. “Anyone can benefit from exercise, no matter what their age or current physical condition,” Johnson said. “Even a little bit can lead to improvements in health. I want to communicate a basic understanding of some of the benefits of exercises besides just changing the shape of one’s body.” Johnson has worked in the Health and Fitness field for over 30 years, receiving her B.A from Western Washington University in Recreation and Parks Administration and her Master’s in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Emporia State University in Kansas. She has also been involved in parenting education activities, in order to get physical activities more emphasized as a vital part in a child’s growth and development. .

Lyceum Schedule:

The Lyceum Lecture Series is a weekly one-hour presentation by community or local professionals who volunteer their time to speak at Centralia College and share information on a wide array of current topics and issues. The Lyceum can also be completed as a one credit class instructed by Jody Peterson and offered each quarter. There

Goodbye Angel By Edward Riley For The Blaze Over the last four years, Centralia College students and faculty have been using the online learning platform Angel. Angel is used by most faculty and students for everything from communicating with their instructors about missing a class, to accessing their class syllabus and homework, to turning in assignments into a digital “drop box.” This has allowed both students and faculty to access materials outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, some students have access problems due to what Kathy Brooks, Centralia College’s Instructional Designer in the eLearning Department, calls “the digital divide.” “Some students either lack access at home due to their finances, or they lack the computer and Internet skills to use Angel effectively,” said Brooks. “The technical problems are true of some instructors as well. Because Angel has so many features it can be confusing to navigate. There are some compatibility issues with certain Internet browsers as well. This is especially true of the internet browser Safari.” After a statewide review process that included faculty, instructors and students, a change is being made. The college, along with the entire state educational system, is in the process of moving away from Angel. It will slowly be replaced with a new online platform, Canvas, which includes video messaging and a way for students to better understand grading standards. “Canvas is a much better program for both teachers and students,” Brooks said. “It is easier to navigate and is designed from the student’s perspective. ... The rubric grading system is much more transparent. Students will be able to see exactly what is expected in an as-

signment. They will be able to refer back to the rubric to make sure that they have met the instructor’s expectations. This will allow them to fine tune their work. Canvas allows the instructor to match their materials with their desired learning outcomes. It’s a positive thing for everyone.” Brooks said that while the transition to Canvas has increased her department workload, the change is worth it. “We don’t have any problems or complaints from those using it,” she said. “This is not the case with Angel. We have questions all of the time, with students and faculty requiring assistance on a regular basis. Canvas has a way for users to request help directly Angel did not.” Brooks says that the transition to Canvas won’t happen overnight, but she is excited about it. “Right now there have only been three classes this fall quarter using Canvas, all in the BASM (Bachelor of Applied Science in Management) program,” she said. “This will increase to 45 classes this winter quarter, because of instructor requests. Users will also be able to request new features from Canvas, with other users voting on the ones they like. If Canvas is able, they will implement the most popular ones. The potential of what Canvas can do is amazing.” According to Brooks, the billing model that Canvas uses has the potential to save the college, and the state, money in the long run. Canvas has more flexibility and opportunities for students and faculty alike. There is even the possibility of space for clubs, groups and community activities without an increase in costs for the college. “We all have to upgrade our phones and computers from time to time, and sometimes you even have to get a new model,” Brooks said. “We’re just upgrading our eLearning program.”

Photo by Elliott Townsend / For The Blaze

Carrie Johnson, physical education professor and fitness instructor, works with her Pilates class on Tuesday, January 2. Johnson will be giving a Lyceum lecture on making exercise a part of daily life on Wednesday, January 16, in Washington Hall, Room 103.

is still time to sign up for the winter quarter if you enjoy involved discussions in a variety of disciplines. Visit the registration office for more information. Jan. 9 - “HugelKultur” by Debbie Burris on reversing the process of natural composting; taking decomposing plants and brush in order to make a fertile and supportive environment for new growth of greenery. “Hugelkultur has application for every landscape from a planter box on a deck to large acreage. It is so simple and basic you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it before.” This presentation is sponsored in part by the Centralia College Sustainability Committee. Jan. 16 - “Making Fitness a Part of your Day” by Carrie Johnson on simple techniques to incorporate a balanced dose of exercise into a stressful and busy lifestyle on a budget. The lyceum will focus on no cost solutions to exercise equipment and sustaining the desire to make the “New Years’ Resolution” a longterm commitment. Jan. 23 - “Decoding Food Labels and Packaging” by Jody Kline, a former CC student and currently an employee at Northwest Pediatrics, will discuss the positives and

negatives to the new laws mandating food labeling, asking the question ‘do you know what’s really in it?’ Jan. 30 - International Student Programs. What can we learn from native students from Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of Congo of current events in their countries? Come meet them and other ambassadors from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Japan. Feb. 6 - Slavery in the Northwest — The Charles Mitchell Sto-

ry by Eva Abram “will share the history of one of the few documented cases of slavery in our state’s history” whose break for freedom nearly started a war between the U.S. and Canada.” All lyceums begin at 1:00 PM in Washington Hall 103 and are free admission to the public. Contact Shelley Bannish for more info regarding any of the lyceum topics and their presenters at (360) 7369391, ext. 224.

CAMPUS VOICES

Our Views

Blaze 3 • The Blaze, Centralia, Wash., January 2013 Your Voice, Your Views

A Letter From the Staff to Readers, Upon the First Edition Why The Blaze? How did this happen? Why now? What’s our goal? And what is this “Blaze” thing anyway? There really is no simple answer to these questions, except to say that everything fell into place at the perfect time. We had mentors. We had an intern. We had an industry in dire need of revitalization, a new publisher at the helm of the company, and a newsroom full of people bursting with positive energy pointed towards this project, idea, pipe dream, hairbrained scheme or whatever other mislead misnomer you can think of. And suddenly it came to us: “Why don’t we just call it The Blaze?” murmured Aaron VanTuyl, Sports Editor at The Chronicle, at the culmination of the first-ever

‘Blaze Board’ meeting. The name stuck. The idea stuck. And now here we are, five months later, with our first edition, an entirely sustainable system and a whole staff of newsroom interns to support it. When we think about it like that (and granted, we’re incredibly biased), we can’t help but think that The Blaze is a pretty impressive student paper!!! None of us have been able to find anything like it in the entirety of cyberspace. A newsroom within a newsroom that publishes in conjunction with a professional paper, run by students, for students... It’s so unique, so organic. It’s an attempt to revive the industry through ensnaring a younger reader base. The average newspaper reader nowadays is, well, much old-

er. The Blaze is new, slightly edgy, and above all relevant to younger readers. Centralia College is an almost uncovered area in the local community, and yet it’s teaming with life and reportable events. It’s one of the main places that draws new people to Lewis County. Ever since the Blue & Gold died out a few years ago, there’s been no student news published except once a quarter in the newsletter, and the occasional story in The Chronicle. We’re so eager to start reporting on the College that we had a hard time figuring out where to start. Since it’s just four pages a month (so far. We’ve got plans to expand in the future.), we had to pick and choose our best, most timely and relevant news.

But don’t think this is just about the print edition once a month!!! Are we that naive? Definitely not. The news industry has changed radically since the invention of the internet. Which is why we also maintain centraliablaze.com, Facebook (Centralia Blaze) and Twitter (@CCBlaze) accounts, as well as individual reporter accounts for the above social media as well. These are updated as soon as we get the stories done. We hope to have such a huge base of content that our four pages are dedicated purely to the best content we have. We’ll be posting away, so be sure to keep checking back. Heck, maybe someday we’ll even have an app for your phone, or podcasts for your Ipod!

Check us out with your phone...

In short, we’re your best campus news source. Period. The best part about it is that you, too, can be a part of this (dare we say) revolution. Story ideas? Submit them. Have some talent we could put to good use? Apply for a position with us. There’s almost endless possibilities for what a person can do within The Blaze. Something we’re not doing that you’d like to see us do? We welcome all suggestions. This is a growing program that we hope to expand in a plethora of directions. We look forward to having you grow with us, as readers and campus community members. Cheers! -The Blaze Staff

The Adventures of Blazer Bill

Got Skills? The Blaze is always accepting submissions from Centralia College students for the opinion page, photos of events, or even comics. Think you’ve got what it takes to write for The Blaze? Email Editor-in-Chief Hallie Simons at editor@ centraliablaze.com, or call The Blaze World Headquarters at (360) 807-8250.

B THE BLAZE STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Hallie Simons Web/Print Design: Dakota Rakestraw Photographer: Elliott Townsend Sports: Janice Knutz Comic Artist: Ely Tilley

Comic by Ely Tilley / For The Blaze

What Did I Learn Last Quarter? Education is a Student’s Responsibility

For much of my childhood and young adult life, my parents, much like everyone else’s, asked me constantly what I had learned at school each day. Well Mom and Dad, in the entirety of last quarter, I learned one very important overall lesson: that learning is a student’s responsibility, not a teacher’s. In high school, teachers were supposed to guide you through the learning process. In college, we as students are expected to take ownership of our own education and to get as much out of it as is possible. In college, By Hallie Simons Blaze there’s no longer a person to nag Editor-in-Chief us about doing assignments or showing up to class. Students are expected to have learned that life lesson in their high school education, and now the “real world” has come to call. It won’t wait simply because the dog ate your homework. I’d known this for years as a vague idea, but in fall quarter 2012, I was metaphorically slapped in the face with this reality. I’d been through the Running Start program as a senior in high school, but even then I suppose I felt subconsciously supported by my status as a student of the high school. I still had someone reminding me to do my homework, whether it was my high school teachers or my parents. By the start of last quarter, I’d moved out and definitely moved on from the high school scene. I’d moved out, so the real world was just that much more tangible. I was now trying to maintain a high level of dedication to school and to work, something that’s incredibly difficult to balance, especially when you’re kind of new to the “big picture” experience. Something had to slip, and I foolishly let that be school. Not far, by any standards save those I had for myself, but it was enough for me to realize this harsh lesson. About halfway through the quarter, Deborah Shriver, my French professor, was explaining the European system of college. Classes are viewed as a time for clarification and discussion with the professor. Attendance is not expected, save

for the one (and generally only) test at the end of the learning period. Students are expected to do their own work and assign themselves as much studying as they feel that they need to really understand the subject and be able to pass said exam. While this isn’t Europe, we could certainly learn a few lessons on higher education. In my experience, students are either ridiculously dedicated to the subject, or couldn’t care less. There’s a grey area, but not much. And let’s be honest, there’s more students that don’t care. How pathetic is that? We’re paying for the classes (or even worse, someone else is) and yet we don’t take the time to truly understand the information? What’s worse is that, for many of us, our futures rest on the education we’re receiving now. College is intended for us to better ourselves for our chosen career, in most cases. Our classes potentially have our futures riding on them, and we’re skipping out on that? I fail to see the logic in even my own previously poor choices. Fortunately, my speech professor Jeff McQuarrie cared enough about his students to notice that I was going through a bit of a rough patch, and he helped me get my schooling back on track. Since our chat, I’ve done a lot of reflection and figured out a more even balance in my attentions (Helpful hint: it has a lot to do with time management and organization). Thanks to his help, I was able to get my act together long before the end of the quarter and pass my classes. Personally, I’ve learned my lesson. I’m done with being an unfocused student. I’ve learned a much better system of balance for my life, and I intend to cling to it this new, winter quarter. Hopefully, you will do the same, because we don’t have teachers or parents to catch us this time. This is real life. Our professors aren’t going to remind us of our assignments or accept excuses, nor should they be asked to. As college students, it’s now our responsibility to learn and understand our chosen fields of study. •••

Hallie Simons is Editor-in-Chief of The Blaze. Email her at editor@ centraliablaze.com.

Chic Peek: A Real Washington Winter 2013 Here in Washington, we don’t get much recognition from the fashion world for the nasty, toowarm-for-snowtoo-cold-for-lessthan-a-sweatshirt weather. After the By Delanie Willows reporter storm of January last year, I invested in a repertoire of winter apparel, including mukluk boots (houndstooth, of course), a puffy coat (semi-to-mid-puff, so as not to smother the wearer), and all types of thermals that I could think of: leggings, graphic-print tees, and insulated leg warmers (some would refer to them as socks). Yet, as the season again turns colder, facing the “joys of bundling up” won’t exactly match up with the season’s trends: tall leather equestrian boots (not waterproof if left unprotected right out of the shoebox, wreaking havoc to the material from rain and road salt ... this mistake is only made once), cashmere wrap cardigans (not the warmest, or heavy-duty for winter chills), and are retailers actually selling spaghetti strap dresses in festive winter prints alongside their spring collection? It’s usual for stores to begin selling for next season before we’re even into the thick of this one, but sometimes it seems ridiculous. This is when the individual makes his or her own decision as to what is most important: sacrificing

style for humdrum, dull winter-wear or risk health and regard for common sense in a display of seasonal fashion-indecency. Wait just a minute, are these the only options? Many already believe they’ve made the decision, indignantly thinking that the fashion world in no way affects them. I’ve got a question for you: where do you think the thrift-store-jeans-barn gets its ideas? Bingo, the larger fashion week pyramids from all around the world. The truth is that there are more options today than ever to fit the taste of every wearer, from both extremes, that are both fashionable and suitable. Designers have learned that not everyone lives in California or New York, and that’s where the influence of smaller or local designers comes in, weaving their own take of the trends and repurposing them to suit the needs of their own community. It appears that Lewis County is ahead of the curve when it comes to buying local. When I first came to Centralia I had already seen the likes of “grand” Seattleites to “green” Olympians, so I had no frame of reference for what to expect. There were some invidious rumors swirling around that the campus was made up of mostly metal welders in the tech building. This was only added to my previous knowledge of the in-depth nursing program that had been advanced upon completion of the New Sci-

ence Building, undoubtedly resulting in a prevalence of hospital scrubs. These prospects weren’t too hopeful for a prospective fashion merchandising major, but I have to say that I have found Centralia College to be one of the greatest melting pots for style, diversity, and creativity when it came to the way people dressed. I believe the lack of a traditional mall that the larger metropolises have has only helped in creating this community into the town that it is. Not even in the “bigger city” could I be friends with a model, a civil engineering major, and phlebotomist all at the same school. Take no offense when I say there are some pretty quirky conversations when we all hang out. Thus is the beauty of self-expression in fashion, it has evolved into the kind of art that exists everywhere, yet nowhere; in everyone, yet no one. It is not so much a choice between “whether to make an effort” anymore as much as it is a way of life. We here in Washington have to continually adapt, to changes in our jobs, to our future plans, and especially to the fickle and disagreeable mood swings of our weather system. If nothing else, take this fashion advice: invest in a warm mad-forplaid coat and always carry an umbrella. The bubble kind are the best. •••

Delanie Willows lives in Olympia and will graduate from Centralia College at the end of Winter quarter.

Reporters: Edward Riley Delanie Willows Contact us at: (360) 807-8250 editor@ centraliablaze.com Visit us at... centraliablaze.com

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BEAT on the STREET CONTINUED

“What class are you most looking forward to?”

“Creative writing.” - Amy Robbins, 17, Centralia

“Physics! I like physics.” - Sam Robbins, 19, Centralia