Erie Square Gazette 63.3 Volume
Serving the Blue Water area since 1931. A public forum by and for the students of SC4.
October
10 2013
campus...2
entertainment..8 Lifestyle.....14 Editorial...........15 sports.......16 community........17
Bourbon Street coming to Port Huron page 17
Film Festival Returns to Port Huron for fifth year page 18
Campus Patrol
page 4
1 community
Editor-in-Chief
Erick Fredendall Production Editor Zack Penzien Copy Editor Emily Mainguy Spider-Managing Editor Nick Wedyke Webmistress Rebecca Kelly Photo Editor Liz Whittemore Sports Editor Brendan Buffa Adviser John Lusk ESG Contact Info: Email: eriesquaregazette@gmail.com Address: 323 Erie St Port Huron MI 48060
Oct. 23-24 Marketing and Management Bake Sale - 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24 Concert: Robert Michaels Oct. 1-31 Frost and Fire Oct. 15 Success Seminar: Turn Negative presents Flamenco Fire - SC4 Fine Arts Spiral Gallery, Studio 1219 Thinking into Positive Thinking Theatre - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. noon to 1 p.m. 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Oct. 1-31 “Art of Our Women” show Studio 1219 1:00a.m. – 6:00p.m. Oct. 16 International Students Oct. 25 Success Seminar: Microsoft Scavenger Hunt SC4 College Center Office PowerPoint - noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 10 Storm of 1913 Remembered Atrium 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Port Huron Museum – All Day Oct. 12 Zombie Pub Crawl – Downtown Port Huron – 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 Student Government Meeting SC4 Main Building, Room 110 - 3-4 p.m.
Oct. 16 WSGR Meeting - 12 to 1p.m. SC4 Fine Arts Building, Room 21
Oct.24 The sounds of SC4 President Oct.17-20 An Evening of Shel Silverstein - SC4 Fine Arts Theatre, 5:30 p.m. Dr. Kevin A. Pollock 8:00 p.m. Lynch’s Irish Tavern, 210 Huron Ave., Port Huron - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Erie Square Gazette Meeting SC4 Main Building, Room 122 - 2-3 p.m.
Oct. 25-26 “Rocky Horror Picture Show” McMorran - 8p.m. and Oct. 17 Health and Wellness Club midnight on Oct. 26 Meeting College Center Cafe - 3:15 p.m.
campus
Oct. 4-28 “Collectively Independent” SC4 Fine Arts Gallery
Oct. 10 National Depression Screening SC4 College Center 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 10 SC4 First Course Delivered by Television – College Center 12:00 p.m. Oct. 10 Erie Square Gazette Meeting SC4 Main Building, Room 122- 2-3 p.m.
Editor’s Note: All views expressed in editorials Oct. 10 Health and Wellness Club and columns contained within the Meeting - College Center Cafe - 3:15 p.m. ESG are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Oct. 11 Success Seminar: Basic Microsoft Office Word - noon to 1:30 p.m. the ESG or any of its advertisers. Oct. 12 Making Strides Against Breast We welcome feedback! Cancer – SC4 campus lawn, north of Fine Arts 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 15 Student Government Meeting SC4 Main Building, Room 110 - 3-4 p.m. Find us at esgonline.org
Calendar
Oct. 15 Zombie Defense Council SC4 College Center Atrium 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 Success Seminar: Basic Microsoft Office Excel - noon to 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 Skipper Spooktacular 5K Fun Run or Walk – McMorran Greenway 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Oct. 19 PTK Meeting College Center Atrium - 12 a.m.
Oct.22 Transfer Fair - SC4’s Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Oct. 22 Zombie Defense Council SC4 College Center Atrium 3:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 GSA Film Showing of “Not so Scary, Not so Normal” Fine Arts Building - 9 p.m.
Oct. 22 Zombie Defense Council Box Fort Bake Sale 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Oct. 22 Student Government Meeting SC4 Main Building, Room 110 - 3-4 p.m.
sports
Oct.17 SC4 Alumni Hockey Team vs. Blue Water Young Professionals McMorran Place Arena 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL:
Oct. 10 @Macomb Community College - 7 p.m. Oct. 12 @ Owens Community College (tri- match) - TBD
Oct. 18- 19 @ Kishwaukee Invitational - TBD Oct. 26 MCCAA State Tournament - TBD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
Oct. 19 Scrimmage @ Owens Community College (10a.m.) MEN’S BASKETBALL:
Oct. 18 Scrimmage @ Rochester College (5p.m.) GOLF:
Oct. 11 - 12 @ Swan Lake Resort – NJCAA Preview Scrimmage
Oct. 18 @ Jackson College (The Grande Golf Club) Time TBA
Front Photos By Burbon Street By Emily Mainguy Film Fest by Liz Whittemore. credit: Angie Stoecklin.
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Campus From the editor
ESG partners with community to collect winter clothing for children Erick J. Fredendall Editor-in-Chief
hats, and boots of all sizes are being goes into winter without the proper and hanging racks of outgrown accepted. clothing needed to stay warm and clothing. Get your friends to do the The Coats for Kids campaign dry. same. Autumn has always been my is a local effort by the First Please join us. Clear out the closets Let’s make this winter a warm one. favorite season. Situated in between United Methodist Church Men’s “sweating my balls off” and “so organization to provide warm cold I can’t feel my extremities,” the clothing for children who come from season delivers us from the hellish lower income families in the Port heat of summer and acts as the last Huron area. respite before winter steals away Clothing will be distributed to the land in a blanket of snow and various Port Huron area schools, slush. including Cleveland Elementary, But for many in the community, Woodrow Wilson, Howard Crull, and fall is a time of anxiety. For these Garfield. people, the winter chill can’t always Mid City Nutrition and Kids in be escaped by going back inside and Distress also receive coats from the curling up next to a fireplace. drive, as do certain families and Which is why the Erie Square individuals who’ve requested them. Gazette is partnering with the According the United Methodist United Methodist Men to host the Men’s president, Jack Hess, in 2012 eighth annual Coat’s for Kids charity the clothing drive collected over 767 drive on the SC4 campus. units of clothing. 50 of those units Starting this week and ending came from the ESG’s drive. Nov. 15, the ESG will have collection This year, our goal is to double that boxes in the SC4 Library and the ESG number. office, located outside room 122 in With the help of the students and the Main Building. faculty, we’re setting out to ensure New or gently used coats, gloves, that no child in our community By Erick Fredendall
Not so scary, not so normal
Zachary Penzien and Greg Garofalo inspect coats for marks and stains.
GSA to host showing of the film “Scary Normal” Amber Oile Guest writer: GSA president
On Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building, Sc4’s Gay Straight Alliance Club (GSA) invites you out to a “Not So Scary, Not So Normal” evening. We’re call on the sometimes quirky, shy, outgoing
or socially awkward members of society to join us by watching a film about the times we wish we could be normal. This film is a growing pains comedy about a young high school student named Chelsea who tries to fit into one world while running away from another, her friend
Danielle, an out lesbian that has been disowned from her family, and Chelsea’s father, a horror film movie producer. There is a lot to learn about loving oneself and acceptance of all, no matter the differences. Writer and director Jennifer Bechtel was inspired by a local GSA, and put this all together with the
intention to bring visibility of strong Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual Transsexual Queer (LGBTQ) characters to film. Keep in mind, this film is not some cheesy mainstream movie about a community we seldom see represented. It is about you, the underdogs, the kids who come from a world that sometimes accepts you, and sometimes doesn’t.
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Campus
SC4 hosts Dr. Robert T. Bakker
The famous paleontologist keynotes STEM Conference. Nicholas Wedyke Managing Editor
SC4 will host Houston Museum of Natural Science Curator of Paleontology Dr. Robert T. Bakker to speak during the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education conference, Friday Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre. Bakker is the keynote speaker for an evening lecture on popular paleontology, during the two day STEM education conference taking place Friday Oct. 25 and Saturday Oct. 26. The STEM conference will take place on SC4’s Port Huron campus, and includes
Photo used courtesy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
lectures, workshops, and family activities to promote STEM programs to children. According the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s website, Bakker acted as an adviser to the Jurassic Park films. He is also a bestselling author, most notable for his book “The Dinosaur Heresies,” as well as many children’s books on dinosaurs. Bakker was one of the first paleontologists to postulate that dinosaurs weren’t all the large coldblooded reptiles most come to think of, but creatures with warm-blood, feathers, and the means to inhabit the earth for over 200 million years. Bakker is currently digging for Permian-era species in Seymour, Texas. For more information or to register for the lecture and STEM conference visit SC4.edu/stemconf.
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Campus Ray Charles lives again Kristopher Reynolds Staff Writer
On June 10, in year 2004 the music industry lost one of the most influential artists to ever grace the Earth with their presence. I am speaking of course, of Ray Charles. Frank Sinatra said Charles was “the only genius in show business.” Even Billy Joel stated that he may have been more important than Elvis Presley. On Saturday Oct. 5, Ray seemingly came back to life, to give a stunning performance at the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre. Accompanied by the West Shore Community College Ray Live Band, Pete Peterkin, a finalist on America’s Got Talent, put on a great Ray Charles impression for “A
Tribute to Ray Charles.” Donned in full Ray Charles attire, Peterkin’s performance included such hits as “Georgia on My Mind”, “Busted,” and “Hit the Road Jack,” among many others. Peterkin has also portrayed Charles in the opening ceremonies of Super Bowl XXVII. The Ray Live band consists of Ted Malt on Saxophone, Stephen Plummer on Guitar, Jason ‘Harvey’ Hargreaves on Bass and Vocals, Erin Wall and Michelle Kiessel on Vocals, Dutcher Wright Snedeker on Piano, and David Claire on Percussion. Malt leads the band as Music Director. Peterkin, to pull a fast one on the audience, branched out with his impressions, also portraying Stevie Wonder, Cab Calloway, James Brown, and the Blues Brothers.
He impersonated all with surreal accuracy in vocals, movements, and playing styles. Audience members seemed to all agree on the performance. Susan Wright exclaimed, “I’m an avid Ray Charles fan, and that impersonation was amazing.” Goldie Smith added, “I
saw Ray play while he was still alive, and honestly, tonight I seen him again.” Peterkin simply said, “Ray is one of my biggest influences, and it’s truly an honor to have this opportunity.” Even Ray Charles himself would’ve been impressed.
vehicle assistance. If a student feels uncomfortable walking from building to building or to their car, campus patrol will provide an escort to either the student’s next class or to their vehicle. “They are like customer service,” said Krohn, “campus patrol knows the campus well and can answer any questions students have about the location of a certain building.” Students should contact campus patrol if they see any suspicious activity, are being panhandled, are involved in a minor accident, or experience a minor injury. In the event of an emergency, students should locate one of the campus’s blue lighted emergency phones which can be found at various points around campus
including the parking lots. The emergency phones are only to be used in the event of a real emergency as they connect directly to 911. The campus patrol office is located in the college center. It is the first door on the right upon entering the library. This is also where students can locate the lost and found, if they are either searching for a lost item or are turning one in. Campus patrol office hours are from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. MondayFriday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Campus patrol can always be found on campus during any special events such as concerts or plays. Campus patrol can be reached at: (810) 989-5757.
Have no fear, Campus Patrol is here! Angie Stoecklin Staff Writer
forward to is finally putting an end to your discomfort. Unfortunate events happen. And It’s winter time. You just ended a that is why campus patrol is “always long school day and as you exit the willing to help,” as stated by Cori building, you notice the freezing Krohn, human resources director at cold that takes your breath away. SC4. All you can think about is getting Other than frozen door locks, a into your warm car, and sitting in campus patrol officer can assist the driver’s seat with the warm air with a flat tire, a dead battery, keys blasting on your cold rosy cheeks. locked inside of a student’s car, and You insert your key into the car door assistance to a car that has run out and attempt to turn it. of gas. Nothing happens. Any problems involving the Your locks are frozen. Luckily you college’s parking lots are included seem to remember the campus in this as well, if a student’s car patrol phone number, a few minutes was scraped or violated in any way, after you call them, the “Egg” vehicle campus patrol will assist is filling rolls up and a campus officer gets out an accident report. out and unfreezes your locks. The variety of services offered Thanks the officer, that inviting by campus patrol doesn’t end at warm air you’ve been looking
By Kristopher Reynolds
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Campus
Student Government hosts Club Awareness Day
Billie Davis and Donna Burns inform an interested student about the Health and Wellness Club. Photo credit: Angie Stoecklin.
Angie Stoecklin Staff Writer Each semester, Student Government organizes Club Awareness Day in the Student Center at SC4. This semester, the event yielded an unusually small amount of participants, students and clubs alike. To encourage active participation in Club Awareness Day, Student Government offered passports; a piece of paper that students could collect stamps on for every club booth they visited. After receiving at least five stamps, the passports were entered in a raffle to win prizes such as SC4 hats, t-shirts, and lanyards. In
addition to the raffle, cotton candy was also handed out. But despite the raffle, only 45 students turned in passports. A relatively small amount considering that, according to the SC4 website, there are 4,438 students enrolled in the 2013 winter semester. The small turnout may be attributed to the fact that there was little advertisement on the Portal or around campus for the event. According to SC4 Student Government President Sean Lathrop, two of the clubs did not show up because they were unaware of the event. In addition, three clubs showed up late. These included Radio Club, Zombie Defense Council
and the Gay Straight Alliance. Although they were late, the two GSA representatives still managed to set up a booth a couple hours into the event. Despite their late appearance, they still had 10 students stop by their booth. “We only have five members right now,” said Jessica Johnson, GSA treasurer, “we are currently looking for officers to keep our club going.” Other clubs aware of Club Awareness Day took advantage of the opportunity to let the students who visited their booths know what they as a club were currently involved in or improving. The Drama Club used Club Awareness Day to inform students
By Angie Stoecklin
of their new initiative for their club meetings. “Instead of making it like a business meeting like we have been doing, our new plan is to have fun at the meetings we have,” said Dan Williams, active member of the Drama Club, “we won’t be doing as many shows, but we will be doing improv games in our meetings and we are planning trips to go and see plays around the area.” Health and Wellness club received the most visitors at their group with 35 students. The ESG followed close behind with 32 visitors, followed by the Drama Club who had 30.
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Campus SC4 library celebrates the First Amendment
Reachelle Kocis Staff Writer
‘The Naked and the Dead”
The Harry Potter series
“The Lord of the Rings”
The SC4 library is celebrating the first amendment and fighting censorship by taking part in the American Library Association’s banned book week. According to ala.org, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of the most frequently challenged books in order to inform the public about By Norman Mailer was censorship in libraries and schools. By J.R.R. Tolkien was by J.K. Rowling was critically acclaimed to be The ALA defines a challenge as burned outside Christ challenged in 2001, 2002, one of the greatest pieces a formal written complaint, filed Community Church in and 2003 under the of literature to come out with a library or school requesting Alamagordo, NM, In 2001 argument that it promoted of WW2 yet it was banned that materials be removed because for being accused to be the occult/Satanism and in Canada and Australia in of content or appropriateness. A satanic. violence. 1949. ban is the actual removal of those materials. While some banned/challenged books are as notorious as “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger others are as unassuming as “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White. The ALA claims for every challenge reported four or five go unreported. The following books were chosen from the SC4 library, (with the exception of “Ulysses” by James Joyce), the information about those books were gathered from compiled lists at ala.org/advocacy/banned. “1984” by George Orwell was challenged 1981 in Jackson County, FL for being pro-communist and containing sexually explicit matter. “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair was burned in Nazi bonfires because of the author’s socialist views. “Ulysses” by James Joyce was burned in the U.S. in 1918, Ireland in 1922, Canada in 1922, England By Reachelle kocis in 1923, and banned in England in Amendment has an obscenity clause, there is no clear definition of what it obscene to some people are not 1929. meaning that the First Amendment means to be obscene. obscene to others, and here lies the Are books still being challenged does not protect obscenity; but, Things that are considered to be issue. and banned today? The First
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Campus
Let me show you how it’s done
Art faculty showcases their artwork in the Fine Arts Building Erick J. Fredendall Editor-in-Chief
collaborate and work as a team without losing our independence in the process,” said Celeste Skalnek, Art faculty can talk all day in the executive coordinator of the classroom, but can they back up humanities division. their words with their own work? Faculty featured in “Collectively That is what the new exhibit in the Independent” include: Lloyd Eddy, Fine Art Gallery has set out to prove. Jill Rowan, Holly Pennington, Biz Members of the SC4 art faculty Knapp, Sarah Slobodzian, Mike are showcasing their work in the Bladow, and Alfred Gay. Fine Arts Gallery through Oct. 28 “Collectively Independent” under the show title, “Collectively represents almost every member Independent.” of the art department and presents “The name is a depiction of multiple mediums including our department and how we all ceramic, woodcut, graphite, and oil.
According to Skalnek, every year SC4’s art department sets out to host a faculty exhibit. Last year’s show was a one woman exhibit by Jill Rowan, titled “Transitions.” “These exhibits not only confirm the talent of our master artist instructors, but allow the students the opportunity to study the works presented as part of their curriculum,” said Skalnek. The reception for “Collectively Independent” will fall
By Erick J. Fredendall
on Thursday, Oct. 17, 4-8 p.m., and will include light refreshments. It will also coincide with “An Evening of Shel Silverstien” at 5:30 p.m., a collection of short plays by the SC4 Players. Students who show their Skipper I.D. cards will receive free admission the play. The event is open to anyone wishing to attend.
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Entertainment Doctor Sleep:
Stephen King’s latest will keep you awake Alex Olson Staff writer
Stephen King returns to the bestseller list with his most recent novel, supernatural thriller “Doctor Sleep.” The sequel to King’s 1977 novel, “The Shining,” it follows protagonist Dan Torrance, an alcoholic with psychic abilities. He takes work as a hospice orderly, using his ability or “shine” to help residents pass away peacefully. This earns him the nickname “Doctor Sleep.” Torrance crosses paths with Abra, a young girl with similar talents. Abra is being stalked by a mysterious group of nomads who kill people with psychic powers and inhale their essence. Torrance and Abra team up to battle these creatures, leading to a confrontation at the ruins of the Overlook Hotel, the setting for “The Shining.” The plot moves quickly, jumping from viewpoint to viewpoint, even moving forward years in time. This does make the book a little hard to follow, but makes up for it with engaging characters and constant suspense. The book is a fantastic read, King is at his best when describing Torrance’s struggle with alcohol. King himself suffered from alcoholism, so you get a sense that this is a guy who knows what he’s talking about. One scene that stuck out was when Torrance reveals to his AA group some of his escapades while drunk, including stealing money from a destitute woman. His fellow AA members are unfazed, check their watches, and continue eating. This struck me as anticlimactic, I was expecting a drawn out melodrama, yet King delivers a dose of reality. These little details are what make Stephen King’s writing great, and “Doctor Sleep” is full of them. The main character, Dan Torrance, resembles many of King’s protagonists from other novels. A basic good guy troubled with dark secrets and a mysterious situation or power. It is not a major detractor from the novel, but fans of King’s other works will get a feeling of nostalgia to characters like Gard, from “The Tommyknockers,” and Thad Beaumont from “The Dark Half.” The only flaw is in King’s description of Abra. She’s thirteen for a major portion of the story, yet King makes her sound like a giggly eight year old. For Stephen King fans “Doctor Sleep” is a must have. For casual readers, this is a great way to get into King’s books.
AMC salutes the final episode of Breaking Bad Brendan Buffa Sports Editor
In the television series’ length, it has won 45 of its 113 nominated awards, including the 2013 Warning: Possible Spoiler Alert. Primetime Emmy Award for A legacy that started on Jan. 20, Outstanding Drama Series. 2008 has officially come to an end The final episode named “Felina” with a thunderous applause from holds a special cryptographic fans and television enthusiasts alike. meaning when referring to “Breaking Bad”, the critically chemistry. acclaimed crime drama starring “Fe” being iron, “Li” being Lithium, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as a and “Na” being sodium, stands tandem of meth kingpins, finished for the three main components in its 5 and final season on Sept. 29, Breaking Bad’s theme – Blood, Meth, 2013. and Tears.
Vince Gilligan, the creator of the series is known for holding hidden messages within the show, including the name of the final episode being an outline as to what is to come. The last episode ends in a “punishing yet unforgiving way” said Gilligan. If you have seen the finale, you could agree that the final ten minutes of the show were jawdropping. Although the show is over, there are talks with AMC happening that
could create a spin off titled “Better Call Saul” – a prequel based around the life of the criminal lawyer, Saul Goodman. Officially, Walter White is no more, Jesse Pinkman is free and we are left to imagine what happens next with the likes of the Skyler, Marie, Saul and so on. Thank you AMC, for making bad so good.
9 Dead-on or just dead? Alex Olson Staff Writer
Entertainment
expressions are convincing and chilling. She truly carries the show, as the other actors are rather stiff October is here so it is time to roll and forced. out the gore. Fede Alvarez’s 2013 But it’s a remake. remake of Sam Raimi’s cult classic That is the one stigma that ruins “The Evil Dead” does just that. Evil Dead for a lot of people. It does The story is basic; group of friends not have the same campy feel, the staying in a cabin, one ingenious same black humor, nor the shock young man reads an evil book, factor the original carried. While (aloud, of course, you always read Evil Dead does pay homage to evil incantations aloud) and then Sam Raimi’s classic, it falls short demons come out and everything in creating the same atmosphere. goes south in a hurry. Raimi’s version felt like you were A new element that Alvarez added seeing something terrible that was the idea of Mia, girl-turnedyou were never supposed to see, demon, as being a recovering drug whereas Alvarez’s seems more like addict, and the cabin stay as an an oozing spectacle, boosted with intervention. Mia’s friends and tons of special effects. brother write off her behavior The film is enjoyable and grisly, at first, assuming her increasing sure to make the girlfriend cringe, oddness is just another symptom of and worth a rental, but do not buy withdrawal. the special edition. Then Mia attacks her friends with a gun, and everyone realizes something is very, very wrong. The gore is phenomenal, the special effects superb. Viewers will cringe in horror as blood is spilled in gallons, tongues are cut, arms detached, and a blonde goes nuts with a nailgun. The musical score sets the mood nicely, with eerie music blaring as ominous shots of a darkening cabin appear. However, sometimes the music is a bit overwhelming, so much so that the music itself is more noticeable than the on-screen carnage. Actress Jane Levy, (Mia) does a grand job portraying both an addict in withdrawal, and as a possessed woman. Her voice and facial
Wonder Woman:
swords, blood and angry gods Zachary Penzien Production Editor on twitter at @testsubject777 In late 2011, Brian Azzarello was hired to recreate Wonder Woman within the context of the new 52 reboot. It has consistently been one of the most interesting titles that DC has put out. You should be reading it. The biggest change in the book has been taking Wonder Woman almost completely out of the superhero game. Instead they have placed her in her own corner of the DCU that plays up the mythological angle of her character. Azzarello placed her in between of the angry goddess Hera, Zeus’s wife, and the mortal mother of a child of Zeus. There are currently three volumes of Wonder Woman out in collected editions, volume one, “Blood,” volume two, “Guts” and volume three, “Iron” in hard cover. The trade format has a $15.99 cover price and the hard cover is $25. As you can probably tell by the titles, Azzarello is pretty gruesome. Although in this title the violence does not feel over the top, probably due to the nature of the material. Greek myths often depicted the gods as super crazy so the violence is not out of place here. While Wonder Woman still has her trademark “lasso of truth” she uses a sword and shield a lot more these days to stop what wants to kill her friends. “I liked how it has Greek
mythology worked into the main story. I also liked how more feminist views are worked into the story, women wanting to be treated as equals instead of superior,” said Tessa Bratton, former SC4 student. When asked about the lack of other superheroes in the book she said, “I think that it is good that the story has less other heroes in it, as to focus on wonder woman and her goals with story”. The artist on the book, Cliff Chang, is really great at capturing some of the more odd stuff in this book. His designs of the monsters, gods, and armor all are super unique but all feel as a part of the same world. The covers that divide each issue inside the book are beautiful pieces of art included are the sketches of the cover. If you’re interested in getting back into comics but are not feeling the superhero side of things, give Brian Azzrallo’s Wonder Woman a shot, or a stab.
Entertainment Grand Theft Auto V Online
From server woes to mysterious glitches GTA V online starts off shaky Nicholas Wedyke Managing Editor
The first few days were futile with game sessions timing out and my saved data being corrupted Grand Theft Auto online launched temporarily. When the server began on Oct. 1 and was instantly too big of working properly the game-play an undertaking for Rockstar’s (GTA was fun, and almost as good as I V’s development company) servers. expected. Having the full open world It’s what I expected when the of Los Santos and San Andres to numbers of units sold came out explore with up to sixteen other after the GTA V launch on Sept. 17, players online is mind blowing when selling over $800 million dollars I think about how big of a gaming worth of games its first day alone. accomplishment that really is. The majority of those gamers have The online mode starts out with access to online content, so the a fairly in-depth take on character amount of traffic when the online creation, and instantly goes into a portion launched was just too series of tutorial missions, and open massive to continue on without a world mayhem. hitch. The missions I start to receive at a
low level are generic at best, steal a car and deliver it to a location or a street race. After powering through these banal tasks the missions come in higher quality and supply, along with a bigger cash value on them. The online mode takes character personality to a new level with the option to have a car of your own as well as buy real estate with in-game money. Heed my warning: buy car insurance and trust no one in this open world epic. They will steal the car you just spent over $10,000 on, then kill and rob you. But that is what makes the multiplayer GTA the most fun.
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Dealing with the online jerks comes just as often as dealing with the good guys and it’s much more satisfying when you find someone you can do a couple missions with and have a good time. The same can be said about the overall online experience. Sure, it’s having server issues but when this game is working it is one of the best examples of new-age gaming on consoles. Buy GTA V and play the storymode, get as much as you can out of the single player and then jump into online game-play.
Photo used coutesy of Rockstar games.
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Entertainment
Steam powered is the future of gaming Valve announces Steam OS and Steam-Machines. Nicholas Wedyke Managing Editor
stream games and other content directly from the users Steam portal, and eventually users will be able to build and modify their very own Valve Corporation, developers behind the Half-life and Team Steam-machines. Fortress series along with the Valve has already designed and innovative Steam gaming portal, just produced many of the rumored recently unveiled a new Linux based Steam-boxes, Valve’s first venture into creating its own console, and operating system called Steam OS. The operating system is is sending them out to 300 Steam completely free and licensable, and gaming beta testers this year. Valve stated this operating system Along with the OS and Steamwill run games on platforms known machine, Valve also announced the as Steam-machines. In Valve’s eyes Steam controller. The controller Steam-machines are any computer boasts dual track pads, a centered running the Steam OS. touch screen, multiple symmetrical Valve stated that the Steambuttons and triggers. machine is a “collaborative, many, to Steam’s official announcement many platform.” The platform will about the controller included this
Steam gaming portal. Photo by Joshua Livingston, used under a creative commons license.
quote, “traditional gamepads force us to accept compromises. We’ve made it a goal to improve upon the resolution and fidelity of input that’s possible with those devices.” With the future of gaming heavily
in Valves court at this point, keep an eye out for any future announcements, or sign up to be a beta tester at store.steampowered. com/livingroom/SteamMachines.
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FerriS
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In addition to the Criminal Justice program and Business Administration - Professional Track (International Tourism) right here at SC4, we have fully OnlIne degreeS and certificate programs, as well as a host of online classes available. To find out which courses are offered online, or to determine if online learning is right for you, visit ferris.edu/online.
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Lifestyle
Fallen leaves, pumpkins, and spiced rum Kristopher Reynolds Staff Writer
It’s that time of year where people will be welcoming the scent of wet, fallen leaves, colorful trees, and pumpkin-scented/flavored products. Perhaps one of the best days to welcome this season (or any other for that matter) is with good, oldfashioned intoxicants, ergo alcohol. Fall marks the release of several fall-oriented seasonal beers and drinks. With so many to choose from, it might be applicable to hear opinions from a beer snob. Let’s start with beer. One beer released at the end of every September is Samuel Adam’s Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is a märzen-style beer featuring five different varieties of malt. The color
is a little on the rich orange side, with a palette of bitter smoothness; a good ‘go-to’ beer for those who are new to the craft or specialty beer society. Another fall oriented beer is Bell’s Best Brown Ale. Featuring hints cocoa and medium-malted barley, Best Brown Ale features a soft brown coloration, and a palette that is just heavy enough for cooler weather, but not overbearing. For those really looking to get into the October spirit, Blue Point Brewery’s Pumpkin Ale might be a good choice. Brewed very similar to Best Brown Ale, but featuring an extra ingredient in the fermenting process: pumpkin, obviously. The pumpkin flavor can be a bit apprehensive at first, but for those with a more developed taste, the ale is a fine addition to a slice of
‘Tis the Season
pumpkin pie. How about those who aren’t into beer? Well, fear not, for here is a great cocktail recipe for a “Pumpkintini” given by an anonymous person under the pseudonym “Burke:” Take one ounce of pumpkin liqueur, put into a martini or daiquiri glass. Add half an ounce of
dark rum, half an ounce of chocolate liqueur, and a dash of cinnamon liqueur. Garnish by floating alcoholinfused vanilla whipped cream on top, and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. Welcome autumn and perhaps someone could add these beverages to their next Autumn-oriented feast.
in Pennsylvania opened a clinic recently. Patients enter into a 10 day voluntary program, in which they go through a “digital detox.” That means a full 72 hours without a phone, tablet, laptop, any sort of device that connects to the Internet. Granted, it is not covered by insurance, so it’ll cost $14,000 out of pocket. Certain groups of people are more susceptible to Internet addiction. Young males are more prone, mostly through Internet based games. They use it as a way to connect, to feel accepted and praised for their skills. People with anxiety, who are depressed, all are at risk of internet addiction. Using the web to get your mind off of things is fine, in moderation. Too much of it runs a
risk of dependency. Betty Myers, Psychology Instructor here at SC4, says: “Science has identified that there are genetic predispositions toward addictive behaviors, which explains why alcoholism often runs in families. Psychologists typically believe that nature or heredity sets the stage for a given behavior, and their environment tips the scale.” Children are exposed to the Internet at an increasingly young age, given cell phones and tablets earlier and earlier. It would certainly seem that the environment is encouraging this addiction. Internet addiction might not be a major threat now, but as Wi-Fi becomes more and more accessible, the risk becomes greater.
Internet addiction: are you an addict? Alex Olson Staff Writer
“College students are especially at risk, all of our tools for research are online.” Everyone has wasted a few hours She has a point; many classes cruising around on the Internet, but have online resources. Web Study is there a risk of becoming addicted? is used to submit homework and According to the American Society review materials; SC4 has an online of Addiction Medicine, addiction portal that has vital information for is characterized by “inability to students. Textbooks, study guides, consistently abstain, impairment all online. Teachers are embracing in behavioral control, craving, the internet, using it in the diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and classroom as well, showing videos and useful websites. interpersonal relationships, and a The Internet is everywhere, dysfunctional emotional response.” is everyone doomed to become Is this happening to you? Is the twitching, screen gazing addicts? Internet, the lure of Facebook, Not to fear; there is a solution. online gaming, gambling or social According to ABC News, hospitals media interfering with your life? Do are beginning to open centers you log on, then lose track of time? for treating Internet addicts. The Jestine Duncan, freshman at SC4 Bradford Regional Medical Center thinks it affects students directly:
By Kristopher Reynolds
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Lifestyle
Planting Hope, Not Seeds – Let’s Talk About Suicide Jennifer Gibson Staff Writer Suicide is the third leading cause of death among the age group of 15 to 25 nationally. Last year, seven of the nineteen suicides in St. Clair County ranged from the ages of 19 to 35 as reported by the county medical examiner’s office. On average, 80 percent who completed suicide were exhibiting signs and behaviors to indicate the possibility of suicide, while 20 percent completed suicide leaving no warning signs at all. Males are at higher risk of completing suicide than females, firearms being the most used method, according to demographic data compiled nationally on suicides. “The majority of suicidal individuals, 80 to 85 percent, have an undiagnosed mental illness,” said Amy Smith, the community planning officer at St. Clair County Community Mental Health. According to Smith, a common misconception about suicide is the belief that talking about it will somehow, “plant the seed of suicide in someone,” who is showing recognizable signs of suicide. This is simply not true. When suspecting someone is suicidal, silence will not prevent them from attempting suicide. Smith went over signs to look out for as well how to respond if someone is exhibiting suicidal behavior: •
Eating and/or sleeping problems
•
Disregard for personal hygiene
• risks)
Risky behaviors (i.e. erratic driving, binge drinking, taking unnecessary
•
Recent loss (i.e. relationship, job, death of a loved one)
•
Sudden, dramatic improvement after having been depressed
There are ways to help if there is a concern someone is suicidal such as: •
Be direct, be honest, talk openly, and be prepared for their answers
•
Remain calm and listen
•
Allow them to express their feelings – good or bad
•
Do not judge them, make sure to be empathetic
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Get involved, take action, get help – know your limits
•
Do not leave them alone if they are in imminent danger
Ways that are not helpful: •
Acting shocked
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Minimalizing the issues, promising confidentiality, preaching
•
Arguing
Suicide can be prevented. There is help for someone who feels that suicide is the only answer. The Suicide Prevention/Crisis Intervention Hotline is: 1-800-273-TALK or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Another source is the St. Clair County Access line: 1-888-225-4447. On Thursday, Oct.10 St. Clair County Community Mental Health will be having a depression screening on campus in the College Center Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this is free and open to the public. There is no “respawning” in real life. Death is final and the survivors of suicide are the people who have to live with the results. An important point Smith made, “When someone completes suicide they alone are responsible for that choice.” The Survivors of Suicide (S.O.S) support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at St. Clair County Community Mental Health at 3111 Electric Avenue in Port Huron. Those interested may contact Amy Smith at 810-966-7830 for more information.
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Editorial
The extermination of entrepreneurship
Brendan Buffa Sports Editor
The businesses that are on the main drag of Port Huron are only a possible three-minute walk away Every Monday afternoon I go off from campus, but it seems that more campus to walk downtown and grab students will opt for other places. dinner. Whether it is 24th street and their A four-hour break is a long time plethora of fast food options, or their and I often find myself with nothing own home, it is apparent that local to do. businesses and the entrepreneurs I go to sit down and enjoy a meal that run them are struggling. at a local business and brainstorm Kate Voss, the founder of Kate’s about what I should write about Downtown Café admits that the in the latest issue of Erie Square amount of student traffic isn’t up to Gazette. par. While I sat at the table, I looked “I think that once you’re out of around and realized that there were class students just want to go home a limited amount of SC4 students or have to work, and students are around in local businesses. usually hurting on cash.” Voss said.
According to Voss, she doesn’t see fast food restaurants being the enemy when it comes to student decisions. Scott Beedon, the owner and founder of Round Island Sweet Shoppe has seen the detrimental effects of slow student traffic as well. “We know there is a presence, but being around our first year we would like to see more traffic,” Beedon said. The low amount of students that seem to flow through the downtown areas could be credited to many things, but the small businesses are trying their best to branch out. Most local businesses offer a
By Brendan Buffa
Skipper One Card discount that ranges from 10-15% off purchases when you present the cashier with the card. Although I can try and play the blame game on different causes, it seems that not every small business is hurting in the area. Casey Harris, owner of the popular pizza restaurant, Casey’s Pizza, seems to see a fair share of students coming in around lunchtime. “At lunch hour we see a lot of student traffic in here, we offer a 15% off Skipper One discount and we see that popping up a lot!” said Harris. The new patio addition at Casey’s Pizza has brought in a new crowd and really changed the feel of the completely original pizza parlor. Local businesses, especially the ones around Port Huron, are fresh experiences apart from the typical fast food chain restaurant, and I would recommend that everybody give them a chance, because you never know what you will find.
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Sports
Skippers volleyball captains play their last home game Brendan Buffa Sports Editor
With a schedule that consisted of only 4 home games, Skippers volleyball gave thanks to their three captains at the game on Oct. 3 against Oakland CC. Rachel Cooper, (Grayling, MI) Heather Griffis (Weidman, MI) and Katie Bearse (Oxford, MI) received a goodbye ceremony as they prepared to play their last game on their home court. “I can honestly say that in all my years I have never had a more dedicated group of captains,” said head coach Chuck Weisner, “I am honored to have had coached them.” With a group of captains that were a dominant force on the court, it went relatively unnoticed how these girls bonded off the court. All three captains became close as they made the commitment of living together off campus. The girls moved in to their new apartment and immediately bonded as they spent endless hours with one another from breakfast in the morning to hitting the pillow at night. When practices started to occur twice daily, they were able and willing to help each other stay strong and work hard to create a better season than last year. Being the only remaining members from last season’s team, the ladies knew what it was like to have a depressing season. Going 4-8 in the conference and 17-20 overall, the girls have already eclipsed their wins from last year and still have plenty of games left. The Skippers currently reside at second place in the conference
behind Oakland with a record of 216. With a 6-2 record in the Eastern Conference, the Skippers are set to head to Districts being a feared team. Schoolcraft and Macomb are on the schedule for Oct. 8 and Oct. 10, respectively.
The weekend holds an unknown opponent at Owens Community College for a tri-match that won’t be revealed until Friday, Oct. 11. Wishing the captains the best in their future ventures, the college and the fans appreciate the entertainment they have brought us in the past two years.
Anybody who spends time around these three girls will never fail to see the bond they have created, and the love that surrounds them, and the rest of the team can agree.
From left to right: Rachel Cooper, Katie Bearse, and Heather Griffis – the three team captains and two-year veterans smile for the camera before their last home game comes to a close.
By Brendan Buffa
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Community
Bourbon Street coming to Port Huron
Emily Mainguy Copy Editor
A little slice of Bourbon Street is coming to Port Huron, and according to Jeremy Stemen, general manager of the Cajun Gator, it will be opening in a couple of weeks. The Cajun Gator is inspired by New Orleans’ Bourbon Street and is located right across from the SC4 campus’s main building on Huron Street. A portion of the design elements were shipped straight from Bourbon Street to create a reproduction of the area right here in Port Huron including a small gator whose home will be located in a tank inside the right entry wall. Much of the architecture for the restaurant is based on the historical French and Spanish architecture found on the actual Bourbon Street. The outdoor recreation of a streetscape is adorned with bright yellow and orange paint and the patio is paved with brick and includes a fountain. The Cajun Gator will feature work by local artists and intends to include local artists into the regular functioning of the restaurant. “We wanted to make Port Huron a fun place to be,” Stemen said Currently the restaurant features work by three artists: Cecil Williams, Cindy Badley and Oscar King. Their work include stained glass panels and a streetscape mural covering the entire entry way. Stemen explained that he wants to feature local street performers in the courtyard as well as musicians and artists doing caricatures. The Cajun Gator will be able to seat about 350-400 people in one of four areas, each inspired by a different piece of the culture which will also include a banquet room, two bars, and outdoor seating. Their menu will feature a wide variety of foods including, burgers, cajun style foods, and creole cuisine. To keep up with the Cajun Gator like them on Facebook or keep an eye on their website for more news, www.cajungatorcuisine.com.
By Emily Mainguy
By Emily Mainguy
By Emily Mainguy
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Community Film Festival Returns to Port Huron for fifth year Liz Whittemore Photo Editor
McMorran Place Theatre in Port Huron housed the fifth annual Blue Water Film Festival Friday Sept. 27 and Saturday Sept. 28. To jump start the festival, Friday night featured stand-up comedy from comedian Chris Newberg, a Californian resident who was born in Birmingham, Michigan. Newberg has been featured on Comedy Central and NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Saturday hosted all of the films featured at the BWFF. For $20 attendees were able to view the 20 films that began at 10:00 a.m. and went until 11:30 p.m. Separated into five blocks, the
duration of films ranged anywhere from four minutes to an entire hour. The festival featured a variety of genres with dramas, documentaries, comedies, and even finished with a film for mature audiences to wrap up the event. The BWFF award ceremony was from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 28 at the theater after the fourth block of films were shown. During this time the Golden Mitten is awarded and awards for best in direction, cinematography, screenplay, soundtrack, acting (male), acting (female), and film favorite were announced and awarded. The 2013 winner of the BWFF’s Golden Mitten Award is Oscar, Emmy, and Tony award-winning
actress Ellen Burstyn. Burstyn is a Michigan native and has starred in several films including “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974) and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” (2004). Burstyn stated that she was thrilled to be accepting the award. She spoke about her career and offered advice. “Don’t wait for someone to give you your first break,” Burstyn told the audience, which included multiple filmmakers and actors featured at the BWFF. Kristian Choate, a psychology major at Macomb Community College, came to the BWFF to see Ellen Burstyn. “We were curious about the films and we wanted to meet Ellen,” said Choate, “I’ve been a fan since I saw
her act in ‘Requiem for a Dream’,” a dramatic film Burstyn costarred in 2000. During the festival, a question and answer period is held after each block of film showings. Festival attendees can ask questions to filmmakers and some of the actors. To be submitted to the festival, the films must meet one of two qualifications. The film must either have been filmed in Michigan or in the province of Ontario, Canada or the individual submitting the film must have a permanent residence in the specified area and must have participated in its production. For more information on the festival or how to support visit bluewaterfilmfestival.com.
The crew of “Downriver” by Tinisha Brugnone win the BWFF’s Film Selection Committee Favorite Saturday Sept. 28 at the Blue Water Film Festival. They are announced by BWFF Executive Director Jeremy Stemen.
by Liz Whittemore.
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Comics