65.3 by Erie Square Gazette

The

Volume 65.3

Erie Square Gazette A public forum by and for the students of St. Clair County Community College

Blues and Folk music unite

Blues group and local band reel in crowd at SC4’s theatre

Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief

need to realize the outstanding talent in town, as well as the talent that is brought into town to perform On the night of Oct. 4, the audience alongside local artists. in SC4’s Fine Arts theatre exploded “The Gasoline Gypsies are an with applause when Coordinator of excellent, fabulous band and people the Arts Celeste Skalnek announced need to hear them. But to have that she was thrilled to have Madcat somebody of Peter Madcat Ruth’s Midnight Blues performing at SC4. stature come to town and be able The event featured opening band to hear them and see the way they Gasoline Gypsies, a local Folk band react with each other on stage is consisting of former SC4 students, wonderful,” Shelany said. and continued with Blues group, Madcat Midnight Blues Journey is Madcat Midnight Blues Journey. The a four-piece Blues band; performing concert didn’t end until 45 minutes Blues pieces bordering on different after it was supposed to, but that genres from country to rock and roll. didn’t take away from the energy The band consists of lead singer and exhibited by either the bands’ or the harmonica player, Peter “Madcat” audience members. Ruth, guitar player and keyboardist, Sherry Shelany, 68, of Fort Gratiot, Drew “Captian Midnight” Howard, stated that the people of Port Huron bass player Mark “Papa” Schrock,

and percussionist Michael “Kid” Shimmin. According to frontman Peter “Madcat” Ruth, when Skalnek contacted him and asked if he would like to perform at SC4 he didn’t hesitate to say yes and he was not disappointed. “I’m glad we could do it. It’s such a beautiful auditorium; the sound system is really good, and the people running the sound system are great at what they do,” Ruth said. The band performed the previous night in Kalamazoo. But they made the drive for the opportunity to perform on the east side of the state, which, according the Ruth wasn’t the only change the band had been looking forward to. “We’ve been playing outdoor

October

2014

Caleb Malooley from Gasoline Gypsies join’s Peter “Madcat” Ruth, Mark “Papa” Schrock, and Drew “Captain Midnight” Howard onstage to play harmonica alongside them. Photo credit: Angie Stoecklin

concerts all summer long. And it’s been fun because there’s a whole different energy about outdoor concerts. But when you’re indoors and have that back wall and enclosed space, you play differently, the musician adjusts to the room and it’s such a nice theater that we were kind of being more subtle in a way, which was nice,” said Ruth. Ruth stated that although each member of the band had to drive at least an hour on their way out of Port Huron, they appreciated the opportunity. “We’re really glad to be here and share our music with the folks over here (Port Huron),” Ruth said.

Volume 65.3

Editor-in-Chief Angie Stoecklin Production Editor/Designer Emily Mainguy Managing Editor Chico Hernandez Photo Editor Jenelle Kalaf Business Editor Paul Porter Life Style Editor Peter Parker Adviser John Lusk

ESG Contact Info: Email: eriesquaregazette@gmail.com Address: 323 Erie St Port Huron MI 48060 Editor’s Note: All views expressed in editorials and columns contained within the ESG are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ESG or any of its advertisers. We welcome feedback!

Find us at esgonline.org @esgonline

facebook.com/ESGonline First copy free; second copy $1

Calendar Campus

Oct. 9 - National Depression Screening Day - 9a.m.-5p.m - College Center Cafe Oct. 9 - SC4 Board of Trustees Meeting MTECH Room 150 - 4:30-6 p.m. Oct. 13 - Fitness Class: Body Strengthening - Drop-In $5 AJT Room 91 - 5-6p.m.

Oct. 16 - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Fine Arts Theatre - 5:30-7:30 Tickets: $7 adults, Free for students with SkippersOne Card Oct. 17 - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Fine Arts Theatre - 7:30-9:30 Tickets: $7 adults, Free for students with SkippersOne Card Oct. 18 - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Fine Arts Theatre - 7:30-9:30 Tickets: $7 adults, Free for students with SkippersOne Card Oct. 19 - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Fine Arts Theatre - 2-4 p.m. Tickets: $7 adults, Free for students with SkippersOne Card

Oct. 20 - Fitness Class: Body Strengthening - Drop-In $5 - 5-6p.m. Room 91

Sports Volleyball

Oct. 9 - Macomb CC* - 7p.m. Oct. 11 - Alpena CC (two matches)* 11am Oct. 14 - Oakland CC* - 7p.m. Oct. 17-18 - Rock Valley Tournament - TBA

Golf

Oct. 10 - Kirtland CC* - 10 a.m. Oct. Schoolcraft College ** - 11 a.m. Games in bold are home games in the SC4 Gym. *Denotes MCCAA Eastern Conference game

** Denotes MCCAA Eastern Conference rain date

Community

Oct. 11 - Port Huron Fall Psychic Fair Comfort Inn, Yeager Street - 11-5p.m. Tickets: $5, $10 per reading Oct. 13 & 14- Auditions “Steel Magnolias” St. Clair Theatre Guild - 7:30

Oct. 18 - Ghost Hunters Paranormal Exploration Program - Fort Gratiot Lighthouse - 7p.m. - Adult Overnight Option Available Reservations Requested Oct. 18 - Zombie Crawl 2014 - 7p.m. Dress in zombie garb.

October 8, 2014

NASA astronaut to speak in Theatre SC4’s second STEM conference

Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief SC4’s 2nd annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Conference will feature Michigan native and NASA astronaut Dr. Feustel as keynote speaker and teacher of specific workshops. STEM will kick off at 7p.m. on Friday Oct. 24 in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre with Dr. Feustel talking of his experiences while working for NASA. The event will continue on Saturday Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon with interactive workshops including archaeology, astronomy, chemistry, robotics, and species and habitats. Dr. Feustel, raised in lake Orion and a graduate of Oakland Community College, possesses a bachelor’s degree in solid earth sciences, and a master’s degree in geophysics from Purdue University. He also has a Ph.D. in geological studies which he acquired from Queens University. He started out as a geophysicist at NASA, and was then selected as a mission specialist at NASA which gave him the opportunity to travel through space. The STEM Conference is free for anyone wishing to attend. This includes K-12 students and their families. Those who wish to attend the event must register online at sc4. edu/stem. More information on the STEM is available via that link as well.

Letter from the editor

What do SC4 students want to read about?

that anyone reading this is welcome opinion on this issue: Facebook: facebook.com/ESGonline to fill out and drop off at the ESG Website: esgonline.org office in room 123 of the main E-mail: eriesquaregazette@gmail. building. If no one is in the office, Finding stories to feature in a com place it under the door. community college paper isn’t a very difficult task. But just because You may include your name, age, Thank you students for reading and hometown if you would like a story is covered, doesn’t always your quote placed in the paper. But the Erie Square Gazette. We look mean that it will be read. Seems forward to your input so we can like I said before, it is a poll, so feel rather obvious. So how does a further this service of a student group such as those who compose free to say whatever you want and paper to further meet your interests. remain anonymous. the Erie Square Gazette cover If the main building is not a stories that student’s will find convenient walk for students, here interesting and want to read? The advisor for the ESG, Professor are more options to submit your John Lusk has been asking us since the start of the semester the same question every time the editorial The crew proposes stories. That is, will students care? So I got to thinking. How do I Please cut out and return to the Erie Square Gazette office. answer that question? And really, the answer is simple. Ask the students. What you like to read about in the Erie Square Gazette? This is the plan. For the next two weeks, prior to our next issue, every staff member of the ESG is tasked with asking at least ten students the question of what they would like to see in the paper. In addition to the poll, I will be using every outlet I can to gather as much information as possible in order to answer this question and give more students’ reason to read the paper. For those who do not usually read the paper, the ESG normally covers campus events first and foremost. Second to that (not in order of importance) are the sections of community, entertainment, opinion, music, and sports. Near this letter is a small square Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief

Erie Square Gazette

Volume 65.3 | Campus

Brownies frowned upon?

A deeper look into the rumors of a bake sale ban Melanie Buskirk Staff Writer

for many clubs to raise money for group activities, but are they really the only way for our groups to raise Members of campus clubs, such money? as the new club NerdCore, are Pete Lacey, Vice President of frustrated with the rumor of a bake Student Services, and Sarah Finnie, sale ban circulating around the SC4’s Club Advisor, say no. College Center. According to the data from the According to Jess Gray, Vice winter 2014 semester, clubs actually President of NerdCore, a bake sale did not make that much money for ban could heavily impact the group’s their cause. For example, during the activities. winter semester, the Gay-Straight “The majority of our club members Alliance only made $58.50 through live between 40 minutes to an hour bake sales. away, and for the school to set that “For such a lengthy process to go regulation means more money through for so little profit,” Lacey coming out of our pockets because said, “it just doesn’t make sense.” the only way we as a group can However, contrary to popular perform activities like bake sales is belief, bake sales have not been for us to go twice the distance over banned. at somebody else’s house,” Gray said. Instead of a ban, it is simply just Bake sales are a common way more difficult to get an application

Singing strings

to have a bake sale approved. Student government, as well as SC4’s administration, is trying to push the students to think outside of the box. “Whether they do an event in the club or they have to do an event outside of a club, everyone does bake sales,” said James Woolman, Vice President of Student Government. In order to individualize clubs and break the monotony, the Student Government voted to restrict bake sales to a group event, with more than one club hosting the bake sale at a time. “I would like to see a bake sale, but I would like to see two or three clubs doing it,” said Woolman. The supposed “ban” on bake sales is on a trial run this semester, with its purpose being to encourage clubs

The Lexington String Quartet comes to SC4 Gregory Garofalo Lifestyle Editor

Mozart, and many more. Formed fifteen years ago, the quartet is fueled by their love for Last week on SC4 campus, the music and performance. strings were singing and the music The group consists of two stirred and swayed the spirits of the violinists (Denice Anderson young and old alike. The Lexington Turck, and Paul Lundin), a violist Bach Strings Quartet returned to (Catharine DeLuca) and a Cellist campus. (Timothy Nicolia.) Each of the four Filled to the brim with talent, the musicians have either a bachelors quartet performed exquisite classics or master’s degree in their field of from the famous names of Bach, musical prowess.

To these professionals, music is just that: a profession. “People who go into music professionally, usually can’t see themselves doing anything else. You scratch and save and try to create a niche for yourself, you’re not going to make much money in it, but it can be quite rewarding,” said Nicolia. “The more you put in, the more you get out. It just is very rewarding for what you do for yourself and

to individualize themselves with trademark events, similar to the Gay-Straight Alliance’s Drag Show and Marketing & Management’s flower sales. According to Woolman, who is also a member of the Marketing & Management club, unique events help establish a club’s presence, and bring more people in if they expect it. To sponsor these new events, special appropriations have been increased for clubs that need it. Although we will see far less homemade delights on campus, be prepared to be delighted by the creative events sponsored by the clubs.

what you do for other people,” DeLuca added. The Quartet continued their show in the Village until the fourteenth, filling the town with fun, activities, and warm summer nights filled with life and sound.

October 8, 2014

Everyone is welcome at the GSA Gay Straight Alliance, a community for all Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor

individuality. GSA gives you that chance.” Sean Lathrop, former GSA The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and president and SC4 Alumni, said “It Transgender (LGBT) community, as was an organization that school and well as straight allies, have found a community needed for LBGT rights home at the Gay Straight Alliance and issues.” (GSA) Club at St. Clair Community “We want to create a bond with the College (SC4). The GSA has been at straight community and the alley SC4 since fall semester 2009 and has community and educate the people helped many students find a sense that would shy away from us,” said of community. Oile. Amber Oile, current President The GSA also holds charity events of the GSA, said, “We want people for different causes, the biggest to feel okay in their own skin and event being the Drag Show, which have a place that will harbor their has been annual since April 2011.

Michael Bilard, Public Relations Officer, addresses GSA members at a meeting. Photo Credit: Nick “Chico” Hernandez

Last year, the Drag Show raised $900 for Port of Hopes, a mental illness center, as originally written in the article “Lip-Syncing for charity” in the Erie Square Gazette. Another event the GSA has hosted over the years is Gayme Night, a collection of games from which people can play. This year’s Gayme Night will have a different appearance than past ones. “It’s gonna be a Gayme Night that’s Halloween themed/a costume party,” Oile said. In addition to wearing the costumes for fun, any student that

comes can pay a dollar in order to enter in a contest to see who has the best costume. A one dollar cover is required to participate in Gayme Night which includes pizza, pop, games, and the chance to socially mingle. Gayme Night is set to arrive in SC4’s cafeteria on Oct. 28, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Any student interested in joining the GSA should report to room 201 in the North Building. Meetings are held every Monday from Noon to 1 p.m.

Volume 65.3 | CAMPUS

Scholarships: what students should know Students’ questions answered Mairead Warner Staff Writer

Scholarships, a way to avoid high debt and obtain free money for school for students. According Jo Cassar, Director of Financial Asstiance and Services at SC4, Students can go to sc4.edu/ money for scholarships. Students will know that they have received a scholarship through e-mail and will be notified if they received a scholarship by early to mid-May. For scholarship deadlines, students can check the portal; the

deadline for scholarships for the winter 2015 semester is Oct. 17. The advice Cassar offers to students applying for scholarships is to take time to write a good essay. Students should sell themselves and take the time to really pay attention. There is no limit on how many scholarships students can apply for. Students should pay attention to the requirements when looking up scholarships. There are many scholarships and each one is different. Some scholarship requirements are based on GPA and/or the different types of majors’ students

would like to get into or are a part of. Some scholarships require a certain amount of credit hours on top of either a certain major or a certain GPA. According to Cassar, Scholarships are completed online at sc4.edu/ money. There is a general app that walks students though the scholarship process and is easy to use and easy to complete. “There are scholarships that require students to submit letters of recommendation and write essays. There is an attachment that comes with those types of scholarships,” Cassar said.

According to www.sc4.edu/money, the scholarships give students the amount of money that the scholarship they are interested in is worth, and the date that students need to have the scholarship application completely filled out by can also be found at the link. Students with any questions regarding scholarships should feel free to contact the Financial Aid office at 810-989-5530.

October 8, 2014

A two-sided performance coming soon A new twist on an old tale Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor

basis of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, rather than the monster/ horror style familiar to most Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a movie versions dating back to the familiar tale that has been spun silent film era.” many times. But Tom Kephart, “This is a new version of the Artistic Director for the SC4 classic tale of depravity, lust, Players, hints that the upcoming love and horror. Henry Jekyll’s play won’t be the normal Jekyll experiments with powders and and Hyde story. tinctures have brought forth According to Kephart, “This his other self – Edward Hyde, a adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. villain free to commit the sins he Hyde returns to the psychological is too civilized to comprehend,”

(Left to right) Gregory Garofalo, Caleb Krindler, Andy Kephart, and Brennan Fisher rehearse for the SC4 play Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

as stated by the SC4 website. Greg Garofalo, who plays one of the Hydes, said “We’ve really outdone ourselves for this production. The cast is outstanding and the story is sure to send a shiver up your spine.” The showings of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are 5:30 p.m. on, Oct. 16. (Thursday), 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 (Friday), 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 (Saturday), and 2 p.m. on Oct. 19 (Sunday).

Mature audiences (PG-13) are the recommended recipients of this play. Tickets are $7 at the door for adults, but admission is free for students that show their Skippers OneCard. Tickets can also be bought ahead of time by calling (810)989-5513.

Volume 65.3 | COMMUNITY

Kick-off, beer’s big month Wolverine’s market Oktoberfest festival returns Therese Padgham Guest Writer

Atwater Brewery served Vanilla Java Porter. Many local breweries including, Roho Red by Griffin Claw, offered color, taste, aroma Sept. 27, 2014 was a pitcherand body. perfect-day for the second craft beer Oktoberfest at Kiefer Park in Attractions included more than just beer; the crafters Port Huron. Hundreds joined at the park on scenic St. Clair River infused their hopped-up recipes with complexities from coffee, to celebrate the beer tasting chocolate, fruit and spices. festival. A dozen Michigan brew Many local restaurants, houses presented both keg and bottled products from 2 p.m. to 8 including Fuel Wood Fire Grill presented themselves at the p.m. Oktoberfest included more than event, offering their signature specialties. Dave Peters of 60 national and international brands, ranging from traditional Mountain Babies performed their Freak Folk sound and their ale to exotic stout. ambient vocals. But it was the Port Huron’s Thumb Coast ice-cold samples of that naturally Brewing Co. served Lake Pilot fermented bitter brew with the Cream Ale, while Detroit’s

Oktoberfest draws beer fanatics on Sept. 27, 2014. Photo credit: Therese Padgham

frothy head that starred the event. “Brew Bold, Pour Proud,” is the motto and practice of his team year-round. In addition, Oktoberfest’s event sponsor Wolverine Market hosted the international wine and beer tasting events. Wolverine’s Certified Sommelier, Andy Bakko, shared: “Next year we will add wine and bring more music.” He went on to say, “this event was cosponsored by Citizens for a Vibrant Community - Art on the River.” CVC is a nonprofit group that uses proceeds to promote art and music. Wolverine Market enjoys promoting their products at

special events. Oktoberfest organizer Nate Bakko finds this year’s attendance a positive sign for future events. He has plans to promote in 2015 using radio. This year, the WSAQ/WBTI truck was on-site providing live broadcast to the community. To ensure greater pre-sales, Bakko wants to advertise events to the west side of the state and Canada. “The north-end of Port Huron enjoys the Canadian customers,” said Bakko. “We want those customers to discover what downtown has to offer.” Wolverine Market has extensive wine and beer selections with locations in Port Huron and Marysville.

October 8, 2014

Still Running; still got it

Acoustic band provides a twist on the usual sound Lily Petit Staff Writer

Still Running consists of the acoustic sounds of Mike Mercatante, 54, and Jenna Reed, 46, who entertain the customers of The Raven Café every last Saturday of the month. For nine years Still Running has been providing an eclectic mix of rock, country, and folk style music. They offer covers and original pieces which they blend into their performances. They believe their mixture of voices and their unusual original songs help them stand out. Mercatante said they like to turn human interest stories into songs, such as their song “Robert Immolation” that commemorates the death of a homeless man that Reed knew. “We try to think outside of the ordinary love song,” said Mercatante. Brittany White, 19, of Kimball, a waitress at The Raven Café, said she heard Still Running play a few times since she’s been working at The Raven, and that they usually draw a good size crowd. White says Mike and Jenna are very sweet as she pointed out how they promoted the lemon cake dessert before taking a break from the stage. After the break, Jesse Peart, 21, of Port Huron joined Still Running on the stage to accompany them with his djembe, an African drum. Peart met Mercatante and Reed through shows around Port Huron and they invited him to play his drum with them at some shows.

(left to right) Still Running band members Jenna Reed and Mike Mercatante perform at The Raven Café Saturday evening, Sep. 27 accompanied by Jesse Peart. Photo credit: Lily Petit

Peart has been playing the djembe for ten years and also plays drums for his jazz band, “Little Big Band.” Peart described Still Running’s style as “soulful, feel good music.” Nick Wiczko, 25, of Port Huron enjoyed the show Saturday, Sep. 27, saying Still Running was “music that puts a smile on your face.”

Mercatante, Detroit, and Reed, Chicago, hail from heavily musically talented cities, but they say that Port Huron has stepped up to its music scene. Mercatante is an award winning guitarist and Reed has classical voice training. Peart said, “She’s got the voice of an angel and the soul of a blues

artist.” Still Running will be performing Oct. 10 at Lexington Brewing Company. To keep up with all of Still Running’s shows, like them on Facebook at Still Running. Their album “One” can be found on reverbnation.com.

Volume 65.3 | ENTERTAINMENT

A SC4 Horror Story The Deadline Gregory Garofalo Lifestyle Editor

student, probably a friend of ours… right? Welcome readers. During the Things only got worse the next month of October we here at the day. None of us got any sleep. How ESG have decided to indulge you could we? We tried keeping our on a tiny trip of horror if you will. minds off of it, but there was no In appreciation of this fall and use. On Tuesday, we kept looking Halloween season, we will be over our shoulder at the windows, presenting you with two stories of waiting. And then, like clockwork fiction. it happened again. Angie got the Each stars the ESG staff and E-mail. Recipient: Unknown. SC4 students and faculty, they are The image this time was more written purely for entertainment, disturbing, it wasn’t all of us this but in the dark and twisted sense of time. This time the picture was just the word. Without further ado, here of Angie, a picture of her alone in the is our first tale of crypt. office.We didn’t know what to say. We submit to you: The Deadline Furious and terrified Angie replied: a tale of paranoia of the digital age, “Who is this?” and this is The ESG. The response was almost We had been working at the immediate: “Who is this? Who is paper late that night, like usual. We this? Who is this? Who is this? Who were true journalists, over worked is this? Who is this? Who is this? and under paid. Burning both ends Who is this? Who is this? Who is of the candle for one lousy credit. this? Who is this? Who is this? Who Everything had been going fine that is this? Who is this? Who is this? night, business as usual… until we Who is this? Who is this? Who is opened that e-mail. It was nothing, this? Who is this? Who is this? Who or at least it should have been is this? Who is this? Who is this? nothing. It was just spam, we told Who is this? Who is this? Who is ourselves. It’s just the result of some this? Who is this? Who is this? Who creep. But no matter how hard we is this? Who is this?” tried, we couldn’t shake the shiver Angie rushed out the door to get from our spines. campus patrol, I’ve never seen a face The picture was of us. Us from last so filled with terror, and I’ll never week more specifically. Taken from forget it. Angie never came back. outside the window, it was just us We all assumed that Angie went working. Nothing actually sinister home and we quickly left. Leaving about it, but we couldn’t help but was the worst part, walking alone feel unnerved. It was the caption to our cars, calling our loved ones to that was the worst: calm us down, checking and double “Hard at work?” checking the back seats of our cars. We tried to forget it, put it out of It wasn’t until a few days later that our minds and move on with our we realized something was wrong, lives. It was a Halloween prank by a

Angie hadn’t come back to class and no one had heard from her. The administration wasn’t any help, ignoring our concerns about angie they had told us they didn’t deal in attendance and that one students prank wasn’t warrent enought to start a panic. We kept on trying to get a hold of her, hoping, praying that our imaginations had gotten the best of us. And then one day it seemed our prayers were answered when Angie texted back. It was Jenelle that got the text messsage, all it read was: “Hey, where are you?” Overjoyed Jenelle announced the news to the rest of the staff, and frantically texted back: “In the Newsroom, where are you?” It wasn’t long before we got a responce: “In the Newsroom, where are you?” Confused, Jenelle texted back once more: “Angie! Where are you?” I think deep down we all knew what was happeneing, but none of us wanted to believe it: “Angie! Where are you? Angie! Where are you? Angie where are you? Jenelle, where are you?” Jenelle threw her phone at the wall, angry and frieghtened tears swelled up in her eyes as she yelled out in anger and stormed off to go to the police. I don’t think she ever made it. The next week it was only Chico, Emily and myself that showed up to the newsroom. One by one we had been picked off, by whoever, or whatever this was. I don’t know

why we came back, maybe it was to prove to ourselves that we didn’t have anything to be afraid of, that maybe we would just wake up and this nightmare would be only that; A dark and twisted dream and nothing more. Or maybe it was because there wasn’t any point in avoiding it. The e-mails seemed to reach us wherever we were at now, increasing in number, the lapse between each email getting shorter and each beckoning us back to the office. Just like before, we received the e-mail. None of us wanted to open it, but we felt like we had no choice. It felt like an eternity, a terrifying cycle with no end. Trembling as Emily clicked the e-mail, our blood ran cold. There we were, gathered around Emily’s desk logging onto her computer mere minutes before we opened the e-mail. Out of shock we spun around, expecting to see our harasser, but there was no one. Chico ran outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever this was. Emily and I stood there and read the caption: “When’s your deadline?” I don’t expect you to believe me, after all not even the administration did. I just had to write it down, I don’t have much time. I got this e-mail about an hour ago:[pic of me] “Tic tock” I haven’t looked at the window since, the door is locked, but I don’t think that will work. I’m the only one left and I need someone to listen, I just need someone to believe me, I just need someone to beli...

October 8, 2014

Volume 65.3 | ENTERTAINMENT

The end of an era

Manifest the Machine goes out with a bang Gregory Garofalo Lifestyle Editor

the Machine. Manifest the Machine is a local Post-Rock genre. The band consists The Schwonk Sound Stead, you of Travis Boone on the keyboard, will never find a more wretched Chris Strobbe on guitar, Zach Nye on hive of scum and villainy. The bass guitar, and Corey Strobbe on infamous music venue has long been the drums. They started as a three a popular hangout for the college piece Blues Rock band and gradually students of SC4, no matter the genre progressed into what most would of the band, the grand brick house call Post-Rock, Experimental, or on 7th and Griswold always draws a Ambient. crowd. “I just can’t put into words how However, on Sunday Sept. 28, much you guys mean to us,” said an it wasn’t the appearance of a new emotional Boone to his fans, “We band that drew the hefty crowds, decided that we need to take some but the passing of a legend: Manifest time, we are not sure we are coming

back, so just thank you.” Upon asking him how his last show felt, Bonne remarked: “It feels good to say goodbye to everyone who supported us.” It wasn’t only fans that were sad to see the local band go, but other musicians as well. Nick Ranger, cosinger and bass player of The Tiny Ugly Germs commented, “I’ll just say the scene is losing a really good band, but at least they are going out at Port Huron’s flagship venue. It’s really sad to see this band go.” Ally Evenson, a local singer who

performs with the band on and off, said the entire event was an odd bittersweet. “I’ve been singing with them since January and it’s been amazing. It’s one of those feelings where I can just be myself. I can just express myself,” said Evenson. Manisfest the Machine was not the only talent at the venue that evening, The Tiny Ugly Germs also made an appearance, as well as a new group who was new to not only to Port Huron, but to The States as well.

October 8, 2014

Tips for speaking to someone

Five things to remember when making that first impression Opinion by: Nick “Chico” Hernandez

without being creepy, it can pay off to try. Too often are potential relationships snuffed out with one A good relationship is based on person being too shy to speak to many things, but can be boiled the other. Try an ice breaker, or just down to just a few: honesty, loyalty, simply ask “How are you doing?” communication, and the ability to Step two, dress accordingly. put up with another human being Dress in your own style, but don’t and their flaws. Without these few dress in rags. Few people want key elements, a relationship won’t someone that dressed like they just last long or be very fun. crawled through a wood chipper. Now, how do you get the attention This doesn’t mean you have to of that book smart gal, or nerdy guy? wear a suit and tie. A simple clean Many steps can be taken, but again, t-shirt and some casual jeans are can be boiled down to just a few. okay, but once the jeans or shirts Step one, enter with confidence. are composed of more holes than While not all of us can walk up to clothing, then you may want to hit a a stranger and start a conversation store ASAP. Managing Editor

Step three, be true to yourself. Always be who you are whether you’re a nerd, an athlete, a teacher, or a student. But remember that change isn’t always bad either. If you have a problem that needs fixing, and you know it needs fixing, then fix it. If you’re a narcissistic jerk, then chances are no one will want to be around you for any period of time. Figure out what could be wrong, and figure out how you can solve it. No one is perfect or will ever be perfect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be nice, good people. Step four, don’t be creepy. We’ve all seen it, that one person that can’t leave someone else alone

or just can’t take a hint. Don’t be that person. If someone isn’t showing interest in you, then save yourself some embarrassment and walk away. No insults when you leave, just leave it as is. Not everything is meant to be. Step five, if all else fails, then be funny. In an age where bad puns, sarcasm, and internet speak (Y U Do Dis?) are abundant, there are few reasons as to why some form of humor would fail to bring forth a smile. Worse comes to worse, use Google to find good jokes. Above all else, be who you truly are. Be real, be honest, and be nice.

Okay, for example, Destiny. Activision and Bungie’s love child just came out in September. It was a game that although both companies have had shaky track records, that everyone needed to own. The game turned out okay, but let’s think about what the expectations were. Amazing. How did the game turn out? It’s good. Not amazing, but good. So many fans were let down by the game not being what they expected it to be. That’s the thing, though. It’s fun. What else does it need to be? At some point, gamers need to take a step back and remember:

what they are playing is meant to be fun, it’s a game. Understandably, at $63.59 a pop, people want their games to be good, but maybe a little too good. So what do gamers think? Should games be at the peak of greatness and treated like they’re expected to be that way at launch, or should gamers relax a little and just have fun playing the game? Email eriesquaregazette@gmail. com to tell us what you think.

Quality in games vs. quality in gamers Is the industry really to blame? Opinion by: Pessimistic Gamer Guest Writer

all launch and all sell out, but almost everyone comes back, and complains about each game. Gamers, developers, and Now, while I understand that corporations that control it all, oh not every game fits every gamer, it my! seemed strange that, after all of the Recently, it’s become apparent to complaints and drama about why gamers of all shapes and sizes that “Call of Duty: Ghosts” was a waste of games aren’t what they used to be, money, many of those same people in good and bad ways, but is it the came back to reserve a copy of “Call games or the gamers themselves? of Duty: Advanced Warfare.” I got the chance to work in the There is nothing wrong with retail end of the gaming industry, being loyal to a series of games. I seeing how sales and quality of know I have a few that I constantly games correspond, and have noticed complain about, but then buy the a few patterns. next game with open arms. Every year, the normal Call of Duty, What I’m trying to get at is, who Assassin’s Creed and Battlefield does the blame fall on?

Volume 65.3 | ENTERTAINMENT

Becoming a legend

Activision and Bungie’s Destiny brought the MMO to console Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor

exploring the galaxy and becoming a hero along the way. Having its release date pushed A launch that most wanted to see back multiple times, Destiny became succeed, but waited for it to fail. a game only surviving from its own And why not? Destiny was doing legend. something that no game had ever The game held up. done before. Bungie, the company that created Bringing the elusive massively Combat Evolved: Halo, is known multiplayer online genre to a whole for masterful world creation based new audience, correctly. around science fiction. Activision, Destiny, a new game developed by a company known for many of the Activision and Bungie, is a massively installments in the Call of Duty multiplier online (MMO), a game franchise, created a standard for based on a community and online multiplayer in video games. multiplayer experience, centered on Destiny, a MMO based around

science fiction and multiplayer, should be great, right? It stands as one of the only successful MMOs that received a console launch, even after the disaster Defiance, a television-video game crossover, turned out to be. Well, that’s if the player always has friends willing to play at any time. The game gets a little boring if no one can play. That can be said for most MMOs, but console players aren’t used to that feeling. Most anyone can put Battlefield 4 into the Xbox One and someone is willing to play, so

Destiny came as a shock for those thousands of player who needed to call a friend and wait for them to get on. Many attempts have been made to push the MMO on to consoles, and Destiny’s success in doing so just may be the most impressive accomplishment here. Destiny became a legend of its own and just may have cracked the code to something that’ll push games for years to come.

October 8, 2014

Unite!

Is Assassin’s Creed Unity the next big thing? Tyler smith Staff writer

Templars, Assassins, a battle for the future, fate, and freedom of mankind. Two groups from world’s history of shadowy secret organizations duke it out in this continuation of an epic game series: Assassin’s Creed Unity. Battling in the beautiful city of Paris in the midst of the bloody French Revolution, the Assassins try to cleanse the city: day by day, street by street, Templar by Templar. With the next generation game consoles, also known as Anvil technology, open world gameplay is truly open. Seamless exteriors and interiors give the player a wide array of exploring, along with escaping and hiding options as well. Even the feel of the city becomes more alive with Artificial Intelligence. With artificial intelligence, also known as AI’s, the player must choose his/her strategy carefully in order of not being detected. The AI’s react to the players’ actions whether it be hostile or passive. With the independent mind of AI’s, the terrain of the game has become sharper and more real, fog has become fog and not some white transparent form of pixels that goes across your screen. Besides fog, dust and smoke look real, so real that you could touch it if there wasn’t a TV screen in the way. Even though all this new technology can make imaginary things seem real, there are still weapons. Yes weapons, but not ordinary weapons. Well there are swords and pistols, but Assassin’s

Creed most ionic weapon is the hidden blade; a retractable blade that makes an assassin so deadly. I can assure you that Ubisoft kept the hidden blade, because if they didn’t there would riots in the streets. With the new generation of assassin comes a new weapon, the Phantom Blade. In previous games you are given two long range weapons, a pistol and/or crossbow. With the latest two assassin games they changed the crossbow to a

regular bow, then to a blowpipe. With Unity, the designers changed it again to the Phantom Blade, a mini crossbow like weapon that shoots little steel bolts at your target. Steel bolts. What else could be more awesome than steel bolts? Multiplayer campaign mode is great now, not only do you have to worry about yourself; you have to worry about another player who probably doesn’t know what he is doing. Don’t get me wrong, having

a multiplayer campaign mode is awesome, but what if you get in a fight with the guards and your buddy is getting his butt whooped. You are going to have to save his noob ass and risk messing up the mission. Looking at the game as a whole though, Assassin’s Creed Unity a solid game with some new things mixed with formula and have the public look forward to its release on November 11, 2014.

Volume 65.3 | ENTERTAINMENT

New Super Smash Brothers Review by ESG Staff Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief

A game laced with nostalgia, and really, that’s it. The new Super Smash Bros. game is really just a handheld version of Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Nintendo GameCube. Which isn’t a bad thing, I guess I was expecting something a little bit more, well, new. Although I suppose that when it comes to a game like Smash, there really isn’t anything new that you can do with it. Other than add characters and new levels. But I did find one aspect of the game annoying and frustrating. Why can’t I kill a character when their damage is over 150 percent? In the older games, when your foe gets to that point of damage, it’s just one A-button mash away from flying off the map into a burst of pretty colors. Now, you better jump around a million times and hit with your special attacks before they have a chance to jump back up on the

platform. Again, I guess this isn’t a bad thing; it’s just mildly annoying. Putting the damage issue aside though, I don’t hate this game. It really is the nostalgic Super Smash that so many 90’s kids know and love. The only difference being that this time, you can take it with you. Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor

Super Smash Brothers for the 3DS is a strange mixer of nostalgia, fun, hands hurting and lack of speed, which isn’t as bad as it sounds. The game itself is a fantastic step in the series. Good characters, a good look, and still a good ol’ smashing time. The game is a little slow, though. The speed became noticeable in Super Smash Brothers Brawl for the Nintendo Wii, due to the addition of Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog as a character and the much needed control on speed. They carried this on to the 3DS addition to help with Sonic, and

because the 3DS’s processor can handle only a little bit more than the Wii ever could. It’s not bad though, and after a while, hard to notice. The hands hurting is a strange issue, though. Super Smash Brothers never had a fantastic reputation in the controls department, but the 3DS just wasn’t meant for this type of game. Once again, not bad, just something that takes getting used to. It’s worth picking up. Just a quick tip, get good at using the Villager from Animal Crossing. It’s unfair how amazing he is.

Promotion photos courtesy of: smashbros.com/us/

Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor

When I utter “That was cool”, “No, no, no, no, no, no, no!” and “I just got messed up by Entei!” within the same minute, I know I’m in for a crazy ride. Super Smash Bros on the DS was definitely fun, even if I got my butt kicked by the other Mario (my character was Mario as well). The controls could be easier to learn, and jump seems to be implemented in several buttons. Is it enough to make me wanna buy a DS and SSB as well? Nope, but it makes me miss SSB all the same.