68.1 by Erie Square Gazette

The Erie Square Gazette A public forum by and for the students of St. Clair County Community College since 1931

Volume 68.1

January 21, 2015

Buses prepare to pick up passengers in front of the bus center. Photo credit: Nick “Chico” Hernandez.

Out with the cold, in with the new Blue Water Area Transit Bus Center now open Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor

It comes equipped with vending machines, bathrooms, mounted TVs, plentiful seating, heat, and a The crisp air of January may spot for buying tickets not be as common now as in and bus passes. previous years, but the freezing A monthly G.A.P. pass is $27, temperatures are still very real and the ten-day pass is $10.50. to the people that ride on Blue An adult full fare costs 80 cents, Water Transit buses. However, a youth fare (ages 8 through 17) the teen Fahrenheit temperatures is 65 cents, and handicapped or have no effect on the people now senior citizens are 40 cents. that the Bus Center is open. The move from the Quay Street Since Dec 11, the Bus Center pickup (in front of Zebra parking has been opened to the public. lot) to the Bus Center has been Calendar | pg 2

Basketball | pg 4

greeted with warm reception, a polar opposite feeling two months ago when construction was held up due to DTE and contractors. Dispute some icy comments around social media and local newspapers, the project is up and running while still being, “about $300,000 under budget” as stated by Blue Water Area Transit (BWAT) general manager Jim Wilson. The remaining fuels will help fuel the finishing Late to the Game | pg 7

The daily bus schedule inside the bus center. Photo credit: Nick “Chico” Hernandez.

touches on the second building. Erin Jones, 19, of Port Huron said, “No longer do I have wait in freezing temperatures for a bus. Its heated [in the Bus Center] and everything. This is how you show you care about your customers.” Dameon Qieate, 26, of Fort Gratiot said, “It definitely beats Zebra parking lot. I always felt like I gonna get mugged over there, not to mention how cold it was. This is much better.” Comic | pg 8

Volume 68.1

Editor-in-Chief Emily Mainguy Production Editor/Designer Emily Mainguy Managing Editor Chico Hernandez Business Editor Jamie Koebke Photo Editor Jenelle Kalaf Copy Editor Melanie Buskirk Sports Editor TBD Webmaster TBD Adviser John Lusk

Calendar Community

Jan. 30 | Show Me The Money Day 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. | ReInvestment Center 3013 24th Street Port Huron Free Food, Prizes and Workshops

Campus

Jan. 21 | Noon and Night Concert Swingin’ Chopin Jazz Quartet Fine Arts Theater | Noon and 7 p.m.

Sports

Jan. 25 | Basketball Home Game SC4 Gym | 5:30-9:30 p.m. $4 Adults, $1 Students, Free for Seniors Jan 27 | Basketball Home Game SC4 Gym | 5:30-9:30 p.m. $4 Adults, $1 Students, Free for Seniors

ESG Contact Info:

Letter from the editor

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

Welcome Back!

Emily Mainguy Editor-in-Chief Welcome back Readers to another semester! We are still looking for new members to teach in the ways of the Jedi. Even if you have no experience or do not plan to major in Journalism stop by one

of our meetings and give it a try! The ESG is looking for Staff Writers, Graphic Designers, Sports Writers, Photographers, and Comic Artists. The Erie Square Gazette meets on Thursdays in the Main Building from 2-3 p.m. in room 122 and 123 in the Main Building.

If you cannot make it to one of those meetings stop by our table at Club Awareness Day on Feb. 3 from 11-1 p.m. in the College Center. If you are curious about joining or have questions, feel free to email me at emainguy@att.net, or find me on Facebook.

January 21, 2015

Winter fun for everyone

Port Huron’s Chilly Fest is back Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor

Winter in Port Huron is now warming up with the annual Chilly Fest in Downtown Port Huron on Friday and Saturday, Jan 22 to 23. These all-day events include chili tasting, Silver Sticks tournaments, Bed Races, the

Cocoa Crawl, and ice sculptures throughout the Downtown area. You can also relax in the Chilly Fest tent and listen to the sounds of Alex Shier, Ian Smith & Co, and the Gasoline Gypsies. With so much to do, why not check it out? For more information, head on over to bluewater.org and click on the event tab.

Photo credit: Jenelle Kalaf

Chris Krolcyzk presents Kro’s Krew

Students’ works exhibit at The Spiral Gallery Jamie Koebke Business Editor

St. Clair County Community College students presents The Spiral Gallery: Kro’s Krew at Studio 1219. Graphic Design instructor Chris Krolcyzk will present his students work. Spiral

Gallery will take place starting set up on Jan.21 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. until the end of Feb. There will be a reception held on Jan. 22 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Students will be there to display and answer questions about their work.

4 Annual Deck Art auction and awards ceremony th

Upcoming event and closing of exhibit in the Fine Arts Building Jamie Koebke Business Editor

St. Clair County Community College will be hosting the Deck Art exhibit in the Fine Arts Galleries. The display went up in November and will be there until Jan. 21. The exhibit host skateboard decks designed by

SC4 students and community members. The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. until 4:40 p.m. A reception, auction and awards ceremony will take place on Jan. 21 from 5 to 6:30pm in the Fine Arts building. All proceeds from the auction will go to the arts of SC4.

Volume 68.1

Don’t be late for these very important dates! Dates to know for the winter semester

Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor

lost. First, early alert grades on Feb. 22. They’re a great tool Finally registration is over to make sure students are and it’s time to start classes. keeping afloat in all of they’re But when does everything classes. These can be accessed else happen? via the portal. Winter semester can be a Feb. 28 brings the deadline stressful time of the year, so for applying for graduation. here are some important dates For those who plan on walking to keep track, so no one gets in either May or August,

make sure to head on over to sc4 website and click on “Graduation applications” under the Alumni tab. Students can also apply electronically in the portal. April brings a few important dates. First, the last day to drop from a class with a “W” is April 2. Spring break then comes April 4 through 8.

Skipping right on to number one

(Only 77 days until break!) Finals then begin May 2, Commencement and the end of winter semester fall on the same day, May 6, and finals grade get posted on May 9. You can find these dates and more by logging on to sc4.edu and clicking the “important dates” under the academics tab.

Men’s and Women’s teams beat Oakland Community College

Jason Watts II Sports Editor

grudge match. It was a close game until the second half when the ladies starting This past Saturday afternoon to pull away. the St. Clair County Community Leading the way for them College Men’s and Women’s was Madison Valko with 29 teams made a statement points and six rebounds; also respectively to the rest of Kendall Stoll with 24 points their conferences when they and a game-high 16 rebounds; defeated Oakland Community and lastly Leah Humes with College Men’s and 10 points seven rebounds and Women’s teams. eight assists. The final score Starting with the Lady of the game was SC4 85 - OCC Skippers coming into this game 71. with a little bit of an attitude On to the Men’s team which towards one particular player was a nail biter right down on the Lady Raiders Jasmine to the last second. The whole Parker who was a member of game was a close game and the Skippers last season, which a high scoring game as well. made this contest more of a SC4 came into the game

with intentions of becoming number one in their conference and they did just that in a tremendous fashion with a game winning shot made by Chris Parker. Parker has been the leading scorer for the Skippers and has stepped up for them when it matters most. He lead the way for the Men’s team with 35 points, followed by sophomore Jason Watts with 15 points and 12 rebounds, Jay Springs with 10 points, and lastly Xavian Edwards had eight points and eight rebounds. The Men’s team trailed the most of the game and kept battling till the end,

eventually seizing control of the ballgame in the second half. The rebounding war was the X factor in this game was in the Skippers favor, which was won by the men’s team 41 to 35 in the last few seconds as the Raiders missed two critical free throws that would have sealed the game. The final score of the men’s game was SC4 86 - OCC 84. The Men’s team’s next game is at home on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 7:30 pm against Henry Ford Community College. The Women’s team will play at 5:30pm.

January 21, 2015

Concerned students and faculty packed MTEC room 150 during the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday. Photo credit: Mel Buskirk.

McMorran Pavilion and faculty contracts pushed off Board of Trustees meeting brings no final decisions yet

Mel Buskirk Copy Editor

spoke out in support for faculty, pleading to the BoT to not cut any faculty in the upcoming On Thursday, Jan. 14 crowds of contract agreement. Warner concerned faculty, students, and is the mother of four other citizens packed room 150 in the students here at SC4, with the MTEC building for the first whole family attending honors Board of Trustees meeting of classes and are members of Phi the year. Many of which were Theta Kappa. Warner stated that anticipating the completion she or her children wouldn’t be and signing of the purchase here if it wasn’t for the helpful, agreement for the McMorran quality professors that have Pavilion, which has been taught them. postponed to the BoT meeting in As the elected treasurer of February. Speaker Township, Warner Others included faculty understands the tough decisions members and concerned that the BoT encounters. students to show faculty However, in her opinion, cutting support for the ongoing contract faculty is not the right decision. negotiations. During the public After her comment, Warner comment section, one student stated, “I just hope they hear and mother, Sherri Warner, what I have to say and pay

attention.” Amidst fears of faculty and students alike Dr. Pollock defended the BoT saying, “We never intended to cut full-time faculty.” Another speaker Scott Worden took the opportunity of the postponed McMorran agreement to argue further for the Minor Hockey Association. Worden claimed he was disappointed in the actions of the BoT. Worden appealed to the Board during the public comment section bringing up an instance from 1991 in which Mueller Brass Co. was going to purchase a plot of land that was the location of the Port Huron Little League’s ballpark. Instead of purchasing it to expand its

operations, Mueller Brass Co. gave the ballpark back to the city for the Little League’s benefit. “This is all about the kids. It’s all about the kids in the community now and the kids in the community in the future,” Worden stated. Many attendants, like Worden, felt disappointed and uneasy at the end of the BoT meeting. “I found this whole thing disheartening,” said Marilind Roff, a faculty member and Office Administration professor at SC4 since 1992. The completion of the purchase agreement and decisions about faculty contracts are anticipated for the Feb. 11 meeting.

Volume 68.1

Welcome back to a time long, long ago in a Galaxy far, far away Review of the new “Star Wars” movie Lauren Schwartz Staff Writer

This past weekend, I saw “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and if you liked the original trilogy, and the prequel trilogy, than this classic continuation of good vs. evil across the galaxies does not disappoint. Not only does this movie catch you up on the rebels, but it also gives you an inside look on the First Order, the new name for the Empire, showing us that although mass-produced and identical in appearance, the Storm Troopers are indeed people too. Which, to be honest, I had never thought of before. I just thought they were sad excuses for soldiers that couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn and got killed with one hit, regardless of the bulky armor they clomp around in. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has elements in it that truly make it a “Star Wars” film, as well as providing fresh new faces that give the franchise a renewed energy. J.J. Abrams did a great job reviving the work of George Lucas in this film, seeing as the film reminded me of its processor, “Star Wars: A New Hope.” The writers of the film did a good job providing some comic relief to prevent some scenes from being too suspenseful or scary for younger audiences, similar to that of “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Overall, I, personally, would give “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” a solid eight out of ten stars because although it was an amazing movie with astonishing special effects, there were still quite a few plot holes probably big enough for me to shove my entire body through. With that being said, this movie was defiantly worth the money that I paid for my ticket and I would watch it again, probably even buy when it gets released. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” deserved all of the hype that was built up about it and superseded my expectations I had about the film.

January 21, 2015

Late to the game: reviewing older games for those who want to save some cash A game about finding your inner bread, then toasting it Opinion by: Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor

Have you ever wondered what your bread feels like when you toast it? Well look no further! Sort of. “I Am Bread” follows the story of a piece of bread, slowly ruining a man’s life by finding any way, shape, or form to become toast. Bossa Studios created a game that’s different, and interesting. But is it worth $12.99? Gameplay: 8/10 Playing as a piece of bread can get tedious. The game can be easily described as rage inducing. But that’s the point. You have very limited movements that need to be coordinated to quickly find a way to toast yourself. Which is frustrating because 60% of the surfaces in the levels will either leave you dirty, growing mold, or just completely inedible. If you can finish the level, you’re left with such a satisfied feeling of “I did it.” The controls are awkward at best, but adds a bit of charm to the game itself. Keyboard controls are extremely restricting for someone (such as myself) who only uses gamepads such as 360 controllers. The game tackles controlling something most overlook; figuring out a way

to make bread interactive. Bossa Studios ran with it, and somehow made controls that (sort of) make sense in such a scenario. Graphics: 8/10 To be fair, this game wasn’t out to break barriers graphically. The nice bright colors and solid environments are satisfying to look at. The “gross” look for the dirt and mold you have to avoid are cartoonish yet make you gag enough not to want to roll around in it, as the bread that is. The bread puns hidden throughout the world were nice touches as well.

Sound: 7/10 “I Am Bread” is not known for its soundtrack. The music loops, so if you take your time in a level, you may find yourself hating the music after an hour or so. The sound effects and noises are spot on and great, but the looping music really can annoy you. After a while, I just turned the sound off and listened to some in the background. I recommend if you do this, pick something soothing. Story: 6/10 The story is hilarious, but after 10 minutes, you really don’t care much anymore. It really only

explains why you make toast everywhere in the house, not just the kitchen. If you want a good story, this may not be the game for you. If you like funny bits of information in between levels, you’ll enjoy what you get. Overall: 7/10 I do recommend it. For the money possibly, you’d be buying a cute, fun frustrating game, and possibly the best drinking game. The game can be purchased on Steam and does not require a top of the line gaming computer. Happy Gaming

Volume 68.1

Coffee at the beginning of the semester...

“School as told by Coffee” - Emily Mainguy

Coffee at the end of the semester...

Coffee

Coffee Espresso