The Lookout Issue 5

Gubernatorial

Cross country

moves on to

candidate

breakdown

PAGE 3 Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 Volume 52, Issue 5 www.lcc.edu/lookout

nationals

Frazz’s comic artist talks

PAGE 6

at LCC

PAGE 10

thelookout Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959

Student’s life saved by AED

Candidates on campus

Dominick Mastrangelo News Editor A student in LCC’s Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation Program collapsed but survived after suffering a heart attack following a class session Sept. 24.

The 70-year-old student, who chose not to be identified for privacy reasons, collapsed in the men’s locker room shortly after the class ended.

Linda Koning, a parttime LCC administrator and the course instructor, said she remembered it being business as usual before the student went down.

“It was a smaller class that day, nothing out of the ordinary,” Koning said.

Once the student went

Photo by Michael Caterina

Jump start: Paramedic Hendry Villegas displays the AED that saved a student’s life.

down, classmates notified Koning of the collapsed student, and she began the proper procedure.

“It was a real whirlwind of activity,” See AED, Page 2

Photo by Michael Caterina

Political parade: 1st District Ingham County Commissioner Victor Celentino (left) and 6th District Ingham County Commissioner Dale Copedge (right) were just two of the many politicians to attend the Student Democrat’s Candidate Day Oct. 27. See page 4 for the full story.

Homecoming Week events finalized

Sarah Sanders Editor in Chief

Homecoming Week is definitely occurring this 2010-11 school year. The events will begin Monday, Nov. 15 and end the following Sunday, Nov. 21.

The event is hosted by the Student Loyalty Initiative in cooperation with several other groups and committees. Last year, Homecoming lasted one day, whereas this year it

will last a full week.

Students can qualify for a number of prizes, giveaways and discounts by obtaining a Homecoming Week ticket. The games are, as always, free to attend, but with this ticket students have several opportunities to support the college and be a part of a memorable event.

Tickets will be available across campus, at the booths set up by the Student Loyalty Initiative in

the Gannon Building, Kennedy Cafeteria in A&S, the University Center and the lobby of the TLC building.

The ticket will allow students a 10-percent dis-

count in the Spirit Shop all throughout the week.

The ticket will also enter the students into a halftime drawing, which will take place during both the

men’s and women’s basketball games on Wednesday, Nov. 17, as well as those happening on Saturday, Nov. 20.

Students will have several opportunities to obtain T-shirts throughout the week. In order to receive the T-shirt, students must once again donate just one canned good.

The cans donated will be used to help reconstruct the Canscuplture in the Gannon Building during

the week of homecoming. After the Cansculpture is taken down, the cans will be donated to a local shelter.

These T-shirts will display the new LCC athletic’s graphic.

This graphic is to be unveiled during Homecoming Week as well.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, LCC will host The Pep Rally Tailgate, See Homecoming, page 16

2 NEWS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Light up the night Photo flashers: Photography professor Ike Lea, left, explains LCC’s "Shot in the Dark" to participating students. The event was modeled after Rochester Institute of Technology’s “Big Shot,” which involves students using offcamera flashes and flashlights to illuminate, over a long exposure, a scene that is completely dark. Below, Mt. Hope Cemetery was the sight chosen for this year’s "Shot in the Dark."

Previous locations have included the Turner Dodge House in 2008 and the Shigematsu Gardens in 2009.

Photos by Lauren Ross

AED

Continued from page 1

Koning said.

“I started by calling 911, but I could see I needed to begin CPR,” she said.

LCC medical personnel used an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to bring the student back to consciousness.

Doug Burke, a paramedic at LCC, was on duty at the time of the incident.

“There is no doubt the student is alive today because of the quick thinking by his friends, the rapid response of LCC personnel and the availability of life-saving equipment,” Burke said.

Koning seemed to agree.

“If CPR and the AED had not been used, it would have been a completely different outcome,” she said.

The Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation course is designed for people who have had heart problems or have suffered from some sort of cardiac trauma. The class is monitored by medical personnel.

“Do we expect these sorts of things to happen? No. Can we handle it

Photo by Michael Caterina

Preparation: City of Lansing firefighter paramedic Hendry Villegas displays the contents of the crash cart that is present during every Cardiac Rehabilitation class. Along with the crash cart, a paramedic is on site in the event of an emergency.

when it does happen? Yes. That’s the bottom line,” Koning said.

LCC's top officials said he appreciates the heroics of the responding individuals greatly.

“The college is very grateful for the team’s skillful and timely response and the availability of the AED that saved this student’s life,” LCC President Brent Knight said.

3 NEWS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Candidates value student vote

Lance Enderle Q & A

Nathan Wilson & Dominick Mastrangelo The Lookout

Dominick Mastrangelo News Editor

Students received an opportunity to question candidates for the Nov. 2 election during Candidate Day, Oct. 27, on LCC’s main campus. LCC Student Democrats organized the bipartisan event and invited both Republican and Democratic candidates.

Extremely windy conditions outside caused the candidates to relocate to the Gannon Building lobby. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., politicians mingled with students and explained the various stances they advocated.

Several candidates who attended included Victor Celentino (D), Vince Dragonetti (R) and Brian Mishler (R).

Denise Langford Morris was the only candidate for Michigan Supreme Court to accept the Student Democrats’ invitation. She drove from Oakland County to join the students.

LCC student Mandy Heil, who attended the event, said, “I want to learn more about the candidates and what they stand for.”

Celentino, an LCC alumni, is running for re-election for 1st District Ingham County Commissioner. He explained how Candidate Day was an excellent venue to interact with students.

“I value all the voters and they (students) should get the opportunity to hear from us,” he said.

Running for 8th District Ingham County Commissioner, Mishler explained he accepted the Student Democrats’ invite so he could bring awareness to community issues: “That’s why I’m coming here,” he said, “to inform the public — ­to get it out that we

Lance Enderle is an East Lansing Democrat who will challenge incumbent Mike Rogers in the 8th Congressional District on Nov. 2. The 8th Congressional District represents all of Livingston, Ingham and Clinton counties. Enderle also attended Candidate Day on LCC‘s main campus on Oct. 27.

Photo by Michael Caterina

Politics on campus: Student Democrats member Chad Guerrant takes a video of Judge Donald Allen of the 55th District Court, Jackie Gerome Marks and Ingham County Circuit Judge candidate Clinton Canady during Candidate Day at LCC Oct. 27.

need to have actual hope versus false hope.”

Dragonetti, who is an LCC employee and is running for 15th District County Commissioner, underlined the need to involve students in politics and attract their votes: “There’s not a high percentage of younger people under 21 or 25 who are actually voting, and they really got to get voting.”

Student Democrats Vice President Antonio Manning said he was satisfied with the student turnout considering they had moved several times due to weather.

“I feel the event would have been a bigger success if not for the worst winds of the year,” Manning said.

“However, individuals taking the time to come and talk with our students about where they stand on issues we as a community should care about ... that is a success to me. The Student Life and Leadership organization played a key role in making the event better than it would have been.”

Tell us a little about yourself, your home life, your background, etc.

I was born and raised in Lansing. My father was a police officer and a small business owner. I graduated from East Lansing (High School) in 1987.

One of your major platforms is that you are not accepting donations from political action committees. Why is this?

You can’t tell me money hasn’t tainted our political system. I’m endorsed by the unions because I agree with the unions. My vote can’t be bought.

You have worked in everything from public schools to telecommunications to farms.

How does this diverse work experience help you appeal to the average, everyday voter?

I have a level understanding of what everybody goes through. Labor and community function together.

Election Day looming: Lance Enderle will be running for the 8th Congressional District in the state of Michigan.

Photo courtesy of dailykos.com

You have said that you are opposed to Michigan becoming a “right to work” state.

Why is this?

Right to work exploits an individual’s skills. The standard of living in Michigan is at an all-time low, do we really want to take it lower?

Why should the people of the 8th Congressional District vote for you on Election Day? The people have been denied a representative who has been accountable and accessible for the last decade. I will provide a voice for all the people of the 8th Congressional District.

4 NEWS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Unearthing Incan mummies Nathan Wilson Staff Writer

Brian Pickford, M.S.H.E., R.T. (R), Program Director of LCC’s Radiologic Technology Program, traveled with a group of students to Peru in May 2009.

He traversed Lima, Cuzco and Ica over the course of 16 days to study Incan mummies with the Anthropological Radiography Group, which is co-directed by Dawn Sturk, M.S., R.T. (R) and Kathleen Forgey, PhD., R.T. (R).

The group also traveled to the ruins of Machu Picchu and Saqsaywaman while working in conjunction with Instituto Nacional de Cultura and Museo Regional de Ica. Machu Picchu is one of the last sites of the Inca Empire, according to Pickford.

Saqsaywaman, a fortress of immense walls, overlooks the former Inca Capitol Cuzco.

Pickford explained the group utilized older radiologic technology; for example, they hand-developed their films and used film screen instead of digital radiography.

The mummies were buried in bundles, the oldest of which dated back to 100 B.C. Pickford and the students were tasked to identify the sex, age and presence of pathological diseases in the mummies.

By analyzing the arm positions of a mummy and the materials buried with the deceased, radiologists could determine which class the individual belonged to.

According to Pickford, people of royalty were buried with their hands across their chests, whereas individuals in the lower tier of society were mummified with their arms down at their sides.

IN BRIEF NEWS

Photo courtesy of Brian Pickford

Inspecting mummies: Justin Ballreich R.T. (R), Brian Pickford, M.S.H.E., R.T. (R) Program Director of the Radiologic Technology Program at LCC and Heather Banfield, R.T. (R), examine disarticulated skeletal remains of a Peruvian mummy.

“Also inside these bundles we would find artifacts, jewelry, and if they were a warrior, their war weapon,” Pickford said.

“There was mass assortment of pottery and ceramics and other things that were also X-rayed.”

One of the rarest discoveries the group made in Peru was a child buried with a male.

Another interesting find consisted of a mummy whose bundle contained colored material, possibly indicating a general of military rank.

In the past, Pickford explained, archeologists would open the bundles and the remnants would decay instantly as a result of air conditions. Hence, radiology became a crucial tool to examine the Incan mummies.

Pickford noted that radiology has made advancements in recent years with CAT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging and PET scanning.

“We’re doing a lot of digital radiography and computer radiography now,” he said.

“And now we’re expanding into forensics.”

Zoo announces new hours

BMIT Carrer Day to be held at LCC

Beginning Nov. 1, admission to Potter Park Zoo will be free for Ingham County residents. The Zoo will be holding its winter hours, which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day. The only exception to these new policies and rates will be the Wonderland of Lights event. For more information, call (517) 483-4221.

LCC will host its fifth annual BMIT (Business Medea and Information technologies) Career Day on Nov. 10. The goal of the event is to transform LCC students into superior job candidates. The event will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Gannon Building. There will first be a networking session where students may work with potential employers. Secondly, an employer panel discussion will be held where students may ask important “to know” questions. For more information, students are encouraged to visit the Hole in The Hall.

CATA offers free rides On Nov. 2 the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) will offer free rides to customers with a valid voter registration card. The card must be presented to the driver when boarding to receive the free ride. Free rides on all CATA services will be provided during regular hours of service when riders show their registration card. CATA can be contacted at (517) 394-1000.

WLNZ to increase reception LCC Radio has undergone a power increase. The station has gone from approximately 500 watts to 1,000 watts.

This increase will allow better reception especially in the Lansing/East Lansing metropolitan area. It is also anticipated that LCC’s radio signal will expand out to many towns surrounding Lansing.

LCC makes new hire Susan Fisher Trimmer has been hired

by LCC as the Director of Work-based Partnerships in the Career and Employment Services (CES) Department.

By serving in this position, Susan will help LCC respond to the challenges of the Michigan Economy by striving to meet the needs of regional employers and LCC students.

LCC student wins contest LCC student Sarah McDurmon was selected in the drawing for a $25 gift card. The drawing was organized by Canstruction, which has been running a food drive throughout the month of October Students in the drawing earned one ticket for every three cans donated to the food drive.

Photo by Michael Caterina

Relaxation: Massage therapy students give free massages to guests at the Black History Month Health Fair Feb. 3, 2010. LCC’s Massage Therapy Clinic, located in HHS 013, is open to the general public and offers one hour massages for $30, with a $5 discount for LCC students, employees and alumni.

Massage clinic offered at LCC Shauna Stocken Staff Writer

The massage clinic at LCC opened for business in 2005. The clinic is a required course offered at LCC for anyone going into the therapeutic massage program. Massages at the clinic are performed by students in the program under LCC faculty supervision.

“I think our students do an excellent job,” the faculty/academic team

leader for the massage clinical at LCC, Mabel Manadier-Thomas, said.

For anyone in the general public, the price of an hour-long massage is $30 with a $5 discount for all current LCC students, employees and alumni.

“It’s the best bargain in the town,” ManadierThomas said.

The massage clinic is located in the Health and Human Services Building in room 013 on LCC’s

main campus. The clinic accept checks only, and patients must be at least 18 to receive a massage from the clinic.

Even if patients are the appropriate age, a brief health interview will be given when they make the appointment and before they receive their massage.

The questions are for safety reasons to indicate whether patients have heart problems or have had any recent surgery.

5 SPORTS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

LCC to host lifting championship

Zach Bellingar Sports Editor

Thanks to strong efforts and a successful bid, LCC will host the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation (ADFPF) Single Event National Championships in the Gannon Building on March 5, 2011.

LCC was one of five venues competing for the event, and the competition will qualify male and female drugfree lifters for a spot on the U.S. team, plus an

opportunity to set national records.

Long-time LCC instructor and Michigan Powerlifting Hall of Famer Jeff Buchin is no stranger to records.

Buchin is an ADFPF record holder in his event, the bench-press.

“446.25 (lbs.) I did that when I was 60 years old,” Buchin said. “I’ll be 62 in a couple of weeks.”

Along with his personal participation in the ADFPF competitions, Buchin is on the State Board of Direc-

Photo courtesy of Kevin Fowler

Pumpin’ Iron: LCC Fitness instructor Jeff Buchin bench presses 405 lbs. in the LCC weight room. While impressive, it is light duty when compared to his World Record bench press of 446.5 lbs .

tors for the ADFPF and was instrumental in bringing the National Championship to Michigan for the first

time. Bringing competitors into Lansing gives the local economy a boost as well.

“We want to get the

city of Lansing involved,” Buchin said. “(We want) the mayor, the city board, the president of the college, to really push this.”

Buchin said he has other motives for making this happen as well: “My main purpose for doing this is it draws a lot of attention to Lansing Community College and the weight training programs we teach. We’ve got talented people teaching our classes.”

Aside from the ADFPF, Buchin said the

Gannon Building is undergoing a small renovation on the third floor.

“We are installing the State of Michigan Powerlifting Hall of Fame on the third floor of the Gannon Building,” Buchin said.

“These are all lifters that are drug-free, that have competed in the state of Michigan, for the state of Michigan.”

More information regarding membership and upcoming events can be found at www.adfpf.org.

Body by Design Club offers options for LCC students Erik Stiem Staff Writer

When LCC’s Body

by Design Club started over 25 years ago, there was no open weight room for LCC students, but the desire was there.

Through the efforts of the club and its advisers/co-founders, Jeff Montgomery and Jeff

Buchin, a weight room is now accessible to any LCC student taking at least one credit.

The fee is $35, which lasts for the duration of the semester at hand.

The money is used to purchase equipment for the weight room, as well as for maintenance.

There are no prerequisites to join the club and many instructors

to help students. However, it is recommended that students take a weightlifting class if they have no prior experience in weightlifting.

Many of the instructors are part-time teachers in the Fitness and Wellness Department. When the weight room is not open, it is typically because one

of these instructors is teaching a weightlifting class. The fall and spring semesters bring in about 60 to 65 students, and in the summer, 20 to 25 students typically participate in the club.

Club adviser Montgomery said, “The main purpose of the club is to give students access to the weightlift-

ing room for a reasonable fee,” said club adviser Montgomery.

The semester fee has not been increased in 20 years, in consideration of the college students’ budget. For only $105 a student can have access to the weight room year round.

There are no strict meeting times; the stu-

dents can just come in during club hours whenever they feel like working out. Buchin, holds weightlifting competitions at LCC, and some of the more serious members of the club compete as well.

For any further questions and for club hours, contact Jeff Montgomery at (517) 483-1235.

Men’s hoops ranked 22nd

by NJCAA pre-season poll

File photo by Michael Caterina

Rising ranking: Returning LCC sophomore Alvino Ashley goes up for a layup during the ‘09-’10 season. Five returning sophomores, a strong recruiting class and last year’s 22-7 record all contributed to LCC being ranked 22nd in Division II by a pre-season poll done by the NJCAA released Oct 25.

6SPORTS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Men’s XC rested, ready for regionals Zach Bellingar Sports Editor

After a week without competition and some much needed rest, the LCC men’s cross-country team entered the postseason with fresh legs and fresh spirits.

Even though they did not compete in week eight, the men still saw a jump in the NJCAA Division I standings, moving up from sixth to a tie for fourth.

Sixth place was the Stars’ lowest ranking of the season, following a 10th-place overall finish at the Bowling Green Invitational Oct. 16 in week seven.

Tenth place, however, did not sit well with LCC Head Coach Chuck Block.

“I wasn’t happy and they know it,” Block said. “Any other junior college coach in the country would have probably been happy, (but) not us because we’re better than that.”

One of men who did

run strong at the BGI was freshman Jake Hord, who finished first for the Stars with a time just shy of 26 minutes.

“I was really impressed with him. He ran a good race the week before too, so he’s really coming on,” Block said of his freshman recruit.

“Earlier in the year, I kept saying, ‘Jake’s going to explode one day,’ and he exploded.

“He broke 26, so he is coming on at just the right time. Smart runner. So I was really happy with that.”

Hord said being a freshman is like being an underdog, and it is not all bad.

“Being an underdog is good because it gives you motivation,” Hord said. “That’s what all of these older guys have taught me is stay nice and relaxed.

Don’t go out too hard but not too slow. Being young, it’s a good learning experience.”

Even Coach Block is learning some things as the season progresses.

He spoke about the plan heading into the regional tournament during the Stars’ week off.

“Some of the guys said, ‘Coach, we’re sore.

We’ve been training our butts off.’ So we’ve got a plan. We’re going to taper them a little bit for the regional meet, so that will be good having this weekend off.”

Block followed up with a strong statement of faith in his men.

“I guarantee they’re going to explode at the regional meet,” he said. “I haven’t lost faith in them.”

The men ran at home at Grand Woods Park in Lansing on Oct. 30.

Results will be in the next issue.

The Stars will travel to Spartanburg, S.C. on Nov. 14 to compete at the national level for the NJCAA Championship.

Photo by Michael Caterina

Staying on top: LCC sophomores Gareth Gose, left, and Eric Spitz lead the pack at the Grand Woods Invitational Oct. 2.

One shoe on, women harriers prove strength Zach Bellingar Sports Editor Week seven of the women’s cross-country campaign ended with a strong performance at the Bowling Green Invitational Oct. 16, where the team took an overall sixth place in an event with 18 other colleges.

“I was very happy with their race,” Coach Chuck Block said. “They came in sixth, which is great. Their times are really good.”

All season long, Block has expressed the depth on the women’s team.

What preceded that depth was strength and dedication. Coach Block gave testament to that strength.

“Brooke comes up to me after the race and says, ‘Did you see what happened out there?’

She ran the whole race except the first half-mile without a shoe on. She is just tough as nails,” Block said. “Can you imagine that? Running three miles without a shoe on?”

Dedication is not just running well during the race, but includes work done in the off-season, and it is unlikely that anyone

Photo by Michael Caterina

Pace maker: Sophomore Randi Smith makes her way around LCC’s home course at the Grand Woods Invitational Oct. 2.

else on the team put in as much work in the offseason as Kaylin Belair.

“I do doathlons,” said Belair. “It’s where you run for 5K, and then you bike for 25 miles, and then you run a 10K. I was planning on doing a triathlon; so I was running, biking and swimming and I had to fit that all into one day. I trained really hard this summer.”

Belair’s dedication does not stop there.

“I have asthma, too,” Belair added. “When you cross-train, it really helps your breathing and helps your body.”

As far as what it takes to run at this level, Belair said, “If you put your mind to anything, you’re able to accomplish it. I have a lot of goals and I’m accomplishing them.

Whatever you put your heart to, will is what really matters.”

Coach Block said that being able to practice at Grand Woods, where the regional tournament is held, gives his runners an edge.

“I like being able to go there and our kids are so comfortable with it,” Block said.

The women began their post-season drive at home on Oct. 30 and continue to the NJCAA National tournament in Spartanburg, S.C. on Nov. 14.

Block added that success in the post-season is dependent upon two things: “Just staying healthy and everything going right on the right day. They’re right on schedule. I think we’re right where we want to be.”

7SPORTS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout — What in the wide world of sports? —

College athletes make waves, just wait Someone is always to blame.

We blame our teachers for ill preparation for that mid-term. We blame the president and the governor for the economy.

The world of sports is no exception, and fans like me have no problem delegating proper blame.

Example: I’m watching the Spartans lose to the Wildcats for three and a half quarters, mostly because of

dropped coverage and some serious defensive problems.

Who do I blame?

Chris L. Rucker.

He would not have

dropped coverage, but he wasn’t there. He was suspended for getting into trouble with the law.

Where am I going with this, you ask?

Making waves, stirring the pot, getting arrested—the sports world is full of it.

However, athletes like Rucker need to know: Getting into trouble for being a complete idiot in college is not the same infallible protection offered to reckless

professional athletes.

Michigan State athletes, year in and year out, continue to make the kinds of un-sports related headlines that schadenfroh media and readers hate to love. Or is it love to hate?

I just want to see my favorite cornerback on Saturdays.

In college, a DUI is a pretty big deal. For professionals, that’s nothing. The activities that would get the

college athlete banned from any major university for life would only be a speed bump for a pro.

Brett Favre’s recent media coverage grew a few inches after his text message mess.

That’s nothing.

Kobe Bryant allegedly gets away with assault. Gilbert Arenas: wielding a gun.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the doggy day care Michael Vick was running. He served some

time, sure. But now Vick is back and starting.

And O.J., well … let’s just say pro athletes can allegedly get away with murder.

And it all boils down to one thing: the dollar bill.

So to all of you college athletes out there, remember: You haven’t made enough money yet to be so irresponsible. Wait a few years.

Then become invincible.

I blame the system.

8 SPORTS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Spikers edged in regular-season finale Zach Bellingar Sports Editor The LCC volleyball team took on the Kalamazoo Valley Cougars on Oct. 26 to finish up conference action and close out the regular season.

It was an emotional “Sophomore Night” from start to finish, as it was the last match in the Gannon Building for LCC’s five sophomores.

After a solid start, winning the first two sets 25-21 and 25-23, the Stars lost the last three, 25-12, 25-21 and 15-7, to drop the match.

“We lost our chemistry,” sophomore captain Camille Harris said. “We couldn’t get back into our game when we needed to. We didn’t adjust when what we were doing wasn’t working.”

The first two sets featured a strong LCC offense and defense, with the Stars taking the lead and keeping it.

However, after going on a seven-point run early in the third set, it was all Cougars for the remainder of the match.

“I think it’s an adjustment they made on their side,” LCC Coach Dennis Richardson said. “They switched their lineup around. That sort of reenergized them. It was a missed opportunity. We should have won. There’s no doubt about it.”

While it was a disappointing end to the regular season, the Stars had to regroup to compete in the regional tournament.

After the Kalamazoo match, Richardson spoke about what it would take to find success in the postseason: “We need to set a tone,” Richardson said. “We’re going in a fourth seed, and we’re going to have to play a No. 1 seed for the east side, which is a top 20 team in the nation. We’re going to have to have our best game.”

On Oct. 29, the Stars were scheduled to face the Oakland CC Raiders at the 2010 MCCAA state tournament in Kalamazoo.

During the regular season, the Stars lost in three sets to the Raiders. The Raiders finished their own

Photo by Michael Caterina

Moving on: Sophomores Paige Rodgers and Kelsi Bently go up for a block during their last home game as LCC volleyball players.

season with an impressive 30-4 record.

“When we play our game, we don’t have to worry about what’s on the other side,” Harris said.

“We handle our business over here and the success will come.”

Results of the state tournament match will be published in issue 6 of The Lookout.

Photo by Michael Caterina

Spiking stride: Freshman Allie Cusack spikes the ball during LCC’s final home game of the 2010 season versus Kalamazoo Valley CC. The Stars lost the intense match 3-2 to end with a regular season record of 18-16.

9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010

www.lcc.edu/lookout

LCC ensembles toot own horns at Dart

Lee Rumler A&E Editor

A showpiece of LCC music, SoundScapes 2010, flourished our school-sponsored ensembles’ talents brilliantly Oct. 23 and 24 at Dart Auditorium.

The nights kicked off with the Jazz Ensemble playing “Alamode,” a swing-like tune featuring horn soloists Tom Kaplan, Luke Brown, and John Jerry Jr. After a brief introduction, the band swung into “Hay Burner” and “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” the latter featuring soloists Roy Erickson and John Ross.

As is tradition with Jazz music, the LCC Jazz Ensemble’s rhythms were complex and textured, uniting from polyphonic to monotonic only in specific, crucial moments.

After the Jazz Ensemble’s last notes, emcee Cryderman-Weber came on stage to tell the audience a bit about

Review SoundScapes.

According to the emcee, the purpose of the annual SoundScapes concert is to give audiences a little taste of the prime talents various LCC instrumental and vocal ensembles boast.

The Guitar Ensemble subsequently took the stage and rocked out “Morienta” and “Europa,” featuring lone bassist Kenton Horstman and director Christopher Rollins.

Both pieces carried a vaguely old-western sound, “Europa” written by Latin American influenced Carlos Santana and “Morienta” passed down as a traditional Mexican folk song.

Following the Guitarists came soloists Jacob Johnson, who performed an engaging but brief bass solo utilizing harmonics, and Phil Stefanelli, whose guitar and vocals rendition

of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back” simply stunned audience members.

Performing next was the Lanswingers Vocal Pop and Jazz Ensemble.

Though they executed “Just in Time” nearly flawlessly, “In My Life,” featuring soloists Zurich Dawson, Jacque Baldori, Katy Ramos and Elyse Staebell, stole the audience’s breath with its beauty.

Following “In My Life” seemed impossible, but the staff duet Liudmila Bondar and Ed Fedewa did just that, and did it well.

The beautiful, prancing piano and the frantic, racing contrabass (played both arco and pizzicato style) blended together in a mesmerizing cyclone of sound.

A brief intermission allowed audience members to catch their breath before the concert segued into the Experimental Music Ensemble.

Both pieces the ensemble played, “Fly

Fashionably freaky Kaitlin Lutz Associate Editor

With the inspiration of “Freak to Chic,” LCC visual display and merchandising students set forth to create a display for Younkers on Oct. 21.

Professor Anne Wojtkowski asked her students to be a little bit more creative by giving them a mid-term different than one might expect.

Their assignment: to make a display for Younkers’ new make-up launch of Genefique.

“What we’re doing is designing the event and setting up the visual aspect of it,” visual display and merchandising student Angela Noble said.

The class’s “Freak to Chic” display was depicted through a carnival Photo by Kaitlin Lutz type setup.

Chic students: LCC students Angela Noble The main lobby was strewn with and Karis Olney set up a table for the carnicarnival-themed displays such as val-themed display at Younkers. popcorn and cotton candy machines, and even photos of the bearded lady and Medusa transformed from freak into chic.

“They came up with the whole theme,” Younkers’ cosmetic manager Marcia Sprangel said. “We’ve gotten a great response from customers and we’ve got a lot of traffic in the store I don’t think we would have otherwise.”

The class’s display was Photo by Michael Caterina a success with Younkers’ The main attraction: Guests at the Lansing Mall customers and employees. Younkers were greeted by the “Freak to Chic” “They did a fantastic makeup display created by LCC visual display and merchandising students on Oct. 21. job,” Sprangel said.

Photo by Courtney Baker

Musical Extravaganza: The LCC Experimental Music Ensemble performs at SoundScapes 2010, held in the Dart Auditorium Oct. 24.

Blog,” a reinterpretation of “Diary of a Fly,” and “Un Esfeurzo de la Communidad,” a salsa written by conga player Molly Cryderman-Weber, engaged the creative intellectual in every audience member.

Next up was the Swing City Medley, and though lacking the big band normally associated with swing music, the trio’s set transformed the audito-

rium’s atmosphere into that of a 1930s dance club for the duration of their four songs.

The concert concluded with two pieces from the percussion ensemble.

The first, “Rhythm Net,” was quite possibly the funniest looking performance any ensemble has given at LCC, with percussionists clapping, slapping and snapping in a tu-

multuous, yet refined chorus of body beats.

The second, “Rainbow Ripples,” a spectacular American ragtime tune, sounded like something out of a carnival falling into a black hole – in a good way.

Overall, SoundScapes was an excellent and varied performance that, as MC CrydermanWeber promised, truly showcased the diverse talent here at LCC.

10A&E

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Toons teach Lee Rumler A&E Editor

As part of the LCC Writing Program Visiting Writer Series, Jef Mallet, author and cartoonist, visited the LCC campus in the Health and Human Services Building room 025. He lectured at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20.

According to Liberal Arts faculty Dedria A. Humphries, Mallet is best known as the creator of the comic strip “Frazz,” which runs in 160 papers nation-wide, including the Lansing State Journal.

During the question-answer based lectures, Mallet explained almost every step of producing comics, from the initial inspiration to the press release.

Although Mallet explained inspiration works differently for every writer, he said he drew his inspiration for the character Frazz from his own personality, only “cooler.”

The character Caulfield is just the opposite: everything Mallet wanted to be as a kid, but wasn’t.

“There’s something of

you in the writing. There has to be – or else it’s boring,” he explained.

Mallet also explained the process of writing individual strips. The first steps mostly involve a lot of staring out windows, folding laundry and possibly walking around town, all the time pondering what to write the week’s strips about (he works on a full week of strips at a time.)

When he has a bad day, he learns to write regardless.

“I don’t work nearly far enough ahead to believe in writer’s block,” he said.

The rest of the steps revolve around sketching and refining, slowly and gradually moving from a rough outline to a full, illustrated, shaded strip.

The whole process takes him about a week.

Mallet said the comic writing process is like nothing else. It has elements of writing, drawing and almost a sort of directing in it.

In fact, according to Mallet, “It’s like making a movie, except without the cocaine addiction.”

King Crossword

Disturbed’s ‘Asylum’ is musical therapy Nathan Wilson Staff Writer Heavy-metal band Disturbed recently returned to the Billboard 200 with its fifth studio release “Asylum.” Upon first listening to “Asylum,” the CD sounded more like a remastered version of its previous release “Indestructible” rather than the next chapter in Disturbed’s musical career.

I was expecting new elements of change, perhaps more progressive elements or a return to the visceral sound of their debut album “The Sickness.”

Instead, Disturbed adhered to a more predictable and reliable formula rather than take a risk and experiment with new styles of metal.

While “Asylum” did not fulfill my greatest expectations from a band that should have been more than capable of meeting them, several tracks captured my

Photo courtesy of www.metalwarez.com

amazement.

Prefaced by the brooding instrumental “Remnants,” the musical momentum combusts into title track “Asylum,” a song regarding the loss of a loved one and the accompanying sorrow driving one to insanity.

“Another Way to Die” confronts the long-term consequences of global warming and resonates with a catchy chorus and a great guitar riff by Dan Donegan.

David Draiman’s rapid, aggressive vocals on “Warrior” make this song an excellent adrenaline rush. While “The Animal” is cast as the third single of the album, its lycanthropic lyrics are disappointingly ridiculous.

The grinding melody “Crucified” gives Draiman an opportunity to employ his full vocal range in a remarkable way, particularly during the chorus.

“Serpentine” had the potential to be an amazing track, but the chorus seemed to drag it down— his vocals took on a whining tone.

“My Child” is eerie, beginning with the sound of a frail heart beat before erupting into musical frenzy. Draiman’s vocals in the chorus were among the most inspiring and emotional on the album.

While “Asylum” was not up to par with my expectations, it easily surpasses the majority of metal albums released this year.

Cast of Jersey Shore meets Miami Dominick Mastrangelo News Editor I am Italian and I grew up in upstate New York. So if anyone knows the customs, traditions and tendencies of the self-proclaimed “Guidos and Guidettes,“ it would be me.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: the people on MTV’s Jersey Shore are actors, people who have been asked to portray the role of what is seen as a “typical” Italian New Jersian young adult.

What is interesting, however, is to examine and analyze the lavish, repetitive and downright entertaining lifestyles the writers of this show create for the characters who fill arguably the most popular show among teen-

agers today.

In New Jersey, real New Jersey people have jobs, and bills, and acne, and lives. Believe it or not, life for people in this tiny state is not all drinking, having sex and keeping your physical appearance perfect.

The show does, however, create a wonderful representation of what many teens view as “the perfect life.”

Throughout the show we have watched the characters of the Jersey Shore party, argue, hook up and share experiences with each other that have become water-cooler talk across America.

Catch phrases and nicknames like “Mike the Situation” and “Sammi Sweetheart” have given the show familiarity and strong sex appeal.

Photo courtesy of www.silive.com

Viewers of this program can easily link the trials and tribulations that are portrayed on the show to their own lives, an essential for reality T.V. Overall, I enjoy Jersey Shore, not because I believe it is an accurate representation of what life is really like for ItalianAmericans, but because it does what television is supposed to do. It entertains me, and does so at any cost.

Fields of Industry release ‘Trouble House’ Sean Bradley Staff Writer

Puzzle solution can be found at www.lcc.edu./lookout

This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:

Lansing’s Fields of Industry have put out a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type record with “Trouble House.”

The Hyde-esque bits of noise, distortion and experimental tendencies encapsulate tracks like “Born an Idiot” and “(Untitled).”

The former track takes the loudquiet-loud dynamic of modern rock music in a new direction. Instead of roaring guitars, strings and brass create a wall of noise that feels all together exciting and disturbing.

Strings are a constant on the latter track. Droning wind-like synth

Photo courtesy of www.fieldsodindustry.com

sounds pulsate around a barely audible drum kit.

The Jekyll side of the record literally shows another side to the band’s brand of psych rock. Singer

and front man Joshua Barton has a voice that perfectly complements the band’s style. His voice can be melodic and catchy or droning and ethereal, like on the previously mentioned “Born an Idiot.”

The most challenging vocal is on “Rock and Roll, a Lady.” Amidst far away guitars and minimal bass, he soothes listeners’ ears with a haunting, reverberated take.

Barton and company have made a record that, however different the styles, works. They can pull off rockers, ballads and all-out noise freakouts all on the same record or even in the space of one song. It all makes sense in only the way that Fields of Industry can make it.

11 A&E

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010

IN BRIEF

www.lcc.edu/lookout — Clever Column Title Goes Here —

Goddesses of heavy metal Unfortunately, many people associate heavy metal with men, scarcely giving thought to the women who have struggled to gain exposure in this testosterone dominated genre.

Most prominent bands like Metallica, Megadeth or Slipknot immediately come to mind to the amateur of metal, but how many fans recognize Nightwish, Ebony Ark, Straight Line Stitch or Witchbreed?

Despite the barrier between sexes in heavy metal, more women than ever before are emerging in this brutal genre and proving they are just as talented at adopting vocal roles and electric guitars as men.

Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight several femalefronted bands that deserve recognition and praise.

As one of the most inspirational women in symphonic metal, Tarja Turunen ranks among the top metal goddesses.

While she is an accomplished pianist, composer and song writer, perhaps her most widely recognized attribute is her mesmerizing voice.

Formerly of Finnish band Nightwish, she has embarked on a solo career

to produce impressive albums such as “My Winter Storm” and “What Lies Beneath.” Turunen has been so influential in music that Finnish President Tarja Halonen dubbed her “the voice of Finland.”

Sarah Jezebel Deva, a regular guest vocalist in extreme metal band Cradle of Filth, should also be commended for her role in metal. She wields a remarkably powerful voice perfectly suited for howling symphony and thrashing guitars.

Several songs that display the depth of her talent include “I’m Calling,” “Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned” and “Confide Me” from her band Angtoria.

Another brilliant maiden is Sonya Scarlet of Theatres des Vampires. Her Italian accent contributes a Gothic element to her vocals that sets her apart from the standard operatic

female voice. Her voice radiates with beauty in tracks “From the Deep,” “Wherever You Are” and “Two Seconds.”

Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist tears apart the stereotype that women cannot evoke as much aggression in a genre so heavily dominated by testosterone.

One second she is singing in a clear, pristine voice, and the next moment she evokes the most demonic, hellish—and lovely—vocals.

One needs only listen to “Thank You, Pain” and “Rise and Fall” to appreciate her twisted talent.

Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy also deserves a mention for her undisputed ferocity. Among other women who have contributed to metal are Cristina Scabbia, Simone Simons, Amanda Somerville, Sharon den Adale, Morgan Lander and Liv Kristine.

In conclusion, I am overjoyed to see women drawn to heavy metal. I hope this trend continues as more women are inspired to join ranks with the gifted veterans of metal.

And for anyone who says women should stay out of metal or men can do it better … do you realize how pathetic you sound?

Talented 12 groove at Dart Katie Schultz Guest Writer The flyer for the performance on Oct. 17 at Dart Auditorium stated that the goal of this talented 12 was to “blow your musical mind!” Four

by Eight includes the talent of Three Men and a Tenor, members from J&J Sounds and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra Big Band.

The concert’s proceeds went to benefit the Ronald K. Edwards, Ph.D., Scholarship Fund at the Lansing Community College Foundation.

During intermission, the foundation showed a video depicting the life and dream of Ronald K. Edwards, who loved education and was one of the pioneers in the use of audiovisual tutorials, a predecessor of online classes.

Four by Eight had

Photo by Katie Schultz

Groovin’: The four by eight band snaps to the beat during their performances at the Dart Auditorium Oct. 17.

the familiar feel of the well-known a cappella group with the strong sounds of the great instrumental artists from Big Band and J&J Sounds. They performed songs like “In The Mood,” “Earth Angel,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance” and multiple songs by the group Chicago.

The group’s energy was phenomenal: The whole audience was clapping and tapping their feet to the music, and some even sang along.

Four by Eight left the audience “Roll-

ing on the River ” and wanting more.

At the end of the show, Three Men and a Tenor ’s Mark Styles mentioned that the new group may be returning in December.

Roger Weyersberg, the trombone player, came out with a Santa Claus hat that matched his rosy cheeks and long white beard, bringing laughter and a taste of what audience members may see in December. You can be assured, I will be there if at all possible.

Arts & Entertainment

Presenting: A View from the Bridge

Library to hold Big Book Bash

The final stage in Cooley Law School’s Stages of the Law theater festival, LCC’s Performing Arts program is presenting A View from the Bridge, written by Arthur Miller and directed by professor Andy Callis. Shows will run Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. The cost is $5 for faculty, staff, alumni and students $10 for the general public.

The LCC Library is holding its 10th annual Big Book Bash Nov. 5-13 during normal library hours on the second floor of the TLC Building. All sale items are $1 each for the general public and 50 cents for any student or employee with a StarCard. All sale proceeds are used to improve the library.

Creative students read fiction

VSA International Young Soloists Program is hosting a competition for young, aspiring, disabled musicians ages 25 and under. The two winners will receive $5,000 and perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Applications are due Nov. 15. For instructions to apply, visit www.vsarts. org/soloists.

Celebrating the publication of the 2010 Washington Square Review, LCC’s creative student literature magazine, students will be congregating in TLC 127 to read poems, stories and a few songs. Copies of the Review will be available for $5 each.

VSA holds music competition

Mitigating a micro planet Lee Rumler A&E Editor

Was Pluto ever a planet?

This racy and controversial question was discussed at length at the Cafe Scientifique in the Eastwood Towne Center’s Schuler’s Books and Music on Oct. 19.

Led by novelist Michael Byers and LCC science instructor Bruce Greenway, the discussion encompassed topics ranging from the peculiar and spectacular discovery of Pluto to the reasons why it received its “demotion,” and why it probably shouldn’t have ever been classified as a planet to begin with.

Byers, author of Percival’s Planet, a novel about the discovery of Pluto, spoke first about the long and strange history behind the discovery of Pluto.

According to Byers, the search for Pluto began when Percival Lowell, an affluent Boston businessman and founder of the Lowell Observatory, calculated the approximate location of a Planet X, which he believed to be causing perturbations in Uranus’ orbit.

After Lowell’s death, the Lowell Observatory hired an amateur astronomer, Clyde Tombaugh, to continue the search for Planet X, and he soon found the planet – within one degree of where Lowell pre-

Photo by Lee Rumler

Poor ol’ Pluto: LCC professor Bruce Greenway explains the science behind Pluto’s demotion to a dwarf planet.

dicted it.

But here’s the kicker: Pluto wasn’t a fraction of the size it would have needed to be to cause perturbations in Uranus’ orbit; in fact, later astronomers discovered that the supposed disturbances Lowell found didn’t even exist. Pluto’s discovery was pure serendipity.

Greenway followed by explaining a couple reasons why the International Astronomical Union (IAU) demoted Pluto from its planetary status in 2006.

Namely, hundreds of pluto-like objects are floating around in the Kuiper Belt.

Most of them are smaller than Pluto, but when astronomers discovered the object known as Eris and found out that it was actually larger than Pluto, the IAU decided it needed to redefine what a planet was.

And from that decision, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.

Now, to some diehard Pluto fans like “Pluto Enthusiast” Ed-

ward Dean, this sort of talk was equal to blasphemy – and not the Bruce Almighty, just for fun type blasphemy – the hardcore, upsidedown crosses and sacrificial goats type blasphemy.

“It’s my childhood they’re knocking,” claimed Dean. “Pluto should be an honorary planet, just because it was part of so many people’s childhood.”

But Greenway was unmoved. “I think it really comes down to: If you’re going to treat this as a science, then you really have to do it right.”

But then rises the question, why are people upset that Pluto is classified as a “dwarf” planet? Are not people classified as dwarves just as much people as everyone else? Not according to Byers.

I guess Americans just need to move past their discriminatory urges, and accept Pluto (Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris) for what they truly are: planets, only a little smaller.

12 FEATURES

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

LCC alum writes way out and back into Lansing Sarah Sanders Editor in Chief Surrounded by obscure literature, Ted McClelland signed copies of his book, Young Mr. Obama: The Making of a Black President, during his book signing event Oct. 19 at EVERYbody Reads in downtown Lansing.

According to McClelland, the book intends to give yet another take on Obama.

“I think this book gets more into his community organizing days than any other book out there right now,” McClelland said.

“I had a part of the Obama story no one had: how Obama learned to be a natural.”

The book was written in hopes of covering a section of Obama’s career that is generally ignored by the media, perhaps because “it wasn’t glamorous,” McClelland said.

The conversation proved to cover much more than his book alone, as

community members gathered to rehash old times and discuss political opinions in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

“My book was the first one signed,” Lansing resident Ernestine Blake said with a sly smile. “I made sure to that.”

She was just one of a group of people interested in meeting McClelland, a native of Lansing who began his literary career at LCC’s The Lookout.

Among the attendants, McClelland’s previous schoolmates at Sexton High School and some of their parents came through to share their support.

“I’m so thrilled to be here,” one excited fan commented amongst the others patiently waiting to get their books signed by McClelland.

“I was never able to move far away and forget about Lansing,” McClelland said. “I mean, I still write about Lansing.”

After The Lookout, McClelland

Prolific Alum: Ted McClelland has published two books in addition to his most recent publication Young

Mr. Obama: The Making of a Black President.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Lathrop

moved on to work for The State News, at MSU and then on to The Lansing State Journal.

He began working for The Chicago Reader afterward. It was during this time he first covered Obama while he was runing for congressional election in 2000.

He has also had works published in several renowned publications including The Washington Post and Slate.com. He also has a blog for NBC Chicago, though he made sure

to state, “Don’t just read blogs, read books.”

McClelland offered some advice to future writers at LCC. “Write everywhere you can, even stuff you don’t get paid for,” he said.

“Do not expect to become an immediate success.”

His advice should be taken seriously, since McClelland’s own career began much like current LCC students who have a passion for writing.

“The Lookout was the first place I ever got paid for a piece of writing,” he said. “I always say my professional career began here at LCC.” McClelland said his next project is already underway.

“I’m working on a book about the rise, fall and future of America’s heartland,” McClelland said.

With his first-hand experience in the once-upon-a-time industrially prosperous state, McClelland added, “There will be plenty of Lansing in there.”

Photo by Michael Caterina

Group leaders: Student Democrat President Amadeus Konoga (from left), VP For Governmental Affairs Antonio Manning, VP for Public Affairs Kimani Langsworth and Student Life and Leadership Director Al Nowak gather for a picture at Candidate Day Oct. 27.

Democrats serve public Nathan Wilson Staff Writer

Student Democrats is comprised of a group of LCC students who are active in Lansing’s political process, according to Adviser Mary Kay Scullion.

In addition to teaching political science at LCC, Scullion has worked for the Michigan House of Representatives for over 30 years and remained active in the political process for the majority of her life.

Scullion said the Student Democrats are currently focusing on the Nov. 2 election. Some of the members’ efforts to bring attention to the election include organizing Candidate Day, Get Out to Vote Concert and volunteering to campaign door-to-door for candidates.

Candidate Day took place Oct. 27 on LCC’s main campus in the Gannon Building. During this event, various candidates invited by Student Democrats participated.

Students had a chance to question the candidates and see where they stood on issues.

Jennifer Smith (R-Lansing), Brian McGrain (D-Lansing) and Victor Celentino (D-Lansing) were among the politicians who attended.

“We have a representative democracy, and it’s dependent on having an electorate that is educated about the issues, the candidates and the participants,” Scullion said.

Student Democrats also organized a Get Out to Vote Concert on Oct. 30 on LCC’s main campus. The concert featured jazz, rap, rock ’n’ roll and country from local bands, according to club Vice President Antonio Manning.

Manning said in addition to motivating students to vote and learn more about the political process, the club emphasizes the importance of public service.

“I think too often in politics, our politicians, whether it be Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party — regardless of the affiliation — typically when they get into office, they tend to forget their job about serving the public,” Manning said.

Manning said his goal through Student Democrats is to make more people aware of the calling of public service and how it can make a positive difference in the community.

Although the club is primarily a Democratic organization, Manning said all are welcome.

“If you’re not a Democrat, you’re still welcome to join our organization and give us some debate because good debate fuels everything,” Manning said.

“That’s what helps us grow and become better as individuals.”

For more information regarding the setting and time of meetings, contact Mary Scullion at sculliom@lcc.edu or Antonio Manning at antoniomanning@live.com.

13 DISTRACTIONS

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010

www.lcc.edu/lookout

SUDOKU 2 9

— Fully Flippin’ it —

Not feelin’ the online classroom

7

8

4 6 4 9 5 4 3 7 5

9 7 5

3 4

4 1 7 5

8

5 8 7 3

4 1 6

5 4

Online classes suck— almost as much as summer classes. I wouldn’t even dream of taking an online summer class.

Talk about wack.

This semester I am taking 10 credits online. I think the courses I am taking are difficult to do online because they all have a strong emphasis on projects instead of the normal lecture/test format. It is very difficult for me to read a sheet of directions for a project and understand it right off the bat. I would much rather sit in a class and have “Mr. Teacher” explain it to me.

I miss sitting in a classroom. As much as I disliked it at times in the past, there is something about the wonderful rooms here at LCC that I miss.

I enjoy the social aspect of an in-person class. I was always a big fan of sitting down on the first day of class and picking out the person I was going to chat with instead of paying attention all semester.

I think my hatred for online classes can be traced to my semi-slacker attitude. I

LeBaron Rodgers Desktop Blues

James Tennant Jr. Tales of a Busboy

have always gotten work for classes done and put a good effort into it, but usually not until the night before. With online classes, this study habit is pushed to the limit.

Most of my classes have things due at midnight on certain days, so if I start the project by 10 p.m., I’m usually good.

But I am always pushing those times.

Missing assignments in an online class is different from an in-person class as well. When you miss an assignment in real class, you get the, “you are such a slacker” look from your instructor and you might even have to explain why you didn’t do it.

In the online world when the clock hits 12 a.m. and you didn’t turn anything in, no one gives you dirty looks.

Hopefully I can flip this semester without totally ruining my GPA and get back to the life of a normal LCC student.

I can’t wait.

14 OPINION

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

— Everyone should read George Orwell —

Could be you someday …

Small people make their small problems into big problems.

It is just a fact.

Every clique has strong opinions that are quickly dismantled by the average outside observer, as every reality TV show’s dramatic occurrence is treated likewise.

I have noticed the phenomenon and thereby associated phenomenons of the lifetime server in full within the past 48 hours or so. I know you have no idea which 48 hours of my life within which the insanity ensued, but perhaps this isn’t important.

The focal point, or possibly the insurmountable, stressful occurrence happened late night at a bar. Go figure. I just happened to be in the most perfect position mentally, hazy and relaxed.

I was spending time with friends I haven’t chatted at in quite a while and passing away another evening of near-birthday filled magic when a crazed woman with an astronomical amount of lip liner eyed me, committed acts of aggression and was ushered right out the door.

While I was staring at the areas around her lip liner, a feat to be accomplished, trust me, I

listened to the ignorant bullcrap that flew from her mouth quite freely. Her accusations were unfounded, and even if they were true, it was perhaps the most dramatic response I ever could’ve imagined.

It was then that I connected a few dots and was drawn to the assumption that people will make what they deal with as big as is needed due to some inept brain function. It would seem that what I view to be the most devastating thing that has happened to me appears to be just as devastating to me as yours to you.

When I began the employed phase of my life, which perhaps may never end, I worked in the fast-food industry. I was surrounded by “lifers” whose lists of stresses included how often we changed out the never-ending buckets of assorted sauce.

Needless to say, this was all they had to worry about and, trust me, they worried about it just as much as BP worries about the oil spill. It’s all relative, friends.

In fact that woman’s lip liner seemed to me a much larger issue than what she felt the need to discuss with me so loudly, and obviously I don’t give a rat’s ass about sauce.

The aftermath of all that has occurred leads me to believe that while stress is relative, perspective is key. If a person doesn’t have anything going on that is worse than sauce assortments, they really ought to find contentment within that.

While I do not know of such a person in existence, I have noticed a variety of people who haven’t taken on much in their lifetime. As a result, the little things seem to be generating an enormous amount of sweat from these people, when they ought to just relax. Don’t sweat the small stuff, especially if that is all that is going on.

Perhaps, though, just as mother told me, the real world’s a ball of fun. The ball just happens to be broken, flat and yet beautiful in the wickedest way possible.

— The Collected Klutz—

History of the duffel bag Do you ever use a word and wonder how someone came up with it, or why certain things are called what they are?

Maybe you’re not crazy like I am or just don’t have time to worry about such trivial matters, but the other day I was thinking about this (the origin of names); after all, it is a curious thing to wonder about.

For instance, I was going on a trip with a bunch of friends this past weekend and one of them asked, “I wonder where the name ‘duffel,’ as in duffel bag, comes from?”

I had never thought about it but it was a good question.

So, I set forth to find out and it wasn’t too difficult to discover where the name came from.

All I had to do was type “origin of duffel bag name” into Google and, voila, I found it.

Apparently, Duffel is the name of the Belgium town that made the fabric, which later became what this particular type of bag is made from.

The bag did not, how-

ever, receive its name until World War I when poet E.E. Cummings, who was serving as an ambulance driver in France, wrote a letter detailing his experiences with the military in 1917. In the letter are the first mentions of the term, “duffel bag.”

And there you have it.

Now you can impress your friends with your knowledge of the history of the duffel bag, but honestly no one will probably care that you know this. At least now you can come away from this knowing something you probably didn’t five minutes ago.

The information for this article was found at http://www.nxsurplus.com/backpacks/duffle/ history-of-military-duffle-bags/.

15 Opinion

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Letter to the Editor A number of candidates for office this year are tearing into gays again. They say we should not be in the military, marry, have civil unions, teach, adopt or be around children, that our “lifestyle” should be criminalized again, that we are “perverts” and “abominations.” This is during a period of attacks on gays and suicides among gay teens.

I became the first gay faculty member out at LCC in 2008 with President Knight’s blessing. He said all minorities had a right to enjoy their rights on this campus.

The same year, I was recognized on the Capitol steps in Lansing for being the first gay out on campus in the nation in 1963. In 1991, I joined in the suit against the Boy Scouts when they began expelling gays.

Having been out to some degree for 47 years, I have been beaten twice, thrown off two campuses as a student, fired three times because of my orientation and called virtually everything.

Students at LCC, however, have become a family and get along. That is what the rest of the country needs, not more hatred.

Politicians could take the advice of President Knight and follow the example of this school.

Students here are wonderful.

Now is the time to move forward, not backward.

Let us all celebrate our lives in the sun together as liberty-loving Americans. LCC is a model for the future. Let us reject the past and move on together, celebrating the potential we all share.

Dr. Daniel R. Campbell Communications and History

Write a Letter to the

Editor

Policies: all letters should be 200 words or less and signed with a name, address (email or otherwise) and phone number. The Lookout reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, length and clarity.

Mail: 1000 – The Lookout Lansing Community College P.O. box 40010 Lansing, MI 489401-7210 Email: sande43@mail.lcc.edu Fax: (517) 483-1290 The Lookout is the independent, biweekly student newspaper of Lansing Community College. All opinion/editorial articles are the sole opinion of the writer and may not reflect the views of the staff, students, faculty and college as a whole.

Opinion/editorial articles may or may not be located exclusively on editorial pages and may appear on news, sports and arts & entertainment pages.

- The Lookout Staff

In our own words | Staff Editorial

Reasonable voting With midterm elections on Nov. 2, Fox News, among other various Republican bloggers, are anticipating congressional seats swinging to the right.

With some Democrats running under the premise of their opposition to Nancy Pelosi or bills such as the Affordable Care Act, among others, it does appear that the Democratic party is getting a little nervous to say the least.

Knowing full well the media’s power being journalists ourselves, we feel that while it does appear some Democrats are looking to run away from Pelosi, Obama and anyone else who leaves them open to being perceived as far-leftists, there are still others out there who are not worried about the noise of it all.

In fact, Tom Perriello from Virginia’s 5th Congressional District is standing by everything the President has done within the past 18 months, claiming that progression takes time and must be done in steps in order to be ex-

ecuted properly.

With President Obama’s appearance on the Oct. 27 episode of The Daily Show fresh in people’s minds, he retained his integrity and spoke as eloquently as he did during his campaigning days, perhaps because he is once again campaigning. He defended his new policies and stood by the actions he has made so far in his presidency. This action may sway the perception that Democrats are on the outs in this country.

No matter your party affiliation, as both have their own separate flaws: take the different media outlets with a grain of salt and always fact check. Read books, not blogs, and make sure you know enough about whom you are voting for before you write off whom you are not.

With three of our staff having attended Jon Stewart and Stephan Colbert’s Rally to Restore Sanity/ Fear on Oct. 30, we ask LCC students to be reasonable and get out there and vote.

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PLACE YOUR AD HERE Advertising in The Lookout’s classified section is inexpensive and effective. Cost is just $8.50 for 20 words or less. Additional words are 50 cents. Call 4831295 to place your ad.

PINBALL MACHINE FOR SALE Game Plan 1979 “Sharpshooter” solid state game. Old western theme. Very fast and fun. Four players. $525. Call 517-589-5273 and leave a message.

SHARED HOUSE FOR RENT 1628 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. Five miles from downtown LCC campus. Six bedrooms in unit, $450 per person per month.

Price includes air conditioning, dishwasher, furniture, parking, washer, dryer and utilities included.

No smoking, no pets. Call Ben at 517-337-1845 for information.

the lookout Sarah Sanders

Editor in Chief sande43@mail.lcc.edu

Kaitlin Lutz

Associate Editor lutzk3@mail.lcc.edu

Nathan Wilson

Staff Writer wilso162@mail.lcc.edu

Michael Caterina

Photo Editor cater2@mail.lcc.edu

Zach Bellingar

Sports Editor bellingz@mail.lcc.edu

Dominick Mastrangelo News Editor mastrand@mail.lcc.edu

Kelly Lehtonen

Advertising Manager lehtonk@mail.lcc.edu

Lee Rumler

A&E Editor rumlel@mail.lcc.edu

Larry Hook

Adviser hookl@lcc.edu

16 LAST LOOK

Nov. 1 - 14, 2010 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Homecoming Continued from page 1

previous to both the men’s and women’s basketball games, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Alumni Association will provide burgers, hotdogs and other traditional tailgating foods. That evening, the women’s game will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18 will include an LCC Battle of the Bands to take place at The Loft, located at East Michigan Ave. in downtown Lansing.

This event will feature local artists and be sponsored by the American Marketing Association. Students

who have obtained a Homecoming ticket will receive a discounted admission of $5. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Silver Bells in the City, a parade to kickoff the holiday season, takes place on Friday of Homecoming Week. LCC will have a presence at this event with athletes participating.

Tickets will continue to be given out through the weekend, giving more students the opportunity to be a part of the half-time drawings. Prizes include $50 StarCard gift certificates.

The women’s and men’s games are Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1 and 3 p.m. respec-

tively.

It will be Alumni Day at Eastwood Towne Center on Sunday, Nov. 21. The Alumni Association invites all alumni, which includes anyone who has taken at least one class so far at LCC, to enjoy a pre-holiday shopping spree.

Those who participate in the shopping event must check in at the VIP Storefront across from Kay Jewelers in Center Court, where they will receive a coupon book. To RSVP to this event, go to www. lcc.edu/shop.

Discounts at the shopping mall include 20 percent off Preppy to Punk Kids or up to $15 off at Sa-

lon & Tan. Alumni will be eligible to win prizes upon turning in their coupon book after purchases have been made.

The first 200 in attendance will receive a free gift bag and a coupon for free popcorn at NCG Cinemas.

The student section at LCC has officially been named Blue Crew.

With Homecoming right around the corner and those associated with planning the event hoping for a full gym, students have the ability to come out and support the athletes and have some fun while doing so.