Alumni
authors return
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Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 Volume 53, Issue 7 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Men grab
Julius Caesar
coming to Black Box
first home
win
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thelookout Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
LCC segways into holidays LCC President Brent Knight, left, rides a college segway through the streets of downtown Lansing during the Electric Light Parade portion of the 27th annual Silver Bells in the City. Below, an LCC vehicle is shown covered in over 5,000 lights during the parade. See page 12 for more photos and story on the event. Right photo by Courtney Baker, below Michael Caterina
Staff pickets board meeting Dominick Mastrangelo Editor in Chief “Two, four, six, eight; get your priorities straight.” That was the chant outside LCC’s Administration Building the night of Nov. 21 as approximately 60 faculty and staff picketed in a peaceful protest. The purpose of the protest was to support maintaining student programs, keep tuition at the current level and implore the college to settle the staff and faculty contracts. Many protesters argued that the college is placing more importance on architectural renovations and campus expansion than meeting the needs of its faculty and students.
Pep rally promotes Homecoming Week Shauna Stocken News Editor
Photo by Michael Caterina
Protesters walk up and down Capitol Avenue in front of the Administration Building before the Nov. 21 LCC Board of Trustees meeting.
“I’m out here because I’m working without a contract right now, and I really don’t like it,” said Jeff
Janowick, a history professor at See Picket, page 2
To promote Homecoming Week and the men’s and women’s basketball games Nov. 19, a pep rally was held in LCC’s Kennedy Cafeteria Nov. 16. Kendra Alverson is a student employee at LCC and works for Campus Dining in the Kennedy Cafeteria. “Kennedy Cafeteria is an essential gathering point … everyone knows where it is,” Alverson said. “You can be as loud as you want here.”
Prior to the pep rally, LCC handed out blue fliers slightly larger than index cards to students. The flier had three cutouts, one portion for free admission to the men’s basketball game and one for free admission to the women’s basketball game. The third cutout portion served as a raffle ticket for a Homecoming drawing. Prizes included an eight-GB iPod Touch, Star Card gift certificates, Eastwood Towne Center gift cards, Alumni See Pep Rally, page 2
2 NEWS
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Pep Rally Continued from page 1
Association Memberships and a $250 Lansing Airport travel voucher. Jon Albright is a first year LCC student and member of the LCC Leadership Academy who volunteered at the pep rally. “My job today is to tell people about the raffle that is going on and the prizes people could win,” Albright said. “It’s important for students to get involved in the school that they are at and be able to interact with their fellow students.” The drawings took place at the halftime of each basketball game, at the pep rally and during the gym contest activities. Sam’s Club was at the rally to promote memberships. One-day passes were given to students during the pep rally from the Sam’s Club booth.
Ryan Winsor is a secondyear LCC student and employee at Sam’s Club who volunteered at the Sam’s Club booth. “The membership is going to save students money," Winsor said. "The membership does cost money, but as a student myself, I know that it does save you money throughout the long run. I know that money is tight for pretty much every student.” According to Winsor, he was contacted by Andrew Lathrop, the manager of Alumni Relations, to participate in the pep rally. “I am more than welcome to help LCC out and come here and promote memberships,” Winsor said. “I am always willing to help out with any event that LCC has.” In an attempt to make
Picket
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LCC. “We want to be able to serve our students as best as possible. The college doesn’t want to negotiate with us in good faith.” Some of the protesters pointed to potential plans for expan-
Photo by Courtney Baker
Students enter a raffle for a $30 StarCard gift card at the Homecoming pep rally in LCC's Kennedy Cafe Nov. 16.
the event feel more like a pep rally, the Kennedy Cafeteria offered special pricing on tailgating foods such as corn dogs, chili hot dogs and chili fries. Students, faculty and staff members could also donate can food goods or give monetary donations while at the pep rally.
sion and architectural building renovations as a “waste” of the LCC money that could be used to fund educational programs and faculty contracts. “Working without a contract in the midst of all this spending is worrying,” said Suzanne Sawyer, a librarian at LCC for the last 24 years. “(LCC is) pursuing all these facilities. How-
According to Al Nowak, director of Student Life at LCC, within the first three days of Homecoming Week, LCC was able to raise $500 in monetary donations. Antonio Manning is a student leader on campus and the chair for the Communications Committee of
ever, you’re not compensating quality people who are here … There are more jobs being lost … It’s so frustrating.” Kevin Karpinski, UniServ director for the Michigan Education Association, organized the rally, which took place one hour before the regular LCC Board of Trustees meeting Nov 21. “There are a variety of reasons
Phi Theta Kappa at LCC. Manning helped facilitate the pep rally. “The students have been very generous giving their time and their donations of both can and of monetary value," Manning said. “Last year LCC was able to raise over one ton of food for the Greater
these individuals are out here,” Karpinski said. “These people deserve to be treated fairly. They work hard and deserve adequate pay for the work they do.” LCC officials had not returned phone calls to The Lookout as of Nov. 22 regarding the matter. During the meeting, about five faculty members spoke
Lansing Food Bank.” The pep rally increased student participation during Homecoming and informed students of upcoming events. “I think the nice part is that we are attracting more students this year than we have in the past by having the Homecoming tents out," Nowak said. "Every year I think that it is getting a little bit bigger. I am happy with the turnout. I think we are getting a lot of people to donate.” Nowak said Homecoming Week served many participants from both LCC and the Greater Lansing area communities. “Homecoming is about the students primarily here, but it’s also about the alumni, faculty and staff," Nowak said. "We are all a part of the same community but we definitely want student involvement, that’s what we are striving for."
about their concerns during the public comment segment. Karpinski joined them. “Your enrollment is down,” Karpinski told the LCC board. “Jackson Community College is bursting at the seams. Students will go where they know they can get a quality education. I’m not sure they’re confident they can do that here right now.”
3 NEWS
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Alumni authors congregate Nathan Wilson Associate Editor
Photo by Courtney Baker
Mary Roszel, a 1979 LCC alumnus and co-founder of Biggby Coffee, speaks to a group of students and members of the LCC community during an Carreer & Employment Services Alumni Panel. The panel was part of 2011 LCC Homecoming festivities.
Business panel shares success stories
Nathan Wilson Associate Editor
LCC hosted several professional alumni who shared success stories at a business panel and mixer Nov. 17 in TLC 127. The panel was designed as part of Homecoming Week to highlight the achievements of LCC alumni Nicole Noll-Williams, Calvin Jones, Mary Roszel and Phil Denny. Noll-Williams, the director of Regional Market Development at Capital Region International Airport, studied travel and tourism at LCC. “No matter what it is you’re doing, you have to be passionate about it,” Noll-Williams told the audience. “I started out deicing airplanes in the bitter cold. Not a beautiful thing. But you have to be committed to whatever it is you’re doing … Keep going after the dream.” Jones, the director of Public Relations Diversity and Organizational Development at the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL), originally studied law, but he said his interest was geared toward business.
Community events such as Silver Bells in the City and the annual BWL Chili Cook-Off are headed by Jones’ office to bring some excitement to Lansing. Jones said he continues to study at LCC because he considers himself a lifelong learner. “I don’t consider any of the skills I have accomplished years ago enough to survive today, so I’m always coming here to learn new things,” Jones said. “Whatever your passion is, find it. And don’t ever let anyone take it away from you.” Roszel, the co-founder of Biggby Coffee, opened the first Biggby Coffee (then called Beaner’s) in 1995 in East Lansing. Currently there are 130 franchises located in six different states. “You have to be able to recognize opportunities,” Roszel said. “You have to be willing to take a risk sometime, too … Don’t let people deter you. If you have confidence in yourself and you’re willing to make that risk and you have an opportunity … try it.” Denny, a professional smooth Jazz saxophonist, retired from corporate
management to pursue his passion in music. Currently, he is recording his debut album Crossover expected to be released in spring 2012. “The decision to become self-employed was, in my opinion, a great decision at that time,” Denny said. “It was what I felt I needed to move forward. So for the last two years, I have spent my time and dedication focusing on my individual craft as a saxophonist and it certainly has paid off.” At the end of the discussion, the panel answered questions from the audience. Antonio Manning, chair for the Communications Committee of Phi Theta Kappa, asked the panel how they define success. “Success is not money,” Roszel said. “A lot of people have a lot of money who are not happy … Success is in yourself. “Are you happy with what you are doing, how you got there and what you are currently doing in the community? I think it’s important that when you reach that level of success that you do give back to your community.”
IN BRIEF NEWS
LCC students can attend ‘Start Here - Get There’ visits
College’s United Way campaign impacts community members
LCC’s second “Start Here - Get There Visit Days” is Dec. 2 at Grand Valley State University. The college’s bus will leave LCC at 8:30 a.m. and return at approximately 3 p.m. LCC students interested in transferring to Grand Valley State University can register for the tour in the Student Life Office GB room 230. Registering students will need to know their student ID number and bring a $5 (cash only) deposit to hold a spot on the bus and the tour. The LCC bus for the tour will meet in the Circle Driveway outside of the Gannon Building on Grand Avenue.
The Capital Area United Way workplace campaign partnered with LCC to raise money for the Union Way mission. The mission of the partnership is to raise money to help people improve and impact their communities. The campaign ran from Nov. 7 to 18. However, according to LCC Human Resources employee Sherry Forrest, donations are still being received. “We are about equal as last year, raising $18,000,” Forrest said. “I think we are running in the same direction this year.”
Over a dozen alumni authors gathered at the LCC Library in the Technology and Learning Center (TLC) in support of LCC’s Homecoming Week. Many authors had their books on display at the library lobby, selling them to students and discussing the process of writing and publishing. In addition to being an LCC alumnus, Marybeth Smith is the author of the bestselling novel, Fall Girl. Smith explained her novel is about a woman coping with her brother’s bipolar disorder. Randy Pearson, a current LCC student, promoted his debut book Driving Crazy. Driving Crazy is a humorous road trip story about two lifelong friends who travel the country to pick up an arcade game called “Crazy Climber.” “By the time they get to California, they
Photo by Courtney Baker
The Homecoming events of Wednesday, Nov. 16 included a book-signing by 12 LCC alumni authors.
manage to lose all their money, so they have to come up with a scheme to get back home again,” Pearson said. “So it’s all about the people they meet and the adventures they have, both good and bad.” LCC writing instructor Rosalie Petrouske presented two anthologies entitled Seasons of Life and Small Towns: A Map in Words from her writing group Writing at the Ledges. Writing at the Ledges is a group of talented writers founded by Petrouske and Candy-Ann Little in 2005.
“We have two anthologists who mix up their stories, poetry, essays from all the members of the group,” Petrouske said. “We just keep growing and growing.” Petrouske also authored a poetry book entitled, A Postcard from my Mother. “I think it’s great that they celebrate authors,” Pearson said. “Hopefully, writing teachers told everybody about this … If (students) want to pursue a career or just do it for fun, it’s quite possible to get published. You can do it yourself.”
4 Features
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC brings radio play Meet Me in St. Louis to life Kaitlin Lutz A&E Editor
T
he famous radio play Meet Me in St. Louis was broadcast live on LCC Radio from Dart Auditorium, Nov. 18.
This is the sixth consecutive year radio station WLNZ has sponsored a radio broadcast prior to the holidays. Students in the LCC Music Theatre class acted, or should I say, lent their voices to the characters of Meet Me in St. Louis. Music for the radio play was directed by LCC instructor Connie Curran. Dave Downing of WLNZ directed music, actors and sound effects. Radio plays became popular in the 1920s and were usually broadcast to a live audience. The Meet Me in St. Louis radio production originally aired in 1946 by Lux Radio Theater and starred Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien and Mary Astor. Being a member of the audience as opposed to just listening to the play on the radio was a new and entirely different experience. It was definitely a more entertaining one. For example, Janay Mc-
Review
Claster, an LCC student who played little “Tootie” Smith, did such a great job that if I closed my eyes I would believe she was the 7-year-old girl she was portraying. It was really amusing to see a young college student play a grandpa, too. Being able to see how radio plays are made was a great experience. I think it was great how LCC Radio tried to make the performance as authentic as possible by even putting in commercials for Lux Soap. Let me tell you those were some great commercials. I was about ready to go buy some Lux Soap by the end of the play. I thought the acting was great. It was also neat to see the use of authentic sound effects such as a telephone, a slamming door and the sound of footsteps. I would say the show was a success. I would definitely go to see the next radio play. It’s too bad the next radio play won’t be until a year from now at next year’s Silver Bells in the City.
LCC music theatre students performed in the radio play Meet Me in St. Louis at Dart Auditorium, Nov. 18. Meet Me in St. Louis originally aired in 1946 starring Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien and Mary Astor. Photos by Courtney Baker
5 SPORTS XC teams both among top 10 LCC women take sixth, men finish eighth in national meet Ben Doane Sports Writer The race for a national title ended with a top 10 finish for both the LCC men’s and women’s cross country teams at the NJCAA National Meet in Hobbs, N.M. on Nov. 12. LCC Coach Chuck Block described the conditions as “really hard, due to the elevation.” “Both teams gave it all they had,” Block said. The Lady Stars placed sixth in a 34team field. Competing for the Lady Stars in the 5K race, which featured 268 participants, were: Ashley Hamilton (18th, 20:18), Brianna Wiles (28th, 20:30), Alexis Roe (44th, 20:50), Nikki May (45th, 20:51), Jaclynn Magness (76th, 21:26), Ashley Steers (82nd, 21:29) and Paige Terbush (118th, 22:06).
Hamilton and Wiles earned All-America honors. The men finished eighth in their 8K race, which included 39 teams. “They ran their hearts out,” Block said. “I was proud of them.” Austin Alcalar and Ryan Konen received All-American honors for the LCC men. The top finishers for LCC in the race, which included 288 runners, were: Alcalar (29th, 27:44), Konen (34th, 27:55), Michael Lahner (77th, 28:34), Tyler Fisk (81st, 28:37), Tyler Graustein (82nd, 28:38), Logan Lindsay (135th, 29:33) and Nick Moon (162nd, 29:57). “We compete at Division One junior college.” Block said “To finish in the top 10 is great.”
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Women on winning streak Ben Doane Sports Writer The Lady Stars’ basketball team opened the 2011 season with a 64-56 home win over Calvin Community College on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Denay Kelley and Carli Reid were the only two players to score in double digits for LCC. Kelley scored 21 points and crashed the boards for 11 rebounds for a double-double. Reid fell three rebounds short of a double-double of her own, putting up 10 points and seven rebounds for the Stars. LCC guard Brenda Davis was also close to a double-double
with nine points and a game-high 12 assists. “What really turned things around for us was the leadership of Denay Kelley, Brenda Davis and Jennifer Wilson,” LCC Coach Ervin Brunson said. “Hopefully this will be a stepping stone toward what we need to be working on for the next game.” The Stars also hosted Henry Ford Community College Saturday, Nov. 19 and earned a 70-67 win to improve to 2-0 for the season. The game wrapped up LCC’s Homecoming week with prizes and contests for fans. The Lady Stars were slated to play Tuesday, Nov. 22 at home against St. Clair County Community College.
Football team having tryouts The Capital City Stealth Minor League football team will hold open tryouts Saturday, Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m. at The Summit. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and be able to
Photo by Michael Caterina
Carli Reid from Waverly High School puts up a shot during the Stars’ 70-67 win over Henry Ford Nov. 19.
provide their own equipment. Individuals who are selected to join the roster must be able to commit two nights a week to practice. The Capital City Stealth won a Great Lakes Divison Championship in 2010. Organizers are
looking to add dedicated and motivated players to the team in hopes of repeating as champs. The Summit is located at 9410 Davis Highway in Dimondale. A fee of $50 will be assessed at the time of tryout. For more information, call (517) 515-2117
6 SPORTS
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Stars snatch first home victory of season Dominick Mastrangelo Editor in Chief Homecoming Week at LCC couldn’t have ended more perfectly. The LCC men’s basketball team put a cherry on top of a week full of school spirit with a 78-70 win over Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) Nov. 19. The win improved the Stars’ overall record to 2-4. LCC Sophomore guard Nate Duhon, bothered by a lower abdominal strain in the preseason and the first five games of the year, helped the Stars clinch their first victory in the Gannon Gymnasium this season. Duhon, a Sexton High School graduate, led all scorers with 32 points and added six assists as the Stars sent the Henry Ford Hawks home without a win. “It’s relieving,” Duhon said. “We had to get that monkey off our back. This was the perfect weekend to do it.” The Stars were playing on 10 days rest vs. HFCC. LCC Coach Mike Ingram
By the
Numbers LCC 78, Henry Ford 70 LCC (2-4) – Alex Archambeu 6-8 3-4 15, Marcus Cain 2-3 0-0 4, Skyelar Moore 3-10 2-2 9, Cameron Sanchez 2-14 1-2 6, Nate Duhon 8-18 13-14 32, Montel Smith 1-1 3-3 5, Donyae Logan 0-2 2-4 2, Eron Jackson 1-2 2-2 5. LCC 3-point goals – 6-21 (Moore 1-7, Sanchez 1-7, Duhon 3-5, Jackson 1-2) Halftime score – LCC 40, Henry Ford 27
said being well rested helped the Stars. “We’ve had some time to work some things out,” Ingram said. “I knew our guys could come out and make a win like this happen today.” The Stars took control of the tempo early on with a 6-0 run to start the game. At its largest, the LCC lead was 30-14 with four minutes to go until halftime. Henry Ford freshman Rodney Butler kept the
game relatively close, hitting back-to-back three-pointers late in the first half. With a 40-27 lead at the intermission, Duhon said he knew it was his time to shine. “I always want to do whatever I can to help my team,” Duhon said. “It just feels great to play at 100 percent.” Duhon shot 8-for-18 from the field as well as 13of-14 from the free-throw line in the game. Freshman Alex Archambeu, an Eaton Rapids High School graduate, helped smother Henry Ford CC, grabbing seven rebounds and scoring 15 points. Henry Ford had several second-half spurts to keep the outcome in doubt. But a late 5-0 run for the Stars put the game away, and LCC had finally won at home. The Stars also hosted St. Clair County Community College Nov. 22 and Cuyoga Community College Nov. 26. Check www.lcc. edu/lookout for results of these games.
Photo by Michael Caterina
Sophomore Nate Duhon drives past the Henry Ford defense during the Stars’ 78-70 Homecoming victory Nov. 19. in Gannon Gym. Duhon scored 32 points, including three 3-pointers, and was also 13-for-14 from the free-throw line.
7
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Discover a passion for theater at LCC Lead theatre faculty Andy Callis talks about his love for performing arts
Kaitlin Lutz A&E Editor Andy Callis is Lead Theatre faculty at LCC. He has been teaching at the college for 12 years. Callis has received an M.F.A. in directing from Roosevelt University, and a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Theatre Arts from Eastern Michigan University. He has directed multiple plays including The Grapes of Wrath, Dark of the Moon, All’s Well That Ends Well and Conference of the Birds. He has received Critic’s Choice notices in the Chicago Reader for five plays that he directed in Chicago. Can you tell me about your background? I grew up outside of Flint in Davison. I started to be in shows in junior high. I was in Flint Youth Theatre in High School. I went on to college and was a theatre major at Eastern Michigan. I got to
study a semester abroad in England and then moved to Chicago. I went to grad school at Roosevelt University in Chicago and got an M.F.A. in directing there. I started a company that did Bernard Shaw plays and only Bernard Shaw plays. They’re still going strong. They’re called Shaw Chicago. I taught high school and I’ve taught here at LCC for 12 years. How did you become interested in theater? I got in a show. I often thought about what drew me to audition for a show. Why in seventh grade did I want to be in a show so much? I haven’t figured it out, but I enjoyed it so much that I kept wanting to be in a show. I think it’s the opportunity to take on different personas that acting gives. It’s a great feeling of freedom. Any type of creativity allows you to con-
nect with different parts of yourself. I always loved performing too like piano recitals as a kid, and getting up in front of people and acting like a clown. Performance is something that makes you feel really alive. Can you tell me about your different experiences as a director? I like directing because you’re telling a story, and seeing an audience get caught up in a story and being moved by a story is something that is really rewarding. I’ve directed at all levels. I’ve directed
at least a dozen shows here at LCC and probably more. As a director you have to really care about the characters in the play and the story. It’s good to choose something that you find very exciting creatively because you have to put so much effort into it. Hopefully I’ve learned a few things about directing over the years. The rewarding thing is in rehearsal and on stage when the actors really come alive, and inhabit that character physically, vocally and emotionally. That is something that is always a thrill. I think it involves a lot of trust be-
tween that actor and the other actors. What is one of your favorite plays that you have directed? Every one is unique in its own way. A View from the Bridge, Dark of the Moon and Ah Wilderness! Those are three that I really liked. I think those stories, in rehearsal, I found myself being moved most by those stories. Besides theater do you have any other interests or hobbies? I play banjo, saxophone, piano, mandolin, guitar
and accordion. I like music that takes you to a certain time and place. In the same way theatre can bring you to wherever the show is at. I like to play that sort of transfers me back to some place in Kentucky around 1930. I think one of the first things I found exciting was The Beatles. Listening to their music could make you imagine England or wherever it was that they were singing about. It definitely took you to an imaginative place. A lot of what theater is, “Where are we? Where is this taking place?” Music helps me to do that in a different way.
8 A&E
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Breaking Dawn surpasses prior movies Shauna Stocken News Editor As a semi-addicted Twilight fan, I pre-ordered tickets for the third movie in the Twilight Saga; Breaking Dawn Part 1, before it was released Nov. 18. I stood in the cold outside of NCG Cinema in the Eastwood Towne Center for two hours awaiting the Breaking Dawn premiere. Stephanie Meyer is the author of the Twilight novels: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. For those who are unfamiliar with Twilight it is a story of love and the legend of vampires, tribal werewolves and teenage heart-throb Edward, Jacob and Bella, all characters in the Twi-
Photo courtesy of Big Hassle Media
Sounds like summer
light saga. Meyer’s first book, Twilight, was published in 2005 and transformed into a movie in 2008. While movies made into books rarely hold their own on the big screen, the Twilight saga has done extremely well. Meyer’s writing has
Hocus-focus
ranked her in an elite group of writers who can interest a wide range of readers, much like the phenomenon prior to Twilight; Harry Potter. Breaking Dawn is unlike any other movie in the saga; it set a new standard that wasn’t touched in any of the past movies. The movies all have a PG-13 rating. However, Breaking Dawn is definitely geared to a more mature audience. As the characters and relationships grew and matured throughout the movies, it was refreshing to see Breaking Dawn do the same
Photo courtesy of scifibloggers.com
Kaitlin Lutz A&E Editor
through multiple mediums. From the passionate creation of Edward and Bella Cullen’s child, to the bloody and gruesome childbirth, Breaking Dawn exceded my beliefs in the Twilight movies. I will agree that the acting throughout all of the movies has been stiff, but I am a sucker for Meyer’s new approach on vampires and werewolves. With much anticipation I have already begun the countdown for Breaking Dawn Part 2, which will be in theaters beginning in November of 2012.
Native to Vancouver, the band Yukon Blonde recently released its EP titled Fire//Water. The band is currently touring North America with Tokyo Police Club and Neon Indian. The indie rock band Yukon Blonde has a unique sound that is somewhat reminiscent of The Beatles and Fleet Foxes. The band has a rock sound, but at the same time a folk feel. Yukon Blonde’s music is blend of electric and acoustic guitars and even some harmonica. While the EP is not a full-length album, it still manages to showcase the band’s talent in only
four songs. The song “Water” has a laid back feel to it. It contains tons of cool guitar solos and amazing vocal harmonies. Something I also really enjoy about the group’s music is how it tells a story. The band members were able to take me to wherever they were singing about through their music, which is something not every band can do. Yukon Blonde’s songs remind me of lazy summers and all the adventures I had as a child. So it’s safe to conclude that their music took me to a happy place. I listened to this album on repeat and I’m still not tired of it. I think I found a new favorite band.
Caesar conquers Black Box Amber Glomb Staff Writer
This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:
The assassination of Rome’s Julius Caesar follows the cast of LCC’s Shakespeare acting class as the cast presents its own interpretation of the play Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar will run Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, located in Gannon Building room 169. General tickets can be purchased for $5 and student tickets are $3. According to Mary Job, the director of Julius Caesar, LCC’s acting Shakespeare class presents one of Shakespeare’s plays every fall. “I chose this one because of its political nature and because I was intrigued by having women play roles tra-
Photo by Michael Caterina
Scott Laban, right, portrays Brutus, while blocking out a scene with Michelle Savla, playing Cassius during rehearsal Nov. 21 Julius Caesar.
ditionally reserved to men,” Job said. “As a play, it presents challenges to acting students since the dialogue and speeches are highly rhetorical.” As Job mentioned, a unique twist to Shakespeare’s play is that many of the women characters were originally cast for men. Although titled Julius Caesar, the play doesn’t
focus on Caesar as a person. According to Job, the play focuses more on the assassination of Julius Caesar and the consequences that follow the murderers. According to LCC student Devin Faught, who plays Mark Antony, the play is very dark and filled with, “secret deception, betrayal, conspiracy (and) murder.”
Moving beyond the plot of the play, Julius Caesar shows a similarity between Rome and modern day America. “The common people of Rome had very little to say about the government, and politics was largely a matter of who knew whom,” Job said. “When the common folk did exercise power, it tended to be as a mob reacting in mass to political slogans and jingoism.” This, according to Job, is just like American politics. This political connection is something that Faught said he believes will make a great show. “I firmly believe that everyone is connected somehow in this world.,” Faught said. “Seeing all the connections … it’s very intriguing and I think it will be (intriguing) to the people who see that.”
9 FEATURES
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC student steps back into music Gino Federici brings Las Vegas talent to LCC Nathan Wilson Associate Editor Descending from a family of talented artists and performers, LCC student Gino Federici has enjoyed a successful career as an international recording artist, performer, author and producer. “My wife was really the one who gave me the courage to step in (to music,)” Federici said. “So I threw my whole heart into it and I started fulltime in Anchorage, Alaska.” After relocating to the United States permanently, Federici ended up in Las Vegas, which he said wasn’t an easy transition. However, according to Federici, as Las Vegas saw a resurgence of Italian-themed venues like the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and The Palazzo, there was a demand for Italians acts. Federici was among the few
Courtesy photo
LCC student Gino Federici has performed in Las Vegas and now plays with LCC’s Jazz Ensmble.
Italian acts steadily employed there, and he went on to record his first album, Seranata, in 2000.
“Now after four and a half years of spiritual study in the sabbatical here in Michigan, I am ready to step in again,”
AMA educates on credit Nathan Wilson Associate Editor Tyrone Liggons, vice president of LCC’s American Marketing Association (AMA), has been promoting the campaign “Are You Credit Wise?” on LCC’s campus throughout the fall 2011 semester. Are You Credit Wise? is designed to aid students with credit history, budgeting and other financial concepts through seminars on campus. “It’s pretty much like a fall internship and it gives me the opportunity to speak to the students on campus,” Liggons said. “Throughout my presentation, I gave a lot of testimonials to students so it … resonates better.” Topics addressed dur-
ing the seminars include being careful not to overspend on credit cards, bill payment and saving money. “I’ve talked about how to create a budget, how to check their credit report, how to check their credit cards,” Liggons explained. “I’m going to be on a radio show (Desert Island Playlist) on Thursday (Nov. 17) with … another AMA member who works in the Marketing Department so I’m going to talk a little bit about it,” Liggons said. “It’s a good way to spread the word on campus and try to continue to build awareness.” Liggons hasn’t confirmed Are You Credit Wise? will continue into spring semester 2012, but
said it is possible if time permits. He added he has received a lot of positive feedback from students about Are You Credit Wise? “(Students) liked it a lot and they were excited to have me come in and talk to them,” Liggons said. “They left with some information, with some cool prizes … I got some testimonials that are pretty cool.” According to Liggons, the next available seminar is on Wednesday, Nov. 30, tentatively at 5 p.m. in the Gannon Building 185. For more information about the financial seminars, contact Liggons at tliggons.aycw@gmail or like Are You Credit Wise? on Facebook.
Federici said. “I’m putting together a new show with new music … which is catered to the Italian-American commu-
nity but also to the public at large.” Currently, Federica is studying music theory at LCC. At the beginning of fall semester, he auditioned as the vocalist for the LCC Jazz Ensemble and earned a place among the band. He said he is excited to work with many talented musicians and he always dreamed of performing with a big band. “Anyone that can read a score at first sight the first time it’s put in front of their eyes is a pretty strong musician,” Federici said. “I am thrilled. I never thought that coming to LCC I would get my wish fulfilled.” Federici said he plans on performing three songs for the free LCC Jazz Ensemble on Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. in Dart Auditorium. The concert will be directed by Jon Gewirtz. “Had I known in August, when I made the decision to come to LCC, that I would be finding so many open doors all leading to what I want to achieve, I would have said, ‘Well, this is a gold mine,’ Federici said. “And it is a gold mine.”
10 OPINION
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
— ‘I am invincible!’ —
Hostile bills threaten internet If you asked most people what America represents to them, they would reply "freedom." That freedom is about to be eroded once more by our government as the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Nov. 16 about the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act. These bills enables the U.S. attorney general to blacklist and censor any website suspected of "engaging in, enabling or facilitating infringement." In other words, if you download copyrighted songs or movies, you could be taken to court on multiple felony accounts. If that’s the case, prisons are going to fill up even faster than the intake of drug offenders. SOPA is essentially pandering to Hollywood lobbyists who provide campaign donations to both political parties. This bill is equivalent to trying to kill a fly
with a gun instead of a flyswatter. It's overkill — and you'll probably miss and end up shooting yourself in the face. To be blunt, Representative Lamar Smith of Texas is grossly misguided for introducing this travesty of law. It is intended to fight back against online piracy by killing the traffic to websites, but I think it goes too far. It's reminiscent of government-regulated internet in countries such as China, Syria and Saudi Arabia. According to a TIME magazine article, infringing content under SOPA can be applied to posts by users on social networks or links sent via email.
Among the websites united against SOPA include Google, Tumblr, Facebook, Mozilla, AOL, LinkedIn, Zynga, Twitter and Wikimedia. The fact that so many major websites have banded together suggests just how hostile this bill could be. I'm not suggesting that online piracy is acceptable, but combating it by investing unprecedented power in the attorney general, sucking up to Hollywood and criminalizing behavior that is too broad is the wrong approach. Pirate sites will continue to exist despite SOPA. People who want free music or movies will find a way to get past this regulation. The sad thing is most ordinary citizens probably won't have a clue about this until after the bills slide under the radar. America doesn't seem to stand for freedom in recent years. Just more government control.
— Stocken Speaks —
Unity will save the earth Recently, Michigan lawmakers have been debating an antibullying bill that will protect its students from hate crimes. Michigan legislators passed an anti-bullying bill Nov. 2 that seems to protect the bullies rather than the victims. The anti-bullying bill allows students, teachers and other school employees to claim that “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” justifies their harassment, according to an article written by Amy Sullivan, a writer for TIME magazine. Michigan is now working on legislation that does not exempt religious-motivated harassment and will require schools to report bullying incidents. For some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) students, bullying can lead to suicide. While bullying laws could help decrease bullying both in person and through the internet, what if at birth everyone could be raised to understand all sexuality as “normal?” We should remove the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and straight. If everyone could be raised the same, with no bias on
whether to grow up to have feelings for a man or woman, it could help save our planet. Set aside all religious beliefs and consider respecting one another’s sexual preferences as simply part of being a decent person. There are two main reasons why I believe people choose to get married: People need a partner to grow old with and a partner with whom to raise children. With an un-biased culture on sexuality, in my opinion, the number of same-sex marriages would increase. The earth welcomed the seven billionth child, born Oct. 31, 2011, to a mother in the Philippines. Was the world ever designed to hold seven billion people and all our material weight? More same-sex marriages
would increase the adoption rate and decrease the amount of government money it takes to care for children in foster homes, decreasing the worlds debt. The United States does not have an active population policy. China dictates the amount of children a family can have. I feel not having a population policy in the United States is an added benefit to living in this country. However, that could mean one family having 10 children and another family having no children. With an increase in humanity comes an increase in pollution, waste and a demand for food. New technology has been created to accommodate the increase in population and decrease farmable land. The Sky Farm is a new approach to agriculture that will grow crops and sustain animal life in a skyscraper. Even if an anti-bullying law is passed, stopping universal discrimination for LGBT people must begin at birth. Instead of people being separated by labels of sexuality, the world could be united by simply loving one another, thus preserving the earth for generations to come.
11 Opinion
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Letter to the Editor LCC counselor agrees with columnist Dear Shauna, Excellent insights in your article (“If it’s not broken, break it” - Nov. 14-27, 2011). Millions of dollars have been wasted at LCC over the past two or three years. We have become very materialistic. We speak as if it is for the benefits of students but this simply is not true in many cases. This is about misplaced priorities and personal taste and desires. I believe that one of the few areas where spending has been warranted was on increased parking. Keep up the good work. Craig Prether LCC Counselor
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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: mastrand@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.
— In Our Own Words —
You can just Facebook me Technology is constantly changing, which raises questions about what social media has done to society and what it will look like in the years to come. For many people, the beginning of the social media hype began with AIM instant messenger. AIM connected friends and family members through short messages, much like streaming email. After AIM came MySpace, an online social networking service that attracted users, addicting them to needing the Internet in a way that was fairly uncommon in the past. MySpace gave users the ability to create unique profiles, include pictures and share music with others. Eventually, MySpace was replaced and the new social networking addiction became Facebook. At one point, many MySpace users couldn’t imagine ever moving on to another social networking website, but we did. Facebook users found themselves engrossed in the various games and incentives that this new “college style” social networking service presented. Individuals can share their work and school information as
well as interact with their “Facebook friends” in a more informal and social manner. Such infatuation with social media websites springs the question: What would life be like without these services? Have they done more positive than negative for humanity? The Internet is a tool, a very useful tool, but you cannot have “good” without having “evil.” Some individuals have found ways to abuse the Internet. Many of these people are heavy users of such social networking services. Many young people use the term “creeping” on someone’s Facebook profile almost daily. This suggests that a person is able to invade another person’s privacy without the “victim” of the invasion knowing it ever happened. However, social networking websites gives users the ability to connect with long distance family and friends. Technology will constantly change, but the demand to stay informed on social networking websites are here to stay. With no end for social networking websites in the future, remember once you post something on the Internet: it is there forever.
- The Lookout Staff
the lookout Dominick Mastrangelo
Nathan Wilson
Kaitlin Lutz
Editor in Chief mastrand@mail.lcc.edu
Associate Editor wilso162@mail.lcc.edu
A&E Editor lutzk3@mail.lcc.edu
Kelly Lehtonen
Shauna Stocken
Michael Caterina
News Editor stockens@mail.lcc.edu
Photo Editor cater2@mail.lcc.edu
Advertising Manager swansok4@mail.lcc.edu
Amber Glomb
Ben Doane
Larry Hook
Staff Writer glomba@mail.lcc.edu
Sports Writer doaneb@mail.lcc.edu
Adviser hookl@lcc.edu
Classified Advertising APARTMENTS FOR RENT Scotsdale Apartments, Lansing. Four miles from downtown LCC campus. One bedroom, $430 to $450 per month. Price includes parking and water. Smoking and cats allowed. Air conditioning in some units. Application fee of $25 required. Contact Brenda Brock at 517-882-1882. PINBALL MACHINE 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. 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 483-1295 to place an ad.
PREMIER LCC HOUSING Newly renovated apartments offered by Capitol Management, just 50 feet from LCC. Other locations available only a block or two from Downtown LCC campus. One- to four-bedroom units with prices from $545 to $1,200. Includes parking and most utilities. Pet friendly! Also available: additional secure parking for students for $65 a month. No need rush to class when you can reliably park 50 feet from campus, Only 40 spaces available! Call: 517-204-5550 or 517-515-8968. NASCAR MEMORABILIA Two brand new Dale Earnhardt Jr. hats, $7 each. Ten commemorative miniature racecars from the Michigan International Speedways from 2005 to 2009, all brand new and in box, $5 each. Buy both hats and all the cars for $45! Call 517-483-1291.
12 LAST LOOK
Nov. 28 - Dec. 11, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Photos by Michael Caterina
The Sohn Linen Services truck, left, is decked out with snowmen and presents. Above, Ronald McDonald rides on top of the McDonald’s car during the Electric Light Parade. People line the streets, below, downtown in preparation for the parade.
Silver Bells lights up the city
Michael Caterina Photo Editor
The 27th annual Silver Bells in the City attracted over 130,000 guests to downtown Lansing for the festivities Nov. 18. The festival included the 15th year of the Electric Light Parade with over 60 floats and nine marching bands taking part. To partake in the event, participants had to register months in advance and follow float guidelines. “We start asking for applications for parade participants in July and then close it out by the beginning of September,” said Cathleen Edgerly, Communications and Marketing manager
at Downtown Lansing Inc., which organizes the event. “We create a waiting list in case people drop out, but we open it up to pretty much anybody as long as they have the minimum amount of lights (5,000) for their
parade float or entry,” Edgerly said. Following the parade, the official state tree was lit up in front of the Michigan State Capitol Building. The 61-foot blue spruce was donated by Jerry and Beverly Kil-
burn of Houghton Lake, according to Edgerly. Atlantic Records recording artist Cody Simpson performed on the steps of the Capitol to thousands of fans gathered on the lawn after the fireworks display.
“We had record participation and record concert attendance for the concert that was held after the fireworks,” Edgerly said. The fireworks show that followed the lighting of the tree was sponsored by Lake Trust
Credit Union. With record participation this year and growing popularity, Silver Bells in the City will likely be a Lansing tradition for a long time. “We plan on it being an annual event for years to come,” Edgerly said.