Star search
Men’s team
LCC TV offers
performance
eight games
programming
signs
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Jan. 24 - Feb 6, 2011 Volume 52, Issue 9 www.lcc.edu/lookout
forfeits
PAGE 6
original
PAGE 9
thelookout Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
College charges for parking after 6 p.m.
A fallen Star remembered
Nathan Wilson News Editor The LCC Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Jan. 3 to extend the hours the college charges StarCard users for parking. As of Jan. 3, 2011, StarCard users will be charged 80 cents per hour Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for parking in the Gannon Building Ramp, Parking Lot F and Parking Lot U. Before this proposal was passed, StarCard users were only charged from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chris Strugar-Fritsch, executive director of administrative services division for LCC, explained the reason behind the proposal: “Instead of raising the parking rates, See Parking, page 2
Photo by Michael Caterina
Cashing in: Cars head into the Gannon parking ramp on the evening of Jan. 19. StarCard users were previously not charged to park in the ramp after 6 p.m., but the hours have been extended to 11 p.m. to raise revenue for the college.
Photos and illustration by Michael Caterina
In memory: LCC women’s basketball player Mariah Byrd passed away Dec. 18. Memorial services were held on Dec. 29 in her hometown, Detroit. She will be greatly missed by her teammates, coaches and the LCC community.
Black History Month highlights LCC career pathways Sarah Sanders Editor in Chief With February comes the kickoff of the Black History Month activities at LCC. The events will span the entire month of February with a focus on not
only black history, but also to use this history in order to emphasize the career paths available to LCC students through the Healthcare, Education and Technology/Energy programs. The event will open in Dart Auditorium on Feb.
1 with a prelude of what it is to come. This reception will honor notable people in the city of Lansing and surrounding community. “How can we best use a historical event to emphasize a career path for African-Americans and
others through black history month?” Dr. Willie Davis said. “The idea is, since this is Black History Month, to celebrate the achievements of AfricanAmericans throughout the history of America and the world.” Davis is a LCC adjunct
professor and chair person of the Black History Month events. There will be a health fair Feb. 2 in the Gannon Building lobby that highlights the prevention of disease and promotion of health. There will be a variety of screenings and
education provided by many of the health auxillaries in the community according to Dr. Tager, a participant in the design of the event. The health fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See History, page 2
2 NEWS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Parking Continued from page 1
File photo by Michael Caterina
Packed parking: Cars line Grand Avenue while waiting in line for the Gannon Building parking ramp.
we just extend the rates so that all the users in the system are paying the same rates.” According to LCC’s website, cash users are charged $1.40 per hour from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. “The other thing that’s contributing to the need for revenue is in 12 to 15 years, the Gannon Building Ramp is going to be
at the end of its life cycle,” Strugar-Fritsch said. “It will have to be torn down and reconstructed, so that’s a very costly initiative. So we thought it made sense to start planning for that today.” According to documents supplied by Director of Parking Services Eric Glohr, LCC is projecting $271,531 in additional revenue as a result of this proposal. Strugar-Fritsch ex-
plained that equalizing the fee structure would be a fairer solution than raising the rates. “We are proposing to build another parking lot across the street from the Administration Building on the northwest corner of Capitol and Saginaw," Strugar-Fritsch said. Student reaction to the parking decision has been generally negative. Abbie Smith, a student at LCC, said:
“I was pretty disappointed by (the parking proposal) because we already spend so much money on parking. And to take that away from night classes… I was kind of shocked. “That was the main reason why I took night classes. I just feel like they’re always trying to find ways to rip us off.” Parking will, however, remain free on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.
History Continued from page 1
On the same day at the Dart Auditorium, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation will take place. This session is meant to celebrate the achievements and expansion of the leading statewide effort in developing talent to drive Michigan’s economic future. There will also be a separate presentation in the Abel Sykes Building, 127 TLC, prepared by the Director of the Michigan Minority Health Coalition and Resources at LCC designed to explore careers in the Health Field. This event will take place on Feb. 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Presentations that highlight careers in energy and technology will take place on Feb. 17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in 134 Gannon Building. These presentations will include the production of electricity, water and sanitation projects in Ghana, as well as the promotion of careers in the international area. There will also be a presentation by Education Specialist Rory McNeal of the Lansing School Dis-
trict. His presentation will include information about the Teacher Education program at LCC and its relationship to the YES program (Young Educators Society). The YES program is geared to recruiting minority students into the teaching profession. This presentation is a backdrop to a cultural expression of education performed live by students of El Hajj Malik el Shabazz Academy, an African Centered Charter School. This event is expected to involve not only students at LCC, but also students of the high school population in the Lansing area and other school districts. This event will take place on Feb. 23 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Dart Auditorium. “What we are doing is following the national plan by using a historical process,” Davis said, explaining the event’s focus on career paths that have, as of late, become a focus in our nation. “We are also going to emphasize culture too, because that has always been a part of Black History Month, so we are looking at culture as well
as careers.” Black History Month will also showcase four movies to be shown in the Sykes Building, 127 TLC. On Feb. 3, 500 Years Later will be shown from 1 to 3:30 p.m. On Feb. 9, Haiti: A Payment of History will be shown from 5 to 6 p.m. On Feb. 14, The Rabbit Proof Fence will be shown from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The last movie, Rastafarian Women, will be shown on Feb. 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There will also be four showcases of local black writers and poets, in the Hermann Conference Center, which focus on the black experience. These events will allow for participation of the audience and are to take place on Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The Kennedy Cafeteria will also host soul food luncheons on Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. These luncheons will showcase the culinary talents of soul foods. The grand finale will take place Feb. 24 in the Dart Auditorium from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and will showcase a virtual display
File photo by Michael Caterina
Celebrating culture: Local poet Dee Freeman reads a poem during a 2010 Black History Month event on LCC's main campus.
of talent coined “edutainment” by the developers of this event. It will focus on the range of culture and creativity
of the black community with a visual addition of the events that have been held all month long. For more information
about volunteering or how to participate in the events contact Dr. Willie Davis at davisw2@lcc. edu.
3 NEWS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC's Faith Based Initiative celebrates MLK day Nathan Wilson News Editor LCC and the local community celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Union Missionary Baptist Church on MLK Blvd. in Lansing. Representatives from LCC’s Faith Based Initiative were present to talk to ministries and church members who would like to join. The initiative was established to help members of faith communities meet their educational goals. According to Stanley Chase, Ph.D., senior vice president emeritas for Advancement, External and Government Affairs Division, the initiative has been in contact with over 200 churches and has invited them to partner with LCC. The LCC Foundation also joined in the celebration and distributed scholarship applications. “LCC will be giving away many scholarships this year and we want to make sure as many
Photos by Michael Caterina
Sharing Information: Director of the Office of Student Success JaNice Marshall, left, explains scholarship options to Minnie C. DeMyers, a guest to the MLK Jr. birthday celebration at Union Missionary Baptist Church Jan. 15.
people in our community have access to those scholarship applications as possible,” Chase said. Chase explained the theme of the celebration was destiny. “One of the things he (King) really pushed was education. He was a proponent of one who believed that a good education was a stepping stone to success,” Chase said. “We feel this is an ap-
propriate time for the educational community, specifically LCC, to come in partnership with the faith community to assist people in meeting their destiny.” During the celebration, the UBMC Dance Ministry led the people in a dance and prayer. The choir performed a heartfelt rendition of "We Shall Overcome." Shortly after, James
Coles, a young member of the church, recited King's "I Have a Dream" speech to the applause of the attendants. Rev. David Bigsby, pastor of the Upper Room Ministries Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, was the featured speaker at the program. "God uses us to do great works, He's even capable of using us to do things that seem impos-
Connected to community: LCC business consultant Stanley Chase, Ph.D, speaks at the MLK Jr. birthday celebration at Union Missionary Baptist Church Jan. 15.
sible," he said. "We know that Dr. King had some struggles. You have your struggles; some of them
may not be at the magnitude or level that he faced. The important thing is that you let your first choice be God."
4 NEWS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Infallible Rhetoric —
Politicians up in arms I am fascinated, and more importantly, disgusted by how people can use tragedy to promote a political agenda. In case you didn’t read the headlines on Jan. 7, in Tucson, Ariz., a gunman named Jared Lee Loughner opened fire on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and several other individuals, killing six innocent people. Some speculate Giffords was targeted for supporting health-care reform. Her office was vandalized last year after the historic vote. It is sickening how politics can be so divisive that people will exploit the deaths of six people, a 9-yearold girl among them, to promote their political ideology. I don’t believe Loughner targeted Giffords on account of her support for the healthcare reform. Based on his internet ram-
blings about mind control and the government listening to his thoughts, he appears to be a paranoid and deeply disturbed man. I expect senators, state representatives, and media icons will use these deaths to rally support for keeping the health-care reform in place, and they will depict Loughner as a radical, violent and conservative maniac. Perhaps Loughner will be depicted as an anti-government Tea Party extremist instead. For example, Pima County (Arizona) Sher-
iff Clarence Dupnik politicized the deaths by blaming vitriolic rhetoric from radio talk show hosts, even though there is no evidence to corroborate this. He went on to characterize Arizona as the “Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.” I ask people not to turn this mass shooting into a ridiculous partisan debate about health-care reform and politics pushing people over the edge. Dupnik and others who exploit tragedies obviously missed this excerpt from President Barack Obama’s press conference: “What Americans do at times of tragedy is to come together and support each other. So at this time I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping all the victims and their families, including Gabby, in our thoughts and prayers.”
IN BRIEF NEWS
Cooley hosts gun control debate
LCC wins six Paragon Awards
The Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law is inviting LCC students and the public to attend its first legal conference, entitled To Bear or Not To Bear: Guns in Educational Institutions. The debate will be held on Friday, Feb. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Thomas M. Cooley Law School Temple Building Auditorium. Speakers include Joshua Horwitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and John Lott, the author of More Guns, Less Crime.
The Paragon Awards recognize excellence in communications among twoyear colleges. This year, LCC will receive a gold, silver or bronze award for six entries in four categories. The winning entries included Legislative Agenda, Fast-Acting LCC Poster and Social Media, Academic program ad campaign and the LCC website. The colors of the awards will be announced at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Conference in mid-March.
Black History Month takes off February will feature several LCC events dedicated to Black History Month. See page 1 for more information.
LCC releases 2011 Budget According to the LCC Fiscal Year 2011, student tuition will not increase this year. Among the guiding principles included in the budget are keeping technology current, purchasing instructional equipment and emphasizing preventive maintenance over costly repairs.
Check out The Lookout online @ lcc.edu/lookout
Star Search: A signing performance Sarah Sanders Editor in Chief The sign language program at LCC is hosting its semiannual Star Search event, a fast-paced, visually entertaining, interpreting performance, in Dart Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 12. With one show at 2 p.m. and a second at 7 p.m., the performance has expanded from previous years to incorporate two shows to meet the program’s growing following. Katie Oskram, a student in the sign language program, will perform for the third time at the event. Oskram said the event is open to Photo courtesy of Katie Oskram LCC students and the public. Sign it up: Last year’s cast poses for a picture during the rehearsal of their semi-annual Star Search event. The Oskram explained event features several performances consisting of singing, dancing, acting and signing. while the event is designed for the deaf know about it unless She also explained music they otherwise ing,” Oskram said. community, people they are in the sign- how the event will would not have the According to Oskwho aren’t familiar ing community,” Os- incorporate dancing, opportunity to expe- ram, the event itself with sign language kram said. acting and singing rience. is a great opportuwill find it entertain“It helps us im- with interpreters to “There will be sing- nity for performers ing. prove our sign lan- give the deaf com- ing, acting or a poem. to hone their skills “We are trying to guage skills and it munity an opportu- There will be a song while, “it shows othget it out there be- visually helps every- nity to be exposed playing and we will er people how excitcause people don’t one else too.” to popular films or be signing or danc- ing signing can be,
because it can be really fun. “My family is all hearing and they know no sign language, but they love coming because it is so acted out that they can kind of feel like they know it (sign language) even though they don’t,” Oskram said. The sign language program is also sponsoring a backpack drive this semester to collect backpacks for deaf children in third world countries. The drive will run from now through April 15. The donated backpacks will be received in A&S room 138. For audition information, ticket inquiries or to volunteer with the show, contact Star Search through email at LCCstarsearch@ gmail.com
*Sign language for LCC
5 FEATURES AMA previews 2011 Etiquette Dinner
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Nathan Wilson News Editor
T
he LCC American Marketing Association (AMA) will host a Business Network Mixer and Etiquette Dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the West Campus. The annual event is designed for students to improve their business skills and prepare them for interviews. Faith Hancock, the vice president of Professional Development, said, “The idea is to get students in there so they can polish up their skills and be ready for the work world outside of what they’re learning in the classroom.” The networking mixer runs from 5 to 6 p.m. and the dinner runs from 6 to 8 p.m. The dinner consists of appetizers, salad, meal and dessert. The event will feature three speakers, including Vickie Blattner, Shelly MeilockDavis and Malinda Barr. Blattner, who has taught at LCC for over 20
years, will speak about dining etiquette. Meilock-Davis, from Miechelle Image Consulting, will speak about business image and how to present one’s self. Barr, the owner of private company Get Up and Grow, will speak about networking skills. Hancock explained this event would be particularly beneficial if a student is preparing for a lunch interview without awareness of proper dining etiquette. “Where do you put your utensils when you’re done eating? Where do you set your napkin if you have to go
Photo courtesy of Faith Hancock
Meeting over meals: Club Adviser Bill Motz poses with members of the AMA club at the 2010 Business Network Mixer and Etiquette Dinner at West Campus. The event helped improve proper dining etiquette and networking skills
to the restroom?” Hancock asked, showcasing some of the questions explored in dining etiquette. “One of the numberone things employers look for when they take
Piston visits East Lansing
Courtesy photo
Up close and personal: Detroit Pistons’ guard Rodney Stuckey (left) was the featured attraction during Pistons Day at the Lake Lansing Meijer store in East Lansing on Jan. 16. Here, he poses for a photo with Brendan Hook, 14, of Leslie. Hook and his family won free tickets to the Pistons’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 17. The Pistons won the game 103-89 and Stuckey scored 20 points to lead the way.
you out to lunch is when you salt your food: If you salt your food before you taste it, it shows that you jump to conclusions.” Anyone can attend the event and sponsors are welcome to participate.
“The University partners will be there and quite a few other sponsors, so there will be job opportunities,” Hancock said. The deadline for company sponsorship is Thursday, Jan. 27.
Tickets for the event cost $20 and they can be purchased at Hole in the Hall in the Gannon Building. Students who purchase their ticket can also ask for a vegetarian preference.
6 SPORTS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Men forced to forfeit eight fall games Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor The LCC men’s varsity basketball team has been forced to forfeit all eight of its fall semester victories this season, according to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s website. The team would have been 12-3 through Jan. 20 if it was not for the participation of an ineligible player whose name was not released by LCC Athletics. According to LCC
Athletic Director Scott Latham, the player has been excused from the team for the rest of the year but is currently still taking classes and working on his degree. “We used an ineligible student athlete who did not have enough credit hours,” Latham confirmed. “It was just a simple mistake.” Men’s Head Basketball Coach Mike Ingram declined to comment on the situation. “We’ve just got to get back to playing basketball,” Ingram said. “We
do the best we can with the guys we have.” Meanwhile, the players have been preparing to meet the adversity with a continued sense of complete focus and uncompromising work ethic. “We just want to win,” said sophomore forward Alvino Ashley. “We’re not going to let anything distract us.” The team plans to play the rest of its games as scheduled having dealt with this issue. “We’re just back to
business and winning ball games,” Latham said. “The situation has been handled.” The men’s basketball team had a record of 4-11 through Jan. 20 after forfeiting the eight games. The player who has been deemed ineligible was still not confirmed as of Jan. 20. Sophomore guards Jordan Davis and Troy Aubrey, who started the season with the Stars, are no longer listed on the team’s official roster.
Men back from break, win in overtime thriller Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor Surrounded by controversy and a plethora of off the court issues, the LCC men’s basketball team took the floor against Jackson Community College (JCC) Jan. 12 with one goal in mind: to bring home a win that they would be able to keep. “No one can take this one away from us,” LCC freshman guard Nate Duhon said before the game. “We’re dying to get back out there.” But the men struggled, shooting only 23 for 62 from the field all game long. With a halftime lead of 36 to 33 it appeared the Stars had a lot of fight still left in them, but the second half did not support such an assumption. JCC made 14 of the 20 free throws on its way to a 76 to 68 victory. “We didn’t put that team away,” Alvino Ashley said after the game. “We should not have lost
this game.” Head coach Mike Ingram said the players had a long film session following the loss to Jackson. “We have to pick up our intensity,” Ingram said. “We are going to be down our opponents’ throats until the final whistle blows by the end of the season.” So the Stars took to the court one week later in desperate need of a spark to reignite their once redhot season. Ashley proved to be the spark the men needed. He recorded his first double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and pulling in 14 rebounds in an 101-94 overtime win over Lake Michigan Community College (LMCC). The Stars led by as many as 13 points before Lake Michigan mustered a comeback on the shoulders of their season leading scorer Michael Walker, who scored 30 points in the game. Walker connected for a three-point shot from almost 15 feet out to give
LMCC a two-point lead with eight seconds to go. With no timeouts, sophomore Michael Martin came down the court with the game on the line. A screen was set for center Willie Brown but he missed a jumper and with roughly eight-tenths of a second to go Martin tipped the ball back into the net as time expired in the game. The Stars were headed to overtime. “I could tell Willie missed the shot from the time it left his hand,” Martin said. “I had to step up and make a play.” After some deliberation, the officials deemed the basket good, and the Stars went on to defeat Lake Michigan. “This is a magic moment for us,” Head Coach Mike Ingram said. “We believe in ourselves, we can still contend.” The Stars were scheduled to travel to Kalamazoo Valley on Jan. 22 before coming home against Grand Rapids on Jan. 26.
Tip top: Sophomore Michael Martin (24) and Freshman Nate Duhon (12) go for a rebound during the Stars 101-94 overtime victory over Lake Michigan College Jan. 19. Martin had 17 points, five assists and eight rebounds while Duhon contributed 13 points and four rebounds. Photo by Michael Caterina
7SPORTS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Conference play proves tough for Lady Stars Erik Stiem Sports Writer After beginning the season 7-0, the LCC women’s basketball team entered conference play with great momentum. The action was slowed after losing its first conference game on the road 64-57 against Ancilla College, Jan. 10. Following the loss, the Lady Stars won two more out-of-conference games; a 77-69 victory over Calvin College Dec. 10. and a 79-71 win over Delta College Dec. 13. From this point, every remaining game would be crucial, as the women looked to build their conference record, which decides who from the conference will make the playoffs. Over the next five games, the women pulled out only two victories, while dropping three to their conference foes, putting them at 2-4 within their conference. The final two games of that stretch were particularly disappointing, as the women dropped two in a row on their home court. In the highest scoring game of the season, the Lady Stars were outscored by Jackson Community College, 113-91 Jan. 19. The previous high the team had allowed by any opponent
Photos by Michael Caterina
Fast break: Freshman Kristian Hines drives down the court during the Stars 113-91 loss to Jackson Community College.
was 71. Jackson worked its way to the high score by grabbing 20 offensive rebounds and outshooting LCC 92-67. LCC had five players in double digits, but it couldn’t overcome the offensive attack of the Jets, with 11 players contributing to the scoring effort. The Lady Stars’ most recent loss came Dec. 19 at home to Lake Michigan Community College, where they ended up on the losing end in a tight game, 57-54. Tornisha Jones, the team’s leading
scorer, put up 17 points to lead the way for the LCC. The women won the battle down low, snatching 36 rebounds to Lake Michigan’s 30, but they struggled from the field, shooting 34 percent. LCC’s women looked to get back on the winning track, with their toughest opponent yet, Saturday, Jan. 22 vs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College, the No. 14 team in the nation. Results of that game will appear in the next issue of The Lookout.
— A New York state of mind —
Vick makes me sick Looks like he is human after all. If anyone should know just how normal he is, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick should. One would think that after 23 months in the slammer, a little humility would follow what can only be described as a lucky return to the NFL. Vick did not waste any time. He was right back to being Superman before anyone even noticed former Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb was gone. This past season Vick produced arguably his best single-season performance of his career — career that was put on hold due to criminal behavior, mind you. Even I cannot deny what he accomplished
this season. Let’s admit it: he was fun to watch. But one point ought to be made: He is a criminal, and for the rest of his life he will be one. Many make the argument that number seven has “paid his debt to society” and is “truly sorry for the heinous crimes he has committed.” I bet Tiger Woods is sorry he had extra-marital affairs that became public and Mark McGwire is sorry he ever took a shot to the rear end. But sometimes
sorry does not cut it. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dropped the ball on this one. It probably will not be long until the Lombardi Trophy, one of the most coveted awards in all of professional sports, is hoisted high in the air in the hands of an individual who broke the law and then lied about it. Thankfully this season, the Eagles were stopped short of the Promised Land by our cheese-headed friends in Green Bay. So until the ending months of summer come and football season begins again, Michael Vick will go back to doing what he should have been doing ever since he set foot outside those prison walls: staying off the football field.
Tough tip: Freshman Jennifer Wilson shoots a layup during the Stars 57-54 loss to Lake Michigan Community College Jan. 19. Wilson contributed nine points for LCC.
8
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Stars fill the airwaves: LCC TV on new legs Lee Rumler A&E Editor In the spring of 2009, LCC TV underwent a redesign under the direction of station manager Nicole Sclafani and since has added multiple new shows, both local and global, to its lineup. According to Sclafani, one of the goals of the new LCC TV is “to fill a void in this (Lansing) market ... that really hasn’t been hit and trying to offer programming that other stations don’t. “We’re trying to be really global and really local at the same time,” she explained. For example, one of LCC TV’s biggest original shows is called Double Jump. Hosted by LCC alumnus Dan Hartley, Double Jump takes an intellectual look at gaming, exploring it as a legitimate and mainstream form of entertainment. Sclafani said Double Jump is the only video game show produced in Michigan. Bitesize Cinema is a show that features local filmmakers. According to LCC TV’s website, every episode begins with a brief interview with a filmmaker, followed by some of their short films. Sclafani said it is a great outlet for filmmakers who have a few excellent shorts but nowhere to show them. Another show produced by LCC TV is the Lansing Lowdown, hosted by Sclafani herself. The show is basi-
cally a feature story of Lansing. “I go to different locations around Lansing and focus on 6-10 hot events that are going on that week,” Sclafani said. The Lowdown has earned enough recognition that it is being aired during WLNS’s (channel 6) 5 p.m. newscast. When LCC TV isn’t showing local programming, it’s usually playing global news. A new addition to LCC TV’s global broadcasts is Democracy Now! According to Sclafani, “Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, ... hourlong news program that offers different people and prospectives that are normally not seen in the corporate-sponsored media.” Also seen on LCC TV is MHz Worldview programming. MHz Worldview is a national, independent, non-commercial news channel that presents English broadcasts from all around the world and has given LCC TV permission to air (but not live-stream) its broadcasts. These are just a few of the many programs aired on LCC TV. For a full, current schedule of its ever-updating contents, visit http://www. lcc.edu/tv/schedule/. Unfortunately, Sclafani said one of the biggest obstacles the station faces is student misunderstanding. “People walk around the college and they see the TVs that have
Photo by Michael Caterina
Action: LCC TV station manager Nicole Sclafani, left, films host of Bite Sized Cinema Sam Zeller, right, while he interviews The Coughing Dog Pictures founder Joseph Parcell at Gone Wired Cafe Jan. 13.
the billboards with announcements on them, and they think that’s LCC TV, (but) there’s a totally different side of LCC TV.” In fact, the televisions with announcements on them aren’t broadcasting LCC TV content. LCC TV is aired on Comcast 15 in Lansing and Comcast 31 in East Lansing. For those who don’t have Comcast or don’t live in Lansing, LCC TV can be live-streamed from the website http:// www.lcc.edu/tv/watch/ station/. LCC TV is also on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, the links can be found on its website. Plans are also in the works for converting the Kennedy Cafeteria’s televisions to LCC TV. Sclafani said she hopes the change will be made before the end of February. Ready for close up: Dan Hartley (top), host of LCC’s Double Jump films Bite Sized Cinema at Gone Wired Café Jan. 13. Below, LCC TV station manager Nicole Sclafani, right, applies a light dusting of makeup to host of Bite Sized Cinema Sam Zeller prior to filming at Gone Wired Café, Jan. 13.
Photos by Michael Caterina
10A&E
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011
IN BRIEF
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Arts & Entertainment
LCC TV & Radio gain new programming
Lansing writers’ group seeks members
LCC TV and LCC Radio have gained rights to Democracy Now!, an international, independent, daily news hour presenting in-depth information and substantive public debate on some of the most pressing issues of the day. LCC TV runs the program weekdays at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., while LCC Radio runs it weekdays at 8 a.m.
The Skaaldic Society of Lansing is a group of writers founded in 1980. The group mermbers meet to discuss their writings in progress in A&S room 165, and they advertise that “Writers, newbies or published, are welcome.”
LCC Student Planner seeking events Every year, student orientation participants receive free student planners customized for the LCC campus. Currently, the Student Orientation Program is accepting events that they will place in the LCC planner. For more information, contact Amie Calhoun at calhoa@lcc.edu.
Capital City Film Festival accepting applications The Capital City Film Festival is currently accepting applications for the Development and Events Management Intern and Marketing and Film Publicity Intern positions. Both positions are unpaid and open to anyone who loves independent film, is studying film or is already making films. Applicants should be available to start immediately and work until May 2011. Interested applicants should email their resumes to info@ capitalcityfilmfest.com.
King Crossword
Hornet is stingingly funny Lee Rumler A&E Editor The Green Hornet is, by far, the best action-comedy movie released so far this year. To my knowledge, it is also the only action-comedy movie released so far this year. I keep wanting to compare the movie to Kickass. But at the same time, The Green Hornet is so radically different from Kickass that I don’t want to make the comparison at all. Both are vigilante superhero-action-comedies. Both star relatively new comedy actors (who played in Superbad together) in lead roles. Both travel through a similar story with almost identical climactic structures. Both of their costumes are green. But when it comes to the actual movies, they’re miles apart. Kickass had a crude brand of comedy, making audiences laugh out loud at an awkward teenager accidentally repulsing wom-
en and little girls casually dropping the F-bomb. On the other hand, The Green Hornet has a much more mature comedy – and I don’t mean that it’s inappropriate (quite the opposite, actually) – it’s just more subtle. Of course, it does star Seth Rogen, so it’s not lacking in the cheap laugh department either. In recent years, most superhero movies have taken a turn for the gritty, realistic side. And while this trend does follow reason and has produced some of the best movies of the past decade (Iron man, X-men, The Dark Knight), movie producers seem to have forgotten where superheroes started. But in The Green Hornet, Michel Gondry returned somewhat to the roots of superhero movies. I wouldn’t exactly call the movie campy, but it’s definitely reminiscent of the old Batman cartoons – reminiscent in that “What were we thinking?” kind of way. For example, when Jay
Photo courtest of wikipedia.com
Chou makes a stun gun for Rogen, the hero wonders how a stun gun could ever beat an army of mob members. All in all the movie is awesome, and it’s definitely worth checking out. It also has a neat little history: The movie is based off an old American 1960s TV series that was based off an old 1930s radio program, which was originally produced in Detroit. The radio show is said to have inspired the Batman series, and the TV series was the first American movie or TV show that starred Bruce Lee.
If you’re feeling Greeky Shauna Stocken Staff Writer
Puzzle solution can be found at www.lcc.edu./lookout
This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:
If you are looking for a restaurant that will help support your New Year’s resolution of a healthier diet, or if you are simply looking for a great meal, indulge yourself in some authentic Greek food at one of Lou and Harry’s restaurants. With three area locations, Lou and Harry’s Grill is a convenient restaurant for anyone. Whether it’s fresh baked goods, a meal on a fast food budget or a bar to hang out at with friends, Lou and Harry‘s Grill has something for everyone. During the day, Lou and Harry’s Grill and Bar, along with either of Lou and Harry’s Grills, are family-friendly restaurants where you can dine in and enjoy gyros, hoagies, Greek salads and pizza. At night, however, Lou and Harry’s Grill and Bar is an 18-and-up bar. “There is no bar like ours,
Photo courtesy of facebook.com
with music, fireplaces and televisions,” said Harry Saites, owner of Lou and Harry’s. Two of Lou and Harry’s Grills are located at 4749 Central Park Drive, Okemos, and 1429 W. Saginaw St., East Lansing. The third location, Lou and Harry’s Grill and Bar, is relocating from downtown East Lansing to Chandler Road in East Lansing. The new location will be open before the end of January. In addition to the offerings from their restaurant, this location offers two full bars, live music, pool tables and 40 beers on tap. Regardless if you’re on a date for two, office party or need a place to meet with friends after the game, Lou and Harry’s Grill and Bar has you covered with a capacity of 500.
“I’ve always had a passion for something this town needs,” said Saites. Raised in east Philadelphia, Saites said he attended boarding school where he saw many restaurants that were the same “fast, quick takeout.” Noticing the same trends in the restaurant industry sparked Saites’ idea to create something new. Lou and Harry’s began in 1992. The restaurant is “unique in a sense, I didn’t base off any other food in town. Me and my partner traveled around the United States and got ideas,” said Saites. Lou and Harry’s Grill is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lou and Harry’s Grill and Bar is open seven days a week, with extended hours from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Not into Greek food? What about free food? Lou and Harry’s Grill and Bar offers a free taco bar on Fridays and a free pizza bar on Saturday as long as you’re buying drinks.
11 A&E
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Shouting a Nuance —
I need a good cartoon about now Cartoons have really gone downhill in my time. As an “uncool” kid growing up in the ‘90s, I spent most of my life inside, watching TV. Every excursion outside left me nothing but bad memories. Before I started going to school, I watched Scooby-Doo: Where Are You! Best show on earth, I swear. I’ve seen every episode of it and its spinoff, A Pup Named ScoobyDoo. Any time those weren’t on, I was watching either Hanna-Barbera or Warner Bros. classics: The Flintstones, The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons, Hong Kong Fooey, Scooby-Doo, The Addams Family, The Smurfs, Looney Tunes, Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs, Freakazoid!, the list goes on and on. I was a Cartoon Network kid. Disney was for princesses (because my sister watched it). Nickelodeon was in that awkward stage when they realized Ren and St-
impy and Rocko’s Modern Life weren’t appropriate for children, but they did have Rugrats, Rocket Power, As Told by Ginger, The Angry Beavers and CatDog. This was the peak of cartoon programming. Sometime when I was in elementary school, Cartoon Network moved the classics to a segment called “Boomerang,” which later moved to its own channel that I didn’t get, and started another segment called “Cartoon Cartoons.” If I could pick a television program that defined my childhood, it would be Cartoon Cartoons. Now, it went downhill at the end, but this segment spawned some of favorite shows ever: Ed, Edd n Eddy; Dexter’s Labratory; Johnny Bravo; I Am Weasel; Mike, Lu & Og; and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. These shows, especially the first three, helped me find who I am today. Shut up, I’m not joking. Honorable mention to
The Powerpuff Girls and Courage the Cowardly Dog. They were good, just not my thing. In fourth grade, The Fairly Oddparents debuted and my friend Matt Kunkel sang me the entire theme song at recess, the day after the season premier. This was when I finally started actively watching Nickelodeon. Unfortunately, they only had three decent shows: Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents and Jimmy Neutron. But sadly, this was the beginning of cartoons’ slow decent. I almost feel like I was partially responsible – it all started happening when I started watching Toonami
Shrim In the kitchen with p Alm Chef Nick endrin a Ingredients:
Directions:
2 Eggs 2 Cups milk 2 Cups flour Salt and fresh ground pepper 2 1/2 Pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left intact 4 Cups sliced almonds Oil for frying
Beat eggs until light and fluffy in a and keep warm until all shrimp have medium bowl. Stir in milk. Gradually been cooked. Serve immediately with mix flour, blending well. Add salt and orange mustard. pepper to taste. Orange Mustard Sauce Holding the shrimp by the tail, dip into 3/ 4 Cup sweet orange marmalade batter, allowing excess to drip back into 1 / 4 Cup chicken or beef stock the bowl. Do not cover the tails with 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice batter. Sprinkle all sides of batter coated 1 Teaspoon dry mustard shrimp with almonds. Place on cookie Few drops hot pepper sauce sheet and refrigerate at least 2 hours before frying. Heat oil to 375 degrees Thoroughly combine all ingredients. Fahrenheit. Makes about 1 cup. Deep fry shrimp a few at a time, just until they turn pink, about 2 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain on paper towels
*Photo by Michail Caterina Recipe provided by HMFS 263 Gourmet American Cooking
and the Sci-Fi Network with my dad (around sixth grade). Shortly after, Cartoon Cartoon was canceled, along with Jimmy Neutron, and the two channels started to fill with nothing but reruns and crap. Only two good cartoons have premiered since my time off television, and they are Avatar: The Last Airbender and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. But those are both gone now, and M. Night is slaughtering the first. It depresses me to see where cartoons have gone since I left. Nickelodeon plays Spongebob reruns 24/7, and Cartoon Network is being bought out by Adult Swim. I don’t even want to mention the garbage that’s been on in the six years that I missed. I never thought it would happen, but maybe I’m getting too old for cartoons. I guess that’s why the Japanese made anime.
Campus Events All the Lives of Me Friday & Saturday, Jan. 21-22, 8 p.m. LCC Theatre alum Nathan Oesterle will present a one-man variety show filled with music and comedy. Donations will be accepted at the door for The Stan Hartman Scholarship Fund. No advance reservations will be accepted. LCC Black Box Theatre, 168 Gannon Building
Pro Bono Friday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. The Public Offenders will present a night of comedy, music and film to benefit the LCC Theatre Scholarship Fund. $5 donation at the door Dart Auditorium
Endgame by Samuel Beckett Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 18-19 & 25-26, 8 p.m. Directed by Andy Callis Taking us on a powerfully sad and hilarious journey into meaninglessness and nothingness, Beckett’s absurd comic masterpiece contains beautifully terse language and unforgettable characters. A blind man who cannot stand, his servant who cannot sit and his parents who have no legs share a tiny room and approach the end with routines, rituals, remembrance, remaining and remains. $5 LCC faculty, staff, alumni & all students, $10 adults LCC Black Box Theatre, 168 Gannon Building Information courtesy of Melissa Kaplan
12 FEATURES
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Promoting a spiritual solution Nathan Wilson News Editor
LCC’s Baha’i Club is a group dedicated to promoting the Baha’i World Faith to the student populace. The Baha’i Faith teaches that the human race is united under God in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are equal and united. Curlada Eure-Harris, the adviser for the club, explained that one of the goals of the group is to promote unity among the human race. Club Vice President Atabak Hejabiyan said the first step to achieving this is introducing people to the Baha’i Faith. Eure-Harris said, “The club has principles that open the door to anyone who believes in a higher power and the oneness of humanity, (and) who wants to come together.” Another concept in the preamble of the club’s constitution is
“a spiritual solution to economic problems.” Eure-Harris explained the individual decision to make a difference can ultimately work toward resolving economic problems. “There are other ways to make a difference in the world. I don’t have to just look for the federal government to send enough rebuilding housing dollars to a disastered area,” she said. “I can have a personal, spiritual commitment because of my beliefs that I can do what I can to help my fellow man.”
The Baha’i Club participated in LCC’s Spring Fling last year, where members informed students about the faith and passed out the club constitution. On Thursday, Jan. 27, the Baha’i Club will host an introductory Fireside Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at LCC’s Herrmann Conference Center. The featured speaker for the event is Llewellyn Drong from the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Lansing. In mid-February, the club will host several speakers who will speak about the faith. According to EureHarris, the Baha’i Club will start planning events when they recruit more members. Club meetings will be established after Jan. 27. For more information regarding Baha’i Club, contact Curlada EureHarris at 483-9618.
LCC Baha’i Club assembles: Club Adviser Curlada Eure-Harris, Vice President Atabak Hejabiyan, President Brandon Smith and Llewellyn Drong, one of the club’s speakers, gather for a photo.
13 DISTRACTIONS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
SUDOKU
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Props to those with mops 6 8
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LeBaron Rodgers Desktop Blues
James Tennant Jr. An Ordinary Life
I have to say, LCC is one of the cleanest places that I frequent, minus my office, which seems to have a tornado rip through it every other week. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked into a nearly spotless restroom in almost every building on campus. This is one of my favorite parts about LCC. Not that I spend THAT much time in LCC restrooms but I do notice in other venues when the trash is overflowing, soap is out and there is a general feeling of “Nast” upon walking in. Everywhere else on
campus seems spotless as well. When you could see the grass, it was always nicely trimmed and the clippings were contained and not sticking to my new kicks. I think the most impressive aspect of LCC’s grounds maintenance is the snow removal.
Every time the lovely white stuff starts to fall from the sky, LCC is on top of it. I can’t recall a time when there was more than half an inch of snow on the pathways of main campus, even when the snow had been falling for days on end. I notice the difference because I walk from LCC property with no snow to the city property that does not receive nearly as much attention. I would like to extend a huge thank you to the maintainers of LCC. You make this a wonderful place to work and learn. THANK YOU!
14 OPINION
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
—Everyone should read George Orwell—
I still feel like a Scorpio Content with right now
I check my horoscope every day and I am not ashamed of it. I check my boyfriend’s too. That’s kind of embarrassing. There must be others out there, as the horoscope section in nearly every magazine or newspaper continues to run. One common misconception about astrology is it assumes the planets and heavens control terrestrial beings and their lives. Instead I would think of it more as the recognition of a connection between everything in the universe, every piece of which reflects and interacts with the rest. There has been much controversy in the month of January about whether or not the signs people have called their own have been miscalculated due to a shift in the earth’s shift on its axis due to the moon’s gravitational pull. Parke Kunkle of the Minnesota Planetarium Society claims this shift puts all of the signs out of
alignment with their current astrological schedule, even adding there is a need for an inclusion of a 13th sign, Ophiuchus. Astrologers have responded that in the western world our signs have not been based on the position of the stars but are named after them. Instead they claim for thousands of years they have based the determination of a person’s sign on mathematically equal divisions of the elliptic. One thing that can be agreed upon about astrology is its unyielding focus on the moment of birth, the first ingested billow of air. According to astrologists, this first breath im-
prints your cosmic code and influences your life’s blueprint. It seems strange to me that there has been such a focus on the suggestion of astrology changing when it would seem that most people never believed it in the first place. I’ve heard of people vowing to remove their tattoo of their supposedly now wrong sign, yet I have only met a few people that really believe in astrology. I am not claiming to be an ardent astrologist or even that I know much about the mysticism of it in the first place. However, I do believe astrology can be helpful no matter which sign you are or you are looking at, though I’m sticking with Scorpio, for sure. I like to think of it as a third-party generously offering input on how I should take on my day. While I am not sure of the advice’s singular applicability to me alone, I do think that typically it can be helpful to me.
— The Collected Klutz—
I don’t know about you, but Christmas and New Year ’s always seem to come and go so fast. It’s like I barely get to enjoy myself and, before I know it, the holidays are over and it’s back to the same old routine. Now that Christmas is over, many of us are tired of the snow and are now waiting for the day when we can wear shorts and not get frozen to death (except for those who are crazy enough to wear shorts in the winter). Thinking about this has made me realize how people live their lives in a “hurry up and wait” sort of manner. Instead of finding ways to enjoy themselves or make the best out of what they have right now,
they sit and complain about something they can do nothing about and wish for what they don’t have. If it’s winter, we can’t wait until spring. Then spring comes and we can’t wait until summer ... and so on and so forth. How can you ever enjoy yourself when you are always thinking about what you don’t have? Whenever I’m around someone like this they just bring me down and their behavior and attitude
makes me not want to be around them. You don’t want to be this person, do you? I admit I have been guilty of this in the past so that is why I have made it my New Year’s – scratch that – my life’s resolution to stop and enjoy what I have right now because. before I know it. the months and years will just pass by. I have learned that you cannot be truly happy until you can accept yourself and your circumstances right where they are, and learn to make the best out of whatever comes your way. If your circumstances are something you can change unlike the weather, don’t just sit around and complain, do something about it and you’ll be on the road to a happier and better you.
15 Opinion
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout In our own words | Staff Editorial
A troublesome turn Most students at LCC are aware there is no left-handturn arrow at the Shiawassee Street and Grand Avenue intersection because most have sat there for an average duration of 10 minutes, waiting for the opportunity to turn onto Grand Avenue. Every other student who patiently waits behind or in front of them is doing so for the same reason: to get into the Gannon Building’s parking ramp. Everyone here at The Lookout knows first-hand they must leave in time to find themselves at this particular intersection before the clock strikes 15 minutes before the hour their class begins. Good news only comes for the smokers who find themselves in this situation. As one of our staff members found, she can smoke three cigarettes before she enters the ramp, even though she began her chain within a quarter mile of her desired parking space. One would think most of the traffic on this section of Shiawassee, and certainly the traffic within the lefthand-turn lane in question, consists of the student populace, who eagerly drive to their classes and attempt to fork out the big bucks for a
nearby parking space. One would also think the streets should be designed to accommodate them; however, every student who sits within a block of their destination, waiting to get to school, knows this is not the case. Patrick Landry of the Traffic Division at the Transportation Department said they have been monitoring this issue for quite a while. However, he said action has not been taken because the volume of traffic at this intersection is not great enough. Here at The Lookout we know several students, as well as ourselves, have been choosing alternate routes to access the parking ramp in order to avoid being late. It would seem, however, this prevents the Traffic Division from being able to fully acknowledge the amount of traffic that would be using the turn-lane if a left-handturn arrow existed. Dare we suggest we spend our time waiting at this light to over-pack it as a way to attract notice from the Transportation Department so that they may see the necessity of the left-hand-turn arrow? Perhaps we should all start smoking.
Letter to the Editor The Lansing Community College American Marketing Association (LCC-AMA) would like to thank you for your contributions and donations to the Toys for Tots collection. With your help, we were able to raise 335 toys. Congratulations to the LCC community for opening your hearts and making a difference in the lives of those living in the Lansing Area. It is a proud day for us all. Thank you! Jody DuBeu Media, Arts & Information Technology
Classified Advertising APARTMENT FOR RENT 295 Arbor Glen Drive, East Lansing. Five miles from downtown LCC campus. Two bedrooms, $810 per month. Price includes air conditioning, dishwasher, parking, washer, dryer and water. Smoking and pets allowed. Contact Megan at 517-351-5353. 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 your ad or for more information. 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.
ANTIQUE TOYS AND GAMES WANTED Any condition. 1975 or before. Will pay cash if it’s something I need for my personal collection. Especially looking for an antique Slinky in its original box or Hot Wheels cars from the late 1960s in the package. Call 517-5895273. Leave a message if no one answers. 1982 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS Complete set of 792 cards, all in mint condition. Cal Ripken rookie card and many Hall-of-Famers including Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, George Brett, Robin Yount, Carl Yazstremski and Rickey Henderson. $100 firm. Call 517-483-1291 daytime.
the lookout Sarah Sanders
Kaitlin Lutz
Editor in Chief sande43@mail.lcc.edu
Associate Editor lutzk3@mail.lcc.edu
Michael Caterina
Dominick Mastrangelo
Lee Rumler
Nathan Wilson
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Mail: 1000 – The Lookout Lansing Community College P.O. Box 40010 Lansing, MI 48901-7210 Email: sande43@mail.lcc.edu Fax: (517) 483-1290 The Lookout is the independent, biweekly student newspaper of LCC. 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
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Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout