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thelookout
Oct. 14-27, 2013 Volume 55, Issue 4 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
First annual Bra-Za fundraiser debuts big Jaimie Bozack Associate Editor All different colors, types, sizes and textures of bras were aligned on tables inside LCC’s Health and Human Services Building for the first annual Bra-Za Oct 5. Tons of decked out and donated
bras ranging from a Starburst candy creations to a Little Mermaidbased bra were bid on to raise money for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. This event was presented by the LCC Mu Tau Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). “The Mu Tau Chapter didn’t
Photos by Suzanna Powers
Katrina Case-Soper, (left) a Phi Theta Kappa member at Montcalm Community College, models a “country girl” bra while Gordy Kunzelman, owner of Gordy’s Power Equipment, serves as the auctioneer for Bra-Za Oct. 5.
have any fundraising endeavors for the fall so I presented the idea of creating an event in October called Bra-Za because it was a fun and exciting way to raise funds for breast cancer,” said PTK President Markus Davis. The event organizers made baked goods, decorated the room with banners and lights, and even had a couple of DJs keeping track of the music. LCC student Dejana Purvonic said she wasn’t sure what to expect when coming to this event, but she decided to come because it was for a good reason. “I came to support the cause while getting a new bra, but then I heard some male models were modeling the bras, and I got even more excited,” Purvonic said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.” Bra-Za had a nice turnout and brought in about 100 students, staff and outside
community members, according to Davis. Advisers from other colleges brought students to see and bid on the bras while bringing See Bra-Za, page 2
LCC Student Life Director Al Nowak models a bra as “The Joker” in support of breast cancer awareness for Bra-Za Oct. 5.
Maintenance continues at president’s house Nathan Wilson Editor in Chief Students passing through LCC’s Shigematsu Gardens may look at the historical Herrmann House and wonder what it is used for on campus. More than likely, they don’t know LCC President Brent Knight and his wife, Risé, moved into the building in January 2013 and have been living there ever Photo by Suzanna Powers since. According to LCC DirecLCC President Brent Knight and his wife, tor of Public Affairs Ellen Risé, now live in the Herrmann House.
Jones, minor maintenance continues on the property. The house was originally built in 1893 for John T. Herrmann and his family. Herrmann owned a tailoring business downtown and had emigrated from Bernsberg, Germany in 1872. LCC came to purchase the home from his son, Dr. Christian Herrmann, Jr., in 1966. In 2012, the LCC Board of Trustees voted to restore the house and asked Knight to occupy it. According to Jones, the cost for renovations is just over $800,000.
Some of the issues encountered during the reparations prior to the Knights’ move-in included lead paint and asbestos that had to be removed, and an outdated electrical system. Jones said the old knob and tube wiring could have potentially caused a fire if it was not addressed. “There was significant termite damage in the subfloor of the kitchen and in the hardwood floor of the living room,” Jones said. “The kitchen subfloor had to be completely replaced and the
living room floor reinforced from the basement.” Jones said the most dangerous thing encountered during the work was that part of the exterior wall in the front room on the second floor was collapsing and the ceiling was slanting. The Knights’ move-in was delayed until these problems were resolved. “Since then, any activity at the house has been standard maintenance,” Jones said. “For example, this See President, page 2
2 NEWS
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Correction In the Sept. 30 issue of The Lookout, in the story about LCC’s Early College Program on page 4, the headline implied that diplomas for the program are granted at LCC. In fact, the diplomas are awarded by the students’ home high school. Also, the photo accompanying the story showed a group of students from the High School Diploma Completion Initiative Program, not the Early College Program, as was our newspaper’s intent.
President Continued from page 1
summer, bricks were removed on the exterior so insulation could be added. Plumbers and electricians have been there periodically to address issues related to any house.” Jones said the front of the property is torn up to replace the steam line as a part of a bigger project on Capitol, which LCC is not involved in.
Bra-Za Continued from page 1
awareness to cancer. “My mother and aunt are breast cancer survivors, so this event is such a great thing,” said Tammy Alvarado, who attended the event.
According to Jones, the Herrmann House will be used by all LCC presidents henceforth. “My wife, Risé, and I are delighted to live on campus and be part of a vibrant downtown neighborhood,” Knight said. “It has enriched my work and made it possible for me to attend many more events on campus, and to meet students and faculty who are here in the evenings and weekends.”
Students walked down the room-made runway, modeling the bras for everyone to see and bid on. The modeling of the bras brought a nice, light-hearted touch to the serious cause. Some of the models were even breast cancer sur-
A pint of Deutschland Richard Schenck Sports Editor
The air is starting to come alive with a crisp bite and the seasonal brews were flowing during the 2013 Oktoberfest in Old Town Oct. 4 and 5. Executive Director Louise Gradwohl and her team at the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) oversee the festival of German tradition, now in its eighth year. This is the second biggest fundraiser for the OTCA on a yearly basis, with the goal to revitalize Lansing’s “Old Town” through historic preservation, business recruitment and more. “This (festival) helps raise our budget to do events that are free throughout the year,” Gradwohl said. “It looks like an awesome turnout from what I’ve seen so far.” Luckily for the residents of Lansing and people from other areas, a pilgrimage to Munich wouldn’t be necessary. “It is really exciting to bring people from outside of the Lansing area,” Gradwohl said. “We had people travel from Canada, Detroit and the MSU population, which is so widespread.”
vivors. “I think having people model the bras, especially guys, made it more humorous and lightened the mood,” said male model and LCC student Chancelor Miller. “I’d do it again next year for sure.” The money is still being to-
Photo by Suzanna Powers
MSU student Anita Lukibanova buys a pint of Leinenkugel Oktoberfest beer from Dan Henry Oct. 4.
Under two towering white tents, guests were transported across the pond. The air was filled with the smell of sizzling bratwurst and pork hocks. The only thing that cut the air was the clinking of steins and the tunes of Deutschland. This fall festival and other events hosted by the OTCA aren’t aimed solely at completing a budget. “The whole goal is for (people) to come back,” said Gradwohl. “We want them to come back to our neighborhood, to go eat at our restaurants and spend money in our boutiques.”
taled for this event, but BraZa wasn’t just about raising money, according to Davis. It was also an opportunity for people fighting breast cancer and people who have survived breast cancer to come together. Davis said LCC-PTK’s
members plan on holding this event next year as well. “It was very well put together,” Purvonic said. “Beautiful is the only word I can think of when describing how this event looked. I’m excited to see what they’ll put together next year.”
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3 NEWS
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Secure your information with LastPass
Nathan Wilson Editor In Chief
Do you have a hard time remembering your computer passwords or creating a password secure enough to protect your information? Then look no further than LastPass, a computer password management system. LCC staff Scott Skowronek highlighted the benefits of LastPass during a monthly Tech Snippet in TLC 224 Oct. 2. “I have a password for at least 85 different sites and services on the internet,” Skowronek said. “Now if you don’t have a password management system, that means you probably can’t physically remember 85 different login combinations.” LastPass eliminates that problem by using a master password to remember a user’s credentials and automatically log them in at approved sites such as Facebook, Twitter or online banking sites. LastPass is free to download at lastpass.com for Windows, Mac and Linux. The mobile
use LastPass.” According to Skowronek, the difficult part is importing all the credentials to LastPass. If LastPass sounds too complicated, there are other options for securing one’s information and creating stronger passwords. “There is no downside to going up to a maximum character length,” Skowronek said. “It just makes it harder for someone to guess your password.” Skowronek recommended using as many characters as possible and using symbols when creating a password. Other tips for creating a secure password include using numbers in the middle of a password instead of at the beginning or the end. LastPass also features an opPhoto by Nathan Wilson LCC staff member Scott Skowronek uses an interactive board Oct. 2 to demonstrate the benefits of tion to generate a secure password using special characters, LastPass, a computer password management systems. numbers and lowercase and Users don’t have to worry sites,” Skowronek said. “You uppercase letters. phone version (LastPass Preabout LastPass installing any can use this at bankofamerica. mium) costs $12 a year. All the decryption happens LastPass is compatible with In- pesky toolbars on their brows- com. You can use this with on the individual’s computer ternet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, ers, and their information your credit union. Anywhere so the user’s information is where you’re entering creden- never shared with the creators Google Chrome, Opera and Sa- won’t be sold online. “This works across web- tials and a password, you can of LastPass, he said. fari.
High schoolers get help Chelsea Allen Freelance Writer
Graphic courtesy of LCC’s American Marketing Association
LCC’s American Marketing Association will hold the seventh annual Etiquette Dinner in the Kellogg Center Wednesday, Nov. 20.
AMA promotes etiquette Nathan Wilson Editor in Chief LCC’s American Marketing Association (AMA) will present the seventh annual Business Etiquette Dinner in the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University Wednesday, Nov. 20. Taking place from 5 to 9 p.m., the event is designed to equip students with professional skills for dining etiquette and networking. “The Etiquette Dinner is a chance for students to come and network with local businesses,” said Zach Basler, the LCC-AMA vice president of professional development. Shelly Davis Mielock, the founder and president of Mieshel Image Consulting, will guide the students through a proper dining experience. According to LCC-AMA Vice President Brent Bos, the etiquette portion will be followed by a keynote speech by Jeffrey Benson, the CEO of Case Credit Union. “(Benson) will be talking about success in general and how net-
working plays a large part in that,” Bos said. “You will need to purchase tickets ahead of time (for the event). We will not be selling them at the door.” According to Bos, tickets will be available for $20 at the LCC Hole in the Hall on the first floor of the Gannon Building or at Case Credit Union’s local branch. “This year, we’re trying to emphasize the quality of the event,” Bos said. “This is an event that gets bigger and better every year. It’s a hands-on etiquette dinner with zero stress. It’s a chance to go in, learn how to network with individuals, and practice your etiquette dinner.” Bos said reception for past Etiquette Dinners have been overwhelming and everyone enjoys the format. “The success of the event speaks for itself,” Basler said. “Two years ago, we probably had 125 people come. Last year, we had 160 … This year, we’ve booked the biggest room that they’ve got in the Kellogg Center. We’re hoping to have more than 200 attendees.”
LCC’s High School Completion Diploma Initiative (HSCDI) Program has been in existence for eight years and always has room for more students. The program is designed to help students who are in need of completing high school and earning their diploma. Not only are the students earning high school credit but college credit as well. According to Kelli Hatfield, the director of HSCDI, there are 34 students currently enrolled in this fall’s program. “We hope to expand the capacity of the program and get more students interested in enrolling for the program,” Hatfield said. There are some requirements that need to be satisfied in order to be eligible for the program. For example, a student must be between the ages of 16 and 19 years old. One must also be enrolled or able to re-enroll in an Ingham or Eaton County High School. Lastly, one must have completed at least half of the required high school credits needed to graduate. According to Hatfield, HSCDI is cost-free for students. It provides books
Photo by Suzanna Powers
Jasmine Ford, a student from LCC’s High School Completion Diploma Initiative, works in class Sept. 25.
for the courses the students are taking and gives vouchers for attendance. The voucher includes earning money for food at Gibson’s Bookstore as well as money for parking. An event called “My Life. My Diploma” will be held Friday, Oct. 18, which will provide more information about the program and what it consists of. The event will be held in Dart Auditorium at LCC’s Main Campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will include a panel consisting of current and previous students from the program. There will be a video followed by lunch and a prize giveaway to those who attend the event. Informational meetings for spring 2014 enroll-
ment in HSDCI will run during the entire month of October. The next meeting will be held at the “My Diploma. My Life” event, following meetings on Wednesdays Oct. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. and Oct. 30 from 4 to 5 p.m. “This is a very small family atmosphere and we emphasize that more students get enrolled to earn their diploma while building an LCC transcript at the same time,” Hatfield said. “By the time they receive their diploma, they are halfway to an associate’s degree.” For more information, visit www.lcc.edu/hsdci or call (517) 483-9707. To register for one of the sessions, visit www.lcc.edu/ getmydiploma
4 NEWS
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Repairs hinder students Chelsea Allen Freelance Writer
Closed lanes on Capitol Avenue due to the steamline construction are making it difficult for students to park or get to campus. According to Kevin Webber, the steam distribution engineer of Lansing Board of Water and Light (LBWL), the steam lines are being replaced because of the recent problems due to old age and to eliminate any future problems that may occur. Webber said the last time the steam lines were replaced was in the early 1920s. “The steam lines are in need of replacing in order for the steam to be properly distributed across campus and Downtown Lansing to provide heat,” Webber said. “We’re trying to get the steam main in the 21st century.”
The construction began the first week of August and is estimated to last until the end of October. Webber says the usual season for steam line construction is from May 15 to Oct. 15. “We need to get the asphalt installed before our asphalt providers close for the season,” Webber said. The last time the lines were under construction on campus was in September 2011, according to Webber. This caused a lot of commotion for students on campus. This same commotion seems to be reoccurring because of the construction this year. For freshman Holly Reed, the construction seems to be quite an interference with her everyday commute to and from LCC. “Because of the closed lane, it makes it difficult
Photo by Suzanna Powers
The construction on Capitol Avenue’s steam lines began in August 2013 and is estimated to last until October.
for not only me but other students who use Capitol to get to class,” Reed said. “I now have to make sure I set out extra time in my schedule just in case there are any delays.” A new LBWL project that will bring more construction will be taking place on campus come spring, Webber said. “It seems every year there is something un-
der construction on campus,” said LCC alumnus Dakota Grover. “It doesn’t surprise me that there is something else going to be under construction in the near future.” For more information about the steam line construction, contact LBWL’s Water and Steam departments at (517) 702-6490.
Police say crime down on campus Jaimie Bozack Associate Editor With the new semester comes many new and fun things to do. Students have new classes, new friends, new clubs and new events. But with that semester comes new crime and things to watch out for. According to LCC Police Director William French there were over 50 cases of larceny (theft) and two assaults on campus last year. This year, that number has been down from what it was at this time during the 2012 fall semester. “It’s actually been pretty quiet so far this semester,” French said. “We haven’t had any big assaults or serious issues, which is good … A lot more people are falling down or tripping and getting hurt than getting stolen from or assaulted.” So far this semester, there have only been two larcenies from cars, five larcenies from campus buildings and five
other larcenies including bikes being stolen. According to French, larceny is LCC’s no. 1 offense made during the school year. French said there are things students can do to keep themselves safe from theft. “Larceny is the most popular crime committed here, and I think the best way to not be a victim of it is to just keep your things locked up and be aware,” French said. “Don’t flash your material things as much. It just gives people a reason to want it.” Besides larceny, crime at LCC has been down, but that doesn’t mean students shouldn’t stay vigilant as they walk to class or go to eat in the lunch room. Crime can occur at anytime and it usually affects those who aren’t being aware. Keeping your ears and eyes open, trusting your instincts and walking in groups are just some of the many tips that can keep you safe on campus. For more tips on ways to stay safe, head over to http:// lcc.edu/police/
Feeling Lucky? Lansing Community College Gay Straight Alliance Presents
Drag Show 2013 Supporting: Betsy Lou Robson Memorial Scholarship
November 23, 2013 8pm at Dart Auditorium, 500 North Capitol Avenue, Michigan, 48933
Tickets: $5.00 Part of the proceeds will go to the LGBT Scholarship For more information contact Chris Green, LCC GSA Adviser at:szmadzic@lcc.edu or Frank Vaca, LCC GSA President at:vacaf@email.lcc.edu
Photo by Frank Vaca
Edora Diamond performs during the LCC GayStraight Alliance “Dream in Drag” Dec. 14, 2012.
‘Feeling Lucky?’ Chancelor Miller Freelance Writer In just over a month, LCC’s Dart Auditorium will be transformed into a fast-paced, fun-filled, charity extravaganza. LCC’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) will host Feeling Lucky?, an upbeat drag show that is guaranteed to present a wild time from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. This event isn’t just a great night out, it’s for a cause – a big one. Part of the proceeds will go to the future GSA leaders so they can keep the safe haven for so many LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) students and allies alive. The other part of the proceeds will go to the Betsy Lou Robson Memorial Scholarship. Event attendees will make history by helping fund what is believed to be the first-ever LGBT scholarship given out at a community college in Michigan. “The scholarship sounds really neat,” said LCC student employee Ashley Carter. “It sounds like a really fun way to earn money for a good cause. It’s actually quite groundbreaking, I’d say. What better way to earn money than to have fun doing it?” The drag show will have a little something for everyone as soon as they walk through the door. Upon entering, attendees can expect to be guided to the theater by ticket takers, passing by casino-themed decorations. There will be live comedy from Lansing City Council’s Kathie Dunbar, refreshments on the top floor and, of course, upbeat drag queens. All different types of people (experienced and not) will take the stage to lip sync and do whatever they can to really get the crowd going. The exhilarating costumes and crazy personalities are sure to provide a festive atmosphere. “The Drag Show is part of the LGBT culture,” said GSA President Frank Vaca. “It raises funds and it’s fun for everyone.” Tickets will be available for $5 at the door or early at www.lcc.edu/givenow. Swing on by and support an outstanding cause while making memories from a night never to forget.
5 NEWS
Oct 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Students visit recording studio on wheels Lennon bus highlights music day at Everett H.S. Sarah Spohn A &E Editor The amplifiers were ringing, the ground was shaking and the fumes of the diesel-fueled tour buses filled the air. No, this was no music festival; it was a Monday. Everett High School students had an extraordinary school day when the High School Nation Tour made a pit stop at their school Sept. 30. Armed with plenty of swag, T-shirts, giveaways and instruments to test, students experienced this free, handson event thanks to Jim Allen, chairperson of the Performing Arts Department for Everett. Allen said as soon as he saw an email from High School Nation, he picked up the phone and called them to say his school wanted to be a
part of the event. Everett was one of only 20 schools in the nation including on the tour. The two-hour long event featured live concerts by Justine Sky and Trevor Jackson. High School Nation has worked with thousands of public K-12 schools for the last 10 years. Providing opportunities for students who otherwise might be missing out on music education, High School Nation offers the chance of a lifetime to students for no cost. The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus was also staked out in the parking lot of the high school, offering students the chance to record their own music and videos using the stateof-the-art recording studio on board.
Photo by Sarah Spohn
Everett High School students eagerly await their chance to step on board the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Sept 30. The bus stopped in Lansing as part of the High School Nation Tour.
The bus was celebrating its sweet 16th birthday and has been encouraging student creativity ever since. Bryce Quig-Hartman, producer and engineer
on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, spoke about the big bus and the even bigger picture. “We are a non-profit mobile recording studio,” Quig-Hartman said. “So what we do is we travel the country 10 months out of the year, teaching kids how to write and record music. “So we’ll show up at a school, bring a group of students on, and in eight hours, we’ll produce an
original song and music video with the kids — all done by them.” The mission of the event organizers is to provide opportunities to kids who otherwise might not be exposed to the arts or given a chance to shred on $1,000 worth of Gibson guitars. “They play the music, they write the lyrics, they plan out some of the shots, (and) it’s really just to inspire the creativity
and help encourage these kids to be motivated about the arts,” QuigHartman said. Plenty of sponsors, including Tilly’s, Monster Products, Gibson, Yamaha, Epiphone and more keep the bus rolling from school to school across the nation. “I think it’s been great,” Allen said. “The kids have loved it. We’ve gotten a really good response from the kids.”
IN BRIEF News
‘Diploma Completion Initiative’ program event Oct. 18 Sometimes all students need is a second chance. The High School Diploma Completion Initiative Program can give students that chance by helping them earn a high school diploma along with college credit. An event to assist students interested in the program will take place
Friday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in LCC’s Dart Auditorium. The event will provide information about the program and run through what students need to do to get on track. For additional information about the program visit lcc.edu/getmydiploma.
Brush up on job interview skills through CES event Students who are searching for a job and would like to brush up on their job interview skills can attend the “Interview Workshop” Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will be held in Gannon Building room 134. it is sponsored by
LCC’s Career and Employment Services. The workshop will give information and provide practice for students who want to get start their job search. For more information go to www.lcc. ces/ or call (517) 483-1172
‘Trick or Treat on the Square’ comes to downtown Gather up your friends and family for Downtown Lansing’s “Trick or Treat on the Square,” on Monday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Participants will have the chance to gather lots of delicious candy.
This event is completely free and will feature trick-or-treating, hayrides, street performers and other spooktastic events. The evening is a great way to celebrate the Halloween season.
6 SPORTS
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Opportunity knocks for LCC spikers Richard Schenck Sports Editor
Photo by Suzanna Powers
Lansing Community College spiker Ashleigh Carr returns a ball during the Stars’ previous game against Kellogg CC Sept. 17.
The regular season is nearing its end and the playoffs are hopefully right around the corner for the LCC volleyball team. The Stars owned a 9-15 overall record and a 4-6 mark in the NJCAA’s Western Conference heading into an Oct. 10 match against Kellogg Community College. The Stars were welcoming three out of the next four games at home after having four of their last five away from the Gannon Gym. The Gannon has treated the team well as it carried a 4-2 record at home into the Oct. 10 matchup. LCC Head Coach Emily Quintero said she is well aware the post season is creeping closer and the need to play well determines
how far her squad will go. “Right now we are in a three-way tie for fourth place with Ancilla (College) and Jackson (CC),” Quintero said. “To progress to regionals we need to be top five.” Coming in winning three of its last five games, the schedule is in LCC’s favor for reaching in the playoffs. Quintero pointed out she will be leaning heavily on her freshman setter Cheyene Houghton along with sophomores Michaela Miller, Angela Williams and Carly Darrow. Miller leads the team with 311 digs. Darrow continues to lead the team with 1.13 blocks per set. Quintero said she is optimistic returning home will have a positive effect on her squad’s performance
with a playoff spot on the line. “I’m hoping they get back to their comfort zone and play confident,” Quintero said. “This is home court so I hope they take advantage of it.” Freshman and Bath graduate Morgan Wilson acknowledges there is little room for error at home in this crucial stretch of the season. “We will definitely have a home advantage,” Wilson said. “It helps us be a better team and work together because we are used to practicing in this gym.” Quintero and her team will be looking to notch as many wins as possible to secure a spot in the MCCAA State Tournament. Wilson summed up the game plan as straightforward as possible: “We just need to play to our ability.”
Cross country teams shine at home Men sixth, women fifth at Grand Woods Richard Schenck Sports Editor
across the line for LCC in 39th place with a time of 26:41. All successful teams With those top three know that if they per- across the line, the form well in front of LCC men finished in their home crowd, it 6th place out of 25 can serve as a catalyst teams. for a strong season. “I wasn’t expecting Coming off con- to be third on the team tinual success away this year but it is a big from the capital city, motivational booster,” the LCC men’s and Merchant said. women’s cross country LCC Head Coach teams returned home Chuck Block explained to Grand Woods Park that overall, this was on Oct. 4 to host their a positive step in his first meet of the sea- male harriers’ hopes son. to perform well in the The pressure of future. running at home for “We did well as a the first time in 2013 team,” Block said. didn’t shake the Stars’ “One of our strengths nerves as they went is that we are so deep.” about their top-flight Block explained that business as usual. with the depth of the LCC sophomores men’s team, it can still Chris Gantt and Joe finish well even when Marrah continued some runners strugtheir streak of one-two gle. team finishes for LCC. The LCC women’s Gantt led the way for team outperformed the the men finishing in men for the first time 15th place out of 278 this season. runners with a time of “This is what we 26:03. were looking for,” Marrah finished in Block explained. “The 35th place with a time first meet of the season of 26:39. the course was terriStephen Merchant ble, the next meet they was the first freshman ran a 6K, so this was
the first time they were able to run a 5K.” LCC freshman and Grand Ledge native Allison Dible was first across the line for the women in 28th place out of 243 runners with a time of 19:35. Sophomore Jessica D’Haene was second for LCC in 35th place in 19:47. According to Dible the women’s team has added a few wrinkles to practice in hopes that improvement will be made. “We’ve been working a lot on sprinting at the end of races,” Dible said. “We are building endurance and able to fight the lactic acid in our legs.” Block said going into a meet Friday, Oct. 11 at Muskegon he is very confident his teams will be standing at the top of the podium. Information on the Muskegon meet and more will be included in the Oct. 28 issue of The Lookout. Schedules for the team can be found at www.lcc.edu/athletics.
Photo by Suzanna Powers
LCC runners Tim Young (right) and Norman Emineth (left) lead their team at practice on Oct. 8 to prepare for an Oct. 11 meet in Muskegon.
7 SPORTS
Oct 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC athletics has strong reputation — Laces Out —
Bright lights and roaring crowds are every college athlete’s dream, along with gleaming locker rooms, corporate-sponsored everything and television coverage. But some athletes don’t get to see their best performances on ESPN behind the voice of Stuart Scott. In today’s world, expanding the brand has surpassed the true purpose of being a student/athlete. Everywhere you turn there is a new story about players being bribed with
money, cars and, in some cases, even sex. Division I coaches are hired to teach these young men and women the values that you need to not only be a better athlete, but a better person in the world after college. There is a big difference between big-time college coaches and community college coaches. Now I’m not bashing ALL major college coaches because there are men and women who truly put in the effort to make their student/ath-
letes better people. The coaches here at LCC, without a doubt, have the right priorities set out front of the Stars athletes. Few, if any, of these athletes will ever be featured in a Sportscenter Top-10 ranking for tallying a triple-double or crossing the finish line to win a national championship. Coaches at LCC put a great deal of emphasis on academics because those are the skills these young men and women will rely
on for their future. That is what sets community college coaches, as a whole, apart from all the major schools: having the opportunity to be
Athlete Jessica D’Haene
Photo by Suzanna Powers
A.“I am actually talking to a couple of coaches and exploring my options. I would like to
here and where it can take them. Athletic Director Greg Mallek and his staff, coaches and athletes have a duty to preserve the reputation of LCC and to leave it better than before they arrived. All past and present people involved with LCC athletics should carry the pride of making this a place where students want to incubate their academic goals and athletic desires. Once a Star, always a Star.
The Lookout Sports Editor Richard Schenck recently had a chance to speak to sophomore cross country runner Jessica D’Haene. The DeWitt native was part of the 2012 All Region XII Team, All MCCAA Team, and MCCAA All Freshman Team.
Spotlight Q. Do you see yourself running in the future at a university?
involved with the sport they love and having the resources to get help when they need it. Student athletes are given a path in which to become very successful in Lansing as well as to wherever they may end up down the road. LCC has a great deal to be proud of in regards to being an institution that has a strong reputation for academics and athletics. Every athlete who puts on that blue and white knows what it took to get
Q. What made you want to run cross country?
A.“I wasn’t really good at
anything else and I tried running and I fell in love with it. It just stuck with me since junior high.
coaches give you moving forward?
keep running, it is really helpful and keeps me focused. I am looking at Oakland (University), Saginaw Valley, and Ferris State.”
A.“The one thing that my coach always stressed in high school was building close relationships with the team. Being supportive
Q.What skills did your previous
of each other and carrying that support with me was always big. It has always motivated me as a runner.”
Q.What school is high on your transfer list? A. Oakland University.
Family Studies or Child and Family Development (BS)
• Courses are offered almost entirely online
• Gain provisional status as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) in the Family Studies major
• Meet the State of Michigan requirements for child care center directors in the Child Development major
Interdisciplinary Health Services (BS)
Complete your bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University
• Courses are offered online or in a hybrid format
• Prepares graduates for entry or mid-level positions in a variety of occupations within the field of health services
• Courses are offered entirely online, as well as hybrid when courses are available
Students at LCC who would like to complete a bachelor’s degree can easily transfer to WMU-Lansing. We offer several degree program options designed with you in mind. Face-to-face or online, we have you covered. And what’s more, we are close to your home, making it extra convenient to forge ahead with your dreams!
• Designed for those students who are interested in obtaining a general bachelor’s degree with a concentration area of choice
Visit wmich.edu/lansing for more information or call (517) 483-9728 to speak to a student service coordinator today.
WMU-Lansing 210 West Shiawassee Street Lansing, MI 48901 (517) 483-9728 wmich.edu/lansing
University Studies (BA I BS)
Lansing Southwest
8
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Discovering Forensic Lemonade By Molly Mostek
Ferris ISI Graduate
Considering a major life change is possible, and attainable. Even if you have modest computer skills, a career in Information Security is a great choice. Attitude, drive, willingness to learn, integrity and focus are the most important part of a successful transition to a more technical career path. Most importantly, you have to love what you do, and feel fulfilled by your job. I have always had the attitude that when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. I have had the amazing opportunity to make a lot of lemonade. I owe my lemonade to a wonderful program at Ferris State University; Information Security and Intelligence. As a singer by trade, I was not particularly strong in computer technology. I had experience running electronic recording gear and software, but did not consider myself an expert. However, my classes and instructors encouraged me to do things I never thought I could. As a nontraditional student, it was a lot of work, but entirely rewarding. I have always had an interest in computers and how they work. That’s why the Information Security and Intelligence program at Ferris caught my eye. Not only could I work with computers, but I could also aid in protecting our great country and protecting information at home. It was my first time back to school in over ten years. The classes looked to be fascinating, and I felt up for the challenge. My classes began with a digital technology class that created a great foundation for the rest of the curriculum. Following was a corporate fraud class that exposed the numerous ways security can be compromised in business and
government settings. I found myself drawn to the many ways information needs to be protected in a business setting. Computer forensics also caught my attention right away. I learned how to forensically examine hard drives as well as cell phones. I was able to find files that were supposedly deleted, and determine what internet addresses were searched and clicked in any given time frame. The forensics classes were eye opening. I was taught to look beyond the obvious and find the missing pieces. I felt myself getting more comfortable with the “tech-iness” in me. For the first time in my life, I actually looked forward to homework! In subsequent classes, I explored how websites and personal data can be compromised and how crucial databases are. So much of our personal information is housed on these structures! I learned how easy it is to hack a website and steal customer information. This alarmed me. I began to realize how cyber advancements have made our information more accessible and more vulnerable than ever. I felt compelled to protect the public from identity theft as well as businesses and their websites. One instructor explained the need for national security on a cyber-level. He made me feel that my contribution is essential, and that a career path in this direction was anything but ordinary. Cyber protection is needed from the many attacks the United States faces every day. I felt I could protect and serve, from a chair. What a great possibility.
Next iSi lansing cohort starts fall 2014
Live close.
Ferris@LCC
The curriculum pulled me in many directions. It opened my eyes to the many areas requiring Information Security in this country. We need to protect ourselves and our information, our country from enemies, our data that lives in cyberspace, our children from predators, our businesses and many other facets of our lives. I was faced with a wonderful problem. Which direction should I take my knowledge? A great opportunity was given to me through the Ferris internship program, which is one of the degree requirements. I was able to work on the Business Intelligence project at Boyne Resorts. Boyne is one of the United States premier resort companies, and its headquarters are right here in Northern Michigan! The data is complex, with important security needs and challenges. I felt it would be a great fit for me as I develop my database security and information security skills. I am faced with many challenges on the job, and have opportunities to learn new things every day. I feel at home in Northern Michigan and am proud to work for a fantastic local company that supports the Northern Michigan lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to make a mid-life change. Sometimes taking that first step can be the hardest part, but in my case, it made all of the difference. Going back to school has been the most rewarding decision of my life. Make a lot of lemonade!
Go Far.
Ferris is proud to partner with Lansing Community College. We are committed to offering you bachelor’s degrees locally and affordably. Our classes are COnvenientLy OFFered in the evening to fit your schedule. You can earn a degree from Ferris close to home and get financial aid through one source, saving you time and trouble.
In addition to the programs right here at LCC, we have fully OnLIne degrees and certificate programs, as well as a host of online classes available. To find out which courses are offered online, or to determine if online learning is right for you, visit ferris.edu/online. Call our offiCe at (517) 483-9723 to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor or to Find Out MOre about the affordable Ferris programs available to you right here at LCC.
Ferris PrOGrAMs At LCC: Bachelor’s Degrees Business administration Business administration Professional Track criminal Justice elementary education Information security and Intelligence cerTIfIcaTe human resource Management Teacher cerTIfIcaTIon & enDorseMenT elementary Provisional certification
Apply online at ferris.edu/statewide
Ferris state University Lansing Ferris @ Lansing Community College 210 W. Shiawassee, MC 8200 Lansing, MI 48901 (517) 483-9723 | FerrisLC@ferris.edu
9 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Oct. 14-27, 2013
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Sweet & spooky fall activities Autumn is upon us. Time for apple cider and eating your weight in donuts. For many, fall time is full of haunted houses, trick-or-treating on Halloween, pumpkin carving and hayrides. No matter what your scaredy cat level is, there is something out there for everyone this fall.
Add fright to your night
For the kiddos For the youngsters or plain old sissies, head on over to Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo for some familyfriendly fun. Boo at the Z o o includes crafts, a straw maze, live animal presentations, hayrides and the Boo Tunnel haunted house. Costumes are encouraged. Boo at the Zoo runs on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 19-20 and 26-27 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Family-friendly show A step up from toddlers with lion onesies and face painting is Sleepy Hollow at the Riverwalk Theatre. Join the people of Sleepy Hollow for a night of storytelling of the headless horseman. This family show is recommended for schoolage children. Sleepy Hollow has shows on Oct. 18-20 and 25-27 at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $6 for kids and $8 for adults.
Donuts, donuts, donuts To celebrate a beautiful sunny fall day, head to Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns. This family-owned and operated cider mill is just a quick 30-minute trip from campus. Fall activities include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, train rides, inflatables, wagon rides, wine tasting and plenty of cider and donuts to go around. Uncle John’s is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free and additional activities vary in cost.
For those of you who are looking for a good old-fashioned scare, visit Shawhaven Farms in Mason, 25 minutes away from campus. Nestled on 140 acres of farmland, Shawhaven is sure to put the fright in your night. A haunted barn, wagons of fear, dead maze corn maze and non-haunted corn maze are all offered. The haunted attractions cost $10 each or $25 for all three. The family-friendly corn maze is $6. The farm is open Friday and Saturday night, and haunted events start at dusk.
use College campus haunted ho Any college kids who want a Halloween activity besides a bar crawl can visit the fifth Annual Haunted Aud on MSU campus. This event runs from Tuesday, Oct. 29 to Thursday, Oct. 31. The MSU Department of Theatre will transform the auditorium (rumored to be haunted itself) into a giant haunted house. This year’s theme is “Carnage Carnival” and is approximately a 30-minute walkthrough. Tickets are $10 each.
Compiled by Sarah Spohn; Designed by Nikki Nicolaou
IN BRIEF Arts & Entertainment
Fine-tune skills at ukele workshop Oct. 23 Marshall Music at the Frandor Shopping Center is hosting a free ukulele workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23. This free event is perfect for musicians of all lev-
els. First-time players can borrow a ukulele from the store. Intermediate and advanced level players can polish their skills. For more information, call 517-337-9700.
Balé Folclórico da Bahia dances into East Lansing The folk dance company Balé Folclórico da Bahia is coming to the Cobb Great Hall in East Lansing. This one-night event is a celebration of the cultural traditions of Brazil at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. A total of 38 dancers,
musicians and singers perform a set of folkloric dances including the samba, slave dances and Afro-Brazilian martial arts. Tickets start at $25. For more information, call (517) 432-2000 or visit www.whartoncenter. com/events
Cruise onto the Riverboat during October The Riverboat is having a college night cruise on Wednesday nights during the month of October. On Oct. 16 and 30, there will be a live DJ, drink specials and plenty of party. The Riverboat is located at 2995 W Main St. at the Grand River Park in Lansing.
General admission tickets cost $10 and $6 for those with a college ID. $20 VIP tickets include early entry to the event, a private bar and food. The Party Cab and Shaggin’ Wagon will provide cab rides from East Lansing for $3. For more information, visit www.theriverboat.com/events
— The Uknown Spohn —
Don’t feel sorry for me I’m tired of the looks, snide remarks and subtle faces I get when I tell people where I went to high school. I graduated from J.W. Sexton High School right here in Lansing. Those stereotypes, stories and lies you’ve heard about it, I’m here to put those to rest … now. I walked those halls for four years. I sat in those desks, cheered on the football team at Homecoming and forgot my locker combination on a daily basis. I never felt unsafe or uneasy in my school. I remember telling my friends where I was going to go to high school. They told me it was ghetto, wished me good luck and told me I’d hate it. If you’ve listened to the news lately, you might have seen coverage on a recent story reflecting poorly on the school. Add this to the list. Over the four years I went there and way before, there was always some pointless drama surrounding the school. I’m sick of people looking down on me once they know where I got my high school diploma from. I’m sick of people feeling sorry for me after learning where I spent four years of my life.
Going to school at Sexton was great. Just because we didn’t have flat screen TVs in the halls like Okemos or fancy lighting like Holt, it doesn’t mean we lacked. What Sexton didn’t have in terms of money, it made up for in rich, diverse history. The clock tower, the auditorium, the conservatory, the foyer, the art deco tiles in the hallway — all the small touches that display a rich tradition of excellence ever since the doors opened in 1942. My time there was spent with some of the best teachers imaginable; teachers who stayed after school without overtime pay to tutor me daily in chemistry. The teachers took a personal interest in students’ well-being, safety and nourishment.
So many negative headlines have been printed about Sexton High School, the Lansing School District and urban schools in general. I’m tired of it. I loved my real-world experiences from high school. For each day I was upset we didn’t have nice soap in the bathroom, I was grateful that I could walk into the cafeteria without having to worry about where to sit. There were no cliques. Everyone was from a different background with varying home life and interests. Diversity was evident and prevalent. People were different on the outside, but together, we grew up in the classrooms, halls and gymnasium of Sexton High School. My time spent at Sexton is priceless and something I wouldn’t trade for fancier computers, high tech LCD displays, double-ply toilet paper or fast food chains in the cafeteria. Still, there are far too many negative stereotypes, fibs and blatant lies said about Sexton, but if this column made you think twice, I’ve done my job. Now let’s spread the word. I’m proud to be a Big Red.
10 A&E
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Flashdance fails to match movie magic Sarah Spohn A&E Editor The big hair, the legwarmers, the hair band ballads, all things of the ’80s. For being a kid that was born in the ’90s, I have a strange fascination with most things that originated a decade before I was even around. So when Flashdance came to the Wharton Center at MSU, it seemed like a safe bet. The curtains opened, revealing sparks of welding at the steel mill, blue work jumpsuits and hard hats. Oddly enough, this seemed to be the only sparks I saw on stage for the remainder of the show.
It’s always difficult when you have a movie and bring it to life on stage. Duplicating it is risky. The actors nailed the iconic water scene, but not much else. The dancing was good, but not spectacular. Considering dance is in the title, I find it strange that I’ve seen many plays at the Wharton with much better dancers. The young actress who played Alex seemed upbeat but didn’t display any fire behind her performance. The liveliness was gone and her dancing seemed very rehearsed. And although she might have nailed every step, sequence and spin, it seemed extremely mechanical. The costumes were pale in comparison to the neon
Courtesy photo
The Flashdance cast performs at the Wharton Center at Michigan State University.
colors, tutus, legwarmers and pink lipstick I was expecting. The musical promised a great soundtrack of ’80s mega hits, but ultimately let me down in that aspect, too.
King Crossword
One memorable scene did feature Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” and, of course, the iconic “What A Feeling.” But the newly written original songs didn’t mesh well with the
others. The lyrics and storyline were hard to follow because the orchestra pit overshadowed and drowned out the actor’s voices.
The musical Rock of Ages was far better in my opinion. It had stronger singers, spot-on choreographed numbers and outfits that were hilariously realistic. Bottom line: If you’re in the mood for a great ’80s flashback, pop in the Flashdance VHS tape. If you want a live theater version, find an upcoming show of Rock of Ages; I can’t vouch for the movie version, though. I saw a trailer with Tom Cruise and couldn’t bring myself to watch it. The stage version, however, is scores better with a great soundtrack, live singers who belt it out loud and proud and plenty of crimped hair, neon legwarmers and guyliner.
New show ‘Marvel’ous Jeremy Kohn Staff Writer With the success of last summer’s blockbuster movie The Avengers, Marvel Entertainment soon announced a spinoff series featuring the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, to air on ABC. Fans became even more elated when writer and director Joss Whedon was named as one of the show’s forerunners. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. made its illustrious debut to television on Sept. 24. The show begins with an introduction of how S.H.I.E.L.D has done its best for the past 10 years to keep the secret of superheroes and villains under wraps, but now the truth of their existence has come about. S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention and Logistics Division, and
they exist to eliminate possible catastrophes or to clean up unwanted messes that occur in the Marvel Universe. Jumping to the next scene, we are introduced to Agent Ward, played by actor Bret Dalton. Ward enters a briefing room with Agent Hill, who was an agent who appeared in The Avengers. Ward and Hill discussed how the world has changed since the events they refer to as the “Battle of New York.” During the briefing, they learn of a hacking collective known as the “Rising Tide” which has been stealing data on artifacts S.H.I.E.L.D. has been searching for. It is during this scene we come to find out that Agent Phil Coulson, played by actor Clark Gregg, did not die at the Battle of New York but is, in fact, alive and well. The S.H.I.E.L.D. team soon discovers an unidentified man with superhuman-like
powers saving a woman from a burning building. While pursuing this unknown target, they find themselves crossing paths with a member of the “Rising Tide,” a woman named Sky, played by Chloe Bennet. The pilot was a good blend of action and did a good job of setting the groundwork for character development. The acting by Sky and Coulson were the two high-points of the pilot. Whedon’s trademark wit is written all over this show. I can especially see it in the techie agents Fitz and Simmons, played by Ian DeCaestecker and Elizabeth Henstridge. I think this show will do well with fans of the Marvel Universe and the casual viewer alike, because if Whedon has proven anything, it is his knack of creating shows that touch a spark with an audience.
were being treated violently while they were having a peaceful protest. Based on a true story, this eye-opening tale focuses on Cecil, a black man working as a slave owner’s house butler, who later makes his way to working in the White House. Screenwriter Danny Strong took his inspiration from journalist Wil Haygood’s 2008 Washington Post article about Eugene Allen. Cecil, played by Forest Whitaker, went through life being oppressed by white people.
He slowly changed that by working in the White House. During his White House tenure, he works under several presidents, many played by well-known actors. Cecil starts with Dwight Eisenhower (Robin Williams, then moves to John F. Kennedy (James Marsden), Lyndon Johnson (Liev Schreiber), Richard Nixon (John Cusack), Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and finally Ronald Reagan (Alan Rickman). I would recommend watching The Butler.
The Butler serves well Solutions to puzzle at lcc.edu/lookout
This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:
NCG Eastwood Cinemas 2500 Showtime Dr. Lansing, MI 48912
Showtimes and info available at: www.NCGmovies.com or (517) 316-9100
Lurah Peterson Advertising Manager When walking into the theater to see Lee Daniel’s The Butler, I knew about the Civil Rights Movement. Walking out, I had a whole new perspective on what happened in our country’s history. Throughout the movie, it was an emotional rollercoaster seeing what people went through from 1930 to 1970. Black people
11 FEATURES
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC Radio WLNZ rocks the airwaves Jeremy Kohn Staff Writer Buried deep in the depths of the TLC building, a place resides where LCC students can come together to share their mutual respect for music. It is here where LCC’s hard-working radio jockeys work their magic to bring LCC Radio WLNZ 89.7 across the airwaves. WLNZ has been on the air since the early 1970s, according to broadcast manager Daedalion Lowry. The station started out primarily as an educational tool, and it wasn’t until Feb. 11, 1994, that WLNZ signed on to become a legitimate radio station. “WLNZ’s core focus is the adult alternative album genre of music,” Lowry said. “We play artists like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, but we also go back a little further to the originators, artists like Paul Simon, Neil Young and Bob Dylan and mix it all together.” The radio station also devotes airtime to other genres of music including big band, blues, and jazz, as well as Americana/roots music. Karen Hopper, a student em-
ployee, is responsible for handling WLNZ social media duties. “I missed radio from when I was in college, so I decided to apply (to WLNZ) and I was hired,” Hopper said. Besides music, WLNZ also keeps its students up to date on what’s happening with Associated Press news presented every hour and a Lansing news show the station airs every Monday. WLNZ is funded primarily by LCC. However, the station also raises money through pledge drives and concerts featuring local Lansing acts. The next concert fundraiser is on Friday, Nov. 1, as part of a partnership with Tent on a Fiddle. There will be four acoustic acts performing at The Avenue Café on Michigan Avenue in Lansing: Crane Wives, Spring Tales, Who Hit Jon and the Tiamani Project Band. Local Fusion, a radio program that airs on WLNZ, helps expose listeners to the crop of musical talent that the Lansing music scene has to offer. Every Friday, WLNZ hosts a concert at Sir Pizza in Lansing Old Town, where they showcase the latest signed and unsigned talent fea-
Photo by Suzanna Powers
LCC Broadcast Manager Daedalion Lowry works on-air at WLNZ’s radio station by getting the music ready for students and community members to listen to Oct. 8.
tured in the Lansing area. Lowry said he is interested in partnering with LCC’s newspaper The Lookout on future projects. He described how a combined effort would benefit both parties involved. “I would like to create a show involving The Lookout that would …
gain The Lookout some radio exposure, and also as a forum for those involved in The Lookout where they can do some sort of news radio show,” Lowry said. These are just some of the ideas Lowry and his crew have In their heads to keep WLNZ an ever-evolving media outlet.
Improve skills with Sign Language Club Amber Glomb Freelancer The term “wing it” no longer has any place among the board members of LCC’s Sign Language Club. Along with the new school year, came new ideas, policies, positions and board members. New to the Sign Language Club board are two deaf members as well as chairperson positions. Sarah Beth Cohen, the secretary and mentorship coordinator, explained these new fea-
tures. “Basically, what’s happening is the officers (last year’s board members) are mentoring the chairs,” Cohen said. “We are here to help guide them so once we are gone, they are good to go. They won’t have as many issues.” At times, Cohen said, both the lack of experience and guidance yielded problems. For example, if games were being played, someone would forget to bring a main component. This hindered the club’s activities. “We didn’t have training,” Co-
hen said. “We were put into the spots and then you kind of wing it and just went from there.” Interpreter in Training (ITP) student Victoria Ellis is now the merchandising chairperson and she said feels like she is able to give something back to the aspiring sign language students. “It’s already nice to be able to have that extra responsibility knowing that what we are doing is helping the first year students get acclimated to the program,” Ellis said. “I know how it feels being a first year student; being ner-
vous or afraid to do things and not knowing what’s going on. It’s nice to be on the other side of that and help out by creating events for first year students and Interpreter in Training students.” One of the club members’ goals this year is to involve more members from the deaf community and students who are new to the sign language program. “This year, they (the board members) are trying to change things to make it more fluid for everybody and less intimidating,” Cohen said.
“They are trying to get more first year students involved and … actually going to events.” This year is Ellis’ first year on the board, but she has a vision for the future of the Sign Language Club. “(I envision) giving everyone a place to go where it’s a safe environment, where they can practice their skills, meet people and not feel like there is any pressure; just a safe place to come and sign,” Ellis said. For more information about LCC’s Sign Language Club, visit www.lccsignlanguageclub.com
Part-time student shows full-time success in Old Town Sarah Spohn A&E Editor
Photo by Suzanna Powers
LCC student Young Shill-Roberts shows off her art display at Old Town’s Absolute Gallery Oct. 8.
Young Shill-Roberts describes herself as a parttime student who has been studying fine arts at LCC for the last 10 years. Shill-Roberts, 59, said getting a degree is not an immediate goal. “I’m not really in a hurry to get it over with because I still need to get more, get my skills polished,” Shill-Roberts said. Her first-ever gallery exhibit brought the highest grossing sales of any opening at Old Town’s Absolute Gallery. “The gallery owner told me that my show was the best show that
she ever had over at the gallery,” Shill-Roberts said. “And so it was very successful and I’m very happy with that.” The 47-piece collection was on display at Absolute Gallery from Sept. 8 to 30, and Shill-Roberts was featured as the artist of the month. The old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect,” and this artist is the perfect example of that. Since Shill-Roberts has been a student at LCC she is no stranger to the fine arts curriculum. Often taking the same art classes twice, ShillRoberts continues to finetune her craft, experimenting with different mediums.
“I just don’t do one kind, so I had watercolor mainly, and then I had oil painting and some prints and then I do portraits, landscape, still life,” Shill-Roberts said. “I try to do as many different types of a subject.” Her works include watercolor, etchings and oils, as well as abstracts. LCC Professor Jim Ferguson, who is currently mentoring Shill-Roberts, described what makes her so successful. “She seeks deeper understanding of theoretical and conceptual issues in art and has learned how to direct her own investigations in art, while at the same time benefit-
ing from criticism and interaction with other artists,” Ferguson said. What sets her apart, Ferguson said, is the time she spends learning the business side of art, something many students do not expose themselves to. And if her first gallery exhibit sales are any indication of what is to come with this emerging artist, business is booming. A few of Shill-Roberts’ original exhibit pieces can still be seen on display at Absolute Gallery, located at 307 E. Grand River. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and on the weekends from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
12 DISTRACTIONS
Oct. 14-27, 2013
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Too spoopy
by Maranda Zimmerman
Who wants soup?
by Vincent Mata
Martoons
by Maranda Zimmerman
Sudoku
Word Search
13 OPINION
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Staff Editoral —
Politicians fail Americans with shutdown As this editorial is being written, we are in the second week of the federal government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of furloughed workers are sitting at home unable to return to work, all while our politicians are being paid. The shutdown occurred because the Senate and Congress couldn’t agree on a budget to fund all portions of the government. Republicans and Democrats split along partisan lines, particularly over the funding of Obamacare, eventually resulting in the situation we are in Michigan_Layout 1 9/12/2013 1:34 PM Page 1
now. Even if you aren’t a federal worker, this shutdown threatens us all in some way. Many federal agencies are closed. These include parts of law enforcement, financial regulators, some veterans’ services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, passports and unemployment benefits funded through the federal government. Even if the shutdown ends before you read this editorial, it is a chilling reminder that politicians are willing to set aside the good of the country if their terms aren’t met ex-
actly. In today’s state of politics, Republicans and Democrats refuse to negotiate over even the simplest manner. They default to a mindset of “It’s either my way or the highway,” all too eager to sacrifice the common good of the people they were elected to serve. Ideological agendas and how they fare in the polls are of more concern to them. Instead of finding a solution, our Congressmen and Senators continue to bicker and behave like spoiled children. It feels like our hands are tied as
we are constantly faced with the threat of looming government shutdowns or debt ceiling showdowns. For this reason, we feel a lot of people become apathetic to politics and just don’t care anymore. They don’t vote or they don’t educate themselves prior to voting. If this shutdown has done anything for our country, we hope it’s a wakeup call to Americans. Stop re-electing the same scheming politicians who put us on this path. Educate yourself before you vote and try to put some reformers in their place.
— I am invincible! —
Pope champions reform, humility
Michigan
Newspaper readers line the Michigan lakeshore – all 3,288 miles of it. Not really, but they could! The state of Michigan has more freshwater shoreline than any place in the world – 17.4 million feet of it. And that’s exactly the space required to fit, arm in arm, the 5.3 million adults reading Michigan newspapers in an average week. If you’re a newspaper reader you might want to pick your spot now, if you’re an advertiser you might want to cast your line with newspapers.
Over the past few months, I’ve been paying attention to Pope Francis since he was inaugurated as the head of the Catholic Church. Some of the things he has said in candid interviews have raised my eyebrows in shock. He strikes me as a very humble and sensible man, not someone who would use the power of the pulpit to exert his world views on the masses. What really got my attention was when he said the Catholic Church is obsessed with gay marriage and abortion. Pope Francis gives me hope that the Catholic Church can begin to send a more moderate message that would draw more people to God instead of turning them away. I can attest that I left the Catholic Church because it felt like it was becoming more of a political body obsessed with gay marriage, birth control, abortion and supervising
sex — instead of preaching love, forgiveness and acceptance. I still consider myself a Christian, but not a Catholic. Much to my relief, even Pope Francis noted this obsession within the Church, and he said clergy must find a balance between their spiritual and political missions. However, he said the Church’s positions on gay marriage and abortion are clear and will not change. I was disappointed to hear him say that women still should not be ordained, but he added this shouldn’t be
construed as women being viewed as inferior in the eyes of the Church. I understand not everyone will agree with me on issues of reform within the Catholic Church. I don’t expect you to agree with me. It doesn’t matter if you agree with me; I’m not going to engage in any petty squabbles over gay marriage, birth control or abortion. I’m simply stating that Pope Francis is a breath of fresh air in a world so often dominated by overbearing demagogues. He seems more willing to accept and love everyone instead of casting aspersions and judgment. I commend him for trying to shift the Church’s focus to helping the poor and less fortunate instead of political schemes. Given the state of affairs in our world, we could use more positive people like him.
Classified Advertising
Your logo thelookout here Sources: Scarborough Custom Research, 2013 (integrated newspaper audience includes readers of newspapers across print and digital platforms)
APARTMENT FOR RENT 225 Spinnaker Drive, Lansing. Four miles from downtown LCC campus. Two bedrooms, $790 per month. Price includes air conditioning, dishwasher, parking and water. Smoking and pets allowed. Washer and dryer hookups. Contact Lisa at 517-323-4663.
COOL CAR FOR SALE 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis. Maroon. Less than 85,000 actual miles. Luxury car driven for past decade by a little old lady. Runs but needs muffler and some engine work. $1,800 or best offer. Call 517-5250706.
THE UNDYING GOD This is the first published book from Nathan Wilson, associate editor of The Lookout. It is a fantasy novel about the dangers of radical ideology. Preview book at nrwilson. com or call 517-896-9504 to purchase a copy at $8.
thelookout
What is your guilty pleasure?
Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
Nathan Wilson
Richard Schenck
Lurah Peterson
Larry Hook
Editor in Chief wilso162@mail.lcc. “Listening to Cradle of Filth.”
Sports Editor Photo Editor A & E Editor Associate Editor Staff Writer Paginator Advertising Manager schen1@mail.lcc.edu spohns1@mail.lcc.edu bozackj@mail.lcc.edu kohnj2@mail.lcc.edu nicolaon@mail.lcc.edu powerss5@mail.lcc.edu petersl8@mail.lcc.edu
Adviser hookl@lcc.edu
Sarah Spohn
Jaimie Bozack
Jeremy Kohn
Nikki Nicolaou
“MTV’s Friendzone “Pretzel M&Ms for break- “Playing Dungeons “Eating tuna fish “I’m a sucker for a show.” fast, lunch & dinner.” and Dragons.” sandwiches.” good Disney movie.”
Suzanna Powers
“Taco Bell.”
“Listening to Taylor Swift.”
“The Bee Gees.”
14 OPINION
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout — For What It’s Worth—
Trip downtown stirs childhood memories “The lights are much brighter there. We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares.” — Lyrics from the 1964 hit song “Downtown” by Petula Clark I’ve always loved Downtown Lansing, and a recent trip there to help sell ads for The Lookout stirred up some wonderful memories of the historic district. I grew up in North Lansing (now known as Old Town). When I was a small boy, my Mother used to take me to Downtown Lansing to check out all the bright lights and bustling stores. My Mom had worked at Kresge’s, a dime store in the district, prior to my birth in 1961. Therefore, she still had a lot of friends down there who she liked to visit. Downtown was a wonderful destination in the 1960s. Kresge’s had an old-fashioned
soda fountain where I could get a chocolate ice cream soda for less than 50 cents. Downtown had the huge Michigan Theater, where I remember seeing classic Disney movies such as Mary Poppins and The Love Bug as a child. And downtown had the Peanut Shop, complete with freshly roasted peanuts and a candy counter that would make any child’s eyes as big as saucers. Each year around Christmas time, my Mother would take me to the glitzy Knapp’s Department Store, where I would get my
picture taken with Santa Claus in the toy department. Downtown Lansing will always hold special memories for me. And with the passing of Mother this past summer at the age of 81, Downtown Lansing takes on an even deeper meaning for me. I will never forget those childhood day trips with Mom, when life was breezy and there didn’t seem to be a care in the world. As recently as two years ago, my Mother and I enjoyed lunch together at Jalepeno’s in Downtown Lansing. During that outing, we looked out the window at the old Knapp’s building and recalled those holiday visits with Santa Claus. After lunch we went down the street and visited the Peanut Shop at 117 S. Washington Square – yes, the same Peanut Shop we used
to go to when I was a little boy. That place has been in business since 1937! Mom got maple nut goodies, just like she did 45 years ago. Meanwhile my eyes got wide as I pored over the huge selection of treats and nuts in the old-fashioned candy counter. Our visit there made me feel like a kid again. It was another downtown memory with my Mother that will be forever etched in my mind. Downtown Lansing has been a big part of my life, and I am thrilled to see it is thriving again today after a generation of deterioration and abandonment. It’s great to be able to go downtown and relive some childhood memories. Although most of the storefronts have changed, the recollections remain intact.
Photo by Larry Hook
The Peanut Shop in downtown Lansing has been in business since 1937 and offers plenty of yummy treats.
Go downtown and make some memories of your own. It’s just three blocks south of LCC. It’s lots of fun and there’s plenty of good food.
“So maybe I’ll see you there. We can forget all our trouble, forget all our cares.” — More lyrics from “Downtown” by Petula Clark
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Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC students & staff:
Check out the many food and shopping options Downtown Lansing has to offer!
We deliver to downtown Lansing. Catering, takeout, eat-in
(Formerly Decker’s Coffee)
Free drink with purchase of sandwich
118 Washington Square S. Lansing, MI (517) 482-8049
15% off discount with student I.D. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7am - 6pm, Sat. 7am - 5pm, Closed Sun.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 am- 8 pm Sat. & Sun. 8 am - 8 pm
Free WIFI with purchase
Free drink with any combo Email: aladdinexpress@gmail.com Facebook: Aladdin’s Express 208 Washington Square S 300 N Clippert St Lansing, MI Lansing Charter Township, MI Phone: (517) 346-8700 Frandor Shopping Center Fax: (517) 346-8706 Phone: (517) 333-8710
209 S. Washington Sq. • Lansing Ph (517 ) 371-5205 • Fx (517 ) 371-5890 www.instydowntown.com sales@instydowntown.com
Printing ■ Copying ■ Fax Lamination ■ Posters, Greeting Cards ■ Small Gifts
Take a short walk off campus and enjoy the many options!
16 LAST LOOK
Oct. 14-27, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Agnes of God opens in Black Box Theatre Sarah Spohn A & E Editor
Mother Miriam Ruth, played by Oralya Garza, delivers a monologue during Agnes of God in the Black Box Theatre Oct. 5
Despite a fairly dark subject, Agnes of God shed light on important questions for audience members in the LCC Black Box Theatre Oct. 4-5 and 11-12. Agnes of God tells the story of a young lady accused of killing her newborn baby. Mother Superior stands between Agnes and Dr. Livingstone, the court psychiatrist. While the LCC Performing Arts production is a drama, dialogue from the characters included witty banter, a few laughs and plenty of pondering. The play features adult themes and its actors gave a suggested audience age of 13 and up. The play originated in the ’80s, but it still holds relevance decades later in today’s world. Director Paige Dunckel said the play has a timely message and is a great pick, even
Agnes, played by Devaughn Staley, speaks with court pyschiartist Dr. Martha Livingstone (Kelley McNabb).
Actress Kelley McNabb lets her hair down after performing in Agnes of God.
The court-appointed psychiatrist (Kelley McNabb), speaks with Agnes about the mysterious death of her child.
with a tiny cast. An intimate cast of three ladies, paired with the small Black Box Theatre, made for a personal connection between actors and the audience. According to Dunckel,
the play was written in a way as to leave its viewers guessing. Unanswered questions make the audience form their own truths, opinions and narrate their own storylines based on their religion and realities.
Photos by Suzanna Powers