Blues
Photo club focuses on
captivate
skills
PAGE 4 Oct. 1-14, 2012 Volume 54, Issue 3 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Spikers get
Old Town
served
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thelookout Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
Board votes to close pool
LCC to use aquatic facilities at south Lansing community center Shauna Stocken Assoicate Editor The LCC Board of Trustees officially sealed the fate of the Gannon swimming
pool Sept. 17. After months of deliberation the board voted 6-1 to close the LCC swimming pool, located in the GB room 351.
Photo by Jenna Miller
Community members enjoy the LCC pool Sept. 27.
The closure of the Gannon Building pool is part of LCC’s campus wide renovations. Renovations for the twostory aquatic facility will begin in early 2013, according to an LCC press release. Changes will include a student commons area and a new food court at the current site of the pool. The future food court will replace the former Kennedy Café, previously located in the Arts and Sciences Building. “There are serious issues there and we’ve weighed them,” said LCC President Brent Knight at a special board meeting July 30. “My conscience is troubled about the closing of the pool. I wish it wasn’t 35 years old, but it is and it’s at the end of its life whether we like it or not.” LCC Board of Trustees member Deborah Canja voted against the motion to close the pool. “We happen to have very good maintenance See Pool, page 2
Photo courtesy of Marc Thomas
LCC student Robert Bennett works with students from the Seiran Elementary School in 2012 as part of the LCC Japan Education Internship.
Study abroad in Japan
Nathan Wilson Editor in Chief
Students interested in spending a semester in Japan should mark their calendars for Friday, Nov. 30. This critical date is the deadline for both LCC’s Japanese Immersion program and the Japan education internship. LCC Professor Marc Thomas coordinates global education opportunities for students on campus. “The main goal of our community college study abroad programs is to provide LCC students with cost-effective, life-changing, global experiences,” Thomas said. “Our Japan
programs are among the most cost-effective, global education opportunities that you’ll find at any college in the country.” LCC’s Japan Immersion program is a business internship offered to 10 students each year to intern at the Biwako-Kisen Company (BKC). Students will work on a tourist, Mississippi-style boat where Japanese tourists can experience American culture, food, music and language. According to Thomas, students will have the opportunity to start this internship in April, May or in August during 2013. The students will spend nearly three months in Japan.
“The Japan Immersion has a much broader application because you can be a business major or you can be a communication major,” Thomas said. “Studying and living abroad is a skill that can be helpful for almost any career opportunity.” The education internship allows two LCC students to work in a Japanese elementary school, teaching English to mostly fourth and fifth graders. “Both the business internship and the education internship have the potential to be amazing experiences for students who want to go into one of these See Japan, page 2
2 NEWS Pool
Oct. 1-14 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Pool funds will stay afloat
Continued from page 1
and very good upkeep,” Canja said. “I would like to see our lease agreement show some kind of commitment or guarantee that the pool would be maintained at a level which our programs have come to expect and which makes our pool so attractive.” Canja’s vote against closing the pool came after her suggestion to modify the new lease agreement was denied. Canja asked the board to consider adding an amendment to the lease agreement that would ensure equal cleanliness and maintenance at the Alfreda Schmidt-Southside Community Center. (ASSCC). To replace the pool, LCC signed a lease agreement with the ASSCC at 5815 Wise Road in Lansing. The structural damage and gradual wear of the pool’s facility would cost an estimated $3.5 million in repairs, board members said. The board outweighed the cost of renovating the current pool and said renovating the pool into another medium would best suit LCC. According to Hatt any
According to Jennifer Hatt, the lead support staff for the GB pool, current LCC faculty members will transfer to the ASSC to teach aquatic courses in the future. Hatt said the Physical Fitness and Wellness Department officials are uncertain as to whether there will be availability for LCC lifeguards after the move. “We are still in the planning stages; this happened very quickly and we don’t have a lot of details yet,” Hatt said. “We are still working with the ASSCC and the city of Lansing to get those details worked out. The only thing we know for sure is that it will be LCC faculty teaching those classes.” The partnership with the ASSCC will allow students, staff, faculty and community members to continue to swim at the new LCC off-campus location year-round.
money previously collected from swim programs, activities and donations has been set aside to be used at ASSCC. “We (PFWD) have been discussing with the LCC Foundation Office about how the money will still be used at the ASSC for our classes,” Hatt said. “That money just doesn’t go away. Unfortunately that money is not going to be used toward renovating the LCC pool, as it won’t exist any longer.” Dan McKean executive director of the LCC Foundation, assists the college with scholarship development and fundraising. “We have a letter of agreement signed back in
2007, with the pool,” McKean said. “The document guides that any expenditures of the pool funds and it also guides what would happen if the pool was no longer in existence.” According to McKean, the signed document doesn’t specifically state protocol. “It does not say that we are going to give the funds to the ASSCC pool because we could have never imagined this happening in 2007,” McKean said. “It basically says that the foundation sits down with members from the Physical Fitness and Wellness Department and we would determine an appropriate tax exemption manner in which to use the funds.”
AD search nears conclusion Lansing Community College could have a new athletic director in place within the next week or so, according to LCC Student Life Director Al Nowak, a member of the AD Search Committee. Nowak said a candidate has been chosen and is expected to be hired this week, pending human resources’ employment approval. The chosen candidate was one of six people interviewed for the job, and one of about 40 fi-
nalists who applied, Nowak said. “I’m glad the process has moved quickly,” Nowak said. “I believe we have selected a strong candidate who has the passion and experience necessary for student and athletic success.” Nowak said the candidate is from Michigan and has previous experience in college athletics. LCC has been without an athletic director since late July, when Scott Latham resigned from the position to take a job
as a high school athletic director out of state. Nowak and Cross Country Coach Chuck Block have been fulfilling the duties of the athletic director in the interim. The new AD is expected to earn a salary of between $66,835 and $69, 174 per year, according to the official LCC job posting. Read the Oct. 17 issue of The Lookout for further developments on the LCC AD situation.
who was selected for the 2012 Japanese Immersion program, said the highlight of the trip was interacting with the Japanese people. “They are very hardworking and they’re very nice,” Ntow said. “They made me feel very welcome too and accepted.” Ntow said she especially enjoyed working on the BKC tourism boat and meeting multitudes of people from across the globe.
“(The Japanese people) have a fireworks season,” Ntow said. “How awesome is that? You get to see all the awesome things that they have and how everyone comes together as a community for the festival.” To apply for these study abroad opportunities, check out http://www.lcc.edu/aa/ studyabroad/ or contact Thomas at thomasm6@ lcc.edu.
Japan Continued from page 1
fields,” Thomas said. According to Thomas, the total cost for both programs is approximately $4,000. However, students fortunate enough to be selected for these study abroad opportunities automatically receive a $2,000 scholarship to cover half the cost of travel and living expenses. LCC student Ama Ntow,
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3 NEWS
Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Attend Ferris near LCC Nathan Wilson Editor in Chief
Curious students gathered at the Ferris State University Fall Tent event at LCC’s Washington Square Sept. 20. Perhaps the highlight of the event was the opportunity for students to win a $500 Ferris scholarship. Ferris employees handed out free Tshirts to students who stopped by to learn more about their transfer options for Ferris. “Each year we bring in the marketing staff from Grand Rapids and they put together a nice little event to give away T-shirts and making known that we’re here in Lansing,” said Outreach Coordinator Justin Faris of Ferris. “We have programs locally for students who don’t have to leave Lansing at all; a lot of three-plusone programs where they’re taking a majority of their school credit hours here at LCC
IN BRIEF Arts & Entertainment
LCC offers College Nights ‘12 off campus Plan your college career with LCC on College Nights ’12, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 2 and 3. Both College Nights will be hosted at LCC off -ampus locations. Join LCC at West Campus or East Campus on Oct. 2 between 6:30 and 8 p.m. both nights to meet with representatives from over 50 colleges and universities. Anyone who is interested in College Night ’12 is welcome to join. For more information on participating schools that will be present at College Nights ’12, visit lcc.edu/collegenights.com or call (517) 483-1957. Photo by Nathan Wilson
LCC students flock to the Ferris State Universtiy Fall Tent event for a chance to apply for a $500 scholarship Sept. 20.
and we make it easy to transfer over to Ferris State in the University Center.” A number of programs offered through Ferris at the University Center include criminal justice, business administration, information security and intelligence and elementary education. Ferris also offers several online programs such as business, allied health and registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing.
“We can schedule appointments for advisers for (students) and we’re also promoting our open house that’s going to happen here in October. And, hopefully, we’ll have the (scholarship) winner drawn by then,” Faris said. The open house is tentatively set for Wednesday, Oct. 24 in the Gannon Building with opportunities to speak with advisers and pick up some free give-aways.
LCC student Nathan Demerlie said he plans on completing his final semester at LCC and transferring to the University Center for Ferris’s construction management program. “I went over (to the University Center) and toured their construction building and the program and I was just really impressed,” Demerlie said. “It seemed really personalized. It was a good fit compared to the other places I visited.”
Attend transfer tour and CMU football LCC Start Here-Get There at Central Michigan University (CMU) will include a campus tour and football game. The CMU tour welcomes all LCC students who are interested in gaining more information about transferring. Students attending the tour will meet in the Gannon Building first floor lobby near Circle Drive at 10:15 a.m. Interested LCC students can register for the tour in the Student Life Office in GB 218. A $5 deposit is due when registering in order to hold a spot on the bus. The first LCC bus will depart from CMU at 5 p.m. All other attendees who stay at CMU will leave after the football game at 10:30 p.m. Join admissions in a tailgate and attend a CMU football game against the Navy (Military Academy) team.
Join the GVSU Lakers on main campus — ‘I am invincible’ —
Killing in the name of God The human mind is an amazing thing. It’s fascinating how so many people form an opinion about a race, nationality or religious group based on the actions of a few. This has been demonstrated to disastrous effect in the Middle East over the past few weeks. A so-called demonstration on the anniversary of 9/11 left US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead at the US consulate in Libya. The protest-turnedslaughter was supposedly sparked by the antiIslamic film Innocence of Muslims. Aside from the fact that many of the “protestors” claim to have never even seen the film, it is revolting how so many Muslims think this film represents the views of every American citizen. Ironically, the televised footage of Muslims rioting and burning flags during these protests so conveniently timed on 9/11 has the same effect on Americans. We begin to associate a small
percentage of extremists with Islam, feeding this ongoing hostility between the West and the Muslim world. We don’t condemn all Muslims for the actions of those who killed four innocent Americans, so why do so many Muslims think the creators of this controversial film speak for an entire nation? I’ve seen portions of Innocence and Muslims and I can openly say it is disgusting and vile. However, I doubt that would stop a rioting crowd in Libya or Lebanon from tearing me apart simply because of where I was born. I firmly believe these attacks were not a spontaneous reaction to a film that was released
months ago. This film was little more than a convenient excuse for radicals to shed more innocent blood on 9/11. The fact that these violent outbursts have spread to dozens of countries is nothing short of sickening. Unfortunately, the mainstream media will only fan the flames by regurgitating images of Pastor Terry Jones burning the Koran or Muslims burning American flags. Sadly, we live a society that gorges on controversy, so the chances of seeing moderate Muslims, Christians, Republicans, Democrats, etc. on television is like waiting for a moderate winter in Michigan. After all, radicals are so apt at pulling in the ratings. This media practice will only serve to drive a wedge between our civilizations until the next blistering wave of violence. Those who have exploited Innocence of Muslims to spread chaos and pain have not brought honor to the prophet Muhammad or the reli-
gion of Islam. Instead, they represent the small percentage of Muslims depicted 24/7 by the mainstream media, intensifying the clash between the West and the Middle East for generations to come.
Join LCC when students visit Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Oct. 19 as part of the college’s Start Here-Get There program. The tour will take place at GVSU main campus in Allendale, located in Grand Rapids. Students attending the transfer will meet in the Gannon Building first floor lobby. Interested LCC students can register for the tour in the Student Life Office in GB 218. A $5 deposit is due when registering in order to hold a spot on the bus. For a complete agenda of the scheduled GVSU tour events, pick up a flier in the Student Life Office.
4 NEWS
Oct. 1-14 , 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC alumnus drawn to music scene Nathan Wilson Editor in Chief Zulfiqar Bakhtiari is a proud LCC alumnus in addition to being an aspiring attorney and musician. While his academic path would ultimately lead him to Michigan State University, his college education began with political science courses at LCC. He said he virtually spent the entire day on campus from early mornings to evenings. Bakhtiari especially took advantage of LCC’s library, checking out movies and diving into any kind of reading material he could find. “I spent time wisely at LCC because I loved the library,” Bakhtiari said. “That was my favorite place … I read
books on everything from poetry, foreign policy, philosophy, politics, every subject I could get my hands on.” Some of the material he learned from the library and LCC political science courses shaped the lyrics of his thriving career as a hip-hop musician. However, Bakhtiari said he considers himself more of a human rights poet than a rapper. “It wasn’t until 2001 I officially started writing my own lyrics,” Bakhtiari said. “I recorded my first track that I ever made called ‘Silence Killz,’ which was a pro-Palestinian song based on the Israeli besiegement of Gaza in 2007 to 2008.” While the track took three hours to edit,
Photo courtesy of Zulfiqar Bakhtiari
Zulfiqar Bakhtiari hangs out in West Side, Chicago.
Bakhtiari said it was worth the effort and it sounded amazing in
the end. Bakhtiari said he eventually heard of a
rapper and producer named Cracka Lack who owned a recording studio in Lansing. With approximately 14 tracks already recorded at Cracka Lack’s studio, Bakhtiari has more work ahead of him before he releases a mix tape. He said he drew inspiration from an underground hardcore sound and hip-hop artists such as Immortal Technique, Tupac Shakur, Azad, Kool Savas and Mc Solaar. Besides expressing himself in music, Bakhtiari is passionate about law. After graduating from MSU in 2010, he became a certified paralegal in Uptown Chicago. “My major goal is to become an attorney,” Bakhtiari said. “I guess you could say it runs in the family; my cousins are attorneys … and my
grandfather was a barrister.” Dr. Malcolm Magee, Ph. D., who teaches international relations history at MSU, described Zulfi as a passionate student. “He is one of the rare ones who has both conviction and yet is able to learn,” Magee said. “Zulfi is a complicated thinker, not one who settles quickly into a status quo but one who allows the complications of life to inform his scholarship. He is also a very talented artist who has created some interesting music.” Currently, Bakhtiari said he is contemplating returning to LCC to earn an IT certificate. Bakhtiari’s music can be found at his YouTube account at http://www. youtube.com/user/zufi86
Getting a snapshot of LCC Photography Club Sarah Spohn Staff Writer Looking for a place to hang out, pass time in between classes, eat free pizza, make new friends and practice photography? Then LCC’s Photo Club is the place to be. “We’ve only had two meetings so far this semester, and I think we are close to 20 members, but I could see us getting closer to 50 over the next couple months,” said Photo Club President Malcolm Forbes. He discussed his love for the art and his interest in the expanding
Photo Club. “We are really trying to make a connection with the new photography students in Photo 111 and the students in the photography for non-majors, Photo 101, to create networking with first and secondyear students,” Forbes added. Apart from the biweekly meetings where members can discuss their favorite photographs, show recent work and discuss upcoming exhibits, members are invited to join field trips and plan photo shoots on campus. “My favorite activ-
ity so far has been the fundraiser holiday photo shoots,” Forbes said. “You get to meet and talk to lots of LCC students and faculty and explain to them what the Photo Club is doing.” These photo shoots help raise money for field-trip excursions, pay for pizza at club meetings and fund the graduating photography students’ gallery in Old Town. Past trips have included the Frederick Meijer gardens, the Detroit Institute of Art and New York. Shawn Roach, a second-year photography student and new club
member, said he is enjoying the club. “I met some people in the program and want to build a bit of contact base in Lansing,” Roach said. Interested students are invited to join members every other Wednesday in the Cesar Chavez Center GB 262 from 5 to 6 p.m. “Students of all majors are welcome to join,” Forbes said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in the same career field or looking for networking … Anyone who shares a passion and appreciation for the art is welcome to join Photo Club.”
Photo by Jenna Miller
Photo Club President Malcolm Forbes demonstrates how to set up and use a strobe kit to members Sept 19.
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5 SPORTS LCC runners shine in prestigious meets
Oct. 1-14 ,2012
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Moon leads men in E. Lansing, Ohio; Magness sets pace for women’s squad Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor Runners on LCC’s cross country teams posted impressive times in one meet in their own backyard and another 208 miles away. The teams had an impressive outing at the annual Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing Sept. 14. For LCC Coach Chuck Block, it was an opportunity to see how his runners stacked up against Division I competition. “We have schools from all over the Midwest coming to this one,” Block said. “It’s a great chance to put our best guys and girls out there with some of the best runners in the state.” Leading the men’s side for LCC was sophomore Nick Moon, who placed 93rd out of 305 runners. Moon posted a time of 26:27. The top finisher in the
race was Terefe Ejgui of Eastern Michigan University, who finished in 24:48. The LCC women had an impressive outing. Jaclyn Magness, who led the women to an easy victory in Jackson last meet, posted the best female Star time, finishing the race in 23:56. The top finisher overall in the women’s race was Audry Huth of Northwestern University, who finished in 21:16. Another notable performance on the LCC women’s team came from Jessica D’Heana, who finished 167th with a time of 24:34. The Stars then traveled to Elyria, Ohio to compete in the Commodore Invitational. Moon earned the top spot on the men’s team, placing first overall with a time of 27:18. The first five overall finishers in the men’s race wore the blue and white
of LCC. They all finished with a time of 28:10 or better. “For the guys to have a perfect score taking the top five places was incredible,” Block said. “Everyone stepped up their game and we are going to be a force at the national meet. I was a very proud coach to see both our teams win and win very handily.” The women were equally as impressive at the meet in the Buckeye state. Magness continued her fantastic season, placing first overall once again with a time of 20:01. She was joined by D’Heana, Vivianna Baca Alamillo and Taylor Knoll, who took the second, third and fourth overall spots, respectively. The Stars were scheduled to host the Lansing Invitational Sept. 28. Check Issue 4 of The Lookout for results and reaction from that meet.
Photo by Ike Lea
LCC runners (from left) Andrew Brown, Nathan Tate and Miles Felton prepare for action.
Volleyballers keep fighting despite seven straight losses Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor The LCC women’s volleyball team continued to search for its first conference win as it ended the month of September. The Stars were not successful. LCC (1-13, 0-6) hosted Michigan Community College Athletic Association foe Muskegon CC Sept. 20. LCC lost to Muskegon in four sets 25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-27. The loss left the Stars with the worst record in the Western Conference of the MCCAA. LCC Head Coach Stephen May said despite recent losses, he still thinks they are capable of having a productive season. “When you get down on yourself, that’s when you make even more mistakes,” May said. “We’ve done a good job of keeping our heads up. Maintaining a positive attitude has been a goal from day one no matter what happened. ” The Stars took to the road and invaded Benton Harber for a showdown with Lake Michigan College Sept. 25. It was a meeting between the two teams with the worst records in the MCCAA. The Stars lost
again. LCC came up short against the Red Hawks of Lake Michigan in four sets, 25-27, 28-26, 25-21, 25-19. The loss to Lake Michigan extended a seven-match losing streak for the Stars. Sophomore setter Briana Flowers said she feels Stars still have plenty of fight left in them. “I think as one of the leaders on the team, I need
to get on the same page as the other leaders and really give it our all,” Flowers said. “Communication is (the) key for us. Also, Coach May is doing a great job at staying positive and reminding us of our potential.” The Stars were scheduled to travel to Grand Rapids to compete in the Raiders Challenge tournament Sept. 29 and 30.
Photo by Malcolm Forbes
Carly Darrow (left) blocks a shot vs. Muskegon CC Sept. 20.
6 SPORTS
Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Our great sports town Lansing is one of the most successful sports cities I have been to. Lansing has a lot to be proud of in terms of athletics. First thing’s first: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Arguably one of the greatest basketball players ever at both the college and professional level, Magic graduated from Lansing Everett High School in 1977. He went on to lead the hometown Michigan State Spartans to a National Championship two years later. On the diamond: John Smoltz was a dominating pitcher whose career culminated in a Cy Young award in 1996. He graduated from Lansing Waverly High School in 1985, debuted in the Major Leagues in 1988 and went on to have a great career. Smoltz often returns to Lansing for book signings and youth baseball clinics. Ice, Ice, Baby: Maybe not as prolific as Smoltz or Magic, but equally as awesome in my opinion is Justin Abdelkader. Alright, I know he’s not from Lansing. But you can’t tell me when he scored the game winning
goal in the 2007 NCAA Championship Game against Boston College he didn’t feel like one of us. He was a true Spartan. Now with the Detroit Red Wings, Abdelkader continues to rise as one of the top talents in pro hockey. Not just athletes: The Lansing Lugnuts are the closest thing this city has to a professional sports team. The ‘Nuts had the best regular season in team history this year finishing the season with a record of 82-54. They have tons of promotions and games going on constantly. The staff and fans that fill Cooley Law School Stadium each year are a blast to be around. Bleeding Green: I have to mention MSU. It’s what brought me to this for-
eign land in the first place. While I cannot be separated from my Spartan football and basketball, I have found more enjoyment than I expected in other sports around Lansing. Nevertheless, the Spartans will continue to quest for a national championship in every major sport. And I will continue to watch them do so, probably until I die. Getting prepped: High school sports around here are intense. Spending some time inside a Lansing State Journal newsroom has taught me just how serious people are in midMichigan about their high school athletics. Sometimes the Eastern vs. Sexton basketball or Okemos vs. East Lansing football rivalries are more exciting than some games I’ve been at inside the Breslin Center. Just another perk of living here. I know I will always root for athletes and teams from Lansing. If for some reason I forget why, I’ll have to go back and read this column. I don’t think that’ll happen though, because there is just too much history here to ignore.
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Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
4 2 r e b o t c O , y a d s e We dn 4 – 6 pm, Gannon Build ing Ro o m 185
Earn your bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University right here at Lansing Community College! Our students choose Ferris for different reasons, but the desire for a quality education at an affordable price is
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something they all share. Come to the Ferris open house and talk to our friendly advisors and admissions staff. Learn how your Lansing Community College credits transfer to a bachelor’s degree. See why Ferris is a top choice for adult and transfer students in Michigan.
LANSING LCC University Center n 210 W. Shiawassee, Lansing, MI 48901 n (517) 483-9723 n FerrisLC@ferris.edu n ferris.edu/statewide
8 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF Arts & Entertainment
‘Wilkommen’ to Old Town’s Oktoberfest The seventh annual Oktoberfest will roll into Old Town on Friday, Oct. 5 from 6 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 6 from 2 to 11 p.m. At Mid-Michigan’s only German Oktoberfest, community members will have a chance to experience authentic German food, beer and music. Tickets cost $15 if purchased in advance and $20 if purchased at the door. Seniors receive a special discount on Saturday if admitted before 4 p.m. Call 517-485-4283.
LCC hosts Ferris open house in October Come to the Ferris State University open house and talk to the friendly admissions staff and advisers on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. The open house will be held in the Gannon Building room 185. Learn how LCC credits can transfer to a bachelor’s degree, and why Ferris is a top institution for adult and transfer students in Michigan. For more information, stop by the University Center or call 517-483-9723.
LCC’s Coffee Break sponsors Mitten Jam II LCC Radio 89.7 FM is proud to sponsor “Mac’s Mitten Jam II” Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6 at Mac’s Bar on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing. Get more information on the lineup at www.macsbar. com. Learn more about the artists by tuning in to the Coffee Break at 9 a.m. Pleasant Drive and Wumble will be the featured artists on Friday, Oct. 5.
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Get spooked by Slasher Amber Glomb Staff Writer The fictional town of Bloodbath, Texas will be exposed as six LCC students and alumni present Slasher, directed by John Lepard and written by Allison Moore. This Halloween-like spoof will be performed Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, GB 168. Lepard explained how Slasher is modeled to look and act like a movie. “Basically it’s a B-movie that is being filmed,” Lepard said. “The director loses his leading lady or last girl, which is what they call them in slasher movies.” According to Lepard, the director eventually casts his waitress as the star of the show. The leading lady’s mother is a femi-
Photo courtesy of Kevin Fowler
Juan Othan Lerman as Jody Joshi menaces Angharad McGaughey as Sheena McKinney in a scene from the LCC production Slasher in the Black Box Theatre.
nist and rejects the idea of her daughter acting in the show and responds by stalking the set.
Stober’s Bar to host weekly Jazz Tuesdays Stober’s Bar will present Jazz Tuesdays every week starting Oct. 1 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Hosted by the Jeff Shoup quartet, this event will feature regular guest artists from the MSU Jazz studies department, as well as the Mid-Michigan community. No cover charge is required. Stober’s is located at 812 East Michigan Ave. in Lansing.
Sign Language program to present Star Search Attend LCC’s Star Search in the Dart Auditorium Saturday, Oct. 13. Star Search is a fast-paced and energetic, musical theatre performance in American Sign Language. The musical production is performed by LCC sign language students and graduates.Star Search will be performed in the Dart Auditorium on LCC’s main campus.Tickets will cost $8 at the door.
Oct. 1-14, 2012
Photo by Jenna Miller
Juan Othan Lerman rehearses a scene from the LCC production Slasher, to be staged starting Oct. 5.
“The mother is the one who ends up being sort of the scary person,” Lepard said. “She is threatening to destroy the movie and, one by one, picks off the people that are in the movie.” Lepard said he believes Slasher started strong from the beginning with his cast. “I cast them (the actors) because they all read really well,” Lepard said. “They had a feel for the script in the first place, which is what I was looking for. I think they have a feel for this particular genre so I am really happy with the cast.” As the final touches to Slasher unfold, Lepard said he is excited to see how it will turn out. “I am kind of looking forward to all of the elements coming together,” Lepard said. “Right now, the actors are doing a good job
but they haven’t seen the blood yet, they haven’t had the makeup, they haven’t had all of the props.” Lepard said he believes the film to be funny, gory and gnarly. However, he hopes the viewers also see the message being portrayed. “It’s not about the slasher, it’s about other issues as well,” Lepard said. “I want (the audience) to have a lot of moments while they’re watching it to be shocked momentarily. When the play is over I want them to think about it as they go home and say, ‘Wow there was a message to that.’” Tickets will cost $10. Anyone interested is encouraged to buy their tickets in advance. To purchase tickets, call (517) 372-0945 or visit www.lansingarts.org.
Vigil sells out Black Box Theatre on final weekend Sarah Spohn Staff Writer Timothy Busfield and Carmen Decker
appeared in front of a sold-out audience during the last showing of Vigil Sept. 23 in LCC’s Black Box Theatre.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Fowler
Timothy Busfield and Carmen Decker perform in Vigil.
Melissa Kaplan, LCC’s fine & performing arts coordinator, said the play was a great turnout, with all shows on Sept. 22 and 23 completely sold out. “I’m only sorry that we couldn’t fit in everyone who showed up,” Kaplan said. Starring alongside the well-known Busfield was Decker, both a veteran of the arts and a local gem. “It was a real honor to have Carmen Decker on campus, one of Lansing’s longestrunning leading ladies, and an actor of Tim Busfield’s stature and experience,” Kaplan said. “What a tremendous opportunity
for the college and the community.” For those who missed the performance, Vigil focuses on Kemp (Busfield), a snarky, cynical bachelor who receives a letter from his mysterious aunt Grace (Decker). Quitting his job and becoming company to his aunt was never on his agenda. However, planning her funeral ends up on his to-do list, not to mention scheming ways of killing her. Ant poison, electrocution, even crafting a peculiar death trap machine all fail in the end. Mentioning planting her ashes with soil to grow an amaryllis, even making fat jokes (too
much pudding and she won’t fit in the casket), Kemp clearly makes his opinion on the matter known. “If you don’t die soon, this is gonna kill me,” Kemp said. The seasons come and go, and he’s still astonished that his “dying” aunt is not yet dead. Distraught by the improved health and condition of his aunt, he tries killing himself but he is stopped. After a shocking revelation, he leaves his aunt at the house alone. Later, he returns and they become closer, confide and depend on each other. He even plans trips for the two
to take. In the midst of all the planning and packing, Grace asks to be excused and dies in her bed. Kemp finally shows he is human as he mourns her loss. He lies beside her ashes, which he mixes with soil and waits for the plants to grow. Audience members found themselves laughing at the many one-liners Busfield rendered so effortlessly, as well as at Decker’s knack for comedic timing, despite delivering very few lines. A standing ovation occurred the last night of the play, and patrons met up with the actors following the performance.
9A&E
Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Gibby's hits the spot Joe Israel A & E Editor With the closing of the Kennedy Café at LCC leaving a vacancy, many are wondering if that throne can be regained. Thankfully, that spot has been reclaimed with the grand opening of Gibby’s. Gibby’s is a new, wonderfully constructed eatery, catered to the student on the grind. Located at 318 N. Capitol Ave., next door to the original Gibson’s, this establishment offers a menu full of delights guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Gibby’s offers an assortment of subs, similar to the original names for their signature sandwiches (think Jersey Giant). On my first visit, I was intrigued with the selection, as the menu wasn’t too bloated. The poison I chose was the Carnivore: a behemoth of a sub that comes with five different kinds of meat, (ham, turkey, salami,
Photo courtesy of awardscircuit.com
Revolution first aired on television network NBC Monday, Sept. 17.
Hopeful for Revolution Jeremy Kohn Guest Writer
Photo by Jenna Miller
Bridger Buche (left), an employee of Gibby's, joins his father, Matt Buche, for lunch.
pepperoni and roast beef), your choice of fresh vegetables and condiments. The bread is tasty, fresh, baked daily and sure to turn your taste buds into taste bros. The cuts of meat were equally as appealing as the slicer was operating similar to that of the first cotton gin, making history with each cut. And when my fountain Pepsi was low? Gibby’s offers free refills, which is an often overlooked factor of informal dining. Even the chips were up to par, as these were not your everyday, ordinary potato chips. The attention to detail was properly executed by the management, as the Brickman’s brand of
chips that Gibby’s carries are kettle-cooked and flavorful with each crunch— almost to the point where you’re rehearsing every chew in your mind. I was assured by the management that more changes are coming to the menu such as low-calorie items, as well as pizza by the slice. Understandable for an upstart venture, as it is not a sprint; is it a marathon. Throw in a jovial and friendly staff, an ambience and décor that will give you chill bumps, and a menu even the laziest college student can afford, and you have a recipe for success that is sure to place first. Gibby’s hits the spot.
What would happen if all of the world’s electricity just suddenly shut off? This is the premise of the highly anticipated fall drama Revolution. The program is produced by JJ Abrams Bad Robot with the help of Eric Kripke and Jon Favreau. A cataclysmic event occurs that wipes out all of the world’s electricity, which is how Revolution starts. The show jumps forward 15 years after the “Blackout,” where we meet the Matheson family; Ben, the father and leader of the encampment, his daughter, Charlie, and his son, Danny. A cavalry soon approaches the camp. The Monroe Militia rides into town led by Captain Neville, who is played
by Breaking Bad favorite Giancarlo Esposito. Neville demands to see Ben and Miles Matheson. A skirmish ensues and leaves Ben dead and Danny captured by the Monroe Militia. With Ben’s dying breath, he tells his family to seek out his brother, Miles, who can help them rescue Danny. I was really excited when this show was announced However, I feel the pilot did not capture its true capabilities. The characters seem like storybook clichés rather than the dynamic characters you would expect from a JJ Abrams program. Archetypes like the difficult teenager who fights with her dad’s new girl-
friend, the computer nerd and the overprotective parent are present. I also found the plot highly predictable with such developments as a death of a major character, a revelation muttered before his dying breath and a reluctant hero who finally agrees to accompany the party. Will I stop watching Revolution because of the pilot episode? Absolutely not! There are two reasons why I say that. First, I believe in the work of JJ Abrams and Eric Kripke. Supernatural and Lost are some of television’s most creative works. Secondly, one thing I have learned is never to judge a television series strictly off a pilot episode.
King Crossword
Comedy gets reviewer's vote Sarah Spohn Staff Writer They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. Well, folks, my name is Sarah Spohn and I have a problem. I’m obsessed with Will Ferrell movies. It’s safe to say I’ve seen my fair share—Talladega Nights, the Nascar parody being, one of my favorites. I probably spent an entire year of my life quoting that movie word for word. That being said, The Campaign, starring Ferrell alongside funny man Zach Galifianakis (whose name alone is enough to make me laugh), arrived in theaters Aug. 10 and has had audiences laughing ever since. Cam Brady (Ferrell) is a smug, cocky, downright dumb politician whose only priority is
Photo Courtesy of brightestyoungthings.com
The Campaign stars funnymen Will Ferrell (left) and Zach Galifianakis.
his hair which could “lift a car off a baby if it had to.” He runs unopposed. That is, until Marty Huggins (Galifianakis) steps up to the plate with his many visions for the small town of Hammond, N.C. Audiences won’t be disappointed by the absurd amount of ugly sweaters, the endearing Southern accents and, of course, the number of hair products to maintain Brady’s $900 haircut and Marty Huggins’
perfectly groomed mustache. Expect the many oneliners Ferrell is known for. Think Anchorman: “Stay classy, San Diego.” And for those who frequented Saturday Night Live back when Ferrell was President George W. Bush, you’ll once again be convinced that Will Ferrell could be a ludicrous politician with grammar resembling Bush himself. Another fellow SNL
alum, Jason Sudeikis, plays alongside Ferrell as his go-to guy for press releases, campaign ads and public appearances. Memorable scenes include the dinner table confessions of Huggins’ hilariously adorable family and Cam Brady’s slap-stick attempt at reciting the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily … pizza.” One of the funniest aspects of The Campaign is perhaps its relevance in today’s current events, being an election year and all. It’s nearly impossible to turn on the TV without seeing a politician bashing another one in a political ad or public service announcement. This movie is downright hilarious in the fact that much of the content shown—the butchering public announcements on TV, the sex scandals, the pure lack of camaraderie in politics—is today’s reality.
Solutions to puzzle at lcc.edu/lookout
This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:
10 A & E
Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Israel’s takeover —
Drilling for platinum
Photo by Jenna Miller
Bluesfest rocks The Bosco-Gee Blues Band featuring Martila Sanders plays Sept. 22 at Bluesfest.
Joe Israel A & E Editor
The Mississippi Delta has taken over Greater Lansing as the annual Old Town Bluesfest never fails to leave fans impressed. The city’s vibrant blues music scene is highlighted by the yearly two-day event which blows through north Lansing. This year’s event, held Sept. 21 and 22, featured an eclectic and diverse group of performers including Twyla Birdsong, Big Willy
and Eric Culbertson. The lineups on both nights satisfied fans hungry for authentic and emotional blues music. The Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art (MICA) coordinated the festivities with board member Mike Skory. Skory lent his 13 years of expertise and helped oversee the 200 volunteers. “The music is just infectious, and it puts you in a great mood,” Skory said. “It’s funny they call it the blues. They should call it
the anti-blues because you get happy when you listen to it.” Terry Terry, the cofounder and president of MICA said: “The blues moves us. “From the electrifying showmanship of Chicago’s Sherman ‘Moody’ Thomas to the powerful and expressive Lady Champagne and the Motor City Crew band, we have a fantastic group of performers and we are very excited to welcome all of them to Old Town.”
The current state of hiphop music and urban landscape has undertaken yet another dramatic shift in America. Several years ago, music had evolved into a mouthpiece for revolution as well as maintaining the “gangsta rap” ethos that my fellow media members classified it as. The “drill” music scene in Chicago has been making noise for quite some time, slowly morphing into more than just a fly by night trend. Like so many of these trends, they are started by young, enterprising and ambitious teenagers who simply want to outgrow and outshine their social locations in order to live a higher quality of life. The term “drill” was first coined by slain Chicago rapper Pacman sometime in the early 2000s. It was derived from the concept of retaliating against your enemy, and reflecting the harsh urban decay and civil irresponsibility that permeates much of the city currently.
While many are cognizant of the goings on with one of the biggest new music movements in recent years, major labels are not. In a matter of months, numerous artists under the drill moniker have received major deals, and many more are being targeted. Southside Chicago resident, 16-year-old Keith “Chief Keef” Cozart recently inked a deal with Interscope Records, and his associates Lil’ Reese and Lil’ Durk have made A&R’s do a double take as they have signed with Def Jam Records. King Louie, a veteran to the scene, has signed a deal with Sony/Epic, while more executives are quick
to board flights to Chicago in order to capitalize on this stabile of hungry talent. Chief Keef is the most noticeable of all of the artists in Chicago with a compelling life story similar to that of a DMX or 50 Cent. He was arrested a couple of years ago for unlawful possession of a firearm when a shot (not his) was discharged from a gun in the direction of a Chicago police officer. Last December, he was arrested for the same charge and placed on 30 days of house arrest. It’s these type of antics that make him a constant target for media scrutiny, not to mention the jealousy that can fester in the hood. However, if you get a chance to hear the music from Keef and other Chicago artists, it’s easy to see that great things are on the horizon for hip-hop music and culture as a whole. Young minds are seeking a way out of their dismal existences, stepping onto a stage in a packed arena, all while drilling for platinum in Chicago.
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11 OPINION
Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout —Staff Editorial—
Pool sinks under trustees’ decision From the moment we learned the LCC Board of Trustees approved closing the pool on campus, we knew there would be a strong reaction from the community. And by a strong reaction, we mean an outcry of opposition. Many students and faculty on campus are passionate about maintaining the pool despite the price. We understand pools have a shelf life because of wear and tear caused by chemicals, but we think the investment is worth the cost of reparations. If not enough people are using the pool, LCC can correct that situation by promoting the facility, organizing events centered
around aquatics, and expanding the hours that the pool is available to students, faculty, staff and the public. Frankly, we’ve seen very little if any promotion of the pool or aquatic classes on campus. We believe the pool should be used as a teaching tool as much as possible and it should be made more accessible to the public. What particularly concerns us is the fact that LCC may be dooming its aquatic classes by moving them to an off-campus location next semester. How many students want to commute — Staff Editorial — back and forth just to get to a pool when it
is no longer conveniently located on Main Campus? While we at The Lookout are unhappy about the trustees’ decision, we are also guilty of not using the pool. We welcome the idea of converting the pool space into a student commons with dining options, but we are reluctant to lose a valuable aquatic facility. It feels like we’re being forced to choose one over the other. At least if the pool disappears from campus, we believe LCC students and faculty will benefit from new dining options in its place.
—Stocken Speaks—
D2L proves more enhanced for online learning
When it comes to changes at LCC, for the most part I’m usually unimpressed or I think the renovations or changes are a waste of money. However, I am a huge fan of the Desire2Learn (D2L) online course management system. The D2L link is located on LCC’s website homepage. D2L replaced the prior online course management system Angel, May 14. D2L is almost like an ac-
ademic Facebook, where you can post a headshot of yourself and join discussion groups with other classmates. The course management site offers an array of services that make learning new material, communicating with professors and taking an online course simple. Any LCC student with a valid TUID username and password can log onto the site and explore if
Write a Letter to the Editor Policies: All letters should be 200 words or less and signed with a name, address (email or otherwise) and phone number. The Lookout reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, length and clarity. Mail: MC 1170 – The Lookout Lansing Community College P.O. Box 40010 Lansing, MI 489401-7210 Email: wilso162@mail.lcc.edu Fax: (517) 483-1290
drop box and read online textbooks and other online material professors assign. Although Angel had many of the same basic functions as D2L, the basic and frankly bland layout of Angel didn’t make it seem very user-friendly to me. Now I can sign in and take control of my courses with the help of D2L. D2L works on most computers and can be accessed 24 hours a day.
he or she hasn’t already. Log onto D2L and check your grades, submit homework to the online
I was nervous to take my first online course at LCC, especially with a new course management system being put into effect. But the simplicity of the site has left me hiccupfree. I have heard fellow LCC students talking about minor problems with D2L, but that is to be expected with hundreds of students all using the new technology at the same time.
If you’re having trouble logging into D2L, not to worry; LCC’s eLearning department is committed to helping students, staff and faculty members understand how to use the online learning system. You can visit Faculty Resources at lcc.edu/elearning/faculty or call 483-1839. Stop by the eLearning department while on LCC’s Main Campus in TLC room 427 to ask questions regarding D2L.
thelookout
Oct. 1-14, 2012 Volume 54, Issue 3 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
Who is your biggest inspiration in life? Nathan Wilson
Dominick Mastrangelo
Shauna Stocken
Mark Gillengerten
How about getting paid to take tests? Editor in Chief wilso162@mail.lcc.edu
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Joe Israel
Jenna Miller
Larry Hook
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12 LAST LOOK
Oct. 1-14, 2012 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Judge Brooks Lesert from Hunters Engineering Co. inspects a Ford two-door Coop owned by Jack Kellogg, a participant in the LCC West Campus Auto Show.
Car show revs up West Campus Sarah Spohn Staff Writer The distinct sounds from rotary engines of Mazda RX-7’s, squealing tires and dragging cones filled the air at the sixth annual auto show at LCC’s West Campus Sept. 22. This free rain-or-shineevent included cars ranging from 1950s Chevys to present day Dodge Chargers. Although registration was $10 per vehicle, spectators were admitted into the event for free. Put on by LCC’s Automotive Technology/Collision Repair Program, the event featured autocross racing, in which various makes and models put the pedal to the metal. Approximately 80 cars were either on display or racing despite the overcast skies and chilly temperatures. Chuck Whiting of Charlotte showed off his ’56 Chevy Belair at his fifth LCC auto show. Whiting said he continues to frequent the LCC auto show because his kids attended LCC and he likes the intimacy of the event. “I like that it’s not very
big; usually not a great big crowd,” Whiting said. George Pena, LCC’s department chair of the Transportation Maintenance Technologies, participated in his first auto show on campus. “I’m really surprised by the turnout,” Pena said. “I thought we were going to be hindered by the rain.” Roughly 250 to 300 people attended the show and races. “Our goal is to market (the auto show) to get a bigger turnout and have more vendors out here,” Pena said. In addition to being free for spectators, the event served a good cause. The registration fee for cars on display will benefit scholarships for automotive/collision repair students. The event was made possible by Marvin Argersinger, the Automotive Technologies staff and many others. “This is a self-supporting event,” said Argersinger. With minimal costs going into the event, the most amount of money possible can go directly toward student scholarships, Argerstinger said.
Classic cars (above) are displayed during the LCC West Campus Auto Show on Saturday, Sept. 22. Below, an autocross enthusiast runs the course at the West Campus event.
Photos by Jenna Miller