The Lumberjack -- March 4, 2020

ALL THAT JAZZ PAGE 16

THE LUMBER JACK

MAR 4, 2020 – MAR. 11, 2020

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

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mazon, the largest global retailer, is running out of one of its most basic products: hand sanitizer. As the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreads throughout the world the trend of “panic buying” is spreading with it, and at a hefty price -- $549 is the lowest selling point for a 12-pack of eight-ounce Purell hand sanitizers. Yes, retailers may be short on supply, but a few crafty capitalist sellers are pouncing at the opportunity to list hand soap for hundreds of dollars.

Whether it’s a LA Times report that a Costco ran out of tissue paper in Tigard, Oregon or the United Kingdom’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who recommended consumers stop this type of behavior, it’s clear that citizens across the world are beginning to panic. People are not just purchasing goods, but peace of mind.

I could easily take these examples and rant about human greed or the psychology behind doomsday prepping, but I think panic buying is indicative of a larger issue: a global distrust in government. The stockpiling behavior indicates that a sizable group of people fear that government intervention will not be adequate and that matters must be taken into their own hands – basically, better BRADY safe than sorry.

WHEELER This mindset is tolerable until you consider that our world has finite SENIOR REPORTER resources; there are sick patients and doctors who are struggling to find stable suppliers of sanitary equipment, according to a statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Industry and governments must act quickly to boost supply, ease export restrictions and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding,” said the statement prepared by WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We can’t stop COVID-19 without protecting health workers first.”

Instead of product hoarding, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recommends a variety of alternative preventative actions such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home if you are sick. At the community level, the CDC recommends having plans in place for school dismissals, event cancellations, social distancing and employees working remotely.

There are other ways to prepare your home too, according to the CDC, such as creating an action plan, identifying aid organizations in your community, preparing an emergency contact list and sharing information with the members of your household. It is also recommended that neighbors establish a line of communication in the event that an outbreak occurs.

This week, I urge our readers to be global citizens and follow the warnings of government health officials. In times of world distress, unity – not sensationalism – is what allows the human race to prevail.

Thank you for reading.

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 109 ISSUE 8

Editor-in-Chief Bailey Helton Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Director of Digital Content Managing Editor Copy Chief Senior Reporter Sabrina Proffitt Sebastian Moore Brady Wheeler Print Chief Sports Adviser Sales Manager Photo Adviser Bella Valenzuela Rory Faust Marsha Simon Taylor Mahoney

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Op-Ed Editor Online News Editor Director of Social Media Caitlin Burke Ray Anne Galzote Shannon Degrange Asst. Op-Ed Editor Features Editor Ryan Dixon News Editor Ash Lohmann Sports Editor Scout Ehrler Asst. Features Editor David Church Asst. News Editor Jacob Meyer Asst. Sports Editor Karin Johnson Cameron Richardson Culture Editor Director of Circulation Nathan Manni Online News Editor Anel Lamadrid Senior Reporter Asst. Culture Editor Trevor Skeen Asst. Dir. of Circulation Nayomi Garcia Micah Meehan

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Director of Illustration Madison Cohen Asst. Dir. of Illustration Aleah Green Director of Photography Morgan Fisher Asst. Dir. of Photography Bess Valdez Senior Photographer Shannon Swain Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

“Since the preseason, we expected to be here. Now, we just have to keep on fighting.”

– Bernie Andre, senior forward

Sophomore guard Cameron Shelton (20) celebrates after scoring a field goal in a close second half Feb. 27 at the Walkup Skydome. Men’s basketball defeated Montana 57-56.

Michael Patacsil| The Lumberjack

On the cover Ryan Pratt plays the trombone for Eric Nakamoto Jazz Quintet. The group performed at Firecreek Coffee Feb. 28 for the first monthly Jazz Night.

MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Bailey Helton at brs289@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Feb. 24 At 12:23 a.m., a student at Ernest Calderón Learning Community called to report their bike was missing.

NAUPD responded and found the bike on the opposite side of the dorm. The bike was returned to the owner.

At 12:45 p.m., a student called NAUPD with questions regarding a restraining order, and information was provided by an officer.

Feb. 27 At 9:06 a.m., a staff member at the University Union Fieldhouse called to report a suspicious person.

NAUPD responded and found the subject was authorized to be in the area.

At 8:00 p.m., a staff member called to report a Starship robot in the roadway at Knoles and University drives. NAUPD responded, and the robot was removed At 2:30 p.m., a staff from the roadway. member at the HLC called to request medical assistance At 8:52 p.m., an RA at for a student with chest Allen Hall called to report the pains. NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire odor of marijuana. NAUPD Department (FFD) and a responded, and one student Guardian Medical Transport was criminally deferred (GMT) ambulance responded. for possession and drug The student was transported to paraphernalia.

FMC.

Compiled by Ray Anne Galzote for trespassing. One nonstudent was also cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 11:45 p.m., a student at Roseberry Hall called to report someone pounding on the outside wall. NAUPD responded, but no criminal activity was witnessed.

Feb. 29 At 1:39 a.m., NAUPD reported witnessing a subject trying to open a door at the High Country Conference Center. One student was arrested and booked into CCDF for attempted trespassing, littering and resisting arrest.

At 5:02 p.m., a student at the Eastburn Education Center called to report a subject who was intoxicated and had kicked the student’s vehicle.

NAUPD responded, and one non-student was booked into CCDF for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

At 8:40 p.m., an NAUPD officer initiated a traffic stop off campus. One non-student was booked into CCDF for possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. An additional non-student was booked into At 7:05 p.m., an RA at At 2:27 p.m. a staff CCDF for an outstanding Reilly Hall called to report member at the NAU Bookstore warrant and driving without a a student in need of medical called to report shoplifting. license. attention. NAUPD, FFD NAUPD responded, and one and GMT responded, and student was cited and released At 10:20 p.m., a student at the student was found to be for shoplifting.

Campus Heights Apartments intoxicated. The student was reported a loud party. NAUPD then booked into CCDF for At 9:08 p.m., an RA at responded, and students were a minor with liquor in their Reilly Hall called to report a asked to quiet down. body. possible non-resident in the building. NAUPD responded, Feb. 28 March 1 the student was confirmed At 1:28 a.m., staff at At 6:45 p.m., a student at as a resident and no criminal Sechrist Hall reported the Campus Heights apartments activity was witnessed. odor of marijuana. NAUPD reported a stolen NAU yellow responded, and one student bike. NAUPD responded, and Feb. 26 was deferred for possession of the student advised officers At 5:00 a.m., a custodian marijuana, possession of drug that they would report it later at the Science and Health paraphernalia and minor in if they could not find it upon Building called to report possession of alcohol. retracing their steps. damage to a soap dispenser and towel dispenser in a men’s At 8:25 a.m., a staff restroom. NAUPD responded member at the HLC called to and took a report. report two suspicious subjects.

NAUPD responded, and two non-students were deferred Feb. 25 At 11:12 a.m., a staff member at parking lot 8 called to report an accident.

NAUPD responded, and parties involved exchanged information.

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

FPD cracking down on traffic violations Mark Fabery

W

hile Flagstaff’s population continues to grow, heavy traffic congestion is becoming the new normal throughout much of the city. The hope of the Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) is to prevent the loss of life and property that can come with traffic accidents through a new campaign.

“This campaign, like other campaigns that our traffic unit has carried out, is designed for prevention and education in order to reduce road accidents,” FPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Charles Hernandez II said. “It’s no different from our campaigns that we recently conducted related to bicycle safety, pedestrian safety or click-it-or-ticket campaigns.”

To combat the recent marginal increase in traffic accidents, FPD announced Feb. 13 that officers had been instructed to crack down on traffic violations in the city through the month of April. This comes after police officials noticed an increase in documented traffic accidents when traffic stops decreased.

Data provided by FPD, which is available on its Facebook page, showed that as staffing levels decreased, so did the number of traffic stops. Last year, the department saw a 7% drop in traffic stops, but its push to recruit more officers helped the department reach its staffing goals.

“We are near capacity with our staffing levels for patrol,” Hernandez II said. “We’re definitely looking to get back to meeting our goals and objectives with reducing the crashes and increasing our service to the community.”

According to data available on Facebook recorded over 2019, injury accidents increased by 1% and noninjury accidents by 2%. In addition, the number of deaths caused by car accidents had decreased from four in 2018 to two in 2019.

The most recent publicly available data illustrates the difficulty of predicting accidents. For instance, there were no accidents in 2018 at the intersection of South Milton Road and South Plaza Way, but there were 21 accidents at the same location in both 2017 and 2016. In addition,

2018 saw a decrease of traffic collisions with injuries by 9% from 2017, but 2019 saw injuries increase by 1%.

Although predicting the amount of accidents is difficult, there are still a plethora of intersections that see roughly the same amount of accidents recorded per year, according to FPD data. The intersections of East Ponderosa Parkway and East Butler Avenue, and North Highway 89 and East Marketplace Drive were the largest contributors to the rise of traffic accidents throughout the city.

Hernandez II said officers will be primarily watching these areas, and their main focus will be looking for factors that play a part in traffic accidents, such as running red lights, tailgating, speeding and distracted driving.

“We think any opportunity to contact the driver will enable us to provide that education to the operator so they’re safe,” Hernandez II said.

However, many residents have expressed mixed reactions over the new traffic safety campaign.

Flagstaff resident Stephen Smith said he supports the new traffic

safety campaign but would like the campaign to run throughout the summer.

“The majority of intersections on Butler Avenue and Fourth Street have become increasingly dangerous due to excessive speed and blocking intersections with the flow of traffic stopping,” Smith said. “I’m honestly thankful that they are doing this.”

Smith said the high influx of tourists that visit Flagstaff every year during the summer months causes unsafe traffic congestion throughout the city. He said the presence of FPD on the roads could help alleviate traffic congestion and unsafe drivers on the road.

However, many residents have expressed concerns over the traffic safety campaign on the FPD Facebook page, calling the campaign a “cash grab” that is masked as a traffic safety campaign to boost city revenue.

Flagstaff resident John Dozier is one of many residents who have voiced concern regarding the traffic safety campaign. Dozier said the city should focus on fixing the roads.

“This campaign is actually

designed to increase city revenue,” Dozier said. “They should fix all of the bad roads with giant potholes that have been around for years that cause unsafe driving, instead of policing for profit.”

However, Hernandez II said the department does not receive income directly from citations issued by officers during traffic stops.

“Officers take advantage of this opportunity to provide education on road safety, which will include a verbal warning, a written warning or a summons,” Hernandez II said.

Although the department does not receive income directly from citations that are issued, the state receives income to fund state programs such as police training, victim rights fund, a court restitution fund and for the county’s probation department, according to an article from The Arizona Republic.

At the end of the campaign in April, officials will look at the numbers to determine if the traffic campaign induces an improvement to Flagstaff road safety.

Illustration By Christian Ayala

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THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

NEWS

Paul Deasy enters race for mayor Trevor Skeen

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ongtime Flagstaff resident and NAU employee Paul Deasy recently announced his mayoral candidacy, joining councilmembers Charlie Odegaard and Jamie Whelan as potential successors to Mayor Coral Evans.

Deasy currently works as a research analyst for Academic Affairs, specifically studying undergraduate retention. According to an article from the Arizona Daily Sun, he entered the mayoral race Jan. 31. In 2018, Deasy narrowly lost a bid for a seat on city council.

Deasy, 33, said his age enables him to communicate and empathize with different generations, and helps him bridge generation gaps. This characteristic distinguishes him from

the other mayoral competitors, Deasy explained, and is worth considering as the election approaches.

“One of the things that separates me is the ability to understand the diverse perspectives and struggles that many people here face,” Deasy said. “I understand both the individuals who have been here for 50 years and the new generation coming in.”

As a mayoral candidate, Deasy has considered the minimum wage debate, which has only intensified in recent years. According to the City of Flagstaff’s website, the city’s minimum wage was raised to $13 per hour at the start of 2020, following the $1 annual increase first implemented Jan. 1, 2018. Furthermore, minimum wage will reach $15 per hour at the start of 2021 — a plan Deasy said he supports.

Paul Deasy is a mayoral candidate. Photo courtesy of Paul Deasy via Twitter

Despite other candidates’ hesitancies, Deasy explained that the minimum wage increase also enforces labor protection, a feature the workforce needs and deserves.

“You’re more likely to get thrown in jail for stealing a Gatorade from the corner store than you are tens of thousands [of dollars] from employees,” Deasy said. “That is wrong.”

Although income inequality is a prevalent problem in Flagstaff, Deasy added increasing the minimum wage is a rare tool for lessening this imbalance.

Deasy said businesses should be given appropriate time to adjust to heightened wages, but these alterations also lead to more benefits than disadvantages.

During a similar discussion, Deasy said the housing market needs to adapt. Due to Flagstaff’s atypical supply and demand system, which is created by the large student population, the university and the city must work together.

In this way, Deasy said everyone is a part of the community and the pressures it faces.

Deasy also said despite the various student housing complexes constructed around town, NAU’s enrollment is plateauing.

“The demand is down,” Deasy said. “We don’t need student housing, especially once those new developments go up. What we need is workforce housing — the one bedroom, one bath, and the two bedrooms, one bath.”

While addressing housing, Deasy also said the construction of student living facilities varies based on features such as compatibility, space and zoning. For example, if a housing complex is permitted by right, city staff usually cannot counter its development. However, if a given property requires zoning changes or a conditional use permit, elected officials, like councilmembers, can prevent its progression.

Deasy said Odegaard and Whelan have voted in favor of every rezoning application for student housing complexes. However, by referencing enrollment statistics and trends, Deasy said these facilities are no longer needed.

In response, Flagstaff’s housing market must readjust according to demand, instead of implementing other residencies.

Housing developments, along with general societal infrastructures, are also

related to overarching climate policies. In Flagstaff and around Arizona, Deasy said the climate discussion relies on coordination and collaboration between different people, businesses and governments.

Flagstaff recently moved toward declaring an emergency climate resolution.

Despite these efforts, Deasy said words must be supported by actions, which include smart and purposeful endeavors supporting climate awareness throughout the state.

For example, lobbying is a method of pursuing active environmental advocacy that requires no funding. Deasy said the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), which regulates all utilities in the state, could be influenced and improved by the state legislature. Deasy said if state politicians and the government bodies are lobbied, organizations like the ACC could further address their environmental impact.

By generating environmental awareness around Arizona, the propositions and solutions to this problem expand beyond Flagstaff. Deasy emphasized the importance of addressing climate change within NAU and the city, but also aiding its effects throughout all of Arizona.

“This is a lot bigger picture than just Flagstaff,” Deasy said. “Cities are part of the problem, but they can also be part of the solution.”

Deasy said one possibility for lessening carbon emissions is by implementing multimodal transportation methods. Many cities around the country, including Phoenix and Tucson, have rental scooter systems that help residents avoid traffic and offer alternative transportation.

Deasy explained similar scooter availability could benefit the Flagstaff community.

Minimum wage, housing infrastructure and environmental policy are all key components to Deasy’s aspirations as a mayoral candidate. These issues play into Deasy’s desire to provide good governance. “[Good governance] takes community engagement, listening to the people and an analytic mind,” Deasy said.

Deasy said mayoral ambitions demand a certain level of heart and smart, characteristics he is ready to share with Flagstaff.

“This is a lot bigger picture than just Flagstaff.”

– Paul Deasy, mayoral candidate

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Council weighs Lake Mary Road amendments Tess Spinker

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lagstaff Planning and Development Services proposed a change Jan. 8 to the current rural flood plain near the intersection of East Lake Mary Road and Interstate 17. The new amendment would change the designation of approximately 1.47 acres of the whole 4.46-acre area located at 3451 East Lake Mary Road from a rural flood plain to an urban flood plain, according to a city council agenda.

Flagstaff Zoning Code Manager Daniel Symer said 4.46 acres of land has been designated as a rural channel for stormwater, meaning the land is natural and undisturbed. However, an urban flood plain is an altered, modified area that is man-made. Redesignating this land as an urban floodplain will give the city further leeway to physically alter the land.

“This property in this area was a channelized wash so, therefore, it got incorrectly designated,” Symer said. “Just to the north, it was designated as an urban flood plain.”

The approximately 1.5-acre, man-made channel was built to divert the natural water flow of Lake Mary and promote development on the northeast side of the road, according the agenda. However, since the channel is unnatural, it is inaccurate to call it rural since it is a modified, man-made area.

Following the most recent discussion of the amendment Feb. 18, the city council was requested to approve and advance the new proposal. The motion was moved forward and the discussion is planned to continue at future council meetings until April. “[The area] is all Ponderosa trees and then once it gets up to Lake Mary Road, it is obviously channelized,” councilmember Jim McCarthy said. “It is concrete lined, and you can see kids skateboarding and having great fun. But I take issue with calling this a channelized wash — it looks natural with erosion. I wonder if it’s appropriate to make this change.”

Jim Janecek, flood plain manager and a project manager in the stormwater division of Flagstaff Water Services, said the area is redirected with a graded frame — an artificial braided network

intended to alter water flow — over bedrock.

In the past, Flagstaff has experienced many floods following fires, as well other flash flooding. The Schultz Fire in 2010 was followed by the fourth wettest monsoon season on record, which led to flooding, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture. Large projects, such as the Rio de Flag Flood Control project, have been proposed or executed to avoid a major flood, according to the city’s website.

Bryan Duke, director and asset manager of Table Rock Apartments on Lake Mary Road, works near the channelized area. Duke said he fears the change in designation of the channel would influence the stormwater drainage around his area, but he was quickly reassured by amendment applicant Rick Schuller, the associate principal for the Woodson Engineering & Surveying, Inc. “The drainage was my only major concern with the new channel change,” Duke said. “But they quickly addressed that, so I am good.”

Schuller said the change of the rural flood plain will not impact the current flow patterns in the

area, only the drainage specifically on the site. He emphasized the change is to help make the channel healthier, not necessarily making it a concrete structure.

Janecek further explained the stormwater division would have to receive approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before altering any section of land. Janecek said FEMA would have to perform environmental studies and look at how those environmental studies impact the area.

Other organizations in the area, such as The Lodge Luxury Apartment Homes and Arizona Game & Fish Department, reported being unaware of the proposed amendment.

“There is a big question mark as to what is going to happen with this parcel,” Vice Mayor Adam Shimoni said. “So, I would hate to see it become a problem.”

Currently tied at the moment, city council questioned if it is appropriate to approve the requested change to the area. Despite doubts, the proposal will move forward until it is voted on at an undetermined future meeting.

Illustration By Aleah Green

Paying the price for a Snowbowl lift ticket Sebastian Moore

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he issue of Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort using the San Francisco Peaks has been debated for decades between the United States Forest Service, Snowbowl and the indigenous tribes who hold Mount Humphreys as culturally significant. Snowbowl set up shop in 1938 and since then, activists have protested the use of the mountain for various reasons, ranging from the development of the resort and ski area to the use of reclaimed water to generate man-made snow.

Klee Benally, who is Diné (Navajo), is a coordinator and volunteer with Protect the

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Peaks!, a website that functions as a medium for community members to voice concerns and protest the use and development of Snowbowl on the San Fransisco Peaks. Benally has expressed his concerns with Snowbowl violating sacred lands since the 1980s.

Benally said there are 22 federally recognized indigenous tribes across the state of Arizona. He said the mountain is culturally significant to all of the indigenous nations, and 14 of those hold the mountain as holy and sacred to their culture.

The 14 tribes are: Navajo Nation, Hopi, Zuni, Hualapai, Havasupai, Yavapai-Apache, YavapaiPrescott, Tonto Apache, White Mountain Apache, San Carlos Apache, San Juan Southern

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Pauite, Fort McDowell Mohave Apache, Acoma and Tohono O’odham.

“For Diné, the mountain is viewed as a single, living entity and so, as traditional practitioners, we actually don’t set foot on the mountain unless we have specific purpose, offering or prayer,” Benally said. “For Diné people, the San Francisco Peaks are one of six holy mountains that uphold our universe. It’s hard to say it’s a church because it is a place of worship, but it’s more akin to an altar where we make offerings. It’s like the Vatican, the whole grounds are sacred.”

Benally said the mountain is where deities of many indigenous cultures live. To the Hopi

Tribe, the San Francisco Peaks are the most sacred mountain in their cosmology and where their deities — the Kachinas — live. The Kachinas bring blessings of moisture and Benally said snowmaking endangers those beliefs. “[The Hopi] prayed to [Kachinas] as part of their whole life cycle,” Benally said. “If man can make snow … then what does that say for the role of Kachinas. They’re afraid that they’ll abandon them.”

J.R. Murray, the chief planning officer of Mountain Capital Partners, LLC, which is the parent company of Snowbowl, said the San Francisco Peaks are approximately 70,000 acres in space, and Snowbowl uses 777 acres, or 1%,

of the mountain. The Coconino National Forest leases the land to Snowbowl, according to a 2005 U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

Although there are issues regarding the use of the mountain, Snowbowl boosts the local economy by attracting tourists during ski season. According to a fall 2019 W.A. Frank School of Business report, an economic impact analysis of Snowbowl shows that approximately $58 million is contributed annually to the region’s economy. The economic contribution stems from “expenditures for payroll, operations and capital projects while supporting more than 700 jobs.”

Murray said Snowbowl has attempted and continues to try to better accommodate the native tribes’ cultural beliefs. Snowbowl has offered to partner to create a cultural center, and utilize its facilities for events. Murray also personally meets with various tribal government officials.

“The mountain is sacred. We’ve never denied that, or we don’t discount that. In fact, we are very aware of that,” Murray said. “We acknowledge those deeply held cultural beliefs, but we also believe that we should be able to coexist here and be able to offer a recreational product. And that requires snowmaking.”

Reclaimed water at Snowbowl Using reclaimed water to generate manmade snow at Snowbowl on the San Francisco Peaks has also been met with resistance since the pipeline that takes water to Snowbowl was installed in summer 2012. Murray said the city’s contract states Snowbowl may use up to 180 million gallons of reclaimed water per year to create snow.

Murray said for the 2019-20 season, Snowbowl has used less than 50% of the 180 gallons, and Snowbowl uses between 70 and 100 million gallons of reclaimed water each year, which is less than the city’s contract capacity.

For indigenous tribes, this amount of reclaimed water was too much.

“This new proposal to make snow out of treated sewage, with it being transported by a 14.8-mile pipeline up the mountain, spraying up to 180 million gallons per year, is an extraordinary insult that there is no middle ground,” Benally said. “And so, the city of Flagstaff has been extraordinarily callous.

They’ve completely disregarded the concerns of indigenous people.”

Brad Hill, the director of water services for the city of Flagstaff, has 32 years experience with water resource hydrology. Hill said the Water Services office is regulated by the Arizona

Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The state defines reclaimed water as water that has been through a municipal wastewater treatment process and sufficiently cleaned to meet the water quality standards regulated by the state.

“The city treats it to its highest regulated quality, known as class A-plus,” Hill said. “We are regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality and under that regulation, they state that snowmaking needs to be a collect quality class A reclaimed water, and we deliver them a class A-plus, which is de-nitrified.”

Although the city produces high-quality reclaimed water, there are still concerns regarding Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) that slip through the treatment process.

According to a presentation by Flagstaff Water Commission member Ward Davis, there are over 15 classes of CECs. Some CECs include: antibiotics, disinfectants, fragrances, pesticides and herbicides, personal care products and pharmaceuticals.

Alicyn Gitlin, the Grand Canyon Program coordinator for the Sierra Club, is concerned by all classes of CECs, but specifically with pharmaceuticals, which could be found in water runoff.

“Basically, reclaimed water contains

everything that we put into our drain, everything we flush down our toilet, and therefore, it contains pharmaceuticals and hormones,” Gitlin said. “The problem with these Contaminants of Emerging Concern is that … a very tiny amount could have an effect on wildlife and on humans because they act like a hormone in the body. For some of these chemicals, a tiny amount is even more hazardous than a larger amount because we can filter out and detect larger amounts of these chemicals, but our body can’t always detect and filter out very micro amounts of them.”

Although the issues regarding usage of the mountain and reclaimed water to generate man-made snow are not resolved, Benally said those who oppose Snowbowl should voice their concerns. Snowbowl will continue to operate on the mountain and use reclaimed water to generate snow when needed.

“A lot of people come to northern Arizona to go to school here, and part of what they see is recreational opportunities in the winter,” Benally said. “But they need to understand what that lift ticket, the price, actually is, and that it is the price of cultural genocide for indigenous people.”

Blowers on Mount Humphreys cover Snowbowl with snow made from reclaimed water. Photo courtesy of Snowbowl

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Blame society for social stigmas Restricting corsets became mainstream. These garments worn around the waist, and modern waist trainers, give the illusion of he image of the perfect woman’s body type has evolved a slimmer midsection often resulted in organ damage, according over the years to become something that is almost to USA Today. Women’s willingness to endure pain to alter their unattainable. Social media promotes unrealistic appearances displayed the severity of societal pressure. expectations for feminine beauty and women are taking drastic The rise of supermodels during the 1990s distanced the measures to keep up with these trends. association of feminine beauty and fertility. The image of the As beauty standards become increasingly unrealistic, more unrealistically thin woman emerged. This new body trend women are undergoing cosmetic surgery. became so influential that during the 1990s, the eating disorder According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, anorexia nervosa caused the highest death rates among all mental Americans spent over $16.5 billion on cosmetic surgery in 2018 health disorders, as reported by a study in Current Psychiatry alone. Breast augmentations accounted for the majority of these Reports. procedures.

As documented throughout history, society has pressured Social media influencers are partially women to undergo potentially to blame for the recent spike l i f e - t h re a t e n i n g in cosmetic surgery. Kim physical alterations, Kardashian West is often yet we still unfairly credited with put the blame on those popularizing the who are pushed to this new ideal body point. This needs to stop. type.

Despite When a woman her seemingly promotes cosmetic surgery unnatural body to her younger followers, proportions, the understand that she social media star was once a young has denied rumors woman who was fed of cosmetic surgery the same propaganda. on her reality TV show, Society should be held “Keeping Up with the responsible for the Kardashians.” increase in cosmetic Perhaps this denial results from fear of surgery, not the women Illustration By Tonesha yazzie unfair societal shame and scrutiny that is often who receive it. experienced by cosmetic surgery recipients.

When looking at why women Women rumored to have surgically undergo physical alterations, altered their appearance are often criticized. They are speculations typically include basic attacked for promoting cosmetic surgery and an unrealistic insecurities, conceitedness or image of beauty. These women typically receive the blame for promiscuity. Studies show the issue is making other women insecure. However, this focus on shame is much deeper. unfairly directed at women.

Research conducted by Psychiatry Edgmont, a medical Cosmetic surgery worsens already unattainable beauty journal cited by the National Institute of Health, suggests that standards. Instagram influencers and celebrities definitely do not there is a link between cosmetic surgery and psychological issues. help, however, they are not to blame.

One study concluded that individuals who suffer from body Instead of attacking women who have been pressured dysmorphic disorder make up between 7% and 15% of surgery into altering their appearances, we should evaluate why these recipients, but only 1% of the general population. Research from pressures were created in the first place. Vulnerable women have the same report found links between breast augmentation and fallen victim to the unattainable standards placed on women by suicide society.

These findings suggest that for some individuals, the desire Social media influencers did not create trends in body types. for cosmetic surgery stems from and results in psychological The idea of the ideal female body dates back thousands of years. issues. We uphold unrealistic beauty standards that threaten The ancient Venus Figurines found in 1908 in Willendorf, mental health.

Austria are said to be some of the first representations of the When criticizing cosmetic enhancements, it is important desirable female body types of the time, as stated in an article to look at the bigger picture before attacking the individual. on CNN. The statues depict round, pear-shaped bodies. During Cosmetic surgery is a coping mechanism for women trying to this time period, fertility was representative of female beauty and survive a society obsessed with perfection. wide, childbearing hips were a desired physical trait of a woman.

Instead of shaming women, society needs an introspective The Renaissance period provided a glimpse into the future, look into the contradicting and damaging ideals it has historically as this was the first time the hourglass figure gained popularity. held women to.

Trinity archie

Predatory dating in its prime

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n 2020, loving whoever you want despite race, gender or sexuality is widely accepted.

One concept that is not included is predatory dating.

The ages of two people in a relationship still matter, even in 2020. Statutory rape is just as serious of an offense now as it always has been, and it should be kept that way.

A TikTok video, which can be found on YouTube, recently surfaced of an 18-year-old high school senior being scolded by his friend about his relationship with a 13-year-old girl. In the video, the man stated that the age of the young girl “doesn’t matter.”

His friend goes on to ask him, “Has she even hit puberty?” and he responds, “I don’t know, yeah.” The 18-year-old KYLIE continues by referencing how good SOTO looking she is and that age doesn’t matter.

WRITER This voluntary blindness may end up getting the young man in a heap of legal trouble. The legal age of consent in the United States varies from 16 to 18 years old. However, there are close-in-age exemption laws, which “exist to decriminalize consensual sex between two individuals who are both under the age of consent,” according to the informational website AgeOfConsent.

Regardless of legality, age is a signifier of maturity, knowledge, and the strength or ability to consent to the intimate parts of a relationship, like sex. It is imperative that everyone, especially young adults, understands exactly how traumatizing a relationship with an older partner can be to young teenagers who haven’t figured themselves out yet.

This relationship could potentially scar the 18-year-old and 13-year-old for the rest of their lives.

Taking into consideration the man also described the young girl in hyper-sexualized terms instead of as a human being with other attributes demonstrates a predatory mentality. This girl is a minor, and he is not.

Many people talk about how it’s wrong to sexualize young girls in the entertainment industry. Yet, many fail to realize how normalized the hyper-sexualization of young girls is outside of movies, music and media.

The fact that two people, in completely different stages of life, are still accepted as a valid couple is mind-boggling. At 13-years-old, a young girl is just barely beginning the transition into puberty and discovering all that womanhood entails. An 18-year-old is a young adult already immersed in the real world.

This allowance of predatory behavior is how young girls disappear and get sex-trafficked. It is dangerous for society to continue allowing this kind of behavior to pass.

When engaging in a relationship with an older partner, be safe, be of age and be aware.

T

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

The major issue with majors shawn patti

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he current process of selecting a major is broken.

When beginning secondary education, students often find themselves pressured into selecting a field of research or study that will guide the remainder of their lives.

From engineering, art studies and social sciences, each college student must select a major to proceed toward their degree and graduation.

However, it is oftentimes a debilitating question with a constantly changing answer. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 30% of students, by their junior year, end up switching majors. Declaring a major, for many, is comparable to selecting a university to attend, and is just as important for the future.

As it stands, the pressure to select a major early is intense.

Degree programs require multiple courses and preliminary steps to advance toward graduation. If you have not promptly selected a major, you are behind.

Pressure from other students is abundant, too. A commonly asked question in the classroom is what your major is. If you do not have an answer, it can be embarrassing.

We need to change how the selection of a major operates.

The social norm that we choose what field to work in at 18 years old is overwhelming. If we were all able to retire at the age of 66, we would spend nearly half of a century — 48 years — in a field we selected at the same age when we were barely old enough to vote. In the three years of study directly following that decision, most students would not even be allowed to legally drink. Yet, we are expected to predetermine the rest of our lives with little to no experience in the field of our choice.

However, there is another option.

General education courses should always be front-loaded for the first handful of semesters at a new university, regardless of a declared major. This would help students finish any preliminary course work and segment their learning experience. Next, a more proactive outreach program should exist for every major: fairs, lectures, emails and one-on-one meetings. Perhaps even a short class could be offered to introduce students to the basics of each major before they are sent to find out more about the prospective fields.

Many universities already offer programs similar to this idea. For example, Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, offers something called a “meta-major.” A meta-major is a collection of related courses that students can take to further define their interests in a broader field. These meta-majors help students find what their preferred studies are and give them a wide range of disciplines to smooth their transition into a major. An oncampus comparison for NAU students would be the School of Communication’s communication studies major.

As for students who know what they want their majors to be, I implore you to at least consider other options. Universities are full of varying majors and programs. NAU, for example,

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offers over 100 bachelor’s degree options for students to pursue, according to the most recent online NAU academic catalog. It is worthwhile to explore the many facets of on-campus programs before deciding a major.

Furthermore, we need to change the student culture surrounding undeclared students.

It is not always apparent, but being asked what you’re majoring in can be a very complicated question.

It is generally fine to ask someone, but reactions to their answers are telling. The undeclared major answer is often met with rushed propositions to join someone else’s major or personal questions relating to a student’s interests so that another person can decide for them. It is oftentimes treated like a game.

A student’s interests do not always dictate their preferred field of study. Having a green thumb does not automatically make you a botany major, just as the ability to make a decent meal does not make you a culinary student.

Students need to change the culture around majors before a solution can be found. While the programs are a systematic construction of the institution, our personal biases play an equally disruptive hand in the issue of students selecting majors they are not comfortable or happy in.

Selecting a major is often marred by constrictive progression from universities and peer pressure from students. A major can be a wonderful, enthralling community for many, but the immediate demand to select one is undue stress and worry for new students attending university directly after high school.

Systems to protect and foster varying interests should be widely available and active for students to make informed decisions

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that will govern the rest of their professional lives.

Students deserve better. University is the diving board of life, and we owe it to every attending scholar to not push them over the edge. Let them take a few hops, dip their toes in and dive in when they’re ready.

Illustration By Shelsey braswell

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Esports should be a part of college education frank espinoza

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ompetitive video games should be taken seriously, especially after 16-year-old Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf won $3 million in a Fortnite tournament. There’s a future in the business of esports and the technology that’s been created because of it. There is also a lot of potential for NAU to invest in education of esports and some of the technology can help students learn in new ways.

At NAU, students have the opportunity to get involved in competitive gaming by joining the NAU eSports club. The club has a dedicated room in the Communication building called the Advanced Media Lab (AML). The room gives members access to state-of-the-art computers, as well as being the hub for all of esports on campus. An expansion of the renovated room recently had its grand opening in February, due to grant funding secured in 2018, as stated on NAU’s website.

The five main games the club competes in are League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike Go, Rainbow Six Siege and Rocket League.

With these set games, students can compete in tournaments with other schools, such as ASU and UA, and also other schools across the nation.

These tournaments allow gamers the chance to win cash prizes, as well as recognition of being the best player.

It’s fascinating that the school has only had the NAU eSports club since 2017 and the initial, much smaller AML room in 2018, according to NAU’s club description webpage.

The school has invested a lot in esports and because of that, it’s not hard to imagine an increase in recruitment by having such a well-established esports club and virtual reality (VR) program.

VR is a simulated experience with the goal of making a realistic environment that can be interacted with and manipulated by the user. This works by wearing a headset and two handheld controllers that track the user’s movement.

Not all esports clubs are lucky to have their school support them as we do at NAU. For instance, from ASU’s student news publication The State Press, an article explained how the ASU Esports Association doesn’t have a private area.

Without a dedicated area for gamers, they can’t effectively practice and strategize as a team. According to The State Press article, because of ASU’s lack of financial support, the club members have resorted to creating a GoFundMe campaign for a private facility.

Schools across the nation are creating scholarships with the goal of recruiting talented gamers to join their esports teams, according to the Animation Career Review, an information website about colleges that provide animation and technological

Illustration By blake fernandez

programs.

NAU doesn’t have any scholarships for this despite the advances made in the AML lab. I think that is a shame since the esports community has such a strong foundation.

Colleges, like the University of California Irvine, are even starting to offer certificates for sports management and shout casting, which is commentary for esports matches, according to its website.

I think NAU would benefit by adopting this certificate program in order to attract more gamers to the school. This is important for gamers who want to turn their passion into a professional career. To show how much money is in esports, the 2020 Global Esports Market Report by technology news source Newzoo stated the global esports revenue for 2019 was $950 million and is projected to reach $1 billion in 2020.

With that kind of growth and money, it’s ridiculous that NAU can’t create a larger program, such as a minor or a degree path for students wanting to get into such a booming industry.

The NAU eSports club is lucky to have members of the AML group as supporters and overseers when the club was first created. Their goal, as stated on the NAU webpage for the lab, is to push the boundaries of what technology can do in terms of creativity. The AML team is the driving force for technology, like VR, to be implemented for a new way of teaching.

Considering most mainstream video games are always striving to be more realistic, VR was created to achieve that purpose. The PlayStation Vita, which is VR that was specifically made to be paired with games on the console, is a great example of how gaming has evolved.

However, VR has more potential than just gaming. The AML group will hopefully change the public perception of VR by showing its potential in the classroom.

One NAU class that is currently using VR is called ChemVR. In this class, VR is used as a molecular drawing tool for teaching organic chemistry. The drawing tool gives students the ability to manipulate molecular structures in a virtual space, according to the NAU AML webpage.

Although not intended for teaching, VR is a new instructive tool that should be adopted into classrooms. This would reflect an updated perception of how most students learn visually, which would be more engaging and hands-on compared to lectures. With its fully engaging features, VR can make lectures and demonstrations more immersive and personal for the student. This personal experience would help students retain more of the information that they are learning because VR offers that experience.

For this reason, among many other benefits, higher education programs should be implementing degree paths and offering more classes with VR at their core.

Esports and VR have such a bright future inside and outside of the classroom. It’s important to recognize the expansion of VR because it’s not just for video games anymore. It’s more of a tangible, engaging experience to be used in education rather than a spreadsheet or graph, which oftentimes are difficult to understand.

The educational system needs to grow and expand its view of the importance of technology, as well as the business side of esports. NAU has the foundation to turn esports into a career and implementing VR as a new, effective tool for the learning experience.

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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Student musician Mar FEATURES

Ash Lohmann

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or many, a freshman dorm room is a place for late-night studying, bonding with a roommate and making memories with newfound friends. For freshman Marius Britt, his dorm room is also the namesake of his first album, “Room 135,” where Britt wrote, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered the album.

Britt said the experiences he had in college thus far have helped inspire his songwriting and pushed him to be creative. With a fresh start and meeting many new people, the more or less culture shock of coming to NAU provided Britt with material for song lyrics, as the new memories interacted with memories of his life before Flagstaff.

Drawing much of his inspiration from Kevin Parker’s psychedelic music project Tame Impala, Britt said that while writing “Room 135,” themes and feelings in the music mattered more to him than the specificities and mechanics. In an Instagram post promoting the album, Britt reflected on human experiences that found their way into “Room 135.”

“There’s love, loss, self-criticism, true happiness and complete feelings of loneliness throughout these songs,” Britt said in the post. “In other words: life.”

To Britt, it was important to create an album with songs that would mean something to the listeners. He said he attempted to craft stories and experiences in each song to make them more worthwhile. In every song, and even in creating the album, Britt valued the journey over the destination.

Scottsdale Community College freshman Greyson Bacal is a close friend of Britt’s. Bacal said Britt has continued to grow musically throughout their friendship, and that Britt’s taste shifted from Green Day to Linkin Park to The Black Keys to Tame Impala, all of which have inspired the music he makes. Even with outside influences, Bacal said he can hear what makes Britt’s sound unique.

“Within the last couple of years, Marius really fell into his own sound and developed his own style, which is a mix of psychedelic, beach, alternative and rock, if that’s even a thing,” Bacal said.

Britt’s roommate, freshman Wills DeGrandpre, said the music style doesn’t fit into a specific genre but rather bleeds between many, with rock and jazz influences found in the chord progressions. DeGrandpre said every song on the album is so different and when paired with Britt’s unique sound, makes for an amazing listening experience that takes the listener along for a story.

Britt’s album isn’t just an adventure for listeners. Britt said the creation of “Room 135” was an experience he’ll remember forever. The album had been turning over in Britt’s mind for a while, but getting a fresh start at college was what pushed him to take the plunge into finally creating it.

“In high school, [music] was a little thing I kept to myself,” Britt said. “No one really knew I played anything even though I was always writing. When I came to college, it was like, OK, no one knows me here. This is going to be me, I’m going to be the kid who always plays music and so, I kind of just went for it.”

Bacal said it was no surprise Britt made “Room 135.” He said that ever since he’s known Britt, he always had a guitar and because of Britt’s drive, creating an album seemed so natural for him. The two started playing music together in high school and Bacal said Britt always had a fascination in making his own album someday.

“Marius is hardworking when he’s passionate about something and his music is definitely at the top of that list,” Bacal said. “I always knew Marius had something special, especially when he wrote some of his first originals like “Going Nowhere.” When we started practicing it, I couldn’t believe how mature it sounded. It didn’t sound cheesy or anything like it, it sounded like Marius.”

The maturity in the music might be derived from Britt being raw and honest while writing his songs. Britt said he often writes in moments when social situations eat away at his mind. Oftentimes, he uses songwriting as a mechanism to cope with stress or discomfort. Britt said writing is usually for himself and producing is more akin to busy work, although he loves the entire process more than

“You can tell he’s and sou

– Wills DeGrandpr

Freshman musician Marius Britt poses for a portrait, Feb. 24. Britt was inspired to focus on his music when coming to college, leading to the creation of “Room 135.” Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

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rius Britt’s dorm debut FEATURES

anything.

DeGrandpre said even with Britt’s musical skill, it is very difficult to singlehandedly create an entire album.

“There’s so much more work than people realize, and a lot of people have full recording studios and unlimited instruments,” DeGrandpre said. “He does every single part of it on his own. That’s the most impressive thing to me, just how diverse his talents are.”

Bacal agreed that creating an album alone without professional equipment is quite the feat. He said that while some elements of Britt’s album could have been better, the final product was as good as it likely could’ve been for having been created in his dorm room.

“What Marius completed was an absolute touchdown, especially for a debut album,” Bacal said.

“He knows exactly what he wants and executed it perfectly, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Whether his ideas come to him piece by piece or all at once, Britt said writing his songs, recording himself play and fitting everything together can be a tedious task. Britt’s production of “Room 135” ultimately took much of his time away from other aspects of his life.

“My social life definitely has been a little bit of a struggle last semester,” Britt said. “I was absent for probably two months last semester and this semester, everyone would say, ‘you’re talking way more than normal,’ ‘we see you all the time now.’ I’m done, so now I have time.”

While it might have been difficult for Britt to balance his social life while composing his album, DeGrandpre said Britt maintains great relationships with his friends and family. He said Britt also managed to make lots of friends who are into music as much as he is, and thus created a large support system.

Britt said all the social challenges and hard work was well worth the end result, especially because making music is what he loves most in the world.

He said he knows music is what he wants to do with his life.

“I don’t want to be like, ‘Mom, I’m going to be a rockstar one day,’” Britt said. “Music definitely is what takes precedence over all the other stuff in my life. I enjoy it, which is great because it never feels like a burden or anything.”

Music is something Bacal said Britt could pursue as a career and making “Room 135” was a huge step for Britt’s career as an artist.

DeGrandpre agreed that Britt is making moves toward his goals as an artist. He said because Britt has the right motivations, he would make a better professional musician than many who also dream of making music for a living.

“His album could blow up and he could make tons of money from it,” DeGrandpre said. “Even if he didn’t, that’s not why he’s playing the music. You can tell he’s pouring his heart and soul into it. He’s not just doing it because he wants to become famous or something crazy like that. He really enjoyed the whole process.”

“Room 135” was released Feb. 21 and since, Britt said he’s received so much positive feedback not only from his family and friends, but even from people he doesn’t know. He said he’s so happy to hear people are enjoying what he worked so hard on.

DeGrandpre said that Britt hasn’t received much negative feedback so far, but if and when it does come, it will likely not impact Britt’s morale because he has been drowned in such positive responses already.

Britt said with how fantastic his experience has been already, he is excitedly working toward creating his second album. “Room 135” can be found on major streaming platforms and is available for purchase on iTunes.

Britt’s debut album “Room 135” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

s pouring his heart ul into it.”

re, Britt’s roommate

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

13

FEATURES

Dancers unite to the rhythm Alyssa Schultze

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eing in college and finding a group or activity to stay positive and upbeat can be difficult. However, the members of the Unity Dance Crew have found one another and developed a community around their shared interest in dance.

Unity is an NAU club that is focused on hip-hop collaboration. As club members explained, the name “Unity” comes from their desire to bring people together, regardless of anyone’s background.

Unity started when the club’s founders wanted more of an involvement in Hip Hop Week, which is a week dedicated to celebrating the genre. In 2017, two women, former students Diedre Magaña and Jasmine Coro, asked a few people from one of their hip-hop classes if they would be interested in forming a dance group.

After the group was founded, Unity became an official club in fall 2018.

One dancer, senior Jade Hicks, said the team is like her second family. She explained that this year, the dance team is a larger group and she can count on any of the members for support. For Hicks, being on the team is a constant uplift in life and brings her a feeling of security.

“Being on a dance team is unreal,” Hicks said. “It’s like having another whole family who holds you accountable, who not only supports you dance-wise but academically, physically, mentally and personally.”

Freshman Mariah Ruiz is new to the group. She said trying out for the team was intimidating, but ultimately, she doesn’t regret becoming a member of Unity. She said being on the team has made her freshman year so memorable.

Ruiz has been dancing since she was 3-years-old and even though she does not plan on continuing dance for her career, she still wants dance to be a big part of her life. After joining Unity, she had the opportunity to choreograph a dance, which she described as an accomplishment, especially for a freshman.

“The thing about Unity is everything is very open,” Ruiz said. “It doesn’t matter what grade you’re in, age or anything. They allow you to be creative and choreograph.”

Senior Danae Edwards also had the chance to choreograph a routine. She has been in Unity since the beginning and is now teaching hiphop classes at the Health and Learning Center.

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Unity Dance Crew performs at halftime of an NAU men’s basketball game at the Walkup Skydome, Feb. 13. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

Edwards said she is choreographing all the time because of these hip-hop classes but makes sure that dancers on the team also get the opportunity to choreograph if they want.

“I would say I’ve done a pretty heavy amount of choreographing, but I love it,” Edwards said. “We try and get everybody on the team who wants to choreograph and give them a spot. That way, everybody gets a chance to showcase their abilities.”

Unity recently began performing at halftime of NAU men’s basketball games.

Edwards said performing at games can be difficult because most of the time, people are not there to watch the dancers. She said it isn’t a bad experience though, because they are still out there performing and the attendees see who they are.

The dance group also performs at the Genetic Showcase, a high school dance showcase in Sahuarita, Arizona, each year. Ruiz said Unity was the only college team at the Sahuarita showcase this year because it typically features high school and elementary school dance teams.

There is also a Hip Hop Festival & Show in Yuma, Arizona, that the group attends. There

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are high profile choreographers who meet with students and teach them about dance.

“The event as a whole is a huge dance community who shares the same love, passion and dedication,” Hicks said. “The energy at the event leaves with you and you can feel it for at least a week later. At this event particularly in Yuma, there’s also a showcase where the big choreographers get to perform a bunch of their pieces, which are extremely inspiring to see in person rather than through social media.”

The Genetic showcase and the Hip Hop Festival & Show are places for the team to gain experience. Another opportunity for the team to perform is Hip Hop Week, a university-wide event that brings more exposure to the team.

Ruiz said Hip Hop Week is a big deal for the club. Members participate in events put on by ethnic studies classes, like Dance Day, and put in extra time and effort for preparation. Ruiz said Unity will go from practicing two days a week to almost every day before Hip Hop Week.

This year, Hip Hop Week will be held the week of April 13.

With all the hard work put into choreographing and performing, Ruiz said that

while dance is a sport, it is also an art.

“Dance is definitely an art,” Ruiz said.

“There are so many styles whether it be ballet, modern, hip-hop [or] jazz. Everyone gets to express themselves however they want to [and] there are multiple dancers who create their own style. It doesn’t even have to be something that anyone heard of — it could be a mash of everything that they like.”

Edwards said dance is becoming more popular because of its artistry. She explained how dance can get emotional and that it is a form of expression, and that is what makes it artistic.

“I think dance is a very important art form,” Edwards said. “I think it’s really cool to see how shows and things like that come together, especially like ‘The Nutcracker.’”

Unity dancers explained they have found their passion, as well as a group of supporters who make being in college a little easier. The dancers all agreed that being on the team is inspiring and has pushed them past their limits. Being a part of the dance family, to these dancers, is what Unity is all about.

Notice of Public Tuition Hearing Arizona Board of Regents Tuesday, March 24, 2020 5 – 7 p.m.

The Arizona Board of Regents will conduct a public hearing for testimony and comments from the public, students and other interested parties regarding the level of tuition and mandatory student fees to be charged for resident and nonresident students at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona for academic year 2020-2021. Comments at the tuition hearing will be heard on a rotating basis at the participant sites.

Public tuition hearings will be held at the main campuses of the universities and other sites throughout the state.

Please check the Arizona Board of Regents website for the link to the live webcast and specific information regarding the tuition hearing locations for Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona. www.azregents.edu Links to the presidents’ tuition and mandatory fee proposals will be available after Friday, March 13, 2020 at: www.azregents.edu. For more information, call (602) 229-2500.

Comments may also be submitted electronically to: tuition@azregents.edu This notice is provided pursuant to A.R.S. §15-1626.

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MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

15

CULTURE

Firecreek hosts Eric Nakamoto Quintet Katelyn Rodriguez

Devious drug deals on “Narcos: Mexico”

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hen my best friend told me I should watch “Narcos,” I didn’t know what to expect. I’m a squeamish person, and I can’t stand seeing blood on TV. I’m not a big fan of violent TV shows, but I decided to watch the show anyway. There are a few spoilers ahead, so if you haven’t seen either “Narcos” or “Narcos: Mexico,” go watch them. You won’t regret it.

“Narcos” takes the viewer on a trip to Colombia where drug kingpin Pablo Escobar began his cocaine empire. Although the show is violent and there is a lot of blood, I loved watching the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) manhunt to find Escobar. The show is intense, and there is not a boring moment.

When I finished “Narcos,” I began watching “Narcos: Mexico,” which premiered its second season Feb. 13. This spinoff centers around the Guadalajara NAYOMI GARCIA cartel that ruled Mexico in the 1980s. Season one begins by depicting how the leader of the cartel, Miguel Ángel ASSISTANT Félix Gallardo, began his empire. Gallardo, played by CULTURE EDITOR Diego Luna, is a ruthless leader who stops at nothing to expand his cartel.

As the Guadalajara cartel grew, agents from the DEA were sent to Guadalajara to control the cartel’s expansion. The main DEA agent is Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. As the agents got closer to tracking down members of the cartel, some of the members kidnapped Camarena and held him hostage in an opulent house Rubén Zuno Arce, who connected the cartel and the government, owned. The house belonged to Arce before he sold it to Gallardo’s business partner, Rafael Caro Quintero. Camarena was tortured to death before he could do anything to stop Gallardo and his empire.

Even though Camarena died before the cartel was controlled, the second season begins with new DEA agents who travel to Mexico to avenge Camarena’s death. The cartel has not stopped growing since the first season. At the start of season one, Gallardo’s cartel reached all the way to Tijuana, Sinaloa and Juárez.

The second season starts off with his three developed cartels and shows how each cartel runs the drug business.

The audience sees internal problems within each cartel. Some of the members don’t get along, others can’t agree on what to do to keep Gallardo content, and the Tijuana and Sinaloa cartels can’t stand working together.

Luna’s portrayal of Gallardo is phenomenal. I felt intimidated watching him through my screen, as he was describing how he wanted to control Mexico and his plans in expanding his power.

Although Luna does an amazing job conveying Gallardo’s arrogance, he also conveys how lonely Gallardo’s life really was. Despite all the power he had, Luna’s acting shows how badly Gallardo craved power in his empire.

Gallardo constantly did whatever he could to become more powerful, and this eventually led to his downfall.

The characters in “Narcos: Mexico” speak both Spanish and English, but don’t let the subtitles scare you. This show is completely worth watching. It takes you throughout Mexico and parts of Latin America to experience the inner workings of the Guadalajara cartel.

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J

azz has been a staple genre within the music industry since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and has featured legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. Although the genre has seen a decrease in popularity during the 21st century due to the rise of pop music, there are still some who are working to keep the legacy of jazz alive, even in Flagstaff.

On Friday, Firecreek Coffee Company held its first Jazz Night, which featured live, in-house music from the Eric Nakamoto Quintet. The jazz group consists of Nakamoto, a junior who plays the upright bass, senior Ryan Pratt on trombone, junior Brian Kabala playing guitar, Honors College professor Rob Wallace on the drums and Flagstaff local Tobias Colvin playing tenor saxophone.

The event lasted from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and drew a large crowd, which consisted of college students and other adults, including Tucson local Jackson Baine. He said he was initially drawn to the event by a friend who mentioned it. He has seen other jazz bands perform, but he enjoyed the quintet’s transitions most.

“I’m not really a musician, but I appreciate jazz music and I like to see it every opportunity I get,” Baine said. “To be honest, it’s rare to hear it here in Flagstaff.”

During the first half of the set, the quintet played numerous classical jazz standards. However, during the second half of the set, after a brief intermission, the group switched to playing jazz renditions of modern hits, like “For Free” by Kendrick Lamar. Eventually, two audience members got up from their seats to dance in the back of the room where the makeshift dance floor was located.

Nakamoto, the leader of the quintet, said the group was formed early this year. However, he picked the group members because he has known them for a long time and has performed with each one individually.

Nakamoto has been playing the upright bass since he was in sixth grade, however, he was not introduced to jazz until his freshman year of high school.

“When I was 14, I bought this game called Grand Theft Auto IV and in the game, they have fictional radio stations you can listen to,” Nakamoto said. “There was one called Jazz Nation Radio and it was like my introduction to jazz because they played artists like Duke Ellington, [John]Coltrane, Miles Davis and Count Basie.”

Nakamoto said the game also introduced him to jazz-style bass playing, known as bassline. He became obsessed with the style of playing and for a year he tried to figure out the harmonics of it.

In addition to playing at Firecreek, Nakamoto played over 100 shows last semester, which included being a substitute for the Phoenix Symphony. He said he finds it hard to balance school and performing, but as a classical double bass performance major, now that he’s done with his general education courses, he can focus on the performance aspect of his major. He also said he tries

to be as disciplined as he can when it comes to practicing and that he keeps a practice journal.

One of Nakamoto’s main inspirations is jazz pianist and bassist Charles Mingus. He said Mingus was one of the first jazz musicians he became obsessed with because of the way he played, and that he was a musician of color during the era of segregation.

Nakamoto said his main goal after he graduates in 2021 is to pursue his master’s degree. He also said he hopes to perform on a motion picture soundtrack and be an educator who can get people excited about music while showing his passion for it.

When it comes to coordinating events at Firecreek, booking agent Sandra Lee said she tries to pick acts that will draw a crowd.

“We like to promote new, local music and offer a unique experience,” Lee said. “We want the concertgoer to have a great night and we want to have the reputation of stellar music.”

Lee also said she picked the quintet to perform because Firecreek aims to give local jazz enthusiasts a place to listen to music while in a venue with an inviting atmosphere.

Overall, Nakamoto wants listeners to understand that jazz is a genre that has its roots in traditional African American music and blues.

“It’s a music genre born out of oppression and we need to understand that,” Nakamoto said. “It’s a very important genre because of what it symbolizes, and we need it.”

Firecreek’s next Jazz Night with the Eric Nakamoto jazz quintet will be held March 21 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Junior Eric Nakamoto strums the bass as his jazz quintet plays at Firecreek Coffee Company, Feb. 28.

MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack

CULTURE

Left: Artist Heaven Johnson, aka Gal Gracious, performs original music at the Museum of Contemporary Art Flagstaff. Right: Tieraney Carter, aka Wizard Apprentice, opens with a captivating performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art Flagstaff, Feb. 26. Anthony Cataldo | The Lumberjack

Watching an emotional illusion with Wizard Apprentice Olivia Charlson

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own a dark alley and through the doors to a warehouse packed with canvases and a rowboat, one can find original artists performing and showcasing their work at the Museum of Contemporary Art Flagstaff (MOCAF). The Interference Series opened with Gal Gracious and introduced Wizard Apprentice to a Flagstaff audience enchanted by their music.

On Feb. 27, The Interference Series, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local original artists and musicians, presented at MOCAF for the first time. There was an intimate crowd set up right in front of the performers.

Founder and curator Owen Davis started The Interference Series in 2015. He serves as one of three people who organize the events and run the organization. Davis is a music teacher at Cromer Elementary School by day and an underground music host by night. He said that the series presents three to four performances a month in various Flagstaff locations between August and May, and this is its fifth season.

“It is an organization that is devoted to presenting artists that make work that is experimental, avant-garde, improvised or anything that really doesn’t fit in the cracks of

mainstream performance,” Davis said.

Heaven Johnson, known by her pseudonym Gal Gracious, was the opening act for Wizard Apprentice and was sought out by The Interference Series after performing at the 18th annual Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, which took place Feb. 13. Johnson’s soft style, soulful songs and infectious laugh created a tranquil feeling in the room. Johnson said she has been playing music all her life but did not perform much until she was offered the chance to drum in her friend’s band five years ago.

“I did it and it was the most euphoric experience ever, and I was kind of captivated by being on stage,” Johnson said. “Never have I felt so comfortable with myself, which is kind of a rare feeling when you feel completely in sync with your own self. I went to another world up there.”

Johnson said she has been playing at Hops on Birch, Firecreek Coffee Company and other locations around town, and that she does it because it is what she is meant to be doing.

Johnson said her music is different because she does not like to adhere to traditional music rules, like chord progressions. She said Flagstaff is similar to an artist’s bubble and that artists can grow here.

Tieraney Carter, whose stage name is Wizard Apprentice, performed the second show of her first solo tour at MOCAF and brought her eccentric, captivating voice. Carter’s performance was completely out of the norm.

She used a spotlight, which she moved to cast different shadows on the wall behind her. She had created characters that had her face but with large or blacked-out eyes that were projected behind her, talking to the audience and introducing her songs. At points, she drummed while singing or expressed ideas through motion.

Carter described her music as digital folk art. She said she considers folk art to be music made by and for the community. She said art is often traditional and passed down from person to person in smaller communities or families, and basically digital folk would be a version of that, which involves technology such as cellphones, laptops or music sharing apps. Carter said her performances helped her to clarify her story and experiences.

“A lot of this live show is set up this way because I am a really nervous performer, so having an avatar be the host of the show frees up a role for me,” Carter said. “Since the avatar is doing it, I don’t have to and I can focus on being present and honest about my emotions as they

come up. The other avatar in the performance is there to kind of represent a voice that I’ve internalized and that’s not mine, so I’ve needed those characters to help tell the story.”

Davis said that Wizard Apprentice falls in the cracks of different genres and even the phrase digital folk artist makes the imagination start flowing.

“She’s an artist who identifies very much in the do-it-yourself culture and the underground culture, and there’s a lot of that stuff out there and not too much of it in Flagstaff going on,” Davis said. “The more we can present artists like Wizard Apprentice, the more we can expose our community to more artists like them and learn more about ourselves as local artists.”

The Interference Series brings a whole new community together and brings artists, like Gal Gracious, who has her own unique style and songs that make one smile, and Wizard Apprentice, who challenges modern music. The organization is attempting to bring underground music out of the depths of Flagstaff.

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020| THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Performers gather for KJACK Radio events

Top Left: Minivan band members participate in KJACK’s Room 112 live performance, Feb. 28. Room 112 is a mini live-concert series produced by KJACK Radio in partnership with the new Advanced Media Lab. Emma Keider | KJACK Radio Bottom Left: Brayden Stark and Aaron Trager perform at KJACK’s Open Mic Night, Feb. 27. Right: Sophomore Samuel Scribner excites the crowd while singing a cover of The Beatles, Feb. 27. Bailey Helton | The Lumberjack

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MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020| THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

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Don’t throw at Astros batters

he Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal has rocked the baseball world. The Astros’ 2017 championship has a metaphorical asterisk and many players around MLB are furious at the Astros organization for cheating. They are currently the biggest villains in sports.

The organization, management and executives were punished for stealing pitch signs during the 2017 season, but the players that directly benefitted from this scheme were granted immunity for honest testimony by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred during the investigation.

This has further angered players and the speculation is that pitchers are now going SEAN to intentionally throw at the Astros’ CLARK players. While the anger is understandable, WRITER the pitchers should not do that.

As children, most of us either had siblings or went to schools where we played with other kids.

Typically when conflicts occurred, the altercations tended to get physical and kids would be punished by their parents or by faculty, especially when it happened at school.

However, in many situations, the kid who retaliated is the one punished instead of the one who started the fight.

Sometimes, the one who retaliates lands a hit that causes more damage.

The Astros are the ones who started the fight, but the pitchers who retaliate will land a more physical blow and will be punished. Manfred has already stated his intention of punishing pitchers who intentionally throw at the Astros by suspension.

Pitchers, no matter how frustrated they may be, should not get themselves into trouble for the sake of revenge. It will not only negatively impact the team, but their paychecks and season momentum will take a hit as well. It is simply not worth it.

Also, intentionally throwing a baseball that weighs around 5 ounces with a 9-inch circumference, around 90 mph at a person is highly dangerous and can lead to serious injury. It is painful getting hit by a pitch no matter where the ball lands.

Giancarlo Stanton, a former Miami Marlins outfielder, needed six to eight weeks to recover when he was drilled in the face Sept. 11, 2014, by then-Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers, who ironically is the one that was the whistleblower for the Astros’ scandal. Former Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones broke his wrist after being hit by a 96-mph fastball.

If pitchers want to take revenge on the Astros, there are two better ways to do so: beat them and don’t shake their hands. The Astros will be motivated this season to prove to everyone that they can win without cheating to steal signs.

Pitchers will be motivated to show the Astros they only won due to having an unfair advantage. The best revenge will be for the pitchers to win those battles.

There are ways to get revenge on the Astros for cheating.

Just don’t do it in a way that can seriously injure other people.

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Nico Young poses with the 2019-2020 National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award, Feb. 20.

Photo courtesy of Lyndsay Goldstein, Gatorade Player of the Year Program

NAU cross country secures top recruit david church

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ross country and track and field have been two of the most successful teams of late for NAU Athletics.

According to NAU Athletics, the cross country team was the first non-power five school to win three consecutive national championships when it went on a dominant run in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Track and field is on the rise as well, as it recently received the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s No. 1 ranking for indoor track and field.

These two programs are about to get even more talent next season when star track athlete Nico Young joins the Lumberjacks.

Young is a high school senior at Newbury Park High School in Newbury Park, California. He has quickly become one of the most sought-after track and field recruits in the nation. When it was time for him to choose where he wanted to further his career, NAU made sure to put its name in the running, and luckily, the Lumberjacks were the winners.

“On my visit there, I definitely felt a good connection between myself and the team, as well as coach [Michael] Smith,” Young said. “I think that environment and the team at NAU were unlike any other team that I visited.”

Young also discussed how Flagstaff appealed to him during

the recruiting process.

“The place and the location are pretty awesome,” Young said. “Everything just went really well on that visit and I think Flagstaff is the best place for me to be.”

Young will have a lot of support when he makes the transition from high school to college as well, especially from his high school coach Sean Brosnan.

Brosnan has been coaching cross country at Newbury Park High School for the past four years. He was named the California High School Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2019 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, and has had a helping hand in Young’s development since his freshman year.

“I actually started working here at Newbury Park the same time Nico was beginning his freshman year, so he and I have a very good relationship,” Brosnan said. “We have very open communication about his training and I knew early on that he was going to be something really special.”

Brosnan was not wrong. During his time in high school, Young started racking up championships and records. According to MileSplit, he was a two-time California Interscholastic Federation Division II state champion, the reigning champion of the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN), as well as the current record

SPORTS holder for the best time in the NXN 5K meet.

Given Young’s impressive accomplishments, NAU cross country assistant coach Jared Cornfield realized Young was a recruit the Lumberjacks could not pass up.

“The recruiting process was very competitive,” Cornfield said.

“Every top school in the country was going after Nico and we are just really excited he chose NAU. We can’t wait for him to have the NAU letters displayed across his chest.”

On Feb. 20, Young was awarded one of the most prestigious awards any athlete can receive at the high school level — the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Young was surprised with the award when he walked into Newbury Park’s halls that day.

Young explained how it felt to be in the same conversation as other notable names that have received the award.

“It definitely means a lot to me,” Young said. “It’s really awesome to get such a prestigious award that all of these other amazing athletes have received from years past. It’s awesome to be a part of that and to be on that list.”

Brosnan shared this moment with his star track athlete as well, as he explained how it felt to see one of his runners earn the award.

“It’s pretty amazing to see him get it,” Brosnan said. “In the high school athlete world, getting that award is like an actor getting an Oscar. The Gatorade award is special, so when they finally came to the school and surprised him with it, it was a special moment. As his coach, it was great to just sit back and celebrate him.”

While all of the accolades are great for a young athlete’s confidence, Young knows that academics come first. He said he is looking to study either exercise science or business when he starts classes at NAU this fall.

The biggest aspect that Cornfield expressed is that he wants Young to go through the same experiences all college students go through.

“We just want him to be a normal freshman and have that normal college experience here at NAU,” Cornfield said. “A guy like Nico has all the potential in the world, and we

cannot wait for him to get to Flagstaff and start showing that potential, not only on the track but in the classroom as well.”

For an athlete like Young, the sky is the limit. He said it has been inspiring to see what the NAU track and field team has done recently and is ready to contribute when he arrives to Flagstaff.

Brosnan said he has a lot of confidence that Young has the ability to be great in all aspects at NAU. “Nico is a phenomenal athlete and student,” Brosnan said. “I don’t have any doubt that he will excel in whatever he decides to major in, as well as whatever he does on the track.

Being in the program with [Michael] Smith and all those great athletes that they have in the program, I’d love to see him win a national championship with NAU. As long as he listens to his coaches, I think he will be able to do great things with the Lumberjacks, I really do.”

With an already impressive roster and three national championships to show for it, the NAU cross country team and track and field team have found a new weapon that will help keep its winning culture alive for years to come.

Top: Young being awarded with the 2019-2020 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Bottom: Young and his family posing for a photo at Newbury Park High School, Feb. 20. Photo courtesy of Lyndsay Goldstein, Gatorade Player of the Year Program

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

NAU Frisbee stars find home with AZ Sidewinders william Hopkins

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lagstaff is a premier spot for training at high altitude. Many athletes come to the city to train, and one sport that has seen the benefit of this is ultimate Frisbee. Both the men’s and women’s teams have seen success in their short history, including a Desert Section Championship for the women’s team in the 2019 season.

Flagstaff is home to a number of professional players for the state’s new franchise, the Arizona Sidewinders. They will be playing in the inaugural season of the Western Ultimate League (WUL), a womxn’s ultimate Frisbee league that is based in the West Coast of the United States.

Womxn means the league will also include transgender and nonbinary women, as the league hopes to promote equality for all who play the game.

The Sidewinders are in one of the smaller markets in the league. The other squads that make up the league include Utah, San Diego and Los Angeles, as well as clubs in Seattle, San Francisco and Portland.

The Sidewinders are the first professional ultimate Frisbee team in Arizona and they

feature 30 womxn from Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The team will be based in Phoenix for home games, but most of its training will take place in Flagstaff, where five of its players are based. Among those are former San Diego Wolfpack player and current NAU women’s ultimate Frisbee assistant coach, Caitlin Winterbottom, and NAU men’s ultimate Frisbee head coach Helen Eifert, who are both graduate students of NAU. Winterbottom was excited about the opportunity to get a younger generation of players involved, comparing it to the Women’s United Soccer Association.

“We had a team in San Jose, which was 30 minutes away from where I grew up, and it changed my life watching these crazy womxn,” Winterbottom said. “If I didn’t have them to look up to, I don’t know that I would have pursued sports in the same way.”

Winterbottom, who played in the West Coast Women’s Ultimate series with the San Diego Wolfpack, will now be playing her first full season with the Sidewinders after playing ultimate since seventh grade.

Eifert has been playing since she was a senior in high school and spent a year playing for the NAU women’s team while in her first year of graduate school.

The men’s professional league, the American Ultimate Disc League, is in its eighth season and last year was the inaugural season for the women’s league on the East Coast. The Premier Ultimate League knows that the sport has hit a point of significant growth. Eifert, who was also a founder of the WUL, was excited about the amount of talent that the WUL brought in its first rosters.

“We did a good job of drawing big names from our markets,” Eifert said. “I think the level of play is going to be very similar [to the national team].”

Junior Karli Steiner, 21, will be the youngest player on the roster and among the youngest in the league. Steiner has been playing Frisbee since her freshman year of college and has developed quickly. The veteran players have taken note of Steiner’s quick development.

“She’s willing to take big risks and that’s what sets her apart from other people her age,” Winterbottom said. “She’s super coachable and brings a ton of passion, and I definitely think she will improve just because of that.”

Steiner said she was incredibly excited to be on the team. The team has been a huge part of her development and day-to-day college experience.

“It’s been awesome,” Steiner said. “Everyone coming in should join something because that’s how you make friends and it helps you feel included in something.”

Steiner played with Eifert for a year at NAU and saw the development of her talents. Steiner said she learned a lot simply from playing with Eifert, a sentiment echoed by captain of the men’s team, Brandon Hutcheson.

“She makes our whole team better just by being here,” Hutcheson said. “The level that she’s played at and the teams she’s been a member of, it makes it easy to adjust and get better.”

Eifert will be a key member of the team but has also had a key role in creating it. Being a manager of the founding group for both the Sidewinders and the league, Eifert is excited about the creation of the team.

“Seeing everyone who is going to be a part of the team and how exciting it is for them makes all the hard work that I put into this and my career worth it,” Eifert said.

The Sidewinders will play their first game March 25 against the San Diego Super Bloom in Phoenix. For those wanting to watch games, Historic Flagstaff Brewery will be hosting watch parties for all Sidewinder games.

Left: Arizona Sidewiders player and junior Karli Steiner reaches for a catch during practice. Right: Sidewinders player Helen Eifert dives for a Frisbee during practice, Feb. 24.

Photo courtesy of Shelby Petty, Arizona Sidewinders player.

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NAU triumphs over big sky giant montana, 57-56

Top Left: Freshman forward Ajang Aguek (2) receives high-fives after a timeout. Bottom Left: Senior forward Brooks DeBisschop (22), freshman forward Ajang Aguek (2) and University of Montana players scramble as a loose ball flies out of bounds in the final minutes of the game. Right: Junior guard Bernie Andre (10) attempts a contested layup, Feb. 27. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

MARCH 5, 2020 – MARCH 11, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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