C
The
Volume 48 Issue 3 Nov. 17 - Jan. 25
ommunicator Spokane Falls Community College
FEATURES: PAGE 8 & 9 NEWS PERSPECTIVE CULTURE SIDELINES PG. 3
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PG. 12
PG. 15
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The Communicator 11.17.2016
Contents
Editor: Blake Herrod sfcc.blake.herrod@gmail.com
The Communicator Staff Editors
Cover photo and staff photos taken by Collin Masteller The Communicator
Editor and Chief Sam Jackson
News Editor Dane Leyde
Reporters
Katelynn McPherson
Perspective Editor Features Editor Chandler Donovan Venacia Williams Pedersen
Bryce Bryant
Rhyan Graham
Dyanna Diltz
Demi Burger
Britt Pierro
Collin Masteller
Ben Holman
Robert Bremner
Photographers
Adviser
Managing Editor Blake Herrod
Jason Nix
Culture Editor Sidelines Editor Devyn Marie Seier Chloe Zimmerman
Melanie Brooks
www.communicatoronline.org
Josh McManus
Averie Skeels
Collin Masteller Photographer | The Communicator
Editor: Dane Leyde & Blake Herrod sfcc.dane.leyde@gmail.com
News
The Communicator 11.17.2016
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Photo taken by Collin Masteller The Communicator
STA expansion details: going a greater distance Averie Skeels
sfcc.averie.skeels@gmail.com As of Nov. 8, the Spokane County General Election passed the PTBA Spokane Transit Authority Proposition No. 1: Preservation and Improvement of Public Transportation Services. This proposition will use tax authority to maintain the transit system and improve the fixedroute bus service by extending running hours, and to expand passenger services such as adding new park and ride lots. The funding to pursue these changes will be collected from additional taxes of 1/10th of a percent before rising to 2/10ths of a
percent in 2019. STA’s ten year plan regarding the specific’s of these projects can be found at http:// stamovingforward. com/plan/projects. For all those who make bus transportation their main method of commute to and from campus, this is an exciting development. Now more than ever, the STA will become more accessible to its citizens and to SFCC’s students with valid student I.D.’s. According to The Spokane Transit Website (uride. spokanetransit.com), “SFCC is excited to offer a Spokane Transit Authority (STA)
Proposition No. 1 was passed allowing the STA to expand their reach as well as open new bus routes Pass to currently enrolled students. That’s right, unlimited access to ride STA (and students pay nothing!) To use your Student I.D., simply swipe it when you get on the bus! That’s it.” Along with bussing being free to students, SFCC should expect the plaza to be constructed as soon as the STA finds funding from the Regional Mobility Grant. However, the plaza project is still in its planning stage, and there is no definite time frame for its completion. While SFCC will need to wait on updates, the Bus Rapid Transit
Project called the Central City Line is finally underway. “Our goal is to have it constructed by 2021,” says Brandon Rapez-Betty, the Sr. Communications Specialist for the STA, “It would take that long because we are going to submit our proposal to the FTA to apply for a Federal Small Start Grant. If awarded that grant 100 percent will be coming from the grant generated from all over the country. In a way we are all still paying for it, but it will be going towards Spokane rather than another community.” The federal grant
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that the STA is Federal Small Start Grant is valid for any transit project under $250,000,000, and the Central City Line has a $72,000,000 capital. Daniel Walters from The Inlander stated in his article, The non-trolley Central City Line — and the rest of STA Prop 1 — makes the leap, that “[The state] would only pay for the operational cost, which, because the vehicle is electric, would actually be significantly cheaper. Critics shrugged these arguments aside, arguing that spending federal and state money is still spending taxpayer
money.” Regardless, the Proposition No.1 transit upgrades will improve commuters lives with the addition of new routes and longer hours, as well as jumpstart for a plethora of new projects such as SFCC’s plaza and the Central City Line. The next 10 years has a lot in store with regards to constantly improving Spokane’s public transportation.
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News
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Editor: Dane Leyde sfcc.dane.leyde@gmail.com
Other methods of travel
Besides driving what other forms of transportion could you utilize Averie Skeels
sfcc.averie.skeels@gmail.com For those who are less inclined to ride the bus, there are other methods of commuting to and from campus that does not siphon cash from your pockets. Plus, they do not involve buying a car. In fact almost anything is better than using a car for the daily back and forth between home, work, and/or school. According to National Safety Council data, riding the bus is 170 times safer than riding in a car and produced 80 percent less of carbon monoxide than your average locomotive. It would also save each commuter thousands of dollars. The average price of a new car in 2016 is about $33,666 while a used car ranged from $22-19,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. This does not include the price of maintenance, which is about $1,000 per year, and the price of the ever fluctuating price of gas
needed to fuel your new or used vehicle. Needless to say, owning a car is expensive. Another way to lessen the burden on your wallet, and reduce the population of cars crammed onto the road is to opt in for using Uber or Lyft to convey yourself to and from your spontaneous errands. Uber is a popular, highly-regulated cab service. It does, however, operate outside of local and federal regulations that apply to taxis. In the article titled, “17 things You Should Know About Uber” by Justin Andress, it is stated that despite Ubers being less regulated according to government standards, these local cabs are strikingly similar to your common New York taxi. As told by Andress, “You’ve got to be older than 21 years of age, then you need to have had a valid driver’s license for more than three years. You also need active in-state insurance
and a social security number because Uber performs background checks on its drivers. For the actual vehicle, you’ll need a four door sedan with instate plates. Some states require a car that’s less than ten years old, but most only require a car newer than 2000. In addition, every vehicle that’s put up for consideration undergoes an inspection of some kind.” Another concern over using an Uber or a taxi is that almost anyone can be an Uber driver, making potential customers defer away due to safety concerns. “The honest answer is that neither is safer than the other, really” according to Andress, “But neither is more dangerous than a taxi, conceivably. You’re essentially taking a small risk every time you get into any kind of public transportation – as is the driver, for that matter. For what it’s worth, the odds are actually overwhelm-
Communicator staff driver liscence. Collin Masteller
| The Comunnicator
ing that the person behind the wheel is a parent, working an extra job (or a flexible job) trying to make ends meet for their families.” And unlike a taxi, Uber also offers a service called Uberkittens where they allow temporary kitten cuddles while you ride. But if taking a kitten cab ride or riding the newly updated transit system is still not as alluring as having the freedom and convenience of your own car, why not consider biking or walking? Bradley Bleck, an avid cyclist and one of SFCC’s own english Professor’s has been riding his bike to and from school almost everyday for ten years. “My standard plan is to ride my bike. Unless there is something keeping
from a department store because mass produced bikes are usually do not last very long and are not as easy to fix when things need fixing. According to Bleck, the monthly upkeep for maintaining his bike is $35 for a new chain and $60 a year for his continental gatorskin, puncture resistant city tires. He also gets studded tires for the winter that are around the same price but do not need to be replaced as often since they are only used seasonally. Biking, walking, busing, or driving, the multitude of travel methods available to Spokane citizens will be able to provide the necessary means for getting to your next destination. With or without your sixth generation handme-down ford.
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me from doing it. I ride five and a half miles here, but ten miles on the way home. Takes me about twenty minutes to get here, forty five or fifty minutes to get home. I come along gov way where there is a wide shoulder. I used to come up fort wright drive but I had to race the cars. Now I come through mukogawa where I don’t have to worry as much” says Bleck. Riding a bike as your main form of transportation is not as difficult or inconvenient as most people would think. Along with being environmentally friendly, it serves as a means of staying healthy, and is more cost efficient in the long run. When choosing your new metallic steed, Bleck suggests to get a bike that is used and not
Editor: Chandler Pedersen sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com
Perspective
Places that secular students can go, for safety and freedom There are many options for students with secular beliefs spread all over the world and there is even one close to SFCC campus. Chandler Donovan Pedersen
sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com When it comes to the topic of religion, many people turn away and look for an easier, safer topic. But what about those students who want to talk about it? The students that want a safe place to go and worship, or meet new people? Where can they go? The Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, which is located at 4340 W Fort George Wright Dr, Spokane, is not like a normal church of Christianity or any other religion. This church focuses on Enlightenment thinking, Philosophy and Logic, while at the same time, welcoming all people of all religions and even the religionless, i.e. Atheists and Agnostics. “Unitarianism always emphasizes humanity and humanitarian teachings,” said Todd Eklof, the minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church. The Unitarian Universalist Church attracts a wide variety of people, ranging from students to professors of both Gonzaga and SFCC. But the church really catches the attention of emerging millennials. Another church, or religious organization that welcomes all people, whether they truly believe in it or not is The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. This is a newer religion, as it was started in 2005, and welcomes all who want to join, even those who are already in a religion. Many believe that The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is a satirical play on religion, but it is very much so a real religion. “It’s not a joke,” said Bobby Henderson, Creator and founder of Pastafarianism, “Elements of our religion are sometimes described as satire and there are many members who do not literally believe our scripture, but this isn’t unusual in religion. A lot of Christians don’t believe the Bible is literally true – but that
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From the editor: Passion is what fuels this paper Sam Jackson
sfcc.sam.jackson@gmail.com
doesn’t mean they aren’t True Christians.” My passion for the paper started last year, Pastafarianism gives people a chance to Winter Quarter 2016. I walked into the newsmeet other people from around the world and room at SFCC, completely unaware that I was shows that there is a safe place for them to go. finally going to find something with purpose.
Collin Masteller Photographer | The Communicator What would the Flying Spaghetti Monster do? He will welcome you with open noodle arms to his community of believers and non believers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.venganza.org/about/
http://uuspokane.org/WP2/
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This class can shape you if you let it. Never had I’d been confident at my writing until a former editor of mine, Jeremy Logan, uttered to me how good of writer I am. Never have I felt included at school until another former editor of mine, Mallory Biggar, consistently made me feel welcomed and invited to this unique group. After that I found myself staying later and later in the newsroom, being apart of a real publication with people who really care about this paper. Spending time in the newsroom is where I started to feel most comfortable on campus. Nothing is better than geeking out about the paper with my peers and consistently telling our computers to go to hell. At times the newsroom can feel heavy and the idea of the paper not coming out is apparent and really scary. Let me tell you, being at the school until 10 p.m. is a surreal experience. Especially when the paper is due the following day and you’re on the phone with the printer company tweaking every little thing. Yet no matter what it always comes out on time. My main goal as Editor-in-Chief was to express the magic that comes with producing a paper, if you get involved. I was extremely satisfied to find that I achieved that goal, more so than I even fathomed. Watching my staff grow made all the pressure of being an editor worth it. I want to thank the entire Communicator staff for encouraging me and their peers to get the paper out. I want to thank Jason Nix, our advisor, for guiding me throughout this time, for pushing me and believing in the student press. I want to thank my Managing Editor, Blake Herrod, for always reassuring me that everything will be fine and making me laugh. I want to thank every single person I have met throughout this journey. Creating a publication is an art form, I am beyond thrilled with having had the oppurtunity of holding the brush.
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The Communicator 11.17.2016
Perspective
Editor: Chandler Pedersen sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com
Politics and Religion: The thin line This mixture of religion and politics has been occurring for as long as America has been a country: it’s entirely wrong. Josh McManus
sfcc.josh.mcmanus@gmail.com James Madison said it best when he proclaimed, “The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.” In lamented terms, religion and politics are a volatile mix which causes blind hysteria as well as years of war and death. In terms of American politics religion plays a critical role for voters in determining who to vote for. Voters often choose candidates who they believe will uphold their religion while in office. However it’s only their specific religion they’re looking to promote with Christianity being the most dominate. “The whole reason people came to the this country was to escape religious prosecution” said political science teacher Dr. Clemons. “Our recent survey shows that many
Americans care about their leaders’ faith. For instance, half of all American adults say that it’s important for a president to share their religious beliefs. And more people now say there is “too little” religious discussion by their political leaders (40%) than say there is “too much” (27%),” pewresearch.org, a website that manages public polls in regards to issues. Politics can’t and shouldn’t be mixed with religion. The more the two mingle the less logical and rational the state becomes. Look at manifest destiny, the premise of the great American expansion was built on the idea that it was god’s will. With that expansion came the further desolation of the native people’s residing in the area. With a religiously ruled state anything can be done if it’s ‘god’s will’. Due the US being situated on such uneven economic ground, it’s no surprise religion becomes the focus of the majority, even with firewall instituted by Congress. Even the president can be seen quoting The Bible and inviting religious leaders to
Collin Masteller Photographer | The Communicator
There is a thin line betwreen politics and religion, and America seems to cross that line often.
the US. This mixture of religion and state is a slippery slope one of which Thomas Jefferson himself warned. “legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” Both politics and religion separated are fine, it’s when combined that countries go to war and people die. It’s the right of everyone to practice what they want, government however should be kept without religion.
Gun Control is just a shot away
With the win for the legislation of the updated gun control laws, it looks like the state is heading in a safer direction and out of the constant state of violence. Chandler Donovan Pedersen
sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com
This month has been a great month for those who support Gun Control in Washington. There has been a new law passed giving people the ability to take away guns if the owner is being unsafe with them, and this seems to be a step into a brighter future. “People are really fed up with this epidemic of gun violence,” said Joanna Paul, Director of Communication of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. When shootings occur daily in America, you know we have an issue. When shootings occur in sacred places, such
as churches, hospitals, and schools, you know we need to take action to stop this destructive spree of violence. “ After the assassinations of President John Kennedy, Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr,” according to www.aft.gov , “The Gun Control Act is passed and imposes stricter licensing and regulation on the firearms industry.” We do have Gun Control in this country, it just needs to be updated so people with criminal background, and people who are on the terrorist watch list do not have the ability to purchase firearms and ammunition. “Vote totals aren’t final, but right now www.communicatoronline.org
Collin Masteller Photographer | The Communicator
we’re just over 70% of voters supporting I-1491,” said Paul. “It’s so easy to get involved, and there’s so much to do,” Said the Alliance for Gun Responsibility group, “People can sign up for our email list, write letters and make calls to their legislators, write letters to their local newspaper, and find out when to join us in Olympia.” “We also create a legislative scorecard every year so you can find out where your State Senator and Representatives stand on this issue and vote for our champions.”
Perspective
Editor: Chandler Pedersen sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com
The Communicator 11.17.2016
Black Friday and the hazardous truth
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Black Friday shopping is hazardous there’s no getting around it. Josh McManus
Robert Bremner Illustrator
sfcc.josh.mcmanus@gmail.com Christmas is just around the corner and with it comes sales, deals and one of the busiest days a year, black friday. A nationwide day of endless shopping, coupons, discounts and consumers fighting tooth and nail to get their Christmas gifts before the stores run out, and as christmas draws closer and closer, and consumers become more and more desperate to get first dibs it’s no surprise violence and panic quickly ensue this dreaded day. “We get a lot of foot traffic, customers get more irritable,” said Nathan Lenz manager of gamestop. When you go out to Target to get that super great deal on a new TV you’re risking your safety. “In 2011 alone there were 46 injuries relating to black friday shopping,” accord-
ing to http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/. From a teen getting trampled to a father and his children getting into a car accident black friday brings out the diehard shoppers willing to do anything to get that new iPhone. “On Black Friday itself, 74.2 million shopped in 2015,” according to h ttps://www. thebalance.com and an nrf study. With such a large demographic dedicated to the madness of holiday shopping following previous years it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most Americans spend ridiculous amounts of money on black Friday annually. “American consumers plan to spend an average $935.58 during the holiday shopping season this year” according to https://nrf.
| The Communicator
com/resources/consumer-data/holiday-headquarters. What good does this do? Is it worth spending ridiculous amounts of money like this yearly? “According to the Census ACS survey, the median household income for the United States was $55,775 in 2015” http://www.deptofnumbers.com/income/us/. Stores are making a killing all through the holidays and at the expense of the average citizen. The facts are the average US household is hemorrhaging money by spending ridiculous amounts on holiday gifts. Black Friday is the epitome an American holiday full of violence, over spending and of course christmas cheer.
Despite the risk, people still smoke
Hey guys, the 60’s called! They want their ciggies back! Collin Masteller Photographer | The Communicator Students gather at one of the many smoking areas on campus.
Rhyan Graham sfcc.rhyan.graham@gmail.com To be very clear, this may also include anyone who vapes, chews, or uses either tobacco or marijuana, in someway or another. In other words, this can apply to anyone that smokes at all. I really don’t like smoking as a whole, I look at anyone who vapes or smokes cigarettes and always ask in my mind “Why are you more or less killing yourself?” I say that because although smok-
federal aid, we should be smoke free. Nicotine is the number one hardest drug to get off of.” ing doesn’t kill you right way as It is illegal to smoke near you’re doing it. campus, with those caught getting Spokane Falls, here on a ticket for those that aren’t smokcampus has 5 smoking areas located in parking lots, which shows ing near a smoking area. Tobacco, simply, is really that we do have a population of awful. For starters, off of betobacsmokers still, here at SFCC. Our cofree.hhs.gov, of the 7,000 chemHealth Instructor Irene Matlock had a lot of negative things to say icals found in cigarettes, including nicotine, 70 of those cause cancer, about smoking on campus. including lung, stomach, and kid “We are a state faciliney cancer, as well as Leukemia. ty.” Irene Matlock said. “We get “People who started www.communicatoronline.org
smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing cannabis use disorder lost an average of eight IQ points between ages 13 and 38.” Drugabuse.gov stated, “The lost mental abilities did not fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults.” Adult’s however, weren’t affected when they started marijuana. Regardless of what you smoke, know the consequences of smoking. Know how much you give away when you smoke.
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Editor: Venacia Williams sfcc.venacia.williams@gmail.com
The red,
white, and
blue display Collin Masteller sfcc.collin.masteller@gmail.com The red, white and blue ripples and flutters as it hovers in front of the vibrant blue sky. The stars and stripes whip and crack as it flutters in the wind. This is the American flag. Veterans Day is on Nov. 11 every year. Veterans say that the American flag means more to them than most civilians will ever know. “It means a lot of things to everyone, but to me it is a huge symbol of pride,” SFCC student and veteran Garrett Stenthjem said. This year, the SFCC Veterans Club presented a flag display in honor of the national holiday. The display consisted of over 230 flags arranged around the courtyard in
Collin Masteller Photographer
| The Communicator
Rows of flags represent the Veterans that attend SFCC
Features
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are volunteering to serve. People go and make these sacrifices, families are making sacrifices, so whatever we can do to bring attention to that, is what this is about.” Moving Forward The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are roughly 600,000 veterans in Washington State. That number does not include the 60,000 that are currently enlisted. “The unsung and unseen part is that not all of the widows and sons and daughters are properly Collin Masteller Photographer| The Communicator cared for or recognized,” Gray The sun rises on the SFCC Flag Display in honor of the Veterans. said. “We try to help those that have fallen through the cracks.” The American Legion is just front of the library. located in Spokane Valley. one of many resources available Here on Campus “We like to participate locally for veterans. The 2017 federal According to AFVA President wherever we can as a post,” he budget included over $182 billion Dylan Young, approximately 230- said. for veterans services. 240 veterans attend SFCC. A flag “There is some confusion “We get caught up in our display is being put on and fundamong the civilian population,” lives, and if you don’t have someed by the Armed Forces Veterans he said. “Veterans Day is the day one in your family or you haven’t Association (AFVA) located in the that we support and recognize served, it’s easy to forget,” Weaver SFCC library. Each flag represents those that are still on this side of said. “They believe in what the a veteran who attends SFCC. This the grass. The other day, Memorial flag symbolizes and no matter event is designed to bring awareDay, is the day for those that have what you believe about politics or ness to Veterans Day and what it gone to what we call post everlastwar, people go there to help. We stands for. ing.” can’t forget those people.” “It’s a day to recognize the The opening ceremony lasted AFVA President Dylan Young sacrifice, the time, the real life almost an hour. Guest speakers agrees with Weaver. investment people make,” AFVA included SFCC President Dr. Janet “I think it’s important to President Dylan Young said. Gullickson and Associate Director know your history,” he Dylan has served in the “All gave some and some gave said. “Understanding what US Navy for almost 10 years. service member put on the “If you really think about all,” -Korean War veteran table and what they go thru it anyone who is serving now and purple heart recipient is important.” or has served, between the serThe AFVA is currently vice members themselves and Howard William Osterkamp looking for both private and the families, there is a subcorporate sponsors for the stantial amount of sacrifice,” he of Veterans Services Lane Andercontinued funding of this event. said. “You can imagine having to son. Afterwards attendees gathered They hope to one day have a disappear for six months to a year around in small groups discussing sponsor for each flag with all and a half. I think it’s important to what Veterans Day means to them. remaining proceeds going to a recognize how profound that is.” Faculty adviser to the AFVA Britni scholarship fund for veterans. The event on campus was not Weaver was among the attendees. only for students. The American “I myself haven’t served, but Legion was invited to the campus a lot of my family members have,” to participate. Veteran Service she said. “I grew up as an Air Officer and Air Force veteran Tim- Force brat. I think it’s important to othy Gray from post 241 was invit- bring attention to the people who ed out for the event. Their office is www.communicatoronline.org
Features
Editor: Venacia Williams sfcc.venacia.williams@gmail.com
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“It is important to think back about the people that have fought for your right to do what you do.” -Garrett Stenthjem AFVA members work tirelesslyto put up the SFCC Flag Display
Flag Display in the library courtyard SFCC Chamber Choir opened the ceremonies with “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful”
A crowd gathered for the AFVA Flag Display’s opening ceremonies
Associate Director of Veterans Service, Lane Anderson speaks during speaks during the opening ceremonies
All photos taken by Collin Masteller
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Editor: Venacia Williams sfcc.venacia.williams@gmail.com
Features
The Communicator 11.17.2016
SFCC’s 3D printer
Benjamin Holman | Photographer
Venacia Williams sfcc.venacia.williams@gmail.com
Betta Gamma Kappa Club
Benjamin Holman | Photographer The Betta Gamma Kappa Club is just one chapter of a larger society.
Venacia Williams sfcc.venacia.williams@gmail.com
tools that they need to better their future. “When I first got into the club I was a little shy,” said Brian Mendoza, a newer memLeadership, Scholarship, ber of Betta Gamma Kappa. Fellowship, and Service are the “Then I found that the other four pillars of the Betta Gammembers were really kind and ma Kappa Club at SFCC. Bethelpful. We really depend on ta Gamma Kappa is SFCC’s each other and we’re a close chapter of the honor society, community.” Phi Theta Kappa. SFCC’s chapThis quarter one of Betta ter began over 20 years ago. Gamma Kappa’s main projects Elodie Goodman is the current is fundraising for the Young adviser for the club. Women’s Christian AssociAccording to www.ptk. ation. (YWCA). The project org, “Phi Theta Kappa’s misencourages the service, leadersion is “ to recognize acaship, and fellowship aspects of demic achievement of college the club’s four pillars. students and to provide op“We want to bring in and portunities for them to grow as encourage those who want scholars and leaders.” to academically challenge Phi Theta Kappa is an themselves,” said Dominic honor society of the two-year Noble, Betta Gamma Kappa’s colleges in American higher President. “It’s not only about education with more than 1.5 the grades but the communimillion members and 1,200 ty involvement, and growing chapters. towards better outcomes.” While anyone can join the Betta Gamma Kappa is club, to be a member of Phi one of many chapters in the Theta Kappa and BGK, stuPhi Theta Kappa society. Chapdents must be invited, have a ters meet with each other, ex3.6 GPA, and pay the one time perience speeches from guest fee of $75 and they will be a speakers, and work on commember for life. munity service projects togethOnce a member, students er. In the spring, chapters meet will start applying for scholarfor an annual convention for a ships, getting help with their variety of activities. career path and getting the At SFCC, Betta Gamma
Kappa’s mission is to not only help others transform their college career, but also their future for the rest of their lives. “I want everyone to know they’re one of a kind and they should express and embrace that,” said Noble. “It’s not just about the GPA, I want to get to know who you are as a person, and it’s not just me. The organization, the members, and the chapters all care about who you are.”
Want to Donate?
Betta Gamma Kappa will be holding, Sock it to Winter in the SUB Lounge from November 3-December 1. Donations include items like: Socks Toothpaste Toiletries Gloves Feel free to contribute!
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2D printers step down, because at SFCC, a 3D printer is making its way to the top in the Engineering Club. Two years ago, the Engineering Club at SFCC bought a 3D Printer with the budget money that they had. The club built it together from scratch and is now using it to make projects such as the plastic parts for a quadcopter. “I love working with the 3D Printer, this stuff really appeals to me,” said Peter Sciuto, President of the Engineering Club. “I found my calling, and it really got me excited about the career field.” Students in the Engineering Club learn the process of creating 3D models and make prototypes of items such as wings and legs for the quadcopter the club made last spring. According to Kenneth Wong, researcher at Brown University, “the definition of 3D printing, like the technologies it refers to, is still evolving. Some use it loosely to refer to all additive fabrication methods.” The Engineering Club plans to explore all of the uses of the 3D printer, and anyone can participate. The club members built a cabinet to house the printer in and it also has a designated computer the 3D printer that has all of the software and tools needed on it. Other students and clubs that are interested in the printer are encouraged to talk with the Engineering Club so they can help with anything needed. “If we can design it, then we can build it, given it fits the parameters of the printer,” said Mark Gorski, adviser of the Engineering Club. “The printer is going to be handy for anything that we come up with.”
Editor: Venacia Williams sfcc.venacia.williams@gmail.com
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Graph designed by Katelynn McPherson | The Communicator The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve shows the percentage of information that is remembered over time. The key to remembering information is to study every day!
Succeeding on finals Hints and tips to help prepare students for finals week. Katelynn McPherson sfcc.katelynn.mcpherson@gmail.com
With finals coming up, students may be stressed about how to prepare, but there are many things that can be done to make sure they go well. One thing that can be helpful in learning all of the information needed to pass your final is get a good night’s sleep. “Good sleep habits are important,” said Michael Nelson, a psychology professor at Gonzaga University. “We consolidate our memories through rapid eye movement sleep, which doesn’t usually occur until the second half of the night, so pulling an all-nighter isn’t a good idea, as memories don’t get an opportunity to be consolidated.” Making sure your body is in tip top shape can also help you perform well. Eating healthy and exercising
regularly can be beneficial to the body. “People like to gussy up memory,” said Katella DeBolt, the chair of social sciences at SFCC. “They like to have this and that technique, but really you just need to be a human, manage your stress right, healthy eating, good exercise, good sleep. If you as a human being are healthy, your memory will be healthy. If you are not healthy, your memory will not be healthy.” In terms of the best place to study in, staying focused is key. “The best environment to study in is the same environment you’re going to be test taking in” Donald Worthy, the head of the science department at Lewis and Clark High school, said, “So it would be in a quieter environ-
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ment, but if you know you’re going to be in an environment that is sunny or has some music on in the background then that would help also.” The way information is obtained is also important. There are three steps to how a memory is formed; encoding, which is putting information in, storing, which is housing information and keeping it accessible, which is getting stored information out of the brain. “Don’t multi task because during the encoding process,” said Debolt, “we’re trying to put in the information you are trying to study, not a bunch of other information.” When it comes to remembering information long term, the forgetting curve explains. “We forget
a large amount of information relatively quickly,” Nelson said. “So the initial decline in memory is steep. However, as time continues to pass the slope of the forgetting curve levels out, so that we retain some of the information over a long period of time.” Students can be very stressed for tests, especially during finals week, but that anxiety is not always a bad thing. “Anxiety is awesome!” Debolt said, “ Work that anxiety. It’s like a horse. If you can harness the horse, it can do good for you, but if you don’t know how to work it, you get kicked in the head. Anxiety is the same way. It can be good if you can harness it and use it right, but it could run us over and kill us.”
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The Good Doctor
The second weekend of The Good Doctor at SFCC Starts Tonight Melanie Brooks
sfcc. melanine.brooks@gmail.com
Lights. Camera. Action! SFCC Revelers Club delivers you their first play of the school year. The production of The Good D octor is showing on SFCC Campus at the Spartan Theater. “I wanted to end the play with the same one I opened with eighteen years ago,”
Stage Left is a small underground local theatre located in downtown Spokane. Robert Nelson, the founder of Stage Left, moved to Spokane 9 years ago from California and opened Stage Left Community theatre in 2013. “The theatre itself is very small and only has about 65 seats,” said Nelson. Stage Left is very different than Spokane Civic Theatre, or even The Modern Theatre because of how intimate the audience feels. They can get away with doing smaller, more realistic plays
said William Marlowe, Director of
Culture
“It’s a great opportunity for many students to showcase their talent because there are so many roles to choose from.” Actors off the stage remain focused on their character. “I enjoyed the process of get-
“There is something for everyone of all ages to enjoy” -David St. Clair Drama Department at Spokane Falls Community College.
that audiences can personally relate with, rather than doing big flashy musicals, that we all know and love. The first show Stage Left put on was an 80 minute, one man show called “Marx In Soho”, and it was performed by Nelson himself. The most recent play Stage Left put on was A Piece of my Heart by Shirley Lauro. SFCC’s own Audrie Pursch was cast in the show. “It was a very enriching experience to say the least. The story and my character, Martha O’Neil
ting my character ready,” said Jennifer Tindle, who plays Julia in the scene
The G overness. “She was very quiet and doesn’t have much to say until she gets upset so it was like getting in the mindset of someone who is a mouse.” Every actor brought something different to the play which made it multifaceted and interesting. “I definitely think there is something for everyone,” said David St. Clair, the Sailor in the scene The Drowned Man. “Kids are going to laugh at The Surgery scene, there is a lot more adult humor and so I feel
Editor: Devyn Marie Seier sfcc.DevynMarie.Seier@gmail.com
that there is something for every one of all ages to enjoy.” The performance will be put on for one more week Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. with
admissions at $10 unless you have a student ID card then it’s free admission.
Edgy, Intamate Theatre Devyn Marie Seier
sfcc.devynmarie.seier@gmail.com
both inspired and demanded the heart out of me. Heather (The Director) challenged me in ways i’ve never been challenged before.” said Pursch. Stage Left seems to have a theme of putting on edgy shows, such as Equis, which they performed a couple seasons ago. “If I remember correctly we blew the record on most seats sold for a show in Stage Left’s history,” said
Scott Mackay, who played a horse in the play Equis. If you are interested in attending any of Stage Lefts edgy productions, visit www.spokanestageleft.org, and book your tickets!
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Photo from www.SpokaneStageLeft.org
Editor: Devyn Marie Seier sfcc.DevynMarie.Seier@gmail.com
Winter Activities
Culture
The Communicator 17.11.2016
playing basketball in the snow but it is actually more fun.” said Walter. Some traditional ]you might find some of these things sports can be carried fun for you and your friends! into the snow seasons, however. “The snow makes Demitra Burger basketball more challenging which is the Sfcc.Demitra.Burger@gmail.com best part, I love to be Winter is right over most of my challenged at someDemi Burger | The Communicator around the corbody,” said Jared thing I love doing.” Cutline Tesername pa invendaeste cori ium reperit ner, and with that Anthony, a CCS ilitatqui totatiisquid exeribu saniet facerovit fuga. Ibusdae said Erik Walter, a fan comes snow in professor. of the outdoors. nonsequibus exceaque cuptas con parciducides endaere Spokane. To many “I do try to keep peliquistem ime vel invelle nimpos deribus “When I go ice Spokanites, snow walking, even in the skating I usually go does not halt their winter, as that is my exercise. with my wife,” said which is my least outdoor fun and one and only form Walter. “She is the “If I did anyfavorite winter acexercise. of exercise at this one who got me into thing in the snow tivity.” When there is point in my life,” ice skating. It feels it would probably “I chop wood snow and ice on said Anthony. be going for a walk every year. I am the like a workout to me the ground, the There are a with my wife or only one who does and seeing my wife ‘slip factor’ makes number of activities chopping wood for happy makes me hapit,” said Stafford. it challenging to go to do in the winterpy.” the fireplace,” said “During the jogging or running. time that are known Melinda Stafford, Participating in winter I love going “I do not ski, physical activities, outdoor activities a CCS professor. hunting, ice skatand the one time I yet are not con“Other than that, ing, ice fishing, and with friends and famtried to snowboard sidered traditional ily can bring people there is always playing basketball, I ended up bruised sports or ways to shoveling snow it may sound weird together, as well as
New Leadership at SFCC
The SFCC Mosaic Center has come under new leadership this fall quarter with a vision for the center. The new manager of the Mosaic center is Claudine Richardson. The mosaic center is a place of inclusion for all students on campus race gender, sexual orientation or otherwise. Claudine’s vision for the center is a place of total inclusion or a counter space. “ The Mosaic center ... is where you can be yourself, no one's going to censor you,” said Richardson. In the past the center was mainly used to host club meetings, but with the new management, the center now hosts events, speakers, club meeting, and much more. Jesus Cardenas, is the Program Assis-
Britt Pierro sfcc.britt.pierro@gmail.com
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encourage physical exercise and health. “I usually go ice fishing with my friends that I go hunting with,” said Walter. “It’s our ‘guy time’ together. We find new areas to fish, and make fond memories while we are adventuring when we go fishing or hunting.” “My tips for others is if they attempt any of these activities to not go alone,” said Walter. “Not only is it more fun to do these activities with someone, but it is also safer because during the winter anything can happen. I advise to especially have a buddy when going ice fishing.”
topics of these presentations will cover understand where issues including race tant and Claudine’s I’m coming from, relations, proper second in command. so they’re willing to pronoun usage, and Cardenas was help me ” said Ajanbasic student netone of the people on working skills. the hiring committee ay Joyner an SFCC student and frequent Richardson hopes for Richardson. attendee of the to bring a sense of “She (RichardMosaic Center. awareness to camson) understands the “They’re willing to... pus and urges all struggles that these students to come to students go through,” build me and make me a stronger person, the presentations, said Cardenas. As so I can go out into and discuss openly the Program Assismy professional job... with other students. tant Cardenas’s main and handle situations For more info about focus is interaction Ben Holman differently.” the center, feel free with SFCC students The center | The Communicator to email Richardson who regularly come will be hosting a directly at Claudine. The new Leader of the Mosaic through the Mosaic variety of presentaRichardson@sfcc. Center, Claudine Richardson Center. tions this upcoming spokane.edu. “They (Richardson and Cardenas) Winter quarter. The www.communicatoronline.org
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Volunteer Opportunities Katelynn McPherson
sfcc.katelynn.mcpherson@gmail.com With the holiday season coming up, families in need are struggling to make ends meet. Many organizations are doing their best to assist and are always looking for more people to contribute. Santa express is an event that started five years ago to raise money for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Kids from ages 4-12 can come do their christmas shopping and 100% of the proceeds go to the nursery. “We have volunteer elves that go and shop with the kiddos so they get to do it away
from their parents,” said Beth Duke, the event director. “It’s really fun and to shop literally for mom, dad. grandparents, teachers, friends, just anybody on their list.” The price range is $0.50 to $8.00 per item and raises approximately $100,000 per year for the nursery. “Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery is a place where parents could take their kids if they feel that they are in a situation that they are stressed out or they just need a break,” said Duke. “It’s there to provide refuge, if you will,
The Bartlett is a local venue for music primarily, they also do open mics including comedy and poetry. The next event will be on Nov 22 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Organization is crucial to the Bartlett staff, in order for things to flow. “No full band arrangements. We try to keep it simple with setup for each act so we recommend acoustic arrangements and no drums, two songs or five minutes whichever is longest,” said Karli Ingersoll, an employee at the Bartlett. Grant Greer, the light man for local venues in the Spokane area, has done his share of shedding a light on the Bartlett. “The Bartlett is one of the most unique venues in the Northwest,” said Greer.
Culture
in hopes to prevent child abuse and any type of neglect.“ Santa Express is set up in the downtown mall every day from Nov 23 till Dec 23. Also helping many families in need is a rather well known event called Tom’s Turkey Drive. It is put on by second harvest food bank and feeds over 11,000 families each year. “People like it because everyone can relate to hunger,” said, Julie Humphreys, the Community Relations Manager, “Whether you were hungry one day and there was nothing in the refrigerator or if you’re chronically hungry.” Each box of food contains fresh produce such as apples, potatoes, milk,
a turkey, and much more. “If you can’t pay your mortgage or your rent or you get evicted but you can if you run out of money around the end of the month, food can get scarce,” said Humphreys. “So it’s very unhealthy, but it is the first thing that people can let go. It is critical to give food to those that need it, and it’s the holidays so everybody should be able to have a healthy meal.” Turkey meals can be purchased at Rosauers the up until November 20th, that can be donated to the turkey drive. Second harvest itself gives out two million pounds of food each month not including this event. “We feed 55,000 people every week,” said
Editor: Devyn Marie Seier sfcc.DevynMarie.Seier@gmail.com
Collin Masteller
Humphreys. “That’s about the same number of people that run Bloomsday.” Another organization giving back in the area is the Three of Sharing. This event raises money by collecting gift requests from different agencies who provide services to those who might otherwise be forgotten over the holidays and then turn those requests into gift tags to give out at the Northtown, Downtown, and Valley mall. “Shoppers can come to the mall,
| The Communicator
look through the tags,” said Joan McConnell, the event director. “They can chose a gift tag go and purchase that gift, bring it back to the mall, and we give it to the right person.” The event has been going on for 34 years, and this year is opened from November 18th until December 11th all hours in which the malls are opened.
Open Mic Bryce Bryant
sfcc.bryce.bryant@gmail.com
“They are about all things art, as a lighting designer they let me be very open with my creativity and lighting design. The staff is some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The Bartlett brings some of the best up and coming bands around.” Everyone gets involved when it comes to an open mic night at the Bartlett. “Bartlett is the most impressive open mic out of any venue in my opinion,” said Norman Robbins, a local musician. “The room itself is what does it for me because few musicians get the opportunity to play www.communicatoronline.org
with such great sound. Whether the music is what you like or not, both participants and audience members get to have a pure musical experience.” If you’re looking for something neat to do, or experience, the Bartlett is always doing new things.
Editor: Chloe Zimmerman sfcc.chloe.zimmerman@gmail.com
Maintaining health and fitness over the holidays
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5 Tips to help you stay fit over the holiday season Chloe Zimmerman sfcc.chloe.zimmerman@gmail.com
Demetria Burger
| The Communicator
Drawing done by Demetria Butrger of a woman eating a healthy salad. Staying fit and healthy over
With the holiday season the holidys can be enjoyable. quickly approaching, mainner], but maybe just have a during Christmas time, because taining personal fitness goals, little slice to get the taste and it’s ‘the season.’ Red is just a or simply maintaining overall little bit more enticing,” said health Matlock. “...when you think you’re hungry, can be Tip #3- Don’t eat when a chalyour body is actually telling you you are bored lenge. This year you’re thirsty.” “Listen to your body,” said however, -Andrew Allan Janet Skaife, professor in the keep in Physical Education department mind these 10 surefire ways to to treat yourself... It’s really at SFCC. “Eat when you are stay healthy during the holiabout portion sizing during the hungry, then stop when you day season, pumpkin pie be holidays,” said Irene Matlock, a are no longer hungry, not when darned. Health Instructor at SFCC and you are full. Getting sucked into the retired volleyball coach who “Don’t just eat when you abundance of work parties, now works in the Fitness Center are bored,” said Taylor Wuestfamily obligations, and long on campus. hoff, a player on the SFCC hours spent sitting still while Tip #2- Don’t eat on a red women’s softball team. traveling on an airplane or in plate So while that second piece a car can absolutely work to of pumpkin pie may look tighten a person’s waistline Try serving food on a plate tempting, take a moment to on their jeans. But with the that is a cooler color, such as notice how your body feels. Are simple understanding of the blue or white, instead of on a you truly hungry still? Or can concept, “calories in, calories red colored plate. Studies have you save the piece of pie for out,” maintaining health and another time? fitness over the holidays can be shown that the color red is psychologically appealing to Tip #4- Drink water! a breeze. humans, and therefore makes Tip #1- Portion Control people eat more than neces“Water flushes out toxins sary. and waste from your body,” “We tend to overeat un“Don’t eat on a red plate, said Andrew Allan, an SFCC til we are stuffed. Really, we because we have a tendency student and wrestler of over shouldn’t be doing that... It’s to eat more. People like to 13 years. “Also, a lot of times okay to have pumpkin pie give baked goods on red plates when you think you’re hungry, afterwards [Thanksgiving dinwww.communicatoronline.org
your body is actually telling you you’re thirsty.” So the next time you are considering eating out of boredom, try drinking a glass of water and then reevaluating after about 20 minutes. Tip #5- Move around “If you have a fitness routine, you should be keeping that up over the holidays,” said Matlock. “You really shouldn’t take more than two days off from your routine. But after Thanksgiving, dinner, go for a walk! That will keep you active. Just pick up your pace for twenty to thirty minutes.” Maintaining health and fitness during the 35 days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day does not have to be challenging. It can simply mean drinking more water, eating off of a white plate instead of a red plate, and moving around enough to expend a few excess calories. But at the end of the day, remember to be kind to yourself throughout the holiday season. After all, it does only come around once a year.
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Free open yoga classes at SFCC Chloe Zimmerman
sfcc.chloe.zimmerman@gmail.com
Robert Bremner
| The Communicator
Drawing of a posing yogi done by Robert Bremner, staff member on The Communicator.
Among many different clubs offered at SFCC, the Wellness Club offers Open Yoga classes to all students.
Each yoga class is obtainable to people at all levels of fitness and yoga, so that even newcomers are able to
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participate. Sherri Staudinger, Wellness Coordinator and facilitator of the Wellness Club, teaches Open Yoga classes on Wednesday and Friday mornings. As the Wednesday yoga classes are offered at a time in the morning before most students are busy attending classes, those sessions are more commonly known about. However, Staudinger also teaches an Open Yoga class on Fridays. “I knew open yoga was offered on Wednesday mornings,” said Rhiannon Kork, a student at
Editor: Chloe Zimmerman sfcc.chloe.zimmerman@gmail.com
SFCC. “But I had no tal music create ing poses can not idea that there was a sanctuary type only clear the mind, a yoga class offered atmosphere during but awake and enon Friday.” liven the body. IF YOU GO: Friday “For me, the yoga classes best part about Wednesday mornings- yoga is the confimay be easier for stu6:30-7:15 Bldg 7, dence I’ve gained dents to atin balance and small gym. tend, simply strength,” said because they Friday mornings- Chemyn Kodis, a are offered at student who 9:30-10:15 Bldg 7, yoga a later time has found her love during the for yoga by taksmall gym. day. While ing yoga classes the Wednesoffered at SFCC. day morning “It is an upliftyoga session is quite Wednesday morning start to my day, early for many col- ing yoga sessions. and it brings me lege students, it is a “Open yoga is inner peace,” said free class, making the most refreshing Evans. “It definiteit worth the bit of part of my week,” ly helps me get extra time spent said Nathan Evans, through the rest of awake in the morn- an SFCC student my week.” ing. and regular Open The dim lights, Yoga goer. soft candles, and Practicing balslow instrumenancing and center-
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