RUNNING START/COVID TRAVELS

Traveling in global pandemic, still possible?

With COVID-19 still around, how is the world traveling?

Brandon Pickering The Communicator

Eager to get out of your state or even get out of the country for a little bit of “You” time, or maybe you just want to explore the world? Well you’re in luck, but there might be some restrictions, including vaccine requirements.

For people not making road trips, the CDC reminds people that wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required when in indoor areas of public transportation. If you do decide to travel to another US state, you should still check out the latest guidance before you go, even if you’re fully vaccinated.

When entering a different country, especially now, these are the key items to bring with you when you depart and arrive from airports. Face masks/face coverings, proof of negative test or vaccination card with passport. With those items, you are sure to have an easy run through international customs.

“Traveling is fun, but during the times we’re still, we always have to make sure we are being safe,” Amy Shofell, American Airlines flight attendant, said, “Always make sure you bring extra masks, hand sanitizer, and your covid vaccination card when you travel out of the country. It’s better to be prepared than to scramble at the last second.”

Even though the pandemic is still in effect , always be sure to check weekly for specific country restriction updates. Countries such as Albania, Argentina, Brazil, and Costa Rica (as well as few others) are on board with showing a negative test result within two to three days prior to arrival. Other countries such as England, France, and Greece (as well as a few others) are now accepting a one day negative test prior or vaccination card with less than six months/up to date booster shot to enter their country.

“It’s always a crazy time traveling anywhere, but this past winter season has been even more crazy due to low staffing (due to covid) and the weather conditions,” Darren Rodriguez, Spokane Airport TSA, said. “Even though it was hard for some of us (including myself), we managed to pull through and made sure people got through the checkpoint to get to their flights.”

It’s always good to know when and when not to travel out of your surrounding areas, especially right now with the pandemic still in full force. With the Omnicron variant in full spread throughout most of the east coast as well as many of the European countries, as long as you are taking the precautions seriously, you should be fine when entering different countries.

While other countries are being portrayed as “a crazy area to be in,” they are close enough to the United States and each individual state on their protocols. Each public transportation service requires you to wear a mask (unless actively eating or drinking) and to have a six feet distance from others.

“I traveled to England for school in 2020/2021 and really enjoyed it.” Roxanne Zorea, University of Kent Student, said, “Even though it wasn’t the best time to travel over there and be there because of Covid, I was still able to go up to the University of Kent and take part in my classes. It was interesting to see how London was acting towards the virus. To see the governmental restraints on certain places in Canterbury and London was mind blowing because I have been to England many times prior to the pandemic.”

If you still plan on traveling to different countries or different states right now, make sure you always check the state or country restriction updates on their website, https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/ map-and-travel-notices.html

Alex Church | Submitted Photo

Plane leaving the Pheonix Sky Harbor Airport

Running Start students earn college credit

Tobey Mickleson The Communicator

One of the programs offered by Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) for high school students is called Running Start. Running Start offers high school juniors and seniors with a certain GPA the opportunity to earn dual credit. Running Start students earn high school and college credit at the same time. For CCS, high school students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to be admitted. Students must have at least a 3.25 GPA to take classes at Eastern Washington University (EWU).

With Running Start, it is possible for a student to earn an associate degree tuition free. The student still has to pay for books and fees. Running Start credits transfer easily to Washington State schools. This program is an option for students looking for more challenging coursework not available in some high schools. While this requires greater responsibility, it also gives a measure of independence for the students who are ready for it.

Despite the many benefits, only some high school students will see Running Start as a path worth pursuing. Being a Running Start student requires more responsibility. Running Start students have to be ready to adapt to the college level expectations. Before any student signs up for Running Start, they must be sure they are up for the challenge. It is important to know that failing a college level class will always be on the student’s permanent high school transcript. This could put the student behind in credits to graduate. Another reason students may feel hesitant about Running Start is because they will miss much of the high school social scene, although some might see that as a benefit.

A counselor from Mt. Spokane High School, Jamie Goodman, said that about 90 percent of all Running Start students from Mt. Spokane advanced to four year colleges. She also mentioned that she had four students return to Mt. Spokane from Running Start this year.

The director of enrollment programs at SFCC, Brenda Schreiber, confirmed that Running Start students can earn up to 15 credits each quarter, and that many students earn their AA and High School diploma at the same time. Schreiber endorsed Running Start saying,

“As a parent of three running start students, I would highly recommend running start! In addition to the financial savings, it was an opportunity for personal growth and responsibility, taking courses that were not available at the high school , and career exploration. It allowed them to start their college career with the support of high school and running start staff to guide them along the way!”

There will be an information session on March 10th at 6:30 pm. For more information visit sfcc.spokane.edu/Become-a-Student. https:// sfcc.spokane.edu/Become-a-Student/High-School/Running-Start/ Who-is-Eligible

String Quartet To Play At Bing Crosby

Communication is key, but these four make it look so easy

Savannah Langhurst COMMUNICATOR

If you have never watched the Spokane String Quartet perform before, you should consider making plans to go to their next concert on March 20th at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane.

This will be their first Spring concert of the new year and the theme for this show is “On a lark.” They will be playing three pieces by three different composers: “An Exaltation of Larks” composed by Jennifer Higdon, String Quartet in D Major, Op.64 No. 5, “The Lark” composed by Joseph Haydn, and String Quartet in E Minor, “From my Life,” composed by Bedrich Smetana.

Helen Byrne, who plays the cello in the quartet, talked about the music selections for the upcoming concert.

“This concert features more pragmatic works, the first half features “The Lark” by Joseph Haydn, and Jennifer Higdon’s 2005 piece “An Exaltation of larks,” she said.

She noted that there will be a lot of birdlike sounds in those pieces, and considering that spring is the time when birds start becoming more active again, it seems fitting for this concert.

“The second half features Czech composer Smetana’s quartet “From my Life,” which is an autobiographical gem, completed two years after Smetana became completely deaf,” she said. “It describes in sound, elements from his life.”

Byrne also described some parts from the music that she believes the audience will find both touching and delightful.

“I think the high-pitched tinnitus that Smetana experienced, and that he depicts in the quartet, will be very touching for our listeners,” she said. “Whenever we play music from composers who have lost their hearing, it always makes us realize how amazing it is to be able to connect to our world through sound. And the drunken dancing in the second movement is pretty hysterical!”

The Spokane String Quartet is a group of tight-knit individuals who have been performing with each other for years. It features Mateusz Wolski and Amanda Howard-Phillips on the violin, Jeannette Wee-Yang on the viola, and Helen Byrne on the cello. Helen Byrne described how they are able to “read” each other on stage and how they always expect the unexpected.

“We learned how to communicate non-verbally and how to fit our parts together, knowing who is important and what should come out of the texture,” she said. “And even though we rehearse our pieces, there is always some element of surprise in performance - someone will do something unexpected. So part of the fun of seeing and hearing a live concert is watching for those moments of communication between members.” Being part of the audience can also allow you to see the quiet communication between the quartet members.

“I have friends who enjoy the string quartet concerts not so much because of the music, but because they enjoy seeing the interaction, especially in a venue like the Bing where you can sit quite close (to the stage),” she said.

Byrne encourages people to come see the string quartet perform, not only for the interaction of the quartet members, but also for good music that anyone can enjoy. “Many of our greatest composers have written their last pieces for the string quartet,” she said. “I think the interplay of just four voices allows them to distill their ideas down to the essential elements, and lets us hear them with greater clarity than with a larger group. So, really great music and vivid communication - what could be better?”

Indeed, you will find many people enjoying the quartet’s music. Students, families, couples young and old, people from all different backgrounds come out to enjoy the Spokane String Quartet’s

Gary Matlow | PHOTO Musicians from left to right: Mateusz Wolski, Jeannet Wee-Yang, Amanda Howard-Phillips, & Helen Byrne

Sun., March 20 3p.m. Bing Crosby Theater $20 adults $12 students $16 seniors

concerts. There is enthusiasm and joy and many different emotions that people will feel for pieces that the quartet plays, from classical to contemporary.

All are welcomed to enjoy the Quartet, if you have never listened to classical music or don’t think that you will like classical music - or any genre of instrumental music, you should consider seeing a performance by the Spokane String Quartet. You may just find that you hear something so profound to you that it will change your mind. Or maybe you will find you enjoy the energy of the concert and experiencing watching the musicians perform. Whatever that may be for you, you will never know if you don’t go and find out for yourself.

As for future plans for the Spokane String Quartet, they will continue playing old and new pieces, and they enjoy seeing new composers creating music for string quartets.

“The challenge is to make the string quartet matter in today’s music culture, and it is heartening to see so many young composers creating new string quartets,” Byrne said.

The Spokane String Quartet’s upcoming concert is on Sunday, March 20th at 3PM at the Bing Crosby Theater. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $12 for students.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Live music back in Lilac City spring ‘22

Take off that mask, take off your headphones, the bands are back

KNITTING FACTORY PRESS RELEASE Live band performing at the Knitting Factory

Brandon Pickering COMMUNICATOR

Covid has been a frustrating time for musicians and venue owners. Thanks to the help of the CDC as well as the public volunteering for the COVID-19 Vaccine, shows and events are starting to come back into play and give us the best shows we’ve seen since before Covid.

With protocols and restrictions loosing up around the Spokane Country area, music artists are starting to come back to the Lilac city. Artists such as Amine, OhGeesy, Bad Religion, & the Trinity of Terror Tour (featuring Motionless in White, Black Veil Bridges & Ice Nine Kills) are some of the well known named artists perfroming at the Knitting Factory this March. Tickets are on sale on their website, https://sp.knittingfactory. com/

“This is my home! I love the Pacific Northwest, and to perform in 4 cities in the PNW is wild to me,” Rapper Amine said, “BEST TOUR EVER in Spokane will be an interesting stop for my crew and I. I’ve had a blast on all these other stops, but to be back in the PNW (my home), it brings happiness to my crew!”

As the Knitting Factory is coming back to life, the Spokane Arena (even though sporting events have taken full force) is coming alive this April with Paul McCartney bringing his tour here into town for his first stop on April 28th. Before Sir Paul comes rolling into town, don’t forget that the one and only Santana will be firing up the stage on April 3rd. MercyMe is also coming into town on April 10th to bring a lively, Godly, outstanding concert to the people of Spokane. To get more alerts, as well as tickets for future events at the Spokane Arena, check their website at http:// www.spokanearena.com/

“It took some time to win over McCartney’s manager, Mark “Springo” Spring, but I’m so thrilled he chose Spokane to be the place that Sir Paul will kick off his tour,” Matt Meyer, Spokane Facilities District director of entertainment, said.

If you’re the type of person who likes close interactions and is not good with a lot of people in a huge venue, go check out the Lucky You Lounge on the west side of Downtown Spokane. They have artists that are always popping up onto the radar for more audiences to grab onto. Artists such as Jack Symes (with Joe Kaplow and Eva B. Ross), Everything is Terrible!, Joe Vann, Paul Cherry (with Dougie Poole and Sedona), and Ghost Light are some of the few artists coming full swing at the lounge and are eager to have a sold out crowd. Tickets start at $15 and you can get those at http://luckyyoulounge.com/ .

“I’m ready for the energy this town brings to artists who are ready to go even farther in this game,” Joe Vann said, “I’ve heard from other artists that this town just thrives on music and is the best crowd to perform in when music comes to their town! Give me all the energy.”

Brandon Pickering | COMMUNICATOR Concert poster on Sprague Ave, showing Pacific Northwest’s own Hip-Hop Artist, Amine, who perfoms March 24th in Spokane. Brandon Pickering| COMMUNICATOR Knitting Factory’s famous marquee in downtown Spokane showing that concerts are live and ready for fans to be back.