Jan 31, 2019 (50.4)

C

The

Volume 50 Issue 4 January 31, 2019 - February 20, 2019

ommunicator Spokane Falls Community College

FLAVORS PAGE 8: RESTAURANT WEEK

OPINION PAGE 4: SFCC APP FEATURES PAGE 6: FLYING HANDS

CONTENTS

The Communicator · 01.31.2019 · Madison Pearson

Page 2

NEWS 3

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE

OPINION

4 SFCC APP

FLAVORS 8

RESTAURANT WEEK

FEATURES

6 CLUB SPOTLIGHT: FLYING HANDS 7 KEEPING RESOLUTIONS 10 CAMPUS RESOURCES 11 GROUNDHOG DAY 12 INDOOR EVENTS 14 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

ARTS

13 Madison Pearson | The Communicator Young Kwak photographs a dish featured in The Inlander's Restaurant Week spread. Read more about Restaurant Week in the Flavors section on pages 8 and 9. Cover photo by Madison Pearson.

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Editor: Logan Lewis sfcc.logan.lewis@gmail.com

News

The Communicator 01.31.29

Remembering Holocaust in Spokane

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International day of rememberance is celebrated worldwide as locals in the community observe, look back at history Logan Lewis The Communicator Jan. 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This date was designated by the United Nations to celebrate the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau at the end of WWII as well as honor all victims of the holocaust and Nazism.

“Today we face an alarming rise in Holocaust denial and antisemitism — even in the very lands where the Holocaust happened — and threats of genocide in other parts of the world,” states the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, on their official website.

Rabbi Hershel Zellman represents Temple Beth Shalom in Spokane. Zellman hasn’t personally experienced firsthand discrimination in Spokane, but others in his family have.

Many groups have harassed the Jewish community in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. At one point, they even left leaflets at Zellman’s synagogue.

Despite this, Zellman’s lifestyle is directly influenced by the philosophies of his religion. His methods for communicating for others are non confrontational.

“The precepts, many of the precepts, that our religion was built on I think are applicable to today about how we treat each other and how he asked for forgiveness,” Zellman said.

Zellman acknowledges that the Holocaust is briefly taught in schools but it’s a subject some people may have trouble under-

Logan Lewis | The Communicator The Temple Beth Shalom is seen in Spokane. Right next to the temple is a memorial built to immortalize the 6 million lives lost in the Holocaust.

standing.

“I think it’s a concept that’s very,very hard to grasp,” Zellman said. “How you get your head around 6 million people when we talk about it here during our Holocaust observance.”

Each year, a new theme is set for the observance of Holocaust.

This year’s theme is standing up for the other.

Neal Schindler, director of Jewish Family Services for the Spokane area, plans many of the events that go on throughout the year. Schindler encourages non-Jewish people to come participate in the Observance, as well as other Jewish holidays through-

out the year.

“Whenever there’s a minority group in a city like Spokane and the surrounding area is very Christian and very white and so forth and so on,” Schindler said, “it’s good actually if you can form personal relationships with one or more people in that group because then you’re less of an outsider, you can understand better what it’s like a little more, to have experience of being a minority person in whatever way the person is.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Temple Beth Shalom Online, visit: spokanetbs.org/

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The Communicator 01.31.2019

Opinion

Editor: Madison Pearson sfcc.madison.pearson@gmail.com

SFCC app-eals to smartphone users New phone app helps students navigate their college experience Madison Pearson The Communicator When I first came to SFCC, everything felt daunting. I was clueless as to where my classes were, and had no idea what SFCC had to offer.

I was thrown into a sea of options but had no clue how to begin to wade through them.

When I heard about an SFCC app in Nov. 2018 I thought “where was that when I started here?” With that thought, I quickly downloaded the app and got to exploring.

Upon startup, the bright blue welcome screen says that this app can be used to “connect with fellow students, discover new events, activities and clubs on campus.”

The app then asks you to “select your experience.” Giving you three options: student, visitor or staff/faculty.

Once I selected the student option, I was told to enter some basic information about myself and then I was finally able to access the app’s main interface.

In a poll conducted on The Communicator’s Twitter account, 100 percent of participants said that they had never heard of the SFCC app.

The homepage of the app features a forum of sorts, where students can post about various topics.

“I come to the app if I have any questions,” Nichole Schroder wrote in a student forum comment. “A lot of the time someone has, or has had, the same question and there is a good chance it has already been answered.”

If I were new to SFCC, the schedule feature on the app would be the most helpful to me. (It still is as I constantly get confused even after two years of college.)

Students can input their class-

es, class times, events and campus activities into the schedule feature, allowing them to stay organized and informed.

“I’m an online student,” Lisa Stenach wrote in a comment. “I don’t get to socialize with others.

I like the ability to ask for teacher recommendations and other school related questions that you can’t always get off of the school website.

“I love the map/tour feature that helps me find buildings when I visit campus.” she said.

The app also allows you to join groups, where students can communicate with peers who have similar interests.

Another helpful feature is the Ride Sharing tab. This allows students who need a ride to SFCC to carpool with other students -- saving the environment one post at a time.

After some brief searching, I found many other tabs that allow students easy access to necessities.

There is a Buy & Sell tab where students sell mostly textbooks and a Lost + Found tab where students post lost and found items around campus.

Having explored every corner of the app, I still had questions. Was the app being promoted anywhere?

How did people find out about it?

“I was recommended the app

by ASG,” said Eric Jesberger. “I think more people need to download it. It has a lot of potential.”

Over the course of two weeks, I received 15 push notifications from the app per day on average. Some were notifications for events I had put into my schedules but, most were other students posting on the student feed.

Some students were trying to enlist other students to help them with their projects for classes, some were selling books, and some were even promoting their clubs.

I couldn’t help but shake the thought that if more students had this app, our campus would become a well-oiled machine.

Projects could possibly be completed earlier, students wouldn’t

Screenshots taken from iPhone | The Communicator The first screen a student will see when opening the SFCC app for the first time.

have to break the bank buying new textbooks, and clubs would have more members than ever before.

All of the quotes used in this article are from students on the app, specifically from comments left on a post I made in the student feed.

As someone who works to spread news and idea around our campus, this app is truly useful to me. It’s a way for students to have their voices heard, a way to connect our campus, and a great opportunity to get involved at SFCC. “I really enjoy the experience,” Jordan Stanger said. “Connecting with other students you probably wouldn’t come across in your program or otherwise.”

www.communicatoronline.org

To download the SFCC app: Search “SFCC” in the app store on your device.

Editor: Madison Pearson sfcc.madison.pearson@gmail.com

Opinion

The Communicator 01.31.2019

SFCC app menus and student feed

Some examples of screens students may see while exploring the app. Above is the first screen students will see, prompting them to choose how they experience the app. At top right is the post used to create this article. All quotes and opinions were taken from the comments that actual SFCC students left in response to that post.

Screenshots taken from iPhone | The Communicator

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The Communicator 01.31.2019

Features

Editor: Elijah Rollins sfcc.elijah.rollins@gmail.com

Helping hands around SFCC campus Flying Hands Club celebrates deaf culture, use of sign language Elijah Rollins The Communicator No one knows just where American Sign Language got its start, but it is suggested that ASL has been around for more than 200 years and has been promoted by deaf culture.

In spoken language, words are produced by using the mouth and voice to make sounds. For those who are deaf, particularly those who are profoundly deaf, the sounds of speech are often not able to be heard and only a fraction of speech sounds can be seen on the lips.

SFCC has its own deaf culture, The Flying Hands Club. The club, which originated around 1994, has two advisors: Melissa Pilant and Angie O’Bleness.

Melissa Pilant, who is deaf, is an instructor for the interpreter training program (ITP), has been an adviser for six years.

“Students chose the name ‘Flying Hands’ by just talking amongst themselves,” signed Pilant, while Ouimet interpreted. “It’s a cool title.”

Angie O’Bleness, who graduated from the ASL program in 1991 and is also an instructor for the interpreter training program, has been an adviser for four years.

“The Flying Hands Club meets every Thursday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in the ITP lab in building 16,” O’Bleness said. “The first and third weeks of the month we conduct parliamentary (business) meetings, and the second and fourth weeks of the month we hold a short business meeting first, then play sign language games.”

Sign language is based on the idea that vision is the most useful tool a deaf person has to communicate and to receive information.

Tara, left to right, Emily, Kyle, Ken, Angie and Melissa are members of the SFCC Flying Hands Clubs.

ASL is a language completely separate and distinct from the English language. It contains all the fundamental features of language; it has its own rules for pronunciation, word order, and a complex grammar according to O’Bleness.

“The meetings are most often conducted in complete silence while students practice their sign language skills,” O’Bleness said.

“If new students are in attendance, voice interpretation will be provided when necessary. When you force yourself to be silent, you learn a lot just by observing.”

O’Bleness said the weekly meetings are smaller and more intimate, as they are usually attended by students who are more serious about learning the language.

Kyle Ouimet, who has been

a member of the club since fall quarter, joined to become more involved and to better learn signing skills through socializing.

“It is not necessary to be in a sign language class to participate in The Flying Hands Club,” Ouimet said, “but rather it is encouraged.

Come and learn. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone.”

Ouimet said it takes time to become fluent in ASL. “If you are looking for an interesting new challenge, something that is not common among most hearing culture, the club is a great place to learn cool, new skills and become involved,” Ouimet said.

Ouimet’s oldest son is deaf.

“He is the reason I came to SFCC and joined the program,” Ouimet said. “I have been learning

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Courtesy photo

for the past five years.”

Tara Pruett, vice-president of The Flying Hands Club, is fairly fluent in sign language.

“I have two children who are both deaf and both sign and use cochlear implants,” Pruett said. “I learned about the club last school year when a student in my class asked me to come. She asked me several times before I finally came.”

Emily Greenfield, secretary of the Flying Hands Club, joined the club because a friend in her ASL121 class asked her to.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT Continued on page 7...

Editor: Elijah Rollins sfcc.elijah.rollins@gmail.com

Features

The Communicator 01.31.2019

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Craving change for a better tomorrow Simple ways to build the lifestyle you want to have Winnie Killingsworth The Communicator

Most people create resolutions for the new year, ways to change one’s life for the better. There are also people who don’t.

Some people treat every day as an opportunity to make a change.

Dakota Lovins, an SFCC student, didn’t make any resolutions for 2019.

Many of the goals that people create at the beginning of each year are abandoned and forgotten before February begins.

According to a flyer from Sheri Staudinger, the SFCC Wellness Coordinator, a yoga instructor and Wellness Club adviser, there are five stages of change; precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

Staudinger focuses on the third stage and highlights practical ways it can be part of daily life.

The first step is deciding to make a change. Then to come up with a plan. All you need to do is find that first baby step and stick with it.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT Continued from page 6

“I have learned more sign than I had previously learned,” Greenfield said, “and the exposure in a formal setting was good for me.”

“I have a friend named Thomas who is deaf, fully deaf.” Greenfield said. “I used to work with him at Walmart. Sign language has helped me communicate with him better and has helped me with other workers and shoppers.”

The club welcomes people who want to come and learn sign language.

“We also do a lot of community events,” O’Bleness said, “and invite more deaf people to come to those events,” which has included

One example is taking what you enjoy eating and doing so in moderation. Then you add the prep work.

“Take the foods you like to make or you like to eat,” she said.

“Create a healthy version of it and then start building those on Sunday for the week.”

You will spend less time being hungry and grabbing whatever is close by. Your body will get the nourishment it needs, she said.

Once it gets it, it will start to crave it.

Next, try it for 30 days. If that’s successful. Try another change for 30 days. Build on the small victories. Make it about a new lifestyle.

Here are ways you can start on the path to change:

Drink more water

Aim for 8 glasses a day. Our bodies are mostly water. Without water we’ll die. Do yourself a favor.

Drink water. Don’t die.

Add protein to lunch

Protein helps us get that energy we need to make it through the day.

bowling, performances, picnics and a winter party.

“We have roughly 160 students who have participated in club performances,” O’Bleness said. “Deaf culture is highly narrative, so our events consist of students signing songs, reading poetry, telling jokes, reading an ASL-ABC story, or reading an ABC123 story.”

Storytime is one of the community events held monthly by the club.

“Every month we do Barnes and Noble storytime for children, and this is one of the ways students develop their skills,” Pilant signed, while Ouimet interpreted.

“Deaf children can come watch the story,” O’Bleness. “It really unites us as a community.”

Go check out the new gym features

Go three times a week for 10 to 15 minutes. The staff are there to help you!

Take the student wellness challenge

Through Feb. 8, you can pull from the list of 70 simple things to try that can help create a healthy habit. You can pick up the list at the Wellness Office in building 7.

Here are nine ideas from it that you can try each day between now and when the challenge ends! #3 Sit tall while watching TV to strengthen your core #5 Drink water before a meal #9 Take a family walk after dinner #21 Eat from a smaller plate #35 Sit up straight in class and smile #42 Choose an activity that fits into your daily life; one you enjoy #50 Do not over schedule yourself; use your planner (If you don’t have a planner, pick one up!) #53 Take the stairs instead of elevator #60 Do not skip breakfast

If you complete 60 of these activities and turn the form in by Feb. 8, you will receive a free T-shirt at the end of the quarter.

Some professors might count this as extra credit. Connect with Staudinger for more information.

Regardless of what you do, it’s important to remember not to take away something you love. Satisfy that craving. All you need is a taste to do so.

“I just love the smell of fat, Staudinger said. “I would love to eat that whole thing of fries but because I don’t want to fall into what I’ve done before, I’d eat one.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

To learn more...

The Flying Hands Club’s will hold a signing event in the SUB Lounge on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please plan to attend.

If you are interested in joining The Flying Hands Club, plan to attend a meeting. Meetings are held every Thursday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in the ITP lab in building 16 For more information about deaf culture, visit http://theaslapp.com/faq/

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Elijah Rollins | The Communicator

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The Communicator 01.31.2019

Flavors

Editor: Winnie Killingsworth sfcc.winnie.killingsworth@gmail.com

Exploring Spokane’s culinary scene Restaurant Week is a way anyone can taste new foods on a budget Winnie Killingsworth The Communicator It is well known that college students live on a “ramen-for-dinner’ budget.” That doesn’t mean students can’t enjoy good food, though. Spokane’s Restaurant Week provides the ingredients for a night out that won’t break the bank.

This year, the event takes place from Feb. 21 to March 2.

Tamara McGregor, the event director of the annual event, calls it “the 10 most delicious days of the year.”

Now in its seventh year, there are over a hundred restaurants involved;108 to be precise. That’s the largest number to date for Spokane’s Restaurant Week.

“A really fine meal at a discounted price,” McGregor said, “I think would have tremendous appeal to students.”

An example of this is a ribeye steak, available at Masselow’s Steakhouse, that normally costs $49 but that is $31 with an appetizer and dessert during Restaurant Week.

Involved from the beginning, McGregor and her husband were visiting Puerto Vallarta about a decade ago and encountered a restaurant week there.

Ted McGregor, Tamara McGregor’s brother-in-law and the publisher of the Inlander had been looking into the concept around the same time. A partnership between Visit Spokane and the Inlander was formed and together they launched Restaurant Week.

Every restaurant that participates in Restaurant Week has a prefixed three-course menu with a set price of $21 or $31. Available today, you can check out the menus online or find a paper copy available throughout Spokane.

A theme this year is the in-

Photos by Madison Pearson | The Communicator Top: A seafood dish featured in The Inlander’s Restaurant Week spread. Enjoy it at the Palm Court Grill in the historic Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane. At right: Young Kwak takes photos in preparation for the week.

creased variety available of vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and gluten friendly dishes. Central Food has an entire gluten-free menu. You can find it online or in the restaurant.

Patrons can order comfort foods or new dishes created for the event. Chef Blerita Kaba, of Three Peaks at the Spokane Tribe Casino, has an appetizer comprised of watermelon, cotton candy and pork belly.

When talking to restaurants while pursuing the idea of Restaurant Week, it was discovered that one of their slower times of the year is after Valentine’s Day till Mother’s Day. The event takes place during this time and restaurants aren’t having trouble filling tables. Last year, Clinkerdagger had an extra 100

guests every night.

The James Beard Foundation works to “celebrate, nurture, and honor” those working to make the culture of America’s food “more delicious, diverse, and sustainable” for all. This year, there are four James Beard nominated chefs participating in Restaurant Week. Adam Hegsted of the Gilded Unicorn, Wandering Table and Republic Kitchen is one of them.

Restaurant Week is a chance to explore Spokane and its culinary scene and beyond.

Tamara McGregor encourages people to not just do dinner but to pair it with an event.

“We really hope people will go to something and dinner,” she said.

“It’s an excuse to just get out.”

www.communicatoronline.org

Editor: Madison Pearson sfcc.madison.pearson@gmail.com

Flavors

The Communicator 01.31.2019

Behind the scenes photos of Restaurant Week

Young Kwak| The Inlander

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Madison Pearson| The Communicator

BRING OUT YOUR CREATIVE MONSTER...

Madison Pearson | The Communicator

Photos from The Inlander’s photoshoot for Restaurtant Week.

Top is a pork belly dish from Three Peaks restaurant in Spokane Tribe Casino.

Bottom is a lavendar panna cotta from the Palouse Grill. www.communicatoronline.org

Learn new software with SFCC Graphic Design (2 credit) self-paced courses.

• GRDSN 158 Photoshop • GRDSN 163 InDesign • GRDSN 156 Illustrator • GRDSN 172 Dreamweaver • GRDSN 175 After Effects

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The Communicator 01.312019

Features

Editor: Jessica Gutierrez sfcc.jessica.gutierrez@gmail.com

SFCC offers resources for every situation Where students can find help for health, finances, counseling and more Elijah Rollins The Communicator Students who find themselves in situations such as needing grief counseling, needing health care, are homeless, or simply needing guidance have many resources available to them at CCS. The Community Colleges of Spokane staff are currently working on a comprehensive resource guide that will be available to students in Fall 2019.

“We hope that the resource guide will be ready by the end of May in order to get them into the hands of our incoming freshmen and returning students for Fall 2019,” Nicci Nays, SFCC campus visit coordinator said.

“A hard copy of the resource guide will be printed,” Nays said.

“And there will be an online version, available via canvas, for our online students to access, as well.”

Counselors are available in the Counseling Center to help students with all their needs. Counselors act as a liaison between the students and those who can provide services to students in need.

“We can help students with their needs,” Christine Mackleit, SFCC counselor said. “We listen to what their needs are and then connect them to those resources, which may be on-campus resources or outside community resources. If students have issues, we want the Counseling Center to be their first stop. We want to get the whole picture as they may need help with more than one issue.”

Although walk-in appointments are available, it is suggested you make an appointment to visit with your counselor.

“We have interns in the Counseling Center that work with

Elijah Rollins| The Communicator

students, as well,” Mackleit said.

“Students really need to visit with a counselor, or one of our interns, because we want to make sure we have all of the components of what’s going on in their lives taken care of.”

CCS partners with local food banks and clothing banks to help provide for students in need.

“Students who have issues with housing also have issues with natural resources such as clothing and food,” Mackleit said.

“We have offices here on campus that can help with each of those issues.”

CCS also provides resources to students who find themselves struggling with college.

“The first place we send struggling students to is the Tutoring Center,” Mackleit said. “The Tutoring Center is composed of students who have already taken those courses and have done well in them, and are willing to give back to others who are taking those classes. We even encourage students who are not having trouble to go to the Tutoring Center.

It’s a good place to go for study groups and other information that they can get for test procedures and processes, writing labs, math labs and feedback.”

CCS offers tutoring and other learning resources are available to students.

Online tutoring and learning resources are also available for

free to students who need them.

“Medical services offered at the SCC campus are available to SFCC students,” Mackleit said. “It might not be convenient, but it is an option for our students. Depending upon what type of medical services our students need, we can sometimes connect them with outside sources that we are linked with to help them.

If students find themselves in an abusive relationship, they are urged to visit the Counseling Center.

“Unfortunately, we have students who find themselves in this type of situation quite often,” Mackleit said. “We encourage them to start in the Counseling Center to determine, first and foremost, if they are safe and safe on this campus right now. There are other components to this, as well.

Do they have children, or are there other people who are vulnerable and who could potentially be hurt or injured? We can connect these students with domestic violence shelters, and other resources available in the community.”

Counselors are available to provide you with help during stressful situations.

“We sit down with them and make a plan on what the next steps are before they ever leave our offices,” Mackleit said. “We do that with our counseling services and mental health interns.”

Many resources are offered on campus. Others are offered through the community.

“Anything and everything under the sun can be offered to our students,” Mackleit said. “If we don’t offer it here, we have some type of community connection to offer it. We want to be able to help every student holistically. We know that school is only one part of the students lives. There are so many more facets of their lives, so we make sure that we can cover and suggest the best possible services available to them.”

Financial Aid (located in

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building 17) and scholarship services can also be found at SFCC. “We always have students file the FAFSA, and potentially students can get work-study,” Mackleit said. “Foundation scholarships are also available to some students. The Career and Community Engagement Center is available to students who need help in completing scholarship applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. They can help them in completing job applications, as well. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help. It is humbling and sometimes doesn’t feel good, and so sometimes it takes a friend or someone who cares to notice or ask the right question.”

As a fellow student, you can help.

“Students do a really good job of looking out for each other,” Mackleit said. “I encourage everyone to be kind and to ask questions if you think someone needs help with something. We all need to make sure that everyone is taken care of.”

CCS staff are available to help and can provide a safe option for students in need.

“Students can also go to an instructor or staff member with whom they feel comfortable,” said Nayes. “If the student doesn’t feel that there is an instructor or staff member they are comfortable with, they can go straight to the Counseling Center to speak with someone who can help assist the student in the best way possible.”

Online resources for students http://sfcc.spokane.edu/ForOur-Students http://sfcc.spokane.edu/ForOur-Students/Getting-Help

Editor: Nicholas Rollins sfcc.nicholas.rollins@gmail.com

Features

The Communicator 01.31.2019

11

Groundhog Day, a tradition as old as time

Just how reliable is Phil, when it comes to determining winter’s end?

Nicholas Rollins The Communicator

Every February, Americans are anxiously awaiting spring’s arrival. Weather predictions from the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, have given people hope of an early spring for over 130 years.

History shows that our ancestors anxiously began looking for signs of spring about midway between the beginning of winter (Dec. 21) and the start of spring (Mar. 20).

“Many pre-Christian communities had celebrations based on the solstices; winter being the shortest day of the year, and summer being the longest,” said Monica Stenzel, an SFCC history adjunct professor.

“The fall and spring equinoxes have equal amounts of daylight, and Feb. 2 falls roughly between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

“The ancient Celts celebrated Imbolc (or Oimelc) in early February, and this was a time for feasting and purification for farmers, anticipating the birth of animals.”

Like every tradition it evolves over time, as cultures change many things can be added or removed from it giving it a more modern version of the tradition.

“The Romans celebrated a time of Lustration, also a time of purification at this time of year,” Stenzel said. “Specifically, Lupercalia was a Roman rite of purification, based somewhat on the founding myth of Romulus and Remus.”

As the tradition grew more festivals were added to honor Groundhog day making it one of the best times of the year for many people.

“As the Christian Church grew in power and scope, it often assimilated extant festivals, such as Imbolc becoming the feast day of the Catholic St. Brigid of Kildare, the Purification of the Virgin Mary,

sometimes celebrated as Candlemas, and Lupercalia’s links to modern Valentine’s Day,” Stenzel said.

These traditions first began during the Medieval times, according to Stenzel, a time when food was scarce and people likely looked for signs of hope and relief.

“In Medieval times, these beliefs concerning weather, fertility, and community came together with the idea that hibernating animals, such as badgers and bears would wake up to check the weather,” Stenzel said.

If the animal awoke to a sunny but cold day, Stenzel said, Europeans believed that more cold weather was due and they should postpone their plantings.

“If the animals woke to a cloudy, mild day,” Stenzel said, “farmers would progress with their spring plantings.”

Many early settlers were of European descent had brought this tradition with them to the U.S. Hedgehogs and badgers that were traditionally used were not readily available in their new homeland, so the groundhog (also known as the woodchuck) was substituted, according to Stenzel.

“Groundhog day is an American take on some fairly ancient rites practiced by Europeans, largely imported by German immigrants,” Stenzel said. “When German immigrants settled in the Pennsylvania area, during the 1800s, the animal of choice became a groundhog, rather than a badger.

Punxsutawney Phil on every Feb. 2 holds a cramoney in Pennsylvania at gobblers knob where he predicts the incoming weather.

“The ‘official’ groundhog lives in Punxsutawney, a town in the western Jefferson county of Pennsylvania. With records kept since 1887, this badger, always named ‘Phil,’ has a rather poor rate of prediction, holding at about 40 percent accuracy.”

Punxsutawney Phil has been making predictions on Feb. 2 from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, since 1886 when the tradition was born here in the U.S. Last year, Punxsut-

Nicholas Rollins | The Communicator

awney Phil saw his shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of frigid winter.

Traditions like Groundhog Day may not be popular with everyone, but still hold importance to some who are trying to hold on to those old family traditions.

“Traditions like Groundhog Day keep you connected to the past,” said Pam Long, administrative assistant to the Director of Business, Professional Studies and Workforce Education Division at SFCC. “It’s important to know those family stories.”

Like Long, most people are hoping for an early spring.

“Once the holidays are over

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and January arrives, I am ready to be done with winter,” Long said.

“I like to be outside and enjoy the weather, but I don’t like to be cold.”

“I typically listen to Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction on the way to work,” Long added, “or I watch it later in the afternoon. It’s a fun tradition.”

Tens of thousands of visitors travel to Gobbler’s Knob for the event each year, according to the official Groundhog Day website.

These days, most people don’t look to the groundhog to predict spring’s arrival, but when it’s been a long, hard winter, perhaps a little levity is in order.

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Features

Editor: Winnie Killingsworth sfcc.winnie.killingsworth@gmail.com

Local indoor activities during February The Communicator compiled a list of events for students and Spokane-area residents during these cold winter months List compiled by Winnie Killingsworth

Feb. 1- Uncle’s​ (downtown) 6pm - 9pm KeyForge Casual Play, Board Game Night Auntie’s 8pm 3 Minute Mic MAC Phantom Lands exhibit open through February 3rd Modern Masters exhibit open through February 10th Feb. 2 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 11am - 5pm X-Wing Seasonal Tournament $5 2pm - 6pm Pokémon League Feb. 3 - Uncle’s​(downtown) 12pm Yu-Gi-Oh! $4 Whitworth 8pm Women Composer’s Concert - Music Building Feb. 4 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5:30pm - 9pm D&D Adventurer’s League SFCC 2pm Talent Show Auditions - SUB Feb. 5 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5pm - 9pm Star Wars X-Wing Theme Tournament $5 5pm - 9pm Star Wars Miniature Night SFCC 11:30am Ebony Stewart Slam Poet- SUB Whitworth 7pm - 9pm African American Hertiage Month Lecture Austin Channing Brown - Weyerhaeuser Hall Robinson Teaching Theater Gonzaga 6pm - 7pm “Marching to Motown” Black History Month Music Lecture - Music Hall Garland Theater 7:15pm “Roulin Rouge” $2.50 Feb. 6 - Uncle’s​ (downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG EDH League $6 6pm - 9pm Dragon Ball Super CCG Feb. 7 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG Standard Gonzaga 7:30pm - 9pm Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead - Magnuson Theatre (Also on Feb 8 and 9) Feb. 8 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm KeyForge Archon Format Tournament $5 6pm - 9pm Board Game Night Feb. 9 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 2pm - 6pm Pokémon League Challenge $5 Auntie’s 7pm - 8:30pm Katrina Carrasco: The Best Bad Things Feb. 10 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 12pm Yu-Gi-Oh! $4 Feb. 11 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 10am - 6pm Puzzle Swap!

5:30pm - 9pm D&D Adventurer’s League Gonzaga 7pm - 8pm AIDS Actvisim in and for Latinx Immigrant Communities in the Early Years of HIV/AIDS - Hemmingson Center Auditorium Feb. 12 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5pm - 9pm Star Wars X-Wing Challenge Tournament $5 5pm - 9pm Star Wars Miniature Night SFCC 11am Internship & Practicum Fair - SUB 11:30am “ Black Klansman” - Sub Garland Theater 7:15pm “Pretty in Pink” $2.50

Feb. 13 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG EDH League $6 6pm - 9pm Dragon Ball Super CCG SFCC 11:30am Lecture - Theo Wilson - SUB 11:30am St. Valentines Day Celebration- SUB Whitworth 8pm Valentines Day Program - Whitworth Choir - Music Building Feb. 14 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG Standard SFCC 11:30am DIY Stuffed Animals - SUB Feb. 15 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm KeyForge Casual Play, Board Game Night Feb. 16 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 11am - 3pm Runewars Game Day $5 2pm - 6pm Pokémon League MAC Inuit Art of Povungnituk exhibit opens Into the Arctic exhibit opens Feb. 17 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 12pm MtG Idaho State Championship Series Qualifer (Standard) $10 12pm Yu-Gi-Oh! $4 Feb. 18 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5:30pm - 9pm D&D Adventurer’s League Feb. 19 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5pm - 9pm Star Wars Miniature Night Gonzaga 6pm - 7:30pm The Making of an Environmentalist- Jundt Aud 110 Garland Theater 7:15pwm “The Princess Bride” $2.50 Feb. 20 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG EDH League $6 SFCC 11:30am Identi-Tea: The Biracial and Sexual Orientation Intersection - SUB Lounge A Gonzaga 7pm - 8:30pm “Why Liberalism Failed” - Hemmingson Ballroom National Geographic Live! Speaker Series 7pm Mireya Mayor: Pink Boots and a Machete First Interstate Center for the Arts $21.50 for students Feb. 21 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG Standard Whitworth 7pm Idaho’s Role in American Racism, Past and Present Eric Johntson Science Center Gonzaga 4:30pm - 5:15pm From Spokane to Stratford-upon-Avon and Back Again... Collaboration and the Royal Shakespeare Company - Humanities Building Feb. 22 - Uncle’s​ (downtown) 6pm - 9pm KeyForge Casual Play, Board Game Night SCC 6pm Black History Month Showcase - Lair 0135 Aud Feb. 23 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) www.communicatoronline.org

11am - 7pm X-Wing Wave 2 Championship $10 2pm - 6pm Pokémon League Auntie’s 1:30pm - 3:30pm Signing: A Roll of the Dice II Anthology put out by the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Writers of Spokane MAC Luminous: Dale Chihuly and the Studio Glass Movement exhibit opens Feb. 24 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 11am - 4pm Star Wars Legion Season 4 Tournament $5 12pm Yu-Gi-Oh! $4 MAC 2pm - 3pm Art History Lecture on Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights $10 suggestion Gonzaga 3pm - 4pm Men and Women’s Choruses “Sacred Music in a Sacred Space” - Our Lady of the Lourdes Cathedral Feb. 25 Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5:30pm - 9pm D&D Adventurer’s League Feb. 26 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 5pm - 9pm Star Wars Miniature Night Gonzaga 7pm - 9pm “Just Like Me” screening - Magic Lantern Theater Garland Theater 7:15pm “The Silence of the Lambs” $2.50 Feb. 27 - Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG EDH League $6 6pm - 9pm Dragon Ball Super CCG Auntie’s 7:30pm - 9:30pm Kate Quinn: The Huntress [Ticketed Event] SCC 10:30am Arab Culture Club Speaker - Lair Sasquatch Ballroom SFCC 11:30am Comedian Francisco Ramos - SUB Gonzaga 6pm - 8pm “Telling War: Just Like Me” Master Class CMTV Studio Ste B 7pm - 8:30pm Gonzaga Visiting Writers Series Presenting Giovanni Singleton - Hemmingson Ballroom Feb. 28 Uncle’s ​(downtown) 6pm - 9pm MtG Standard Gonzaga 10am - 6pm “Telling War: Just Like Me” Interview Session - CMTV Studio Ste B 5pm - 6pm Krielsheimer Visiting Artist Lecture: Visual Reflections on Nature and Culture - Jundt 110 Aud 6pm - 7:30pm Spring Flannery Lecture: From the Upper Room to Pentecost: Toward an Ethic of Racial Mercy Cataldo Hall Globe Room Whitworth 5:30pm - 8:30pm Poverty Simulation - HUB

Editor: Nicholas Jackson sfcc.nicholas.jackson@gmail.com

Arts

The Communicator 01.31.2019

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BGP plays for SFCC student club day

Professional band out of Puyallup, Wash., brings its style of yacht rock to campus Nicholas Jackson

The Communicator For Winter Club Day, visitors were accompanied by the music of BGP. Their self-proclaimed “yacht rock” style resonated with many of those in attendance.

Three of the five members of the band were on stage performing.

Brandon Ghorley, the lead singer and keyboardist, DJ Phinisey, on vocals and keyboard, and Josh Demarrow on drums and back up vocals.

The SUB lounge was awash with nothing but the sound blasting from the stage. It was evident that despite this being a smaller venue than the band might be used to, it had no effect on the energy they exuded on stage. The energy was a two-way street as even the ASG student reps began to dance. They were joined by some students, while others simply chose to sit and enjoy the perks of watching a professional band from up close. The music that the band played was a mix of covers and music from their newly released studio album “Hurt Me, Kiss Me.” Originally formed in Puyallup, Washington, Ghorley is the only original member of the band with Demarrow being in the band for 14 years, and Phinisey for five.

Ghorley originally started the group in 2003, and is the only remaining member from the original crew.

BGP initially stood for Brandon Ghorley Project, but as time went on, members have changed and so did BGP’s meaning. Ghorley, not wanting the band name to be tied to him, began using different combinations of words that fit with the acronym.

If the laid back feel of their music wasn’t enough, Ghorley opened the show by asking the crowd what

Madison Pearson| The Communicator BGP performs on stage Jan. 9 in the Student Union Building. Left to right is Josh Demarrow, Brandon Ghorley and DJ Phinisey.

their a question: “What’s your favorite candy bar?”

His is Trader Joe’s version of a Reese’s. He didn’t go with the Reese’s because,”I’m not a child anymore, right?”

The idea of putting the band before any individual member has definitely given the band a distinctive sound. The yacht rock style is compounded on with many jazz and contemporary influences. Ranging from Steely Dan, and Phil Collins with the more classic rock feel to them, and the modern sound, tempo and production of bands like Foster the People. The multiple vocalists that are in BGP also reflects another similarity to Foster the People.

The member who has been in the band second longest, Demarrow, has more of a freeflow jazz influence on the drums. The beat is consistent, yet changes just often enough to actively gain attention, but not enough to overpower the entire performance.

Demarrow joined the band in

a seemingly chance encounter with Brandon’s agent in church.

“You’re going to be Brandon’s drummer,” Ghorley’s agent said to Josh, almost more of a statement than an invitation.

Demarrow’s influences are a bit more old school with Buddy Rich, Stewart Copeland and Aaron Sterling - all of them talented and skillful drummers. It is from these influences that he draws on to help create an atmospheric sound that resonates through entire tracks or performances. Even with the basic floor setup of his drums, nothing was taken back from the overall tempo and sound.

Phinisey’s entrance into the band was less than conventional.

He has been in the band for five years now, but before he played with the band he was their technician. He was with the band on tour for a while and knew all of the songs. Eventually, he began playing with the band on tour and recording with them.

During a brief intermission,

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the band pointed out that they had some merchandise in front of the stage. There was nothing too surprising about what they had to offer: T-shirts and sweatshirts, all bearing the BGP logo on them. However one piece of merch that stood out more so than the rest was an open suitcase with beige CD sleeves, copies of their newest studio project.

“Hurt Me, Kiss Me” is another entry in the band’s back catalogue.

The vibe and tempo of the album is definitely in line with their more yacht rock category. Every track seems to flow naturally into the next one, maintaining a laid back feel through the whole project.

BGP has upcoming performances in Seattle at the Triple Door.

All six members of the band will be playing during the show on March 22.

One thing is for sure, this band has experience in what they do, and they put it all on display in both live performances and their recorded material.

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The Communicator 01.31.2019

Features

Editor: Madison Pearson sfcc.madison.pearson@gmail.com

Black History Month honored on campus

How SFCC is celebrating Black History Month with events, speakers, poetry Jessica Gutierrez The Communicator

February is a month of cherished dates ​–​most known ones of course being Valentine’s day (Feb. 14), Presidents Day (Feb. 18) and, though not a holiday but still deserves a concise mention, the Superbowl (Feb. 3) ​–​Go Pats! Go Rams!

In case it has been forgotten amidst of all the commotion and events in the next month, February also happens to be the host of Black History Month.

Black History Month began in 1915 with the efforts of Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland in founding the ​Association for the Study of Negro Life and History which was an “organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by black Americans and other peoples of African descent,” according to History.com.

This movement was officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. From Feb. 1 through Feb. 28, these days are dedicated to the recognition of generation after generation of African Americans that have made an impact in society to this day.

Every year comes along with a specific theme. This year happens to be “​African Americans in Times of War” –​ ​highlighting and honoring the lives and time given to fight in this country’s wars.

From the African Americans who endured hardships to simply gain a place in this country to the African Americans who brought forward the introductions of genius inventions. From the blue collar workers to athletes to musicians to politicians, they have all contributed in some way. It is a month of celebration and admiration for the

race, the roles they have played in the world and their accomplishments.

In honor of Black History Month, SFCC is putting on events to show support and celebrate.

On Feb. 5, African-American poet Ebony Stewart will be on the SFCC campus giving a poetic performance from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rec. Center, room 134.

On Feb. 12, a showing of the movie, “BlacKKKlansman” will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Rec Center.

On Feb. 13, Theo Wilson will make an appearance at 11:30 a.m. at the SUB lounges A/B, with coffee and snacks provided. Wilson, also known by Lucifury, is a national slam poet champion and has been giving speeches since the age of 15 with a passion for social justice.

On Feb. 20, another free event that relates to Black History Month which students have the opportunity to attend will be the presentation “Afro-Mexicans: Our Narrative Matters” at 11:30 a.m. in SUB lounge A. These events are organized by workers at the ​Multicultural Office for Students Actively Involved in Community (MOSAIC) on the SFCC campus.

Gloria Benegas- Zavala, who has been the MOSAIC program assistant for the past three months has the tasks of making all the ads involved with any of the events on campus. She said that all of these events are planned ahead for the whole school year.

Claudine Richardson, MOSAIC director, pointed out that Black History Month events were a bit different when she first started working here.

Being the director since September 2016, she first noticed that there were more than 12 events regarding Black History Month that were being hosted through MOSAIC or BSU. She came to the conclusion that it was a “social responsibility for the entire campus to be involved.” She decreased the number

Activities Calendar | Courtesy of SFCC Ebony Stewart, a slam poet, is performing at SFCC on Feb. 5 as part of Black History Month events.

of events and encouraged other clubs and programs that are part of SFCC to be more involved ​–​not limiting these events to just MOSAIC and BSU. Now the student government also has events regarding the month.

“This is a historical issue ​–​not only MOSAIC’s,” Richardson said.

“Developing the ideas and finding reliable people to give presentations on this certain cultural topic is not always easy,” she said. “Topics along these lines can be controversial on certain levels and not everyone is willing to speak their mind about the subject.

“It’s just as simple as it’s not important to them,” Richardson said.

Richardson knows about the growth and educational knowledge that is gained through experiencing presentations like these.

“It’s about being invested in the cultural narrative and unmasking the history that has been left out,” Richardson said. “People have been misinformed or intentionally misinformed, there’s only one history ​

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– ​people have been silenced.”

The importance of knowing one’s past and how we got to where we are is something that is very important to tell, Richardson said.

“Students have told me about their concerns ​–​that’s why events happen,” she said.

She believes that everyone’s voice should be heard, which is why all of the events she brings to campus are issues brought to her by SFCC students.

“Black History Month is not just about people of that specific descent,” Richardson said. “It’s about everyone, spreading the curiosity to everyone to learn about the world’s background.”

Irish, Polish, Italian, Asian American, German History Month: it seems like many of these backgrounds have been forgotten, like Richardson said, they’ve all evolved into one big heritage: white.

No one should forget the core values that their heritage holds.

Black History Month serves as a reminder to embrace who you are by looking into your culture and history: it’s your identity.

Sports

Editor: Logan Lewis sfcc.logan.lewis@gmail.com

The Communicator 01.31.2019

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Courtesy photo

CCS track team sets goals for new year CCS track team getting ready to start strong

By Logan Lewis The Communicator Community Colleges of Spokane is entering its first track season with new head coach John Spatz. While Spatz may be new to coaching at CCS, he is no stranger to its track program.

According to The Spokesman Review, Spatz became a two-time record-setting Northwest Athletic Conference decathlon almost 34 years ago.

However, Spatz has his eyes set toward the future this track season. He is looking forward to CCS’s first home meet of the season.

“We have the War XII meet, the meet that Coach Larry Beatty a former coach here started about 12 years ago now,” Spatz said.

“It’s got about a thousand to 1,200 athletes from all over the West that come.”

Spatz has set goals for his team before their first home meet.

Spatz and his athletes meet everyday after school and get to work

training.

For Spatz and other faculty, it’s a process of learning about their athletes and their strengths and helping them improve. This is a part of Spatz’s short term goal to improve each athletes performance. However, Spatz has also set long-term goals.

“Well you know Spokane’s got a strong track history here between the two campuses winning conference championships,” Spatz said. “So hopefully at the end of May when we go to conference championship, the goal is to really be in the top two so we have a chance of winning the title or be right in there, be super close.”

To win conference championships Spatz and his team will undergo intense training over the next few months. Both male and female athletes participating in varying events have their sights set achieving personal and school records.

Spatz believes his team his strong this year. He hopes their biggest strength among others is their bonds.

Courtesy photo

If you go Bigfoot Track and Field in Pullman Event:Cougar Indoor Day:Friday Date:2/1/2019

“I think our biggest strength is just hopefully out unity,” Spatz said. “We’re all positive we’re getting along as well as you can, but we’re a family too. It’s not always getting along time, but at

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Time:TBA Team:Bigfoot Women’s Track & Field Opponent: Multiple opponents Location:Pullman, WA Venue: Indoors

the end of the day if your a good teammate, your looking out for the other person more than your looking out for your own interests then we have a good chance to be a good solid group.”

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The Communicator 01.31.2019

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Editor: Madison Pearson sfcc.madison.pearson@gmail.com