Nov 18, 2010 print issue

Montage The

See page 13 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB HIGHT

St. Louis Community College–Meramec

November 18, 2010 Vol. 46 Issue 6

Taking

one last

New Corporate Center

drag

STLCC invests in a new building for adult learners

STLCC passes new tobacco-free policy for all campuses - Staff Writer -

Smokers are in for it again at STLCC-Meramec, only this time they’re not alone.

Administration has been working since August on a new policy that, according to the STLCC Board of Trustees, will not only prohibit the smoking of cigarettes, but the use of all tobacco products throughout the district as well.

An ordinance for St. Louis County, effective on Jan. 2, 2011, states that smoking in specified public places is prohibited. The policy put in place for St. Louis County

applies to Meramec since it is both a public place and a place of employment. Sidewalks, driveways and open areas within 15 feet of any entrance to a building open to the public are also non-smoking areas.

The decision to go from a smoking ban to a tobacco ban is due to the failure to find any designated smoking areas.

“There are very many restrictions which tell us what has to be done,” President of Academic Affairs Zerrie Campbell said. “As we as campuses tried to identify those locations, we weren’t able to comply.”

Because each of the STLCC campuses are

physically different, there were no areas found that would apply to each campus.

“We have many students who attend more than one campus, and we want to make sure that the policy is applied equally wherever students go,” Campbell said.

“Because we were unable to meet the restrictions and the boundaries, we moved to tobacco-free.” The ban will prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, snuff and chewing tobacco.

7

New smoking ban to be enforced PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: KAIT THOMAS

Rory Sullivan

“Tobacco ban to take effect in early 2011” See page 4

697 down, three wins to go...

ALBRECHT

Coach Albrecht nears career 700

700

Spencer Gleason - Sports Editor -

Whoever has the highest score at the end of the game wins.

The teams with the most wins at the end of the season go to the playoffs.

Wins accumulate over seasons.

Seasons accumulate over years.

Years accumulate into a career.

Numbers are the name of the game.

For STLCCMeramec Magic basketball coach Randy Albrecht, his next three wins will give him a milestone— career win 700.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: JOE DOUGLAS AND KAVAHN MANSOURI number

While in his 37 seasons of coaching basketball, Albrecht has coached 1,166 games. With 1,087 of those games coached at Meramec and 79 coached at St. Louis University in the mid ‘70s. Albrecht considers himself lucky being able to spend time doing what he loves.

“I feel really fortunate I got to do what I set out to do in life. That was to be a basketball coach,” Albrecht said. “It’s been one of those things not everybody gets to do what they wanted to do, and basketball has been a big part of my life since I was young. I was a player and it stayed part of my life in coaching. It’s a chance to work with young people. Especially the older you get, it helps you stay younger staying around young people.”

Albrecht began his college coaching career in 1974 when he became the head coach for the St. Louis University (SLU) Billikens. The then darkerhaired Albrecht had been at SLU for 10 years as a player, freshman coach and assistant coach for the Billikens.

Albrecht’s first season at the helm for the Billikens finished with a under .500,

2

with a record of 12-14. After three seasons at SLU, Albrecht had compiled a record of 3247 and a winning percentage of .405.

“It was just a tough situation,” Albrecht said.

“SLU wasn’t sure where they wanted to play. We played some games at the Arena and some at the Kiel [Center]. We were in the Missouri Valley Conference.

We left the Missouri Valley Conference and went to play in the Conference USA. We were in flux in terms of a program of where we, SLU, wanted to go at the time. But I was a young coach and I made multiple mistakes myself.”

While coaching at the Division I level, Albrecht soaked up knowledge like a sponge, picking up tidbits of information of what fouryear colleges looked for when recruiting basketball players.

“The kids who are at community college, a lot of them want to move on and play college basketball at the four-year school level,” Albrecht said. “We have the

“Inching closer to his magic number” See page 16

It fails to show compromise

13

International Film Festival The annual film festival debuts a slew of new films

Montage Reader Poll

Are you voting in the midterm elections?

C B

A

A. Yes, because it’s important to vote.

B. It depends on the importance of the people.

C. I’m voting for the people with the craziest names.

Dec. 9 Poll Question

When’s the right time for holiday decorations?

To vote, visit: www.meramecmontage.com

2 NEWS

November 18, 2010

Search committee on the hunt for a new campus president Kurt Oberreither - Staff Writer -

As STLCC-Meramec nears the end of its first semester, the ball has started rolling in the search for a permanent replacement for Interim President Zerrie Campbell.

Public involvement will begin with two public forums that will be held at noon and 2 p.m. on Nov. 22.

“The public open forums are for anyone who would like to contribute to what the Meramec community is looking for in a president,” Campbell said.

To aid Chancellor Zelema Harris, the board of trustees and the search committee, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a non-profit organization, has been employed.

“The organization has been hired to facilitate the process. They’re not making the selection, they’re helping people to go through the process,” Campbell said.

ACCT Vice President for Research, Education and Board Leadership Services Narcissa Polonio, Ed.D., has been put in charge of guiding the search at Meramec.

Polonio will be at the forums

to hear students’ ideas and help the search committee form a profile for a national presidential search.

“It’s key for people to attend the forums because that’s really what we use to design the profile,” Polonio said. “The more people we hear from the better.”

According to Campbell, the ACCT is used to maintain neutrality in the process of finding applicants.

“You have someone who has a very objective point of view and who’s focused on process not on personality,” Campbell said.

The committee will sit down with Polonio following the town hall meeting. “From those two forums she will then have a meeting with the committee that same day, and they’ll take all of the input and craft it into a position,” Campbell said.

Beyond the public forums student body president Kristen Huyett, will represent the students directly on the search committee. She was the only student selected to be on the committee and said she’s excited to be involved.

“I like meetings.

I’ve asked the student government for input, and I’ve gotten

PHOTO BY: KURT OBERREITHER

Interim President Zerrie Campbell works in her office located in Clark Hall after initiating the new search for a campus president.

input from other students,” Huyett said. “I’ll take that with me to the committee meetings and represent the students.”

In late November, a profile will have been constructed and the presidential opening will be advertised. It won’t be until spring that the new president will be announced.

“This kind of stuff shouldn’t be done very quickly,” Huyett said. “You should take your time and

really make sure you’re making a good choice about who you want as president.”

Campbell said that, while she must remain out of the search process, she will meet with the final candidates so they can ask her questions about the role.

“I’m just kind of keeping the seat warm, making sure that there is a presidential presence until a permanent person is identified,” Campbell said.

Huyett said it’s important that students stay involved.

“I would really encourage students to think through what they want in campus leadership.

The public forum is a really great way to have input with the kind of environment and the kind of leaders that we have on campus. If there’s enough people that go and say the same thing, they will take notice of what we say.”

Huyett said.

Official Correction In the Nov. 18 issue in Opinions, The Montage inadvertantly printed incorrect information in the article “Proposition B becomes political football.”

Paragraph 11 should read: Opponents of the proposition (like http://thealliancefortruth.com and http:// humanewatch.org) claim the HSUS has accumulated more than $162 million in assets, yet donates less than one percent of that to helping animals.

The HSUS is affiliated with animal shelters, does promote spaying and neutering, and does take in stray, neglected and abused animals.

In the article “A Day in the Life of a tenacious fighter,” the subject’s name is spelled Ben Barrett.

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NEWS

November 18, 2010

What’s happening at STLCC

3

NEWS BRIEFS Clothing Recycle Day Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 17, the Student Government Association and the Meramec Sustainability Committee will be inviting students, faculty and staff to participate in Clothing Recycle Day. Both groups hope to reduce the carbon footprint of consumers, according to a press release on Nov. 1.

Acceptable items are women’s, men’s and children’s clothing. Also, accessories, coats, shoes, purses, belts, ties, etc. will be allowed.

All items must be clean and functional. No household appliances or electronics will be permitted.

Donations can be made at various donation boxes throughout the campus. For more information contact campus life.

Preview Day On Nov. 20, STLCC will be hosting a preview day for high school seniors at all STLCC campuses.

The event is scheduled to begin at noon with check-in at 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

STLCC hopes future students and their parents will learn about the college’s 90-plus academic programs, convenient locations and affordable costs, according to a STLCC press release.

Students, faculty and staff will be available for tours and questions about the various activities and services offered by STLCC. Guided tours will follow the event. For more information, contact the Administration Office located at Clark Hall.

CWC Seventh Annual Writing Contest The College Writing Center is currently holding their seventh annual writing contest.

This year’s topic is “If your life had a soundtrack, what would it sound like?”

For example, “What genres and artists would be on it?” There is no limit on the amount of words that can be used.

First prize is $100 and second prize is $50 through Currents Magazine.

Deadlines are set for Monday, Nov. 29 by 8 p.m. at the CWC located in CN 122. Winners will be announced by Dec. 7.

For more information, participants are asked to contact or visit the CWC or e-mail fhooker@stlcc.edu.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STLCC

The corporate center is located at I-270 and I-70 in Bridgeton. The center, purchased for $5.5 million and $3.6 million more in renovations, will be used to train and retrain adult learners for the ever-changing workforce.

New corporate center to expand training opportunities Joe Douglas

- Editor-in-Chief -

A new center for job training and advancement is on its way for St. Louis Community College.

Next summer, students will be able to take classes at the new STLCC Corporate Center to develop their skills and adapt to the everchanging work force.

“We’re shifting and transforming from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledgebased economy with more focuses on high-tech service industries and occupations,” said Rod Nunn, vicechancellor of work force and development for STLCC, in a promotional video about the new Corporate Center.

The 149,553-square-foot Corporate Center will have a focus on gearing adult learners from around St. Louis to learn new technologies, improve leadership and teamwork, and develop entrepreneurial skill sets. Degrees, certifications and trainings will be used to make graduates more competitive and valuable in the workplace.

Corporate Center is located near the intersection of I-270 and I-70 in Bridgeton, STLCC capitalizing on its location in heavy business sectors.

“So the beauty of this is we get a chance to serve adult learners, future students based on where they work and not where they live,” Nunn said.

Students and graduates of the center’s programs will also have access to recruiters and employers from local businesses.

Classes will not follow standard per-credit-hour costs. They will be more akin to continuing education classes where the class costs a fee depending on the level of training and what materials are necessary.

“On the demand side of the equation, companies are willing to pay for quality services to help their workers,” Nunn said.

“Secondly, as our mission and the college, is to help individuals access learning outside of the traditional college setting: in the workplace and in the community.”

STLCC is leasing the

Get Published!

Once upon a time this student had this really great manuscript and...

building to tenants including MedAssets, Hitachi and Zurich Financial Services. BJC Health Care and security at Lambert Airport will also be working closely with STLCC to provide up-to-date training for its employees.

“We’re hoping some of these companies will utilize us for our training needs,” Nunn said. “They have an education provider right on site now, and we know some of these companies will have those needs.”

In addition, the building will also house a multifunction space, breakout rooms, a testing center, computer labs, a reception area and offices. A small business incubator to support the growth of middle-skill STLCC graduates will also be on-site.

The Corporate Center is expected to cost approximately $9.1 million, including purchase price and renovation costs. STLCC plans to use the revenue generated by its tenants to offset the costs.

Throughout the past year, STLCC has undergone numerous cuts to staff and services. In addition, earlier

this year Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon reduced STLCC’s state funding.

“That leaves our tuition revenue as our sole source of revenue that we control and we can enhance the rate that students pay,” said Carla Chance, vice chancellor for finance and business services, in the video. “But we could also focus on increasing the volume of tuition dollars that we generate, so I think the Corporate Center is just another step in St. Louis Community College’s capacity building.”

Money for the project is coming from STLCC’s Center for Business, Industry and Labor by providing 1/3 of the necessary funds, with the remaining 2/3 coming from STLCC. Nunn said STLCC has been saving up for the time they would invest in a new facility.

“The Corporate Center is a visionary. It’s about five to 10 years down the road.

You also have to understand the demographics and the trends. We see adult degree completion as being very important to the community.”

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4 NEWS

November 18, 2010

Tobacco ban to take effect in early 2011 Continued from page 1...

PHOTO BY: PATRICK OLDS

Meramec student Nicholas Crow smokes a cigarette before the tobacco ban goes into effect on January 1st, 2011.

Campbell said earlier this year that the entire process of making Meramec a smoke-free campus would have to be resurrected.

Since Meramec isn’t individually accredited, enforcement of the policy would require cooperation from each STLCC campus.

Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Linden Crawford was asked

by Campbell to gather information on smoking bans in St. Louis. She worked with colleagues Yvonne Johnson, the dean of humanities and social science, and Bonnie Sanguinet, manager of the Meramec library, to see what the area was

doing in regards to the non-smoking policies.

“As we started researching, we identified the fact that Kirkwood was adopting a no smoking policy in public places, that St. Louis County was, and that St. Louis City was as well,” Crawford said.

According to Campbell if STLCC had not complied, the college and the board would have been subject to daily fines.

about fines for ignoring the policy, but they will be subject to disciplinary action. First-time offenders will have their information taken down and will be issued a warning.

Second-time offenders will be enforced to meet with the vice president of student affairs, and continuing offenders will have their grades held, making them unable to transfer course credits to other schools.

When the Wellness Committee surveyed students, faculty and staff in 2008, the majority of them said they would be in favor of a smokefree campus.

Many Meramec students, however, were hoping for designated smoking areas as opposed to losing tobacco altogether.

When the original policy was in place, smoking was limited to the parking lots, but the new policy reads that “There will be no designated smoking areas within the property boundary.”

Some students are still upset with smoking being prohibited, including Meramec student Maria Bruno.

“Considering how many people smoke cigarettes, I think it’s kind of ridiculous,” Bruno said. “I definitely disagree and I even recently quit smoking.”

Students don’t need to worry

“That’s the current disciplinary process for any violation of a student code of conduct,” Crawford said. “I don’t know that there will be any kind of fine attached. There are no fines for other student disciplinary issues, so I don’t think that we’ll make this different.”

Campbell said that assisting people in kicking their smoking habits is also a priority.

“We want to help people, because we know it is a hardship for them—those that are habitual smokers.” Campbell said that the school will be offering smoking cessation workshops to help smokers quit.

Students who don’t plan on quitting may want to enjoy their cigarettes and tobacco while they can because next semester they will have to become accustomed to a tobacco-free campus.

MUSIC

Evolution of the ban Timeline of events May 1st, 2008

Discussion of a tobaccofree campus took place by the Wellness Committee.

September 18th, 2008 Meramec participates in Fresh Air day, an event where smokers were assigned smoking areas on campus.

March 12th, 2009 A policy was announced to be effective in fall 2009 that would ban all smoking on campus, excluding parking lots.

September 3rd, 2009

The policy was approved by administration that all tobacco use would be permitted solely to campus parking lots.

September 2nd, 2010 Smoking on campus goes unpunished due to a mistake in the approved policy.

November 2nd, 2010

at Meramec

January 1st, 2011 All STLCC campuses becomes tobacco-free.

The Music Department at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students.

You may take courses for general education credit or pursue the Associate of Arts in Music degree to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music or Music Education program.

November 18th, 2010 Tobacco-free approved.

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Interested in performing in an ensemble?

All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!

ENSEMBLES

Music 132 – Orchestra Music 133 – Jazz Lab Band Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 135 – Concert Choir & Chamber Choir All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal.

Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Choir.

For more information, contact the Meramec Music Department Gary Gackstatter, Director of Instrumental Music, ggackstatter@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7636 Dr. Jerry Myers, Director of Choral Activities & Music Theory, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638

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NEWS The Veteran’s Club holds its first meeting on campus

November 18, 2010

David Kloeckener - Staff Photographer -

Sometimes it is hard for people to see the little things that go on in other countries and even in our own. Soldiers in every branch of the military see more than the average person can ever imagine from a psychological and/or physical viewpoint.

This is one of the main reasons why the Veteran’s Club became an official club at STLCC-Meramec earlier in the 2010 fall semester.

Earlier in the year, Justin Platt, STLCC-Meramec student and active member of the Army Reserves, is the main force behind the Veteran’s Club. The Veteran’s Club was created to help veterans that are returning to school, learn about different accommodations that are offered to veterans if necessary, and to help others realize the hardships veterans face returning to every day society.

“There is an inherent need for veterans to come see what the meetings are all about and see if they can relate to any other veterans. Also, there is a need for people to be aware of veterans returning to a school

environment,” Platt said.

There are more than 800 veterans enrolled at Meramec.

Returning to a school with a population of 11,000 students can be very psychologically draining and stressful for veterans, which can be freely talked about at club meetings.

“It is good to connect with people who have been in the same shoes and is one of the best things for a veteran to do,” said Terry Cooper, Ed.D., Ph.D., psychology professor.

The psychological aspect of going back to school can be hard on anybody. On a psychological level, veterans are put through traumatic situations that can be forever branded in their minds.

The trauma of war and battle can have an effect on studying, taking tests and participation in class. PostTraumatic Stress Disorder is a common mental illness soldiers can develop overseas or when returning home and adjusting.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is also a factor when coming home.

ASD is when a person experienced, witnessed or was confronted with an event that threatened a person’s physical well-being

and the response involved intense fear, helplessness or horror. Acute Stress Disorder could possibly lead to PTSD if not treated properly or taken the right away to help with the disorder.

Many things are stressful for veterans when in or returning to school. “I have tried to be sensitive to needs of veterans in class,” Cooper said.

Many people misunderstand veterans because they haven’t shared their experience.

“There was a time when another veteran and I had to leave school to come out to our car and have a cigarette to cool off from being so overwhelmed,” Platt said.

With school being such an added stress, veterans can possibly get overwhelmed by all the stress of being put on time schedules for studying, homework, and/or meetings that might arise.

“I had a student who was in the military and he would sit over by the door in case he got stressed out over class or agitated with other students for something or other. He and I worked out a system where he would give me a

PHOTO BY: DAVID KLOECKENER

Mike Burke, English faculty member and club sponsor, speaks at the first Veteran’s Club meeting.

signal in case he had to leave or step out of the room for a few minutes,” Cooper said.

The Veteran’s Club will help get veterans back into the school environment with as little stress as possible.

Also, professors and other members of the club could point veterans in the direction of different places on campus that could serve useful to veterans.

Students can get special accommodations in places like

the access office, and receive one-on-one help from the counseling department. Most students haven’t heard of the access office and might not realize how it could help if they have a disability.

The Veteran’s Club holds meetings from ‘12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays. When the Veterans Club starts preparing dates to do activities on campus, volunteers will be able to sign up for opportunities to get further involved.

COLLEGE WRITING CENTER AT MERAMEC DEADLINE: DUE MONDAY, NOV. 29, 2010 BY 8 P.M. IN THE CWC, CN 122

7th Annual Writing Contest PHOTO BY: : DAVID KLOECKENER

Jim Frost, department chair for mathematics and faculty sponsor, speaks at the first Veteran’s Club meeting.

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Essay topic:

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(For example, what genres and artists would be on it?)

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OPINIONS

November 18, 2010

Self-improvement Pursuit of Happiness The great balancing act Joe Douglas

- Editor-in-Chief -

Not all responsibilities carry the same weight. That’s why, from time to time, it feels nearly impossible to balance all of them and it becomes a great balancing act.

It takes technique to carry out efficiently.

Teachers ask their students to study two hours for every hour spent in class.

That means on Monday, when all four classes are done, there’s still eight more hours of study time. Full-time students taking the minimum load (12 credit hours) are asked to spend approximately 12 hours per day “in school,” not to mention Wednesday and Friday which will mean another 12 hours for each of those days. Breaking up study time between Monday and Tuesday means six hours per day, Monday through Saturday. But don’t forget other priorities.

Doctors recommend students get eight hours of sleep per night. Many students mistakenly dedicate too little time to sleeping and reprioritize it for having fun or pulling all-nighters for studying. People remember

POLITICS

the most and are fully recovered from the previous day when they sleep for at least eight hours.

That’s 14 hours per day of the 24 hours allotted.

Students may spend between approximately an hour getting ready for and going to school.

This brings the total to 15 to 16 hours.

Work may take up about 12 hours or more per week if part time. Assuming the fewest hours, that’s about two hours per day Monday through Saturday, totaling 17 to 18 hours.

Lunch and dinner are becoming increasingly shorter.

People should take 30 minutes to eat and which includes the act of eating, spending time with family, and/or developing relationships.

That’s 18 to 19 hours.

That leaves students with about three to four hours to spend further time with family, develop relationships, and have fun. There are also extracurricular activities and hobbies, which may take an additional hour, reaching 19 to 20 hours.

Spending one or two hours having fun and chilling is highly recommended. Use the remaining hours as a buffer zone for responsibilities that need a little more time.

Keep in mind these are the minimal/recommended

Politics and Media Patrick Olds

dedications. Taking 16 credit hours? Add on an extra two hours per day. Working full time? A mother? Father?

Forget about it. Then there’s the recommended exercising a minimum three times a week.

Naturally, priorities can fluctuate depending on events, needs and wants. In turn, there’s always a need to balance them.

First, know the weight of each responsibility. Not in pounds or grams, but in importance.

Never forget to sleep a minimum of eight hours a night, don’t give up exercise, and take a little time to have fun or relax every day. These are de-stressors that allow healing, physically and mentally.

Second, time management is key. Keeping up-to-date with a planner and/or calendar always helps.

Third, make room for emergencies.

Make sure there’s an hour or two per day for things that come up unexpectedly.

Lastly, don’t feel overwhelmed. Responsibilities are everywhere and take up time. Sometimes it’s necessary to take time from some responsibilities to fulfill the needs of another. Stay focused on what’s most important at the time, but don’t forget about other duties.

Keeping Them Honest

Power struggle paradox

- Opinions Editor -

What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object is purely subjective.

Some in the national media have pretty much equated the newly elected Republicanled House of Representatives with an immovable object on spending and earmarks. In that same breath, the Obama administration could be compared to an irresistible force when he is doing his best to implement a very liberal agenda with skyrocketing deficits. Over the course of the next two years, the media will do its part to portray which side of the paradox concedes.

The point of this comparison is to put the 2010 midterm election results into perspective. Obama claims it was a lack of communication on his administration’s part, not a rebuke of his policies.

It’s understandable if he wants to dictate that public stance but behind those closed doors of the oval office he should realize that most exit polls showed voters highly dissatisfied with government

spending and growth.

Thanks in large part to the enthusiasm of Tea Party voters, the Republicans were given another chance to fix the problems that plague Washington.

They must not forget that with a snap of the American public’s fingers they could just as easily be voted out in 2012.

It’s vitally important to understand the positions of each party and politician. Just turning on the news a couple of times a week will not suffice.

Media can be strongly biased in today’s world and people must utilize multiple news organizations and primary resources such as interviews or statistics.

The policy of the Obama administration has been to spend and his thinking is that it will be the best way to jumpstart the economy.

He has also increased he number of employees in the Federal government tremendously in the last two years. That is such a slippery slope because so many individuals seem to rely on the government for their wellbeing.

Most Republicans campaigned on an idea of freezing spending. Not to stop our government but to

dramatically reduce spending across the board in order to control the spiraling out-ofcontrol debt.

The United States’ debt to China is overwhelming and potentially crushing.

All politicians are now expected to “bring back the bacon” for their respective districts.

Republican leadership must stand by their campaign promise and make difficult decisions on cuts in the national budget. It must start somewhere.

The most difficult part of this implementation is that the programs people have come to rely on might be in jeopardy of having cuts. The question is how the media will portray the anticipated distance between the Republican House and the Democratic executive. Will it sound like the Republicans are trying to rob from the poor and reward the rich or that the Democratic president has overspent the country’s bank account while the Republicans work to fix it?

It’s a reality that the media leans liberal and that is why it is just as important for Republicans to stand by their campaign promises and make sure they don’t end up on the wrong side of the paradox.

Adult Content

Sex

Cornucopia: the horn of plenty Jacob Hight-

- Graphics Editor -

Time passes so quickly.

Hills and forests rust over with auburn autumn and straw is spun into golden grain. Soon the sleepy world will be tucked in, covered in a downy white blanket of snow, dreaming of crocuses and tender grass. Already, many families are preparing to gather, to pass the fleeting holiday season amidst the bounty of friends, family and good food.

The world rejects the idea of a universal family. At times, being a stranger can be a little better than being an enemy.

Creating a family, a warm, loving safe haven, is perhaps only surpassed in value by altruistic aspirations.

Holidays are a time to honor and remember these familial aspirations.

For those that celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, perhaps no image is more iconic than the cornucopia, a horn-shaped basket overflowing from a bountiful harvest.

While traditionally the cornucopia is a symbol of plenty, harvest is also the coming of age for seeds that will fulfill future aspirations of bounty. It is not just a symbol of fruitful mother earth, but it is also an image of male fertility (not to mention the bounty of an open heart).

So much energy is spent on inventive ways to have sex while inhibiting fertility.

In some cases, even though one of sex’s most sacred purposes is to create a family, safeguarding and nurturing fertility seems almost an afterthought.

To nurture fertility the Mayo Clinic website advises a

healthy lifestyle for both men and women, such as reducing stress, eating healthily, taking multivitamins, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. It also advises to avoid controlled substances such as alcohol, marijuana (which increases abnormal sperm), tobacco and toxins in the environment.

The new smoking ban may have just increased student and faculty fertility by eliminating secondhand smoke on campus. Go STLCC! Overall, many of the tips concerning both male and female fertility are lifestyle changes that are in harmony with the hormones that govern fertility. However, mechanical concerns may also play a significant role.

For men, the temperature of their testicles affects producing healthy sperm.

Tight pants, underwear, hot baths/showers, saunas and bicycle riding are all things to be wary of listed on the Mayo Clinic website. Apparently sperm counts are higher in winter, though experts don’t assert the time of year makes a significant difference to fertility.

Sperm can take more than 70 days to mature. Meaning, it may take time for male fertility to reflect positive lifestyle changes.

Some doctors advise not to ejaculate more than twice a day while trying, to prevent using up developed sperm.

Ninety percent of couples are said to conceive in the first year, and it is the oneyear mark that delineates fertility from infertility.

Whether one believes in creationism or the theory of evolution, each being is the fruit of an unbroken chain from the very beginning of life on this planet. Each person is the victory of his or her ancestors over all manner of obstacles and dangers. We are the bounty.

Online Columns That’s what she said; that’s what he said Adventures in intimacy Shane and Kelly approach the topic of intimacy and how to keep it alive.

Shane Rice

Kelly Davis - Copy Editor -

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OPINIONS

November 18, 2010

Smokers have a voice too Shane Rice

A better compromise should have been reached

- News Editor -

As the semester nears an end, students, faculty and staff are plagued with yet another encounter o f : “Should we do t h i s ? ” “Should we do that?” “Well, what if we do this?”

What’s being discussed is the ban on all tobacco products at STLCC for all campuses. STLCC announced this semester that all tobacco use on campus could and will be penalized after the first of the year. “There will be no designated smoking areas within the property boundary,” according to a press release by Interim President Zerrie Campbell on Nov. 1.

The decision was based on the fact that STLCC tried but was unable to identify designated smoking areas on all campuses. Really? So many issues arise with this kind of decision. Smokers have been persecuted for far too long.

It’s understood that nonsmokers shouldn’t have to inhale secondhand smoke or that the litter of butts throughout the campuses is like a bleeding eye sore.

However, to state that a suitable compromise for smokers and non-smokers alike could not be reached seems far-fetched to say the least.

When smoking bans started hitting public places like restaurants, amusement parks or even airports, a compromise was made.

Restaurants simply said do not smoke in the building and customers would simply step outside for a puff. Amusement parks made it accessible for

smokers to go no further than the gates for a smoke and airports put smokers in a glass cube like a pet store display.

All these places found solutions. They found a compromise that worked for the majority of smokers and non-smokers. However, administration said that no “designated smoking areas” could be agreed upon.

Also, stating that all tobacco usage on campus is forbidden is a far reach. This affects people that don’t smoke but chew and people that use snuff. Granted, the percentage of smokers across the country has dropped significantly over the last 20 years. In fact, the U.S. average hovered around 40 percent in the 1970s and ‘80s and did not drop to under 25 percent until the mid-’90s, according to a poll test given by the U.S. Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, smokers still have rights, just as non-

smokers do.

Organizations like Americans for Individual Rights and the National Smokers Alliance both oppose that governments impose smoking bans and believe business owners should have the right to determine their own smoking policies.

“Solutions can be made without taking away the rights of American smokers,” smoker’s activist Todd Dylan said.

It’s gone too far.

In an interview Campbell said, “If STLCC had not complied, the college and the board would have been subject to daily fines.”

This is almost a form of bullying by the system sworn to protect the rights of all people within it.

Stop taking away the rights and privileges that people are entitled to. If it is a health issue then the investment of a small amount of money could be

used in constructing smoking booths for the campuses.

There are no liable reasons that compromises can’t be made, and those that state one can’t be reached are not listening to the voices that pay them.

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InDepth

Black Friday and Cyber

A how-to guide for being prepared for the pr

Kelly Glueck One of the most anticipated shopping days of the year, Black Friday, is only a week away! This unofficial holiday began in the 1960s when reta

popularized by police in Philadelphia complaining about the congested streets, filled both with motorist and pedestrians. Not much has chang products. Within the last couple years, there have been a series of injuries and deaths related to the chaos of Black Friday, and in many circumsta the first few hours of opening. Stores like Barnes and Noble, Lowes, Walmart, Best Buy, Apple, Toys R US, and Amazon.com are offering shoppers similar Black equivalent). Target is having a two-week event with deals in its “Daily Deals” as low as 70 percent off, including $25 gift cards to lucky customers. Similarly, J.C. P direction for holiday shopping?

- Staff Writer -

The good, the bad and the ugly The darkest moments of Black Friday Though no one knows what this Black Friday entails, Black Fridays in the past have proven to be violent.

‘'05 Jacksonville, Fla.- A woman waiting in line to buy a laptop with a $100 discount was trampled to the ground at a Walmart and suffered from a concussion and ongoing back and neck problems.

‘'06 Murray, Utah- While 15,000 shoppers jammed a mall, nine fights were reported.

Police arrived to find customers running and overturning piles of clothes.

‘'08

Valley Steam, N.Y.- WalMart security guard, Jdimyati Damour was trampled to death by a crowd of over 2,000 people when the store opened at 5 a.m.

‘'09 Chicago, Ill.- Four fights broke out between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. outside a mall.

Eight people were arrested for “mob action” and damages.

‘'09

Columbia, Mo.- A Toys R Us manager was thrown against a window and was quoted saying that violence took place, such as a man punching a woman in the head.

Tips for safe online shopping Prevent internet theft on Cyber Monday Shane Rice - News Editor -

The day after Thanksgiving has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

With killer deals and long lines, it has also become a day of chaos at the stores. Thanks to the era of online shopping, the Internet has provided simpler ways for consumers to get those same great deals yet avoid the long, cold lines.

Cyber Monday is the online equivalent to Black Friday. According to comScore, consumers spent $887 million on Cyber Monday of last year.

But shopping online can have its headaches and own set of problems: identity theft, credit card theft, and online retailers that are not all peaches and cream.

So how do consumers protect themselves when shopping online? What kind of steps can they take to better assist them in a good safe exchange? The answer is simple: follow these steps.

"When on a web page where personal information is required or a credit card must be entered, look for an 's' after 'http' in the Web address of that page,” Mike Riddle said, founder of http://cybermonday.net.

“This encryption is a security measure that scrambles data as it traverses the Internet. Another thing to look for is a tiny closed

padlock in the address bar, or on the lower right corner of the window.”

Try to look for third-party seals of approval. Companies can put these seals on their sites if they abide by a set of rigorous standards such as how personal information can be used.

“Two of the biggest seals to look for are Better Business Bureau Online or TRUSTe,” said Tim Duncan, founder of http://blackfriday.org.

If these seals are visible, click them to make sure they link to the organization that created them. Some merchants will put these logos on their websites without permission.

Various websites offer cost comparisons which assist in finding the lowest price per request.

Be aware; there have been reports of a few sites “fixing” their technology and returning incorrect results according to Riddle.

Using a credit card online is relatively safe. All transactions are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. If a credit card is used without authorization consumers are generally only liable for the first $50, and sometimes less.

The Internet is also subject to the Federal Mail/Telephone Order Merchandise Rule which requires companies to ship an order within 30 days or send

notification of the delay.

However, when making a purchase, try to limit the amount of personal information given out.

Never give out passwords.

“Be sure to keep a paper trail. Print out the seller’s contact information, a copy of the receipt, a page describing the item ordered, and the email confirming the order,” Duncan said.

Once a purchase has been decided, go through that website and look for policies defining warranties, refunds, returns, legal statements and privacy policies. “Warranties, where provided, will let a consumer know what is covered and for what time period.

It will also tell them who to contact if a replacement, a refund or a repair is needed,” Duncan said. “Be sure to read the refund and return policy.

Will the website provide a refund? Can the item be returned to a retail outlet? Will there be a restocking fee?”

Consumers should always pay attention to legal statements posted on the website. This will determine where legal proceedings are to be held assuming consumers are shopping in the United States.

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry,” Riddle said. “Otherwise, you’ll be sorry you weren’t safe.”

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Otherwise you’ll be sorry you weren’t safe.

-Mike Riddle, founder of http://cybermonday.net

November 18, 2010

9

Monday survival guide

rime time of holiday shopping ILLUSTRATION BY: JACOB HIGHT

ailers noticed their “red,” or lost profits, going in to the “black,” gained profits. The term “black” was also ged. Black Friday still draws large, rowdy crowds eager to find the best deals on the hottest new and old ances, stores are extending their hours with the intention to draw consumers in all day or week rather than k Friday deals with free shipping on their websites for the popular Cyber Monday (Black Friday’s online Penney is offering two-day deals and Home Depot will have a nearly three-week sale. Could this be a new

The do’s and don’ts of Black Friday shopping

Blast from the past

Each holiday season there is at least one popular toy that is hard to come by. As toys and technology have evolved, the demand for certain products have remained. This year’s predicted hot toy will be Singa-ma-jigs, stuffed animals that sing when squeezed.

The toys in the timeline below were all the rage in past years.

Stephanie Stough - Managing Editor -

Two years ago on Black Friday, a Long Island Walmart security guard was trampled to death when the doors were opened. More than 200 hundred people stampeded over him. Another four people reportedly suffered injuries from the same stampede, including a pregnant woman.

On Black Friday in 2005, people were trampled in a Great Rapids, Mich. Walmart and suffered several injuries.

There are several other reported cases of Black Friday injuries due to stampedes. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has even created safety precautions and guidelines for store employees to adapt during the holidays to avoid anyone getting hurt.

For those shoppers that will be waiting on the other side of the doors, read these tips to make Black Friday more successful, safer and potentially save more money. Following this advice may not make the biggest shopping day of the year easy, but it can make Black Friday seem a little brighter.

Do some research before Friday Multiple websites are devoted to Black Friday advertisements. One of the more popular sites allows people to see the special Black Friday ads for the most popular stores and even lets people to search for certain products to compare deals. Some stores have a very limited supply of products. Be aware of those products to avoid crowds and long lines which can lead to disappointment.

Plan a route Finding a parking spot can be difficult so for those heading out to multiple stores. Think of routes that may make it easier to make several store stops while staying in one parking spot. It may also be worth it to consider carpooling or public transportation. Also, bring a GPS along so it will be easier to navigate around traffic.

Dress comfortably & bring snacks Shoppers considering braving the crowd at the crack of dawn should be prepared for cold and hunger and should be dressed comfortably. Be sure to bring warm clothes and easy snacks to munch on. To ensure that a potentially stressed, long day of shopping isn’t ruined by hurting feet, wear comfortable and reliable shoes. To skip lines, wear a tank top under layers so clothes may be tried on in the aisle, to avoid line waiting lines for the dressing room.

Bring the right shopping buddy or go alone

1983

Black Friday can come with a lot of baggage, crowds, traffic and long lines. In choosing the right shopping partner, make sure to bring someone who will be glad to be there instead of bringing the mood down. If not, it might be better to go alone.

Bring the ads

1984

To steer clear of any disputes of prices, bring the ads. Some stores may even grant other stores prices, especially if the store promised a “lowest price” guarantee. The ads will also serve as back-ups if other stores run out of certain items.

1985

See people in line as friends, not enemies Making friends with the people in line not only make the lengthy, dark wait more enjoyable but can serve as placeholders when the inevitable trip to the bathroom becomes necessary. Embrace a friendly demeanor. It might relieve tension and a feeling of competition. It could work a lot of wonders.

1985 1989

Don’t overestimate products available The ultimate savings might be available during a certain time, but don’t be in denial about how many products will be ready for purchase. Call the store ahead of time and ask how many will be available.

1997

1998

Don’t get ripped off Thieves look for easy targets. On Black Friday, especially, be sure to convey confident, aware body language. Thieves look for people who are preoccupied. Walk alert through malls and parking lots and never park in isolated areas. Don’t show off too much cash and keep credit cards in a safe and hidden place from possibly being pick-pocketed.

1999

Don’t take off the tags There have been predictions that there will be good sales through the month of December, so keep the tags for a while. In case a particular item’s price goes down after being purchased, it can be taken to a store for a refund. Keep doing research to save even more money.

2000

2006

ART & LIFE

November 18, 2010

International Club holds annual celebration of Diwali

Annual Festival of Lights enlightens students with ethnic dancing and food Shah Jahan Ali - Staff Writer -

The International Club of STLCC-Meramec held the annual Indian celebration Diwali in the student center on Nov. 5. To kick off the celebration, a video of Barack Obama was shown, wishing a happy Diwali to the Indian people.

The International Club provided Indian food and entertainment, as well as dances, a fashion show and music. There were many indian dishes offered at the Diwali celebration such as Samosa, Paneer Pakora, Vegetable Korma, Paneer Tikka Masal, which are all spicy dishes. The dessert dishes available to the students were Gulab Jamon and Kheer.

Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. The celebration is a five-day festival that represents the start of the Hindu new year. It honors the victory of good over evil and brightness over darkness.

The Festival of Lights also marks the start of winter.

Diwali is one of the major and most celebrated Hindu festivals

in India.

During Diwali, people illuminate their homes with traditional earthen diyas, candles and luminous strands of electric bulbs.

Hindus believe that brightness on the day of Diwali helps to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and spread the light of knowledge.

Diwali is also a meaningful celebration to the Sikh community. The word Diwali is adapted from the Sanskrit word “Deepawali,” which means” a row or cluster of lights.” It is an annual observance held during the autumn months the Hindus call Karthika.

Vidyullata Waghulde, chemistry professor at Meramec and a sponsor of the event, said, “This is the fourth year for this celebration. One of the reasons for doing it is to increase cultural awareness on this campus” Waghulde said the whole purpose of the event is to make other students familiar with other cultures.

“We live in a globalized world, so people should be familiar with other cultures.

This year [it] is 140 and

PHOTO BY: DOMINIQUE CHAMBERS

Students dance to Indian music at the Internation Clubs’ Diwali celebration held on Nov. 5. The event provided food, and a fashion show in the student center.

every chair was filled.”

Jane Safina, president of the International Club, explained why they host the event.

“We want people to know Diwali, the meaning of Diwali, what it is, how it goes and what people usually do.”

Kapil Luther, a Meramec

student who helped at the event, described some of the traditions and beliefs of Diwali.

“The tradition of Diwali is a celebration of triumph of good over evil as depicted in human literature, and the meaning of the Diwali is festival of lights.”

Silvana Guzman was

among the students taking part the Diwali celebration.

For many students such as Guzman, this was their first time enjoying everything Diwail had to offer.

“It makes you excited and [the music] makes you want to dance,” Guzman said.

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ART & LIFE

November 18, 2010

11

A Day in the life of A budding artist

Elizabeth Rousseau - Staff Writer -

Dressed in a redcheckered shirt, a pinstripe vest, a blue tie, jeans, a leather jacket and slicked back hair, it looks like STLCC-Meramec student Ed Ellermann just walked off the set of a 1950s movie. This would be an everyday look for him, according to Ellermann.

Ellermann describes his style as an influence from retro and vintage. Most of his outfits are hand-me-downs or from secondhand shops.

“The way I dress is a projection of me. Everyone wears a T-shirt, jeans and a hat. I can have a different personality. One day I can be from the 1930s, and one day I can be from the 1980s or a cowboy. They are a reflection of styles that make up me,” Ellermann said.

From all of his personas, his favorite would be a tie between the ‘50s rocker and the fedora- wearing man.

“I love [Halloween] because people dress like I do

all the time,” Ellermann said.

“Why do you have to wait for one day to dress in costumes?”

Ellermann was born on May 12, 1989, in Crestco, Iowa as the fifth child of six.

When he was three years old, his family moved to Illinois, and then when he was 10 his family moved to University City, Mo. After living there for seven years, his family moved to High Ridge.

He describes himself as a “witty, charismatic, personable, creative, and tall.”

“I’m five feet six and a half inches tall,” Ellerman said. “I was a laughable and enjoyable kid, a funny kid that liked to dress in costumes.”

Since Ellermann was very young, he has always had an ambition to do art and wanted to be a paid artist.

“Anyone can do art,” Ellermann said. “My favorite color used to be red, then it was blue, now because I took a class, Color Theory, I like everything. But right now I think I prefer green.”

With a mother as an artist

PHOTOS BY: kELLY GLEUCK Ellermann works on one of his paintings. He hopes to one day become a cartoonist .

and his dad as a woodworker, there was a lot of inspiration.

Ellermann likes all of the creative avenues: singing, acting, drawing, and playing instruments – especially the ukulele.

Ellermann started playing the ukulele when he got his first one two years ago.

“Everyone plays the guitar or the piano,” Ellermann said. “I like the ukulele for practical reasons. Its small size makes it portable and the four strings make it easy to tune. Also, while playing, you can’t help but smile.”

Ellermann’s favorite song to play is “Johnny B. Goode”

by Chuck Berry, but he also plays songs by The Beatles and more contemporary songs from artists like Jason Mraz.

He also likes to write his own songs. He wrote his first song in 2008 and since then he has written two and a half full songs and “a lot of unfinished songs,” Ellermann said as he counted them off on his fingers.

He started playing the ukulele after watching two men on YouTube doing a Frankie Valli cover.

“I like to play the ukulele because it has warm, Hawaiian t o n e s

that are cheery. Also it’s easy to pick it up and just start jamming,” Ellermann said.

Even though Ellermann has never been to Hawaii, he would not mind going.

“I wish, but no I have not been,” Ellermann said.

Ellermann hopes to finish his associate degree in fine arts at Meramec, and then go to a university that will lead him to a career drawing national syndicated cartoons in

newspapers across the country.

“I want to go to a university that is a good match for me,” Ellermann said.

Ellermann said that his cartoon style as being similar to that of the Jetsons or classic cartoons.

“I like drawing funny, everyday cartoons. Not the kind you find in comic books,” Ellermann said His favorite place to draw is in his room or in the kitchen of his house. “Three hours a day drawing a silly doodle and getting paid for it sounds like the best job, and the most rewarding,” Ellermann said.

PHOTOS BY: kELLY GLEUCK

12 ART & LIFE

November 18, 2010

“Bringing in thoughts and visions from other countries, in addition to celebrating local film makers, in effect raises the level of creativity in our local culture.”

-Gary Gackstatter “I swear that everywhere I go, people are talking about how they’ve been effected by this or that film.

-Sarah Buerer

Kelly Glueck - Staff Writer -

19th Annual St. Louis Stella Artois International Film Festival

ART & LIFE

November 18, 2010 Starting last week, a short list of celebrities has been gracing the St. Louis area for the 19th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF). Actors Kevin Spacey (“American Beauty” and festival film “Casino Jack”) and St. Louis’ own Jenna Fischer (“The Office”) were spotted catching films at the open of the festival last Thursday.

Fischer is also receiving the Charles Guggenheim Cinema St. Louis Award for her generous contributions to St. Louis art and film associations.

STLCC-Meramec faculty contributed to the film festival through cameos and selective judging.

Associate Professor in charge of Instrumental Music Gary Gackstatter was featured in a documentary played last Sunday titled “Return to Prairyerth” based on William Least Heat-Moon’s novel “Pairyerth (A Deep Map),” and retired, full-time professor at Meramec, Diane Carson, Ph. D., was one of three jurors involved in the best documentary short award.

Also on the team were St. Louis Post Dispatch film critic Joe Williams, and coordinator of Webster University’s Film Series James Harrison. These jurors were selected by the festival’s executive director Cliff Froehlich and artistic director Chris Clark based on the participant’s expertise in film knowledge and analysis.

This year, SLIFF is offering a plentiful collection of biopics, dramas, comedies and documentaries playing at several theaters across the St. Louis area, the main venues include the Hi-Pointe Theatre, Plaza Frontenac, the Tivoli, Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium and

Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium.

Commenting on this year’s nearly 340 films, consisting of 200 shorts, 90 features and 48 documentaries, Carson, also a film critic for SLIFF sponsor KDHX-FM, explained that the film festival offers something for people of all kinds.

“There’s something there for everyone to get excited about and I really hope people take advantage of the offering; especially those filmmakers in attendance who can answer questions and give unique perspectives,” Carson said.

While local film-buffs will have another chance to see many of the headlining films, such as the Oscar-worthy “127 Hours,” “Black Swan” and “Winter’s Bone,” films like the tender comedy “Nora’s Will” and anticipated Thai film “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” are a rare treat for St. Louis.

Representing 44 different countries, SLIFF viewers get an exclusive peak in to the lives of others around the globe.

Carson explained that there is an importance of foreign films in the Midwest. “[Foreign films] present different cultural ideas and issues. In the global environment in which we live, it’s crucial that we gain perspective on the ways of other. This also helps us get perspective on ourselves,” Carson said.

Gaining perspective seemed to be a reoccurring theme. Listening to the stimulating conversations of the filmgoers entering or exiting the theaters was almost as interesting as the featured films. Sara Buerer, filmgoer, said that it seemed like everyone was being

Moviegoers gather outside of the Hi-Pointe to view the St. Louis Stella Artois International Film Festival’s feature “127 Hours.”

affected by the films the festival.

“I swear that everywhere I go, people are talking about how they’ve been affected by this or that film. It’s really

were so successful.

“The best films express a strong grasp of ways to communicate insight and knowledge through a compelling, clear and

“It’s crucial that we gain perspective on the ways of others. This also helps us get perspective on ourselves.”

-Diane Carson, Ph.D.

The Tilovi is one of the five main venues that participated in film festival this year.

13

nice to see so many people coming out for the festival and talking about the films,” Buerer said, while standing outside of the Tivoli.

After the screening of “Return to Prairyerth,” Gackstatter was able to put his involvement into perspective for film attendees.

Gackstater described the topics presented by viewers.

“People there were very interested in all aspects of how the book was written, how the film was made, and very eager to talk about the impact the book or film made on their own lives.”

Carson explains why many of the films captivated viewers and why the films

appealing presentation, with new insight, exciting visuals, clarity and a clear sense of purpose,” Carson said.

These insightful, compelling and visually interesting films take St.

Louisans on an emotional journey through post-Soviet Russia, up the isolated Himalayas, across the killing field in Cambodia, and through the historical prairies of Chase County, Kansas, only to return to the Monsanto Plant off Lindbergh Boulevard, a mere 15-minute drive from campus.

Carson, former president of the International University Film and Video Association, left with a quote about the benefits of the festival for students.

“I hope students realize how energizing good film can be and how much it can offer us, intellectually and emotionally. We learn about the world and our place in it in extraordinary wonderful ways,” Carson said.

A marquee outside of The Tivoli promotes this year’s International Film Festival.

14 ART & LIFE

November 18, 2010

Taking a bite out of America’s eating habits

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 30 percent of Americans are obese Luelana Bustamente - Staff Writer -

When it comes to eating habits, many studies have attempted to understand how Americans are eating and what is causing approximately 30 percent of Americans to become obese in the United States, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the book “In Defense of Food,” Michael Pollan infers that fast food and processed food are the main causes of obesity among Americans.

However, according to a study made by the marketing information group National Purchasing Diary (NPD), Americans are still eating dinner at home.

“If we ask why has the rate of adult obesity doubled in the last three decades, the reasons would be time to prepare healthy meals has diminished,” said Jay Snaric, biology professor at STLCCMeramec and the Nutritional Education Club advisor.

“It’s more expensive to cook healthy food, portions size are bigger, and [there is a] lack of

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exercise.”

In American culture, time is money. Lack of time can be a huge problem for an American’s health. Snaric said that having both parents working out of the house is more common now than 50 years ago, and moms do not have time to cook healthy food for their family anymore.

“Moms now are working, going to s c h o o l , trying to feed their children.

That’s a big problem with time right there. It is easier to go and drive to McDonald’s or Burger King’s drive-thru,” Snaric said.

Everything changes when it is about Thanksgiving or holidays. That is the only time of the year when families have more time to cook an elaborate feast and sit together

to enjoy the meal. “Holidays are an exception to the rule.

Usually, on holidays, people have a couple of days out of work,” Snaric said.

Lack of time can also be a reason why people neglect exercising. Work and other

daily obligations often cause people to not have extra time to exercise. “They have to take time out of their day. It’s an investment in themselves,” Snaric said.

Money is another factor that makes a difference as to why Americans are eating so unhealthy.

Usually, buying healthy food at the grocery stores is more expensive than buying fast food.

However, Snaric said that it is possible for people to learn how to cook healthy meals in a timely m a n n e r and inside the budget, with the proper education.

A few simple solutions for Americans to eat healthier would be to avoid eating fast food, drinking soda, and to start eating lean protein, lots of vegetables, and lots of fruits.

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SPORTS

November 18, 2010

Smith sets sights on playing ball in Motown Former Magic baseball player Les Smith plays minor league baseball for the Detroit Tigers Luelana Bustamante - Staff Writer -

After one year playing for the STLCC–Meramec’s Magic baseball team, outfielder Les Smith took his first step toward his dream to play major league baseball. Since June 2010, Smith has been playing for the Detroit Tigers at the minor league single-A affiliate in Connecticut.

“They [the Detroit Tigers] attended a lot of games at Meramec this year. They sent a lot of scouts and they saw the games, kept the stats, and watched me play the field. They found me and drafted me in,” Smith said.

Born on Dec. 24, 1989, in Dyersburg, Tenn., Leslie Carroll Smith has been playing baseball since he was young. In high school, Smith earned second team All-State honors and was a four-time All-District selection out of Dyersburg High School.

As a senior, Smith hit .410 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs, setting the school record at the time for home runs in a season.

Before playing for the Magic, Smith played a season at the University of LouisianaLafayette. There, Smith hit

.284 with nine home runs, 42 runs scored and 41 RBIs. The left-handed hitter posted a .509 slugging percentage for the Ragin’ Cajuns with 14 doubles and four triples to turn in the third highest slugging percentage on the team. Smith was also 4-for-4 in steals.

At Meramec, Smith was named to the All-Region XVI first team for his play throughout the season. At this time, he was leading the team in hitting with a .351 average.

He also came up just shy of breaking the all-time team mark of most doubles in a season. Smith finished with 25, the record of 29 was set in 1989. He also led the team with 43 runs scored, and was near the top of the RBI list with 46.

While Smith was playing at Meramec, he made friends with whom he still keeps in contact. Coach Tony Dattoli and Christine Salomon were two of them. Salomon was Smith’s tutor and helped him out with a lot of hard work.

“The only things that I miss from St. Louis are a couple of friends, my coaches and my teammates,” Smith said. “I wish my teammates all the

Meramec Magic

UPCOMING ATHLETIC SCHEDULE Men’s Basketball

11/20 @ 7:30

at Kaskaskia-Centrailia, Ill.

11/24 @ 7

vs Webster at Meramec

11/29 @ 7

vs Fontbone at Meramec

12/1 @ 7:30

at Shawnee-Ullin, Ill.

12/5 @ 3

vs Washington U at Meramec

12/5 @ 7:30

at Lewis and Clark-Godfrey, Ill.

Women’s Basketball

11/22 @ 7

vs Missouri Baptist at Meramec

12/1 @ 5:30

at Shawnee-Ullin, Ill.

12/3 @ 7

Tournament at Meramec

12/4 @ 5

Tournament at Meramec

12/8 @ 5:30

at Lewis and Clark-Godfrey, Ill.

good luck. Hope they play big. I will be rooting for them.”

Playing for the low-A team in Connecticut since July, Smith said that there is a huge difference between college baseball and the minor leagues.

“The major difference is the consistency because the players at minor league can do things more often. Pitchers can make more throws and the batters can repeat their swing more times. The speed of the game is a lot different too,” Smith said.

In Connecticut, Smith has a busy schedule. He works out every morning, trains in the field three hours each day five to seven times a week, and plays baseball.

“A lot of people say that at minor leagues you don’t play on good fields, but that’s not true. Actually, we play on unbelievable fields,” Smith.

As advice for Meramec students who want to follow his same path, Smith recommends to work as hard as he did and set some goals. For his future, his dream is to be in the major leagues when he turns 24.

“As long as I’m in the major leagues, I don’t care which team I will be playing for,” Smith said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LES SMITH

Les Smith flips a ball to himself while walking off the field. Smith was drafted by the the Detroit Tigers in the June 2010 draft. Smith hit .351 during last year’s season for the Magic.

16 SPORTS

November 18, 2010

Inching closer to his magic number

Coach Albrecht is games away from reaching 700 wins Continued from page 1... knowledge to let them know this is what players at the next level are capable of doing. If they want to play at that level, there are certain things those schools would expect them to accomplish.”

Since receiving the men’s basketball head coaching position in 1977, Albrecht, now in his 34th season at Meramec, has coached nearly 400 student athletes.

The two year school has constantly given Albrecht a new rotation of players.

“The early years were tough here,” said Albrecht.

“We didn’t have any scholarships. It was really tough recruiting. All the other schools that were coming into St. Louis and recruiting had scholarships and they weren’t leaving us a lot of talent around to play with.”

But Albrecht has found other ways to recruit his players.

He shows his

prospective student athletes how much they mean to him and to his program. Albrecht is able to put the right pieces of the puzzle together.

“I had a lot of other choices for schools to go to,”

the ball.

Anybody can shoot. Anybody can score.

“There are certain basketball principles or fundamentals that you believe in that you teach, whether you’re teaching fourth or fifth

know people are going to be there to watch you play just because of him. He knows what he’s talking about. He wins.”

Following last season, Sooter was named to the All-Region XVI and All-

“I think being consistent in whatever your profession is is a mark of something that you take pride in.”

-Randy Albrecht, head coach said Ryun Davis, a 6-foot3, 280-pound freshman center from McCluer North High School. “But I wanted to stay in St. Louis and coach Albrecht showed me the most attention.”

For the first three games of the season, Davis has opened the year averaging 14.6 points per game.

Albrecht’s enjoyment of the game of basketball comes from the idea that everybody on the team gets involved. Everybody touches

grade or higher,” Albrecht said. “You want to teach basketball the right way, the better way. There are a lot of different ways to go about this in coaching and teaching.”

Albrecht’s reputation precedes him.

Student athletes do their homework when they look at prospective schools to play basketball.

“It’s a good experience knowing that you have a veteran coach that is well respected,” said sophomore guard Dietrick Sooter. “You

Conference teams. His season, thus far, has picked up where he left off, scoring 44 points.

On Dec. 12, Meramec will host the Junior College Shootout.

Four basketball games will take place, with the Magic leading off the day at 1 p.m. During halftime of the second game at 3 p.m., Meramec will put on a ceremony honoring Albrecht and his achievements.

“The way that he has conducted himself and his programs over the years

brings nothing but pride to the institution and to our community,” said Bob Bottger, manager of physical education and athletics at Meramec. “He is well recognized regionally as well as nationally.”

Over the course of three decades stepping foot on the basketball court, Albrecht has a career winning percentage of .598. His coach of the year award total surpasses 20 and he holds a spot in three halls of fame. Career win number 700 will be another piece to his mantle.

“It just means that I’ve been here a long time and I have a lot of losses too,” Albrecht said. “I’m proud of the consistency our program has had.

Ever since the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) went to divisions in 1985, and we went Division II, we’ve never had a losing season.

I think being consistent in whatever your profession is is a mark of something that you take pride in.”