The Montage

Montage The

St. Louis Community College–Meramec

Feb. 10th, 2011 Vol. 46 Issue 9

STLCC Takes a Swing at Combining Sports Teams

Cuts in funding force college to compromise

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Missouri colleges face short funding Gov. Jay Nixon announces 20112012 cuts in state funding

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Avoiding the danger zone

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How to survive the potential dangers of everyday life

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Spencer Gleason - Sports Editor -

With sports being consolidated into districtwide teams, the athletic departments on each campus will merge its teams together to represent STLCC. In July 2010, STLCC reduced each campus to five athletic teams. Now all athletic fans, players and employees alike, are facing the reality of having eight athletic teams eliminated from the three STLCC campuses.

This concept would cause STLCC-Meramec, STLCCForest Park, and STLCCFlorissant Valley to combine their individual sports teams into seven district-wide teams. Although it would allow the STLCC-Wildwood campus to engage in athletics, there would be no more Magic, Highlanders or Fury. Just one STLCC team would represent STLCC in each of the seven sports: baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.

“I believe [the name Magic] would go away,” Bob Bottger, manager of physical education and athletics, said. “This reduction in

opportunities for the student athlete is quite regrettable.

We have run a quality, ethical program for years.”

The consolidation of intercollegiate athletics becomes necessary because the college must reduce its operating budget by approximately $3.3 million by the next fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2011. The reduction in athletics will save the college nearly $685,000 according to a press release.

However, on Jan. 30, Bob Nelson, former men’s basketball coach of 25 years at Forest Park, went on KMOV-TV’s sports program, “Sports Sunday” and shared his feelings.

“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,” Nelson said. “It’s one thing not to like it and the fact that they occurred, but the process under which they did occur is suspect.”

Nelson, 72, who has spent more than half of his life with STLCC, continues to explain how the process worked and how the leadership team, made up of the college presidents, vice chancellors and the chancellor, came to this decision.

“The leadership team together secretly devised this system where there was going to be one team that

represented STLCC and that was all that was going to happen,” Nelson said. “They were going to eliminate a whole lot of positions… secretarial positions. For example, they have one trainer after these cuts have been made.”

When these cuts go into effect on July 1, only 142 total players will be allowed to participate in sports for the district-wide teams. For the current academic year, Meramec has 91 student athletes, and nearly 60 percent of those student athletes are in their first year.

For any student athlete who had a scholarship, however, STLCC will still recognize them even if they don’t play next year.

“If they choose to remain and maintain their academic eligibility, they will retain their scholarships,” said STLCC Public Relations Spokesperson Pat Matreci.

Ryun Davis, men’s Magic basketball player and first-year Meramec student, is one of many first-year student athletes who have a scholarship.

“I am not a decision maker,” Davis said, “but I do not think they should put all the players, athletic directors and trainers in this type of predicament. People will

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Racing for Research Margaret Hvatum runs to raise money for a cure for cancer

Montage Reader Poll Are you taking an online class?

have to lose their jobs. I do not really think that is fair.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 23, the lady Magic and men’s Magic basketball teams will play their final regular season home game. It will be the last time these teams known as the Magic take the court.

“We have talked to our team about the information we received,” said men’s basketball coach Randy Albrecht. “There’s not much we can do about that right now except try to finish our season as strong as we can.”

C

A

B A. Yes, I’m taking at least one this semester.

B. Not this semester, but I have in the past.

C. I have never taken an online class here.

Feb. 24 Poll Question

Have the snow days affected your classes’ curriculi?

To vote, visit: www.meramecmontage.com

2 NEWS

February 10, 2011

Students donate time to the American Red Cross Shane Rice - News Editor -

Blood donations have reached a 10-year low, according to the American Red Cross Association.

Communications Manager for the Red Cross Laurie Nehring said, “Just in our region we have lost 2,100 units of blood, and canceled blood drives all over because of the inclement weather. In fact, we have lost 28,000 units across the nation and this has put us in a very tough spot.”

On Feb. 11, STLCCMeramec is hosting an “Urgent Blood Drive” in order to help replenish some of the units of blood that have been lost.

Secretary for Phi Theta Kappa Wade McGillis said, “The need for blood is constant and all blood types are needed.”

Nehring said it’s important for people to know that blood transfusions are used every day.

“Every two seconds someone receives a blood transfusion. Also blood is necessary for many surgical procedures and various other treatments,” Nehring said.

According to a Red Cross statistics report, approximately 4.5 million people need blood transfusions each year throughout the U.S. and one out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood.

“Chemotherapy patients, for example, receive blood platelets on a regular basis,” Nehring said.

However, Nehring said it is typical to see a decline in donated blood around the winter and Christmas season but this year has been particularly bad.

“We are a national organization, so when one area of the country is hit with bad weather then usually another area can help out,” Nehring said.

Unfortunately, according to Nehring, the Red Cross has been affected by bad weather throughout the whole country.

“This has made it very difficult to keep our numbers up and even more difficult to meet patient demand,” Nehring said. “We are getting by, but it’s very close.”

McGillis said the blood drive is a way for not only students, but faculty and staff to help in dire times.

“One donation can save three lives,” McGillis said.

For others like Student Governance Council President Kristen Huyett, donating blood is essential.

“My father was in the hospital almost 10 years ago and I know he used a lot of blood because his conditions were so dire,” Huyett said.

Huyett said she sees one of the biggest problems being people getting too caught up in their daily routines, whether it’s class or work.

“We’re just asking for students to take an hour or two and help the Red Cross get some blood. Just a little bit of time can really go far,” Huyett said.

According to a report presented by McGillis, 40 percent of the population is medically eligible to give blood, but only five percent do.

“Nineteen percent of the U.S. blood supply is used by cancer patients,” McGillis said.

Nehring said anyone that wishes to donate should abide the following: Drink plenty of fluids and eat at least four hours before donating. Avoid tea and other caffeinated

BLOOD FACTS • The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.

• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O. • A single car accident victim may require as many as 100 units of blood.

• Approximately 38,000 blood donations are needed daily • Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S.; 98 percent of those people are African-American.

Sickle cell patients may need frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.

INFOGRAPHIC BY: JACOB HIGHT Information provided by http://redcross.org

drinks because they can lower a person’s iron level. Most donors taking medications are acceptable; most diabetics and even people with controlled high blood pressure can donate. Bring a picture ID. Nehring said the key right now is to increase blood drive locations and people involvement.

“We just want to encourage people to please

donate while you are healthy because at some point you will most likely need blood yourself,” Nehring said.

Nehring said Meramec is a key step in not only helping raise the awareness of this dire situation but it also allows the younger generation to do something wonderful.

“To put it simply donating blood can save lives,” Nehring said

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NEWS

February 10, 2011

State funding gets cut Patrick Olds

- Opinion Editor -

On Jan. 19, following a budget decrease for the fiscal year 2011 for Missouri state schools, 5 percent of which resulted in the consolidation of STLCC athletic teams.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon proposed in his State of the State Address that there may be a 7 percent reduction for fiscal year 2012.

Although early in the process for the state budget, Carla Chance, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Budget for STLCC, has recommended cuts that span across departments including Human Resources, Technology and Educational Support Services, Continuing Education, Internal Audit, the STLCC Foundation, Purchasing and Maintenance/ HVAC and further consolidation of STLCC athletic teams.

“It’s a challenging time for higher education in Missouri, in particular the community colleges. We are looking at record enrollment at a time when state aid is declining,” Chance said. “That requires us to focus on our very highest priorities when we invest our resources.”

Chance said the proposed

budget is not official.

“It’s very early in the process on the 7 percent reduction.

Congress is holding hearings and a lot has to do with the April 15 tax collection. They will look at the receipts and decide whether they [the government] get what they projected. On May 13, there has to be a budget our 7 percent could very well change,” Chance said.

Scott Holstey, spokesman for Gov. Nixon, said that Nixon is a supporter of community colleges and has proposed ideas that could bring additional money back into schools.

“The governor believes strongly in our community colleges. He not only believes that but has backed it up.”

Holstey added, “While an overall budget cut is being proposed, Gov. Nixon has added $8 million for the A+ Program which brings the total to $30.4 million for the entire state.”

Most of the representatives and senators will not have direct influence in crafting the budget, according to Shawn Furry, Chief of Staff for Republican Missouri state Sen. Eric Schmitt of District 15, said that education is a priority for Schmitt.

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“Sadly, b e c a u s e Sen. Schmitt is not on the appropriations committee, he does not have much influence other than t o make his priorities known to that committee. Sen. Schmitt has education very high on his priority list; it’s within his top three choices,” Furry said.

During the country’s current recession, many states have been forced to cut state budgets dramatically in order to reach a zero balance at the end of each fiscal year. This is different from the federal government, which has the ability to raise the debt ceiling in order to go past a zero sum balance for any fiscal year.

Tadesse Wodajo, Ph.D, professor of economics at STLCC-Meramec, said that the state governments cannot postpone deficits.

“The federal government can postpone deficits but state governments don’t have the power to postpone their deficits,” Wodajo said. “Policy has two possible outcomes, intended and unintended.

You have to measure both.

Sometimes when you raise taxes the unintended consequences could be lower

revenue because companies could decide not to employ or even move to different states entirely,” Wodajo said.

Furry said if the government is going to lower their spending, education is one of the programs that will be cut.

“Everything has to be reduced when times are tough. Hopefully when we get through this, we will better handle our money so students are not adversely affected,” Furry said.

STLCC has decisions to make regarding cuts within the system but their faculty will not be forced to resign or retire early. Any faculty position that is vacant will be filled by next year. Forty positions will be affected, according to Chance, which could include coaches for the several athletic teams operating under STLCC. “...The proposed cuts with athletics are oriented towards the business operation and not

the campuses,” Chance said.

“There is a very low overall student participation in our sports programs .

Only about 300 [students] out of [approximately] 30,000 participate in athletics.”

The effects of the consolidation of athletic teams at STLCC could have impacts beyond what is seen in budget reports.

“College athletes are representatives of their schools.

They represent the entire body of students wherever they play with the name on their jerseys,” Assistant Basketball Coach at Meramec Ken Libby said.

“Why reinvent the wheel, when the wheel is built? If we can improve on it, that’s a different situation but the name value of Meramec will take a hit.”

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Tree-zoning law postpones child care center demolition Amber Davis - Staff Writer -

The child care center at STLCC-Meramec has been postponed again for destruction due to the trees surrounding the building.

Kirkwood Zoning Administrator Jeremy Knapp said the option of which tree to save is left up to the owner of the property.

“Each tree has its own way of being preserved, each destruction company is required to follow the tree study book, that explains how to fence around the tree that the applicant has chosen to

save,” Knapp said.

According to “Saving Trees and Making Money in Residential Development” written by Gary Menendez, an associate professor for plant sciences at the University of Tennessee, during construction of a building, trees in the surrounding area get destroyed and leave branches scattered all over the owners land. By saving a tree, it can save the owner money and time by picking up the left over pieces.

“Each tree has its own dollar value to it depending on which tree the applicant wants to preserve,” Knapp said.

Menendez explained that trees of a 10-inch diameter have an average base value of $1,729 and with a 30inch diameter tree, it can cost $15,554 added on to the property’s value. Meramec horticulture professor Daniel Billman said preserving the trees can alter the chances of a mature tree to live longer. When the destruction companies destroy a building the chances of a tree to live the next three to five years are very slim. “Preserving the trees is a way to protect the root system.

Half of any plant is the root.

When a company comes in with heavy equipment, it can

destroy the roots.”

Knapp said each company is provided with a tree study book, which gives a list of ways to preserve the tree on the land by fencing the surrounding area of the tree to save the roots.“When preserving a tree, any wrecking company must set up a fenced-in area that protects the roots and the tree itself, the fence blocks

anything on or around the area of the tree.”

The majority of the trees next to the child care center are mature trees. “Some of the trees are 20 to 30 years old and you would hate to see them being killed for a building to be destroyed. I think it’s nice to save the oaks or any other type they choose to preserve,” Billman said.

*

* at the crestwood location for all of your school, team, or holiday function.

Crestwood (314) 822-4909 South County (314) 894-1600 Eureka (636) 938-7090

PHOTO BY: COURTNEY STARK

One of the trees in front of the day care center continues to halt the center’s demolition. The center closed at the end of the 2010 spring semester.

OPINIONS Pursuit of Happiness

February 10, 2011

Sex

Self-improvement

Politics and Media

Declaration of interdependence Joe Douglas

F

- Editor-in-Chief -

rom birth to the end of junior high, children practice dependence. Mommy and daddy provide for them. In high school, they learned independence.

They buy their own things and practice personal responsibility.

This isn’t high school anymore.

Interdependence is the next line in the evolution. Working together is the new lesson.

It’s one of the most practical fundamentals that any student will ever learn.

College-level projects may have made most students aware of interdependence.

Each person must take responsibility for their own part of the project. Dividing up responsibilities among group members is the most basic element of interdependence.

The next level of interdependence is a combination of two traits: trust and integrity. People who learn to trust others to do their respective jobs and are accountable for their own actions will find working within a group much easier.

The greatest element of interdependence is communication. This means talking to one another on a regular basis, updating each other on current projects, and asking for help. This is the final tier of interdependence because it puts all of the previous elements to use simultaneously.

Talking to one another regularly is “communicating for rapport.” Discussing casual topics like work, television and friends will lead to a better understanding of other people.

A positive rapport is also a great way to network for potential

POLITICS

Keeping Them Honest Decrease the ‘Brotherhood’

job opportunities. Divvy up responsibilities so it’s not always a solo, or independent, process.

Updating group members, teammates or partners on the status of a project or assignment is “communicating for report.”

Giving up-to-date information on the status of a particular responsibility helps coordinate duties in case something falls behind or falls through.

Frequent communication helps everyone come to a mutual understanding of the entire group’s progress, reduction of paranoia, and increased group morale.

There can be too little and too much communication, though.

Too little communication leaves everyone in the dark, creating confusion and frustration.

Too much communication can be annoying and come across as showing lack of trust.

As the deadline approaches or the importance of the project increases, increasing communication up to three, even four times per week may be necessary. Find the right balance.

Sometimes the most difficult part of communication is “communicating for help.”

Asking for help can be the most challenging motion.

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. Not asking for help puts everyone behind and leads to distrust. This is where independence gets people into trouble. Asking for help is a sign of integrity; it’s being accountable and fulfilling promises, even if it takes a helping hand.

It’s time to declare interdependence. Grow up, learn to depend on one another, and practice integrity. It’s not about having other people do all the work or doing all the work alone. Share responsibilities, be accountable, and ask for help, and happiness will be one step closer.

Patrick Olds

T

- Opinions Editor -

here is no end in sight to the extent that the national media will continue to attempt politically correct “multiculturalism.”

David Cameron, Prime Minister of Great Britain, recently stated about minority populations living in England, “Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream.” This means that it has become a natural habit to make excuses for minority cultures so as not to offend.

This more broadly affects the coverage of the crisis in Egypt.

The Egyptians have suffered for too long, going without free speech, assembly and petition of government in a world where those rights should be fundamental. For the most part, everyone is in agreement that the current president, Hosni Mubarak, has been oppressive to his people and must go as soon as possible.

Recently the people of Egypt took their peaceful protests to the next level by erupting into riots. Strangely enough, many other countries are facing similar unrest in the region including Tunisia, Pakistan, Yemen and Jordan.

Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran recently encouraged the Egyptian people, “It is obligatory for Egyptian men and women to rise and destroy this government who has announced that it is at war with Islam.”

One common theme among these countries is, in fact, the religion of Islam. It should be stated clearly that there is an extremist faction within the religion that tends to speak for all Muslims. Whether fair or not, it needs to be understood that there is incredible danger within this extremist view.

The Ayatollah of Iran should be the last person speaking for the people of a country that is dissatisfied with their government. Iran suppressed peaceful protests last year on the heels of a flawed presidential election.

T h e problem, though, is the Muslim Brotherhood within Egypt that seeks to gain power.

There are elitist scholars, such as Samer S. Shehata, who is an assistant professor at Georgetown University, that feel the Muslim Brotherhood is a peaceful organization. He was recently on “The Colbert Report.”

“The Muslim Brotherhood is not a radical; clerically based…

They reformed itself in the 1960s and condemned the use of violence and have actively been participating, or trying to, in politics,” said Professor Shehata.

When asked by Stephen Colbert, “Does this increase the chance that there could be hostilities between Egypt and Israel again?” Professor Shehata responded, “No, very unlikely, that is hostilities towards Israel.”

Muhammad Ghannem of the Muslim Brotherhood recently said the Suez Canal should be closed immediately, and that the flow of gas from Egypt to Israel should cease “in order to bring about the downfall of the Mubarak regime.” He added that “the people should be prepared for war against Israel.”

The world should understand that “the Egyptian people are prepared for anything to get rid of this regime.”

Israel is very worried about this possibility and our news media has to be aware of Muslim extremism. Israel is America’s biggest ally in the region and to promote the Muslim Brotherhood as a peaceful organization is untrue.

How would you fix the budget?

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5

OPINIONS

February 10, 2011

Take a little off the top

STLCC should cut spending at the top before cutting struggling programs I know weÕve all made sacrifices...

Kavahn Mansouri - Art & Life Editor -

While athletes, students and staff around campus dwell on the news of further cuts to STLCC-Meramec’s once-sterling sports program, STLCC plans to cut more than $3 million from the 2012 fiscal year budget. In light of these cuts, brought on by Gov. Jay Nixon’s proposed seven percent reduction in state aid to Missouri state schools, there are better ways to solve STLCC’s financial problems.

The anger of athletes and staff members can only be re-doubled by the shocking revelation that the salary of STLCC’s chancellor, who makes more than the U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, is receiving no reduction whatsoever.

While making these heartbreaking cuts to athletics, the thought comes to mind, why are cuts being made to the areas already effected (such as athletics) while the administration continues to hold substantial salaries and build the William J. Harrison

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY: : JACOB HIGHT

Education Center as well as a new STLCC Corporate Center?

Keep in mind that not only athletes are affected by these cuts, but also students that attend sporting events and staff members.

Athletics, Human Resources, Technology and Educational Support Services, Continuing Education, Internal Audit, the STLCC Foundation, Purchasing and Maintenance/ HVAC all will be negatively impacted by the recent cuts to STLCC’s budget.

These are not just faceless departments; they are people who will lose their jobs

in some cases. Meramec students and staff must demand a better solution to the financial troubles of STLCC, making cuts to already hurting departments is not the answer.

It is important that STLCC remembers these staff members are not just figures; they are people like you and me. They have families at home that rely on them to bring home the bacon so they can pay for the basic cost of living.

Administrators need to take a financial hit instead of eliminating countless jobs and sending hardworking

staff members and coaches home with empty hands. Jobs will be lost, but it is important that STLCC minimizes the jobs eliminated in this period of transition.

It is my belief that instead of making cuts at the bottom, the administration should consider making a modest cut to salaries and unneeded spending, such as the new Corporate Center and the William J. Harris education center.

The fact that the vice chancellor’s salary is more than the U.S. House of Representative’s speaker of the house is shameless and

shocking.

According to Nixon, programs that are low on productivity will be under review.

Eliminating departments that are struggling fixes nothing; those are the areas that are in the need of the most help. Instead of an education center, that money could have gone to improving these “struggling” academic areas.

Understandably, cuts do need to be made, the proposed seven percent reduction made to state aid forces STLCC to make financial adjustments.

We must see this from all sides, students and staff, as well as administration.

Obviously, the William J. Harrison Education Center has the potential to be a very important part of North St. Louis, and as Zelema Harris said, “this center is about providing a ray of hope.”

But the timing of the spending for the center could not have come at a worse time, worsened by the announcement of a new Corporate Center.

It’s a hard fact to face, but in the end, jobs will be lost and academics will suffer.

This is not the time to play the blame game, but the time to stand up as a community and demand a better solution to the financial problems faced at STLCC.

An affordable way to be shamed

When all is said and done, will Meramec students have the last laugh?

Rory Sullivan - Staff Writer -

Students who attend STLCC-Meramec have all gotten that look. You know the one. It’s that look on people’s faces when a student tells someone that they go to Meramec. Yes, Meramec is a community college, but students should not have to feel ashamed for attending school here.

It seems like so many people only know how to ask two questions: “What’s your

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name?” and, “Where do you go to school?” The answer to the second question is usually met with either an “oh,” or some condescending remark like “I’m going to take summer classes there. It’s going to be so easy.” Titles such as University of South County (USC) and Meramec in Town (MIT) have painted Meramec as some sort of last resort for stupid people.

People go to Meramec for numerous reasons. Financial troubles, undecided career aspirations, or hopes of furthering one’s education are just a few of them. For someone who doesn’t have a lot of money, Meramec is a great option.

At many four-year schools, students can expect to pay tens of thousands of dollars.

At Meramec, the cost is a mere

fraction of most four-year schools. Students who have undeclared majors and pay tens of thousands of dollars to attend four-year institutions are literally throwing their money away. In times of economic hardships, parents should be trying to save money while still giving their children the best opportunities they can.

For the most part, students all over the country take the same basic general education courses anyway, so why not save the money?

Students at Meramec are not being deprived of a quality education either. The professors are qualified, and sometimes even teach at other four-year institutions. So if a professor teaches a writing class at both Webster and Meramec, students who attend school at Webster

are paying more money for the exact same class. So maybe there aren’t any frat parties or many sports teams (especially now), but that doesn’t have anything to do with what Meramec has to offer as far as education goes.

Yes, some people go to Meramec because they did poorly in high school or partied too hard at a four-year college, but they should not feel ashamed either.

The fact is that Meramec is a place where countless college students have found their footing. Meramec has been a turning point in so many lives, and even a wakeup call for others.

As students here, we’ve been given the rare opportunity to just start over. Ask almost anyone who has gone to Meramec in the past and they

Shannon Philpott Faculty Adviser sphilpott@stlcc.edu Joseph Douglas Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Stough Managing Editor Jeanetta Roberts Online Editor Courtney Stark Photo Editor Joe Ray Multimedia Editor Patrick Olds Opinions Editor Shane Rice News Editor Kavahn Mansouri Art & Life Editor Spencer Gleason Sports Editor Kelly Davis Copy Editor Tim Doty Copy Editor

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will pour on the praises. That’s because they have had the time to see that their decision to attend Meramec was one that benefited them past graduation.

Those who are fortunate enough to know what career they would like to pursue and have the money to go to a fouryear college that specializes in their career field should, by all means, go to that school. These people are not as common as they seem.

Those who don’t know what career they want to pursue and have the money are far more common, and they can go and waste their money. It may not be terribly exciting to stay in town for college, but when the college years are over, students have moved into the real world, and the debt has piled up, who will be the stupid ones?

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Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the Board of Trustees or the administration.

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Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.

InDepth DANGER Staying out of the Tips to deal with everyday emergencies

zo

Stephanie Stough - Managing Editor -

Whether venturing outdoors or lounging around the house, there are potential dangers that could be seconds away from taking place. Being prepared for dealing with these types of emergency situations could be useful when panic and uncertainty arise. Choking while alone, witnessing a seizure, treating sprains while hiking, allergic reactions, snake bites, spider bites and minor burns are all rare, yet possible situations. If one of these situations occurs, knowing how to handle it can be helpful or possibly vital to stay alive. Cheryl Strahm, associate professor of nursing at STLCC-Meramec offers the following advice for students.

AIDING A SEIZURE VICTIM

Ten percent of the American population will experience a seizure in their lifetime according to the Epilepsy Foundation.

When someone is having a seizure, loosen any tight clothing around their neck and don’t restrict the person from moving unless they are in danger. Strahm said that if someone is witnessing someone having a seizure to time how long the seizure lasts.

“Roll the person on his or her side to prevent choking on any fluids or vomit and protect their head. Keep their airway open if necessary. Move anything that could injure the person, but don't restrict their movement.

Do not put anything in the person's mouth… don't leave them alone. Call 911,” Strahm said.

There are several types of seizures, according to http://WebMD.com, which is why it may be important to note the reactions of the person having the seizure such as losing consciousness, suffering from muscle stiffness or convulsions, eyelid fluttering and involuntary movements.

RELIEVING POISON IVY According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), in 1609, Capt. John Smith dubbed the poisonous plant “poison ivy.” Since then, the saying “Leaves of three, leave it be” is a general rule when it comes to identifying poison plants. Some poison ivy plants have waxy, pointy leaves and the leaflets are arranged alternately on the stem.

The best way to prevent irritation of skin from poison ivy, according to MDC, is to avoid it by not touching it or walking through it. If that is unavoidable, step on the plants with the sole of shoes and be sure to cover skin so it doesn’t touch the poisonous plants. ”Immediately after exposure, wash the areas exposed first with rubbing alcohol, then water and then soap and water. You have to do this within 10 minutes to minimize or prevent a rash. You should use gloves to handle clothes, shoes or other objects that were exposed and clean them with rubbing alcohol as well,” Strahm said. “If a rash develops anyway, you can try an overthe-counter topical solution such as calamine lotion. Oatmeal baths can also decrease itching. If it continues to spread you may need to see your doctor.”

COOLING OFF BURNS From ages 5 to 74, most burn injuries occur outdoors with the next most frequent area being the kitchen according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Whether it’s a burn from a camp fire, hot water, coffee, kitchen stoves or a curling iron, they are all mostly accidental according to WebMD. There are a few important steps that minor burn victims make sure they don’t follow through with such as using ice to aid the burn, applying butter or ointments to the burn or breaking blisters.

Instead, Strahm said, “Treating minor burns is really pretty easy. The best thing you could do is just apply some ice or cold water. It’s not a bad idea to cover it if you’re going to bump it or anything.”

The American Burn Association has predicted that in 2011 there will be 450,000 burn injuries that receive treatment. If the burn is bigger than the person’s palm, the burn should get medical attention.

February 10, 2011

one

7

TREATING SPIDER BITES

They are the creatures that settle in the corners of unused, undisturbed drawers and closets. They are the two kinds of spiders capable of fatal bites in Missouri: the brown recluse and the black widow.

According to the MDC, brown recluse spiders are more likely to bite than black widows. There are less than five fatalities from spider bites every year, but a bite from a brown recluse or black widow can cause severe pain and infection.

Strahm said to capture the spider if possible so it can be identified.

“Wash the bite and then go to see the doctor if it develops pus or becomes red or swollen. Some people may find diphenhydramine pills or topical creams and gels or calamine lotion helpful to ease the itching,” Strahm said.

To avoid spider bites, stay away from tangled webs around outbuildings, storage units and old tree trunks. Spiders will not remain in an area that is constantly disturbed. Keep rooms and closets as clutter-free as possible. Shake clothing, blankets and towels and look before placing hands in a lumber pile, window well, under rocks and in little-used cabinets or drawers.

Brown recluse

MENDING A STRAIN Hiking outdoors on a treacherous terrain may be difficult. It can only become more difficult after suffering from injuries such as sprains and strains. It may be beneficial to hikers to be prepared to aid those kinds of wounds. According to http://hiking.lifetips.com, preparing for hiking trips and stretching before and after hiking can prevent strains from taking place. After a sprain has occurred, Strahm explained that the victim should “support the ankle with tape or splint it with something firm and splint it.”

A splint can also be made with a pair of shoelaces and a stick. Strahm also said to call 911 as soon as possible if needed.

“If you have to walk back out, use a hiking stick and stop frequently.

Get medical care as soon as you are able. Rest, ice, compression and elevation are the cornerstones of treating a sprain,” Strahm said.

After supporting the strain, apply ice but cover it with a cloth to prevent frostbite. Do this off and on for the first 72 hours of treatment and then apply heat in aid of healing.

ALLIEVING ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Bee stings, fire ant stings, penicillin and peanuts are known for causing dramatic reactions that can be serious and involve the whole body, according to WebMD. Factors such as minor injuries, hot or cold temperatures, exercise, stress or emotions can trigger allergic reactions. According to http://emedicinehealth.com, people are more susceptible to allergic reactions if they have asthma; lung conditions that affect breathing; nasal polyps; frequent infections of the nasal sinuses, ears or respiratory tract; sensitive skin or has had a severe allergic reaction in the past.

People who are suffering from an allergic reaction may have symptoms such as skin irritation, swelling, blistering, or hives, coughing or wheezing, swelling of the head, runny nose or stomach pain.

Strahm said that the best thing someone can do when having an allergic reaction is to identify the source and stay away from it.

“The best thing you could do is to get rid of whatever is causing it first and of course avoid it. For the most part though, if you’re having an allergic reaction, Benadryl is what most people do because it backs off the body’s response,” Strahm said.

GRAPHICS BY: JACOB HIGHT

Black widow

TENDING TO SNAKE BITES

They have no legs, two eyes and a set of venomous fangs. They can be found in Missouri’s prairies, hills, valleys, swamps and marshes.

They are the pit viper snakes.

According to the MDC, 88 percent of the 51 species of snakes in Missouri are harmless. The family of snakes that are venomous in Missouri are the osage and southern copperhead, cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, massasauga rattlesnake and timber rattlesnake, all different species of the pit viper family.

These particular snakes can be identified by the “pit” between their eyes and their nostrils on each side, have well developed fangs and have elliptical pupils.

Strahm said that it’s important to note the color and the size of the snake and to “stay still with bitten area kept lower than the heart if possible.”

Strahm said to best treat a snake bite is to use a tourniquet above and below the bite without cutting off circulation, to prevent the venom from dispersing in the bloodstream.

“If emergency care is not immediately available or the victim has to walk, wait a half an hour to decrease the risk of the venom spreading and immobilize the bitten area. Do not apply anything else and get the victim to emergency care as soon as possible,” Strahm said.

ART & LIFE Top four cafes within 15 minutes of campus 1. Cafe Nura

February 10, 2011

1.

4.Rusell’s Cafe and Bakery

2.

3.

3. Foundation Grounds

2. Lone Wolf Coffee Co. Kelly Glueck

4.

- Staff Writer -

PHOTOS BY: KELLY GLUECK

1. Cafe Nura: The home away from home Located off E. Lockwood in Webster Groves, Cafe Nura’s comfortable environment is filled with couches and armchairs to make its customers feel at ease. This quant home away from home is complete with reasonably priced drinks,

wraps, and hookahs. The walls are decked with local artists’ works on the bold red and yellow walls. If you need some clarification on that world history or world religion topic, you may be lucky enough to snag one of the STLCC-Meramec professors that linger around these parts. In addition to the relaxing hookahs offered

2. Lone Wolf Coffee Co.: For the outdoors enthusiast

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Lone Wolf Coffee Co. in Ballwin offers a wide selection of healthy and nutritious food, fresh roasted coffees, and weekly entertainment.

Walking into the Lone Wolf, let the unfinished wood, hanging canoes and assorted fishing photos transcend the

3. Foundation Grounds: For the environmentalist Foundation Grounds is an eco-friendly cafe located in the heart of the Maplewood neighborhood. A

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AMERICA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL

after 5 p.m., students also take knitting breaks every second and last Saturday of the month for the cafe’s Public Displays of Knitting.

The friendly sisters that run Cafe Nura and the regulars that spend almost as much time there will be happy to recommend the chai latte.

The more familiar a face becomes, the more often they will be challenged to a game of Scrabble. It’s said that Scrabble builds one’s vocabulary, another reason to work on a term paper there.

stress of the hustle-and-bustle of life into a tranquil escape into a cabin in the woods. This quiet cabin feel is great for students that need a place to get away to finish studying for that geology exam next week. The wall decor even offers detailed topographical maps complete with every floatable river and hiking trail in Ontario. The Lone Wolf also offers a place for outdoorsy types to meet and convene for everything from local bike races to community trips to the Grand Canyon.

There is also blues music played ever Wednesday and local blues, jazz and rock music every weekend.

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mere 15-minute drive from campus, this unique cafe is owned by a local couple from the west coast.

Everything in the cafe is green from the organic coffee to the bio-degradable cup it’s held in –even the cleaning products are green. As if that is not green enough, the owner, Pedro, grows his own fresh basil in his own backyard for the pesto on his Lacy sandwich. The staff there is friendly and the regulars keep to themselves.

The decorative plants and soothing indie music makes for a pleasant atmosphere.

So grab a vegan cookie and start brainstorming for that biology project.

4. Russell’s Cafe and Bakery: For the sweet ladies and lads Russell’s is a premium coffee, sandwiches and bakery located in Valley Park just off Route 141.

This cute bakery, ran by the young Russell Bing, a Rockwood Summit graduate, is often packed with regulars and friendly staff busy exchanging stories and spoonfuls of their madefrom-scratch Chicken Pot Pie Soup which is to be featured in this year’s Soup’s On competition in Kirkwood later this month. While this location may not be the best place to cram for a calculus test at noon, it offers more comfort food anyone could fathom for the study munchies.

It also makes for a great stop for Valentine’s Day. The bakery offers adorable iced cupcakes, chocolate sprinkled strawberries, and a variety of other sweet items to make any one’s mouth water. However, do not plan on getting Blackboard homework done here; this is the only location on the list

ART & LIFE

February 10, 2011

In the heart of the cards

9

A day in the life of the cafeteria’s trading card community

PHOTO BY: KAIT THOMAS

Nick Koenig declares an attack on Lindsay Willis’ monster in the game of Yu-Gi-Oh! Koenig is one of the many players who play in the Student Center cafeteria.

Kavahn Mansouri - Art & Life Editor -

STLCC-Meramec students Aaron Roger, Lindsay Willis and Nick Koenig sit around a table shuffling several decks of cards, discussing the rules of their next game. Willis pulls out her point calculator ,preparing for the next round

said.

The three began sharing stories about how they started playing Yu-Gi-Oh! Willis said that she joined on a whim.

“Originally, the last time I played this was fifth grade, and I came here and saw some boys playing with it. I came over and said, ‘Hey,’ and they said, ‘Let’s build you a deck,’” Willis said.

to each match.

Koenig said that depending on what day it is, a player can get up to five or six matches in.

“On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, more people are here, but then on Tuesdays and Thursdays, people won’t show up ‘till later. But on average, I would say if everyone’s in the mood

“There’s a lot of work to be put into it. It’s a game of chance and strategy.”

- Lindsay Willis

while Koenig and Roger discuss their strategies. The game starts, the three minds go to work, and simple playing cards become tools of battle.

Roger, Willis and Koenig can be found “dueling” with Yu-Gi-Oh! playing cards almost every day they have classes. The trio spends most of their time with the rest of the gamers, Rodger said. The gamer group, according to Roger, has been at Meramec since before any of the three enrolled.

“There was already a group of people here. People

just notice and come over. I knew some friends from last year because I had friends who came here from high school. That’s pretty much how it works,” Roger said.

“We always sit at these tables, and when people start showing up, we migrate into the other area,” Koenig said.

“Like an infection,” Roger

Koenig also shared how he got into the game.

“When I first started hanging out around here last semester, everyone was welcoming. Guys were like ‘You want to duel with us?’ and then it’s like ‘You suck.

Get new cards’,” Koenig said while laughing. “I used to play when the game first started, it wasn’t till last semester when I came over here and got back into it.”

Willis said that since joining the group, the people in it have become like a second family.

“I call them my Yu-Gi-Oh! family. It’s very important to me; they talk to me more than my real siblings,” Willis said.

“It’s our family away from home,” Koenig said.

Former STLCC student Carvaughn Wilson walks over to the group and takes a seat, filling the empty chair at the table. A game is under way in which Willis has been eliminated, so he is forced to act as a spectator. Roger and Koenig refer to him as an “original” or one of the founding members of the YuGi-Oh! group at Meramec.

Wilson said that matches can last from two minutes to 10, and that there are three duels

to duel, if everyone’s like ‘OK, I’ll duel you next,’ people can get in five or so duels,” Koenig said.

According to Willis, while some players build their decks just to win, players like herself build their decks in themes. Willis’ explains

that she has a feminine card theme, most of which have art that reminds Willis of angels.

“For me I have lady cards, pretty cool, pretty good effects. You build them yourself and it makes them personal. You can’t just go out and buy a deck. There’s a lot of work to be put in, it’s a game of chance and strategy,” Willis said. “At first I had fairies, but I’m really interested in angels. I’m an artist, and for my AP Studio Art concentration I painted angels, so of course you always go with something you like ‘cause what’s the point of going with cards that are ugly?”

Willis said that she has a personal connection with her cards, and she feels there’s a sense of responsibility to take care of them.

“They’re like little warriors, and it’s your responsibility to not make them die. There is a little sense of pride when you actually win, because you’ve created something that won. It’s not only more powerful than your opponent but you can outsmart them, too, with elaborate traps, so I take pride in it [my deck],” Willis said.

The Meramec students who make up this community said they trade cards. Some cards, depending on how rare they are, can be sold for varying amounts of money.

Some players trade cards of equal value, and some even sell to local stores and on eBay. Koenig said that there are

several different features that change the value of cards, making them less and more valuable.

“It’s the same idea as collector’s items. What makes something collectors? How often was it printed? How long ago was it printed? It’s the same with these cards, but with the cards it’s more like how useful is it? Some have greater use than others and then there are cards that have use in our specific decks,” Koenig said.

According to Koenig, their group is like any other group, there are leaders and new people, or “noobs” as Koenig put.

“When I came here, it was like ‘OK, this is the way it is, this is the game, and this is the totem pole.’ You’re here on the totem pole, and no one enforces it, but there have been people who come in and say, they have done this and this and this, but they have to realize that they have to prove

themselves,” Koenig said.

Koenig said that it is not that the group doesn’t haze new members, but instead helps them build their decks and understand the game.

“It’s not hazing. When new people come here everyone who knows about the game will say ‘Your deck doesn’t seem to be going well, well you shouldn’t be running this or this, try and find these cards that will help your deck run faster,’ and it’s kind of like training,” Koenig said.

PHOTO BY: KAIT THOMAS

Lindsay Willis displays her Yu-Gi-Oh! Several players have themes to their decks. Willis has a theme of feminine cards,

ART & LIFE 10 Running for a cause

February 10, 2011

Through running and dedication, professor Margaret Hvatum gives back to the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society Luelana Bustamante - Staff Writer -

She was hospitalized seven times because of asthma and was unable to walk 0.1 mile without stopping to rest. That was the summer of 1995 for professor Margaret Hvatum, 55, program coordinator of Information Office Systems of STLCCMeramec.

Now, Hvatum is a different person. She ran 15 marathons in the last 15 years.

Last year, she competed in five races on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

“If you run for a charity you can think about the meaning of the cause and why you are doing it and it becomes more important than just you,” Hvatum said.

“It means you are training to raise money to cure cancer, like in my case.”

Curing her own sickness and the will to raise her three kids were some of the reasons why Hvatum decided to start a fitness plan. Since the medicine wasn’t helping with the asthma treatment, she tried to walk one mile every day. As she was getting

healthier and more used with the walking, she decided to run. At the end of the summer, she ran in her first competition. The 8km race took her more than one hour to finish it.

“I was the last one to finish it, but I was glad just to be able to do it,” Hvatum said.

The realization that she was able to finish a race, the fact that her asthma condition was improving, and the hospitalizations decreasing made Hvatum decide to do more running. She ran five miles, then ten miles, and then decided to run her first half-marathon, the Go! St. Louis Marathon, about nine years ago.

Four years later, Hvatum did her first Marathon in Chicago, followed by marathons in Montana; Anchorage, Alaska; Orlando, Fla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Boston, Mass.; New Orleans, La.; St. Louis, Mo.; Dublin, Ireland; and Berlin, Germany.

As a member of the 50 States Marathon Club, where the athletes have to run at

least one marathon in each state, Hvatum plans to run marathons until she is at least 82 years old.

“The more I run, the better I feel, and healthier,” Hvatum said.

A particular memory Hvatum has is from the Disney Goofy Challenge in Disney Land in Orlando.

Wearing a princess skirt made of blue and green chiffon, Hvatum ran a half-marathon on Jan. 8 and a full marathon on Jan. 9.

“I didn’t know I could actually complete that challenge because it was basically running for three half-marathons in a single weekend,” Hvatum said. “But I finished it and I was really happy.”

Hvatum is already in another four marathons this year: Stockholm, Ohio, Vermont, and Savannah.

Hvatum said that the LLS pays for all her travel expenses and offers her a coach, who helps her with the training. As a way to give it back, she has been raising money for the LLS, sending fundraising letters to people she knows, distributing beads in Soulard at Mardi Gras, and

PHOTO BY: NATE CORLEY

Professor Margaret Hvatum displays medals she earned through running marathons.

collecting donations through her website.

For the Go! St. Louis halfmarathon on April 10, her goal is to raise one thousand dollars. So far she has already raised approximately $9,400.

“Every time I’m running or training and I’m feeling I would like to stop, I remember how terrible it was to be in the hospital, in the oxygen, and I just don’t want to be there again,” Hvatum said.

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ART & LIFE

February 10, 2011

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To: His Valentine From: Mike Beary “I recently started dating this woman who is a competition dressage performer from Sweden.

The other day I bought her flowers and dropped them from my helicopter onto the field where she’s working. I made sure no horses were around to get spooked, got low enough to aim, and my brother threw the flowers. They landed in the middle of the field, standing straight up.

A co-worker who found the flowers ran into the building screaming and immediately my girlfriend knew they were from me. She called me when I landed and said that people saw flowers fall from the sky. The next day, she told me she loved me for the first time.”

From Meramec With Love Kelly Davis - Copy Editor -

Valentine’s Day is a holiday for wooing and romancing. It is an opportunity for bringing love back into the air. As this day approaches, the people of STLCC-Meramec remember their most romantic experiences with someone special as they think of new ways to express their love and devotion.

To: Her Valentine From: Sarah Ashmore “My boyfriend of about a year got really depressed because his best friend died, so I surprised with roses and a teddy bear. It was good times. It cheered him up a little bit and I think it helped. The roses died and we actually still have them in the vase.”

To: Her Valentine From: Wainbeau Prater “It was our first Valentine’s Day and my husband and I had only been dating for five months. He was really excited to do something special and I had to work that day. We were supposed to go out to dinner and he called me and said he had to work and we couldn’t go. Instead, he got a friend of his who works for a limo company to pick me up from work in a limo, take me home to get dressed where I found a little note directing me downtown to Lombardo’s. They are usually unavailable on Valentine’s Day; you have to reserve a table months in advance. My boyfriend happens to know the guy who owns that restaurant so the waiters delivered our dinner to us on covered plates, on trays to the limo.

We then drove down to the riverfront and we ate dinner outside under the moonlight. Afterward, we went for a ride around town, had a few drinks, and then he took me home. It was the best Valentine’s Day. The next day, he showed up at my work and brought me assorted fruit that was covered in chocolate. This was definitely over-the-top.”

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SPORTS

February 10, 2011

‘Digging’ for volleyball fun

Students satisfy aspirations to play volleyball through one-credit class Spencer Gleason - Sports Editor -

Shah Jahan Ali - Staff Writer -

Since the previous athletic cuts went into effect in July 2010 and all STLCC campuses were cut down to five sports each, STLCCMeramec has been without a volleyball team. However, that has not stopped the students from spiking the ball over the net.

In order to graduate, students must have two P.E. credits. With so many options, students often sign up for a class of which their heart desires, regardless of whether or not they know how to play. They just play for the fun of the game.

“I signed up for volleyball because I haven’t played since the fifth grade,” said firstyear student Melissa Myers.

“I kind of missed it.

I just wanted to get back into the field of playing it.”

Taking the P.E. classes also gives students the opportunity to stay active and remain healthy.

“It’s a great exercise,” said volleyball instructor SuzAnne Paez. “Some of the students say they don’t want to go to their next class because they have been in here exercising. It’s just fun because it’s what you put into it. You can make it very competitive or just make it fun.”

Some of the students that participate in the

has played volleyball in some respect, but not on a league,” said Paez. “They just play recreationally without rules.”

Both of the Volleyball I and Volleyball II classes are held together. Each class has its own goals and objectives they need to reach by the end of the semester. The wide range of level of plays allows all players of all skill to participate. Paez, who has been instructing volleyball classes at Meramec for 11 years, said she has seen it all.

“Some just come in to gain knowledge of

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: KELLY GLUECK

two credits they need for graduation. It’s just

classes, the game is spiking to new heights

“ It’s just fun because it’s what you put into it. You can make it very competitive or just make it fun.”

-volleyball instructor SuzAnne Paez

class already have some volleyball experience.

“Mostly everybody

volleyball. I also have some students who have accomplished their

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STER REGIO N W e u’ll b

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of popularity allowing students to have fun, stay fit and stretch one credit

closer to graduation.

“If you have never played volleyball before it shows you the real skills—how to play the game,” said Myers. “If you have played, it’s really fun and gets you right back into it.”

Visit

Meramec

Montage .com for this issues’ sports column, “For the Love of the Game”

Tour our 350-acre campus Talk to our professors Hang out with our students Attend admissions and financial aid sessions

umslday.com 888-GO-2-UMSL