Feb 19, 2015 (46.5)

C

BUILDING A BETTER YOU

The

Vol. 46 Issue 5 Feb 19 - March 5

ommunicator Spokane Falls Community College DON’T PUSH ME, I’M CLOSE TO THE EDGE

NEWS

STUDENTS RECEIVE PG 3 EARLY ALERTS

FEATURES TWELFTH NIGHT FLAVORS

HAWAIIAN FAST-FOOD

SIDELINES OPINION

PG 9

PG 10

PG 5

PG 7

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The Communicator 02.19.2015

Editor: Gage A. Lewis

CONTENTS

International Films

pg.6

Tea v. Common Cold

Twelfth Night

pg.5

Men’s Basketball

4 Features Flavors

3 5 7

Opinions Sidelines

sfcc.gage.lewis@gmail.com

pg.7

pg.10

9 10

Staff members can be reached via email with the following format: sfcc.firstname.lastname@gmail.com. for any question, comments and corrections found in the paper

Editor-in-Chief Gage A. Lewis

Managing Editor Mikayla Davis

News Editor Jeremy Logan

Features Editor Mallory Biggar

Flavors Editor Cassie Russell

Sidelines Editor Margaret Myhre

Photo Editor Thania Clark

Adviser Jason Nix

Photographer Kristina Johanson

Photographer Brittany Tolleson

Writer Isaac Gonzalez

Writer Gunnar Werhan

Writer Ron Ford

Writer Grant Wengler

Writer Jason Dennis

Ad Director Desirae Knight

The Communicator is a student-run newspaper that hopes to maintain a forum in which students are able to voice diverse opinions on campus-related issues.

The Communicator also aims to inform students about important events concerning CCS, including sports and other fun activities that make their college days memorable.

Want to join the paper contact our instructor at jason.nix@sfcc.spokane.edu

Corrections for issue 46.4: Ron Ford wrote our Lumbersexual story. Gavin Andrews is no longer on our Staff.

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Editor: Jeremy Logan sfcc.Jeremy.Logan@Gmail.com

neWs

The Communicator

02.19.2015

Early alerts help students find resources Mikayla Davis | The Communicator

Connie Pittman is on the phone informing students they may be behind and helping them find the resources that may help lead them to success.

Mikayla Davis The Communicator SFCC’s Early Alert program is in progress.

Some students are beginning to receive calls from the Peer Services team at Spokane Falls Community College as part of SFCC’s Early Alert program.

Connie Pittman is the Student Achievement Manager at SFCC, and is spearheading the Early Alert program.

“The mission for the Early Alert team is to connect students to resources as early as possible so they

can be successful,” Pittman said. “We wanted to put in a system that helps us identify students who are having academic challenges early in the quarter.”

The Early Alert program is a system CCS has put in place where instructors and students can send in an alert when students begin to struggle. Those alerts get sent to Pittman, and Wendy Derain, the Student Development Program Coordinator. They and a team of 14 staff, faculty, and administration contact the students either through email or phone, and sometimes in person.

“One of the first things we do is ask if they’ve been in to see a peer tutor,” said Pittman. “If we find out early on in the quarter that it’s an issue with something like not having books yet, or not having a way to get to school, we can try to connect them with resources on campus to help face that before it’s too far into the quarter.”

According to data collected by Sally Jackson, the Director of Planning, the program is working in some departments.

In 2012, when the Early Alert system first went into effect, the fitness center credit-class success rates were at 69.8 percent. As of fall 2014,

success rates are up to 74.2 percent.

“Our goal is to get that number close to 80 percent,” said Keith Snyder, one of the physical education instructors submitting Early Alerts.

“We’re getting closer.”

The number of instructors and departments using the Early Alert program has also increased since the program began in 2012.

According to data collected by Derain, only 11 departments were involved in the Early Alert’s first quarter, and only 39 alerts were sent in. Last quarter that number increased to 19 departments and 251 alerts submitted.

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The Communicator 02.19.2015

Editor: Jeremy Logan sfcc.Jeremy.Logan@gmail.com

Jump: From Page 3

Early alerts attempt to help students who may be struggling in their classes

SFCC’s Early Alert program is in progress.

Some students are beginning to receive calls from the Peer Services team at Spokane Falls Community College as part of SFCC’s Early Alert program.

Connie Pittman is the Student Achievement Manager at SFCC, and is spearheading the Early Alert program.

“The mission for the Early Alert team is to connect students to resources as early as possible so they can be successful,” Pittman said. “We wanted to put in a system that helps us identify students who are having academic challenges early in the quarter.”

The Early Alert program is a system CCS has put in place where instructors and students can send in an alert when students begin to struggle. Those alerts get sent to Pittman, and Wendy Derain, the Student Development Program Coordinator. They and a team of 14 staff, faculty, and administration contact the students either through email or phone, and sometimes in person.

“One of the first things we do is ask if they’ve been in to see a peer tutor,” said Pittman. “If we find out early on in the quarter that it’s an issue with something like not having books yet, or not having a way to get to school, we can try to connect them with resources on campus to help face that before it’s too far into the quarter.”

According to data collected by Sally Jackson, the Director of Planning, the program is working in some departments.

In 2012, when the Early Alert system first went into effect, the fitness center credit-class success rates were at 69.8 percent. As of fall 2014, success rates are up to 74.2 percent.

“Our goal is to get that number close to 80 percent,” said Keith Snyder, one of the physical education instructors submitting Early Alerts.

“We’re getting closer.”

The number of instructors and departments using the Early Alert program has also increased since the program began in 2012.

According to data collected by Sfcc.Mikayla.Davis@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

News

E-cigarettes: pros, cons, controversies Protection Agency classified formaldehyde as a possible human carcinogen under unusually extreme or prolonged exposure.

With a mission to improve the smoking population’s health, Jamerson believes his work will Grant Wengler simultaneously help the economy as The Communicator well.

“The long-term effects of the There is much controversy over electronic cigarette industry is smoking e-cigarettes, or “vaping,” on economic change,” Jamerson said. school campuses.

“Let’s say, 50 years from now, Students at SFCC are not allowed everything continues to go as it to smoke e-cigarettes outside of already has.

There’s going to be designated smoking areas. less deaths associated with tobacco E-cigarettes are devices where smokers can vape nicotine as opposed smoking, and there’s going to be less hospitalizations.” to smoking tobacco.

More than $96 billion a year are “There’s a correlation between spent on health care due to tobacco, state or city funding to SFCC and if according to the Center of Disease they allow e-cigarettes,” said Josh Control.

Jamerson, President of Smartsmoke, “The healthcare industry is a very a Spokane-based electronic cigarette large financial industry in the United company. “The Opera House, the States,” said Jamerson. “If you have a Convention Center, the Spokane ton of people who Arena, those aren’t smoking are government anymore, that buildings paid for money is being by the city and they -Josh Jamerson reinjected into our don’t allow the economy. People President of Smartsmoke use of electronic are feeling better cigarettes.” and being more active.”

Concern rises from whether “I don’t want to spend money on e-cigarettes are safer to use than cigarettes,” said Satam Alwabli, a traditional cigarettes. student vaper at SFCC. “Now that I “If you look at the specific have an e-cig I don’t want to smoke ingredients, there are over 4000 anymore.” known chemicals in tobacco,” said Jamerson believes the e-cigarette Jamerson. “If you look at the very industry will destroy the traditional minimal ingredients in electronic cigarette industry within the next cigarettes, it’s a pretty smart decision decade, but fears government as to which is going to be the better intervention, such as Washington choice.”

State Bill #5573, which raises the According to Maciej Goniewicz legal age to buy tobacco and all of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute e-cigarette products to 21. in Buffalo, N.Y, e-cigarettes, when “Raising the age on tobacco and adjusted to a higher voltage, can vaping products is a pretty good produce carbonyls. debate,” said Travis Jent, president These carbonyls include and owner of Vapor Lounge. “We’re formaldehyde. If the voltage is set too having some trouble because these high on an e-cigarette, formaldehyde products are making their way into levels can potentially reach the youth’s hands.” same levels as found in traditional “An 18 year old is an adult, cigarettes. obviously they can enlist in the According to the US Consumer military, they make their own Product Safety Commission, choices,” Jent said. “If we are willing formaldehyde is present already in to put different adult responsibilities both indoor, and outdoor air. on them, why can’t they make adult Formaldehyde has been known to decisions for themselves?” cause irritation of the nose, eyes, and Under Washington law, smoking is throat. considered a privilege rather than a In 1987, the US Environmental

Potentially raised tobacco regulation may affect vapers

“Our mission is to Smokers into non smokers,”

right.

“We have a double standard here,” Jent said. “We have an 18 year old who can enlist and fight for our country; why would we take the decision to vape away from them? We have to determine if they are adults or not.”

Both Vapor Lounge and Smartsmoke have a strict policy against selling to minors, and even non-smokers.

“If an 18 year old walks into one of our stores and has never smoked cigarettes, we will send them away,” Jamerson said. “Our mission is to turn smokers into nonsmokers.”

In 2012, the Center of Disease Control estimated that 14 percent of high school students smoked cigarettes, while 2.8 percent vaped.

“For someone who isn’t a smoker, I’d really have to ask them why they want to start,” said Jent. “It’s a subject I’ve always really been troubled with.”

Despite Jent’s wish to keep nonsmokers away from vaping, one in ten high school students have reported trying e-cigarettes, according to the CDC, and the number of high schoolers using e-cigarettes doubled between 2011 and 2012.

“For 18-year-olds it’s a good rule, but if it becomes 21 then they will have to work to hide their cigarettes,” said Alwabli.

Another bill associated with vaping is Washington state Bill 1458, which includes making product sampling and online purchases illegal within the state of Washington.

According to Jamerson, if the bill is successfully passed, all currently listed e-cigarette flavors will be banned, and only tobacco flavors will be allowed.

On top of this, a 95% fair market value vapor tax will be added to all vapor related devices.

“When it comes to banning flavors, I think it’s absurd to say that adults don’t like the flavors,” Jamerson said.

“They assume they are only a way to market to younger people. If there wasn’t a demand from adults for these flavors, and they didn’t enjoy them, then we wouldn’t have them.”

“The rule that you can’t smoke cigarettes around campus is good so the buildings don’t smell,” said Alwabli.

Sfcc.Grant.Wengler@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

Editor: Mallory Biggar sfcc.mallory.biggar@gmail.com

Features

The Communicator

2.19.2015

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Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night the Spartan

Kiki Johanson | The Communicator Samuel Peters, Mikyla Bordner, Nicholas Fortner and Robert Johnson rehearse a scene for opening night. Twelfth Night premiers March 5 at 7 p.m. The last showing will be on March 15.

Ron Ford The Communicator The SFCC Revelers will present Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night as part of its 2014-2015 Perception and Deception season.

Bill Marlowe, director of the play, said the comedy of gender identities fits perfectly into the season’s theme.

“Twelfth Night is the perfect classical choice for our Perceptions and Deceptions season because it involves a woman disguising herself as a man in order to survive in a man’s world,” said Marlowe.

Twelfth Night tells the tale of twins, Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck and believe each other to be dead. Viola assumes the identity of her brother in order to not be taken advantage of in the male-dominated society.

It is a play Marlowe is very familiar with.

“This is my favorite Shakespeare play,” Marlowe said. “This is now my ninth time working on this play. I do it because I love it, I love this play, and I think it’s very accessible for today’s

Shakayla Hacker returns to the audience, because a lot of it is written in prose, not in poetry.”

SFCC stage after her debut in last It is common for modern theatres quarter’s Rashomon. to present “concept” productions of “I play Lady Olivia, and she’s lost her brother and her father and isn’t Shakespeare plays by setting them in really in the mood for male attention,” different times and places than specHacker said “This poses a problem ified in the plays. This time, however, Marlowe decided to stage the play as because it seems that several men in traditionally as possible. the show are crazy for Olivia! Creating this in-charge, “We’re trying to uptight persona recreate as close for her is challengas we can the environment of what ing but extremely a Shakespeare rewarding.”

Hacker joins a audience member -Bill Marlowe cast praised by the would have experienced,” Marlowe Deriector of twelfthNight show’s director.

“I have an said. “All of the costuming is Elizoutstanding cast,” Marlowe said. “I’ve got some just abethan in nature. All of the music in terrific new people, and there’s some the show is Elizabethan. So we are trying to do as authentic a recreation of our mainstays in it as well.”

Blake Krueger-King is happy to be of the historical period as we possibly returning to the SFCC stage for the can.” fourth time.

One convention of Shakespeare’s time not being embraced by this “I play Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the foolish knight,” Krueger-King said. production is the casting of men in “He’s very over-the-top, very foppish, the women’s roles. The women here a bit feminine. He pumps himself up are played by women, in spite of the plot’s gender confusion. to be this great fighter that he isn’t. I

“I love this play, and I think it’s very accessible for today’s audience.”

do a lot of pratfalls, a lot of physical comedy because he thinks he’s greater than he is. It’s fun, but it’s fun with the cost of bruises and painful joints.”

Marlowe has encouraged his cast to improvise physical bits for the raucous comedy.

“If we actors have an idea, Bill doesn’t want to hear us talk about it, he wants to see us do it,” said Nicholas Fortner, who plays Sir Toby Belch. ”We get up on stage if we have a bit in mind, we’ll do it for Bill, and if he likes it, then we’ll keep it in the show.

And if not, then it’s back to the drawing board.”

In the heat of all the creative energy, personal bonds are being forged as well.

“I’m really proud of the cast; we’re growing at every rehearsal,” Fortner said. “These trusting bonds that we’ve built for each other on stage rehearsing, we will take with us to performances. I guess a special family is growing here. That’s all I can think of to call it really.”

Sfcc.Ron.Ford@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

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Editor: Mallory Biggar

Q&A: BSU President Hassanatou Barry Mikayla Davis The Communicator

WHAT DOES THE BSU DO? WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE? The Black Student Union holds events just like any other club, events that we try to relate to “black culture,” but also that of other groups represented at SFCC. Its purpose is to serve and entertain as much the SFCC student body as we can.

WHAT EVENTS HAS THE BSU DONE SO FAR? So far this new year, we had the poet Saul Williams come over to SFCC for a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. To our relief and amazement, it drew a large, diverse crowd. We even had to close the doors because of maximum capacity allowed in the SUB lounges.

Our esteemed SFCC President Dr. Janet Gullickson and Dr. Darren Pitcher came over to support us as well members of faculty and staff. In collaboration with the Wire Harp, we also held the “Slam Off” contest in February in honor of Black History Month.

WHAT OTHER EVENTS ARE THEY PLANNING? February has been a busy month for our members and advisor, but we have been discussing what events to hold next; we would like to keep the momentum going. A talent contest has been proposed so far, as well as a karaoke event. On March 18 we are planning to serve food to the homeless with the Blessings Under the Bridge charity; it was proposed to us by Carl whose New Year’s resolution was to volunteer more and we thought that was a cool idea.

WHO CAN JOIN THE BSU? Anyone is welcome to join the BSU! There is a saddening misconception circulating that you have to be black to join and there has not been a club day this year where we have not discussed that. We would love to have as many members as possible from

The Communicator 2.19.2015

Features

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diverse backgrounds. I am from Guinea (West Africa) and I feel like if I, as an international student, can join and serve as President of the Club there is no reason why anyone else could not.

HOW CAN STUDENTS BECOME A PART OF THE BSU? Usually, the way students join is by signing up during Welcome Week at the beginning of every quarter.

However, we meet every other Friday at 12:45 in the Multicultural Room (sometimes the VIP room of the cafeteria) in the SUB and anyone who would like to join could just stop by and join us then!

WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE BSU (STUDENTS, ADVISER)?

Our adviser is the uber-cool Carl Richardson. I was elected president almost midway last quarter, having taken over from club veteran Marc Wynn. He literally handed me the position in the most courteous manner as he thought younger members should be more involved. Jeremiah is our treasurer who did that fantastic introduction piece to Saul Williams.

Kira Prater is the secretary and Canjarri McKinley -who introduced Saul and who, as we all have learned that day, wishes she were Oprah Winfrey- is our habitual representative to the Activities Board meetings every Tuesday.

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS JOIN? Students should join if they are interested in participating in college life at SFCC. That is why I joined. The BSU, and other clubs for that matter, exist for that very reason. Moreover, students who are planning to transfer to a four-year would want to join to “beef up” that resume as well.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE BSU? I am a “newbie,” but preparing the MLK Jr. celebration was definitely great fun and I am looking forward to holding events such as that one.

WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED FROM BEING A PART OF THE BSU? A newfound love for poetry and conscious hip-hop. It is a rather small club; a tight-knit group of traveled students who care about international politics and current events.

Sfcc.Mikayla.Davis@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

International Film Festival

Thania Clark | The Communicator

Spokane’s International Film Festival will begin on April 22 and go until May 20.

Ron Ford The Communicator SFCC organizations will be sponsoring a diverse variety of movies during the winter and spring quarters for students, faculty and staff to enjoy free of charge.

The Secular Association will present “Kumare” on March 4 in SUB Lounge C. “Kumare” tells of the rise of an Eastern holy man, who develops a following in the West. But Kumare is actually an American filmmaker conducting a social experiment on the nature of belief and how it is influenced by others. “[This] winner of South by Southwest's Audience Award, Kumare is an insightful look at faith and belief,” Kino Lorber, a critic for the site Rotten Tomatoes, wrote.

Viginia Hodges, president of the Secular Association, said the movie was selected for its poignancy and humor.

“This movie has a good lesson, a ton of laughs, and brings up a lot of questions that are interesting to discuss,” Hodges said.

SFCC has sponsored an International Film Festival each spring for the last nine years. This year will be no different.

Five films will be screened on Tuesday evenings between April 22 and May 20 at the Garland Theater, located at 924 W. Garland. All shows

begin at 7:15 p.m., and are free to SFCC students, staff and faculty.

The films are selected by a diverse committee each fall.

“There is a committee comprised of faculty, staff and students from ASG and Student Clubs that come together in the fall,” Gabriel Valenzuela, a Spanish instructor at SFCC, said. “We find at least three films in each following category, prioritize them, and finally vote on them based on cost and availability. [The categories are] Japanese, French, Spanish, Alliance, Chinese and Other.”

According to Valenzuela, the festival is one of SFCC’s most highly-attended student events, in spite of being held off campus.

“An average of 250 students each Tuesday for five weeks benefit from it,” Valenzuela said.

For many students, it is their first exposure to the cinema of other cultures.

“The films we show are very educational, and for many students it is their first exposure to international cinema,” Valenzuela said. “In many surveys that were turned in we read comments along the lines that the individual had ‘never seen such a powerful movie,’ or ‘it was their first international film and they cannot wait to see more,’ and many other reviews that really do attest to power of this festival.”

Sfcc.Ron.Ford@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

FlavOrs

Editor: Cassie Russell sfcc.cassie.russell@gmail.com

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The Tea That Kicks a Cold Into Low Gear

Brittany Tolleson| The Communicator

Hawaiian Fast-Food Brittany Tolleson The Communicator In a place where convenient stores serve daily fresh sushi instead of slushies, and where McDonalds serves a teriyaki burger with a side of white rice, the local Hawaiian favorite is a meal called the Loco-Moco. For a taste of something that is easily made, cheap to create, and will fill your stomachs, try a Loco-Moco.

Time to make: 20 minutes Servings: 4 (very filling)

Kiki Johanson | The Communicator

These fantasic ingredients will help you get back to your normal self in no time when you are feeling under the weather.

Kiki Johanson The Communicator It’s that time of the year where people may be getting sick, this simple easy tea recipe will have you feeling better.

All the ingredients can be purchased at your local grocery store, and in the fridge it will stay good for months.

With soothing honey, invigorating ginger, and refreshing lemon, this simple jelly is a cost effective, high powered cold remedy.

Ingredients:

• • • • • • •

Two lemons (washed) Two ginger roots (washed) A cup (8 oz.) of raw honey A 12 oz. mason jar How to make it: Slice lemons thinly Slice ginger into coin sized pieces

Directions: Distribute lemon and ginger evenly throughout the mason jar, leaving a half inch of space at the top Slowly pour in the honey, letting it seep completely through the lemon and ginger, filling the jar.

After being left in the fridge scoop a large tablespoon or two (depending on your taste) into a mug of hot water and enjoy!

Sfcc.kiki.Johanson@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

Ingredients: • 4 cups white rice • 4 hamburger patties-You can add in flavoring of your choice, but teriyaki is preferred) • 4 eggs • 2 cups brown beef gravy (you can make your own or use store bought) • Sriracha sauce to taste (optional) Directions: Cook rice as directed boil water and add in rice. Heat up gravy (or if making your own, start the process next.)

Grill hamburger patties to desired level of doneness (keep warm). Fry eggs over-easy—Don’t overcook yolk. Plate the meal starting with rice first. Add hamburger on top. Add gravy, TopCrack egg open with fork and enjoy!

Sfcc.Brittany.tolleson@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

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The Communicator 2.19.2015

Editor: Cassie Russell

FlavOrs

sfcc.cassie.russell@gmail.com

Sugar diets

Brittany Tolleson| The Communicator

Jonathan Shumate enjoys sugary Coke.

Jeremy Logan The Communicator Beyond the waistline and into the hearts of Americans everywhere, added sugars have found themselves in nearly everything we eat.

According to The American Heart Association - added sugar was not a significant component of the human diet until the advent of modern food-processing methods. Since then, the intake of sugar has risen steadily.

Keri Smith, a dietician at Chas, said that most people aren’t aware of how much sugar they are eating.

“I will pull out a few facts about your typical can of regular cola, and it is going to run about 41 to 44 grams of sugar,” Smith said. “The recommended intake of sugar for women is only 6 teaspoons [30 grams] a day, and for men it’s 9 [45 grams]. When I start telling people those types of comparisons it really surprises them.”

A recent Documentary titled, “Fed Up,” claims that added sugars in our diet, is the main culprit in the obesity epidemic, and that they can be found in everything from soda, to diet, nonfat foods.

“From my experience its having a huge impact,” Smith said. “I see everything from kiddos, to elderly, and everything in between, and often times when I am seeing a patient because they are interested in weight loss or they have diabetes, anytime I am doing an initial assessment, there is some sort of processed sugars that make up a large amount of their diet.”

David Reed, a student at SFCC who is enrolled in the Health and Fitness Technician program, said that he lost over 100lbs, in part, by taking sugar out of his diet.

“I took a nutrition course and I had weight issues before I started and I just saw results,” Reed said. “Refined sugars, gluten, soy and dairy. I don’t have any wheat. Mostly I eat rice flower if I have a bread or a flower.”

Wheat flour and other empty carbs are a form of simple carbohydrate, and they break down in your body the same way that added sugar does.

“No matter how you get a form of a sugar or carbohydrate they all break down into glucose in the blood, but depending on what type of carbohydrate it is,” Smith said. “There are the simple carbohydrates, which are the refined processed ones, and the complex ones, which are your whole grains and so on. They do affect the body differently, being that whole grains have higher amounts of fiber, or occasionally higher amounts of protein and that will affect how quickly the body will break down a carb into sugar.”

According to Smith the important thing is to read the labels of your food and understand what they mean.

There are a number of other ingredients in your food that can break down into glucose.

“They [people concerned with their health] need to look at the sugar alcohols which are anything with an OL at the end of it,” Smith said. “Sorbitol, mannitol, those are all a type of sugar, they are low in calories so they are like a sugar substitute you could say but the problem with those is that when eaten in large amounts those calories can add up and they can cause digestive issues.”

She warns people not to be tricked by clever labeling.

“We had a carb counting class, and we had an example of Ritz crackers and the front of the package is plastered with, ‘whole grain Ritz crackers, 5 grams of whole grains per serving,’ but when you look at the ingredients the first ingredient is unbleached, enriched, wheat flour.” Smith said.

“The easiest way to know a true whole grain is if the first ingredient has the word whole grain or whole wheat in it. The very first ingredient has to have the word whole in it to be a true whole grain product.”

Sfcc.Jeremy.logan@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

Ron’s slow cooking home chili Ron Ford The Communicator You have classes all day and your job in the evening. You don’t have time to cook dinner in between. What can you do?

You could grab a greasy burger on your way, or you could prepare this simple recipe in your crock pot the night before. It only takes 15 minutes.

Then, refrigerate the covered crock overnight. Take the crock out in the morning before you go to school, put it back in the cooker, and plug it in.

Then come home hours later to the smell of hot, delicious chili, ready to be devoured.

Ingredients: • 2 lbs. ground beef or turkey • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 minced cloves of garlic • 2 Tbsp. chili powder • 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/2 tsp. pepper • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin • 15.5 oz. can of kidney beans (undrained) • 14 1/2 oz. can of diced tomatoes (undrained) • 15 oz. can of tomato sauce • 10 3/4 oz. can of Rotel tomatoes (undrained) Directions: Cook the ground meat with the chopped onion on medium heat.

Crumble the meat as it cooks. When thoroughly cooked, drain the fat. Coat the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray. Put the meat and onions in the pot with the rest of the ingredients.

To cook your chili, set the slow cooker for six hours, and go about your day. Dinner will be waiting when you get back. sfcc.ron.ford@gmail.com

twitter: @SFCCcom

Ron Ford | The Communicator

Editor: Gage A. Lewis sfcc.gage.lewis@gmail.com

OpiniOn

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02.19.2015

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Facing the consequences of consumption Margaret Myhre The Communicator The human species seems to be on a mission to make the earth uninhabitable, but with a little awareness of the consequences, better decisions can be made.

The food industry and Standard American Diet (SAD) may play an even bigger role on the health of our ecosystem than any other factors combined, playing a major role in problems like climate change, pollution and deforestation.

“The California University of Science found in a study that a family that gives up meat is equivalent to owning a hybrid car,” Scott Rollins, instructor and department chair of Life Sciences at SFCC, said.

Greenhouse gasses are largely responsible for climate change.

“Livestock contribute largely to greenhouse gasses by producing CO2, as well as the more potent greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxides,” Rollins said. “ 75% of nitrous oxide comes from livestock, and it has nearly 300 times the heat trapping capability of CO2.”

Livestock also requires tremendous amounts of resources.

One of the reasons Inland Northwest Vegans promote veganism is to protect the environment. The society also educates people about other harmful effects of an animal based diet, as well as how to cook healthy and tasty vegan foods. They also host a vegan potluck at the Spokane woman’s club on the third Sunday of each month.

“Regarding water alone, just one hamburger requires 660 gallons of water to produce,” Tessa Trow, cofounder of Inland Northwest Vegans, said. “1,000 gallons of water are required to produce just 1 gallon of dairy milk.”

Producing 1 kg of animal protein requires about 100 times more water than producing 1 kg of grain protein according to “Water Resources, Agriculture and the Environment” published by Colorado University in

2004.

Wasting water can have catastrophic results since only a fraction of earths water is drinkable. According to “World Water Resources at the Beginning of the 21 Century” published at Cambridge University by Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003 more than 97% of the Earth’s water is in the oceans “As we waste water on animal agriculture, we are also creating deserts, poisoning millions of hectares of land with salt, killing entire lakes such as the Aral Sea and wiping out entire species,” Trow said.

Not only are the food industries using incredible amounts of water, they're also polluting water and soil.

“The top two water pollutants in the US are Pathogenic (disease causing), often from livestock manure, and nutrients from fertilizer,” said Rollins.

Although fertilizer is used to enhance the growth and nutrition in plants, too much is not good and can pollute water and soil.

“In Spokane, one of the things we see on Long Lake is harmful Cyanobacteria blooms,” said Rollins. “These can be harmful to humans and animals, often causing death in pets.”

The pathogenic pollutants usually come from livestock’s urine and feces.

“A farm with 2,500 dairy cows produces the same amount of waste as a city of 411,000 people,” Trow said. “It is drained into entire lakes which then contaminate surrounding land.”

“Although I prefer to eat this way,

it’s not always possible.”

In addition to using and polluting tremendous amounts of water, raising animals for food also destroys huge amounts of land.

“30% of the earth’s land mass or 17 million square miles are used to raise animals for food.”

Trow said.

“The moon has less area than that, at 14.6 million square miles.

More than 260 million acres of U.S. forest have been cleared to for cropland to grow feed for farmed animals.”

The animals eat way more food than they end up producing, so eating meat requires a lot more land for growing food than growing food for human consumption.

“1 kg of beef requires 20 kgs of grain,” Rollins said.

Eating animal products at the typical amount for the western countries is not sustainable, and is causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem.

“The planet could only feed about 36% of the current population on a typical American diet consisting of 25% of calories coming from animal products,” Edward O. Wilson, biologist and chronicler of the science of sociobiology, wrote in his - Scott Rollins book “The Future of instructor, department life”. chair of Life Sciences So what can someone do to eat a more responsible diet?

Carolyn Stephens, instructor and department chair of Fine Arts, enjoys gardening when the seasons allow, where she can control the pollutants.

She also tries to support businesses who practice responsible farming.

“In the nice weather months I buy produce from farmers markets,” Stephens said.

If eliminating meat seems to daunting, Trow suggests eating vegan or vegetarian until dinner. Reducing the amount one relies on this industry will also reduce the negative impacts the industry has.

“Reducing the amount of meat is not only better for the environment but also our health,” Rollins said.

“That doesn't mean give up meat, I’m not vegetarian, but try to reduce the amount.”

Livestock contribute largely to greenhouse gasses by producing CO2, as well as the more potent greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxides,”

Sfcc.Margaret.Myhre@gmail.com twitter: @SFCCcom

10

Editor: Margaret Myhre sfcc.margaret.myhre@gmail.com

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The Communicator

02.19.2015

Men’s basketball plan: finish season strong

Thania Clark | The Communicator

Setting preseason goals along with intense preseason games, practice, and conditioning have helped Dean Richey and his teammates play well so far during the season.

Isaac Gonzalez The Communicator The Men’s Basketball Team has just finished preseason play and is looking forward to NWAACC league play. The team is confident in what is to come.

“We are hoping all the time we put in through preseason games, practice, and conditioning has put us at the position to be ready for League,” Coach

Jeremy Groth said.

According to Groth, team goals are a part of any sports team that want to be successful.

“Just get better everyday with a young group who are growing better each day,” Groth said.

The CCS team started the season with a 6-1 record but ran into some hiccups.

“We’ve faced a little bit of adversi-

ty and some challenges and our guys have done a great job responding to those,” Groth said.

According to Groth, the team is able to overcome these challenges and move on.

“Our guys do great at being positive,” Groth said. “Sometimes shots go in sometimes they don’t. Pushing through is something we can do.”

The team continues to keep up with

the league standings. They are in 3rd place with a 5-8 league record and 15-8 total games played. With five games left in the season they look to finish out strong.

“Competing and having a great energy as a young team is exciting to see moving forward,” Groth said.

sfcc.Isaac.Gonzalez@gmail.com @SFCCcom

The Communicator 02.19.2015

Editor: Margaret Myhre sfcc.Margaret.myhre@gmail.com

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11

Team sports involvement prepare students

means to some other goods (friendships, physical shape, etc.), rather than being the end to which life is directed.”

In sum, sports offer myriad advantages both physically and mentally, but pose potential problems when expectations are too high and pressure is too great. Taking both factors into account help lead to a balanced and happier life.

Mallory Biggar The Communicator

Playing organized sports is proven to make people more physiologically healthy, but it also builds character, and prepares participants for life as an adult.

The True Sport Report, a journal put out by the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport, reports that students who play sports make higher grades, have higher expectations, and higher attainment. Students who play sports also have a greater connection to the school and stronger peer relationships.

SFCC coaches say that playing sports teaches students how to set goals, communicate, understand roles, and trust.

“I believe that sport helps build, form, and develop a participant’s character,” said Jeremy Groth, men’s basketball coach at SFCC. “The benefits that come with participating in sports are abundant.”

There are many parallels between

Benefits of regular physical activity according to the Center of Disease Control: Thania Clark | The Communicator

CCS Women’s Basketball team benefits from working together for a common goal.

student athletics and life after college.

“Every team you coach, you set goals,” said Bruce Johnson, coach of the women’s basketball team at SFCC. Justin Ryan spent three years coaching youth soccer in Spokane.

While there are many benefits in team sports, he pointed out that there are also disadvantages.

“A negative effect can certainly stem from expectations placed on the kid from their parents, relatives, friends, even themselves,” said Ryan.

“Further, even if a kid reaches all of their goals, they will quickly realize that this won't fulfill their desire. As with other pursuits, sports must be placed in their proper place as a

• • • • • • • • •

control weight reduce risk of cardiovascular disease reduce risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome reduce risk of some cancers strengthen bones and muscles improve mental health and mood improve ability to do daily activities prevent falls for older adult increase life expectancy

sfcc.mallory.biggar@gmail.com @_Communicator

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