Vol 77 issue 6 november 16 2015

volume #77, issue 6

monday, november 16, 2015

Music: a language that enables connection, facilitates healing

Adam Chartier is neither geek nor nerd, he’s “more of a hybrid”

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Craig, in his most Bondish film yet, should have slept on “Spectre”

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URW VIE

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Support small b usin e ss e s this holiday season

Delta chorale Hoping to hit high notes Lazette Parks sings with the Delta College Chorale as they work to prepare their Nov. 21 concert. The performance is being held to help raise funds for a trip to Germany and Austria this upcoming summer. The students will visit the places that composers lived and worked on the trip. Tickets are $10, and will begin at 8 p.m. in the lecture hall. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

View the extended gallery online at www.DeltaCollegiate.com

Survivor wears resilience

scholarly authority End of semester surveys give students a dynamic voice on faculty and courses greg horner How serious do you take teacher evaluations?

Rachel Atiemo-Obeng 27, Midland It depends on if I had issues. If I had issues, I take the time to address them. If it was a good experience and I don’t have anything negative, I mark “excellent.” If the teachers aren’t very good, I want them to read them and improve.

Robert Wietfeldt 36, Midland They would help a lot for getting the student’s input on whether the teacher is a really bad teacher...

Not very much, because I usually just fill in the bubbles and that’s about it.

Celeste Uribe 18, Saginaw I think I take them pretty seriously. It’s best to give your honest answer so other people can know. I feel those things are done so other people and the professor themselves can know what to work on.

Darnell Barofield 46, Saginaw I take them serious…

Overall it gives even the teacher time enough to evaluate himself from what the student wrote. Some teachers make themselves better off from them and some teachers feel like they didn’t do anything wrong as far as their lesson plan went or their attitude in class towards their students.

As the end of the semester approaches students are busy finishing up some final assignments, preparing for exams and getting ready for classes in the winter. But one thing they might not be thinking about is the student feedback forms given at the end of every class. How important are these feedback forms? And what impact do they have on students and faculty?

“I think they’re kind of useless because I think a lot of students just check things randomly to get it done and get out of class,” says Mellissa Reimus, a Biology student. “But I think as long as students are honest about it -- which I don’t think a lot of them are -- it can be helpful to the professors.”

For David Redman, the math and computer science division chair, the feedback forms are necessary to make sure that students and faculty are performing to Delta’s standards. “I want to know what students think about the services we provided in the math division and in general throughout the college.”

The feedback forms aren’t designed solely for professors. Many of the questions included in the survey were added to have students evaluate themselves as well.

“The students are supposed to be thinking about, ‘how was my performance in this class?’ ” says english division chair Denise Hill. “I know sometimes we say this is teacher feedback, but it’s student feedback and also student selfreflection.”

The front of the form consists of a bubblesheet in which students can record their level of satisfaction with a course and its instructor, while the back of the sheet has room for students to write specific comments about what they felt a professor was doing right and wrong. While the bubble sheet is important for determining overall participation and satisfaction in a class, Hill and others agree that the most important part of the survey is the comments section.

“I would say to my students – it’s nice to fill in the bubbles – but can you please take some time on the backside,” says Hill. “You can say things like, ‘this was an awful teacher’ but okay what was awful? I always hope and encourage my students to give me specific feedback.”

There isn’t a set requirement for how professors should administer the student feedback forms.

DCGregHorner But typically professors will leave the room when filling the forms and have a student drop them off at public safety.

David Peruski, dean of teaching and learning, says the ultimate aim of the college is to guarantee that students are allowed to anonymously submit their feedback and if any instructors were to violate that spirit of anonymity then they would hear about it.

“I have heard of instructors staying in the room and putting the envelope right in front of them,” says Peruski. “I feel that that is wrong -- and I would talk to their division chair and make sure they intervene.”

After completion the forms are taken for processing by OIT; they scan the bubble sheets and measures total student approval for each course. The written portions are taken to each division office and a faculty member types up student comments.

These recordings are then compiled in a database where the instructor and division chair has access to them. The entire process takes several weeks, and it should be noted that professors don’t receive the forms until after grades are recorded.

Instructors then read over their feedback forms and try to take away as much they can about their performance. Karen Wilson, a professor of economics, says she can’t wait to get her evaluation forms and see what students are saying about her methods.

“Most of us who teach care a lot about what students are feeling about our classes,” says Wilson.

“We get those student evaluations back and we pay a lot of attention to them and I pay a lot of attention to other’s evaluations too.”

It is the responsibility of each division chair to review student evaluation forms to insure that their faculty are running a tight ship. Each division has its own methods of dealing with student feedback, but typically each chair is looking for signs of a pattern in a professor’s teaching.

“You know there’s a pattern or a trend going on, if in any particular question, you see the same lower responses across classes,” says Marcia Moore, the division chair for the humanities.

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lindsey schibelhut

For Delta Alumnus Lou Kasischke, being able to climb Mount Everest was going to be the opportunity of a lifetime. However, due to failures in expedition leadership, May 10, 1996 would become a nightmare. Eight people would perish on the mountainside one of the worst tragedies in Everest’s history. On Monday, Nov. 9, Delta welcomed Kasischke as part of the President’s Speakers Series, to talk about his experience on Everest and what led him to “live a story he could tell.”

“The frigid dry air burned inside me like cold fire. Four Mount Everest explorer and Delta alumnus Lou or five ragged breaths,” begins Kasischke answers questions during the Q&A portion of his presentation. Kasischke spoke about Kasischke, “Shift my weight his 1996 climb, where 8 climbers perished on and step. My fingers were the mountain, one of the most tragic events on Everest. (Delta Collegiate/Lindsey Schibelhut) white and stiff. Frostbite…I was 400 vertical feet from achieving my goal. The top of Mount Everest. Four or five breaths. Then step. Sheer will. Nothing could stop me…I looked at the climbers above me. I realized things had gone wrong. Very wrong. Climbers were still climbing up, but it was late.”

Kasischke started his presentation reading excerpts from his memoir “After the Wind.” He then spoke candidly about what went wrong on summit day, considering everything went well up to that point.

“We trained together, we prepared together and now we had a very specific plan to achieve our goal,” says Kasischke.

He says the idea was to leave camp by 11 p.m., a few hours after they had arrived. From there they would go on to reach the balcony (approx.

27,000 feet) by daybreak, go up the ridge to the south summit, then traverse over to the Hillary step. Ideally they would be only a short distance from the top by 11 a.m.

“12 hours that was the plan, 12 hours after we started,” says Kasischke.

The next thing the team agreed upon was a survival plan in case things went wrong during the summit to the top.

“And that was the 1 p.m. turnaround time,” explains Kasischke, “No matter what, from wherever you are, at any time, for any reason you do not reach the top at 1 p.m. you must turnaround right then and there.”

He says the importance of the turnaround time is to make sure climbers are able to safely summit and descend, and make it back to camp before dark. The team sat down in a circle in the tent and made the pact to follow this rule before they set out on their ascent.

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Scholarly Authority Continues from Front Page...

“That’s one of the great things that student feedback can do -- so when you see a pattern you can figure out some things to change.”

The forms are important for professors in other ways. When an instructor applies for tenure or promotion they must prove that they’ve met criteria in three areas: professional development, productive activity for the college and teaching effectiveness.

To demonstrate they’ve met the last category, a peer-review committee of three or four colleagues will evaluate the professor by sitting in on their classes, looking at course materials, speaking with the professor’s peers and looking at student surveys.

But there isn’t a way to quantify the weight student evaluations have

in deciding a teacher’s effectiveness. Each division has its own attitude and every faculty member their own method.

“How much importance people put on those student evaluations is kind of an individual thing,” says Wilson. “I may put more importance on it as a faculty member then someone else might as a faculty member.”

When the committee has decided that a professor has met the criteria in teaching effectiveness, they summarize the student evaluations and include them in a promotion or tenure packet. That packet – which includes information about the applicant’s professional development and the productive activity they’ve done for the school -- follows the professor throughout the process.

Peruski says that when he was a teacher, he would treat his student surveys as a priority -- but questions how seriously students treat them.

“I think students often underestimate how important they can be.”

Demetrios Scott is completing his general studies at Delta and he

A student talks with Lou Kasischke while she waits for him to sign her copy of “After the Wind.” (Delta Collegiate/ Megan Escamilla)

Survivor

Continues from Front Page...

“One by one we promised each other, looking each other in the eye, to follow the turnaround time,” says Kasischke.

For audience attendee, Jerry Janowicz, 52, Kasischke’s story redefined what he thought about life and death.

“There’s a fine line between living and dying and self determination,” says Janowicz.

On May 9, when the team had gotten to high camp

in the mid-afternoon, it was storming. Kasischke says there were high winds, snow and no visibility so they all decided it was best to ride it out and wait. However, by 10:15 p.m. plans would change and leadership made the call to begin heading out at 11 p.m.

“I said, ‘No. This is a very bad idea,’ ” Kasischke explains, “We have no evidence of the weather’s stability, everyday for the last week we’ve had late afternoon high winds. We have the resources to wait; but everyone started to get ready.”

Kasischke says in that moment he started to question himself. His wife Sandy always had a ritual they did before going climbing. Sandy would make

doesn’t feel that students spend enough time on their evaluations. “I think they are important because it gives teachers an idea about what they can do to become better and if there’s something that students don’t like, the teacher will know.”

Jordan Phillips is pursuing a medical degree and he says that when he first filled out the surveys he took them seriously “but after the first, second or third time it just starts to get monotonous.”

Ultimately Hill isn’t sure if the feedback forms accurately reflect student attitudes or how a class was taught in general. But she hopes that students will see the forms as an opportunity to have a dialogue with their professor.

“The student voice is really important and I think that form gives students a voice,” says Hill. “It matters – students should look at this very seriously as an opportunity to have a voice in their own learning experience.”

him promise to do the right thing and to make sure his actions were consistent with high standards so he could live. Yet, after contemplating this in his tent he made the decision to depart for the summit.

“We planned for an 18 hour continuous push, 12 to the top and six down,” explains Kasischke, “Everything started out pretty well. Then after seven hours, as we climbed up this steep gully - we were now coming up to the southeast ridge, the area called the balcony - we were on time.”

As Kasischke kept climbing he began to notice climbers up ahead starting to slow down.

“Climbers, many of which were out of my line of sight, had become mixed together with another team of climbers - something that was not supposed to happen.

Confusion resulted and then climbers began bunching together,” explains Kasischke.

Under normal circumstances, says Kasischke, climbers should be more spread apart to accommodate fluidity of movement so that these delays don’t occur.

“What was coming up ahead was a major terrain choke point known as the Hillary step,” Kasischke says.

They had been climbing for over 13 hours and it was getting close to noon. For the first time since daybreak he looked at his watch and realized that it was too late to make it to the summit before the turnaround time.

“The leadership had decided to keep going, disregarding that as a team and converting that now as whether to keep going as a matter of individual choice,” explains Kasischke.

The nature of the challenge was no longer what he had planned or trained for. It was no longer about the physical strength to climb but the inner strength to make a hard choice.

“The challenge wasn’t with the mountain, it was with myself,” he says, “I knew turning back was the right thing to do, but I didn’t want to.”

Alex Campbell, 19, was inspired after hearing Kasischke’s story.

What Campbell learned was “basically, to go with my gut instinct.”

Kasischke was determined to go forward, not wanting to turn his back on everything he had trained months for.

“But then after a short distance it happened. My heart started to pound out of control, I could feel it jumping, I could hear it beating. Never before had I experienced anything like this,” explains Kasischke, “A gale force was actually overpowering me. I jammed my ice axe directly in front of me with both hands like a spike into the snow. I held tight and simultaneously buckled to my knees. And then everything went quiet.

Stone silent.”

As he looked on at the climbers above Kasischke says he heard an inner voice say “not today.” The summit of Mount Everest would be a place he would never stand.

“The mother of all bad decisions that was made on Everest was the decision for those two leaders to go on the same day,” explains Kasischke, “We argued about that as team members, and the resolution to that was ‘don’t worry, don’t worry, we are all going to be climbing separately, you won’t even see them.’

First of all, they made that decision for business and competitive reasons. So they made the decision to go on the same day in order to have a shared outcome.”

11 years after the tragedy, Kasischke climbed some of the most sacred mountains in the world - Mount Sinai in Egypt would be one of them. He says he stood at the top remembering his friends who never came home, never forgetting the unbridled ambition that almost killed him, never forgetting the “voice of the heart” (which he credits to his wife Sandy) that saved his life and how Everest taught him to “live a story you can tell.”

“To not just follow what others are doing, to keep your promises, to look beyond yourself and the choices that you make. Life isn’t just about you, and to listen listen to the voice of the heart,” concludes Kasischke.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

NOVEMBER 2015 Mon

tue

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Smudging Ceremony and Food Tasting N007 and Courtyard 10:30 a.m. - Noon “Off the Rez” Film Screening S105 Noon - 2 p.m.

weD

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Ansel Adams: Masterworks Lecture by Sarah Christensen Saginaw Art Museum 6 p.m.

Academic Open House Delta Main Campus 5 - 7 p.m.

thu

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Women’s Basketball vs. Jackson College Pioneer Gym 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball vs.

Jackson College Pioneer Gym 7:30 p.m.

Learn about the Agriculture Program E112 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

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“Real Injun” Film Screening S105 10 a.m. - Noon Cardinal Marching Band Concert SVSU 7:30 p.m.

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War on Form, Harmony in Color: Ilya Bolotowski & Karel Appel Saginaw Art Museum 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

“Dark” and “Black Holes” Delta College Planetarium, Bay City 7 p.m.

Fri

19

Free and Confidential HIV Testing Counseling and Advising, D-102 1 - 3 p.m.

An Environmental History of Midland Chippewa Nature Center, Midland 7 - 8 p.m.

sat

20

Free PC Clinic K110 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

“Suite Surrender” Bay City Players 3 p.m.

“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” Temple Theatre, Saginaw 7 p.m.

“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” Temple Theatre, Saginaw 7 p.m.

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College Closes at 3 p.m.

War on Form, Harmony in Color: Ilya Bolotowski & Karel Appel Saginaw Art Museum 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fall Exploration Days Chippewa Nature Center 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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College Closed

Happy Thanksgiving from the Delta Collegiate!

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College Closed Fall Exploration Days Chippewa Nature Center 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

“Grimstone’s Glory” Midland Center for the Arts 2 and 5 p.m.

28th Annual Gift of Reading Program Book Collection Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

sun

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Hell’s Half Mile Film Series: “Almost There” Delta College Planetarium 4:30 p.m.

Fall Choralscapes Concert Lecture Theater, G160 8 - 10 p.m.

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“Suite Surrender” Bay City Players 3 p.m.

“Flashdance” The Musical The Dow Event Center 7 p.m.

“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” Temple Theatre, Saginaw 7 p.m.

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“Grimstone’s Glory” Midland Center for the Arts 2 and 5 p.m.

“Grimstone’s Glory” Midland Center for the Arts 2 and 5 p.m.

“Let it Snow” Delta College Planetarium, Bay City 2 p.m.

“Let it Snow” Delta College Planetarium, Bay City 2 p.m.

“Season of Light” Delta College Planetarium, Bay City 3:30 p.m.

“The Polar Express” and “Christmas Vacation State Theatre, Bay City 1 and 4 p.m.

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science/technology

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efficiency, implemented

Taming technology more than just troubleshooting greg horner

Virtuoso mends mentally ill through music jordan roberts For Vijay Gupta, music isn’t just about expression; it is a language that enables connection, complements the human condition and facilitates healing.

Being a violin virtuoso at 19, Gupta became the youngest member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in June 2007 and has had the opportunity to perform as a soloist for the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Bombay Symphony Orchestra.

Gupta also became the violin instructor for the cellist Nathaniel Ayers, of whom the book and film ‘‘The Soloist’’ is based upon.

“I had been sort of brought on as Nathaniel’s violin teacher,” says Gupta. “I used to give him lessons… and during the course of one of our lessons, Nathaniel had what I can describe as a manic episode.”

Explaining that Nathaniel became extremely paranoid, Gupta says, “He started talking about smoke monsters and people trying to poison him in his sleep. I was terrified.”

Gupta realized that an immediate language barrier was put between them, “I had nothing to teach him; I had no words in common with him. All I had in common with him was that I was also holding a violin.”

Fearing that if he looked Nathaniel in the eyes he may provoke him, Gupta then began to play a melody by Beethoven with intense concentration.

“After about ten minutes of playing, when I dared to look up again, Nathaniel had transformed. The look in his eyes was gone; he was looking at me with curiosity and compassion.”

Nathaniel began making requests and encouraged Gupta keep playing. “I learned that this beautiful man had this encyclopedic savant-like capacity for remembering Hayden’s catalogue numbers and Mozart’s Köchel numbers.”

Once Nathaniel began to play, Gupta realized that there wasn’t anything he could teach him about music. The fact that a person so lost can be so transfixed by music, and to understand immediately how it relates to the human condition, changed the way he thought about music.

“Nathaniel taught me that music is a form of communication that went far deeper than words, that connected one heart to another heart. So, inspired by Nathaniel, I

DCJordanR

wanted to bring music to more people like him, I wanted to bring music to Skid Row.” Gupta began to play for the homeless, the incarcerated and the mentally ill. To his dismay, his initial reception was less than fruitful.

“I reached out to the heads of departments of mental health, the heads of hospices, of clinics, and hospitals all over Los Angeles and told them I want to bring L.A. [Philharmonic] musicians to come and play for your patients for free. Not many phone calls were returned.”

Frustrated, but not discouraged, Gupta went to Skid Row and played for a group of social workers. As he started playing they began to take money from their pockets to make a collection.

“They used that money to buy sandwiches and cookies and cokes so that their homeless, mentally-ill clients could attend our concerts in the basement conference room of the Skid Row mental health clinic.”

What began as a way for Gupta to connect with the homeless and mentallyill, turned into a type of musical activism named “Street Symphony.” It has seen five years of service and has put on more than 180 free concerts for those individuals that need support, connection and healing that the power of music is able to give.

“In the beginning there was never any idea of creating some big, broad non-profit; there was never any idea of creating an organization or a movement. This was just this kind of guerrilla project.”

With all of Gupta’s travels as a worldrenowned violin virtuoso, with all of his erudition from studying at Yale and Harvard, “Street Symphony” gleams as his crowning achievement. Because of his gift of service and his compassion for humanity, he began to understand that connection through music, coupled with pure empathy derived from intimate human contact, can be a powerful healing experience.

“We realized we weren’t playing for psychopaths, we weren’t playing for felons and murderers and thieves; we were playing for people. I started understanding the need I felt to be a healing presence in this world started with being a healing presence to myself, and it was these audiences that showed me that music was a way of healing my own wounds, of healing my own life.”

“RefME” App makes works cited easy lindsey schibelhut

F

OPINION

or many students, the job of putting together a works cited page for research papers has always been a task. No matter whether you are in high school or college, I’m sure you’ve always wished for a better way of getting that important source information together. While facing this same problem I stumbled upon an app in the Apple app store called “RefME.” When you first open “RefME” choose how you want to login using either Facebook, Google or an email address. Once logged in

you’ll come to a page that says “Add Project.” This feature is pretty cool because if there are multiple homework projects you need references for, you can name them and keep track of the sources you need for each individual paper. When your project has been named you will come to a page that says “Add Reference.” From here you can choose to search for the book/journal article of your choice manually, search for the website you want to use, enter your reference manually or scan the barcode of the book/magazine you are using and it will automatically add the reference to your project.

On this app there are over 7,000

DCGregHorner

computer trouble arises on campus.

“A lot of people think it’s all just telling people to turn their computer off and back on again,” says Willard. “People think we’re more cynical than we really are -- In the same way that a mechanic shouldn’t expect me how to put an engine in -- I don’t expect him to do all the things that I can with a computer.”

Miranda Pawlak is a familiar face for faculty and students who’ve used OIT’s services. As the help desk specialist, she often spends her time on the phone troubleshooting with faculty.

“We don’t really have the option to not fix something just because we don’t know how,” said Pawlak. “If I can’t fix it or if I can’t give people the services they need I’ll point them in the right direction -- sometimes it’s in a different OIT student worker, Avery Willard, points at Joshue Fosdick’s computer screen as Fosdick department, but if it involves OIT I’ll write up a works on homework. The OIT department work to provide computer support and services ticket and send a technician.” to the Delta community of students, faculty and staff. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

technology company that provides software and services for higher education, since 1996. The Most students probably don’t think about Delta’s Office of department has 17 staff members, all of whom Information Technology too often and some students have never work for Ellucian and not the college. They also employ roughly even heard of it. But OIT affects both faculty and students every 15 student employees who work directly for the college. day; from managing Delta’s email support to organizing and According to Stahl, Ellucian and OIT have to work smarter, maintaining the Wi-Fi, in many ways OIT runs the school. not harder, to provide a growing catalogue of services for the For faculty: OIT provides computer support, maintains the college. “Back in 2005 we had about 50 servers and now we’re campus’ printers, and work with professors to get technology at 200 plus servers and we haven’t increased staff at all.” working in the classroom.

The programs used by Delta are designed by Ellucian and “From a planning perspective we work closely with implemented on campus by OIT; Stahl says OIT works with [teachers],” says Jason Stahl, Delta’s Chief Information Officer. the school to tailor the software to match Delta’s needs.

“They may say they need X, Y and Z but then we’ll say ‘Okay, “There’s the base package that comes into play that’s very did you think of A, B and C as well? Because you might need versatile and can be used in different ways,” says Stahl. “We that.’” work very closely with the college to figure out what’s the best For students: OIT provides the MyDelta system which way to implement this software.” includes registering for classes and processing financial aid, However OIT does have some program designers on email, and computer lab support. If you’re having trouble with campus who create apps specifically for Delta. Stahl says your laptop, OIT might be able to help you out, but Stahl says his programmers have worked on over 100 apps and provide they hesitate to touch a student’s computer. resources like Delta’s online orientation, the employee’s time “We try to be very careful with that just because we don’t clock sheets and an inventory program for the college’s food know what they have on the system and we don’t want to mess pantry. things up even more,” says Stahl. “If it’s something that we’ve The OIT help desk is located at B119 and can be contacted by seen before and we can point them in the right direction we phone at 989-686-9575. There’s also the Information Information will, but if it needs new drivers installed or a new operating Technology & Security club located on campus -- If OIT isn’t system we don’t get into that.” able to help a student with their problem they’ll often point them Avery Willard has been working as a student technician in the club’s direction. For information about the ITS club call since August and is pursuing a degree in computer science. 989-686-9069.

He and his fellow technicians are the first line of defense when

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different literary styles you can choose from, whether your preference is APA, MLA or others. Another neat feature in this app is when you click one of your references that has been saved: a dialogue box pops up and allows you to type in quotes you want to save from that publication or write an annotation. Not only are you organizing your sources, but you can also keep track of important quotes you may want to use. And by swiping left on either your project or reference you have the ability to delete, rename, etc.

According to the “RefME” app, users have the ability to log onto refme.com to see all of their references. They also have the ability to copy the references directly into their Word, Google Docs, along with other services using a computer to access their account.

Another comparative app to “RefME” I tried was called “EasyBib.” The “EasyBib” interface is

a little more simple to deal with than “RefME.” But after working with both the “RefME” app and “EasyBib,” “RefME” has more features I found to be useful and organizational such as creating projects, keeping a list of the references you are using for that project and being able to save quotes to each source.

I just wish “RefME’s” menus were more concise, so you didn’t feel like you were going from page to page to page; however, once you get a handle on how to navigate through “RefME” it’s not that big of a deal.

While “EasyBib” may have more of a concise menu system, “RefME” has “EasyBib” beat on usefulness and organization.

“RefME” is a free app that can be found in both Apple and Android OS app stores. If you ever find yourself having trouble with the task of referencing - fear not there’s an app for that.

10/23/2015 11:41:50 AM

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#collegiatelife

pioneer INFORMERS CORNER With Greg Horner PROFILE There’s no place like hell

Collector displays his

By Katie Bell pop culture pride

for the holidays

A

few days ago I was driving around in my rusted-out Chevy Malibu blasting “Little Drummer Boy” with tears streaming down my face… not tears of joy but resignation -- it’s once again that time. Time for us to come together with our families, share in the grace of our Lorde and delude ourselves into thinking that we actually like these depressing, horrible months. I hope you like listening to that Mariah Carey song because that’s your soundtrack until the New Year.

The holidays are a time where we pretend to be happy because it’s too costly and too environmentally destructive to move the entire population of the northern United States to Florida for five months. It’s a pageant thrown by overgrown sixth-graders all suffering from clinical depression and general anxiety disorders.

Even though it’s going to be zero degrees out soon and the sun is already setting around 4 p.m., we have to keep getting out of bed to make it through our dysfunctional routines. Only now we have to do it with every storefront and T.V. station screaming at us to be jolly and happy and merry and dumb.

I was going to title this article “How to Survive the Holidays,” but as you can probably already see... I’m hardly the kind of person to be sharing that kind of advice. I have no idea how anyone survives the holidays; I’m the kind of person who blows through Thanksgiving and Christmas only to realize that it’s January and I’m even more miserable.

Maybe you like spending time with your family? That’s good – you’re a great liar – and you’re going to make a great advertiser one day. When I’m not busy suffering awkward silences with my crazy aunts and uncles I’m usually lying through my teeth.

“Sure, school’s great!”

“Yeah, I have lots of job prospects lined up.”

“Oh I have a girlfriend; she’s visiting her family in Greece.”

We gather around the table to consume massive amounts of food all in the name of giving “thanks.” But really we just want to binge eat after seeing cousin Donny soil himself while grandma pops another pill to chill out for the night.

I can handle the lying, I can handle seeing how pathetic my family has become in a year, but I can’t handle the unfortunate political arguments. I always bring an emergency fifth of Seagram’s to every family occasion – just in case Dad wants to talk about how excited he is for President Trump.

Then you have to start thinking about gifts! Remember how excited you used to be for presents on Christmas day? Well you’re an adult now, and when you’re an adult that means spending money you don’t have on things you won’t get on people you don’t like who probably don’t want it in the first place.

The whole thing is an exercise in excess. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in stores buying food, presents and best of all decorations. Oh! I’m sorry, you aren’t looking forward to braving subzero conditions so you can spell “Noel” in multicolored lights while an ugly Rudolph slowly deflates in the cold? Well tough. Our neighbors are doing it, and that’s the Christmas spirit!

The only advice I have for Thanksgiving and Christmas is to survive.

Hopefully you’re 21 and have a healthy relationship with alcohol – if not: I’m terribly, terribly sorry.

Remember to keep your friends close (and maybe try doing what I’m incapable of) and be a little less cynical about things. At the end of the day if the stress is too much, go find a little relative and tell them stories about Santa Claus.

It’s amazing how much better lying to a child will make you feel about yourself.

At age seven Adam, Chartier gathered up his birthday money and purchased his first “Transformers” toy. It was a helicopter named Cyclonus and despite it now being broken, it is one of Chartier’s most valued possessions. Cyclonus was more than just the first thing Chartier bought himself, it was also the beginning of his love for all things pop culture and the first item in his ever growing collection.

Chartier owns roughly 100-130 Transformers”action figures, 40 of which are the character Optimus Prime. This collection is valued at around $1,700 dollars and growing, says Chartier.

The crown jewel of his collection is an “Optimus Prime,” he purchased on Ebay for $50. This particular figure was released as part of a masterpiece line of Transformers figures that are as accurate to the original show as possible.

“It’s valued around $300, if not more now,” Chartier says, “The man had no idea what he had.”

Besides collecting Transformers action figures, Chartier also has a collection of “Game of Thrones” Pop Funko brand figures, “Star Wars” Boba Fett memorabilia and “Magic the Gathering” playing cards.

Chartier himself is unsure of the exact reason he started building his collection.

Aside from his general love for the things

he collects, he thinks it’s connected to a nerd popular culture. In this culture, the bigger and cooler your collection is, the more impressive you appear to your peers.

For him, it’s exciting to share something he love with others.

When trying to classify him as either a geek or a nerd, Chartier says he is, “more of a hybrid.”

Chartier belives geek is someone who is super into a certain type of pop culture versus a nerd who is very interested in computers and has great book smarts.

“I kind of blend the two because I have such a love of pop culture and things,” Chartier says, “But I also love my computer and I’m a chemical technology major, so books smarts is a very big part of my life as well.”

Chartier doesn’t just display his love for pop culture in glass cabinets at home; he expresses it with his clothing choices too.

His style is very casual – jeans, t-shirt, hat, but it’s not like these items are chosen lightly.

Chartier’s entire ensemble is thought through and coincides with his passions.

You’ll find him wearing a Star Wars hat, paired with a matching Boba Fett shirt,and a Mandalorian necklace.

When it comes to Chartier’s style, he believes people respond positively.

Almost on a daily basis at Delta, he receives compliments “Oh that’s a cool shirt, bro” or “That’s an awesome hat.”

Photo courtresy His clothing Adam Chartier does give him a sense of pride.

When leaving his house, he takes the time to make sure every piece of his outfit is put together to his approval.

“I’m very proud of my look and I like to broadcast that. This is what I’m into and I don’t necessarily care what you think or what your opinion is because I love this and I’m going to show the world.”

View the extended gallery online at deltacollegiate.com

Law of the land Same-sex marriage now legal throughout the country, campus feeling the effects marisa loranger Gay rights have changed a lot throughout the years and in 2015 the Supreme Court has decided that marriage is a human right. This has brought forth new rights for same-sex couples.

Douglas Webster, a clinicial professional at Delta College’s dental hygiene program, has taken advantage of the court’s ruling. Webster and his husband were the first same-sex couple in Midland county to apply for a marriage license. The couple has been together for 20 years and finally tied the knot July 12.

“We now are privileged to, like, 1,200 rights that married couples have,” explains Webster.

Webster and his husband worried that if something happened to one of them they wouldn’t be able to make decisions for each other or wouldn’t be allowed visitation rights in hospitals.

Even when civil unions became an option, insurance companies told same-sex couples that it wasn’t a real marriage; therefore, they wouldn’t cover them.

“So now if we're Douglas Webster, a clinial traveling and my husband ends up in professional at Delta’s dental hygiene progra m. (Delta the hospital, I am not Collegiate/Garret Morgan) denied the right to see him or to make health decisions,” explained Webster.

Not everyone is happy about the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Delta College student Nicole Carissa explains, “I don’t agree with it because I'm religious; I’m Christian so it goes against my beliefs.”

Opposition from religious groups has not stopped Webster and his husband from regularly attending church. The church they belong to is accepting, so the couple decided that they would get married there after a Sunday morning service.

“The most exciting thing about it was when our minister finished the vows. He said, ‘and the congregation responds’ and 170 people were on their

DCMLoranger feet applauding and so he had to make them quit to end the service,” says Webster.

Adam Chartier sits in his living where his Transformers collection is proudly displayed. Chartier owns roughly 10 0 Whenever the Supreme 130 Tra nsformers action f igures, 4 0 of which are the ch aracter “Optimus Prime.” (Delta Collegiate/Katie Bell) Court makes a decision, it changes the country we live know, they have said all kinds of lies. And I think do far more than they actually can. The only way that a in. The day the Supreme Court made gay marriage as more people come out, people think ‘wait... that’s president could overturn that would be by getting lucky legal, Webster’s world changed. He will never forget my nephew, that’s my son, that’s the kid next door,’” enough to have enough retirements on the [Supreme] where he was when he heard the news. explains Webster. court. That they could replace those justices with more “It was Friday morning; we turned on the news and The Supreme Court’s decision to classify same- originalist, conservative associate judges on the court they made the announcement. We poured another cup sex marriage as a human right has brought forth much who would shift the balance and then be willing to of coffee and talked about it and decided we better get discussion. One of the many questions has been about overturn the decision,” explains Peterson. a license before the republicans found a way to screw the Supreme Court’s authority to make a national More and more Americans seem to approve of it up,” says Webster. decision that affects all states. equal rights for LGBT members.

In spite of recent celebration for LGBT Americans, Ryan Peterson, a political science professor “I feel like it was a good decision because everyone there are still certain rights they are denied. In some explains, “It’s not so much that they have the right to deserves the same opportunity that straight people do,” states, same-sex couples can’t adopt children, they can rule on marriage per se. It’s that somebody somewhere explains Benjamin Warren, a Delta College student. be fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity out there believes that a law pertaining to marriage and they can be denied housing. Webster hopes the violates a constitutional right and what the Supreme next LGBT fight is for housing and job protection.

Court has is the authority to exercise judicial review.”

“You know it’s like the segregation thing; it’s Some 2016 presidential candidates have promised just going to take a while for people to get there. the overturn of the recent Supreme Court decision.

There’s been hate groups that have demonized it, you “...the average American thinks the president can

1952 American Psychiatric Association considers homosexuality a “sociopathic tendancy.”

President Eisenhower signs executive order banning gays from government work.

1953

1974

Kathy Kozachenko, of Ann Arbor, is the first openly gay person elected to office in the U.S.

2015 U.S. Supreme Court decides marriage is a “human right.”

Democrats become the first political party to endorse gay rights.

1980

monday, november 16, 2015

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www.deltacollegiate.com

arts/entertainment

1

5

6

By Peter Skrzypczak

The top ten superhero films that stand triumphant Batman (1989) Dir. Tim Burton Rated PG-13, 2h 6m

Iron Man (2008) Dir. Jon Favreau, Rated PG-13, 2h 6m

This is the first major motion picture for the caped crusader. While the casting of Michael Keaton seemed strange to many, the film was a commercial and financial success.

This is the movie that started it all and helped launch Marvel to where they are now. The casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is perfect and the movie is just fun all throughout.

“Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

“I am Iron Man.”

27

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Dir. Joe and Anthony Russo, Rated PG-13, 2h 16m

The Dark Knight (2008) Dir. Chris Nolan, Rated PG-13, 2h 32m

“The Winter Soldier” is the movie that showed that Marvel could be serious as well as fun. This in junction with “Guardians of the Galaxy” shows they have no intention of slowing down.

Yes, another Batman movie. But what sets this apart, not just from other Batman movies but superhero movies in general, is the dark, gritty and more realistic tone. If you haven’t seen Heath Ledger’s Joker, he is a sight to behold.

3

“Why so serious?”

Superman (1978) Dir. Richard Donner, Rated PG, 2h 31m

Now it’s time for the man himself. While not Superman’s debut on the big screen, this is the movie that really helped to bring superheroes to the mainstream.

The Avengers (2012) Dir. Joss Whedon, Rated PG-13, 2h 33m

This is one of those movies people thought couldn’t happen given the amount of stars and the characters involved, but it blew my expectations out of the water.

It is a star-studded super group film not seen since the era of the Universal monsters.

“The Avengers. That’s what we call ourselves; we’re sort of like a team. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes type of thing.”

49

“We all have our little faults. Mine’s in California.”

Brian Singer triumphantly returns as director of the X-men franchise. It wonderfully connects the original trilogy with the First Class reboot prequel.

The second installment of the Raimi Spider-Man movies improves on every aspect of the original without feeling like a rehash.

5

“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.”

Hellboy (2004) Dir. Guillermo del Toro, Rated PG-13, 2h 12m

This is del Toro’s second take on a comic book movie, the first being “Blade 2.” Both “Hellboy” and its sequel are both more his style. I can’t recommend this particular movie enough. It has character and style in a way that only del Toro can give.

“You are a kite dancing in a hurricane, Mr. Bond.”

T

his is most certainly the third best “Bond” film of the four starring Daniel Craig . “Skyfall” takes the number one spot with his debut in “Casino Royale” following.

Considering that this is also the second worst of Craig’s Bond films, it comes off as a bit... uninspired.

If anything, this movie is a testament to why Bond NEEDS to be shaken up from time to time.

Yes, there is a clear cut formula for Bond: There’s ALWAYS the Bond girl, sometimes a henchman and it is almost guaranteed the spies in Spectre will be around.

But to say goodbye to Craig in a formulaic film like “Spectre”? No. “Skyfall” brilliantly shows us a Bond out of his element: questioning his age and his ability to finish the job.

10

Dredd (2012) Dir. Pete Travis, Rated R, 1h 35m

Like “Hellboy” this was not a huge success, but it’s one of my favorites. It’s a fantastic action movie with unique visuals and excellent characters. This one will wash out the bad taste Sylvester Stallone’s “Dredd” may give you.

“Ma-ma is not the law… I am the law.”

“Unique. That is a word you will hear frequently around here.”

FILM FLACK

Illustration by De’Asia Brown

“FIDLAR”: Moving forward with “TOO”

X-men: Days of Future Past (2014) Dir. Brian Singer, Rated PG-13, 2h 38m

Spider-man 2 (2004) Dir. Sam Raimi, Rated PG-13, 2h 15m

“I will not die a monster.”

8

“Before we get started, does anyone want to get out?”

WITH SKRZYPCZAK

Not nor

“Spectre” takes place after his trials, and I’m not sure what it will do to the series in a broader sense. We will have to wait for the next Bond to see that.

The theme of security state is handled fairly well, especially in regards to the Bond mythos. In a world of constant surveillance what is the point of having people to do the dirty work? The questions the movie asks are one of the few things that help this movie to stand on its own.

The production is a little boring.

The shots don’t add anything. The music (aside from the iconic theme) isn’t anything special. There is, however, a persistent visual stylization in the beginning leading up to the reveal of Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz). But after the reveal the techniques are lost. For the first third of the movie that is what really drew me in.

shaken stirred

Alex kostka

I

OPINION

f you have listened to Los Angeles based surf punk band FIDLAR, then you’ve probably heard lyrics like “all I want for breakfast is my good cocaine,” off their debut self-titled album (along with the numerous demos).

Their second full-length album titled “TOO” delivers 12 new tracks that will grab your attention with the opening power chords.

They’re not singing about drugs, partying and cheap beer anymore. A long-time listener, like myself, could say they have matured and have taken a more sober approach to the writing process. Their frontman Zac Carper has struggled with drugs and alcohol -- which is noticeable on their previous recordings. But he’s made a turn for the better and you can hear those thoughts and feelings on “TOO.” The album's first single, titled “40oz On Repeat,” shows a more indie punk feel providing honest lyrics like,“Everybody’s got somebody, everybody but me. Why can’t anybody just tell me that I’m somebody’s.”

Other songs like “Punks” start off with deafening guitars and screaming vocals, showcasing the traditional FIDLAR sound. These two songs set the album's tone and show you what these guys are all about this time around.

FIDLAR has been a trip since 2011. I’ve seen them perform live a handful of times, and watched them continuously grow as songwriters.

I would suggest this record to a new listener who may need a little introduction (and a current listener so they can listen to it a thousand+ times).

I’m not sure how the general movie-goer will feel about Waltz’s casting choice. It seemed to be more for people who know of his talents, and specifically wanted to see him in a Bond film.

Spoiler Alert: Christoph Waltz is in fact Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Though not fully utilized as a man of his talent should have been, he was my favorite part of the film. The climax comes with the reveal that all the past occurrences were engineered by the menacing Blofeld... only to cut into a montage that falls flat: “Hey remember ‘Casino Royale’? Oh look!

A picture of Le Chiffre. ‘Skyfall’!...

Also a picture of Raoul Silva.” It feels more kitschy than anything.

All in all, Craig stars in his most Bondish film yet, but should have slept on “Spectre.”

Noise in the Newsroom Returned from the Scandinavian fingers, composer and professor, Frank Nawrot discusses transcribing a minimalist composers lost work.

He presented his research in Finland at the International Conference on Minimalist music

Listen to “Master” Nawrot’s other adventures in our podcast: ‘Noise in the Newsroom’ online at Soundcloud.com/DeltaCollegiate and www.DeltaCollegiate.com

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health/sports

How my family adopted a LiveStrong attitude when faced with cancer sammi schenkel

C

OPINION

ancer means something different to me than it did 10 months ago. Everyone hates the word, but what does it really mean? When it affects your personal life in such a close manner, it can change your perspective in a monumental way. On Feb. 13, my family’s life was forever altered as my brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

My older brother (and only sibling), Zack Schenkel, 26, went into the ER for stomach pain and in less than 24 hours was diagnosed with testicular cancer with a mass in his stomach the size of a youth football. The next day he was in for surgery to remove the diseased teste. He then went through four rounds of very strong chemotherapy, which shrunk the tumor by a substantial amount. When I first walked onto the cancer floor at Covenant, I was freaked out seeing so many people struggling.

The emotional process for me and my family changed us all. My brother said the only terrifying part of the process was telling us. I woke up to a note from my mother saying she was at the hospital for Zack. When she came back with news of cancer she began to cry and I was in shock.

Now, when walking into the Cancer Center, it’s no longer a scary place for me. My brother never really had the sickness we expected, but he had to change his eating habits, and he lost weight and hair.

He seemed to quickly bounce back after treatment was done. He also was able to disc golf with friends in his later rounds of chemo.

After that treatment and several tests, Zack then met with referring specialists at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor to remove the remaining tumor that we hoped was all dead cancer cells. The tumor wrapped around many main vessels near the kidney and abdomen. They had three surgeons conducting the surgery: a chief urologist/oncologist and his partner, and a vascular surgeon alongside many nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgical technicians; the operating room was standing room only.

Ten and a half hours later, the surgery was

finished. My mother’s best friend since childhood, my second mom Sherri was there before surgery and until Zack was out of the operating room. I clutched onto her while waiting as my parents went in to talk to the leading surgeon.

Both parents came out with smiles on their faces and happy tears, hearing from the doctor that it went “better than expected” and the surgery was a success.

His second major surgery Z a c k S c h e n k el t a k es a n was scheduled on the day before his 26th birthday; the hope was that he would be be cancer free on his birthday. I posted about his surgery asking for thoughts, prayers, good vibes, etc. My brother enjoyed the post and asked for pictures of bonfires for him to wake up to the next day to spread the feeling of being “cancer-free and full of fire.” We received at least 30 pictures of fires including lighters, shots of Fireball and bonfires from relatives, friends and strangers sending support and love. Through this we have remained positive, there is no reason to spread negativity.

During this time, I always had stress on my mental back burner until I heard that he was “cancer-free.” My brother really lead the way in maintaining a positive attitude through this setback. It wasn’t until we officially received the news on Oct. 1 that he was “in the clear,” that the

u n c o nve n t i o n a l

a p p ro a c h

to

s h a vi ng

months of stress and worrying was off our minds.

When I read my mother’s official post, I remember bursting out in tears, weeping in joy. We had a wide network supporting us, including family, friends from all over the country and the amazing hospital staff at both Covenant and Ann Arbor. He is now working a job with benefits and is to the point of routine screenings to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back. We came into this news with a positive outlook, seeing it as a rough 8 months, but we pushed through it.

Here is a piece of advice if you know of anyone that is dealing with cancer, please don’t pity them or be negative. It does get frustrating and annoying hearing “I’m sorry about so and so’s sickness” all the time, but we do respect the sentiment because sometimes there is nothing more to say. It may depend on the person and family, but they don’t need negativity or sad thoughts; be there for them

PIONEERS of the week Manny Dosanjh was born in Brampton, Ontario.

Dosanjh is one of many freshman on this year's men's basketball team as they return with only one starter.

Because of his impressive performance on the court Dosanjh has received the Varsity Coaches Award, Southwest MVP and holds the record for most assist in his high school's history. He has also succeeded in the classroom earning the Academic Award of Excellence.

Though he’s performed expectionally in Canda, Dosanjh says the game of basketball is a little different here.

“The American level has always been a step ahead of us and that’s why I wanted to come over here because I wanted to play with the best competition I could get,” says Dosanjh. “So, when I got the opportunity to play basketball at Delta College, it was the best fit for me to take my game to the next level.”

Dosanjh is the captain of the basketball team this year and also the chair for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

“My role this year is to come in and be a leader on and off the floor. We have a young team so my job is to lead these guys and make sure we’re prepared to take on some of the better competition in our conference,” he explains.

Dosanjh has wanted to play college basketball since he was a freshman in high school and saw Delta as a great opportunity to do so.

“Coming out of high school I wanted to go somewhere I best fit in and could be a leader while contributing to the team right away,” said Dosanjh. “The combination of great athletics and school, but also being close to home.

It was the best decision to attend Delta and I feel like I

af ter

fit right in.”

His hope is to continue p l a y i n g basketball after Delta.

I’m headed I’m kind of undecided.

Just lots of hard work, dedication and commitment,” says Dosanjh.

“Ta k ing it day by day and focusing on one play at a time and Manny Dosanjh, Delta College men’s basketball seeing where player. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris) it will take me from there.”

Dosanjh is studying business management, but is undecided on what he would like to do after obtaining his bachelor's degree.

Though the team is very young this year, Dosanjh has high hopes.

“We’re actually looking pretty solid. We’ve come together really well as a team, but we have a long way to go and a lot of things to work on,” says Dosanjh. “I’m looking forward to a great season, with lots of hard work and commitment we’ll have a good run this year.”

-By Justin Jurek

Jayde Abenth is a graduate of Heritage High School, where she was a four year varsity basketball player and a two time all-state honorable mention. She’s also one of two returning sophomores on this year’s basketball team. Last season she led the team in blocks, was second in field goal percentage and third in points per game.

According to Abenth, she’s ready to step up and be a real leader in her sophomore season.

“Last year I kinda just did what the sophomores told me to do,” explains Abenth, “Now that I’m one of the leaders I’ve really tried to be a good influence on these girls by helping them with whatever they need on or off the court.”

Abenth is also very excited to see the results of the practices leading up to the season.

“I think the team dynamic is better this year. We’ve done a really good job of coming together as a team and really practicing hard and helping one another improve.”

Better team chemistry is just one of the goals the team has set up for themselves. Abenth explains that what happens in the classroom is just as important as the results on the court.

“We want to have one of the highest GPAs in athletics here,” says Abenth, “and right now we’re not quite there, but we’re working on it and our progress reports are getting better and better every week.”

On the court the team has similar lofty goals that Abenth believes her team is on the cusp of achieving success.

“We want to be undefeated obviously and win regionals,” says Abenth.

“All the work we’re putting in is to achieve that goal.”

More than anything, Abenth is ready to get started.

“I’m so happy we’re finally starting to play games and see things come together,” she says with a smile. “Now we can see everything come together; Jayde Abenth, Delta College women’s basketball it’s a lot better.” player. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris) -By Ethan Moore

BUST H EA

LTH

c h e m o t h e ra p y.

Ph o t o /S a m m i

S c h e n k el)

when, and if, they need or ask for it. In my family’s case: we will be eternally grateful. How that can be done is simply by being there and not disappearing after hearing the news. You can do this by going to the hospital, helping out financially or listening to them or their family as some days are harder than others. From my experience, any day of chemo started for him I was never myself that day. I would worry that he may have awful side-effects from that particular round; I’d be mentally distracted until I heard it went well.

Cancer does not have to be as terrifying as it may seem. With a positive attitude, coming together with a loving network of friends can make the process a better one. I know throughout these past 8 months we all wouldn’t been able to stay sane without these people in our lives—including strangers who reached out.

Thanksgiving: A time to give thanks, a time to eat… a lot.

By Jordan Roberts

ED

MY T

(Co u r t es y

HS

T he Un it e d St at es is hom e t o a va r iet y of d iet a r y fa d s t o help r eg u lat e ca lor ic i nt a ke. W hen it c om es t o hol id ay d i n ner s, however, c ont r ol l i ng one’s c ompu lsion s w it h fo o d go es r ig ht out t he w i ndow.

T ha n k sg iv i ng is k now n for hav i ng one of t he most c elebr at e d (a nd la rgest) me a ls of t he ye a r t hat a l lows one t o sp end t i m e w it h fa m i ly, a s wel l a s e at l i ke t her e’s no t omor r ow.

T h is d el icious a nd c er t a i n ly plent i f u l m e a l ha s b e en subje ct t o d iet a r y c onc er n due t o t he la rge p or t ion s si z es p e ople c on su me, i n a d d it ion t o m a k i ng t he r ig ht choic e when it c omes t o me at, how you c o ok you r st u f f i ng a nd i f t u rkey r e a l ly do es m a ke one sle epy.

“It is nor m a l t o o c ca siona l ly over e at at a hol id ay d i n ner ”, says D r.

K a r a Ji m enez, a n a sso ciat e p r ofessor a nd l i felong wel l ness d is c ipl i ne c o ord i nat or at D elt a. “ W h i le one d ay of bi nge e at i ng w i l l not m a ke you fat, you w i l l not ic e some ext r a weig ht ga i n t he fol low i ng d ay.”

Ac c ord i ng t o C a lor ie c ont r ol. org, “ t he aver age A mer ica n m ay c on su me mor e t ha n 4, 50 0 ca lor ies a nd a whoppi ng 229 g r a m s of fat du r i ng a t y pica l hol id ay gat her i ng f r om sna ck i ng a nd e at i ng a t r a d it iona l T ha n k sg iv i ng d i n ner w it h t u rkey a nd a l l t he t r i m m i ngs.”

W h i le a l most doubl i ng a p er son’s r e c om mend e d d a i ly a l lowa nc e ( R DA) for ca lor ies a nd a l most qu a d r upl i ng t he R DA for fat, it’s no wond er t her e is c onc er n for t he T ha n k sg iv i ng me a l.

W h i le bi nge e at i ng is ok ay i n c e r t a i n o c ca sion s, Ji m enez st r ess es t hat it shou ld not b e c ome a habit b e caus e it “ is a c ompu lsion a nd w i l l most l i kely r ep e at it s el f, f i r st on o c ca sion a nd t hen aga i n mor e r eg u la rly u nt i l it b e c omes a habit.

T h is is what w i l l le a d t o t he weig ht ga i n.”

A not her c onc er n w it h t he

T ha n k sg iv i ng d i n ner is t he wh it e me at vs. d a rk m e at d ebat e a nd whet he r one is mor e nut r it ious t ha n t he ot her.

W h i le t h is is a m i ld d iet a r y c onc er n c ompa r e d t o over e at i ng, t her e is st i l l a skewe d r ep r es ent at ion of d a rk me at b ei ng less nut r it ious t ha n wh it e m e at.

Ac c ord i ng t o Ji m enez, “Bot t om l i ne is t hat wh it e me at c ont a i n s less fat a nd fewer ca lor ies t ha n d a rk m e at, but t he d i f fer enc es a r e sm a l l!”

I nd e e d, Ac c ord i ng t o t he D epa r t ment of Ag r icu lt u r e a t u rkey br e a st c ont a i n s “ab out 4 6 ca lor ies a nd 1 g r a m of fat, c ompa r e d w it h r oug h ly 50 ca lor ies a nd 2 g r a m s of fat for a n ou nc e of b oneless, sk i n less t h ig h”.

I n a d d it ion t o t he wh it e me at vs. d a rk me at my t h, t u rkey is a lso m isr ep r es ent e d a s hav i ng enoug h L -Tr y pt opha n t o m a ke one sle epy.

W h i le t u rkey is r ich i n t h is ess ent ia l a m i no a cid, it is not t he on ly fo o d sou r c e t hat ha s r ich a mou nt s of t r y pt opha n.

Ji menez expla i n s t hat me at, che es e, yog u r t, f ish a nd eggs a l l c ont a i n a n abu nd a nc e of t r y pt opha n, a nd she st at es t hat t he gener a l k nowle dge t hat t r y pt opha n i n t u rkey w i l l m a ke you sle epy is exagger at e d. She says, “ T he key is t hat t u rkey c ont a i n s no mor e of t he a m i no a cid t r y pt opha n t ha n ot her k i nd s of p ou lt r y. I n fa ct it even ha s less t r y pt opha n t ha n ch icken.”

For m a ny t he t u rkey me at is d el icious on it s ow n, but is not qu it e c omplet e w it hout t he us e of st u f f i ng.

St u f f i ng ha s nor m a l ly b e en p r epa r e d by c o ok i ng it i n sid e t he t u rkey, but t her e a r e quest ion s a s t o whet her t h is is sa n it a r y a nd sa fe t o e at.

W h i le t he C ent er for D is e a s e Cont r ol r e c og n i z es c o ok i ng t he st u f f i ng i n sid e t he t u rkey a s gener a l ly sa fe, it st at es t hat t he most id e a l met ho d is t o “c o ok t he st u f f i ng out sid e i n a ca ss er ole d ish. But i f c o ok i ng i n sid e, pla c e st u f f i ng i n sid e t u rkey just b efor e c o ok i ng a nd us e a fo o d t her momet er. Ma ke su r e t he c ent er of t he st u f f i ng r e a ch i ng a sa fe m i n i mu m i nt er na l t emp er at u r e of 165 d eg r e es Fa h r en heit. Ba ct er ia ca n su r v ive i n st u f f i ng t hat ha s not r e a che d 165 d eg r e es.”

Monday, november 16, 2015

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opinion

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VIEW

Support small businesses this season

I

t’s undeniable: one of the hallmarks of the holiday season is gift giving.

As much as well all like to practice being thankful and spending time together, it’s probably true that you enjoy giving tokens of your affection to loved ones just as much as the other traditions. As you begin your usual holiday shopping don’t head to the mall; instead, make a stop downtown, to main street or wherever mom and pop shops reside in your town. Here are four reasons why you should buy gifts locally.

1 2

Plain and simple: shopping at a small business fuels the local economy. Nationally, small businesses are the largest employer and they provide jobs to people in your community! Small businesses also tend to support and collaborate with other small businesses; it’s a beautiful circle of life.

Local businesses are going to hire people who are passionate about their store. You’ll get better service and a chance to know the small business owners in your community.

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More often than not, gifts from your local shop are going to be more unique than the mass-produced items you’d find at a typical big-box store. And why wouldn’t you want to encourage and support unique stores in your town? One-of-a-kind businesses also generate more tourism for your city; what tourist wants to visit the United States of Generica?

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It’s better for the environment.

Small businesses often use local resources and have less of an impact because they don’t ship overseas or mass produce products.

Show your loved ones you care about them AND the community!

-By Kaitlyn “Harper” Skrzypczak

Distracted driving A cautionary tale of disaster Lindsey Schibelhut

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OPINION

open carry on college campuses

cellphone-related accident occurs every 24 seconds, according to the National Safety Council. Over the past few decades, distracted driving has not only increased, but has also changed. We used to be worried about people eating behind the wheel of a car, putting on makeup or falling asleep; but, now with the advent of modern technology, distracted driving fears have switched to cellphones. According to www. nsc.org “An Estimated 1 in 4 Car Crashes Involves Cell Phone Use.” Little did I know I would end up being another statistic in the battle against distracted driving.

The morning of Nov. 2, should have started out like any other, yet was anything but typical. I left around 7:30 a.m. I crossed over a bridge close to my house. I pulled out my phone as I was coasting to the stop light ahead to stare at a Facebook message regarding paper distribution. Unbeknownst to me, traffic was backing up. I had my foot on the brake, but I wasn’t pressing hard enough. By the time I looked up it was too late - the damage was done. At the moment of impact the hood of my car crumpled like an aluminum can.

Luckily, the woman’s car had minimal damage, a fleck of paint came off of her bumper and that was all; my car, however, was totaled.

I ended up with a ticket (deserved) that ended up costing me $190 and a towing bill that cost my friend (who came to help) $188 all because I made the decision to pay attention to my phone over the road. Monetary lessons weren’t the only things I learned from this experience either.

1. Cops have the right to lie to you

When the officer issued my ticket he asked if I had AAA road service. The officer volunteered to call AAA for me so a wrecker could tow my car. I offered him my AAA card but he said “No, no.” I thought that was weird, but let it pass. While talking to the tow truck driver I was surprised to hear it would cost me $188.50. The tow should have been free. As it turns out, the local police department has a contract with the towing company that was called. The police officer lied to me and instead called the towing company of his choosing because of kickbacks. My friend who took one of Delta’s criminal justice courses told me that in fact a police officer does have the right to lie to you. Be smart - call AAA (or any other roadside service first before the cop offers to do it for you.

2. Don’t trust your wrecker driver

Apparently wrecker drivers who are in on the police department kickbacks can also mislead you too. During this ordeal the wrecker driver was trying to lead me to believe that the reason my tow was not free was because my car was only on PLPD insurance. He said that, if my car had been fully insured, my tow would have been free of charge. My mother found out by calling AAA that that was also a lie. Whether you have PLPD or are fully insured, as long as AAA is called and you are within five miles of the towing drop off destination, your tow is free. If this ever happens to you luckily AAA has a reimbursement form you can fill out and hopefully you’ll get your money back.

(Courtesy Photo/Lindsey Schibelhut)

3. Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents Before this experience, I never fully realized how much of a problem distracted driving is in our society. Too many times people think they can multitask behind the wheel. I’m here to tell you it’s not possible. After doing much research on the subject of distracted driving the only focus anyone should have while in a car is driving itself; no one should be playing on their cellphone or the radio, eating, drinking, putting on makeup or doing anything that is going to take your attention away from the road. It only takes milliseconds.

4. You are not invincible

Many times I think people who have manipulated their phones while behind the wheel think that an accident could never happen to them - I never did either. As a general rule I try to avoid handling my phone while driving. I’ve heard of different texting and driving tragedies, people dying over something as dumb as a text message that read “Hi.” I never wanted to be that stupid - to be a statistic. As I stood at the accident scene looking at my mangled car I was thinking of all the scenarios that could have happened: I could have been hurt/killed, I could have hurt/killed the person in front of me, I could have started a chain reaction of car accidents behind or in front of me. If I had done this on a residential street, I could have run someone over. Looking at a Facebook message wasn’t worth my life, someone else's or the destruction of property.

Accidents happen when you put other things in front of your main responsibility - being in control of the vehicle you are operating. You are not invincible. If you’re driving distracted it’s only a matter of time before it will catch up to you.

5. Recovering is a process

I’ve now begun the process of looking for a different car with my parents. When it came to test driving, it was hard to get back behind the wheel - I feared getting into another crash.

Even though my distraction by the cellphone was the cause, I haven't stopped questioning my driving abilities. In the days since, I have had nightmares regarding the crash. Like a tapedeck the scene replayed over and over in my head on why I chose to look at my phone, on what I should/could have done differently, on what more I should have said to the woman I hit and on how I disappointed my parents. The only thing I can say is that I walked away from this experience more educated, cautious and took it as a much needed growing up life lesson.

deLtA

cOLLeGiAte

DeLtacoLLegiate@�Gmail.cOm

Law abiding citizen should be able to open carry -By Justin Jurek

Guns are OK, but not in schools.

-By Sammi Schenkel

I personally believe there is nothing wrong with openly carrying a weapon in any place - including college campuses.

However, I think the law should make it legal to conceal carry rather than open carry.

People always look at the negative side of carrying, but fail to see the positives, which I think outweigh the negatives. Places where guns are not allowed are often considered by gun advocates as “mass murder empowerment zones.” This is because there is no way of protecting yourself or others. In reality, people are more protected if there are more guns.

If people are uncomfortable, then maybe the law should be changed to make people get a concealed carry license and only conceal carry on campuses. Concealed pistol license carriers are considered by Senator Mike Green to be “among the most law-abiding” citizens in the state and country. The people that do wrongful acts with guns don’t usually go through the legal steps to get these licenses.

Would you feel safe if Delta experienced an active shooter? If no one around you has a gun, then no one is protected. Think about it from the view of someone who was going to harm people: would you rather do it in a place where everyone has a gun, or a place that people are not allowed to have guns? It is sick to think that we have to worry or even think about these scenarios, but it’s reality; and if we don’t think about it before it happens, then we are putting everyone’s life on the line.

Guns may be the reason we’re worried about these shootings, but guns are also what prevent many more from happening. If people take the legal actions, go through the courses, get the background checks and purchase the guns legally then - by all means - I think they should be able to carry that gun wherever they please to protect themselves and everyone around them.

Another thing many people don’t realize is that people have to pass background checks and take a class to receive a concealed carry license.

I think people should be able to conceal carry on campus, but for the comfortability of everyone, not open carry on campus.

I grew up in a house without guns, but had opportunities to shoot safely-which I did.

In regard to the new Michigan Open Carry Law, I find the law perfectly okay. If you have a concealed weapons permit and the gun you are carrying is registered to you, go ahead and carry it.

No one can stop you.

But, there is one place where that worries me - school campuses. It seems like almost every week there is a new school shooting, especially on college campuses. Despite many arguments I think gun laws need to be evaluated, as most mass shootings have been done by young white males.

Gun laws need to be reevaluated to make places of education safer for children and young adults. An educational institution should be a safe place for everyone to learn.

I think with this, new law restrictions need to be made for schools to address the frequency of shootings. If you do carry a gun at a school, there should be a strict enforcement of this law so maybe the shooting madness will stop.

I believe in the practice of the Second Amendment. We should have the right to bear arms. I’m okay with legally carrying a weapon; it’s your right to protect yourself and your family. I know many people who are legally trained and certified to carry. I’m comfortable with this because you learn in the gun safety class why you should be cautious of having a weapon in the first place.

Even Michigan’s law on open carrying talks about how your image and attitude is vital to how the public and police will treat you.

With a gun at your side, people will generally be uneasy and nervous around you. It’s all about how the image you project to the world with a weapon and the connotations it brings. I think it’s important to acknowledge that precaution.

Go ahead and shoot safely in a designated area. Just please be careful around children and please don’t bring guns into our schools.

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monday, november 16, 2015

A Chocolate Affair

Supporting at-risk youth can be sweet greg horner

DCGregHorner

On Thursday, Nov. 9 the Delta College Foundation Office is hosting A Chocolate Affair – which brings sponsors and donors together to raise money for Delta’s Possible Dream Program. The program aims to support economically disadvantaged students in graduating from high school and attending college.

“When we reach out to younger people from 6th through 12th grade and get these kids to believe that college is possible for them, they do better in school, keep their dreams alive and stay on the right path,” says Mary Harding, voordinator of special events and scholarships. “We’d like them to come to Delta, of course, but as long as they go to college that’s all that really matters.”

The benefit will be held at the Horizons Conference Center, Saginaw, will feature live music, food and most importantly a variety of chocolate.

The desserts will be provided by three local pastry chefs: Petit Four Pastry in Essexville, Pattisserie in Saginaw and VanillaBean BakeShop in Midland.

The cost of tickets will cover the benefit’s expenses and the remainder will be donated to the Possible Dream Program. The majority of donations come from the foundation office’s many sponsors.

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Sponsors for this year’s Chocolate Affair include Chemical Bank, Dow Corning and Covenant Healthcare. Last year’s event raised over $100,000 and sold 581 tickets; organizers hope to sell over 700 tickets this year and raise even more donations for at-risk youth.

The Possible Dream Program began in 1992 and the foundation office has been organizing A Chocolate Affair for the past 15 years. Students enrolled in the program are selected from public and private schools throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, and participate in a variety of cultural and educational activities in the area.

Students who participate in the Possible Dream Program are also invited to see Delta and the campuses of schools throughout Michigan.

Harding believes that when students are more familiar with a school, they’re more likely to attend.

“These students might not know the ins and outs of college, so in case they don’t have strong support at home, they come to know that we’re here to help them.”

The Possible Dream Program has helped over 1,800 students since its inception; those who attend A Chocolate Affair will be able to meet some of the students impacted by their donations.

“Many years ago, one of our students walked in and saw all these hundreds of people and said ‘all these people are here for me?’” says Harding. “I really think it can be transformational to find out that people really do care about how you do in life – you don’t know if they’re getting that at home.”

The dress code for the event isn’t black tie, but Harding recommends that those in attendance dress “fancy”. Tickets can be purchased at the foundation office, located at room A013, or at the door. General admission tickets cost $65, V.I.P tickets cost $125.

svsu.edu/opportunity

The Chocolate Affair benefits Delta’s Possible Dream Program that seeks to help and encourage at risk 8th-12th graders to stay in school and plan for college. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

Donovan Traverse, the health & wellness division chair, attended the benefit last year and is looking forward to participating again.

“Last year we had such an amazing time, not just with the desserts, but we enjoyed the faculty, staff and community that come out to support the event -- It’s just a wonderful evening.”

Enroll now for winter semester SVSU Transfer Center located in D102

SVSU representatives available weekly.

Check with Delta College Advising Office for times and locations.

KEEP GOING! You’re headed in the right direction, now keep going!

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CMU in Mount Pleasant For a true residential experience, join the excitement on CMU’s main campus.

CMU across Michigan 11 centers across Michigan, local evening and weekend classes, and personal help from first questions to graduation and beyond.

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It’s called momentum, and you’ve got it. Choose

the format that works for you and keep moving toward your bachelor’s degree and a career that offers a solid future.

Talk to one of our friendly enrollment specialists at 877-268-4636 or CMUglobal@cmich.edu.

Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. CMU is an AA/EO institution (see cmich.edu/OCRIE). cmich.edu/GlobalCampus 43571 11/15

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