Vol 78 issue 1 january 11 2016 by DeltaCollegiate

volume #78, issue 1

monday, january 11, 2016

Local diner serves coney dogs with a side of nostalgia

On the road with Alex Kostka

Page 2

Page 4

STAR WAR S

Return of the franchise

Page 5

VIEW

Corrosive capitol: A shame for our state

Page 7

:Lady pioneers heat up after first half Delta’s Brooke Schutte, 21, works to keep the ball from Alpena’s defense during the Alpena Community College vs. Delta College home game on January 6, 2015. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

Turn to Page 6 for the story, and view the extended gallery online at www.DeltaCollegiate.com

Public Airwaves Community speaks out on the future of Q-TV DCGregHorner

greg horner What is the most bizarre talent that you possess? Raechel Duhaime 18, Bay City

I can cut an onion without c r y i ng.

Spencer Grivetti 18, Standish

Every dog I’ve ever found I’ve never had a problem with; every animal really.

Katelyn smith 25, Saginaw

I am a second degree black belt tae kwon do .

Jordan Phillips 20, saginaw

I can fold my tongue.

Editor’s Note: Due to our production schedule the article discussing the Jan. 9 forum wasn’t able to make it into this issue. To read about the second public forum visit deltacollegiate.com. The lecture theater was filled with citizens concerned about the future of their local PBS station, who came out to participate in the first of two public forums the college hosted in regards to the upcoming FCC spectrum auction. The meeting was held on Jan. 7 and is part of an effort by Delta’s administration to inform and hear feedback about how the college plans to proceed. “I see the station as a beacon for the area and the school,” says Essexville native Daniel Rogalny. “I’m hoping there’s a lot of people who feel the same way that I do and might possibly convince the board to maintain the status quo and not succumb to the glitter and gold of the big bucks.” The administration at the forum included President Jean Goodnow, Board Chair Mike Rowley, Executive Director Pam Clark and Broadcasting General Manager Tom Bennet. The four members spent roughly a half hour trying to inform the public as best they could about the details of the auction. “The spectrum auction involves all television stations in America -- not just public broadcast stations,” says Goodnow. “No spectrum auction decisions have been made; the college has only reserved its right to participate in the spectrum auction. Most importantly, all of us appreciate, respect and share your passion for public broadcasting and Q-TV.” The FCC is using the auction to clear up bandwidth for broadband communications (such as Wi-Fi) which operates on the same frequency as local broadcasting stations. Delta’s WDCQ-QTV has been given an opening bid valuation of $166 million; broadcasters will then compete in a reverse auction to offer their station at the lowest bid. The Board of Trustees has given Goodnow, Rowley and Clark authority

moving forward. Stations have until Jan. 12 to decide whether they will participate. Once stations announce that they will participate they’ll be required to undergo a quiet period mandated by the FCC. Those stations will then have until March 29 to make a final decision on how they wish to proceed. The quiet period will not end until the auction is over which is estimated to be sometime this fall. Delta has until March 29 to decide from the following options: • Option 1: Delta continues to operate Q-TV on its current spectrum and the station doesn’t go up for auction. • Option 2: Delta puts Q-TV up for auction but bids to move the station to a VHF (Very High Frequency) channel. This option depends on the availability of VHF stations, and Clark says that a firm has been hired to examine if it’s possible. • Option 3: Delta makes a deal with another television station to share a channel in the same spectrum. This would allow Q-TV to share half of the auction earnings and airtime with another station in the market. • Option 4: Delta participates in the auction and, in the event of a purchase, relinquishes control of WDCQTV. The college would receive the entirety of the agreed upon final offer, but would cease operating its PBS services. A decision hasn’t been made on which of the four options the school will pursue; some members of the public are uneasy with the fact that those responsible won’t be able to publically discuss it after the deadline. “Emails and letters [are] always welcome,” says Rowley. “It’s just if we’re going to take questions and answer them we can only do that through a certain time of the day on Jan. 12, and after that the federal law says we have to shut our mouth or else we could lose the station.”

When asked how much they would auction the station for Rowley responded that he wouldn’t want to give away the school’s auction strategies. “At this point we have not even determined, ‘Will we remain in the auction or would we not remain in the auction?’ We don’t want to make that decision until we have public input…” says Rowley. In general the opinion of the crowd was against putting the station up for auction. “Oscar Wilde probably said it best a long time ago in one of his novels, ‘Nowadays people know the price of everything, but the value of nothing,’ ” says Terry Miller, a professor of history at Delta. “We need to value this station -not commodify it... The Board of Trustees needs to rise up and have the courage to say there’s no price for Delta’s television station and radio station.” Stuart Barbier, a Delta English professor, was concerned that the board had already made a decision in a resolution passed during the Dec. 8 Board of Trustees meeting. The following is the resolution Barbier referenced: “The Delta College Board of Trustees directs President Jean Goodnow, Board Chair Mike Rowley and Executive Director Pam Clark to take all actions necessary to participate in the FCC Incentive Spectrum Auction and implement the recommendations of legal counsel as set forth in their written legal opinions, on behalf of WDCQ-TV Channel 15. The Board directs President Jean Goodnow, Board Chair Mike Rowley and Executive Director Pam Clark to consider only: 1) exchanging Delta College’s UHF channel for a VHF channel; or 2) relinquishing Delta College’s television spectrum usage rights, if President Jean Goodnow, Board Chair Mike Rowley and Executive Director Pam Clark deems that it will have a positive financial and/or community benefit. To assist in decision-making, the Board directs the President that an engineering

analysis be conducted to ascertain the viability of relocating WDCQ to the VHF spectrum. The Board further directs President Jean Goodnow, Board Chair Mike Rowley and the Executive Director Pam Clark to take all actions necessary to preserve the option of entering into a channel sharing agreement after the FCC Incentive Spectrum Auction.” Rowley responded that the motion only referred to what should be done before the first deadline presumably Jan 12. “At this point and time all options and all flexibility is still available to the Board of Trustees.” Barbier remained unsatisfied with the answer. “I read that language. I teach language. I teach reading. The way I read the Board’s resolution to me doesn’t leave room for other options -- it’s fairly clear.” Mark Paveglio, a Bay City resident, feels the administration didn’t do an adequate job involving the public. “The first thing I knew about it was an article in the Bay City Times, it was a very large article, and nowhere did they mention public participation. I think there was some ruffling of feathers and an outcry and we’re now having these forums, but this should’ve been way before that article came out.” Gail Hoffman, a retiree of Delta College, opposes the sale of Q-TV citing its outreach to the community and the school’s financial stability. “As a valuable wellestablished community resource would it really make sense to end this unique, and valued, television station WDCQ-TV for an unnecessary pot of money?” Speaking as a member of the audience Board Trustee Earl Selby closed the forum. “Please bear with us because, quite frankly, when you are brought a proposition that says you can receive $166 million for your place on the spectrum it creates opportunities that, to be responsible, I have to look at...I don’t think there’s a bigger advocate for broadcasting than myself. I’ve heard every word you’ve said tonight.”

Monday, january 11, 2016

www.deltacollegiate.com

news The following incidents were reported to Public Safety Dec 17 Non-criminal complaint between two coworkers DEc 21 Computer stolen, Ricker Center Dec 23 Concerning statements from student employee

Local diner serves coney dogs with a side of nostalgia getting a job there. Old Town Drive-In was his first job in the restaurant industry. “I just kept moving to bigger and better and higher places. It was just the next step [to become owner],” explains Emede. In 1987 Emede took over the restaurant and in those years he’s seen the city go through many changes. The demographics of customers have changed as well. High school students used to frequent Old Town DriveIn on their lunch breaks until the schools closed their campuses and their lunch rush dwindled. Years ago they could also expect to get a 3 p.m. rush from manufacturing jobs. People going into second shift would pick up food on their way to work and people leaving first shift would pick up food on their way home. “We used to have all the General Motors jobs—a lot of manufacturing jobs. Then one by one they closed down, so we lost a lot of that,” explains Emede. The business no longer closes for the winter like it did during past ownership. For the last 26 years it has stayed open year round. “That was the biggest thing to overcome and still is. There’s still a certain percentage of people that think we’re closed in the winter because the original [business

Instructor gives tips on do-it-yourself car maintentenace

When most people think of car maintenance they may consider it difficult or requiring professional expertise. The truth is, there are simple steps that car owners can take which will not only extend the life of their vehicles but are as easy as doing it yourself (DIY). Thomas Coats, coordinator of Automotive Service Technology and Delta assistant professor, has several DIY auto maintenance tips that will help you keep your car in shape. “Some of the maintenance items I feel that the average person can do without being a technician is obviously fluids and tires,” says Coats. The first area Coats discusses is the brake fluid tank. He says car owners should know the significance of the letters DOT, or Department of Transportation, on the brake fluid tank cap. “We have DOT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and they’re for different applications,” says Coats. “DOT 3 means the quality, whether it’s a synthetic or a mineral based fluid. DOT 4 and higher are all synthetic blend brake fluids. You’ll see a DOT 4 or 5 over on that Corvette, because the brakes are going to be getting much hotter in that Corvette for obvious reasons. DOT 3 is for conventional vehicles.” Coats says car owners should also be aware that brake fluid is “hydroscopic.” Once the fluid is opened it starts to absorb moisture. So he advises that you only buy the amount you need, rather than buying in bulk. “An open container is only good for 24 hours,” says

lindsey schibelhut

provided by public safety director RObert battinkoff

Pizza with Public Safety

Jim and Virginia Fehrman (above) enjoy root beer and coney dogs with homemade sauce at Old Town Drive-In in Saginaw. Old Town Drive-In has been the Fehrman’s choice for coney dogs for 30 years. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

was]. There are still people that call up and say, ‘Alright, when are you closing for the winter?’ ” says Emede. Corena Culver, an Azusa Pacific University student and native of Saginaw, loves Old Town Drive-In. “I first came here when I was 11 with my grandparents. I used to come once a week for a root beer float. Now that I’m off at college it’s my first stop as soon as I come home,” says Culver. According to Emede, Old Town Drive-In

Coats, “so buy a very little bit if you think you need to add.” Another area car owners may not think about is the replacement of the vehicle's air filter. With an old air filter you may notice a slight decline in gas mileage. “Go to your owner's manual. It’ll tell you that an air filter should be replaced every 30,000 miles,” says Coats. Coats warns, however, not to skimp on the price of the air filter and go with a lower quality one because it could affect the way the car runs. The next big area Coats says car owners can focus on is changing their vehicle’s oil. He cautions, though, when changing the oil to make certain you do not overfill the reservoir. “Overfull is worse than under,” explains Coats, “if I’m overfull when the crankshaft rotates inside the oil pan, it starts to aerate the oil and put air bubbles in it.” Air bubbles in the oil will cause the parts of the car that need the lubrication to be deprived of it, which can harm the running of your vehicle. The next car part automobile owners should make sure meets quality specifications is the car’s oil filter. Coats advises the importance of making sure the oil filter replacement is of OEM or original equipment manufacturer standards. “When they’re [instant oil change businesses] going down to those $19.95 oil changes that filter is from overseas and doesn’t meet OEM specs,” explains Coats, “They really are, seriously some of them, nothing more than a roll of toilet paper.” So if you do get your oil changed at an instant oil change facility or do it yourself by finding the part number in your owner's manual, Coats says you should make sure you are getting a name brand oil filter that states OEM on the box. He even says to go as far as asking to see the filter prior to installation when going to an instant oil change business.

Silent Witness form allows student to report crime anonmyously By Marisa Loranger Reporting a crime or an emergency isn’t always easy. Delta College’s Department of Public Safety is trying to make it easier by offering an anonymous and confidential process to let the authorities know if something is wrong. Public Safety has a feature on their website called the Silent Witness Form. This enables students to anonymously report a crime they’ve witnessed. “Some people are concerned about repercussions when they do that. Some people are concerned that they will get a bad reputation, so it gives them an opportunity to do the right thing without being worried,” explains Director of Public Safety

Jan 2 Medical assistance for hospital transportation

DCMLoranger

Marisa loranger Many kids who’ve grown up in Saginaw remember sitting at the counter of Old Town Drive-In and drinking a root beer float after school. With nostalgia being a staple of today’s culture, Old Town Drive-In takes customers back to a different era. Old Town Drive-In was once an A&W in the 1940s - one of the very first A&Ws to come around. In 1982, due to A&W changing their standards, such as wanting larger buildings and getting rid of curb side service, the building became Old Town Drive-In. Changing the name of the business didn’t change the restaurant’s staple items. Hot dogs, root beer and coney sauce have stayed the same as they did in the ‘40s. “When McDonald's came along, they pretty much standardized business,” explains Geoff Emede, owner of Old Town Drive-In. “The way to run a franchise is that everybody’s exactly the same throughout the country, and A&Ws didn’t used to be that way. You went to different A&Ws throughout the country and they all had different sauces and different hot dogs—you know depending on the area and what that area liked,” explains Emede. As a Saginaw native Emede used to frequent the business quite often before

Dec 30 Request to check on student threatening self-harm

Robert Battinkoff. These forms are seldom used, but the option is left open to students in case they don’t feel comfortable coming forward. Delta also has these Silent Witness forms in place because the federal government mandates that anonymous reporting must be available. “They get used occasionally, but usually people feel comfortable enough to come in and talk to us,” says Battinkoff. If there is a crime or a concern, you can visit http://www.delta.edu/ publicsafety/report for a Silent Witness Form or you can visit Public Safety located in N-102.

is a place for the young and old alike. “I think they have fond memories from when they were quite a bit younger, and it is unique. So it’s not something you can get anywhere else. Between us and Tony’s and Spatz bakery—that kind of thing—it’s pretty common, they tend to hit all three of those,” says Emede. Old Town Drive-In, 807 S. Granger St., opens at 11 a.m. every day - sometimes staying open until 9:30 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.

Next Coats explains the dangers that can occur from removing the cap off of a pressurized coolant reservoir to fill it while it’s still hot - something no car owner should ever attempt. “Here’s what I want you to understand: when the engine gets warm, this [reservoir] builds up pressure higher than atmospheric,” explains Coats. “Remember, 40 percent of this is water, so that means if this engine’s running at 230 [degrees], 240 [degrees] and that’s normal in the summertime to get that hot and I take this cap off I’ve just reduced the pressure in this cooling system to atmospheric. Water boils at 212 [degrees], this engine is running at 230 [degrees], so if I take the cap off I instantaneously took the lid off the pressure cooker at home. This works just like a pressure cooker. So that's when this will come out like a geyser and people get hurt.” Last, but certainly not least, Coats goes over the significance of making certain your tires are at the right pressure during the summer and winter seasons. “Here’s what people don’t understand,” says Coats, “any 10 degree change in Fahrenheit of atmospheric temperature changes the air pressure in your tires.” Changes in the air pressure during temperature fluctuations will create issues with how your tires perform while you’re driving. Coats recommends checking for the proper air pressure amount on the label which should be inside the car’s door frame. “There’s things I can do as a car owner, things I need to be aware of and dangers that I need to stay away from,” concludes Coats. For tips on buying a used car visit DeltaCollegiate.com

Hell’s Half Mile festival now taking film submissions Dominic arthur

DomArthurDC

Local independent filmmakers now have the opportunity to submit their films for the 11th anniversary of Hell’s Half Mile Film and Music Festival. The festival takes place this year from Sept. 22 through the 25 in downtown Bay City, and it features independent film and live music on all three days. The festival is open to all genres. Submission deadlines are broken down into three tiers – early bird, regular, and late – because, according to Program Manager Don Hessell, it’s a film festival standard used by submission websites such as withoutabox.com and filmfreeway.com. “Since they have that system, we follow along. This serves two purposes: first to encourage early submissions while the fee is low,” says Hessell. “The second reason is for marketing purposes because websites such as Withoutabox.com and FilmFreeway.com send out festival deadline reminders to filmmakers. That means we get 3 promotional blasts via email letting filmmakers know that we have a call for submissions.” Jan. 15 is the early bird deadline, March 15 is the regular deadline and April 15 is the late deadline. For film submission questions contact Hessell at don@hellshalfmile.com. For more information about the festival visit the Hell’s Half Mile Facebook page or their website at www.hhmfest.com.

Thursday, Jan. 21 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. N-007 (near Red Brix) Get a free slice of pizza and enjoy lunch with Public Safety Director Officer Battinkoff. Learn about all the services provided by DCPS.

Services Provided By Public Safety Get Your Student ID

Bring your current class schedule along with your driver’s license or state ID card. Your first student ID is free. A replacement card costs $5 and must be payed for at the Cashier’s Office.

Lost and Found If you lose something contact Public Safety, and if you find something please turn it in. First Aid If serious injury or illness occurs on campus immediately call Public Safety. Give your name, describe the nature and severity of the medical problem and the campus location of the victim. Get An Escort To/From Your Vehicle Contact Public Safety in person or by phone. You will need to give the dispatcher your name and location and a description of your vehicle and an officer will escort you safely to/from your vehicle. Help With Car Problems Lock your keys in your car or have a dead battery? Public Safety can help! Contact them in person or by phone. This service is free of charge. Prescription Drug Drop-off Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Unused or expired medications can be turned in to the Public Safety Office for safe disposal. The service is free and anonymous. Child Seat Safety Inspection Public Safety has a certified technician on staff to ensure the proper installment of child passenger safety seats. If you would like to have yours checked, please contact Officer Trisha Hager at 989-686-9113 or at trishahager@delta.edu. Contact Info Location: N-102 Phone: 989-686-9113 Email: info@delta.edu Office Hours Monday to Friday - 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday

monday, january 11, 2016

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science/technology

OIT provides life hacks to protect students’ online data lindsey schibelhut

Give your texts some sass with Bitmoji

DCLindseyK

So you get an email saying you’ve just inherited five million dollars from a distant cousin in Zimbabwe. You then decide to give out your personal information and find out not only is there no cousin in Zimbabwe and no money, but you’ve just had your identity stolen. That is what approximately 17.6 million Americans experienced in 2014 according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Identity theft isn’t all you should be aware of either- scams, viruses and malware can also effect your computer. Office of Information Technology network manager, Chris Mallory, and Technical Support Manager, Steven Rushing, explain how Delta’s OIT department helps students and faculty compute safely while surfing the internet and what else can be done to protect your online data. “The IT team keeps the Delta servers and the operating systems, the applications and antivirus software all up to date,” says Mallory. Some of the other ways OIT protects information is routinely scanning for vulnerabilities and making sure the password protocol is secure. “We utilize a strong password requirement when creating your Delta log-in information,” says Rushing. But even when you’re at home there are ways to make sure you are shielding your computer from attacks. “People should exercise caution when being asked to provide any information electronically or over the phone,” says Mallory. Mallory says reputable businesses shouldn't be contacting you out of the blue for information that they should already have. “People should be suspicious of emails that are inflammatory or too good to be true or they need an urgent response in order to avoid a negative outcome,” says Mallory. If you get an email that you don’t feel is legitimate, Rushing says steer clear of the links you were provided. “If interested in the content go directly to their site,” says Rushing. Another aspect people should remember

is making sure they’re getting computer software from a trustworthy source. “Avoid sites that are offering pirated software,” explains Mallory. “A large majority of the software that comes from those file sharing networks has been altered to include malware.” Some signs that your computer may have been infected or hacked include: slowness, excessive pop-ups or a message from anti-virus software that isn’t yours according to Rushing. When you do find that reliable source, you don't necessarily have to buy software to get protection when there are free options. “There’s software such as AVG or Sophos or Kaspersky or Microsoft Security Essentials all of those have free versions of those antivirus softwares,” explains Mallory. “These companies understand now that from a home use perspective that's where a lot of malware comes and goes.” On that same note, Mallory also expresses the importance of making sure you are keeping up with the routine updates to your operating systems. “Whether that’s a PC or Mac, your cell phone, your tablets, your mobile devices, keep up with the operating system updates,” explains Mallory. “Half of the reason is of course feature updates but the other side of that is there’s always security vulnerabilities that they put patches in place for, so staying up to date is always a good idea.” One of the more headache inducing ways to make sure you r on l i ne information is secure, is to use different passwords to your accounts. “So, if you do happen to get swept up in a phishing scam or you accidentally

give your username information, somebody can’t take your email address and your password that you use all the time and go to all the common websites [and get into those accounts],” says Mallory. OIT hosts several events in October during National Cyber Security Awareness month which are also there to provide students with more information on how to keep safe online. “[We show] threat maps of current cyber-attacks worldwide, showing students what information can be found out about them with simple internet searches, and make students aware of resources to find out more information,” says Rushing. Finally, everyone is encouraged to stay alert and not be complacent about the cyber risks we face everyday. “The best thing you can do to stay safe online is to educate yourself, be suspicious and most importantly, stop and think before you click and that will help elevate as many situations as are preventable,” says Mallory. For Rushing he concludes, “Be mindful of your actions and aware that due to so much of our lives being connected online it is more important than ever to be aware of the dangers and careful what you click on. Stop. Think. Click. Every time.” For more information about cyber security students are recommended to visit stopthinkconnect.org or staysafeonline.org

Lindsey Schibelhut

OPINION

remember when I first started texting. For the first time I was able to make faces using colons and parentheses to express how I felt. Move up a few years and we were then able to send real emojis to emphasize our feelings. From smiles to pizza the choices were endless. But even with all of the choices those emojis started to get stale. Which is why when I was searching around the Apple store I found the Bitmoji app. This app allows you to create your own emoji avatar that gives your messages that added spice. To start using Bitmoji you will need to sign up by putting in your first I m a ge s courtesy Lindsey S c h i b e l h u t. and last name, an email address and a password or you can sign in using your Facebook account. Once logged in you can then start to design your avatar. When designing your Bitmoji you have the option of being either a male or female, then you can choose to look like Bitmoji style (gives you a cartoon look) or Bitstrips style (makes you look more like your real self). From then on it depends on how creative you can be with your avatar on how realistic it will look. There are plenty of features to pick from to aid you in your creation. You can choose a variety of faces, eyes, lips, noses, hair colors, makeup styles and you can also don a fancy outfit out of the Bitmoji closet. You can dress your avatar in the latest styles from Steve Madden, Tanya Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman, among others. During the holidays you can change your avatars style to something more festive too. For example, this past Christmas season they had replica sweaters to choose from the Seth Rogen film “The Night Before.” The Bitmoji app is available for free for the iOS and Android operating systems. When you work with iOS it integrates well by adding the Bitmoji keyboard so it can be accessed whenever you use messages. They also added a new feature of categories. So, if you are looking for Bitmojis that say, “Hi” or “Grrr” or “Travel” you can find the emoji easier. Bitmoji can also be used with Twitter and Facebook. For this you will have to go into the app and save the Bitmoji image you want to use to your photo album and then when you want to post a status choose the image from your photo gallery and send it. Overall, the Bitmoji app is really fun and it gives the idea of sending emojis a whole new twist. Ever since I’ve been using Bitmoji these are the emojis I always go to when messaging my friends. The only thing I would say they could improve on are the outfit choices by integrating combinations where you could put together your own outfits by choosing from pants, shirts, shoes, etc. instead of getting just the full preput together outfit selections. I’d also like to see more hair color choices by possibly allowing you to do an ombre effect where you could use multiple colors. But those are just minor complaints in the long run.

uPcOMinG cOMMunity eVents

JAnuARy 2016 Mon

tue

Circle of Friends Exhibition Creative 360, Midland 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: Free

Welcome Back Week - Free Popcorn

Main Campus and Off-Campus Centers 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost: Free

“Journey into the Great Unknown - The Exploration of the Colorado River”

Wed

Blood Drive

E-Wing Lounge, Main Campus 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: Free

Welcome Back Week - Bowling Party

A-003, Main Campus 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost: Free

Isn’t this illegal? Your constitutional rights and the police

Counter Culture, Saginaw 7 p.m. Cost: Free

State Theatre, Bay City 7 p.m. Cost: $8

Circle of Friends Exhibition Creative 360, Midland 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: Free

Fragmenta Exhibition

Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, SVSU 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: Free

Vicki Vanameyden & Ginger Owen Exhibition

SVSU Art Gallery 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: Free

Ansel Adams: Masterworks Collection

Saginaw Art Museum 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: $5 for adults / $3 for students w/ valid ID and seniors 65+ / Free for museum members and age 15 and under

“Dynamic Earth”

Delta Planetarium, Bay City 7 p.m. Cost: $7 for adults / $5 for students, children, seniors, military

Tuesday Night Jazz

Performance Space, Saginaw 9 p.m. Cost: $5

thu

Welcome Back Week - Photo Scavenger Hunt

Lower West Commons, Main Campus 1 - 3 p.m. Cost: Free

Women’s Basketball vs. Oakland College

FRi

Welcome Back Week - Karaoke

Lower West Commons, Main Campus 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: Free

Fragmenta Exhibition

Pioneer Gym, Main Campus 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5

Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, SVSU 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: Free

Men’s Basketball vs. Oakland College

Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story

Pioneer Gym, Main Campus 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5

Penguin Awareness Day

Includes penguin relays and prizes Lower West Commons, Main Campus 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost: Free

Women’s Basketball vs. Mott College

Pioneer Gym, Main Campus 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5

Men’s Basketball vs. Mott College

Pioneer Gym, Main Campus 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5

Temple Theatre, Saginaw 7:30 p.m. Cost: $35 - $90

Pizza with Public Safety

N-007, Main Campus 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Cost: Free

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Bay City Players 8 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

Uncorked Series: Velocity

Saints and Sinner Lounge, Midland Center for the Arts 5:30 - 8 p.m. Cost: Free

sAt

Brew Ha Ha

Dow Event Center, Saginaw 5 p.m. Cost: $20 - $25 for general admission / $45 - $50 for VIP

Cocktails, Canvas & Craft Creative 360, Midland 7 - 9 p.m. Cost: $35 cash or check / $38 debit or credit

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Bay City Players 8 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

Concert & Chili Series

sun

Wandering With Wildlife

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Green Point Environmental Learning Center, Saginaw 10 - 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free

Bay City Players 3 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

Comedy Night With Rob Little

“God of Carnage”

State Theatre, Bay City 7 p.m. Cost: $22

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Bay City Players 8 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

Led Zeppelin Music and Light Show

Midland Center for the Arts 3 p.m. Cost: $20

Saginaw Spirit vs. Windsor Spitﬁres

The Dow Event Center, Saginaw 4 p.m. Cost: $12 - $19

“He Named Me Malala”

Creative 360, Midland 7 - 10 p.m. Cost: Cash or check - $15 prepaid or $22 at door / Debit or credit $18 prepaid or $25 at door

Delta Planetarium, Bay City 7 p.m. Cost: $7 for adults / $5 for students, children, seniors, military

Lecture Room, Midland Center for the Arts 2:30 p.m. Cost: $7

Hooking Up With The Second City

White Crow Conservatory of Music, Saginaw 7 - 9 p.m. Cost: $12

Girls with Guitars

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Temple Theatre, Saginaw 7:30 p.m. Cost: $25 - $70

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Bay City Players 8 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

“Always… Patsy Cline”

Bay City Players 8 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

Bay City Players 3 p.m. Cost: $22 for adults / $20 for seniors / $10 for students

“God of Carnage”

Midland Center for the Arts 3 p.m. Cost: $20

monday, january 11, 2016

www.deltacollegiate.com

#collegiatelife

On the Road

Follow Alex on his winter tour! • Thursday, 1/14 - South Bend, IN @ The Well • Friday, 1/15 - Marion, IN @ The Abbey Coffee Co. • Saturday, 1/16 - Muncie, IN @ Be Here Now • Sunday, 1/17 - Rock Island, IL @ The Rozz-Tox • Monday, 1/18 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Bob Vila's This Old House • Tuesday, 1/19 - Pana, IL @ The Refuge • Thursday, 1/21 - Madison, WI @The Frequency • Friday, 1/22 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Sloth Loft • Saturday, 1/23 - Chicago, IL @ House show • Monday, 1/25 - Bay City, MI @ The Fix • Friday, 1/29 - Saginaw, MI @ Counter Culture

WITH ALEX KOSTKA

t the age of 10, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do when I grew up. Some kids at that age might mention they want to be an astronaut, doctor, or police officer, but I was usually the odd one out. I wanted to play music on the road and sleep out of a van and now at the age of 23 that is exactly what I’m doing. After being in a couple of bands throughout my high school years, and taking some time off of college a couple of years after, I decided it was time to go solo and tour. So here I am: back in school, taking my college classes online, so I can pursue my dream more than ever and share my songs in 2016, beginning with a 10-day tour in January. As an active touring acoustic/indie solo artist, I’m usually asked a couple of different questions: “What kind of hotels are you staying at?” or “Who books all of your shows for you?” Well, hotels definitely don’t make it into the equation; I crash in my car or on a stranger's floor. As for the second question, I book my own shows. I spend countless hours emailing, reaching out to venues and promoters to secure a date that I’m looking to book. A lot of us guys like to call it DIY (Do It Yourself). This month begins a 10-day tour around the Midwest—Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin to be exact. Take off begins on Thursday, Jan. 14 and ends on Saturday, Jan. 23. I’ve been working on booking this tour for about 4 months now, and seeing it come together as I continue to plan and book my life six months in advance is a beautiful thing. Some might think this touring experience is just for fun, or it’s a hobby to have until you have to grow up, but it’s not like that for me. It’s work and it can be tiring, but essentially it’s the career path that I want. The idea of sleeping on the floor of your minivan, making enough money to get to the next city, and hoping that you might be able to afford a decent meal after eating peanut butter and bread for a week might sound crazy to some, but to me I strongly believe that all hard work will eventually pay off. You just have to keep striving. As my first tour of 2016 approaches, I am preparing myself for what is yet to come. Seeing the beauty of the United States and what it’s like to tour as a musician trying to make this his lifelong career. What’s key to me is giving my all every night whether I’m playing a bar, house, coffee shop, or to an empty room. Taking these trips alone can be great—believe me I enjoy the alone time driving and listening to talk radio shows—but there’s still a wave of loneliness that comes along with it. This is your chance to keep me company while I travel the roads of the United States. If you would like to stay updated and in touch, you can do so by reaching me on the social media platforms provided. If you’re interested in hearing what I sound like, well there’s a link for that too!

Bay City, MI Saginaw, MI Madison, WI

Milwaukee, WI

Chicago, IL South Bend, IN Fort Wayne, IN

Rock Island, IL

Marion, IN Muncie, IN

Pana, IL

Or follow him digitally on: www.AlexKostkaMusic.com www.AlexKostkaMusic.bandcamp.com Kostka182

AlexKostkaMusic @alex_kostka

@DCAlexKostka

Assistance advocacy

Volunteerism can strengthen the community DCLindseyK

Lindsey schibelhut Whether you are a Delta student or a member of the community, there are always upcoming opportunities to help our fellow man. Michigan Nonprofit Association AmeriCorps employee Andrew Straub, who works on assignment at Delta, explains more about forthcoming volunteer events and how helping impacts our residents. “Most of the volunteer opportunities at Delta College occur off campus,” says Straub. From now until the end of May they are looking for student volunteers to help with the backpacks program at Washington Elementary School in Bay City. “Approximately 100 families of students at Washington qualify for food assistance,” explains Straub. “Through a grant the school is able to provide a week’s worth of food for the family every Friday.” Volunteers will pack the backpacks with nonperishable food items and distribute them to students in the program. “This can be done by just one person or by a small group—great for club or classroom volunteer hours,” says Straub. Another volunteer event coming up is the Positive Change Agent Fair on Jan. 27 in the main hallways of the campus. “We will have non-profit organizations from all over the local area come in to recruit volunteers that will suit their needs,” says Straub. Some of the issues that will be addressed at the fair

include animal welfare, youth development, poverty and the environment. “This is especially geared towards students in POL-104 classes who need to volunteer with an organization in order to fulfill their Civic Engagement course requirement,” says Straub. Straub goes on to explain how volunteerism can aid in ways one would not expect. “Student volunteers are key at Delta,” begins Straub,” Last fall we used volunteers for a range of things - from running carnival games to making blankets to creating videos. The possibilities are endless and we’re always willing to brainstorm ideas for upcoming opportunities.” Volunteerism makes waves that extend far beyond Delta’s campus. Those ripples are felt throughout our community and, according to Straub, can also aid in future employment prospects. “Volunteering is also a great way to boost a resume. Many employers are now spending a lot of consideration on volunteer experience as it shows that an applicant is passionate, willing to go the extra mile and has a diverse set of skills and experience,” concludes Straub. For more information about volunteer opportunities people are recommended to visit: www.delta.edu/ ace_sl/servicelearning.aspx or email at: volunteer@ delta.edu.

Project SHARED offers a crutch to the community By Dominic Arthur Every year, a new group of students in the Physical Therapy Assistant program join the Physical Therapy Assistant Club which allows them to get hands-on experience by running a community-wide donation service that assists people in need. Project SHARED – Students Helping Area Residents Exchange Devices – reaches out to the community for donations of assistive devices (walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc.) to give to those that can't afford them. The club is advised by PTA program coordinator Chris Hausbeck. “If we can help change a person’s life by giving them a device for free, our work has been done. Helping people regain

independence is what we are all about in Physical Therapy,” says Jamie Neu, a member of the PTA Club. Neu says the goal of Project SHARED is to help residentsin-need get devices to help them perform everyday activities that they may be difficult to them. “Being able to give back to the community in our little classroom really makes us feel like we can make a difference,” says Neu The club doesn’t make house calls, but those in need of a device are often brought into PTA classrooms by family members or case workers to be fitted to make sure the device they’re receiving works properly. “Any and all devices can be dropped off,” Neu says. “We go

through many wheelchairs because that’s one of the devices a lot of people have been coming in for because usually insurance won’t pay for more than one assistive device. So if they get a walker, their insurance might not pay for a wheelchair.” The club is always looking for donations. Assistive devices can be dropped off in the PTA labs in F-111 and F-113 on campus. “I hope that we will be able to get a lot of donations and eventually have a larger room to have Project SHARED ran out of,” says Neu. For questions or more information about Project SHARED, contact the PTA Club at 989-758-3621 or at projectshared@ delta.edu.

Informers Corner

with Greg Horner

Is it Spring Break yet?* *A Sony PlayStation®4 exclusive

’m not gonna lie gang: I am BURNT OUT. I had a rough holiday that I mostly don’t remember and on New Year’s I may have committed a bit of light arson. I’d like to use this moment to apologize to Mark – I didn’t know that table was on an episode of Antiques Roadshow. How was your holiday? Did Santa bring you everything you wanted? Once again I’ve gone another Christmas without receiving my Sony PlayStation®4. Thanks everyone for ruining Christmas again. It wouldn’t have been that hard for all of you to pitch in a few bucks. My psychiatrist says I need to start thinking more positively so here it goes; how are you? I’m well thanks for asking. Are you excited for your new classes? I’m not either. How’s sobriety treating you? Same. Seriously when does Spring Break start? This is starting to get lame. Balancing work with school sucks and the best part of break is the momentary reprieve. Now it’s over and I’m back and you’re back and these walls are starting to get a little old. But here’s to a new semester! Just look at it as one more step to almost getting out of here. Soon you’ll be done and won’t have to worry about school anymore (or at least Delta). One day you’ll be standing in line purchasing a brand new Sony PlayStation®5, looking back on your time here with a smile on your face. Be the change and all that crap. We have the power to make this the best semester ever. For every person there is a different perspective and for every perspective there is a different truth. If you’d like to purchase more of my teachings you can buy my “Gregology” starter kit on my blog: https://www.geocities.jp/religion/ cults/gregology. With a new semester comes an entirely new reality. For Winter 2016 I’m going to speak with a Scottish accent and I would appreciate it if everyone would start calling me Dallas. My coworkers think this is stupid but they just don’t get Dada. If they wanted to engage in any semester long bits I would support them wholeheartedly. Maybe it’s a good thing that break is over and we’re all back in purgatory. My liver was starting to hurt from all the exercise I wasn’t doing and I don’t think I can deal with any more lawsuits. I look forward to another semester of procrastinating ‘til the last minute and the many mental breakdowns I’ll suffer as a result. I hope this was inspiring for you. Keep on keeping on, fake it ‘til ya make it and just hold out until Spring Break.

monday, january 11, 2016

www.deltacollegiate.com

arts/entertainment

STAR WAR S Return of the franchise

cameron kerkau

OPINION

nless you’ve been living under a rock at the bottom of the ocean planet Kamino, you’ve probably heard about the new “Star Wars” movie. For the past year, it’s been impossible to take five steps without running into a conversation about the film or seeing its advertisements plastered across fast-food drinks or cereal boxes. In fact, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is most likely the most hyped movie of the decade thus far. Now that it’s out, the only question is: does it live up to that hype? Longtime “Star Wars” fans may be wary of a new film. After all, the ‘Star Wars” prequels are some of the most criticized films of our time. When director J.J. Abrams (“Super8,” “Star Trek”) accepted the project, he took on the burden of pleasing one of cinemas most vocal fan-bases—though he’s no stranger to angry fans. Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews, his “Star Trek” movies are generally disliked by fans of the TV show. Fortunately, fans no longer need to worry: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” absolutely earns its place next to the original trilogy. J.J. Abrams mixes in new elements with ones that we’re already accustomed to, bringing us a film that is both nostalgic and brand new. This is illustrated most in the action sequences— of which there are plenty. Seeing iconics spaceships such as X-wings and TIE fighters battling it out in modern cinematography is a treat, and it’s interesting to be startled by the familiar sound of a blaster firing. Similarly, the presence of lightsabers on screen is not taken lightly. When they are activated, these lightsabers erupt from their hilt. Their commanding and constant humming in your ear will snowball your anticipation to the final lightsaber battle, which sounds like a thunderstorm. One of my favorite choices made by Abrams, however, is his consistent use of practical effects. If there is a creature or droid in this movie that could have been created without the use of CGI, it is. These old-school tactics invigorate the movie with the soul of the original trilogy. It gives characters like the soccer ball-esque droid BB-8 a charm that wouldn’t have been there otherwise. Not to mention that it’s easier on the eyes and more fun to look at. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fischer reprise their roles as Han Solo and Princess Leia, though she prefers General Leia now. Seeing these characters on screen again makes my heart sing. It’s a joy to catch up with them after the thirty years since we saw them last. Probably one of the biggest challenges in making this film was creating a villain that could fill Darth Vader’s shoes. What we’re given is Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver (“Girls”, “While we’re Young”), and he satisfies. In his debut, Kylo Ren is a much more complicated character than Darth Vader was in “A New Hope.” He’s powerful but insecure about his position in the dark side. Though the terrifying thing about Ren isn’t only his power, but also his immaturity. Ren is a much younger villain than any before him and it shows in his childish fits of rage in which he carves up entire rooms with his lightsaber. This unpredictability adds tension to his presence on screen. Driver brings all of this through Ren masterfully and brings us a villain with as much weight to him as Darth Vader. Kylo Ren’s master, Andy Serkis’ (“the Lord of the Rings”, “King Kong”) Supreme Leader Snoke, is equally menacing. Though at this point, there isn’t much to the character, and he seems to be there to fill the gaps left by Emperor Palpatine.

Though Snoke’s presence does invent a sense of intrigue, and through some interesting creative choices regarding his appearance, his time on screen is seriously tense. When it was announced that John Boyega (“Attack the Block”) was cast to play the stormtrooper-turnedrebel, Finn, there was some controversy. But Boyega brings a heart to his character that holds the whole movie together. His levity and relatable motives keep you invested in the movie from start to finish. Finn adds an entirely new dimension to the “Star Wars” saga and it’s silly to think that anyone ever thought that John Boyega didn’t belong in this film. I’m extremely interested to see what is done with his character in the future. A character that I had hoped to see more of was Oscar Isaac’s (“Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Ex Machina”) Poe Dameron. Poe is the best pilot in the Resistance, and adds a sharp wit to the movie reminiscent of Han Solo. Unfortunately, we only get a small taste of his character in this film. Though for spoilerish reasons, his lack of screen time makes sense, and I’m sure he’ll be more prominently featured in the next few installments. The real hero of this trilogy, however, is Daisy Ridley’s (“Scrawl”) Rey. Rey is a young woman living as a slave worker on the desolate planet of Jakku. She if defined by her solitude and her hope that her family will one day return to her. It’s her kindness to BB-8 that inserts her into the plot, and it’s her resourcefulness and knowhow as a mechanic that impresses Han Solo. With her sensitivity to the force, it’s easy to see her future in the series as a Jedi. I used to be envious of the men and women that got to see “A New Hope” in theaters in 1977. I no longer need to be. J.J. Abrams has delivered to us an experience akin to seeing the original trilogy for the first time. “The Force Awakens” presents us with everything we loved about “Star Wars” while inventing new and welcomed aspects to the universe.

GRAPHIC S E I T L E V O N By Cameron Kerkau

Retro review: Birth of the modern batman

hen “The Dark Knight Returns” was released in 1986 it signaled a change in tone for Batman, and for comic books in general. With writer and artist Frank Miller’s dark and psychologically complex Batman, the image of Adam West dancing in his light-blue and gray tights was washed out of collective memory. Fans were no longer interested in stories about cosmic adventure and whimsical crime fighting—not while Miller and Alan Moore were talking about real issues like drug addiction and the Soviets. The influence of the “Dark Knight Returns” continues even today. Zack Snyder, the director on the upcoming film “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice,” has said that his film has taken a lot of inspiration from “The Dark Knight Returns.” A sequel to the book was released in 2001, and a second sequel began it’s serial release late last year. In the beginning of the book we find a Bruce Wayne that is aged and retired, and a Gotham city that’s as grimy as ever—all while a heat wave inspires numerous violent crimes. A stream of television news screens constantly remind us, and the people of Gotham, just how terrible the state of the world is. These screens appear on just about every page and while they successfully immerse the reader into Miller’s world, they also clutter the page and add paragraph upon paragraph of unnecessary exposition. When we first meet Bruce, we witness his internal struggle to suppress Batman who exists as a monster in Bruce’s psyche that is constantly trying to free itself. Eventually, the actions of street gangs and a recently-released Two-Face inspire Bruce to free the Batman and thus the Dark Knight returns. At first, Batman appears as a horror figure. We only see his hands as he pulls murderers through windows or beats pimps half to death in the back of taxis while neon blue lightning cracks the sky. These scenes culminate in a satisfyingly beautiful full-page image of Batman leaping through a gray sky exclaiming “The pain on my chest is a Baptism.” Moments like these are where this book is at it’s best. Miller’s Batman broods like a champion. His thought boxes are filled with ridiculously over-written monologues which makes being Batman seem like an emo-spiritual, euphoric experience for Bruce. For example: he tackles Two-Face through a window and his thoughts read “We tumble like lovers,” it’s grim, it’s uber dark and it’s a lot of fun. The fun was ruined however, when I read on and realized how serious he takes his own story. Sub-plots upon sub-plots are added with very little pay off and it eventually becomes clear that Miller is much more interested in his own opinions and pessimistic views of the world than he is in the characters that he’s writing. Page after page he shows us the worst of people. There are many scenes in which reporters interview citizens of Gotham, portrayed as spoiled hypocrites. In one such interview, a man says “Yes, of course I’d heard about the bomb. But I’ve got problems of my own,” referring to a nuclear warhead that explodes above the Americas. I didn’t expect to enjoy Miller’s Batman in the way that I did. I’ve always felt that comic books that take themselves too seriously lose a sense of self-awareness which I think is important to have when writing about characters that fly around in tights. However, being dark and being serious don’t have to be the same thing. Miller’s Batman is so dark that it’s silly, and that’s fun for me, but Miller seems to think that the ultra-grim society in which he exists is somehow representative of the real world, and that’s idiotic. I would have really liked “The Dark Knight Returns” if it focused more on developing Batman and didn’t use up so much space having citizens saying dumb things to reporters. Hopefully I’ll find more of what I like in either of the two sequels.

The albums I had on repeat in 2015 Alex kostka

OPINION Fidlar “Too”

Making waves with their newest record released in September, FIDLAR spent the last few months of 2015 touring the United States and United Kingdom. FIDLAR’s “TOO” made the cut for one of my 2015 reviews and it only makes sense for their newest record to make it onto my list of top albums of 2015. I’ve had this whole record replaying in my head for over three months now and it only excites more to see what else is in store for these California punks.

Foxing “Dealer”

I was late in game with getting into to the band Foxing. At one point, they weren’t anything more than just another band and page that I liked on Facebook. From there I slowly introduced myself to their full-length debut “The Albatross” and became hooked. As soon as I saw a post for their first single “Weave” off of their newest album “Dealer,” I immediately plugged in my headphones and hid in the corner to listen while anxiously waiting for the full album to be released. “Dealer” lives up to everything. I couldn’t miss this release and neither should you. Oso Oso”Real Stories of True People Who Kind of Looked Like Monsters” Oh boy, let’s talk melodic rock/emo for a brief moment. If you are a fan of bands like Saves The Day or Brand New then you will thoroughly enjoy Long Beach, N.Y. based band OSO OSO. Their debut full-length “Real Stories of True People Who Kind of Looked Like Monsters” was my summer album of 2015. To explain a little more, I drove with my window down plenty of times playing this record as loud as I could while enjoying their catchy melodic hooks. This album gives me chills and makes me reminisce over a brilliant summer.

Third Eye Blind ”Dopamine”

I must admit, I never got into Third Eye Blind in the past like I did in 2015. Maybe that’s because I managed to see them put on two stellar performances this past summer supporting their newest release “Dopamine.” Alt-rock vets, known for their hit singles “Semi-Charmed Life” and “Jumper,” along with many other fan favorites proves that they still have the hooks and musical composition with “Dopamine.” Stephen Jenkins, the band’s frontman and founder, has been at it for over 18 years now. As 2015 ended well for these guys, I can only imagine what else is in store for this release in 2016.

Motion City Soundtrack “Panic Stations”

For over 15 years Motion City Soundtrack has been consistently writing records, touring and repeating the process over again in a timely manner to keep their fans pleased. Their highly anticipated album “Panic Stations” was in the works for what seemed like forever, and it was worth the wait once it was released. If you have a tough time getting used to new music, I would suggest introducing yourself to this record by starting with the song “Gravity.” You will hear that loud Motion City Soundtrack synth/rock that hits home.

Andy and the Pandy’s “Bad Church”

Andy Maitland, the frontman of Detroit’s Andy and the Pandy’s has been able to write and record a full-length album and have it released in December for the past 5 years, all with some help from his friends. After listening to his 2014 album titled “It Only Gets Darker” on repeat, it only prepared me for the following year when the newest release “Bad Church” was announced. Maitland and his band explore indie/folk/rock, proving that meaningful lyrics and catchy choruses shine throughout the whole album.

Sufjan Stevens “Carrie & Lowell”

In my opinion, I’d say this is Sufjan’s best album. It’s even better to know that this multi-instrumentalist and lyrical genius is from Michigan. “Carrie & Lowell,” named after his mother and step-father, explores lyrical themes such as family, depression throughout his childhood and substance abuse. Touching on personal experiences like being abandoned by his own mother, this opens Stevens up more than usual with his music. Lowell, his step-father mentioned throughout the album, also runs Sufjans’ record label Asthmatic Kitty, which makes this record much more interesting.

City and Colour “If I Should Go Before You” Yet another album that was review worthy makes it onto this list. I’ve always been a fan of Dallas Green (City and Colour), beginning with his other band Alexisonfire and moving onto his current project and newest album “If I Should Go Before You.” Green’s newest release is definitely my favorite record to listen to during autumn. The soothing indie/pop/alternative vibe from start to finish definitely gives me a reason to keep replaying, as well as calling it one of my favorites of 2015.

Small Houses “Still Talk; Second City”

Jeremy Quentin, known as Small Houses, is a Flint, Mich. native who’s been living out of his car and touring the country for a handful of years now. When I heard that he began recording his newest full-length “Still Talk; Second City” in 2014, I immediately became interested in the process and where this record might take him. If you’re a fan of alternative/country with a folk twist then you will enjoy Small Houses. This album has taken him all over the United States and Europe which says something. Give it a listen from the beginning to end; this has helped me through so many late night drives.

monday, January 11, 2016

www.deltacollegiate.com

health/sports

PIONEERS of the week

Looking for the Delta difference, Ashley Lee turns to basketball Justin Jurek Graduating from Millington High School in 2014, Ashley Lee shined her senior year on the court, receiving numerous awards such as: first team All-Conference, second team AllDistrict, first team All-Thumb, first team All-Advertiser and team MVP. Lee did not pursue basketball right out of high school, as she wanted to focus on school her first year. “I came here just for school,” says Lee, “then I realized that I really missed basketball.” The coaches continued to reach out to her and Lee decided to give it a shot. “I had offers to go play college softball and I turned them down because I liked basketball a lot more,” says Lee. The team went into this season with high expectations. “We had the hopes of being undefeated,” explains Lee, “but we’re still a young team and learning.” According to Lee, that’s when things get serious. She believes the Lady Pioneers have a great chance at winning the conference this year, even with such a young team. After coming off a knee injury—thought to be a meniscus tear from the preseason—Lee is happy to finally be able to make an impact on the court rather than just on the sidelines. “It’s nice to go from the supporter to a team player again,” says Lee. Lee thinks the biggest struggle for the team right now is its maturity. “The main struggle is we lose our composure, and since we are so young we all try to handle it differently,” explains Lee. However, with that little bit of struggle comes a lot of good, which shows with their 8-6 record. “Our team’s strong point is our bond,” says Lee. “We bonded really fast and got really close in the preseason.” With a lot of season left to improve, Lee says, “We work together, we don’t work together, we’re still trying to find that balance and even it out.”

(Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

Delta’s Jenna Szostak, 4, goes up to shoot during the Alpena Community College vs. Delta College home game on January 6, 2015. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

Hailing from the U.P., freshman Jacob Thomann has the Tri-City tempo Ethan Moore

EthanMooreDC

Jacob Thomann, an exercise science major here at Delta, is the starting center for the men’s basketball team and has been playing ball since he was a third grader in his hometown of Iron Mountain. Thomann was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and in his short time here at Delta, he’s noticed a big difference in how the game is played down here. “The biggest difference from playing in the (Upper Peninsula) and playing down here is the tempo.” Says Thomann, “In the (Upper Peninsula) we have a lot more half court teams that try to slow the game down, here we have more running teams that push the ball up the court to get a quick basket.” Back in high school, Thomann was named to the 2nd team all-conference, as well as 2nd team all-UP in his senior season. In his final season at Iron Mountain, he led the Mountaineers to a district title while leading the team in rebounding and blocks. Thomann has always loved playing basketball and the actual competition doesn’t faze him. “I treat every practice like a game.” Says Thomann. “So when I look at practices as a game, the real games don't seem like a big deal and I just see it as another night of doing what I love.” Thomann is currently leading the Pioneers in blocks on the season and is consistently playing a high volume of minutes. He’s set goals for himself and his team not just on the court, but also for his life going forward. “My aspirations with basketball are to win the conference this year, and hopefully get the chance to play at a four year university.” Explains Thomann. “In life they are to be the best that I can be.” The team is off to a slow start this season (2-12), but that doesn’t have Thomann discouraged from what this team can do. “Our rough start does not discourage me. All I think about is getting better. We are a very young team and when we get the hang of college basketball we are not going to lose easy games like we have been.”

' HUDDLE C ACHS

Pioneer’s claim first win of season over winter break Warren, Michigan - It's been a rough start for the 2015-16 version of the Delta College men's basketball team as the Pioneers began the season by dropping the first 12 games. However, head Coach Carlos McMath and his staff have been preaching, "The Bigger Picture" when it comes down to their non-conference woes. On Monday, the first day of the conference schedule, the bigger picture revealed itself. In a road game at Macomb Community College the Pioneers picked up their first win of the season in their first conference game as they outlasted the Monarchs, 83-77 in overtime. "It's not about me and my coaching record," said McMath about earning his first victory as a college head coach. "It's

about my guys believing and buying in to the culture. If you've seen us play you know that my guys play extremely hard, but now we are competing at a higher level". The first half saw both teams attack on the offensive end of the court, using an up-and-down the floor pace that saw Macomb take a commanding 11 point lead at the half. Delta's inside presence of Dan Stanback accompanied by the attacking ability of Johnathan kept the Pioneers in the game early but a late push by Macomb staked them to the halftime lead. DC opened the second half up with a 16-4 run to capture the lead at the seven minute mark. Holding on to a two-point lead in the closing moments of regulation, Delta was

Delta’s Nyashia Williams, 0, searches for a teammate to pass the ball to during the Alpena Community College vs. Delta College home game on January 6, 2015. (Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

Lady Pioneers persevere, comeback to beat Alpena Ethan Moore

EthanMooreDC

The Lady Pioneers came into the game looking to stay above .500 as they took on Alpena Community College. It was rough goings early on as Alpena controlled the boards and took good interior shots as they had a 24 point outburst which led gave them a nine point lead heading into the half. Coach Kelly Miller knew her team could play better and told them so during the break. “When we’re [on offense] we have to take our time and build the lead instead of rushing and trying to do too much a once,” Says Miller. The team came out fired up in the second half and eventually cut that lead down to three with one more quarter left to play. The Lady Pioneers stayed confident and eventually willed their way to a 73-68 victory thanks to some clutch defensive stops. Jayde Abenth led the way in scoring with 16 points, Kenisha Newsome and Jenna Szostak both added 12 as the team pulled away in the final seconds. “When we played intense we made it hard for them to make good shots and decisions,” says Miller. “Our intensity got us back in the game and ultimately got us the win.” The win improved their record to 8-6 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The team has looked good on defense, allowing just 62 points per game, however the team has room for improvement both offensively and in rebounding. As a team they’re shooting just 38.7 percent from the field and their rebounding margin is -5.7 per game. Miller likes where her team is at, but knows that their toughest tests are still ahead. “We know that we're going to face tough teams during conference play and we will have a battle every night,” explains Miller. “We need to continue to build on hard fought wins like this in order to be where we want to be to make the district tournament.”

(Delta Collegiate/Josephine Norris)

stripped on a drive to the basket that led to a fast break layup for Macomb to tie the game up at 72-72. After missing the go ahead basket with 25 seconds to go in regulation, the Pioneers defense stepped up and forced a miss to push the contest in to overtime. "The game became physical but also mentally exhausting," said McMath. "Both teams where laying it out on the line. But our guys have been here (overtime) before." Delta went on to outscore Macomb 11-5 in the overtime to secure their first victory in the conference and on the season. The Pioneers were led by Devin Smith with 19 points and five rebounds while Jovon Thomason had 15 points, five assists and two steals. Delta committed just seven turnovers in 45 minutes, a statistice that wasn't lost on Coach McMath. "That was a very tough defense," said McMath. "And the difference was that we didn't turn the ball over." -Courtesy DeltaPioneers.com

Pioneers thrash Alpena, win second straight Ethan Moore

EthanMooreDC

Coming off of their first win of the season, the team looked supremely confident coming into this one and it showed on the court. The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead behind the scoring efforts of Devin Smith (16), William Williams (14), and Tyler Ellis (10). It was truly a team effort in a game that the Pioneers dominated from start to finish. Now with two wins to their name, the Delta Men are really starting to hit their stride at the right time. “It's about my guys believing and buying into the culture.” Says Coach Carlos McMath. “If you've seen us play you know that my guys play extremely hard, but now we are competing at a higher level." The team is now 2-0 in the new year and McMath believes the time off is one of the factors that contributed to their success. “I truly believe the difference is that we are truly playing “for” each other rather than “with” each other.” Explains McMath. “The biggest swing came with our intensity in practice as well as our bonding over the break.” The Pioneers out rebounded and shot the ball better than Alpena in easily their best performance of the season. The win moves them to 2-12 on the season and more importantly 2-0 in conference play. The Pioneers have struggled to stay in games throughout the season and in the few games they have been competitive they haven’t been able to capitalize late. They’re shooting a respectable 42 percent from the field, however a paltry 60.1 percent from the free throw line has cost them many games. With the most important part of their schedule coming up, the Pioneers are peaking at the right time and are hoping to carry this momentum going forward. “In order to keep our intensity up we must believe that we went through everything in the first semester to mold us into the team we are becoming now.” Says McMath.

Monday, january 11, 2016

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opinion Corrosive Capitol W

hile rural poor whites occupy a federal building in Oregon and the 2016 presidential race heats up there’s a national disaster going on in Flint. The people are being poisoned by their water and it’s a direct result of the actions taken by the Michigan state government. This is a national issue and an embarrassment for the state of Michigan. It’s a crisis that has been almost two years in the making and will irreparably affect the people of

Flint. A lot has been said about who’s at fault but the answer is clear: the responsibility and blame for this crisis lies at the feet of Governor Snyder. It was Snyder’s crony, Darnell Earley (appointed with the help of the governor’s undemocratic emergency manager law), who made the decision to switch the city’s water source from Detroit to the Flint River. Despite concerns that the water needed extensive treatment

Social media

Blame people not the medium Lindsey schibelhut

OPINION

remember it like it was yesterday. In the summer of 2010, my family was getting the internet installed in our home for the very first time. My excitement was palpable as I was looking forward to connecting with family and friends I didn’t see very often. Almost immediately, I started signing up on different social media platforms such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter. However, my excitement would be short lived due to the behaviors of many family members using said platforms. One of the first places I started friending family, was on Facebook. I put out friend requests to multiple cousins and they all accepted the requests. Yet a while after the requests were accepted, their behavior towards me changed. I would post “Hi” and “How are you doing?” messages and never get a reply, but I would see them replying to each other. When I finally did get a reply it was to say, “Sorry can’t talk now, going out with friends.” Soon after that message they changed their privacy settings on Facebook, making it impossible to communicate. This left me wondering why I was getting treated this way, so

before the switch could be made Earley went ahead by citing the amount of money that the city could save. It turns out that those concerns were justified; the city soon had to issue boil advisories to deal with the high levels of bacteria that were found in the water. All the while Earley and Flint Mayor Dayne Walling continued to deny any problems with the water quality. In response to the high levels of bacteria the city began treating the water in an effort to clean it. Turns out the chemicals used contaminated the water further and resulted in the city violating the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. As a result the city had to send out letters to residents notifying them of the violation and warning them not to use the water. Detroit offered to reconnect the water system and start selling to Flint again, but the city’s new Emergency Manager Jerry Ambrose said that it was incomprehensible for the city to pay for Detroit’s water when the Flint River was perfectly

I went to Twitter and started friending family there. The same cousin that changed their privacy settings went on to block me on Twitter too. I made mention to adult family members that I thought some cyberbullying was happening, one made an attempt to find out what was going on. For this I got an angry Facebook message from another cousin telling me not to vent my frustrations to adults and that “I can’t force family to be friends.” (FYI I never forced them to accept that friend request, but I digress). Eventually they both blocked me on Facebook - I never communicated with those two cousins again. In another incident involving Facebook, yet another cousin and I were having issues. Again I was being nice and trying to communicate with them, but the behavior changed. I would get condescending comments thrown at me for a myriad of things (including me posting news articles to my Facebook page), but one of the most hurtful comments occurred over me trying to wish them a Merry Christmas. I wasn’t going to be able to attend a Christmas celebration at their house, so I decided to wish them Merry Christmas in advance. The comment I received was something to the effect of, “It’s not even Christmas yet. What is the meaning of Christmas really?” quite facetious and rude. We had a few other problems after that, so I stopped communication again because it wasn’t worth anymore hurtful episodes. Ultimately though, the worst experience I had involving Facebook, had to do with an adult relative of mine I had also friended. Multiple posts they were “liking” amongst other

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safe. As city and state officials continued to deny the problem the corrosive river water began to strip the lead from pipes. Soon scientists began to detect dangerously high amounts of lead in the Flint water system and in blood samples taken of residents. That is not good. High amounts of lead can cause skin problems, damage internal organs and cause irreparable damage to the central nervous system and brain. After months of outcry from citizens and city officials the state finally announced plans to reconnect Flint to Detroit’s water system. Now Governor Snyder has declared a state of emergency and has begged the people to focus on fixing the problem without playing the blame game. That’s a convenient thing to say especially coming from the man who is ultimately responsible. The Department of Justice is now looking into the matter and while it might be too early to say, they’ll likely find something. The city and state didn’t take proper

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measures in determining the quality of the Flint River water and if they genuinely didn’t know the severity of the problem then they’re guilty of criminal incompetence. The situation in Flint represents a failure of government on every level. But it was local democratically elected officials who first started acknowledging the problem and proposing the solution; state officials including the Department of Environmental Quality, Snyder and his emergency managers did everything in their power to deny, delay and excuse action in the crisis. When children are poisoned with lead it is absolutely fair for the people of Flint, of Michigan and of the entire country to play the “blame game.” The situation in Flint can’t be solved as long as those responsible for causing it are still in power. When the governor says we should focus on fixing the problem instead of finding those at fault what he’s really saying is, “Please don’t hold any of us legally accountable.” -By Greg Horner

comments would lead to my mother and I figuring out that they were gay. This person had been lying to our entire family for more than 20 years (after their divorce) still expecting us believe they were straight - to this day their own parents aren’t aware of the truth. We were blamed for invading their privacy because we looked at their Facebook page. If anyone hasn’t realized this yet - NOTHING you post on social media or elsewhere is private - if it’s in the internet sphere quite likely someone will find it. The unraveling of their multitude of lies, led to them blocking us on social media and sending us threatening emails. We severed all ties with them and try not to have anymore contact. After all of these horrible incidents on social media you may now be thinking “Wow, you you must really hate it!” And to that I say - I don’t hate the medium, I just hate how people use it. By people using the medium so poorly, it just helped expose them for who they truly are. It unmasked the facades they put on when we were together in person. It also helped me realize that I didn’t need their kind of negativity in my life. Social media can only be as useful as those who are wielding it. Right now, I wield it to spread the news through my work as a staff reporter. If you use it to do positive things, there will more than likely be a positive outcome. The opposite also holds true, but with hurtful and sometimes devastating consequences. So as we ring in this new year, let’s use social media to spread kindness and positivity - the world could use a giant dose of it right about now.

Interstate Traffic becomes the band to watch out for in the Midwest Alex kostka

OPINION

outh Bend, Ind. has been a town known for music in recent years. The city hosts the well known Sounds by South Bend Festival which is in its third year. They also have unique concert venues like The Pool, a former high school pool and The Well, a non-profit coffee house venue, available for showgoers. Interstate Traffic, an up-and-coming band out of South Bend, will soon meet the rest of the Midwest with their new release. Their extraordinary vocals and well-composed instrumentation will catch your ear upon the first listen. Their debut E.P. titled “If That Really Is Your Name” was released on Nov. 14. The album provides six diverse tracks, ranging from jazz infused indie rock to sincere and tranquil vocals which complement the E.P. respectively. Interstate Traffic has been around for almost two years and will continue to rise as they plan to hit the road in 2016. With a debut E.P., a single release and plenty of shows under their belt, their new year is looking bright. This will be a band to watch out for. A good song to start out with is “Neon Jewels” which provides creative, well thought out lyrics like “I’d rather be righteous or holy than famous” and “I’ve been dancing around on a beautiful night, complete with streetlights, neon jewels in my crown.” It is best to listen to after a long day as the album will bring you into a relaxing night. Interstate Traffic is in for an important and big year as they set out to support their newest release. I can honestly say to keep your eyes peeled as they may be approaching the Tri-City area very soon.

monday, january 11, 2016

Talk with the staff, ask questions and give story suggestions Free coffee and cookies will be provided The event takes place at Founders Hall in front of library

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The dates for this semester’s Coffee with the Collegiate include:

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