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Combatting Racism & Injustice

MARRY ME? Leap Year Traditions give Women the Power

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MSU’s Black Student Union takes a stand

The Sound of Music Comes to East Lansing Don’t miss this classic musical at the Wharton Center

AUGUST 2014

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CALLING ALL WRITERS ARE YOU A SKILLED WRITER? WANT TO BE PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE? ing Magazine is looking for freelance student writers to contribute to the monthly publication.

If you’re interested, please email Ami at ami@m3group.biz with your experience, along with three samples of your work.

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February 2016

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FEBRUARY2015

THE POWER OF WORDS

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Sales Manager

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Manny Garcia Megan Fleming Media Specialist

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Kelly Mazurkiewicz

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18 FEATURES

IN THIS ISSUE

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4.

WRITing

18. FEATURing

18. BLACK STUDENT ALLIANCE

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SAVing

22. PLAYing

20. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

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CRAFTing

24. PHOTOGRAPHing

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COVERing

25. HAPPENing

Art Director

Mark Warner Communications Manager

Ami Iceman Editor

Alicia Pilmore Graphic Designer

Kerry Hidlay Web Manager

Skylar Kohagen Social Media Specialist

MSU SLAM POETRY

Kalynne McIntyre Contributers

Tyler Austin Diedre Davis Anna Ellison Emma Kukuk Brindsi Liberty Emily Murray Lauren Ross Brittney Urich

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Give us a call at 517.203.0123 or email at ami@m3group.biz. ing Magazine is published monthly by M3 Group, Lansing, MI. All rights reserved. © 2014 M3 Group No part of this magazine may be reproduced whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher.

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The Power of Words

New Semester, New You:

A Letter from the Editor

Ways to Clean up Your Finances

BY ALICIA PILMORE

BY DEIDRE DAVIS

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It’s a new semester with new classes; the perfect time to set goals and have a fresh start. In all of the excitement of returning to school, remember to focus on your finances. After all of the holiday spending, your budget could almost certainly benefit from a thorough cleaning and reorganization. With the tips listed below, you can clean up your finances in preparation for the next semester.

o you remember the first time you told someone that you loved them? Whether it was to a friend or a significant other, those three little words were anything but insignificant when you first said them. By saying, “I love you,” you opened yourself up to that person in a way that few are comfortable with. You told them that you care about them, that you value them and most importantly, you told them that you trust them, all with three, one-syllable words.

O RGANIZ ATIO N

Now, do you remember the first time that someone said something cruel to you? Unless you’re really good at shaking off insults, it’s more than likely that their words have stuck with you from the moment they left their lips. We may not want to admit it, but harsh words do hurt us, and whether we realize it or not, the words we say to each other have a powerful impact that can be felt for many, many years to come.

February is the perfect time to talk about the power that words have over us. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we are reminded all month to let our loved ones know just how much we care about them. And the shortened month is a great reminder that our days are short, and that we should take the time to tell the people we love just how much they mean to us. And don’t forget to use this year’s Leap Day to your advantage; we’re all lucky enough to get one extra day to tell someone how we feel.

Visit us at both locations!

This month, the writers at ing Magazine are sharing stories about the influence of words. From the spoken word poetry performed by MSU’s Slam Poetry Club to the rising voices of the MSU Black Student Alliance, each story shared in our February issue demonstrates just how important our words really are. The impact that words have on each and every one of us is truly extraordinary.

Persian poet Hafez once said, “The words you speak become the house you live in.” Let’s make sure that the words we speak this month fill our houses with kindness, understanding and love.

A major part of cleaning involves organizing. You organize your clothes, cupboards and desk, to name a few. While you’re at it, throw in your spending.

Organizing your spending is a great way to manage money and remove stress from your life. Track all purchases that you make and decide if they were necessary or gratuitous. You might surprise yourself with how much money you spent that could have been saved instead. Moving forward, focus your spending habits only on the things that you need and put the rest in a savings account for the future.

DUST O F F YO UR SAVINGS

If you have a savings account, you’re doing great! But rates are always changing. Make sure that you check with your local credit union to see what rates and alternative savings products they are offering. There might be a different type of account or investment option that would allow you to gain even more money in dividends.

For additional tips and resources, visit our educational website—Financial 4.0—made to help college students gain financial self-sufficiency. There’s also a mobile app for iOS and Android enabled devices.

GE T RID O F TH E TRASH

It’s smart to save receipts and statements for a time, but they cause clutter. Hang on to receipts for a brief time (typically 90 days per store policies) in case you need to return items. After that, the receipt is unnecessary and can be recycled. The same can be said with account statements. A great option to avoid clutter and protect sensitive information is to enroll in electronic statements, helping you and the environment in one fell swoop.

Alicia Pilmore is a communications specialist at M3 Group and the editor of ing Magazine. She loves writing, wine tasting and spoiling her cat, Pishi.

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February 2016

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CRAFTing

DIY: Creative Cards, Letters of Love

BY EMILY KUKUK

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end a Card to a Friend Day — which takes place on Feb. 7 every year — is part of a slew of relatively unknown holidays. However, despite its obscurity, it is the perfect opportunity to keep in touch with friends. In the age of social media, our constant connection can become quite overwhelming.

Writing and receiving a card from a friend is a great way to take a break from social sensory overload while staying connected with loved ones and letting them know that they are appreciated. Plus, snail mail is a fun, unexpected surprise.

To make your own card for this delightful holiday, follow these steps:

1. PICK OUT SOME FESTIVE PAPER FOR YOUR CARD. Cardstock and designer paper

typically work best, but you can use any kind of paper. Thicker paper is recommended because it is more durable and holds its shape better.

2. GET CREATIVE. Cut the paper to whatever

size or shape is desired. Cards can be big or small, and can come in a variety of shapes, such as rectangles, ovals and trapezoids. It’s up to you!

3. DECORATE IT! Let your creativity run

wild. From stamps and stencils to paper cutouts and doodles, nothing is off limits.

4. WRITE A LETTER. You could just send

your friend the pretty card you’ve made, but including some thoughtful words or an inside joke will make it a bit more personal.

5. MAKE AN ENVELOPE. This is the trickiest part of the process because there are a lot of different ways to make envelopes. For our purpose, the pouch envelope is the easiest to make and yields two envelopes for twice the fun!

a. Fold a standard-sized (8.5 x 11 inches) piece of paper into quarters b. Unfold the paper and then cut it in half along the shorter crease c. Fold along the crease to make a rectangle. The crease should be the bottom of the envelope d. Use tape to securely close the two open sides of the rectangle. This will leave the top open, which is where you will insert your card.

Washi tape, which can be found at grocery and craft stores, is decorative and paperfriendly, so if you make a mistake it won’t ruin the envelope. e. Fold the top down to make a flap. Crease and unfold. f.

Insert the card, fold the flap down again, and tape it closed. You can also use glue to make it more secure. (Adapted from wikiHow)

6. PICK OUT SOME UNIQUE TYPOGRAPHY

for your friend’s address to really spice things up. The font can show that you put a lot of thought into the project.

And voila! You’ve got a card that your friend is sure to appreciate. So go grab a stamp and start sending away!

Emma Kukuk is a senior double majoring in Communication and Professional Writing. She hopes one day to save the world by working for a major non-profit or being a novelist, whichever comes first. She enjoys obsessing over knitting patterns, painting bizarre landscapes, and singing at the top of her lungs.

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February 2016

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COVERing

It’s Time to Slam Now Slam down with the MSU Slam Poetry team in honor of poetry month!

BY EMILY MURRAY

S

omething about red roses and violets that are blue: it’s the line you’ve heard a million times.

But despite the fact that this well-known rhyme has come to define the way most people think of poetry, it is actually so much more than that. Poetry comes in two forms: written and spoken.

It is an opportunity for self-expression through writing and spoken word.

Written poetry is a more traditional form compared to spoken poetry, which is quickly making its way into pop culture as an authentic and totally original form of entertainment.

The MSU Slam Poetry team is a student organization that strives to empower poets in the campus community, proving that poetry is not something that was only done by a bunch of dead guys. The MSU Slam Poetry team is working to mainstream the way people think of poetry. Many people are often reluctant to get into poetry because there is a misconception that it is always associated with academics. However, MSU Slam Poetry president,

Hannah Shulte, explained, “Many people haven’t been exposed to enough poetry to understand that it is a great way to express yourself and build self confidence along with self esteem.”

While poetry has its own difficulties, it is particularly rewarding if you allow yourself to fully embrace it.

“Self doubt is a big challenge in poetry because of the fear that your poem may not be received the way you intended,” said Shulte. “But the true beauty of poetry is that you can talk about something that has been discussed several times and always hear something new because poetry is all about interpretation.”

With the evolution of this literary art coming to life, moving from written to spoken words, poetry competitions have grown, becoming increasingly more relevant to the world of poetry. Poetry Slam is a competition that originated in Chicago due to the large number of poetry clubs there that are focused on competing. The Poetry Slam competition has spread and takes place locally at clubs such as The Avenue and The Loft in Lansing.

These competitions are very community-oriented and usually contain anywhere from two to 10 participants.

Poetry Slam competitions are judged by random audience members, which makes the competitions more fair, because the audience does not know what to expect. The judges are people who volunteer and must take poetic elements such as message, delivery and crowd involvement, into consideration before awarding a score between one and 10. Ultimately, as poets advance through the Poetry Slam competitions, they increase their eligibility to enter the College Union Poetry Slam Invitation (CUPSI), which is the biggest poetry competition and is scheduled to take place at the end of March.

The MSU Slam Poetry team is inclusive of everyone and is always accepting new members. So find your inner poet and join the MSU Slam Poetry team in honor of poetry month! For more information about the MSU Poetry Slam team, check out their Facebook and Twitter pages. In addition, for more detailed information about poetry events taking place around the Lansing area contact the Lansing Poetry Network.

Emily Murray is a senior majoring in professional writing and minoring in public relations. She loves fashion, especially writing about it, and enjoys working with VIM Magazine, CollegeFashionista and keeping up with her own blog, From Me to Hue. Emily is also a member of the MSU Dance Club.

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W HILE POETRY HAS ITS OW N DIFFICULTIES, IT IS PARTICULARLY REWARDIN G IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO FULLY EMB RACE IT.

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Whether you’re buying books for the semester, grabbing coffee on your way to class, or picking up some Spartan swag, your Platinum Plus Visa Credit Card rewards you with 1% cash back.1 In addition to cash back, the Platinum Plus Visa Credit Card offers rates as low as 12.9% APR2. That’s nearly 4% less than the national average for rewards cards!

Not an MSU student or employee?

There are many ways to open an account and save! www.msufcu.org • 517-333-2222 Federally insured by NCUA. Members will earn 1% cash back for every $1 of net purchase. Cash back is not earned on tax payments, any unauthorized charges or transactions, cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, or fees of any kind.

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12.9% APR is lowest rate offered for Platinum Plus Visa Credit Card. Rate offered is based on member’s credit score.

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LIVing

Leap Year: Traditions and Superstitions

BY EMMA KUKUK

E

very four years, something special happens to the 365-day Gregorian calendar most of the world follows. Because the time it takes earth to revolve around the sun is actually slightly over 365 days—five hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds over, to be exact—some precautions must be taken to avoid getting out of sync.

Originally proposed by Julius Caesar over 2000 years ago, the Leap Year adds one extra day to the calendar in order to catch up with those few extra hours. This means that every four years, the calendar sees a new day: Feb. 29.

Feb. 29, known as Leap Day, is also associated with many traditions, superstitions and folklore. The most famous of these traditions is the reverse proposal, called “The Ladies Privilege,” when women can propose to men. According to Irish legend, St. Brigid, a nun, was frustrated that ladies during fifth century Ireland had to wait for their men to propose to them.

She complained to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who proclaimed that women could have the chance to propose for themselves on the Leap Day. It provided an opportunity for women to correct a tradition that was one-sided and unfair. Though this legend is old, no mentions of gender-reversed proposals were recorded until the 1700s, and saw their peak in the early 20th century.

Leap Day also saw variants of odd traditions, presumably because it wasn’t considered a “real” day, and therefore societal rules did not apply. These traditions included women abandoning dresses for “breeches” on a Leap Day, and invoking “The Ladies Privilege” where women wore a red petticoat in order to propose, presumably to give their potential husbands some warning. Additionally, it is said that Queen Margaret of Scotland added a catch to this tradition. If a man refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day, he had to pay a fine. This usually took the form of a kiss or of giving a silk dress or 12 pairs of gloves, the intention being to hide the ring-less state of the jilted lady’s hand.

It’s doubtful that either part of this legend is true.

St. Brigid was around 10 years old when St. Patrick died, thus making their friendship unlikely, and Queen Margaret was only 5 years old when her law was supposedly enacted. Disregarding the credibility of the legend’s origins, it is a tradition that is still followed by many people today, though different countries practice it differently.

All around the world, Leap Year and Leap Day are associated with many different traditions and superstitions. Although the legend is popular in Ireland, in Greece it is viewed with superstition. It is considered unlucky for couples to marry during a Leap Year and especially on Leap Day, because it is not considered a “real” day. It is believed that marrying in a Leap Year can only end in two types of personal catastrophes: divorce or the death of one of the spouses. In Ukraine, where every day of the

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year has an assigned saint, marrying on Leap Day is simply not done. The saint assigned to Feb. 29, Cassian, became vengeful after God made his saint day on Leap Day for not helping a peasant in trouble.

He is said to bring sickness to people and cattle with a single gaze, which is why Ukrainians are encouraged to stay indoors, keep animals inside and refrain from marrying on this day.

Since Feb. 29 only appears on the calendar every four years, people born on that day—often called Leapers or Leaplings—face a dilemma: in years that aren’t Leap Years, when do they celebrate their birthday – every year or every four years? For many countries, there are laws in place that define which date a Leaper comes of age in legal terms. In common years, Leaper birthdays can fall on either February 28 or March 1. Technically, Leapers are only ever a fraction of their real ages. This can be amusing when birthdays come around.

A 20-year-old born on Feb. 29 would only be celebrating their fifth birthday. Leapers are invited to join The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies, considered to be the world’s largest birthday club.

This society acts as a network for them where there’s always someone to wish them a happy birthday.

Though Leap Year does not come around too often, many cultures from around the world have traditions and superstitions associated with it. These can range from breaking gender roles to avoiding catastrophe and vary across cultures. In modern times, people born on Leap Day face a unique dilemma in regards to celebrating their birthdays. Though Leap Year does not come around too often, it brings with it traditions and superstitions that are rooted deep in history, they still endure in our modern world.

Emma Kukuk is a senior double majoring in Communication and Professional Writing. She hopes one day to save the world by working for a major non-profit or being a novelist, whichever comes first. She enjoys obsessing over knitting patterns, painting bizarre landscapes, and singing at the top of her lungs.

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FEATURing

Famous Black Alumni

MSU’s Black Student Alliance

BY TYLER AUSTIN

MYRTLE CRAIG - 1907

ERNEST GREEN - 1962

Class of 1907, Myrtle Craig received a Bachelor of Science in home economics. The first African American woman to graduate from Michigan Agricultural College, President Jonathan Snyder praised her as a young woman “of more than ordinary ability,” “considerable dignity” and “good sense.” Craig chose a career as an educator, serving on the faculty of Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri for more than 20 years. In 1990, Michigan State University established the Myrtle Craig Mowbray Scholarship in her honor. (Taken from MSU Archives)

Ernest Green was a member of the historic Little Rock Nine, the first group of black students to attend school at Little Rock Central High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts at Michigan State, and then returned to get his master’s in sociology. Green is still an active member of the MSU community, and he frequently visits to help with local events.

GIDEON SMITH - 1916

W

ith so many examples of injustice and racism plaguing our world today, many have felt the need to step up to be the positive change that people need. Some students here at Michigan State University have done just that with the Black Student Alliance (BSA).

Formed in 1969 during a time of great racial tensions, the Black Student Alliance is a studentrun organization here on MSU’s campus. Their mission includes unifying the black community with knowledge and support in order to help uplift one another. “[BSA is] not just focusing on the issues, but how we can move forward from these issues,” said Myya Jones, president of the Black Student Alliance.

Hosting programs, discussions and protests throughout the academic year and beyond, they work closely with various faculty and staff to help ensure that a positive change is brought about both on and off campus.

An event like the Black Power Rally, an annual event that was hosted in November is just one example of work that BSA does.

Staying current to new issues going on, this year’s Black Power Rally focused on technology and how to go “beyond the hashtag.”

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“A lot of people don’t realize that social media is beneficial to activism,” BSA Social Media Director, Tierra Nelson explained. “You made a hashtag, you tweeted, you used social media but what’s next?”

The Black Power Rally showcased student talent with skits, songs, spoken word and student speakers. The event was very moving and informational, even going so far as to bring in Elaine Brown, a widely known activist and former chairman of the Black Panther Party, to close out the show.

In addition to the Black Power Rally, the Black Student Alliance also hosts events such as local marches and paintings on the Rock to show solidarity for various issues both local and national, like the Ferguson riots last year and the Mizzou protests earlier this year.

However, BSA isn’t just a group for the black student body at MSU. They also say that in order to truly move forward as a whole, they need the support and help of all students.

Class of 1916, Gideon Smith was an exceptionally talented athlete, becoming one of the first two black college football players in the country and one of the first to play professional football. At Michigan State, he also served as secretary and treasurer of the Cosmopolitan Club. After serving in World War I, Smith joined the faculty of Hampton Institute in Virginia as football coach and professor of physical education from 1921 until his retirement in 1955. He was named to the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. (Taken from MSU Archives)

“[ B SA IS] N OT J UST FOCUSIN G ON THE ISSUES, B UT HOW W E CAN MOVE FORWARD FROM THESE ISSUES. ”

JEMELE HILL - 1977 Jemele Hill is a female sportscaster who graduated from Michigan State University in 1977 with a degree in journalism. Hill has worked with major news organizations including the Detroit Free Press, and currently holds a position with ESPN.

VENCE BONHAM - 1978 After graduating in 1978 with a degree in social science, Vence Bonham has become heavily involved in the field of medicine. He now resides as a senior advisor at the National Human Genome Research Institute of Health and is also co-chair of the Health Disparities and Community Engagement Team of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers Directors Planning Committee.

Tyler Austin is a senior journalism and Spanish major with a concentration in editorial reporting. He longs for a life in the Big Apple where coffee dates with Beyoncé are a weekly occurrence.

In addition to writing for ing he also writes for Men’s Fashion in VIM.

-MYYA JONES PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK STUDENT ALLIANCE

“We can’t effectively make any type of changes if we don’t unite,” said Vice President Kelsi Horn.

To contact BSA, email them at BSAEmail1@ gmail.com. You can also follow them on Twitter (@19BSA69) for updates on programs and events throughout the year.

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Mural Set to Bring Awareness to Mental Health Issues

BY LAUREN ROSS

W

hen winter sets in and the excitement from the holidays starts to fade, many people begin to feel a little less like themselves. As the days get shorter, the lack of sunlight can negatively affect a person’s mood by altering what many people know as their “internal clock,” resulting in what experts call Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Feelings such as tiredness, irritability and changes in appetite are common symptoms. The disorder generally occurs from late fall through winter, with increased risk in women who live far from the equator, according to Dr. Tiwa Sina, Training Director at the MSU Counseling Center.

Maintaining good mental health is possibly one of the most overlooked things in a person’s daily routine.

But it is such an important piece that the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) dedicates an entire week to it in the spring. During Mental Health Awareness Week, ASMSU offers free events around campus to increase awareness and improve mental health. Some of the events held during last year’s Mental Health Awareness Week were Zumba at the Breslin Center, free access to IM West and free shows at Abrams Planetarium.

Light therapy has proven to be the most effective method of treating SAD, using a specially designed light box, as it helps restore the body’s natural tendencies to sleep in the dark and be awake during the day. If that is not enough, then according to Dr. Sina, professionals can determine other methods such as medication and “talk therapies.”

MSU has many resources for dealing with seasonal affective disorder.

“Clinicians at the Counseling Center, Primary Care Physicians and Psychiatry at Olin, along with other campus and community professionals are experienced at identifying and treating SAD,” said Sina.

The MSU Counseling Center also offers free light therapy sessions for students. According to an article by Lucia Patritto at MSU Extension, “SAD is a manageable condition, but it is important … not to self-diagnose the disorder.” If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to people you trust about what you’re feeling, and if that isn’t enough, seek medical help.

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“Mental health is one of our biggest issues. ASMSU has always made it their goal to increase awareness and let students know that they shouldn’t be ashamed of mental health issues,” said Alex Noffsinger, Governmental Affairs Community Liaison at ASMSU. ASMSU is currently putting together a Mental Health Awareness Mural in East Lansing to help remind people about mental health issues. The mural was originally commissioned in 2014 with permission from the East Lansing City Council, and was scheduled to be completed by the end of the

Spring 2015 semester. The weather, however, did not cooperate and the project was delayed through the summer, and the student originally chosen to paint the mural graduated and moved away. ASMSU is going through the process of selecting a new artist, likely to be an MSU student, and hope for the mural to be completed by March or April 2016. The mural will be located on the side of the building which houses Mackerel Sky on M.A.C Avenue.

Whether suffering from seasonal affective disorder, clinical depression or any other type of mental health problem, it is important to remember that help is available. MSU students are fortunate enough to have access to the Counseling Center and Olin Health Center services, but there are also resources outside of campus. Many local churches have counselors available, and the State of Michigan keeps a record of free or low-cost services available through Community Mental Health Services Programs at Michigan.gov/mdhhs.

Lauren Ross is a senior Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities major.

She is passionate about many topics including social issues, photography, and travel. In 2011, she wrote a book about human impact on wetlands in Michigan, and is currently working on a capstone report on xenophobia and concepts of ‘otherness’.

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PLAYing

“Sound Of Music” Brings Music To Your Ears

BY EMILY MURRAY AND BRITTNEY URICH

T

he hills are alive this February with the “The Sound of Music” coming to Wharton Center.

The play stars newcomer Kerstin Anderson as Maria, a role many remember Julie Andrews in. As a college junior studying at Pace University, Anderson beat out hundreds of hopefuls for the role. She’s leaving her college classes behind for her first national Broadway tour.

Set in 1930s Austria, the musical follows Maria, a failing nun, who takes a job as a governess for the large Von Trapp family. Georg Von Trapp, a Navy captain, runs his home as strictly as he runs a navy ship. As Maria spends more time with the family, she falls in love with the children and their father.

The “Sound of Music” features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This new production is directed by Jack O’Brien, produced

by Beth Williams and choreographed by Danny Mefford, with music supervision by Andy Einhorn.

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“I’ve always believed Maria was a ‘star-making’ part, rather than the leading role we remember from the movies and our experience,” said Director Jack O’Brien. “So I went looking for someone with starmaking magic. And in through the audition door one day walked Kerstin Anderson, still studying at Pace University in New York. She opened her mouth, she sang, and the tears welled up in my eyes. If ever there were an enchanting young woman standing on the brink of discovery — this was it!”

2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the movie, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history. The show has been revamped for its national tour, and is sure to amaze audiences of all ages.

“Jack O’Brien says it best when he compares this show to Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Sleeping Beauty. It is a show that hasn’t been touched in over 60 years, and they are now bringing it back to life,” said Bob Hoffman, director of Wharton Center.

The Sound of Music offers an enjoyable and entertaining performance that will capture you with its love and compassion as well as thrill you with an exciting element of danger. Additionally, many people are familiar with the songs from this musical, which will have you humming along from start to finish.

You can keep up with the cast of “Sound of Music” by liking the show at facebook.com/TheSoundOfMusic, or by following the show at twitter.com/ SoundOfMusic. For more information about the show, visit www.thesoundofmusicontour.com.

As a college student herself, Kerstin Anderson has a natural way of connecting with the audience of MSU students. Her voice is incredible, and she is travelling with a major Broadway production, which can be a great inspiration to MSU students,” said Hoffman.

“This is going to be a great show!”

Emily Murray is a senior majoring in professional writing and minoring in public relations. She loves fashion, especially writing about it, and enjoys working with VIM Magazine, CollegeFashionista and keeping up with her own blog, From Me to Hue. Emily is also a member of the MSU Dance Club.

The Sound of Music will run Feb. 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 12 at 8 p.m., Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. Tickets to see “Sound of Music” are available now and can be purchased online at whartoncenter.com, in-person at the Auto-Owner’s Insurance Ticket Office inside of Wharton Center, or by calling 1-800-WHARTON. Student tickets are available for $25.

Brittney Urich is a senior professional writing major specializing in marketing and public relations. She is an avid traveler, sports enthusiast, and animal lover. When she’s not blogging or reading, she can usually be found outside.

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HAPPENing

PHOTOGRAPHing

Humans of East Lansing COMPILED BY TYLER AUSTIN, BRINDSI LIBERTY, LAUREN ROSS

SHAUN RICHARDSON GRADUATE STUDENT – STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION If you weren’t here in East Lansing where would you be?

Southern Florida, working. I enjoy working, I see myself working for the city there.

Do you have any weird or odd routines?

Sometimes I choreograph dances in my head and I’ll break into a little dance routine in my chair.

MAURICIO HERNANDEZ JUNIOR – GLOBAL STUDIES IN THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES What is the craziest thing that’s happened to you recently?

My friend got hit by a car on her bike and flew off. I thought she was dead. It was sort of like in the Matrix. She was O.K. though.

Do you have any weird or odd routines?

I eat pizza with a fork and knife. Some people say that’s weird.

FEBRUARY 2016 EVENTS COMPILED BY ANNA ELLISON AND LAUREN ROSS

ARTS 2/6 -7 — FUN ON THE ROCKS WINTERFEST At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, the Fun on the Rocks Winterfest will hold a singing competition for ages 8 to 18 at the Opera House in Grand Ledge. The top three contestants will win cash. Then on Friday at 6pm at the Opera House, there will be a craft beer and wine tasting event and a chili cookoff. Finally, on Saturday there will be a pancake breakfast with entertainment from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, visit grandledgechamber.com.

2/6 — BOBBY MCFERRIN Bobby McFerrin is described as “always exploring new territory, and is known for music that transcends categorization,” on Wharton Center’s website. Some of his past performances in his Bobby Meets… series have included musical renditions from places like Indonesia, Africa and Ireland. This event begins at 8 p.m., tickets start at $38, $15 for MSU students with their PID. 2/11-14 & 2/18 -21 — ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST The Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing will be putting on a series of plays for their 27th season. This February be sure to check out their adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The play is an adaptation of the novel by Ken Kesey, which follows the quirky story of a man who charms his way into being admitted into a mental hospital to avoid time in prison. The show will be for two weekends starting February 11. Thursday shows start at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. Check outriverwalktheatre.com for more information.

2/19 -28 — MSU DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE PRESENTS: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Stop by the Auditorium on Farm Ln. every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, starting February 19 through the 28th to see John Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. General admission is $17, faculty and seniors are $15 and student tickets are $12. For more information visit lansing.org.

NATALIE CHEN JUNIOR – MEDIA AND INFORMATION Do you have any winter break plans?

I’m going back home to Hong Kong for a month. I haven’t seen my family in four months and my brother in a year and a half, so I’m excited to go back.

What is your favorite place at MSU? The Broad Art Museum. It’s really cool when you go there during the day where the Starbucks is. The light comes through the windows and it’s very peaceful because not a lot of people know about it. You get alone time there.

HANNAH BARTHMUSS JUNIOR – MEDIA AND INFORMATION What is one skill you’d like to learn?

I want to learn to skateboard because everyone who skateboards is cool.

I want to be cool like that. I just like the culture — skater culture.

Who do you follow on Twitter and why?

I don’t go on Twitter that much. I guess Liam Payne because he follows me back. I DM him all the time.

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SPECIAL EVENTS 2/5 -7 — MID-MICHIGAN WOMEN’S EXPO The Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo returns to the Lansing Center for its 16th year this February. The expo features hundreds of product and service exhibits for women from health & wellness to fashion, food, shopping, education and much more! The expo also features seminars and cooking demonstrations throughout each of the days. For more information, visit kohlerexpo.com.

2/7 — MERIDIAN WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET On the first Saturday of the month through April, enjoy some relief from the cold with Meridian Township’s indoor Farmers’ Market in the JCPenney wing of the Meridian Mall. Twenty-five to thirty vendors are expected to be in attendance with a variety of home-grown and homemade goods for sale. The farmers’ market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit meridian.mi.us.

2/28 — MSU MUSEUM’S CHOCOLATE PARTY BENEFIT The MSU Museum’s Chocolate Party is something you thought you would only see on the Food Network. Local restaurants, caterers, bakeshops, candy makers, and other vendors will be competing to create intricate sculptures out of nothing but chocolate. The event will take place in the Kellogg Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and is open to the general public. Tickets will be sold between $25 to 75. All proceeds go to benefit the MSU Museum and its continued upkeep. For more information, visit events.msu.edu.

MYingMAG.COM

February 2016

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