The Lookout Volume 61, Issue 10

Volume 61, Issue 10 feb. 3 - 16, 2020

Balancing work and play

LCC Board of Trustees names 15 people to help search for new president Page >>> 3

Men’s basketball team earns hard-fought win over Mid Michigan College Page >>> 8

Student Osman Ali takes a break from studies with a game of Jenga during the “Welcome Back Party” Jan. 22 in the Gannon Commons.

See story and more photos on page 2.

Photo by Julie Newell

Black History Month events kick off with jazz concert in Dart Auditorium Pages >>> 10

2|News

frb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Party in Gannon Building welcomes back students

By Shauna Stocken Editor in Chief Following the holiday break, LCC sprung forward into another semester with a “Welcome Back Party,” Wednesday, Jan. 22.

From 2 to 4 p.m., students were encouraged to participate in trivia questions asked

by Daedalian Lowry, director of LCC radio station WLNZ, as an array of events took place throughout the Gannon Commons.

“There are a number of games that the Student Life helped me put together,” said LCC Marketing Director Bruce Mackley, whose department helped coordinate the event.

The party is the first event the marketing department has spearheaded for the col-

lege, Mackley said.

“There are success coaches, there’s (giant) Jenga, there’s some gaming stations and free food, including a taco bar and ice cream sundae bar.”

Mackley said the marketing department wanted to create a significant snapshot of thriving LCC students and student life activities with the event. Marketing representatives were present to record the event through photos, video and interviews.

“It was meant to be kind of chill, without students walking in and thinking that something was expected of them, with clipboards approaching them,” Mackley said.

LCC students Steven Demott (media program) and Adriana Kinney (general

NEWS BRIEFS Job and internship fair is Feb. 20 LCC welcomes all students, alumni and the general public to LCC’s west campus for the annual Job and Internship Fair, Thursday, Feb. 20.

The event is scheduled to bring employees from various industries, looking for full-time, part-time, internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

From 2 to 5 p.m., guests can visit with approximately 100 registered employers.

West campus is located at 5708 Cornerstone Drive in Delta Township.

Register as an attendee, employer or read a complete list of employers on LCC’s website by searching, “Job and Internship Fair.”

Placement testing located in TLC

Photo by Julie Newell

Students enjoy the “Welcome Back Party” ice cream sundae bar Jan. 22.

studies) joined the party as strangers and left as friends, the two shared.

“This is my first welcome week party,” Kinney said.

“Actually, I met this dude and we decided to get some free food.”

Demott joined the festivities after a class, winning an LCC T-shirt for correctly answering the trivia question, “When was LCC established?” The correct answer is 1957.

Mackley said he hopes the LCC Marketing Department will be able to host future campus events, showcasing what it means to be an LCC student today.

“The quality of instruction has always been there,” Mackley said. “I went here a million years ago. The place is fantastic and needs to get marketed as such.

“Education is not our product. Educated people: that’s our product.”

Photo by Julie Newell

LCC students John Rankis and Kyra Walker enjoy a game of Connect Four during the “Welcome Back Party” in the Gannon Commons Jan. 22.

Throughout the testing center renovations, all placement testing will take place in the TLC Building Testing Center, located in room 104.

The anticipated completion date for all renovations in the Gannon Building is scheduled for the beginning of March.

The current construction will ultimately merge all course, certification and placement testing into one facility.

Walk for warmth set for Feb. 22 Join the Capital Area Community Services, Inc. for its 30th annual “Walk for Warmth” event on Saturday, Feb. 22.

The three-mile walk begins at 9 a.m.

Participants will meet at the Neighborhood Empowerment Center, located at 600 West Maple St. in Lansing.

The walk is scheduled to raise public awareness for the increasing number of individuals and families who are struggling to pay heating bills.

For more information on how to help a Lansing neighbor, contact Jamie O’Dell at the Lansing/East Lansing Service Center at (517) 393-7077, ext. 652.

LCC police offer many services The LCC Department of Police and Public Safety is located at both the downtown and west campuses.

The campus escort program provides free escorts to all members of the LCC community. This 24/7 service is encouraged for latenight walks to parking in unsafe locations.

Other services include vehicle lockout and battery jump aid. The police office phone number is 483-1800.

3|News

Feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

President screening committee named

By Robin Morales Associate Editor During the LCC Board of Trustees meeting Jan. 27, board chairman Lawrence Hidalgo Jr. announced the 15 members he appointed to serve on the 2020 presidential screening committee.

The individuals selected from the college include LCC Board members Robert Proctor (who is also the committee chair), Ryan Buck and Angela Mathews, as well as Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Tonya Bailey and President of the Academic Senate Michelle Curtin.

“I looked for individuals that had had connections with Lansing Community College, internally and externally,” Hidalgo said. “I looked for diversity … (in race and professional background).”

Members outside the college include Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Kelly King, Mid-Michigan executive director for the American Red Cross; and Guillermo Lopez, a member of the Lansing School District’s Board of Trustees.

“I would like to see a president that embraces local school districts and certainly LCC and Lansing School District go hand in hand,” Lopez said.

“I would look for that president to embrace the district and work with our folks … to make it so that LCC would be a logical stepping stone for our students when they graduate from high school.”

Dakeyia Scott, chair of LCC’s Student

Leadership Coalition, is the only student on the committee.

“We (the student body) definitely want a president who is actually hands-on with students,” Scott said. “Somebody who is not taking a position just for their resume or to focus on their image … but a president who is 100 percent student focused that is completely in support of the student body growing and surviving.”

The other members of the creening committee are: · Jane Aldrich, 2016 LCC Distinguished Alumna, past anchor at WLNS-TV; · Edythe Copeland, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!; · Jason Mellema, superintendent of Ingham Intermediate School District; · Eva Menefee, lead faculty advisor in the Center for Academic and Career Pathways at LCC; · Dawn Cousino, president of the Administrative Association at LCC; · Sam Sinicropi, interim superintendent for the Lansing School District.

The screening committee will work with Greenwood Asher Inc., a hired third-party firm, to develop a presidential profile as a nationwide search for potential candidates officially begins. The final decision for selecting the next president, who will be the seventh in the college’s history, resides with LCC’s Board of Trustees.

According to Hidalgo, by the beginning of April the screening committee

Photo by Robin Morales

The public listens as Board Chair Lawrence Hidalgo Jr. announces the members of the screening committee.

will send the names of three to five final candidates for the board’s consideration.

The names will be made public during this time and the community will be given opportunities to ask these candidates

questions about college issues in a forum setting.

It is hoped a new president is in place this summer. Current President Dr. Brent Knight is scheduled to retire June 30, 2020.

Black History events offer perspective, education

Photo by Robin Morales

Students gather in the Centre for Engaged Inclusion Jan. 21 for a Black History kickoff event.

By Robin Morales Associate Editor LCC’s Black History Planning Committee began a year-long celebration of “African-Americans and the vote” with an open house event Jan. 21 in the Centre for Engaged Inclusion.

“We don’t just celebrate black history for one month,” said Robin Moore, chair of the Black History Planning Committee. “Here at LCC we celebrate black history all year.”

The events will commemorate 150 years from the signing of the 15th amendment, which gave black men the right to vote, and 100 years from the signing of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

According to LCC Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Tonya Bailey, some of the upcom-

ing events will serve to educate students about the history of suffrage in the United States. In addition, LCC students can expect to learn more about how voting empowers individuals to make their voices heard in politics.

“Everybody should be registered to vote and everybody should be exercising that,” Bailey said. “This upcoming election we should not have scarce voters. We should have intelligent voters.

“Throughout our whole year of activities and events, this particular planning committee has put together an outstanding work of information, learning (and) connecting.”

Other scheduled events include a wellness fair Wednesday, Feb. 5 and a Malcolm X symposium Thursday, Feb. 20. In

addition, one important film will be shown each month with a subsequent round-table discussion during the “learning circle” series.

“We’re going to be having a wellness fair and that’s going to be great because we’re going to be having lots of information tables in the (Gannon) highway area along with different presentations and topics pertaining to health (and) wellness,” Moore said.

“The learning circle will happen each month and we’ll just have a variety of movies that you would be able to watch in the Centre. And then we’ve got a history-makers luncheon. That’s going to be great.”

All events are free and open to the public. To view the complete schedule of events, visit https://lcc.edu/diversity/black_ history_awareness/.

4|

Feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

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5|Features

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Instructor elevates student success

By Shauna Stocken Editor in Chief In pursuit of achieving one’s educational goals, LCC provides its students with state-of-the-art facilities and accomplished instructors.

LCC west campus fitness instructor Fred Lowe, 73, began working for the college in June of 1980, after qualifying and competing in the U.S. Olympic Games in ’68, ’72 and ‘76 for weightlifting.

“I taught the ’80–’81 school year (at LCC), I was still competing internationally at the time and I couldn’t manage the schedule,” Lowe said.

“I went to the (LCC) administration that I was going to need to leave for a little while, but I intended to come back, and returned in the spring of ’85.”

Lowe taught weight training for 23 years before switching over to total fitness instruction at LCC’s west campus.

“I think some of the most fun for me has been showing other people how to do it,” Lowe said. “Some of them (LCC students) have gone on to compete in weightlifting.”

During Lowe’s time as a middleweight on the Olympic team, he placed eighth, ninth and 11th during his three

Courtesy photo

Fred Lowe is shown setting a U.S. record for successfully lifting 402 pounds on the bar in 1981.

Olympic appearances. He also set several records, including: * First U.S. weightlifter in 165-pound division to clean and jerk over 400 pounds; * First U.S. weightlifter to compete along with his daughter in U.S. Nationals; * Inducted into the U.S Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 1989.

“You can’t just be really good at one lift,” Lowe said. “You have to be good at both the snatch and the clean and jerk to get the highest total. The most weight I ever lifted over my head for the clean and jerk was 402 pounds, the American record at the time.”

According to Lowe, between refereeing and teaching, he doesn’t compete as often as he once did.

“Competing isn’t as desirable anymore because I’ve competed for a really long time,” Lowe said.

“It is really challenging and to really do it better than I am doing it now, I would have to put in a lot of training.

I don’t place as much emphasis on that now as I do teaching other people that are younger than I am.”

According to Lowe, weightlifting-training techniques can help students with any future career.

“I’ve got somebody here who’s a nursing student,” Lowe said. “I’m basically getting her ready to move patients by doing movements based on movements I do when lifting weights.”

For LCC lineman program student Richard Oliver, Lowe’s approach to fitness has helped him prepare for his future career with functional movements.

“I think that it is nice knowing you can rely on someone who has experience doing the stretches and workouts properly,” Oliver said.

“All three of the fitness (instructors) are pretty knowledgeable,” Oliver said.

“But, knowing that Fred is an Olympi-

Photo by Shauna Stocken

Bill Darr (right), a former LCC employee, exercises at west campus with Fred Lowe looking on.

an is pretty cool to refer to him.”

LCC students and alumni interested in meeting Lowe and working out at west campus can do so, with a valid LCC ID, weekdays before 11 a.m.

“I still compete in weightlifting,” Lowe said. “I’m in the 70 to 74 age division and I’ll probably do this for as long as I can walk.”

LCC gets high marks for construction program

Photo by Maddy Warren Spring semester Construction Management student Jesse Hawkins works on an exterior design project.

By Maddy Warren Staff Writer Construction Management is one of the many exciting degree programs LCC offers.

Located at the west campus, it gives students many hands-on learning experiences to prepare for a future in construction.

There are four pathways that determine which classes students take for the degree program: Building Construction, Heavy/ Civil Construction, Electrical Construction, and HVAC/Mechanical Construction.

Students can receive a Certificate of Achievement, which can be accomplished in a year and a half.

Intelligent.com ranked the online program the “best” for 2019. Scott De Ruischer, lead faculty of Construction Management and Building Construction at LCC, discussed the evaluation process.

“Intelligent.com is a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher educa-

tion planning,” De Ruischer said. “They announced the top 50 Construction Management Degree programs for 2020. Lansing Community College was ranked No. 25 in the nation and is the only community college listed in the top 50.”

A total of 139 colleges and universities were evaluated. Factors, such as graduation rate and the quality of the curriculum, were taken into account.

An associate degree in Construction Management can be completed in two years at LCC. “I’ve been in the program for about a year now, so I have about two more full semesters to go,” student Jesse Hawkins said. “I’m dual majoring in Construction Management and Building Construction.”

Hawkins said he has had a fantastic experience in the program. He said one thing that sets LCC’s program apart from the rest is the instructors.

“Scott definitely puts so much work and effort into this,” Hawkins said. “Dustin (Phelps) as well. He’s our lab tech and he helps supply everything. Without those two, this program wouldn’t be nearly as functional and as excellent as it is.”

Hawkins said he hopes the rankings the program received will allow the program to be fully accredited in the future, specifically with the ability to transfer to universities like Michigan State.

“The best part of this acknowledgment is program awareness,” De Ruischer said.

“Many people have no idea that there is (a) Construction Management program at Lansing Community College. So hopefully this will bring further program awareness not only to Lansing, but the entire state of Michigan.”

For more information on the Construction Management program at LCC contact Scott De Ruischer at deruiscs@star.lcc.edu.

6|features

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

High schooler thrives with dual enrollment

By Chloe Gregg Staff Writer For many high school students, Lansing Community College is an affordable way to take dual enrollment classes in order to earn a few college credits before graduating from high school.

Some high school students will take one to three classes, typically an English or foreign language course.

However, Olivia Sivak, 18, a senior at Laingsburg High School, is not just “some high school student.”

Sivak is currently taking multiple college classes. Since her sophomore year, Sivak has earned over 30 credits toward college, with most of it covered by her school.

Photo by Chloe Gregg

LCC and Laingsburg High School student Olivia Sivak works on homework in class.

“It was the best choice for me financially,” Sivak said.

“My high school pays (for) a large portion of my classes at LCC, which allows me to continue to take classes here and get in my general education requirements before college even begins.”

Despite dual enrolling at LCC, Sivak is still a major supporter of her high school.

Every week she is participating in a school activity through volunteer work and community service.

Sivak has been rewarded for her academic achievements and community service hours with multiple scholarships, as well as a place on her school’s National Honor Society chapter.

Kris Moberg, Sivak’s AP English teacher, said she is proud of all of her student’s accomplishments.

“Olivia is such a strong girl,” Moberg said. “Even in difficult times, she’s more hard-working and studious than a lot of her peers.

“She’s not only an amazing student, but an incredible person as well and only ever shows kindness to people. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”

Sivak said she plans to attend Lansing Community College for one last semester in the fall. After that, she said, she plans on transferring to a four-year university to pursue a career in the medical field.

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7|features

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Campus Comments Editor in Chief Shauna Stocken and Photo Editor Julie Newell asked LCC students:

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“It doesn’t matter who takes me out as long as I get taken out … If I can go anywhere, it would be Milan, Italy.”

“I don’t really know of a person, but (we would go to) a fancy Italian place then (I would) take her over to a really nice river-walk, keeping it local.”

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8|Sports

Feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Photo by Julie Newell Sophomore Brandon Suttles goes up for a dunk Jan. 29 against Mid Michigan College in the Gannon Gymnasium.

Men dunk way to 78-70 victory

By Julie Newell Sports/Photo Editor The LCC men’s basketball team scored a 78-70 win against Mid Michigan College, Wednesday, Jan. 29 in the Gannon Gymnasium.

The win puts the Stars’ overall record at 8-11, and at 4-4 in the MCCAA Western Conference.

“I think we were shaken at the beginning,” LCC sophomore Brandon Suttles said. “But we pulled it together as a team and we pulled it off. We got the win.”

Sophomore Darious Young led the Stars by scoring 28 points.

Sophomore Skyler Wilson delivered five assists for LCC. “I definitely stepped up on defense, because defense wins games,” Wilson said. “I mean, my man had too many points in the first half, so I had to shut him down,” Sophomore Tevin Taylor grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Stars.

“We just went out and played hard,” Taylor said. “We haven’t been playing hard lately, so we just went out, played hard, played aggressively, played together.”

LCC Head Coach Mike Ingram offered his thoughts on the game.

“We weren’t playing that hard in the first half,” Ingram said. “I

thought that me and my coaches did a good job of not panicking

“We’re unstoppable when we play together.”

- Skylar Wilson on the guys at halftime, telling them the things that we thought they needed to do — that we need to play a little harder, need to play some defense, rebounding, then come down and execute.”

The Stars not only pulled out a win, but made several crowd-pleasing dunks in the game.

“We played harder in general, moved the ball,” Wilson said.

“We’re unstoppable when we play together.”

The Stars were scheduled to play on Saturday, Feb. 1 against Lake Michigan College and at home in the Gannon Gym on Monday, Feb. 3 against Jackson College.

The Stars are scheduled to play at Muskegon Community College on Feb. 5 and at home in the Gannon Gym on Feb. 8 against Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Women’s team falters in second half, falls 72-54

By Julie Newell Sports/Photo Editor The LCC women’s basketball team faltered in the second half of its home game against Mid Michigan College on Wednesday, Jan. 29, losing 72-54.

The loss put the Stars overall record at 10-9, and at 4-4 in the MCCAA Western Conference.

The game was tied 30-30 at halftime, but Mid Michigan outscored the Stars 42-

24 in the second half to seal the win.

“We came out really strong and we were doing really well,” LCC freshman Abigail Koneval said. “Everybody showed up for the first half, and at halftime it was tied.

“We went up and had a good talk and I felt like we had a good warmup after halftime. We just didn’t show up (in) the second half. We let them walk all over us.”

Despite the loss, freshman Georgia Hill

scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Stars. Sophomore Celia Ridsdale delivered four assists to lead LCC. “I’m pleased with the way that we played in the first half,” LCC Head Coach Layne Ingram said. “That’s the number 10 team in the country, and they are number 10 for a reason.

“In the first half we played really good defense. I think we broke their press really well and … we executed our offense. It

caused them to have to change up some things they were doing at halftime. Then in the second half we didn’t play as good of defense, and they knocked down shots that they didn’t hit in the first half.”

LCC freshman Erin Witt offered her thoughts on the game.

“I think after the half we became complacent,” Witt said. “Knowing that we were tied with a really good team … that’s where we folded.”

9|sports

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Hoops a way of life for LCC’s Amari Carter The Lookout Page Designer Bayelee Hodge recently chatted with women’s basketball player Amari Carter. The freshman is studying kinesiology at Lansing Community College.

How long have you played basketball?

“I started playing basketball when I was in first grade, so basically I’ve been playing all my life.”

What made you want to start playing basketball?

“My family was always big on sports, so they got me into it. When I first started playing I fell in love with the game. I really liked how aggressive the game is and how intense it can be.”

Who or what inspires you?

“My family is definitely the main thing that inspires me. They keep me motivated and support me through everything.”

Do you face any struggles as a college athlete?

“Some struggles I face being a stu-

Q& A

dent-athlete are worrying if I’m on top of my schoolwork and putting that before anything, never really having a set schedule to go and do anything fun with friends, or even go see family as often as I want to. As a student-athlete, it’s almost as if my life is school and basketball. But I love the game so much I can’t even complain about the struggles I go through.”

Has basketball had a positive or negative effect on your life and why?

“One hundred percent positive. Basketball has introduced me to so many amazing people and I’ve created lifelong friendships because of basketball. … Definitely, playing basketball is one of the best decisions that I have made in my life.”

What kind of person has basketball made you?

“Basketball has turned me into a person that gets along with other people fairly easily. Being on a team means you have to grow connections with other people to have good team chemistry. I

Amari Carter have been on many basketball teams in my life and never had bad blood with anyone, really. I feel like this sport has helped me connect with people fast, and grow strong bonds.”

Have you had any funny moments in your career?

“One moment that I will always remember is when I was playing a game and the referee was hating on me and giving me (bad) calls all night. I was down to my last two fouls of the game and we were up, and it was almost the end of the game. I was on defense and guarding my girl and my teammate had fouled. (The referee) went to the scorer’s table and told them the foul was on me, but it actually wasn’t. I screamed out loud across the court and said, “You really know how to blow your whistle, huh?” He gave me a technical foul and I got kicked out of the game. It’s not funny, but I think it’s hilarious because I see that referee all the time and he even refs our games now.”

What are your plans after LCC? “I’m going to transfer after LCC, but where (to) is unknown as of right now.

It has always been my dream to play college sports and I want to continue my athletic career. I hope to go somewhere for basketball or even track, but if not, I will continue my education.”

Long-distance relationships can be achieved Valentine’s Day is upon us, which makes me start to reminisce on my romantic relationship.

The story of how my boyfriend and I got together is a rather humorous one.

My best friend called me one day and said there is this guy who is “perfect for me.”

A short background on my best friend: she has tried to set me up with five guys in the past who she claimed would be “perfect for me,” but they all ended up being the opposite.

We had an hour-long talk about her horrible match-making skills before I fi-

JULIE NEWELL SPORTS/PHOTO EDITOR newellj1@lcc.edu

nally agreed to text this so called “perfect guy.”

To my utter surprise, I found that this guy, who could have been an internet troll or a jerk, turned out to be funny, kind and

as close to “perfect” as humanly possible.

Not long after we started talking by text, he asked me to be his girlfriend.

There was only one problem: he lives nine hours away from me.

Technically we live in the same state, but he lives in the Upper Peninsula and I live in the Lower Peninsula.

It was crazy, this guy, whom I have never met in person, who lives nine hours away, was asking me to be his girlfriend long distance.

The odds of a long-distance relationship working out were against us, and

yet, something in me told me to take a risk and go for it.

So I said yes, and it was the best decision I have ever made.

We have been going strong for two years now. We text and video chat as much as possible and take turns making trips to see each other.

It is not easy. We only get to see each other for two weeks at a time, five or six months out of the year. The only thing that gets me through it is the knowledge that we love each other and this distance will not last forever.

Lansing Community College is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and equal education for all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or that is unrelated to the person’s ability to participate in educational programs, courses services or activities offered by the college.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Lori Willett, Human Resource Manager/Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1870; Christine Thompson, Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1261.

10|arts and entertainment

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Jazz music of Miles Davis fills auditorium

By Ali Williams A&E Editor The music of jazz legend Miles Davis echoed through Dart Auditorium, Sunday, Jan. 26.

Well over 100 people attended the matinee event, which was free to the public.

Tim Blackmon and the LCC Faculty Jazz Quartet performed at the 2020 Kickoff Jazz Concert, one of several events LCC is holding for the during spring semeseter honoring Black History Awareness.

The events are sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The theme for the year is “African Americans and the Vote,” commemorated with a spoken word poem from LCC Professor Ravon Keith, a member of the LCC English Department.

Keith performed “Vote or Die,” a poem commemorating The Voting Rights Act of 1965, written by Margaret Block.

“It explains the ramifications of what happens when people do not

vote,” Keith said. “They want to complain about issues and policies, but then they don’t go out to let their voices be heard.”

The concert, which lasted about two hours, consisted of Blackmon on the trumpet, LCC’s Jon Gewirtz on the saxophone, Dennis Therrian on the piano, Ed Fedewa on the bass and Mike Daniels on the drums.

The musicians played songs from many of Davis’s most popular works, chosen by Blackmon. These included “So What,” “Bye,” “Walkin’,” “It Could Happen to You” and “Blue in Green.”

Before and after the concert, guests were able to go to the second floor of Dart Auditorium and check out the books fitting the theme of “African Americans and the Vote.”

There were also essays about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s impact on millennials in 2020.

“As a student or employee, you are available to check any of these books out … in the library,” attendee Annescia Dillard said.

Photo by Ali Williams

From left, Dennis Therrian, Jon Gewirtz, Ed Fedewa and Tim Blackmon perform a Miles Davis song at the Black History Awareness Kickoff Concert Sunday, Jan. 26 in Dart Auditorium.

Black History Awareness events will conclude Friday, April 10 with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

For a full list of upcoming Black History events scheduled at Lansing Community College, visit the website at www.lcc.edu/bha.

‘Boy Gets Girl,’ a play about a date gone wrong

By Ali Williams A&E Editor Riverwalk Theatre presented an up-close and personal play about bad dates and stalking from Jan. 16 to 26.

“Boy Gets Girl,” was directed by Brian Farnham and written by Rebecca Gilman.

The Lansing theatre production’s cast consisted of Janet Colson, Michael Banghart, Greg Pratt, Ben Holzhausen, Sabrina Dahlgren, Bob Purosky and Michele Booher-Purosky.

The play follows Colson’s character, Theresa Bedell, as she experiences a bad date with Tony Ross, who begins stalking her after she rejects him. The play follows relationships men and women have with each other, and how each gender views the other.

“The lead (Bedell) is one of

those parts that’s like a mega-lead … basically. There are 18 scenes, I think, in the whole show, and she’s in 17 of them,” Farnham said.

Each character, Farnham said, changes throughout the show as the plot unfolds.

Many of the dialogues or monologues the characters make are the point of the show.

As a director, he said, he likes to distinguish between the plot and the point of a play.

“The plot of this play is stalking,” Farnham said.

“That’s obviously the main thing that happens. But the point of the play is really (how) men and women are conditioned to view each other when it comes to romance Courtesy photo and romantic pursuit.”

Actress Janet Colson (playing Theresa Bedell) and Gregg Pratt (playing HowPurosky plays Les Kennkat, ard Siegel) perform a scene from Rebecca Gilman’s play, titled, “Boy Gets Girl,” an adult film producer. in the Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing.

“He (Kennkat) is really the comic relief of the show,” said Purosky, who has been at Riverwalk Theatre since 2011.

“And this show, being kind of a heavy show, needs that comic relief.”

Holzhausen, who plays Mercer Stevens, Bedell’s coworker, discussed the importance of the play.

“The script itself and its realism is what drew me to it,” Holzhausen said. “I have a daughter (and) you connect to those kinds of roles in a way that makes you see where I might have found myself in these same situations ... I think that we should always be self-reflective.”

Riverwalk Theatre has shows throughout the year.

For a complete list of upcoming plays and musicals, visit www.riverwalktheatre.com.

11|features

Feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

IN BRIEF

Arts and Entertainment

Women’s Expo set for Feb. 7 to 9 The Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo will be in downtown Lansing from Friday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 9.

Over 300 exhibits and seminars will be available at the expo, held at the Lansing Center.

The expo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 and 8, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 9.

Tickets for the expo and its list of booths - including food sampling and vacation ideas - are available at www. kohlerexpo.com/mm-womens-expo.

Riverwalk Theatre stages ‘Farce’

Photo by Chloe Gregg

Curvaceous Lingerie is located at 513 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town district. It is one of the many shops in the district with gifts ideas for Valentine’s Day.

Photo by Chloe Gregg

The Old Town General Store will have many chocolate gifts available for Valentine’s Day.

Old Town offers sweet places for Valentine’s Day shopping

By Chloe Gregg Staff Writer If it wasn’t obvious by the stacks of chocolate hearts, stuffed animals and cheap wine at the local Walmart and Target, Valentine’s Day is here.

A lot of people may be thinking about picking up some inexpensive gifts at the many different grocery chains.

But why, when there’s an entire local neighborhood filled with Valentine’s Day delights?

Welcome to Old Town, the unofficial “spirit” of Lansing. Old Town is known for its unique dining experiences, cute and quirky shops, and an event for every holiday.

For the sixth year, Old Town is hosting an event on Sunday, Feb. 9, from noon to 5 p.m. called the Chocolate Walk.

Old Town’s Chocolate Walk involves participants strolling around in a mission to gather two pounds of delicious chocolate from the many different

shops, businesses and restaurants. The Chocolate Walk costs $25 per person, or $40 per couple. More info on the walk is available at www.iloveoldtown.org.

Although it may not be participating in the Chocolate Walk this year, the Old Town General Store at 408 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. will be doing something special for Valentine’s Day, according to employee Morgan Nash.

“For Valentine’s Day, the Old Town General Store will have a coupon for customers who buy items up to a certain price point,” Nash explained. “The coupon can be used for either our store or for the flower shop down the street, Where the Wild Things Bloom.”

Old Town General Store is stocked with different varieties of Michigan-made wine, soaps, chocolates and other goods that would make nice gifts for Valentine’s Day. As for flowers, Where the Wild Things Bloom at 523 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., is participating in the Chocolate

Walk as well as in the coupon program with Old Town General Store. The flower shop’s owner, Britt Simmons, said she is very excited for Valentine’s Day and her anticipated arrivals to the shop.

“We’ll, of course, have the traditional items, but we’re also getting an abundance of specialty roses, tropical flowers (and) more interesting things that have a really long lifespan,” Simmons said.

“Our prices really range quite a bit.

We’ll have simple bouquets starting at $10 to $15, up to those extravagant, very showy arrangements. We’ll also have in-house made chocolates and a lot of our artwork.”

Another idea for Valentine’s Day is visiting Old Town’s lingerie store, Curvaceous Lingerie, located at 513 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Curvaceous Lingerie will be giving out chocolate for the Chocolate Walk as well as having Valentine’s Day sales on its items.

“Unnecessary Farce” will be on the Rotary Main Stage at the Riverwalk Theatre from Feb. 6 to Feb. 9, and Feb. 13 to Feb. 16.

The play is written by Paul Slade Smith and directed by Jeff Magnuson.

“Unnecessary Farce” runs 2 hours and 15 minutes, including an intermission.

The Rotary Main Stage has reserved seating, so buy tickets for “Unnecessary Farce” at https://www.riverwalktheatre. com/.

Learning Circle Film Series slated The Centre for Engaged Inclusion will host a monthly film series and round-table discussion on Feb. 4, March 4 and April 2.

The Feb. 4 film and discussion lasts from 2 to 4 p.m.; the March 4 event lasts from noon to 2 p.m.; and the April 2 film and discussion lasts from 10 a.m. to noon.

The film series is a part of the Black History Awareness 2020 events, sponsored by the Black History Awareness Committee. For more information on the film series, visit www.lcc.edu/bha.

Black History Wellness Fair set LCC is hosting a wellness fair in the Gannon Building on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will be at the Gannon Highway and the Centre for Engaged Inclusion. Participants in the fair include Community Mental Health, LCC Nursing, LCC Dental Hygiene and various other organizations.

For additional information and a complete list of participants, visit www.lcc. edu/bha.

12|Arts and Entertainment

FEB. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

reviews

‘Little Women’ touches hearts of viewers

By Robin Morales Associate Editor Writer-Director Greta Gerwig’s second feature film, “Little Women,” presents a beautiful portrayal of womanhood, which augments the timelessness and legacy of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel into a masterful cinematic achievement.

The drama of “Little Women” follows the four March sisters, beautiful Meg, rebellious Jo, sweet Beth and mischievous Amy, as they grow up in Civil War-era Massachusetts.

Alternating between the past of seven years ago and the present, the sisters fall in and out of love, move away from home, move back, break and heal their

relationships, and decide for themselves what sort of women they become.

In using flashbacks, which allows various threads to intertwine in and out of the larger narrative, the film offers a poignant perspective on how past choices shape the present.

In addition, the subtle lighting and music incorporated in the flashback scenes are able to strengthen the nostalgic view of home and childhood innocence, which color the lightheartedness of past recollections.

These scenes are often juxtaposed with the harsher realities and disillusionment of the present. These include Beth’s sickness, poverty in Meg’s marriage, Amy’s

complex feelings for Laurie, and Jo’s yearning for self-definition.

The cast (which includes Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and Meryl Streep) is excellent and Gerwig’s own personal connections and reverence for the source material are highly evident.

Every line of dialogue in the film is pulled either directly from the novel or from other writings attributed to Alcott.

The ensuing result is a powerful and well-constructed script.

By showcasing each of the March sisters as they are, faults and all, and exploring the personal nature of their choices, the film touches upon the notion that what it “means” to “become a woman”

is a varied and beautiful discovery for every individual, woman to woman.

One of the most intimate and thought-provoking scenes in the entire film (and there are many throughout the 135-minute runtime) happens just before Meg marries Jon. Her younger sister Jo, forcefully opposed to marriage, wants Meg to run away with her, convinced it is better for her as a woman to be unmarried and independent. But Meg genuinely loves Jon and wants to marry him. That is her choice.

She says this to Jo: “Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.”

Downtown ‘For Crêpes Sake’ has Parisian culture

By Maddy Warren Staff Writer Located at 221 S. Washington Square in downtown Lansing, For Crêpes Sake is almost guaranteed to have something for everyone, regardless of whether or not they speak French.

I took French for three years in high school and my teacher introduced me to the restaurant. I had been itching to try it ever since.

The café is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Upon entering the café, visitors can take a menu sitting in the basket by

Photo by Maddy Warren

the door, then order in the back of the restaurant after deciding on their

meal. Guests can then watch their food being made right in front of them, or seat themselves as they wait for their food to be delivered to their table.

For Crêpes Sake offers not only crêpes, but salads, a variety of coffee and tea, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, smoothies and juice.

I ordered the Crêpe Combo Meal, which included a savory and sweet crêpe and a choice of either coffee, tea, or soft drink. It cost $12.

Guests can choose crêpes from a variety of flavors and batters. I chose the Chicken Cordon Bleu for my savory and Raspberry and Brie for my sweet.

Overall, the food was pretty good.

The Chicken Cordon Bleu contained chicken, ham, parmesan and Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard. I thought it was a great combination of flavors.

Next time I go, I will probably choose a different sweet crêpe because even though I love Brie cheese, I was not a fan of it in my dessert.

The restaurant also offers a kids’ menu for younger guests and a Laissez-faire option, in which customers can build their own crêpes. Dine-in, pick-up, delivery and catering are all services the restaurant offers.

For more information about the menu and online ordering visit https:// www.forcrepesake.com/

Mac Miller’s posthumous release delves deep

By Chloe Gregg Staff Writer Before he died of an accidental drug overdose in September 2018, Mac Miller put out seven albums. The last three (“GO:OD AM,” “The Divine Feminine” and “Swimming”) defined his career the most in the rap and hiphop industry.

On “GO:OD AM,” Miller’s rapping and flows were their sharpest. On “The Divine Feminine,” Miller expanded his usual sound to add more jazz and funk, which he continued on

his next album, “Swimming.”

“Swimming,” the album put out a month before his untimely death, is known as Miller’s best and most complete album, showing a raw side of himself while still catering to catchy beats and rhythms.

“Circles,” Miller’s first posthumous album, was released Jan. 18. It is the companion album to “Swimming” that finds Miller delving into deeper levels of vulnerability and melody that he hadn’t before. It has 12 songs and is nearly an hour long.

A few favorite songs from the al- it was important to Malcolm for the bum include “Complicated,” “Blue world to hear it.”

World,” and “That’s on Me.” Apple Music offers an in-depth look “Circles” was completat the album on its overed by Jon Brion, Mac Millview, in which Brion exer’s producer on “Swimpands on specific songs ming,” with permission and talks about what from Miller’s family. he added to them, what “This is a complicated they meant to Miller, and process that has no right things to look for in the answer. No clear path,” songs.

Miller’s family stated in a This album is truly a post on Instagram. great tribute to a great Photo from Pitchfork.com rapper. Check it out.

“We simply know that

13|distractions

FEB. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

King Bob

By LCC Student Alex Riley

This week’s King Crossword puzzle is sponsored by:

Hold your newspaper up to a mirror to get the answers to this issue’s King Crossword puzzle.

14|opinion

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Stocken speaks —

Preparation for a walk down the aisle As a little girl, I was far from a tomboy, but I also wasn’t the type of schoolgirl to fantasize about a wedding.

Nowadays, I still find myself pulling away from traditions I find cliché, but I also find myself sentimental as my fiancé and I prepare to take one another’s last names.

I can hear the clock ticking with only four months remaining before we become Stocken-Tsacas (pronounced “stock-in, sock-as”).

More worrisome, however, than teaching future generations of children to spell

Shauna Stocken editor in chief

stockens@lcc.edu

our last name, is the wedding planning to come.

How do you know what prices are fair, or how to plan an event of this magnitude?

Perhaps the answers to my questions

and search for knowledge lie amid stories from family members.

According to my mother, a wedding is a trial in working together for a couple, as well as spending a large amount of money.

Together, she believes all the decisions can be discussed; producing a wedding that celebrates not only love, but a couple’s ability to handle the events in life that are considered enormous.

I plan on wearing gold and sapphire earrings from my Grandma Stocken to fulfill portions of the time-honored wedding tradition, “something old, something new,

something borrowed, something blue.”

From my married sister, I will “borrow” an item to complete my engagement with this tradition. Of course the something new will be my wedding dress.

Despite the traditions I am immersing myself in, my wedding dress is a rainbow of colors. The dress will celebrate my personality rather than a requirement to wear all white.

I might not be your typical bride and this will undoubtedly be far from a conventional wedding, but my schoolgirl excitement is growing as the clock ticks on.

— Robin’s Rant —

The narrative of a baseball game in Havana Over the winter holiday, I spent a week in Cuba’s capitol and visited various extended family members while immersing myself in their day-to-day activities and tribulations. This included attending a postseason baseball game between the provinces of Havana and the more centrally located Camagüey.

Now a Cuban baseball game is a spectacle all its own. Anyone can smoke anywhere in the stadium. Hand-sized plastic bags filled with orange soda are sold at the Cuban equivalent of roughly 1/24 of one U.S. dollar.

A dull monochrome blue covers the stadium. All the seats, outfield walls, vender booths and the majority of fan shirts are colored the same soft shade of blue.

The only exceptions are a pair of phrases, written in large capital white letters, over the right field fence. They read “¡Viva la Revolución!” (“Long live the Revolution”) and “El deporte conquista de la Revolución” (“Sport is a conquest of the Revolution”).

This blatant propaganda, ever present in all components of life, continued before the first pitch was thrown. At the 8:30 p.m. game start-time, just before the national anthem, a government-appointed sports commissioner spoke at-large to the crowd.

His speech, about 10 minutes in length, criticized the United States for denying visas to players on the Cuban National Team.

This, in effect, makes them unable to compete in the annual Caribbean series tourna-

Robin Morales Associate editor

moraler4@lcc.edu

ment set for February in Puerto Rico.

He finished by declaring everlasting fidelity to the 1959 communist revolution and with a famous quotation from Che Guevara, “¡Hasta la victoria siempre!” (“Always onward to victory”). The stadium erupted in cheers, but I should note that not everyone appeared to be in agreement.

Throughout the game, it was not uncommon for fans of opposing teams to animatedly dispute their opinions about the game until it appeared as though they were seconds away from dealing blows. In reality, they were (most often) joking in a manner of communal trust.

I am not acquainted with another culture in which individuals can talk in vulgar fashion about a stranger’s mother, relate it somehow to the direction of a baseball game and then laugh about the whole thing an inning and a half later. It was fascinating to witness.

Incidentally, Havana lost that playoff series in three straight games. My grandfather, a lifelong fan of the team, was heartbroken.

— chloe chats —

A ‘perfect match’ isn’t always what it seems to be A perfect circle doesn’t exist in nature; neither does a perfect square or a perfect right angle. They are completely theoretical objects in the “real world.”

Mathematics talks about the idea of such a thing, but in the real world it usually means objects which are close approximations to the shapes and angles; not exactly perfect.

Some say that a square is physically possible to represent with four points, though. In this case, a circle is possible - one point is needed and a defined length. Then all the points of that length from the initial point define the circle,

Chloe Gregg Staff Writer

greggc3@lcc.edu

whether we can accurately delineate them or not.

So perhaps a perfect person, or the ideal spouse, doesn’t exist in the way one might think. Mathematically speaking, maybe there are ideal points, or qualities, to

match someone else’s, meaning that not everyone who is “ideal” or “perfect” for one is the same for another.

Therefore, maybe there is no such thing as a “perfect” partner, just like there’s no such thing as a perfect square or circle.

But there are specific qualities of a partner that are undoubtedly worthy of the “perfect” title.

A perfect partner is someone who can express feelings openly and freely in a productive and positive manner. It’s someone who can own up to mistakes, and recognize that a relationship is worth more than an ego. The perfect spouse is

someone who knows what he or she wants, and doesn’t fiddle around with games to get it.

It’s someone to spend hours talking with or spend hours sitting in silence and doing absolutely nothing with, but still enjoying time together. It’s someone to be around without feeling any pressure and someone with whom to try out new things.

An ideal partner is someone who doesn’t need words to show love.

However the points are delineated, whether just seen in glimpses, or a kiss, or a deep talk after a long night – so makes the “perfect” partner.

15|opinion

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout — staff editorial —

Let’s think about parking again For students on LCC’s main campus, there are seven regular parking lots, two handicap parking lots and three levels for parking in the Gannon ramp.

As everyone knows, finding a spot is a lot like watching a caterpillar metamorphosize into a butterfly. It’s a fantastic miracle to witness, yet we would all like to forget exactly how much of our time was employed in waiting.

During what can be called the “decade of renovations,” the college has opted to address the parking fiasco last. The Lookout staff believes this is a grave

Shauna Stocken

mistake in administrative judgment.

The Arts and Sciences building, The Hill and The Gannon Building’s interior were all just fine before undergoing their recent transfigurations. In contrast, we have yet to become acquainted with a single student who would ever describe parking at LCC as “just fine.”

There is endless bedlam and frustration amidst the students hunting for an elusive parking spot. Many of us have spent 40 minutes snaking around campus, stopping and praying every time a car’s lights gleam,

What is a daring activity you would like to try?

Robin Morales

Ali Williams

Julie newell

— Bayelee Hodge

moraler4@lcc.edu

willa156@lcc.edu

A&e editor

sports/photo ed. newellj1@lcc.edu

hodgeb9@lcc.edu

“Fear Factor contestant”

“Running for political office”

“Backpacking through SE Asia”

“Acting”

“Skydiving”

editor in Chief

Associate editor

the lookout staff

Kari eastway

Page Designer

stockens@lcc.edu

and ending up late to class.

The alternative – parking somewhere under the jurisdiction of the city of Lansing – is much less trustworthy and much less free. In fact, a member of our staff was ticketed just weeks prior to this publication.

At The Lookout, we implore our unelected top officials to please serve parking justice as soon as possible. Until that happens, we suggest everyone arrive at campus no later than 7:30 in the morning – just to be absolutely safe.

ad manager

eastwak1@lcc.edu

“A solo hiking trip”

Chloe Gregg

staff writer

Maddie Warren

staff writer

greggc3@lcc.edu

warrem13@lcc.edu

“Performing in front of people”

“Auditioning for American Idol”

larry hook

adviser

hookl@lcc.edu

“Playing ice hockey”

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16|LAST LOOK

feb. 3 - 16, 2020 www.lcc.edu/lookout

Daniel Proudfoot of Bellaire, Mich., sits in the balcony overlooking the Senate Chambers (shown at right) at the Michigan State Capitol in downtown Lansing. The 142-year-old building is open Monday through Saturday for free public tours.

State Capitol offers free tours

By Ali Williams A&E Editor Students can discover the art and history in Michigan’s Capitol building, just a 10-minute walk from LCC. Free tours are available at the Capitol Monday through Saturday. Tours occur every half-hour from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Tours start at 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

Self-guided tour books are also available, if preferred.

“We (also) have self-guided booklets we pass out to people,” said Jerry

Benson, a Capitol tour guide. “We have different languages too: like in Spanish, French, we have them in Russian, Chinese Mandarin … Arabic too.”

There are five floors open to the public at the Capitol, including the ground floor where visitor and tour information is available.

The first floor consists of the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders’ rooms, and the House Majority and Minority Leaders’ rooms. The Capitol’s glass floor is on this level, and guests are encouraged to lay down and look up at the rotunda.

The second floor includes the Gallery of the Governors - paintings of Michigan’s most recent governors. The most famous painting is of Governor John Swainson, whose portrait is deliberately incomplete to symbolize Swainson’s unfinished career.

“When I walked in I thought, ‘Don’t they have somebody else that can paint?’” said 63-year-old Daniel Proudfoot of Bellaire, after he checked out the painting of Swainson.

The third level of the Capitol has the public viewing galleries for both the

Photos by Julie Newell At left, The Lookout Adviser Larry Hook lies on the glass floor of the Michigan State Capitol during a recent tour. Hook is taking a photograph of the Capitol rotunda. At right is a photo of the rotunda.

House of Representatives and Senate Chambers, as well as more portraits of past Michigan governors.

Although the fourth floor only has the House and Senate Committee rooms, the view of the rotunda is better, with a closer look at the dome and the paintings of the muses.

According to Benson, the muses are guides and sources of inspiration for the state of Michigan.

For more information about visiting Michigan’s Capitol building, visit http:// capitol.michigan.gov/Tours.