Lions’ Roar
K-roc talks hip-hop NCC has been working on his music for six years. Page 11
New MnSCU chancellor named
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february 4, 2011
normandale community college
Vol. 17 No. 7 free
www.lionsroar.info
Art reception Art reception held for Tom Harsevoort at NCC on January 20. Page 9
Bland college meals
NEWS
Highest rated movies of 2010 One theatre employee’s list of greatest movies throughout the year. Page 12-13.
Sick and tired of boring old ramen? Rock your noodles with spicy and epic recipes. Page 14.
Crisis in college Many college students are suffering from the mental affliction Quarterlife crisis. Page 5.
february 4, 2011
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Briefs
The Recreational Ice Hockey program will be competing against other metro colleges’ intramural teams this season. Teams from Inver Hills CC, Anoka-Ramsey CC, North Hennepin CC, and Dunwoody College will compete in a round robin league ending with a single elimination tournament in March. Co-Captains Kailey Koob and Kailey Dahlberg lead the 40 co-ed roster. Games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:10 p.m. with Bloomington Ice Garden as Normandale’s home ice rink.
College student rally at Capitol Feb. 16 The Minnesota State College Student Association and Normandale Student Senate organized rally day on February16th, 2011 from 10am – 2pm. Free transportation from NCC to St. Paul and back again will be provided. Show up and make a difference in our education. This is an exciting time for many college students to let
lawmakers know our stance on tuition, appropriations, and the “Transformational Fund.” Get out and show your support for Rally Day at the State Capitol and St. Paul College. My fellow classmates, you should show your support for Rally Day because this directly affects your education now and in the future.
Student Senate members will also be talking with lawmakers asking for a tuition cap, no further reductions in appropriations, and a “Transformational Fund” that could implement reforms that may lead the MnSCU system toward a long-term financially stable system. According to Anna Johnson, “Rally Day is important
because it emphasizes the importance of higher education and support for it. Also, this is a great opportunity to let lawmakers know our stance on tuition, appropriations, and the “Transformational Fund.”
NCC graduation ceremony relocated to EP church Normandale’s Graduation Commencement Ceremony will be held in the beautiful auditorium of Grace Church in Eden Prairie on Tuesday, May 17, at 6:30pm. The auditorium can hold up to 5000 people. All faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to attend and take part in this very important event. photo by Miriam Mongare
NCC hires new online learning director With Dr. Sheri Steinke’s educational experience of a BS in Management Studies with two minors in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Maryland, an MA in ESteinke Education from the University of Phoenix, and a PhD in Instructional Design for Online Learning (A.B.D.) from Capella University, she brings unique experience, knowledge, and potential for NCC to be a leader in Minnesota’s online learning programs. Dr. Steinke has also carried previous roles such as Paraprofessional, Special
Education Teacher, Instructional Designer in E-Learning, College Professor of Computer Sciences, Assistant Director of Graduate Programs, and the Director of Online Learning at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, MN. When asked why she decided to switch colleges and undertake the same role here at NCC she stated “It was the right choice for advancing my career and also in part because NCC’s careful planning and strategic opening of their online learning program led to its early success and great potential for further growth.” Obviously Dr. Steinke has great expectations for herself, the online learning program, and NCC so I
was curious to ask her what goals she has made since her arrival. She responded with “Promoting student success in NCC’s online courses and programs, and providing faculty with the resources they need to create high quality online courses.” With Dr. Steinke’s arrival so recent her experiences here have been limited; however, she stated “she has been impressed with the faculty and staff here at NCC as they are very professional and efficient.” Dr. Steinke definitely looks forward to working with everyone here at NCC and hopes for the best in her new role as Director of Online Learning.
Open house set for Feb. 15 Normandale will host another Open House event on February 15th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is an opportunity for future students and their families to tour campus, meet with faculty and staff, and obtain information about the academic and student life programs at NCC. The Open House will take place in the Fine Arts Center. The tables for faculty and staff to represent their departments will be available outside the Auditorium and the Fine Arts Gallery.
New support staff hired NCC has hired six employees to assist in the Academic Support Center, including two who are returning. They are: Amy Maiello, who returns for a second semester to use the supplemental instruction model in logic courses. Thiru (Mark) Jeersannidhi, who will provide SI tutoring assistance to students enrolled in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses. Tho Nguyen will be providing SI tutoring assistance in NCC Chemistry courses. Shannon Drew returns as a tutor in the EAP Tutoring Center. Megan (Alex) Seydow and Jessica Snider are new members of the team who will also be tutoring in the EAP Tutoring Center (L1735) Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Four faculty nominated for MnSCU award Four faculty members have been nominated for the 2011 MnSCU Board of Trustee’s Educator of the Year Award. Their names are: Denise Chambers, Faculty in Reading. Willie Johnson, Faculty in Speech Communication. Debra Sidd, Faculty in Dental Hygiene. Linda Tetzlaff, Faculty in English. The board will announce the winners at a celebration banquet to be held on April 20th.
february 4, 2010
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by Rebecca Freeman It is obvious student loan debt is high up on the list of crises America faces today. It’s something that has exponentially increased in less than twenty years, with the average amount borrowed by students totaling around $9,500 in 1993 according to the American Council on Education. It doesn’t just concern students anymore, it affects everyone.Yet it is also something that can be forgotten or pushed out of the mind easily. Instead of dwelling on it, most college students decide they’d rather not know, and instead ignorance is bliss. It’s a tempting solution to ignore the pile up debt, but when you take a closer look, it’s shocking how close to home it can hit. It not only affects the student in debt, but it can very easily affect their parents as well. And unlike other types of debt, student loan debt doesn’t go away—not even if you claim bankruptcy. It is overwhelming to contemplate the amount an average student borrows, a number that currently stands at just about twenty-four thousand dollars. Knowing that, it may seem that the national student loan debt in total doesn’t come as much of a surprise. But it’s higher than most would expect. The average national student loan debt has, at the end of 2010, come to nearly $880 billion. It has grown so high it has officially surpassed the national credit card loan debt. Besides that, the national student loan debt is growing, and it’s fast approaching a trillion dollars and shows no sign of slowing down. Especially not with its current growth rate at $2,800 per second according to Lauren Asher, who directs the non-profit Project on Student Debt. This means that students need to make sure the debt doesn’t consume them—we need to take action. It certainly doesn’t mean we all abandon going to school.
Students take out loans because there is little other option when it comes to paying for their education, and a college education is often thought of as being necessary to live a successful life. So if we don’t quit school, what are our other options? There are ways to manage the loans you’ve taken out, and things you can do while in college to lessen the blow. Since we all attend NCC in the first place, that is one step accomplished, because community college is much less expensive than any other public or private university in the country. It’s a smart step to take, and one that will go far in managing school loan debt. Clearly, the longer you wait to pay off your school loans, the more interest they will accrue, but if you can’t pay them off you have options. First off, there’s always the option to ask the financial aid office to grant you more financial aid money. If you’ve done all you can there, and you don’t have the money to even start to pay them off, you can try to apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance which could reduce the money you pay each month or suspend the payments altogether. Or in the worst case, it’s always possible to extend your loan to get a lower rate now—but that means you’ll be paying it off for the next twenty years. The reality is though, if you wait to figure all this out, or if you don’t want to think about it, it’ll cost you in the long run. Try and lessen your debt now, if you don’t think you can make your payments, find some way to make sure you don’t become one of the ones who falls into the deep pit of debt. Things aren’t how they were twenty years ago and as unfortunate at that is—if you’re properly informed— you can do something about it. Take action now, and you’ll thank yourself later on.
U of M vice president named new chancellor of MnSCU system
NEWS
Student loan debt high and getting higher
by Steve Dodds Steven Rosenstone, vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs, and professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, was selected Wednesday as the next chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in a 14-1 vote by the Board of Trustees. “I am excited that we have found a leader who is uniquely qualified for this position,” said Scott Thiss, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Dr. Rosenstone is a proven leader who brings the vision and breadth of skills and knowledge that we need to lead this system. The Board of Trustees and Chancellor James McCormick look forward to working with chancellor-designate Rosenstone.” Rosenstone, 59, told the board he could begin Aug. 1. He will succeed James H. McCormick, who is retiring as chancellor of the 32-institution system with an enrollment of more than 434,000 students in credit and noncredit courses. “I am honored to be chosen,” Rosenstone said. “I look forward to the tremendous challenges that lie ahead and this opportunity to serve the people of Minnesota by leading the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.” Rosenstone told the trustees he is eager to visit campuses and find out more about the individual colleges and universities. “I look forward to meeting and working with the students, faculty and staff. I also plan to connect with business leaders and other members of the public. Minnesotans are rightfully proud of their state colleges and universities, and I will work hard to make an outstanding system even better.” “I want to extend my congratulations to Dr. Rosenstone,” McCormick said. “I am proud of the students, faculty and staff in this system, who contribute so
Photo courtesy U of M News Service
Steven Rosentone much to the high quality of life in Minnesota. I will work with Dr. Rosenstone to help ensure a smooth transition.” David Olson, chair of the Search Advisory Committee and president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, said the caliber of candidates was outstanding. “The Board of Trustees has selected an outstanding future chancellor to carry on the exemplary leadership of Dr. McCormick,” said Olson, a former board chair. Rosenstone has been vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs at the University of Minnesota since 2007. He came to the university in 1996 to serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Under his leadership, the college revamped the undergraduate experience, created state-of-theart facilities and forged new partnerships with businesses, communities, cultural and civic organizations. Over the years, Rosenstone led numerous university system-wide initiatives, including the national conference on Keeping Our Faculties of Color and task forces on scholarships, private fundraising, and longterm financial strategy. Rosenstone was awarded the McKnight Presidential
Leadership Chair for his service to the university. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Rosenstone was an assistant, associate, and then full professor of political science at Yale University until 1986 when he became a professor of political science at the University of Michigan and program director in the Center for Political Studies. He is the author of four books and numerous scholarly articles on elections, political participation, and the challenges facing higher education. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Rosenstone received his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Washington University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the board of directors of the Guthrie Theater. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system also serves about 277,000 students per year in creditbased courses and an additional 157,000 student in non-credit courses.
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& Commentary
february 4, 2011
Opinion
A Muslim Perspective: why Muslims love the
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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
hy do Muslims love the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) so much? Why is he a significant figure in Islam? Well I will tell you the reasons why, from a Muslim perspective. Muhammad (peace be by Omara Anjum upon him) was sent as a mercy to all of mankind as a messenger and a prophet. He showed mankind how to practice Islam the correct and complete way. He was known for being the most honest and trustworthy. Even his enemies would believe every word he would say, because of his honesty. The Prophet (pbuh) completed the religion of Islam and was sent as the last messenger as well. He was known to be a “walking, talking Quran” stated by his wife Aisha (may God be pleased with her). The perfect example of how a Muslim should act and be, the Prophet (pbuh) has given Muslims a perfect pathway to follow Islam to the detailed points. He taught them from how to pray, how to treat others in the right way, how to live your life, cleanliness, manners regarding eating, anything a person does in their life. His struggles in life teach us that we should be patient in hard times and thankful in good times. The Prophet (pbuh) would handle any situation in the best manner and followed the Quran perfectly. In Islam all Prophets and messengers are honored. Muslims are encouraged to follow the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), because through revelations to him from the Angel Gabriel the Quran was complete, also completing Islam as a religion. Muslims view Islam in three ways: a religion to follow, a culture within itself and the complete way of life. We follow the Sunnah (Way of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), because he followed Islam to every detail and in the most perfect way possible. For a Muslim the Sunnah is a highly important thing to know and follow. It completes you as a Muslim, allowing you to attain a high spirituality and closeness to God. A Muslim cannot be complete without the Quran nor Sunnah. They need both and must follow both. The Quran and Sunnah go hand in hand because the Quran contains the commands Muslims are to follow, while the Sunnah contains the procedures and how to do them in detail. Through the Sunnah, Muslims learn everything they need to do in order to live in this world in the perfect manner. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) teaches us that good character, along with good intentions and actions, lead to success in this life and in the hereafter.
There is a reason why so many Muslims are named after this significant and beautiful man, because of what he did for Islam. Muslims cherish the Prophet’s past and yearn to be like him and follow his ways. He would do everything according to the Quran; he would do no injustice and help the poor. The Prophet’s character was like no other, gentle, kind, warm hearted, truthful and always there for his people. He truly is the perfect example for a Muslim to follow. This is why Muslims love the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), one of the most influential men in the history of Islam.
Lions’ Roar Staff Editor-in-Chief Matthew Homan Business Manager Yueping Zhu
Writers and Reporters Emma Alden Connor Omara Anjum Muse Ahmed Derek Burt Tim Wellman Josh Wickstrom Caleb Sorernsen Amanda Brown Laurent D’Almeida Bryan Kissee Sharon Carroll Steve Dodds Rebecca Freeman Evan Johnson Jay Johnson Miriam Mongare Ben Rasmussen Amber Petrik Emily Rasmussen Shukri Abdalla
Address comments and letters to: The Lions’ Roar 2503 Activities Building 9700 France Ave. S Bloomington MN 55431 or lionsroar@normandale.edu You can drop letters in the box outside our office located in A2503. 2503 Activities Building.
Webmasters Dominique Williams Brittny Garrett Adviser Mark Plenke
Letters may be edited for style and length. Some stories in The Lions’ Roar come from MCT Campus, a news service paid for by the newspaper. Funding for the newspaper comes from advertising and student activity fees. Normandale Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 952-4877035 (TTY 952-487-7032) or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529.
On the Web: www.lionsroar.info
On Twitter: NCClionsroar
february 4, 2011
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Opinion Facebook Photo
The stress of the real world setting in, can make a college grad long for the good old days
Quarter-Life Crisis: Not just a joke among friends
by Emily Rasmussen
M
idlife crisis. We read about them; we joke about them. And in our 20s, we think we have at least another 20 some years until it’s time for us to have one of our own. But is it possible to have a mid-midlife crisis? I, like many of my fellow community college peers, am a full-time student who also has to juggle working full time in with schoolwork, bills, keeping my house clean and occasionally attempting to have a social life. I have also been living on my own and supporting myself 100 percent since I was 18. It can get pretty tough and there have been
times when I’ve joked that I was having a mid-midlife crisis. At first it just started out as a joke that my friends and I would laugh about whenever I felt like I was losing it from stress or just plain old hormones. But then I got to thinking: is there really such a thing? Do other people feel the same way? Have I discovered a new disorder? Am I going to be famous? I wonder how much I’ll get paid. Ok, maybe not the last two questions. That was purely for entertainment purposes. Anyways, being the journalist that I am, I decided to investigate. Apparently, my idea wasn’t that far-fetched. I did have the name wrong however; it’s actually called a “quarter-life crisis”. Basically, it’s the time of life right after the major changes of adolescence and it usually ranges from your late teens to your early thirties. It seems to most commonly occur within those in their mid-twenties, many times not too long after they graduate from college. The
person starts off with all lot more is expected of us these aspirations and this at a younger age than there indestructible attitude and used to be. excitement about their new Some characteristics of a career and life in general. quarter-life crisis are: Only to be let down when Confronting their mortalit doesn’t live up to the fan- ity. tasy they had created and Feeling too insecure to played out over and over love themselves, let alone, again in their head. Bills someone else. stack up; their sense of staInsecurity about their bility is threatened. On one current accomplishments. hand, there’s a sense of freeThe lack of friendships, dom and liberation from not romantic relationships, sexrelying on your parents any- ual frustration. more. But there Disap“The person starts pointment still isn’t the structure of a off with all these as- with their marriage, kids, pirations and this job. long career, indestructible at- Tendency and etc. They titude and excite- to hold long for the ment about their stronger care-free days new career and life opinions. of their youngBored er years; mix in general. Only to with social these things be let down when it interactions. together and doesn’t live up to the Loss of boom, you’ve fantasy” close congot yourself a tact with quarter-life crihigh school ses. or college friends. It seems that people are Financial stress. experiencing this more Depression, loneliness. now-a-days. Some may conThe desire to have kids. tribute this to the economy, A sense that others are while others just say that a doing better than them.
Frustration with their own social skills. Well, the bad news is that I am probably not going to be famous. Seems that someone has already beaten me on the whole discovery of the crisis and failed to give me the memo. The good news is that there is hope for us twenty-somethings that feel like we’re going a little loony lately. These feelings of stress, changes in future plans that once seemed so set in stone and sudden urges to find some sort of stability in life are completely normal. “You’re never going to be certain that you’ve chosen the right path,” said Abby Wilner, co-author of “Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties.” “You’ll always have doubts, but you learn to deal with those doubts. Learning to cope with that is when the crisis ends.” Well, ladies and gents, maybe let’s start learning to cope.
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by Coupon Sherpa MCT Campus The dreaded Freshmen-15 is real. Legend has it freshmen college students gain 15 pounds in their first term.
Fact is this is no legend. Going to college doesn’t just mean changing schools, it means changing lifestyles. Chances are, you’ll be less active than you were in high school. This, combined with bad dining hall food, dorm-room junk food, endless frat parties with bottomless kegs and a slowing metabolism, i n ev i t a bly leads to one thing _ weight gain. Gaining a few pounds isn’t the only thing you need to worry about, though. Without home-cooking, you’ll probably lack the necessary nutrients your body needs to thrive. On
the bright side, it’s possible to stay healthy in college. By adapting the following tips to your current lifestyle, you can make healthy changes that aren’t so overbearing you won’t be able to stick with them. 1. You need calcium Consume about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. Women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis, a disease which decreases bone density. This develops gradually with age, but adequate calcium intake reduces the risk. Bone density accumulated when you’re young is all you’ll have for the rest of your life, so make sure your bones are as strong as they can be. One eight-ounce glass of milk has about 300 mg, so drinking three glasses of milk a day will provide all the calcium you need. Other foods that are high in calcium include yogurt and cheese. Low-fat dairy products have as much calcium as whole-fat products. 2. You need folic acid Folic acid is one of the B vitamins. It’s important to
consume 0.4 mg of folate a day, especially for women in their child-bearing years. Folate reduces birth defects by regulating DNA synthesis and cell division. It’s also needed for normal red blood cell synthesis. Folic acid can be found in green, leafy vegetables, orange juice and fortified breakfast cereals. 3. Get your daily servings of fruits and vegetables I know it seems like fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive than other grocery store items, but they really aren’t. Buy the fruits and vegetables that are on sale. Seasonal items usually cost less. Even if they do cost a little more than a bag of chips, ditch the junk food because fruits and vegetables are much more nutritrous. 4. Be active Half an hour of moderate physical activity on most days is recommended to stay healthy. However, longer and more rigorous activities can provide greater health benefits.You’re prob-
NEWS
6 must-know nutrition facts for college students
ably paying a fee to use the student recreation center, so you might as well take advantage of that. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people. 5. Lose a pound a week One pound equals about 3,500 calories, so reduce your calories by 500 each day and, by the end of the week, you will drop a pound. However, instead of dropping 500 calories from your diet, try dropping 250 and working off the other 250 at the campus recreation center. This way you’re not starving yourself and you can get your recommended amount of activity each day. 6. Eat right in the dining hall Keep these concepts in mind when choosing foods, whether it’s in the dining hall or at home. Developing these habits now will help to continue a healthy lifestyle in the future.
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A better way to think about snacks by Amanda Brown Brightly colored fruits and vegetables fill wooden bins. Clear, plastic canisters brim with savory nuts, seeds, granola and trail mixes. Stacked row after row are more than 31 flavors of yogurt. Ahead there’s a sign blinking; it says “Healthy Snacks: What you’ve been dreaming! No more overwhelming thoughts of what to eat! Pre-packaged for your convenience!” Then suddenly, overhead, a monotone voice blares from the intercom, “CleanUp Aisle 2!” A shake of the head and reality sets in. The mirage was an imaginative vision, a daydream, a wishful thinking of what could be. Wouldn’t it take the guesswork out of eating better, if healthy snacks had their own aisle at the grocery store? What is a healthy snack? When should a snack be eaten? How many calories are appropriate for a snack? What is organic and is organic better for the body? Snacks can be labeled as healthy, but how can it be truly determined if it is healthy or not? These are questions that spin in the minds of many. Read on to be enlightened about a better way to think about snacks. “We can be healthy and fit at any size and any weight,” Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin says. The need to incorporate a healthier lifestyle continues to be a prominent trend in today’s society. The first goal of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2010 is to “increase quality and years of healthy life”. One of many steps in this journey includes choosing the proper foods to refuel the body. Negative connotations tend to attach themselves to the word “snacks”. The American Dietetic Association recommends viewing snacks as mini meals that fit into your calorie plan for the day. A healthy snack “provides complex carbohydrates, is low-fat, provides
fiber and perhaps some protein,” Russell Smiley B.A., M.S., Ph.D. in Health Education said. Of his 32 years of teaching college, Smiley has been at NCC for 23 years and instructs Exercise Science courses. Snacks are meant to be eaten in between meals to help refuel the body. Try some of these healthy snacks provided by Livestrong.com & the ADA: • 6 oz Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey & half cup of fresh blueberries • Carrots, celery sticks and broccoli florets • Half cup of plain oatmeal, tablespoon of raisins, cinnamon, teaspoon of maple syrup & half cup of soy milk • Dried apples, apricots, blueberries and raisins • 2 tablespoons hummus with red pepper strips & 8 baby carrots • Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds • Whole-wheat tortilla, slice of avocado & 2 oz turkey breast • 3 cups air-popped popcorn & a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese • Serving of baked tortilla chips & half cup cottage cheese mixed with salsa The Mayo Clinic advises to opt for snacks of 100 calories or less to stay within your daily calorie control. Important food groups to keep in mind are fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and low-fat dairy. Dependent on a person’s activity level, the ADA recommends a threshold of 200 – 300 calories. As of October 2008 and modified as of April 2010, the USDA concluded that it is “unclear at this point in time” if organically-grown food contains more or better nutrients than conventionally grown food. The USDA also states that “organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed.” Snacks can be labeled as healthy, but how can it be truly determined if it is healthy or not? “Read the [nutrition] labels and un-
Health
Snacking Mania
Photo by Amanda Brown
Russell Smiley derstand what is on the labels,” Smiley said. The importance of knowing what ingredients and labels mean helps to “draw inferences about whether the snack is healthy or not.” A couple of examples to watch out for are granola bars and energy drinks, Smiley said. Smart Snacking Tips from the ADA: • Think of snacks as minimeals that contribute nutrient-rich foods. • Place fresh fruit in plain sight. • Snack only when you are hungry. • Try dried variations. • Keep portion control in
mind. • Cut costs with frozen options. • Plan snacks ahead of time. Searching for creative healthy snacks to properly refuel the body can be an overwhelming process. The desire to eat better and the determination to succeed are not lacking, just the grocery list every week. Routine is just that, routine. Routine gets boring, especially when the topic is food. Finding healthy snacks that fit healthy standards can become a feat. Just take a deep breath, cut out the above lists and head to the near-
est grocer. Informed with encouraging information, snacking will become easier and less of a challenge in no time! For more food and nutrition information, please visit the ADA at http://www. eatright.org/, the USDA at http://www.mypyramid. gov/ and the FDA at http:// www.fda.gov/. To read more on organic food standards, visit www.ams.usda.gov/ AMSv1.0/nop and to answer more in-depth questions about organic foods, please see www.nal.usda. gov/afsic/pubs/faq/BuyOrganicFoodsB.shtml#BuyB7.
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february 4, 2011
COMPLETE YOUR
Bachelor’s degree When you’ve completed your associate degree you’ll have many great options ahead of you and one is DeVry University. We work with community college students to make sure qualifying credits transfer seamlessly and that you have everything you need, including: • Access to required courses • Financial aid • Lifetime Career Services for all graduates
2 Twin Cities Locations Edina | St. Louis Park
For more information on earning your bachelor’s degree, please visit DeVry.edu/cc. Program availability varies by location. ©2010 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved.
february 4, 2011
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NEWS
(Left to Right) Stephanie Taft, Tom Harsevoort, Shauna Bridger and Linda Sage pictured at the gallery reception Thursday.
Receptive to Art
Tom (left) explains his inspiration to Linda Sage (center) and Stephanie Taft.
Local artist Tom Harsevoort at the Normandale Fine Arts Gallery reception for “From the Other Side,� given in his honor on Jan. 20.
february 4, 2011
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by Mike Swift MCT Campus
uncomfortable moments at a morning panel at UC-San Francisco when Shum and Google principle engineer Matt Cutts disputed the intent and effect of Bing’s gathering of search data. A Google spokesman declined to say whether the company would take legal action to make Microsoft’s search engine change its tactics. Google said it had discovered a feature in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 browser that reports Google searches and results back to Microsoft. In December, Google implanted false results in its search algorithm hoping to catch Microsoft with its hand in the cookie jar. For example, Google wrote code that linked the gibberish query “mbzrygjys” to a link to smartphone maker Research In Motion Ltd., then had a group of engineers take their IE8-equipped laptops home and start running those and other “honey pot”
Google Inc. charged Tuesday that Microsoft Corp.’s Bing search engine is copying its results. The Web-search giant said an elaborate “sting” operation discovered that Bing was echoing digital bait that Google had secretly planted in its search algorithm. Microsoft denied that it was copying Google’s results, firing back in a blog post that accused Google of a “spy-novelesque stunt” in planting obscure results on its search algorithm to try to prove that Bing was echoing its results. The donnybrook over the rocket science of Internet search blew up just as some of the top search scientists from Google, Microsoft and smaller search engines like Blekko were convening Tuesday morning for a conference organized by Microsoft at the University of California-San Francisco. The charges led to some 10-CSS-069_SocialWork_bw_10x6.75.pdf
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searches on Google. Later, Google said it saw the same link to RIM show up when people entered the same gibberish query “mbzrygjys” on Bing.
The charges come as Bing --which is now supplying results for all Yahoo searches -- has been gaining market share, and Google has been facing criticism about the
NEWS
Google accuses Bing of copying search results
quality of its search results. “At Google, we strongly believe in innovation and are proud of our search quality,” said Google spokesman Jake Hubert.
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by Ben Rasmussen I met Kevin Mckinley late one Friday morning at Normandale, he was not answering his phone so I raided the lounge where he told me he often sits between classes. I said “Are you ready for your interview, Kevin?” He bounced out of his chair and greeted me with a big grin as I led him to a small table to conduct the interview. I had learned about Kevin through some fellow students while I was looking for a musician to interview for the paper. “My friend Kevin makes some music, not really sure what, though. They had said. This was the first interview I had ever done so I wasn’t sure how it was going to go but, luckily for me, Kevin was energetic and eager to elucidate and expound on the questions I had asked him. He goes by the alias K-roc and makes hip-hop music, both the production aspect and the raps that accompany it. He also makes electronic dance music and dubstep. He has been working at it for six years, which is a fairly long time for someone who is only 21 years of age. He got into it after getting out of drug treatment, he needed a new outlet, he was bored so his mom bought him a microkorg synthesizer and, as Kevin recalled, that was all it took. “After I got the synth I started reading about things like subtractive synthesis, sound crafting and sampling and I thought it was so interesting. The coolest thing ever.” Kevin continued to acquire and collect gear and now uses an MPC 2000xl as his primary means of crafting sounds as well as his old Microkorg, crates of vinyl and an old tube preamp he found in his friends basement. Using this gear he creates what he calls “dirty and disjointed music, it has an intentional low audio quality, its grimy feeling and I make precise mistakes on purpose to give it a sort of incomplete feeling”. Upon meeting with Kevin, one thing is for certain, he is a thoughtful fellow. He was not shy to wax philosophical on any question I asked and this thoughtful-
photo by Ben Rasmussen
Kevin “K-roc”Mckinley ness easily shows in his music which is rich, complex and he has succeeded in creating a unique sound for himself, something that most musicians work their entire career to achieve. After the interview I visited his Soundcloud website and spent longer than an hour pouring over his 40 tracks. After listening to what I can honestly say is better sounding production than I hear in most new hip-hop, I thought about how Kevin has never played a gig, or released his tunes. “I’m a studio rat” he chuckled, “I lack the networking capabilities to get a gig or anything, but we’ll see”. This amazed me not only because the quality of his uniquely branded music is far above some of even the most prominent local hip-hop, but because he clearly is making music simply because he loves it. Kevin sites ‘90s hip-hop, along with artists like El-p, Cannibal Ox and Eyedea
and Abilities as his main influences. He only goal when crafting a soundscape is to make it sound beautiful, something he achieves. “But,” he says “my lyrics contrast my music, when I write lyrics I do so out of anger, I seek to understand why I am so angry, my motto is: get pissed, make music and die,” he says with a laugh. Whatever his inspirations are he is doing it right. Be sure to check out his profile at www.Soundcloud. com/k-roc and don’t wait until he’s on the cover of Spin. What is your name? Kevin Mckinley How about aliases? K-roc What kind of music do you make? Hip-hop, electronic dance music, dubstep How would you describe your music? Disjointed, dirty, incomplete sounding, intentional
low audio quality, making precise mistakes on purpose, grimy How long have you been at it for? About six years. How did you get into it? I went through treatment and after it I was bored. My mother bought me a microkorg synthesizer and I began reading about subtractive synthesis, sound crafting and sampling. It’s just really interesting, the coolest thing ever. What kind of gear/ equipment do you use? Mpc 2000 xl, SP-404, Microkorg, a couple of crates of vinyl and a very old tube preamp I found in my friends basement. Who are your biggest musical influences? 90’s rap, el-p, J-Dilla, Madlib, Cannibal Ox, Eyedea and Abilities, Venetian snares and Aphex Twin How has growing up in the twin cities area influenced you? I like to think that I am
People
K-roc: ‘Get pissed, make music and die’
not influenced by my environment, that I am an island (laughs). But probably in a very subtle way, we have very eclectic musicians here that draw from a lot of different genres which is cool. It also made me a little resentful towards them, they can be douche bags. The art culture here is very tightly knit and not open to new things. But then again I could just be projecting (laughs. Best live show you have seen? A rave on new years eve and El-p at Soundset ‘09 What inspires you to make music? With my lyrics it is anger. I seek to understand why I am angry and why it is with bullshit that doesn’t matter. My music contrasts this, I just try to make something that sounds beautiful. What sort of message, if any do you hope to convey with your music? I feel that artists who try and put a message are patronizing and usually what they say is something I already knew, I feel like they are trying to spoon feed me something I don’t feel like I would ever be able to say something that people don’t already know. I think it is important to strive for originality. My motto is: Get pissed, make music, die (laughs). What other sorts of things are you into? Pornography, economics, sociology, nice sneakers, rave culture. How would you feel if you walked into Baby Gap and heard your music playing? I would wonder why I am walking into a Baby Gap (laughs) and if I had collected my royalty. I would probably feel validated, if a store like the baby gap played my music then that would probably mean that a large amount of people can relate to my music and feel what I am saying. What are your plans for the future? Continue to make music and be a studio rat. Where can we listen to your music? www.soundcloud.com/kroc
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february 4, 2011
movies MCTCampus Photo
One of the top movies of 2010 was the lastest installment of the Harry Potter saga, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
10 by Caleb Sorenson I have been working at a movie theatre for over a year now, so needless to say, I saw way too many movies last year. Some were good and some were bad, but since I am an optimist, I decided to focus on the positive rather than the negative. So here they are; my top 10 favorite films of 2010: 10. “Daybreakers” - Vampires were everywhere in 2010. The “Twilight Saga Eclipse” became one of the highest grossing movies of 2010, while TV shows like “The Vampire Diaries” and “True Blood” continued to draw in viewers week after week. However, “Daybreakers” strayed far from the herd and gave horror fanatics a hardcore vampire blood bath. Set in the not so distant 2019, humans are hunted down and farmed for blood by the vampires who have taken over the population. If you are in the mood for a great horror movie and can handle the over the top gore, then “Daybreakers” is for you. 9. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” - Over the past 10 years, Harry Potter has dominated the box office in every way imaginable. In fact, according to Warner Bros., it is the most successful movie franchise in history. This latest entry in the series is no exception and delivers everything we have come to ex-
Best in 2010 pect in a Harry Potter film. The stage is set for the battle between Harry and Lord Voldemort in July of 2011. 8. “Inception” - Who could have ever imagined that a film about sleeping could blow so many people’s minds. The concept of “Inception” is simple; Cobb (Leonardo Dicaprio) and Company must infiltrate a billionaire’s dream in order to make him believe that he is to destroy his own company. What really made this film spectacular were the special effects used in the dream world as well as the twists and turns that came near the end. Now if director Christopher Nolan would just get “The Dark Knight Rises” done within the next two years, I’ll be in heaven. 7. “Shutter Island” - Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese. “Shutter Island” was a wonderful thriller that was full of mind bending visuals and a near perfect ending. Set in the 1950s, shortly after World War II, Edward Daniels (Leonardo Dicaprio) is sent to investigate the disappearance of a mental patient on the mysterious Shutter Island. It quickly becomes evident that things are never as they seem and that nowhere is safe. It’s not often that a movie will stay with you and leave you thinking about it for days afterwards, but once in a while a movie like “Shutter
Island” will come around and blow you away. 6. “127 Hours” - Be prepared to have a drink on hand if you decide to sit down and watch this masterpiece, which is based on a true story that happened in 2003. While rock climbing alone, Aron Rolston (James Franco) becomes unfortunate enough to get his arm trapped underneath a boulder and is forced to endure 127 hours of pain, thirst, hunger, and loneliness. Despite all of the misery, this film is far from a tragedy; in fact, it is quite the contrary. It is a story of hope, redemption and the ultimate happiness.
5. “The Town” - Not since “Ocean’s Eleven” have I seen such a great movie about a heist, and of the hundreds of heist movies that are out there, I think that says quite a lot about how awesome this movie is. Set in Boston, Mass., Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is the leader of a group of robbers who falls in love with the woman he robs at the beginning of the movie. “The Town” strips away all the humor and fashion that is so often seen in films of this nature, and instead focuses on the troubled personal lives of this close knit group of thieves.
4. “Toy Story 3” – “Toy Story” was released in 1995 and was the first movie to be made by Pixar Studios. Pixar released the third installment in the franchise last year and concluded the trilogy by making not only the best “Toy Story” but the best Pixar movie ever. The plot of the movie is one that we as college student can easily relate to. Andy, the owner of Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toys, is going off to college and has to decide what he is going to do with the toys he has had all of his life. “Toy Story 3” is hilarious throughout most of the movie, but is also unexpectedly emotional in parts.
movies
MCTCampus Photo
Inception fell to eigth place for best of 2010.
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february 4, 2011
3. “The Fighter” - A downon-his-luck boxer has to overcome physical and emotional hurdles in order to become a champion. No, this is not a “Rocky” remake; it is the tale of “Irishman” Mickey Ward in “The Fighter.” This movie has gained a huge amount of critical acclaim for the performances of Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Mark Wahlberg; however what I really love is the fight scenes. The HBO crew did a phenomenal job shooting them and making them feel as authentic as possible. I also have to tip my hat to Mark Wahlberg and the other fighters in the movie for being real men and doing all of their own stunts. 2. “The Social Network” -Recently won Best Picture at the Golden Globes. Actors Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake do a great job portraying their real life billionaire counterparts and are so convincing, that at times it may feel like you are watching a Facebook documentary. Whether or not the events of “The Social Network” are true or not, doesn’t take away from the fact that this is one fantastic film. 1. “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” - Scott Pilgrim must defeat The Seven Evil Exes in order to be with the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers. Oh man! I don’t even know where to begin with this epic masterpiece! For starters, I must say that writer/director Edgar Wright is an absolute genius for creating such a hilarious script. Every single joke and gag hits dead on and continues throughout the entire movie. I must also give equal credit to the leading man Michael Cera for doing a phenomenal job of being both a funny man and a hardcore action hero. Yes that’s right; Michael Cera is now an action star. The fights scenes containing him and The Seven Evil Exes are exciting to say the least and can easily go toe to toe with the likes of Jet Li or Jason Statham. To top it all off, this movie is packed with unique special effects and animations which make this movie look unlike anything else out there. It is hard to express how amazing this movie is in words so I implore you to go and check out my favorite movie of 2010 as soon as possible.
TOP: (from left to right) Jessie the Cowgirl, Buzz Lightyear and Woody, from “Toy Story”. (Provided by Disney/MCT) MIDDLE: Justin Timberlake, left, and Jesse Eisenberg in Columbia Pictures’ “The Social Network.” (Courtesy of Merrick Morton/ MCT) BOTTOM: Actor James Franco stars in a scene for movie “127 Hours.” (Chuck Zlotnick/Courtesy Fox Searchlight/ MCT)
february 4, 2011
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Easy college student ramen recipes by Coupon Sherpa MCT Campus They both share reputations as college classics, yet ramen noodles are noticeably missing from John Belushi’s plate during the (in) famous Animal House food fight scene. Bluto gave it a pass, but ramen has long been a staple of the university diet. You can easily pick it up from your local grocery store for as little as 10 cents a pack in a variety of flavors. Ramen recipes are a perfect choice for cash- and time-strapped youngsters on the prowl for simple college student fare. But beware of those little, innocent-looking flavor packets. Ramen by itself is mostly harmless, but the instant variety popular in America is loaded with sodium. The average package is actually two servings, not one, meaning a humble pack (with flavoring) contains over 80 percent of your daily recommend-
ed sodium and almost 400 calories. Other soup flavors are even worse. The easiest way to get healthy ramen noodles is to do away with the flavor packet. Unfortunately, this leads to an unsatisfying dinner. Give your noodles a boost by adding chicken, frozen veggies or precooked shrimp, all of which are packed with muchneeded vitamins and minerals. Keep your costs down with grocery coupons and save money for some of the more obscure items, like the kelp in numbers 17 and 19. If kelp is any proof, adventurous ramen recipes now reach near gourmet heights without requiring gourmet time. (Or, at least as gourmet as ramen can get -- which, apparently, is quite a bit in Japan.) Below are 25 healthy and easy college student recipes for ramen, guaranteed to keep your culinary life from being placed on double-secret probation.
MCT Campus photo
QUICK AND EASY RAMEN NOODLE SOUP Ingredients •2 cups frozen vegetables (broccoli, carrots or multiple veggie blends work best) •1 package flavored ramen noodles, uncooked •2 cups water Directions •Boil water in large pot •Cook frozen veggies halfway over medium-high heat. •Plop in noodles and flavor packet (if you want). •Mix occasionally until noodles and vegetables are soft. Ramen Vegetable Soup Ingredients •2 packages ramen noodles, uncooked •3 cups chicken stock •1 cup carrots •1 cup celery •2 medium red potatoes, peeled and quartered •1/2 cup onion, chopped •1/4 cup garlic, chopped •Salt and pepper to taste Directions •Toss chicken stock in a crock pot and add carrots, potatoes, celery, onions and garlic. •Add salt and pepper to taste then head out to class •Cook on high for 4 hours. •Throw the noodles in when you get back and let cook for 3 minutes. •Eat while studying up on your WWII history. RAMEN LO MEIN Ingredients •1 tbsp. canola oil •1 tbsp. light soy sauce •1/4 cup chicken stock •1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into strips) •1 cup onion, chopped •1 cup green pepper, chopped •1 cup mushrooms, halved •3 green onions, sliced diagonally •1 package plain ramen noodles, boiled •Optional: 1-{ tsp. minced ginger root, 1 tsp. minced garlic Directions •In a large frying pan, place canola oil and soy sauce on medium heat.
•Saute chicken strips until light brown and add vegetables and chicken stock. •Cook until vegetables are tender. •Stir in ramen. •Simmer for several minutes. •Place leftovers in old Chinese take-out box so QUICK AND EASY SHRIMP RAMEN SOUP Ingredients •12 pre-cooked shrimp •1 package flavored ramen noodles, uncooked •Optional: 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. chili powder, 1/4 tsp. ground cumin, [ tsp. black pepper mixed in bowl for spicy sauce Directions •Saute or re-heat shrimp as desired. •Cook ramen according to direction on package •Stir in shrimp during final minute. •For a spicy alternative, toss shrimp in optional mixture and let stand for 20 minutes before sauteing. •Add extra mix instead of flavor packet to broth for healthier seasoning. VEGETARIAN IMPERIAL VEGGIE RAMEN SOUP Ingredients •1 package plain ramen noodles, boiled •1/2 cup of scallions, sliced •1/2 cup of bamboo shoots •1/2 cup of green peppers, sliced •2 or 3 shiitake mushrooms, halved •1 boiled egg, peeled and halved •4 cups of water •Optional: Dried kelp Directions •To make the broth, soak shiitake mushrooms in water for 30 minutes. •Heat broth over medium until water comes to a boil. •Turn off heat and let mushrooms stand for 30 minutes. •Remove mushrooms and set aside. •soups, recipes or chugging contests. •To finish soup, pour
Food
Put a fork in it
•Add scallions, bamboo shoots, green peppers, mushrooms and kelp. •Top with egg. Eat. Lick lips. Repeat. •Broth can be refrigerated and saved for several weeks for use in other broth over boiled ramen. BOK CHOY (CHINESE CABBAGE) RAMEN Don’t worry about eating bok choy raw. Unlike European cabbage, bok choy is more like celery and rarely tastes bitter without cooking. Ingredients •1 package of ramen noodles, crushed and fried •1 head bok choy, sliced thin •1 green onion •1/2 cup almond slices •1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil •1/3 cup light olive oil •1/2 cup sugar •1 tsp. light soy sauce •1/4 cup vinegar Directions •To make vinaigrette, put olive oil, sugar, soy sauce and vinegar in medium pot. •Heat over high until boiling, stirring regularly. •Mix bok choy and fried ramen in bowl and cover with vinaigrette. •Toss all ingredients together and enjoy. ONE LAST THOUGHT: Ramen is a dorm-ready (translation: microwavable) substitute for almost any traditional pasta. Just preheat your favorite spaghetti, pesto or alfredo sauce and pour over boiled ramen. Tastes so good, you’d almost be willing to take advice from Bluto.
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february 4, 2011
Calendar School events for February 2011 February 3-4-
“Give Kids a Smile” with free dental care provided by NCC and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
February 8-
Community Success Day
February 9-
February 11-
Performance of “Daughters of Africa” presented by Mixed Blood Theatre Fine Arts Theatre, Time: Noon
February 21Presidents Day
February 24-
No classes, faculty duty day Soul Food Banquet with “Voice of Discussion - Diversity Dialogue Cafe: Culture” Drum & Dance A-Quil Meal: Fine Arts Gallery, 4:30 p.m. African American or African? Program: Lorenz Auditorium, 6 p.m. Room A2556, Time: 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
February 15-
Black History Month celebration featuring “The Black Entertainers” by Bob Deflores and Kennedy High School Step Group Lorenz Auditorium, Time: TBA
February 19-
February 4-
February 14-
February 23-
February 6-
February 15-
Every Saturday-
February 25-
No class
No class, faculty duty day
Local music for February 2011
Dillinger Four- Triple Rock
The Decemberists- State Theater
Justin Townes Earle- First Avenue
Motorhead- First Avenue
February 17-
February 8-
Escape the Fate-Cabooze
BALLS Cabaret (open mic) midnight at the Southern Theater
Alpha Rev- Seventh St. Entry
Dearhoof- First Avenue
George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic- Cabooze
Carnage (CD Release), No Bird Sing, Ecid, Dosh- Cabooze
Open Mic at The Artists Quarter- 9 p.m.
February 19-
Meloncholic Mondays Pub Trivia- Spring Street Tavern
February 10-
Gay Witch Abortion- Turf Club
Sims (CD Release)- Fine Line Music Kristoff Krane (every Thursday)- Canvas Cafe Youth Center
February 20-
February 11-
Best Coast,Waaves- The Varsity Theater
Aby Wolf- The Cedar
Every Tuesday-
Fiesta Latino (latin dancing) atThe Saloon Sassy Lassy Trivia at the Library Bar
February 22-
February 12-
Every Monday-
Pete Yorn- First Avenue
Gang of Four- First Avenue
NCC clubs, times and room numbers Monday
Tuesday
IVCF – Discovering City Matters Class CCC – 11 a.m.-noon. CCC – Prayer, 7 a.m., TBD IVCF – Feed My Starving Children, 6-7:30 p.m Archaeology club – noon, S 2338 GSSA – 3-4 p.m., C 2032
Break-dance club – 3:30-6 p.m., S 2338 or A 1570 IVCF – noon, C 2036 Hats for the Homeless, 11noon, A 2552 Student Senate – 2 p.m., A 2570 BSA – 1-2 p.m., L 1747
Wednesday Break-dance club – 3:30-6 p.m., S 2338 or A 1570 IVCF – noon, C 2042 ICVF – Prayer, 7 a.m., C 2036 ICVF – Student Leadership, 2 p.m., F 2264 ICVF – Bible Discovery, noon, L 1747 Peer Mentors – 2-4 p.m., TBD Juggling club – noon-1 p.m., Central Courtyard Tae Kwon Do – 3-4 p.m., A 1560
Thursday
Friday
CSL – Intercultural Service Circles, 1-2 p.m., A 2570 Juggling club – 1-2 p.m., Central Courtyard
Break-dance club – 3:30-6 p.m., S 2338 or A 1570 NCC STEM – 2-3 p.m., A 2570 Outdoor Club – 2 p.m., Front of the building Tae Kwon Do – 2-4 p.m., A 1560
Saturday
february 4, 2011
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Lions’ Roar wins three journalism awards
photo by Tim Wellman
Lions’ Roar editor-in-chief Matt Homan holds three awards given by the Minnesota Newspaper Association.
The Lions’ Roar’s Michael Rowlands took first place in Arts/ Entertainment Reporting in the 2009-2010 Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest for his Wheezer/ Basilica Block Party story. Second place went to a guy from the Minnesota Daily! The paper also took a first place for headline writing and a second place for advertising excellence. It was the only two-year school to win awards in the contest. Judges comments: Headline writing: “Some good headlines in here. For example, from the August 23, 2010, issue: ‘FAFSA: Feel defiled after filling out your student-aid application’ and ‘Smoking policy is a total drag.’ The first issue I opened was the Feb. 26-March 25, 2010, issue. The headlines on the front were concise and informative: ‘Pawlenty cuts millions from higher education,’ ‘The search of new Dean of Students Begins,’ etc.”