10-2-2007

Agora

The Vol. 50, Issue 2

October 2, 2007

MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

INSIDE page 2...............................

MySpace and Facebook users battle for popularity

Sport returns unofficially Students form private hockey team, plan to be ready by winter

By Charlene Hunt Staff Writer

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Caffeine risks affect addicts

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New banned books list hits nationwide library system page 7...............................

Phoenix Theatres comes to Frenchtown Square Mall

M

onroe County Community College (MCCC) will not have a hockey team this fall due to a lack of student involvement within the prospective team. However, the MC3 Husky Hockey Club is currently functioning on a private level, comprised of current and prospective MCCC students.

In order for the team to be considered a legitimate American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) league team, each member would need to carry at least nine MCCC credit hours.

“We do have enough players who attend MCCC to make a team,” said Greg Paddison, MC3 coach and programs manager for Canlan Ice Sports.

“The problem is that because we got the team organized so late, some of these players were unable to get the nine credit hour requirement.”

Tryouts were held Sept. 10, 12 and 14 at the Monroe Multi-Sports Complex before any agreement was officially made between Paddison and the administrators at MCCC. The turnout number of hockey team hopefuls was lower than Paddison had anticipated. Sixteen individuals made the team, but only six of the sixteen meet the credit requirement.

Paddison said that he wanted the team to be named after the college, even if unofficially linked to it. In the past, huskies were used as mascots for MCCC student activities.

“I never received the go-ahead call from [MCCC officials], which is why our team is not the Monroe County Community College hockey team, we are simply the MC3 Husky Hockey Club and happen to be made up of all prospective students from

MCCC,” Paddison said.

MCCC is not financially responsible or legally liable for any aspect of the MC3 Huskies at this time.

“Hopefully we’ll get it set up next fall in enough time so that players will have the opportunity to sign up for classes,” said Mark Hall, MCCC director of admissions and guidance services. “This year everything came after the semester had already started and people who were interested in playing and being a student weren’t able to.”

Randy Daniels, vice president of student information services at MCCC said that students interested in forming a MCCC club or organization must follow College Procedure 3.17, which is titled Procedure for Preparation and Filing of Petition for Recognition of Student Group.

Despite the setbacks, Paddison’s team is still active. He has requested waivers from the ACHA to allow his team to participate as a nonmember until December or January, when his team will register for the required amount of credit hours and will become a legitimate collegiate sports team. In the meantime, the team will compete against both ACHA and non-ACHA teams. The games will be played as scrimmages or exhibitions at the discretion of the opposing teams, due to liability concerns.

“If we go through the tough times and go through building the program, it’ll be worth it,” said Alex Wohl, assistant captain of the Huskies and MCCC student. “I know the finished product will be good, we have so much talent.”

The team faced their first exhibitions of the season in Alliston, Ontario on Sept. 21 and 22 with less than a week’s worth of practice. After a particularly rough start, the Huskies tied their final game against Bradford Rattlers at 6-6.

MC3 hockey goal Trevor Eisaman stands prepared to block his teammates shot during one of their late night practices.

Agora photo by Jeff Kodysh

President Bush signs Education Bill

By Jeff Kodysh Editor-in-Chief

On September 27, President Bush signed legislation that promises to help make higher education more affordable. According to a fact sheet from the House Education and Labor Committee, this new legislation, called the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, will provide over $20 billion in increased funding for college aid nationwide. This is the largest increase in federal spending in 60 years. Michigan alone will receive $676 million in new tuition grants.

Low and middle income college students would benefit most from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. The increased spending will translate into more loans, grants, and other financial aid for students.

For instance, funding for Pell Grants will increase $11.4 billion over the next five years, according to the White House news release. This will allow the maximum Pell award to increase from $4,310 in 2007 to $5,400 by 2012.

Funding for federally subsidized student loans, such as Stafford and Perkin loans, will also increase. Federally subsidized loans will have their fixed interest rates cut in half over the next five years, from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent.

Ceilings on federal loans amounts will also be increased to help borrowers avoid costlier private loans. Loan payments for certain income levels will also be linked to income levels after graduation, with borrowers never paying more than 15 percent of their discretionary income on loan repayments.

One aspect of the act is to help students entering public service fields.

According to the House Education and Labor Committee fact sheet, public servants and others that work with the public such as firefighters, public defenders, and librarians are eligible for loan forgiveness in exchange for working in their public service for certain periods of time.

Support for this bill was bi-partisan and widespread, although concerns were raised by private

college lending companies. Private lenders are concerned that this act will drive up the cost of higher education by taking the federal funds currently provided to them and using them to pay for this new act.

Democratic Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow fought for passage of the U.S. Senate version of the bill.

“Education policy is economic policy – in Michigan especially, our colleges provide a path

Photo courtesy www.whitehouse.gov

President George Bush signs the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.

to a successful future,” Stabenow said in a statement on her website.

She emphasized the need to make higher education more affordable.

“We need to be making it easier, not harder, for working families and students to afford college. America wins when we invest in education, and I urge President Bush to sign this bill into law,” she said in a September 7 press release on the Senate passage of the act.

Monroe County Community College (MCCC ) student Robin Pykor believes the new legislation will be beneficial both to students and the economy.

“I think it would be a good thing if the act went through because the only way the economy will eventually get better is if people get good educations as well as good jobs,” she said.

Monroe County Community College (MCCC) President Dr. David Nixon is also excited about the new legislation.

“This is great news for our students who are eligible for Pell Grants. The grants will increase to more than $4,500 next year, amounting to a ‘full ride’ at MCCC,” he said. “ The ‘service’ funding component is mostly is a reward for students who choose careers in those fields the country needs the most such as nursing, teaching, law enforcement, or social work. Those students committing to 10 years in government service will get their school loans paid by the government.”

According to Dr. Nixon, MCCC currently has 821 students on Pell Grants.

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Editorial Politics invade media reports MySpace fights for friends AGORA

By Charlene Hunt Staff Writer

As the year comes to an end, American citizens are bombarded by the political stampede of the upcoming election. Both parties are competing for their respective titles, tossing their lobbyist stances to every Tom, Dick and Harry that will listen. The problem with overexposure is that it forces many Americans to focus on one or two main issues, and then support according to their personal stances. Basically, we begin forming an opinion long before the candidates are even decided. Worse, we end up drained even before what blogger Brad Listi dubbed Bush’s “merciful exit.” By the time Dubbya is ready to retire to Texas, half of America does not care who stands for what – they just vote according to party with an exhausted tint in their eyes.

Between the rumors and the facts, one thing is certain – No one candidate is an ideal leader of the free world.

Thus far, Hillary Clinton is the most likely choice for Democratic presidential candidate. I imagine many right-wingers are excited about this.

Hillary’s victory as party candidate could give the Republican candidate a real shot at the title. Despite Hillary’s growing popularity, the majority of America still hates her. Hillary is extremely popular in a few areas, but at the moment she simply doesn’t have the support to vanquish another candidate overall.

Personally, I find Hillary chilling, unnerving and redundant. I trust her about as far as I could throw her, and judging by her super tough Amazonian attitude, I imagine that wouldn’t be very far. I believe we as a society have evolved past the point where the White House only needs wealthy, Caucasian males – I just do not plan on voting for Hillary. I would love a female president; I just do not think she is the one I have been holding out for.

Barack Obama, the most likely Democratic hopeful after Hillary, is fighting hard to be recognized as a qualified, ready-minded Democratic nominee, but the voters seem either too weary of his inexperience or too focused on his race to give him a fighting chance. Numerous critics are claiming Obama is a Republican trapped in a Democrat’s body.

Rudy Giuliani, or perhaps just the perky-eared voters, eventually figured out that it was difficult to proclaim conservative views for the GOP while lassoing the Giuliani name around a crumpling family, left-leaning stances and twisty controversies. Thank goodness. For a short time there, I feared America would go vote-crazy for the “hero of 9/11.”

I want to make clear that I am not belittling or mocking the tragedy of 9/11. I just do not believe the American people gave a rat’s rectum about Giuliani before the attack and in general, he is prone to using his heroics as the central focus of his campaign.

Wait – This sounds an awful lot like that Massachusetts senator from that one war that got that one medal. Kerry and Giuliani both enjoy highlighting their heroism, that’s for sure.

Most of the Republican candidates are in fact being forgotten as Mitt Romney becomes the GOP frontrunner. Romney’s stances occasionally approach the gray area, while he deals with other topics with aggressive personal force. I can see Hillary and Romney battling it out via candidate debates months from now in my mind’s eyes, and hypothetically I cannot see either candidate excelling.

Soon Americans will be unable to watch FOX or CNN without hearing the nonsense, bigotries and cat fights between the presidential hopefuls. I only hope that when the time comes to vote we aren’t tuckered out from the drivel, but determined to act in the best nature of our country.

October 2, 2007

By Kelsi Kachar Staff Writer

Ask any teen, college student, or even some adults what the first thing they do is when they sign online, and the answer will likely be: they check their MySpace or their Facebook.

Which site is better? This is a battle that has been fought for a long time, and will continue even longer and conclude with the same results- MySpace will declare victory.

Essentially, MySpace and Facebook serve the same purpose. In compari-

son between the two, MySpace offers a colossal amount of media capability.

MySpace is a media powerhouse, and allows you to not only place a song on your page, but to create an artist page.

Artist pages allow musicians and bands to freely distribute media from inside a social network.

What makes MySpace unique is that it’s easily customizable; you can really express your individuality and who you are. Even if you don’t know someone you can surf their page and get a slight idea of who they are by looking at their graphics, pictures, and songs. It lets you be yourself, as op-

posed to Facebook where you’re just another name, another student at another college. MySpace has become synonymous with “social networking for the masses”.

Quite frankly, Facebook is flat out anoying. MySpace keeps your actions behind closed doors, but I’m surprised Facebook doesn’t notify people when I go to the bathroom. MySpace is much more private and confidential, while Facebook is just trying to get you kidnapped by indicating your every move, friend and college. With MySpace you can control what comments go on your page. MySpace of-

fers you the option of approving and denying comments, and allows you to have your own URL that you can extend to whomever you want.

In conclusion, I don’t think people should even waste their time with Facebook. It connects them with a limited group of people: college students and some high school students.

MySpace connects you with the world and doesn’t burden you with unnecessary information. MySpace incorporates media into the community, and media is what makes things interesting.

MySpace vs.

Facebook

Agora illustration by Morgan Sopko

Facebook boasts maturity

By Morgan Sopko Staff Writer

Facebook and MySpace are taking over the world, or maybe just the Internet. Which side are you on?

Whether you’re adding your spring break pictures or trying to find an old high school lab partner you, Facebook beats MySpace in every category.

The site design of Facebook alone should turn any skeptics into fullfledged Facebook users. It is easy to navigate through different friends profiles because of the efficient design. The majority of Facebook users have the same page layout, though with a variety of fun applications. On MySpace, however, user profiles are inconsistent, which makes it extremely

difficult to find a link or photo needed quickly. Plus, the average MySpace or Facebook user does not know how to use the text coding that is needed to design a custom MySpace page. This fault lies on MySpace designers themselves, not the user, who makes their site difficult to use. With Facebook, a user can just click and drag where they would like to place different parts of his or her profile.

Unlike MySpace, where users are just trying to get the highest number of friends possible, Facebook users typically add actual friends. Real people get a Facebook account; not a group of people or a band trying to promote themselves, but genuine people. If a user wants to show support to his or her favorite band, the user could just

join a group dedicated to the band instead of becoming their friend on MySpace. Both sites have groups where numerous people join and discuss certain topics, but Facebook promotes them more so than MySpace.

The Facebook homepage helps let the user know what is going on and new with his or her friends. Facebook has two different news feeds. One tells you what is new with the user, such as friend requests or newly posted items.

The other feed tells what is going on with the user’s friends; for example, when a user changes his or her relationship status or adds new pictures.

Facebook’s mobile uploads and picture tagging is far superior to MySpace. Facebook users have the ability to tag themselves and his or her

friends in pictures, and then those pictures will be displayed in the friend’s profile. A new feature to Facebook is an application that allows users to use photo-sharing sites and to post a slide show of a compilation of photos.

Privacy is always a concern when posting personal photos and information online.

Facebook will allow users to keep information and even pictures hidden from particular users. MySpace has privacy protection too, but it can’t compare to Facebook’s, especially with all of the spam floating around.

The Facebook popularity is one bandwagon that Internet users should jump on to, and besides, Facebook has MySpace beat almost every time.

cally blacks and Hispanics.

Now consider how the east side always seems to get a bad reputation.

Why is that so? Is it because of actual crimes that are committed on the east side? Possibly, but I cannot think of a specifically terrible recent crime that occurred on the east side, or at least nothing worse than those in the rest of Monroe.

Is it possible that the east side has a bad reputation because of some other factor? Maybe a lot of the allegations against that part of Monroe are based on nothing more than rumors. Do I dare say that possibly, just possibly, people judge the east side based on the color of its residents’ skin?

Monroe County Community College student Josh Piippo said that he often likes to ride his bike in the middle of the night around the east side of Monroe. Piippo said that he never really feels afraid or threatened when he is around the east side area.

I have made numerous trips to the downtown area of the east side and have found that the majority of its locals are quite friendly. Some readers may find this hard to believe, especially those that tend to avoid the east

side altogether.

It’s something we have most likely all done before. We see a person of a certain color or race walk by our cars and we check to make sure our doors are locked. Without even realizing it, we have passed a detrimental judgment against some one we do not even know based purely on looks alone.

Although such an action may seem harmless to some, it happens to be the start of something much more hurtful.

The seed of racism is small when first planted, but when fed with both fear and misunderstanding, it grows to be a large, damaging tree of pain and sorrow.

We should be careful when passing judgment and not be naive enough to think something like racism is nonexistent in our world. We have made progress in the battle against racism but even her in Monroe we still have a way to go.

Racism remains right around corner

By Josh Kraus Staff Writer

There once existed such an entity that it enveloped entire nations and brought them to their very knees. This creature gripped the minds of men, twisted their thinking and led them to commit countless heinous acts. What could control people like this, you ask? The answer is racism, and unfortunately today it is not dead but very much alive.

At times I feel as if those of us who live in Monroe seem to almost ignore the idea that racism is still very apparent even in our humble, little town.

Take for example Monroe’s east side.

The majority of Monroe is predominately Caucasian, but the east side is different. The east side is predominately made up of minorities, specifi-

The Agora Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 3844186. agora@monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff. Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer.

All letters to the editor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes.

The Agora reserves the right to edit

for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, the Community College Journalism Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Mark Bergmooser, Adviser

A&E

October 2, 2007

AGORA

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Local duo reach for dreams

By Kelsi Kachar Staff Writer

What started out as two guys jamming on their guitars in a friend’s bathroom developed into a local duo that entertains Monroe County and actually makes money doing it. Johnny Ackerman and Jake Burman would have never thought that they would someday be performing in front of real audiences at local coffee houses across Michigan and Ohio.

Four years ago, the duo realized that they not only enjoyed play ing together, but could also teach each one another a lot. For almost a year, they sang and

played their acoustic guitars for their friends, practicing and enhancing their skills. Deciding to keep it simple, they called themselves “Johnny and Jake” and eventually recorded a song and put it on a CD, which they gave to the owner of Café Classics.

Ackerman and Burman ended up receiving a call back to play, and not only do they get paid to do so, but they make tips and in return bring Café Classics plenty of business on show nights.

Burman said they made “almost 300 dollars one night.”

Their audience started out as mostly friends and family, and fouryears later it progressed into an audience of local music fans. They cover a variety

alternative rock songs and even throw in a few songs that they wrote themselves. “[My dad] has been playing his entire life so it was only natural that I did too,” Ackerman said.

“I taught myself how to play because I’m just that awesome, and John has helped me improve too,” Burman said.

Johnny and Jake perform at Café Classics on November 17 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Ackerman also plays solo every Wednesday night in Toledo at Maxwell’s at 9 pm.

“In ten years, I see us being old and throwing house parties that we will play at,” Burman said.

John Ackerman and Jake Burman perform their acoustic serenades to their full house at Cafe Classics.

Photos Courtesy of John Ackerman

Cronenberg makes empty “Promises”

By Patrick Dunn Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of www.brockvilleconcert.ca

Armstrong tribute plays at RRCA

By Jen Shadle Staff Writer

Detroit’s own Marcus Belgrave will be bringing the New Orleans sound of the late, great trumpeter Louis Armstrong to Monroe on Saturday, October 6. The River Raisin Centre for the Arts (RRCA) will kick off the event at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices drop from $25 to $15 with your student I.D. Marcus Belgrave is no rookie when it comes to jazz music, as the cofounder of the Jazz Studies program at the Metro Detroit Arts Complex and the Jazz Development Workshop in Detroit. His gravelly voice well suits him to play and sing the music of Louis Armstrong songs.

While Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong died in 1971, his music is still very much alive. A true legend, his version of “Hello Dolly” in 1963 hit number one on the charts, pushing the Beatles aside. His more popular songs included the timeless hits such as “What a

Wonderful World,” “Bucket’s Got a Hole In It,” “Jeepers Creepers,” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

Armstrong worked with many other jazz legends such as Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington.

“Louis Armstrong had a tremendous impact on not only jazz music, but also the modern day music we listen to today,” Dave Killian said. “He was a courageous man; you have to keep in mind the racism of the times and the obstacles he overcame to be heard by all audiences. His music brought people together.”

In such a crazy world, the sounds of Louis Armstrong still force people to stop, take a breath, and listen, reminding us of the musical legacy a true legend leaves us.

Come as you are, bring a friend, or get out for a night alone. The RRCA has convenient downtown parking and offers students a great discount for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

Controversial director David Cronenberg (Videodrome, Naked Lunch) makes an over-the-top yet hollow return to the screen with his new film Eastern Promises, starring Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings, A History of Violence) and Naomi Watts (21 Grams, King Kong).

When British midwife Anna Khitrova (Watts) discovers a mysterious diary on the body of a teenage mother who mysteriously died in childbirth, she finds that the girl’s pregnancy is linked to the dangerous Semyon, patriarch of London’s Russian mob.

Her path begins to intertwine with that of mob chauffeur and undertaker Nikolai Luzhin (Mortensen), who is closely tied to the power struggle between Semyon and his unruly son, Kirill. The infant’s life hangs in the balance as Anna risks the wrath of the entire mob in her attempt to expose the truth.

With Eastern Promises, Cronenberg delivers acceptable performances but the film lacks strong emotional impact. Steven Wright’s script sets up an interesting midwifeundertaker (or life-death) dichotomy between Anna and Nikolai but offers no payoff to that potentially fascinating relationship. Similarly, Wright builds a considerable level of suspense over the course of the movie, but brings it to an unremarkable resolution in the film’s climactic scene.

Mortensen and Watts both give decent performances, but the script doesn’t give them a lot to work with. Mortensen is unquestionably cool and fun to watch as the quietly

dangerous Nikolai, but his shallow character doesn’t go any further than that. Similarly, Watts lends credible personality to her character, but has no opportunity to develop it.

Eastern Promises certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to Cronenberg’s famously intense explicit use of violent visuals. An extended fight scene in a steam room between two knife-wielding assassins and a nude Nikolai is incredibly brutal, realistic, and cringe-inducing even for the most unflappable viewer. The scene is incredibly well staged and it undoubtedly sells the sheer animal capability of Nikolai’s character, but it certainly doesn’t save an otherwise flat film.

Eastern Promises is most disappointing because it really seems to have potential. Cronenberg and Wright create interesting characters and an interesting premise, and then they just throw the whole thing at the screen and allow it to fester to an uninteresting climax. A brutal fight scene

is the only outstanding element in what could be a fascinating character study or a development of the life/death analogy mentioned above. When he begins his next project, Cronenberg would do well to mix in an intriguing story alongside his shocker moments.

Viggo Mortensen portrays Nikolaie Luzhin in Eastern Promises.

Photos courtesy of www.focusfeatures.com/easternpromises

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AGORA

Feature

October 2, 2007

Caffeine risks Studies show potential danger of excessive amounts of caffeine

Emily Chandonnet Assistant Editor

Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com

Student enjoys making muffins

By Bethany Younglove Staff Writer

Hannah Kennedy is 15 years old and dual-enrolled at Monroe County Community College while completing her high school education through home schooling. She enjoys reading, sign language and cooking. She especially enjoys baking blueberry muffins.

“I like all sorts of breads, and I really like blueberries,” Kennedy said.

“We’ve been making these muffins for as long as I can remember. The recipe came from a cookbook we always use, called The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals.”

Whether it’s a cup of joe, energy drink, can of pop, or a tall lowfat caramel mocha latte with extra foam, Americans have quite a variety of caffeine beverages to choose from. With coffee shops popping up everywhere and more and more energy drinks appearing on the market, many doctors have raised concerns about what caffeine’s health risks for people both young and old.

According to kidshealth.org, most people do not know that caffeine is considered a drug. It is a naturally and artificially produced substance that stimulates the central nervous system, causing increased heart rate and alertness. Caffeine, in many ways, is related to alcohol. Like alcohol, caffeine alters our way of thinking by causing the body to be more relaxed and loose. Both substances cause you to become dehydrated and make you have to go to the bathroom more frequently. When consumed, both act as a neurotransmitter, causing the body to stop producing endorphins, in turn causing a hangover for alcohol or people a crash for caffeine.

Caffeine can be good for the body, but only in moderation. Doctors recommend that people consume no more than about 100 milligrams a day. However, this is very difficult to do, even when consuming only one can of pop a day. The reference chart shows the amount of caffeine in common beverages. Caffeine is not recommended for younger children, people who have heart problems, or pregnant women. Caffeine is not just in drinks, but food and medications as well.

Caffeine’s primary side effects are

Editor-in-Chief

1/2 cup butter 1 cup white sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups blueberries- frozen or fresh 2 1/2 cups flour 2 tablespoons wheat germ 1/2 cup milk 1 tablespoon white sugar 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In medium bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add 1 cup of sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, baking powder and salt, and blend.

2. Mash 1/2 cup of blueberries with a fork. Mix into batter.

3. In a small bowl mix flour and wheat germ. With a spatula, fold half of the flour into batter. Add half of milk. Fold in remaining flour and milk, mixing just enough to wet the dry ingredients. Fold the remaining blueberries into batter.

4. Scoop batter into greased muffin cups. Mix 1 tablespoon sugar and nutmeg. Sprinkle a small amount on each muffin.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let muffins cool at least 30 minutes before removing from tins.

Makes 12 servings

associated with withdrawal, causing headaches, dehydration, sleeping disorders, jitters and anxiety. When these symptoms appear, many people try to “cure” them by consuming more caffeine. The body becomes immune to having so much caffeine and when you stop drinking caffeine your body will begin to fight back.

Despite the medical evidence against caffeine drinks, they remain the drink of choice among many Monroe County Community College (MCCC) students.

After polling four classes, totaling 90 students ranging from ages 18 to 45, I found that the students con-

sumed an average of two to three caffeine drinks a day. Some drank up to four cans of pop, an energy drink and a couple cups of coffee, while others only had one cup of coffee in the morning or nothing at all.

The students’ reasons for drinking these amounts varied, but the average student said that they needed an extra boost to keep them going during the day.

“If there were major side effects I would try to cut back,” MCCC student Jordan Perish said. “At least take away an energy drink from the day.”

MCCC student Melissa Brooks said

that she drinks both coffee and energy drinks throughout the day, but feels dehydrated after drinking them.

Kidshealth.org encourages caffeine drinkers to cut back their intake, but slowly. They suggest substituting caffeine drinks with caffeine-free pop, tea and coffee and to drink plenty of water. According to Reader’s Digest, if you develop side effects after dropping the drink for 24 hours, you likely have a habit.

The good news, according to Reader’s Digest?

“This is one habit anyone can quit cold turkey.”

According to Guinness Word Records 2008 the largest jack-o-lantern grown was a 1469-pound specimen from Pennsylvania. Because of the ability of pumpkins to float in water, it was only a matter of time before someone thought of using a pumpkin the size of a small car as a boat.

According to an article in the Bangor Daily News, Maine, a local greenhouse owner and giant pump-

kin grower named Chuck Pinkham did just that. He made a boat out of one of his giant pumpkins. He claims they are fully seaworthy boating vessels and according to the article, giant pumpkins are used for boats across the world.

The pumpkin boats tend to be unstable, somewhat like a canoe might be.

“You’ve got to sit down,” Commo-

dore Pinkham says in the article. “I don’t know if it’s really advisable to stand in it.”

Tired of the pumpkin boating scene? Try what the Webber family of Loretto, Ontario does every year. According to Gail Damerow’s The Perfect Pumpkin, the Webbers build large dinosaur statues out of approximately 100 varying sized pumpkins. To build such creative statues, they take the pumpkins and stack them on a giant steel frame welded in the shape of a brontosaurus. The finished sculpture is about 12 feet tall by 20 feet long and attracts 3,000 to 4,000 visitors every year to their farm.

Pumpkins can also be used as projectiles. Propelling them at rapid speeds and long distances through the air is the goal of Morton, Illinois’s Punkin’ Chunkers. According to the city’s Web site, Morton is home to a large pumpkin canning facility and is one of two cities in the nation which hosts chunking contests. Contestants use machines like catapults to propel pumpkins through the air thousands of feet.

Monroe County Community College (MCCC) student Josh Barth tried to build his own air cannon for pumpkins but was not successful.

“I tried to build myself a pumpkin cannon but it didn’t work,” he said. “I built it so the pumpkin fit in the tube, but I think it was not tight enough. The air kept blowing around the pumpkin instead of it shooting out.”

Student Jim Terry prefers the traditional use of pumpkins.

“I like my pumpkins as pie,” he said.

Pumpkin usage broadens

By Jeff Kodysh

The Best Blueberry Muffins

Agora chart by Bethany Younglove

What is round, orange, weighs about 1000 pounds, floats in water, and can be used as a jack-o-lantern?

A giant pumpkin boat.

As the Halloween season approaches, it turns out that there are more uses for pumpkins than thought possible.

Jonathon Mills paddles his giant pumpkin boat across Lake Pesaquid during the annual Pumpkin Regatta in Windsor, Photo courtesy of www.chinadaily.com.cn Nova Scotia.

Feature

October 2, 2007

AGORA

5

Law prohibits talking, driving Emily Chandonnet Assistant Editor

Adding to already extensive warnings on the dangers of driving while using a cell phone, some recent studies report that talking while driving can be more dangerous than driving drunk.

One such study was featured by Erica Ogg on the Web site elliotjc.com, a blog about technology.

Her research on this topic came from a study done at the University of Utah which said, “The answer is unfortunately, yes. Talking on the cell phone while driving is just like driving intoxicated.”

Professor David Strayer, the study’s lead author, said, “Just like you put yourself and other people at risk when you drive drunk, you put yourself and others at risk when you use a cell phone and drive.”

The study, published in Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, found that drivers talking on cell phones, either handheld or hands-free, were more likely to crash because they are distracted by conversation.

Their study was tested on people talking on hand-held and hands-free cell phones, as well as intoxicated drivers. The study found that drivers on cell phones drove and braked slower, and were more likely to crash. The three collisions that occurred during the study were caused by people talking on their cell phones, and not by the

people who were drunk.

“This study does not mean people should start driving drunk,” said study co-author Frank Drews. “It means that driving while talking on a cell phone is as bad or maybe worse than driving drunk, which is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by society.”

“I always get so frustrated when I have to pass someone that is driving slow because they are talking on their cell phone,” Monroe County Community College (MCCC) student Kari Fuerstenberg said.

Drews, like many others, are convinced talking on a cell phone while driving is not safe. However, many MCCC students agreed that although they knew the dangers of talking while driving they still are and will chat away while driving.

Certain states have recently begun taking action against cell phone use while driving. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed a bill banning teenagers under 18 years old from using electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, laptops and hand-held computers while behind the wheel. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2008; fines will be $20 for the first offense and $50 for each additional.

Sixteen other states and Washington D.C. have already passed the bill to ban cell phone use while driving. Eleven other states are considering similar legislation.

Student texts a friend while driving to class.

Agora photo illustration by Emily Chandonnet

Upcoming fall events • Monroe County Historical Museum: Hours are 10a.m.-5p.m., Weds through Sun • Every Tues. & Weds.: Open Mic Poetry and Music Night: At the Lighthouse Coffee Company in Milan.

• Last Weds. of every month: free roller skating: Free admission, skating and skate rental and upgrade to speed skates or roller blades for $1 at Dixie Skateland.

• Through Oct. 4: Family Center: Create a “Close” Portrait: 10a.m.-3p.m. at the Toledo Museum of Art. • Oct. 6: A Louis Armstrong Tribute: 8p.m. at the River Raisin Center for the Arts.

• Through Oct. 7: 9 Annual Custer Week Celebration: throughout downtown Monroe.

• Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy: 8p.m. Oct. 4 & 5, 2 and 8p.m. Oct. 6, and 2 and 7p.m. Oct. 7 at the Stranahan Theater.

• Through Oct. 7: The Art of Glass: Master works from the Toledo Museum of Art Exhibition. Explore the history of glass, from ancient to modern times, and discover a number of dazzling new masterpieces in this collection at the Toledo Museum of Art. • Oct. 10: Natural Wonders of the Southwest Coast: A travel and adventures series. Seven p.m. at the River Raisin Center for the Arts.

• Through Oct. 14: Above Water: Bridges from the Collection: This collection spans centuries of artistic renderings featuring bridges at the Toledo Museum of Art. • Through Oct 20. 3 Quarters, 3 Artists, 3 Views: An exhibition featuring the work of three artists who represent three generations of exhibitors at the Detroit Artists Market’s Woodward Avenue Gallery.

• Through Oct. 21: Earth: Form & Function: This juried exhibition will be presented by the Toledo Potter’s Guild. Mon through Sat 9a.m.-10p.m. & Sun 10a.m.-10p. m. at the University of Toledo Center for the Visual Arts Gallery.

• Oct. 17-21: Disney on Ice Presents Disney & Pixar’s Finding Nemo: At the Palace of Auburn Hills.

• Fri through Sun through Oct. 28: HalloWeekends at Cedar Point: Sandusky, Ohio.

• Through Oct. 30: Fun Acres Corn Maze & Family Fun Farm: Featuring a 10acre corn maze, children’s mini maze and activity area, hayrides, petting farm, apple slinger, straw pit and more. 11665 Haggerman, South Rockwood.

• Through Oct. 31: Farmer Charlie’s Maze Adventures: Featuring a corn maze, cow train, hayrides and pumpkin patch. Fri. 4-9p.m., Sat & Sun 11a.m.-11p.m. 6421 N. Stony Creek Rd. • Through Oct. 31: Blue Collar: Sculpture by Kelly & Kyle Phelps: At the Henry Ford Community College MacKenzie Fine Arts Center.

• Through Nov. 4: Escanaba In Love: A comedy by Jeff Daniels at the Gem Theatre, Detroit.

• Through Nov. 11: Great Lakes Pastel Society: This juried exhibition features 75 pieces of art by 48 artists at the Toledo Museum of Art. • Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1: Escanaba In the Moonlight: At the Maumee Indoor Theater, Waterville.

• Sundays through Christmas: The Sunday Artisan Market: Spend an afternoon with some fine artists and crafters. Talk with the artist, visit the nearby Kerrytown ships and dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

11a.m.-4p.m. 315 Detroit St., Ann Arbor.

• Through Dec. 30: Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran: This exhibition introduces the work of 20 artists, revealing a thriving artistic culture of range and depth which is almost completely unknown to American audiences. Guided tours are available. The University of Michigan Museum of Art. • Through Jan. 1: Animal Grossology Exhibition: This exhibition answers questions about the animal kingdom. Detroit Science Center.

• Through Jan. 13: The Daily Show: Original watercolors from the new children’s book Glassigator at the Toledo Museum of Art.

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Campus News

AGORA

October 2, 2007

Students travel to Stratford Morgan Sopko Staff Writer

Monroe County Community College (MCCC) students have an opportunity to travel to Stratford, Canada to see professional productions of Oklahoma and Comedy of Errors.

Ann Orwin, assistant professor of humanities and social science at MCCC, began taking students on this trip seven years ago.

“I wanted to take students on this trip because we have one of the greatest theaters in North America only four hours away and most people don’t even know it,” said Orwin. “What is so great about being over in Canada is the students feel like they are actually in a foreign country because the food is a little bit different, the money is different, and even how the people talk is different but it is still easy to understand them.”

William McCloskey, MCCC professor of English, will also join Orwin and her students for the trip.

The group will leave Oct. 4 at 12pm to travel four hours by bus to reach Stratford General Hospital, where they will be staying in dorms. The group returns on Oct. 5. Tickets are

Short list of challenged books: •

Little House on the Prairie

Staff Writer

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

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James and the Giant Peach

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Where the Sidewalk Ends

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Where’s Waldo?

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Gone with the Wind

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The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

6.13 5 Lorax by Dr. Seuss • xThe Song of Solomon

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Uncle Tom’s Cabin

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The Outsiders

into town where they are free to shop before the next production, Oklahoma, begins later that evening.

“I am most excited to see Oklahoma,” said MCCC student Joanna Bacarella. “It will be fun, and the musical is one of my favorites. By going on the trip I hope to gain more knowledge of the professional productions and how they are done.”

According to Professor McCloskey, the trip is not just a weekend getaway.

“The trip is a chance to see not just professional actors, but professional costumes and set design,” said McCloskey. “If you have never been able to see a professional company before, the theater in Stratford will blow you away,” said McCloskey.

Agora photos courtesy Ann Orwin

Students from last years trip pose for a picture in costume during a tour. While in Straford, the group was able to see two professional plays. The group listens as the tour guide explains the props.

Banned book week begins Josh Kraus

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first available to students enrolled in Orwin’s humanities classes and McCloskey’s theater classes. If there are tickets left over, other students have the opportunity go to Stratford with them.

“I don’t know what my favorite part of the trip is,” said Orwin. “Seeing the plays are great, but it is also fun when we all get back to the dorms, and everyone who doesn’t go back into town gets together to hang out,” Orwin said.

The college covers part of the trip fee. According to Orwin, students would not be able to afford the trip without the help of the MCCC foundation, which is always very generous to them. The tickets cost $50 per person and the transportation is $64 per person but students only have to pay $15 after the foundation steps in. Students also have to pay for a $30 housing cost and also for their meals.

The first night in town, students have the opportunity to see Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. After the show, the bus will take students back to the dorms where they can stay in for the night or take a taxi back into downtown Stratford.

The next day, students head back

The week of Sept. 29-Oct. 6 marks the American Library Association (ALA)’s annual Banned Book Week.

Each year the ALA encourages Americans to practice their freedom of choice by reading titles that may be considered provocative or controversial.

The ALA has been challenged to ban more than 3,000 books from libraries and schools between the years 2000 and 2005. Titles such as The Catcher in the Rye, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, and To Kill a Mockingbird are a few classic titles that have been debated as controversial and/or inappropriate.

The ALA says sixty percent of all challenges and complaints come directly from parents, the rest from faculty.

“I am opposed to censorship of any

kind. We all have the right to think the best intentions, but it can still be and decide for ourselves what we harmful.

In 2006, the book that topped find appropriate for ourselves and our children,” Monroe County Commu- ALA’s list of most challenged books nity College (MCCC) student Misty was And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson Braden said. and Peter Par“I think bannell. The book ning anything is about two sets a bad precmale penguins edent.

Who parenting an decides what egg from a hetgets banned? erosexual penWhere does it guin couple. It stop?” has been chalAccording to lenged by parthe ALA Web ents and tops site, books are the list due to challenged its discussion mainly due to of homosexual sexually exparenting. plicit material “I think cenas well as besorship of any ing potentially Agora graphic by Charlene Hunt kind is a direct offensive or violation of our age-inappropriate. The site also explains that the majority of books are Bill of Rights,” MCCC student challenged or banned are done so with Tennery Hicks said.

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Create Dynamic Resumes & Cover Letters November 7 Whitman #6 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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To register for these FREE classes, call 734-384-4127 (Main Campus) or 734-847-0559 (Whitman Center) MCCC Whitman Center, 7777 Lewis Ave., Temperance, MI

Do you need to choose a major?

See a counselor at the Whitman Center or in the Admissions Office at Main Campus to take on-line personality indicator and interest assessment.

“Many of the books that are banned are classics filled with deep messages and profound wisdom - whether it is the wisdom that comes from recognizing ignorance for what it is, or the wisdom that comes from facing adversity, inequality, or rampant stupidity headon and emerging a more enlightened human being. Even bad literature has its place as a good comparison for choosing better literature, so I feel very strongly against banning books.”

MCCC writing fellows will hold a banned book reading, featuring classics like George Orwell’s 1984 and child favorite, Shell Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends, among many others, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in front of the Campbell building, on Oct. 1 and 2 in observance of Banned Book Week.

Students are encouraged to attend, or participate in the read-a-thon to support their choice of the books in question. The reading may be moved to the room in front of the library entrance in case of inclement weather.

Health day comes

to Main Campus Jen Shadle Staff Writer

Students take care of themselves in many ways, such as keeping their cars fine tuned and making regular appointments for haircuts. However, these students often do not take the time to keep an eye on health issues.

This is a game of chance, and the price is right.

Monroe County Community College (MCCC) is offering free health testing as part of its annual fitness day.

The “Health Odyssey” will be held in the Welch Health Education Building (located on the north side of campus) on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The free tests include blood pressure, height/weight, skin fold analysis and diabetes screening. Blood profiles will also be available, for a charge.

The testing will be available from 9:30 a.m. to noon, followed by keynote speaker Linda Lauer at 12:30 p.m.,

with a presentation entitled “Health: A Holistic Approach.”

While most claim to be healthy, something is being offered to students besides candy bars for breakfast. Whether a student is in his or her twenties or forties, most would agree no location is more convenient than on campus, and there is no better price than free.

Students are on tight schedules, and many do not have time or money to see a doctor for regular visits.

MCCC freshman nursing student Dawn Crisman said that, “As students, many wait until they have a crisis situation, but it is easier and cheaper to deal with [medical issues] on a preventative basis.”

The average college student has a very hectic schedule and does not consider health concerns unless there is something obviously wrong with them. While these screenings are here on campus students need to take advantage of them.

October 2, 2007

Community News

AGORA

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MCLS celebrates 20 years Bethany Younglove Staff Writer

On Saturday, September 22, the Maybee branch of the Monroe County Library System celebrated its 20th anniversary at its current location with an open house. Included in the festivities were children’s crafts, Paul McCormack’s Classroom Critters, cake, ice cream, and a memory collage of the library’s history.

From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., children of all ages participated in a snake craft that consisted of a wire hanger, a neck-tie and cotton stuffing.

At 11 a.m., Paul McCormack brought in his Classroom Critters, which included: turtles, lizards, doves, a chinchilla, and a Burmese python.

“I don’t have anything that bites,” McCormack said, “for the safety of the children.”

As McCormack presented each animal, he told a few facts about it and allowed each child to have a chance to touch it. The last animal he presented was Roxanna Banana, a 14-foot, 115pound Burmese python. Four young boys assisted Mr. McCormack in toting the large snake around the ring of children.

Sue Hartford, head librarian, said, “[Roxanna Banana] was here many years ago. She was much smaller then, about 9 feet long and three inches in diameter.”

“Roxanna Banana was retired about five years ago, because she became so large,” said McCormack. “I gave her to a pet shop, but when the shop closed, I got her back. Now, I am able to bring her here again.”

Not only did the children enjoy seeing and feeling the animals, but the adults as well.

Kelli Strimbel, Youth Services Librarian, said, “[Classroom Critters] was fabulous.”

Friends of the Maybee Branch Library provided refreshments of cake, ice cream and punch, which were served at 12 p.m., following Classroom Critters.

The open house was well attended.

Hartford said that about 125 people were present.

Agora photos Bethany Younglove

Roxanna Banana, a 14-foot, 115-pound Burmese python, is held by Alex and Katherine Werstien and librarian Kelli Strimbel. Paul McCormack (left) holds up an iguana while telling a few facts about the animal. About 125 people attended the celebration.

Monroe Urgent Care gives hope Chrissandra WhiteEagle Staff Writer

In traditional medical facilities such as hospital emergency rooms, patients may find themselves waiting for hours to receive care. Urgent care centers offer an alternative to the emergency room wait. This can be seen in Monroe Urgent Care’s motto, “Care at your Convenience.”

They promise to provide efficient, professional health care in a pleasant environment. It is handy for those who need to be seen urgently by a physician but can’t get to their family physician due to heavy scheduling or holidays.

In the United States, the first urgent care center opened in the 1970s and since then, this sector of the health care industry has rapidly expanded to approximately 17,000 centers nationwide. Many of these centers have been started by entrepreneurial physicians who have responded to the public need for convenient access

to unscheduled medical care, others have been opened by hospital systems, seeking to attract new patients.

Much of the growth of these centers has been fueled by the significant savings that urgent care centers provide over the care in a hospital emergency department. Many managed care organizations now encourage their customers to utilize the urgent care option.

“It’s hard to ignore the convenient location and extensive services available to the public, whether insured or not,” Dr. Mohammed Elgahni said.

“We provide ambulatory and urgent care medicine in a convenient manner. We are here when you need a professional medical team in a warm and friendly environment.”

“This place is not bad at all,” said urgent care patient Jack Cassor. “The location is convenient and it is not hard to find. No complaints here. If I had to, I would go again.”

The experienced and friendly physicians treat patients on a first-come,

first served basis, often in less than an hour. There is care for serious, but not life-threatening conditions, such as minor burns, lacerations, sprains, simple fractures, drug screening and testing for all sexually transmitted diseases. The center offers more affordable alternatives to crowded hospital settings by meeting patient demands of convenience and efficiency, while delivering safer, higher quality medical care.

“Where else can I take my three year old son if he has an asthma attack at 9:30 PM?” said MCCC student Janet Praagh. “Not our family doctor. We would wait hours at the emergency room. It’s obvious that this was a well needed establishment.”

Open from 9:00 am – 10:00 pm every day of the year, including holidays, it is very easy to find a doctor to assist with an array of ailments and unexpected minor emergencies.

No appointment is necessary, but the office can be contacted at (734) 2433200.

Phoenix Theatres spread wings Patrick Dunn Staff Writer

The former Regal Cinemas multiplex facility at Frenchtown Square Mall will reopen Nov. 2 under the ownership of Phoenix Theatres. The mall officially announced the Phoenix opening in a statement released Sept. 14. The Farmington-based operator currently operates two other theaters, both in the Detroit area.

“We are very excited about the addition of Phoenix Theatres to our tenant mix,” said mall marketing director Amy England. “Most importantly, we are happy to deliver a movie theatre back to the people of Monroe.”

Phoenix co-owner Cory Jacobson said that the facility will be completely refurbished with all new sound and projection equipment.

The theater’s color scheme and general atmosphere will also be redesigned. Jacobson also noted changes to the theater’s concessions offerings,

which will now include items such as hot dogs and Icees in addition to traditional popcorn, candy and soda.

Theater patrons will be able to purchase both tickets and concessions items in the same line, rather than forming separate lines for each.

In response to common complaints about Regal’s high ticket prices, Jacobson said that he aims for affordability in Phoenix’s prices, which are currently slightly lower than Regal at $8 for evening shows and $5.50 for matinees and children’s tickets.

“You need to have [a price] that’s relatively affordable,” Jacobson said, noting that Phoenix hasn’t raised its prices in three years. “50 cents or $1 makes a big difference.” Patrons will also have the option to buy and print tickets from Phoenix’s website in advance at an additional charge of $1.

Jacobson also noted Phoenix’s lower concessions prices.

“You won’t walk into one of our theaters and buy a popcorn for

$6.50,” Jacobson said. Phoenix prices currently range from $3.75 for a small popcorn to $4.75 for a large.

Phoenix also offers free refills on all drinks.

Jacobson noted that, under Regal’s operation, the theater was one of only two Michigan Regal locations, both relatively far removed from the company’s Tennessee offices. He said that the Monroe location is a more logical choice for Phoenix, as a natural extension from its Detroitarea offices and current locations.

“It seems like [the Monroe community] would be underserved if this theater wasn’t operating,” he said. “Things that may be negative to one company may be positive to another.”

MCCC students expressed cautious anticipation of the new theater.

“I just hope someone seizes the opportunity to make a quality theater in Monroe,” student Matt Smudz said.

“It’s something we don’t have right now.”

Photo courtsey of www.olemiss.edu

Addiction changes lives Chrissandra WhiteEagle Staff Writer

One in four Americans has a friend or family member who is struggling with addiction. In 2005 there were 23.2 million Americans who needed treatment for their illicit drug or alcohol abuse, yet only 10% received the treatment needed. Monroe County Community College (MCCC) hosted the Faces and Voices of Recovery event during which a screening of the documentary Addiction was shown.

Faces and Voices of Recovery was created to broaden social understanding and achieve a just response to addiction as a public health crisis.

The program works closely with local and regional advocates who have taken one of the many paths to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

HBO, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the National Institute on Drug Addition (NIDA), produced the unprecedented campaign aimed at helping Americans understand addiction as a treatable disease, as well as spotlighting new medical advancements.

A candid depiction of the emotional, psychological, social and political toll that addiction takes on the country, Addiction demonstrates conclusively that the disease is treatable and shows that there are millions of Americans in long-term recovery. The HBO documentary brings together many of America’s addiction experts to demystify this often misunderstood disease.

“Like all addicts, I tell myself I can quit at any time, that I just do this out of boredom,” methamphetamine addict Navin Sivanandam said in documentary.

“I am so grateful for my sobriety,” recovering alcoholic Barbara Dyier said.

Even for friends and family members of an addict there is help available. Nar-Anon is a twelve-step program designed to help relatives and friends of addicts recover from the effects of living with an addicted relative or friend. The only requirement to attend Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon) meetings is that there is an addiction problem in a relative or friend. Brittany, a 23-year-old MCCC student, regularly attends Nar-Anon meetings here in Monroe.

“Nar-Anon changed my life in so many ways. I felt alone and ashamed of my addict (friend or relative with an addiction). Nar-Anon taught me that I didn’t cause it, I couldn’t control it, and I couldn’t cure it. I learned to let go of my anger and frustration and focus on getting my life back,” said Brittany. “I also learned to love my addict and know that they weren’t doing it to hurt me, but it is a disease that they themselves could not control. I owe my sanity to the twelve steps that they teach and to the people who attend the meetings who share their stories so I may find a better way to live my life.“ If someone you know is struggling with addiction or for more information about Nar-Anon, please call (734) 777-5652.

October 2, 2007

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Spotlight

AGORA

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How well do you know MCCC’s Campus?

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The Agora staff challenges you to a scavenger hunt around campus. During free time between classes get together with friends and see if you are able to identify all the pictures above. Answers will be posted in the next issue.

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Agora photos by Emily Chandonnet