10-27-2003

Inside...

Nutrition Month..pg 2 Cuisine 1300......pg 3 Obesity in U.S...pg 4 Liner Notes.......pg 6

AGORA

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MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Basketball rebounds It’s a long shot

By Victoria Schmidt Copy Editor Basketball may be back in business at Monroe County Community College. Although MCCC student athletes have not set foot on the court since 1980, research is being conducted which suggests the college take another shot.

On Thursdays in the G e r a l d We l c h H e a l t h Education Building from 4:30-6:30 p.m. students and faculty often play basketball. While not an intramural team, they meet weekly for a few hours.

Jeff Guthrie, student, who actively participates in the student government brought the issue of sports to President David Nixon’s attention.

President Nixon spoke with Tom Ryder, Fitness Activities and Campus Community Events Coordinator, about organizing a basketball team here at MCCC. Currently Ryder is in the preliminary stages of

ISSUE 2

October 27, 2003

VOLUME 46

A need for sports?

By Phillip Koch and Crystal Pierce Reporters

Agora photo by Bob Oliver

MCCC students shoot hoops in the Gerald Welch Health Education Building.

finding out what needs to be done to create a basketball “club” team. Ryder faces concerns of finance, teams MCCC will play, risks, and student interest.

“In the meantime, letters of support are being written by the student government to be sent to President Nixon, his cabinet and the Board of Trustees,” Guthrie said.

The college is not part of the collegiate league such as Central Michigan University or Michigan State University; therefore, it is

harder to attain funds. As a club team, MCCC will have similar features of a collegiate team, like 12-15 players, jerseys, and set games. MCCC will play other club teams from different community colleges, such as Sienna Heights and Mary Grove Community College.

Nixon said, “I have seen sports clubs work out very well for college students who want to participate in some kind of sport as a student activity.”

Sports were once alive at Monroe County Community College (MCCC). Thirty years ago, basketball, golf, baseball, softball, womens volleyball, cross country, and tennis were available to students.

In the 1970’s, the MCCC basketball team recruited from local and regional talent. Practices were held at the YMCA, and games were mostly played at Saint Mary’s Catholic Central and Monroe High School’s gym.

The College team played in the Eastern Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. A few colleges on the basketball team’s schedule were Schoolcraft, Macomb, Oakland, and Washtenaw.

Lonnie Brunswick, Vice President of Student and Information Services, coached mens basketball and golf from 19741979.

According to Brunswick, MCCC’s sports programs were cancelled around the beginning of 1980. He attributed the cancellation to two main reasons: lack of funds for the program and declining availability of facilities.

Scheduling for local facilities became increasingly difficult for

MCCC sports programs. Womens sports became more popular in high schools in the late 1970’s.

Also, according to Brunswick, “The local schools were developing more and more teams.”

Usually, the teams were able to work around scheduling issues, but facilities became more and more scarce.

“It became a question of expense and not having a facility,” James DeVries, Professor of History and Sociology, said.

Since then, MCCC’s campus has evolved. The Gerald Welch Health Education Building has a basketball court.

“I think a basketball program at MCCC can provide an opportunity of community unity,” MCCC President David Nixon said, expressing his support.

Brunswick explained that a great commitment would be needed for the development of a sports program. In the past, in order to be a member of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association, a minimum of five intercollegiate teams was required.

“To get multiple teams on campus [would be] difficult,” Brunswick said. “I’m sure there is a faction out there that is interested.”

The development of a club basketball team would be more

see B-ball, page 7

Monroe County Commissioners vote on “marriage” resolution

By Greta Schartner Copy Editor Clarifying the definition of marriage has become a local issue.

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted in September, 8-1, on a resolution “urging the state legislature to allow Michigan voters to decide whether to adopt an amendment to the state constitution defining

marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman,” according to N. Randy Ansel, Monroe County Board of Commissioner.

Ansel feels that the verbiage needs to be strengthened, so that marriage is clearly defined as an institution reserved for a man and a woman.

“Marriage is under attack in this country,” Ansel said.

He further explained that granting marital rights to same-sex couples opens up all kinds of new laws and new rules in our county, and it undermines the family.

The Board of Commissioners sent the proposal to all 83 counties in Michigan, and if enough counties support it, the proposal could go to the Michigan voters on the ballot next year.

“If something needs clarifying, then the state

needs to update standards.

The constitution is a living document, and should be changed as needed,” Jamie McDonald, a student at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) said.

Sean Kosofsky is the Director of Policy for Tr i a n g l e Foundation, Michigan’s leading civil rights organization for gay and lesbian people.

“Many of the counties and municipalities are

passing these [policies] because they are being bullied and threatened into passing them. They are fearful of being [supporters] if they don’t pass the resolutions,” Kosofsky said.

He added, “Equal civil rights for same-sex couples can only help marriage as an institution because families will be stronger and healthier if more people can feel secure.”

see Vote, page 7

page 2

The Agora

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

October 27, 2003

Media feeds off fears

By Veronica Terry Page Editor Breathing the air may be destroying your children’s brain cells. Pants: the new killer? Hitler has come back from the dead and is threatening to clone Saddam Hussein. More at eleven.

Sound familiar? It should. It’s called “U.S. News.”

Even more s p e c i f i c a l l y, i t ’s c a l l e d sensationalism. And it is inescapable.

Think back about two years. Recall a few planes flying into a few buildings?

I’d be willing to bet that everyone would picture the second plane flying into the second World Trade Center.

And why do we picture that?

B e c a u s e i t ’s s t i l l b e i n g crammed down our throats by network news stations

Bob Oliver’s

Twist

Somewhere along the way of realizing a goal we get mixed up. We decide to quit. Despite our intentions, projects we begin with full interest can work

and newspapers across the country.

Sensationalism is a problem. There’s no doubt about that. But it’s not a recent problem. It was being discussed as early as 1992.

“The New York Time/ CBS News poll records […] periods during the last decade when public concern about drugs suddenly skyrocketed. In spring 1986, when the media ‘discovered’ crack, the percentage of the public identifying ‘drugs’ as ‘the No. 1 problem facing the nation’ climbed from 3 percent to 13 percent in three months,” Micah Fink, a writer for the Fair Organization, wrote in September of ‘92.

It was again touched on by the same organization in 1998, by a writer named Jeff Cohen. He discussed the insane amount of media attention President Clinton

received from his little rendezvous with Monica Lewinsky.

In Cohen’s article he makes the valid point that “to hear journalists talk, it’s never about sex. But let’s face it: Sex sells on TV. This scandal [Clinton and Lewinsky] has caused ratings to boom, especially on ‘allnews’ cable channels and on Nightline and primetime newsmagazines.”

While it’s very true that sex sells, during a supposed “war time,” it’s all about the fear. Sept. 11 was just a portion of what has come since. For instance, the subsequent “war on terrorism” sparked pro and anti war demonstrations for a war that no one knew why we were fighting. Some even wondered if our leader knew.

The “war on terrorism” has since spawned the “war

on Iraq.” It’s a much more ago, and I ran for the phone specific war, with an enemy to call family. to boot.

But logic and sensibility M o s t r e c e n t l y, t h e reminded me nothing is likely largest blackout of all time t o h a p p e n t o m e . T h e occurred: the “Blackout of missiles planted during the 2 0 0 3 ! ” B e c a u s e o f t h e Cold War in Cuba probably media’s ability to overwhelm are not going to bomb my us with disturbing images h o u s e . A n d , w i t h t h e and distorted thoughts, the ungodly amount of money f i r s t t h i n g m i l l i o n s o f that the American military Americans did was hit the has been granted, there is no stores, buying up all of their way there will be another b o t t l e d w a t e r a n d g a s terrorist attack. At least masks. under Bush’s reign.

I must admit that even I was taken in slightly b y t h e m e d i a ’s tendency to thrive off our alarm: I feared the Y2K bug; I cried for days after S e p t e m b e r 11 , and collected Photo courtsey of www.cnn.com memorabilia; the A photo from CNN’s Iraq: Images of lights went out a War collection shows an Iraqi man couple of months running down the street between tanks.

Perseverance pays off themselves into half-finished junk. Once interest is lost, the job is derailed, usually permanently.

That’s the way most people handle difficulties anyway.

Many write journals, music or start novels, only to give up at the first few signs of trouble.

They don’t stick it out.

My friend’s dad finished his family genealogy recently.

After almost three years, the fruits of his labor have created a 500-word tome of every human in his family dating back to something like 100 B.C. He is doing his part, and we are not.

He has found the way to finish what he started. He is feeling the excitement and sigh of relief that can only come after a long-sought goal has been

realized. His work, though not world altering, should serve as motivation to anyone who has ever stopped short of their goals for stupid reasons.

When he got stuck, he pushed through. He found new ways to find answers instead of cornering himself by standard, conventional methods. The hobby turned into a mission, with only one

possible way to accomplish it: trace back as far as provable.

The details of how he found his information are not necessary.

They are as varied as the names in his binder. The only thing that matters is that he finished his work. So now, three years later he rests easier knowing he has one less thing to accomplish.

see Twist, page 7

Good Nutrition Month?

By Terri McConnaughey Copy Editor November heralds Good Nutrition Month.After looking at the calendar of events or holidays, I decided it is not so nutritious after all.

The second of November is National Deviled Egg Day. Mayonnaise and eggs; 100 calories

per tablespoon on the mayo.

Eggs are protein, but cannot cancel out the fat.

Next comes National Sandwich day. I should have lean roast turkey on wheat with fat free mayo, but come on, if I’m going to have a sandwich, I want a Rueben, grilled, with butter and Russian dressing.

And oh yes, November 5 is Doughnut Day; look out Krispy Kreme, here I come.

November 7—National Bittersweet Chocolate Day. I discovered Leonida’s chocolates in Belgium years ago, and they sell them up in Canton, Michigan. They are expensive, but hey—it is a National Holiday, and I must do my duty as a patriotic citizen—right?

see Food, page 7

The Agora Editorial Policy Mark Bergmooser Advisor The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Michigan, 48161. The editorial office is located in 202 of the Life Science Building, (734) 384-4186, 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. The Agora is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Advisers, the Student Press Law Center, the Community College Journalism Association, and the Michigan Collegiate Press Association.

Waitress woes

By Kelli Massa Page Editor Something to think about: I enter the chaotic inferno.

A blast of heat hits my face.

Loud noises accompanied by yelling fills my ears. Smoke fogs my glasses. Burning odors invade my nostrils.

I proceed to grab my order off of the line. Hundreds of tasks, which I must complete in the next minute to get paid, run through my mind. With an aching back, throbbing muscles, and a pounding headache, I know it’s just another ordinary day for people in my field of work. I am a waitress.

I put on a smile and walk back to face my persecution. I am greeted by an irate

customer who begins to yell at me. Not only is his steak overcooked, but his Bloody Mary is too spicy. Still smiling, I apologize for “my” mistakes and take his food and drink to get fixed.

Next I am scolded at by both the cook and the bartender for being a pest. To top it off, I hear a baby scream followed by a plate crashing to the ground. All I can do is laugh as I look down at my blistered feet and think, ‘five minutes down only 475 to go.’

It is impossible to explain the physical and mental stress that we endure all the time.

see Waitress, page 7

October 27, 2003

CAMPUS NEWS

The Agora

page 3

Cuisine satisfies College’s appetite

By Jeff Berry Reporter

Agora photo by Jeff Berry

Culinary students prepare Caribbean Chicken Salad.

Cuisine 1300, the on-campus, student-run restaurant, opened Oct. 17 . The first year students handle the preparation duties and the second year students cook the food. The menu and the recipes were created by the Culinary Arts students.

Second year student Adam Robinson anticipated the opening of the restaurant and always displays confidence in his fellow cooks and his underclassmen.

Prior to the opening, he said, “I’m excited, ... as a chef, you get to know

what goes good together. You’ve got to use a culinary dictionary in your head ... I have confidence in their [first year students] abilityto perform to my expectations.”

The restaurant offers dishes such as: Herb-crusted Swordfish, Ricotta Spinach Dumplings with Porcini Cream Sauce, and Seared Toasted Macadamia Nut Mahi, just to name a few.

According to Chef Kevin Thomas, Cuisine 1300 is sold out everyday it is open.

“I’ve heard it’s the best restaurant in Monroe County,” Paul Knollman, Dean of the Business Division, said. “It’s open to the general public.”

The restaurant seats 5060 people and offers a private dining room, chandelier lighting, and table-side cooking for certain dishes. Continental Cuisine is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Reservations can be made by calling (734) 3844272. Prices range from: $4 $6 for appetizers, $9-$11 for entrees, and $3.95 for desserts.

“We’re trying to uphold a four-star restaurant. We want four-star service and four-star food,” Robinson said.

Kiddie campus offers activities, care Agora photo by Jeff Berry

Martha Studnicka (left) tutors a student in the Learning Assistance Lab.

LearningAssistance Lab opens doors

By Terri McConnaughey Reporter Agora photo by Kelli Massa

Holly Abrams (right), Kiddie Campus instructor, reads a scary story to children.

By Taryn Kapp Assistant Editor Kiddie Campus, the day care center located in H building, is accepting children from the ages of 18 months to eight years old.

The service is open to all students and staff. Students get first priority.

Fall and winter hours for the Kiddie Campus are Monday and Wednesday, 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spring hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The summer is a six-week session only, and they are open from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $2.50 per hour, per child, for children 30 months of age and older. The cost is $3.50 per hour, per child, for children 18 months to 29 months of age.

According to assistant Holly Abrams, if the child is going to be coming to Kiddie Campus on a scheduled basis, the child is

required to have a physical and a copy of the immunization records.

A child can also be considered “drop in.” “Drop in” means that the child will only be using the facility less than four times a month and six hours at a time.

The Kiddie Campus plans activities for the children. There is story time, they do crafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and when the weather is nice, the kids are permitted to play outside.

Around Halloween time, the children go trick-or-treating on campus and have a Halloween party. Santa Claus appears at Christmas time.

Diane Kramer, director of Kiddie Campus, Abrams, and all student assistants are certified in infant and child CPR. To qualify for a student assistant job in the care center, students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours at MCCC. Kramer has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Development

and Abrams is three classes short of her degree.

For more information call 384-4208.

Agora photo by Kelli Massa

A child plays on the slide outside at MCCC’s Kiddie Campus.

The Learning Assistance Lab (LAL), located on the second floor of the Campbell building in room 218, is a free resource for all students. It offers tutoring in most of the disciplines, and also help with work on study skills. Students with disabilities receive support as well.

The LAL began operation in 1990, according to Dr. Cindy Riedel, who has been the coordinator since that time.

“We get a lot of A students who want to keep an A, or they are really good English students, but math they hate,” Riedel said.

They also host seminars such as, Approaches to Accounting and Study Skills for Math Classes.

Also housed in the LAL is the Writing Center, in which Writing Fellows assist students with any form of college writing.

“Students who use Writing Fellows often begin using other LAL tutors,” Tim Dillon,

Coordinator of the Writing Across the Curriculum program, said.

“My biggest concern about the LAL is it seems to be the best kept secret on campus.

Once students come and work with us, they come back again,” Martha Studnicka, Faculty Specialist, said.

“I’ve heard about it in class, but haven’t used it yet,” Ashley Schaedler said.

Appointments should be made to reserve tutoring time for most LAL services, but the Writing Fellow Program encourages walk in students as well as appointments.

The hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m-7:30 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m.1:00 p.m.

To contact the LAL, call, (734) 384-4167 or 1-877-YESMCCC, extension 4167.

page 4

The Agora

FEA TURE FEATURE

October 2 7 , 2003 27

Students struggle with health, obesity rises across country elli Massa

By K Kelli Page Editor Recent health problems all across the country point to what many health professionals are calling an epidemic on the American public. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and cancer are just a few health problems that result from obesity.

Stephanie Hatfield, a registered nurse at Mercy Memorial Hospital, is a Monroe County Community College (MCCC) alumnus and has recently begun a workout routine along with her husband.

Agora photos by Kelli Massa

Kade Johnson(center) works out under the super vision of Professor Allan Thom (left).

“Because I’m a nurse, I see a lot of people that have never exercised and [now] have heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

I’m trying to get myself into a routine so maybe that won’t happen to me,” Hatfield said.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator BMI measures a person’s body mass to determine if they are at a healthy weight. A BMI between 19-25 is healthy for adults; 25-30 is overweight; and 30+ is considered obese. People with more muscle mass may have a higher BMI, but this does not necessarily mean they are overweight. Consult with a physician for more information on determining a healthy weight.

Use this formula to determine your BMI: (weight in pounds) x 700 (height in inches squared)

According to WebMD, 61% of the total adult population in the United States alone is considered overweight and 26% are obese. Obesity among American adults has doubled over the past 20 years, and leads to approximately 300,000 deaths every year.

Allan Thom, Assistant Professor of Physical Education at MCCC, said the main reason he believes so many people are overweight is because of inactivity.

“We live in a push button society,” Thom said. “The last century has eliminated a lot of physical work causing people to become inactive.”

MCCC student, Tamara Ciha overcame obesity. She lost 92 pounds in the past two and a half years.

“I feel like I am 20 years old again!” 45-year-old Ciha said.

When she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol Ciha knew something had to be done about her weight problem.

She joined Weight Watchers and dramatically changed her eating habits. She also started to work out on a daily basis and continues to this day. Now, Ciha has lowered her cholesterol and blood pressure, and is no longer considered diabetic.

Agora photo by Kelli Massa

Student Tamara Ciha works out on the elliptical machine.

Students deal with stress

By Taryn Kapp Assistant Editor Stress. It’s that little thing that everyone encounters at some point in life; most likely more than once. It puts a person on edge, and it makes him feels like he is running around a million miles an hour.

Occasionally, it can be positive, motivating people to get things done. But like someone can have “too much of a good thing,” too much stress produces negative results.

How can a student tell if stress overload is on the verge?

Let’s say that student has a job and works 30 hours a week on average. Also, that student goes to school full time. Throw extra-cirricular’s into the mixture, such as student

government or even the campus newspaper, and the proverbial plate is getting a little full.

Student Megan Gerweck said, “I have a waitressing job five days a week and I only go to school part-time. But with the classes I take, loads of homework is a given.

Then there are the little things, like appointments and trying to keep the house picked up. I’ve gotten pretty good at keeping things steady and not overloading, but sometimes it just gets so overwhelming. Things keep adding up and adding up and all of a sudden I’m ready to pull my hair out.”

According to Dr. Gregory Hall, a professor at Bentley College, other warning signs of stress overload are changes in sleep and eating patterns, frequent headaches, shorter temper, and recurring illness. Also look out for

Thom advised that to begin a weight loss program one should consult with a doctor first, and then put into habit what needs to be done.

“It takes time to get out of shape and gain body fat, and everyone needs to know it will take time to get in shape and lose the body fat also,” Thom said.

Ciha urges people s t r u g g l i n g with weight problems to know.

“Don’t always look at the scale. You’ve got to change your lifestyle, it [weight loss] is change over time,” Ciha said.

frequent muscle aches, increased difficulty in completing a simple task, a Agora photo by Bob Oliver greater sense of persistent time Students study in the library. Many pressure, and find that working in a quiet place helps relieve stress. i n c r e a s e d frustration and anger. stress. Staas suggests get John Staas, Associate enough sleep, exercise, go to a Professor of Psychology at picnic, take a bubble bath, or Monroe County Community just plain relax! Also, think College (MCCC), said that positively, laugh out loud, and stress is, “a physical- don’t sweat the small stuff. physiological, emotional- Students go to college because psychological, and cognitive- they want to. Make the most mental condition that can be of it and have a little fun. positive or negative or both to which a person adjusts or adapts or copes with that may be caused by internal/external or both.”

But have no fear, there are things one can do to overcome

F : ast acts

Student Scholars W inner s: •

•

Jenna McCormick “Voter Apathy: A Problem Among America’s Youth” William Wilcox “Affirmative Action”

Finalists: • •

•

•

• •

Dan Burnard “Anti-Censorship” David Capaul “U.S. Government Should Stay Out of the Airports in Canada” Michael McHone “Spike Lee’s Bamboozled and the Modern Day Minstrel Show” Bryan Spence “Affirmative Action: The Wrong Approach to a Diverse Nation” Andrew Kohler “Organic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium” Andrew Kohler “Photosynthesis and Sulfur Oxidation”

October 2 7 , 2003 27

FEA TURE FEATURE

The Agora

page 5

Book Nook enters new chapter

By Mike McHone Reporter On Sept. 22, Monroe book fans were in for a treat when local bookstore, the Book Nook, reopened to the public. Owner Janet Berns made the decision to close the store in the spring due to slow sales.

“The economy was bad,” Berns said. “Every day was a struggle to pay the bills.” Berns had discounted all of the books

Berns helps a customer on the phone.

in inventory before closing.

Days before the doors were shut, however, she found that

AgoraPhotos By Mike McHone

Owner Janet Berns (left) assists a customer with her purchase. Customers have returned since the re-opening on Sept. 22.

Joann Jackson, a Monroe High she actually had enough School English teacher, was one money to pay the bills, but of the many helpers over the there were still other matters summer. to attend to.

“Stores downtown come and “The carpet in here go,” Jackson said. “I did not want predated me!” Berns knew to see it leave.” that a new floor, a new coat of paint, and rearrangement of the shelves was exactly what the store needed, but she could not do it alone. She called 30 of her closest friends and frequent customers to pitch in.

“We had all kinds of people helping out, people who would come in for an hour, people who would The Book Nook has a new layout. stay the whole day . . .”

Jackson says she always recommends the store to all of her Honors English students.

Sally Howe, a retired physical therapist, and a long time frequenter of the Book Nook, was there every day.

“Janet [Berns] The shelves are stocked with thousands of new and used titles. knows her books,” said Howe. “She Christmas season, however, knows her authors. She’s the will be the true test of the best book seller I’ve dealt with, store’s staying power. and I’ve dealt with a lot.”

“Books are a luxury,” Howe helped with painting, Berns said. “If people are cleaning, moving over 10,000 short on money, books are books, and alphabetization. one of the things they won’t She is currently helping Berns buy.” develop an inventory list of “I’m confident she’ll all of the books on hand. make a go of it,” Howe said.

Between the months The Book Nook has been of June and September, a part of Monroe for the last the refurbishing was 35 years. Along with Leski’s completed. When the Office Supply and Martin’s doors were opened, sales Shoe started to go back to the way they were. The see Book Nook, economy is “like a pendulum swinging back,” page 7 Berns said. The upcoming

D i n e r s t a k e n Books cause b a c k i n t i m e controversy

By Nathan Lyke Copy Editor

Tired of bad drivers cutting you off, crazy activists trying to siphon money from you, or any of the other problems faced in modern society today? Do you ever wish that there was a time machine to take you back to when times were more civilized and simple? While there is still no access to any time machines, there is a temporary solution to get away from it all.

On Dec. 11-13 at 6:30p.m., walking into Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church is like a door to the past. Guests are greeted by students donning English accents, and after a brief moment to socialize, trumpets sound and the Herald begins to announce last names.

Guests are then escorted to their dining tables by the greeters who are dressed in Elizabethan clothing.

They call this Madrigal Dinner. Hosted by “Friar” John C. Tyner, the singing group Generations of Sound (GoS) from Monroe High School (MHS) transform a typical

evening into one filled with laughter, entertainment, singing, and fine dining. Guests are seated at one of 12 tables. In the front of the room sits the GoS members representing the King, Queen, Jester, and the special royal guests.

The Jester reads aloud the rules of dining. If anyone is caught breaking the rules, they are to do the King’s bidding

“This presentation would be of interest to those college students interested in pursuing a career in music education; or to those individuals who have an interest in the Renaissance period, its customs, music, and dress as this is an authentic re-creation of that period in history,” said Tyner.

“It was a lot of hard work. I was ‘Mod’ last year, one of the Brothers Grim. I had to be

By Bob Oliver Reporter

Recently, a small group of parents in Mercedes, Texas, have gone public with their wish to ban certain reading materials from the curriculum of a local high school.

Focusing on the books “Brave New World” (Aldous Huxley) and “Stranger in a Strange Land” (Robert Heinlein), the complaints are based by the content found in these two novels. Some parents feel that the issues discussed in the books are too explicit for high school sophomores, and that it is an outrage that these two works are discussed to younger students.

The censorship this case Photo courtesy of John Tyner brings is an important topic The Jester of Madrigal dinner recites for both current instructors the rules of etiquette to guests. and those preparing to teach without question. After the extremely sarcastic and learn to in the future. Decisions servants are finished clearing play off of my counterpart, “Rel.” regarding teaching materials the table, the audience is graced said Zachariah Griffin, member of are one of the most important with a short play full of funny choices schools have to make see Madrigal, quips and audience to protect and educate page 7 participation. students.

“Even in Fremont, Ohio, which is a small town, I never had a problem with questionable material,” JoEllen Locher, Instructor of English, said.

Locher is a professor who has taught at both the college and high school level, using many different literary works as teaching tools. She feels that by banning classic literature, schools hold valuable learning tools from students who could gain knowledge from the stories.

“The problem that will occur if a policy is adopted is that because of the complaints of 1 or 2 students, 28 or 30 others lose out on reading the works,” Locher said.

Dr. John Holladay, Professor of Humanities, is an instructor who has run into assignment problems in the past.

“I have had questions in my short story classes with [J.D. Salinger’s] “Catcher in the Rye,” Holladay said. “I just give an alternative book: there are plenty of them.”

see Ban, page 7

page 6 The Agora

AR TS & ENTER TAINMENT ARTS ENTERT

October 2 7, 2003 27

Artist etches Liner Notes: imprint on MCCC Nick Cave e McHone

By Mik Mike Page Editor

By Kelli Massa and Cr ystal Pier ce Crystal Pierce Reporters An art exhibit by Kristin Matley will be featured at Monroe County Community College throughout the month of October. Matley is a local artist and an alumna of MCCC. The exhibit is located in the campus library, on the first floor in the Campbell Learning Resources Center (C-Building).

According to Gary Wilson, Associate Professor of

Agora photo by Jeff Berry

Agora photo by Kelli Massa

Students Doug Rohr, Emily Harger, and Dan Burnard observe Matley’s mixed media artwork.

Art at MCCC, Matley’s mixed media style contains several interpretations for each piece.

“They’re all about perceptions of reality,” Wilson said.

Both students and faculty have been seen admiring Matley’s work since Oct.1.

“The drawings describe a scene, a moment in time,” MCCC graduate Marcia Halason said, as she looked at Matley’s figure drawings.

Registrar Paul Schmidt said, “I like her combination of etching and paintings. It shows her love for detail, and also ‘the big picture.’”

Matley was awarded an art scholarship when she attended MCCC. Wilson knew that she would excel in the world of art after having her as a student in several classes.

He attributes Matley’s success to her commitment, hard work, and passion to succeed.

“She has the skills, but the skills don’t make the artist; it’s the passion that does,” Wilson said.

In addition to MCCC, Matley also graduated from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, and is now attending the University of Toledo.

Movies warrant recognition onica Ter

By Ver eronica errr y Page Editor Each year, hundreds, maybe even thousands of movies are made. Blockbusters such as “Chicago,” “Gangs of New York” and “The Pianist” are winning Oscars and being praised by critics. While these three examples are rightfully winners and nominees of these awards, people are slowly forgetting the old award winners and the good movies that were never even recognized.

This is a “must-see” list of older movies that have got that special something.

“12 Monkeys”: Released in 1996, starring Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis, the movie takes us to the post-apocalyptic year 2035. The “Scientists” have created a time-traveling device and Willis is sent back to 1996 to discover the reason why most of the human race is dead. If the incredible story line isn’t enough to make you want to see it, Pitt’s expert portrayal

of a crazy man should at least make you curious.

“Monty Python’s Life of Brian”: Everyone’s heard of it, but who really watches it lately?

Forget the “Holy Grail” for a minute and step back into the biblical life of Brian. “What is myrrh? It sounds like some kind of animal to me. Something with horns…”—Mandy, Brian’s mother.

“The Virgin Suicides”: Released in 2003 and starring Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett, “The Virgin Suicides” takes viewers on a sad journey through the minds of five sheltered sisters, living in a overly conservative household. As the name suggests, the ending is depressing, but the movie is well

made, and well directed by Sofia Coppola, daughter of Francis Ford Coppola.

“Ghost World”: Rightfully displayed on over 140 top ten lists, “Ghost World” stars Thora Birch and Steve Buschemi.

Birch and her best friend in the film terrorize a local “loser,” as Birch discovers the friendship that forms between herself and Buschemi. The closing of the movie is done amazingly and leaves viewers feeling as if they just watched their own life.

“The Wizard of Oz”: Nothing could be said to do this movie justice. It is one of the best movies of our time, and no one has the proper respect for it anymore. Rent this movie!

Photo courtesy of warnerbrothers.com

Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides.

a host of percussionists, and back-up singers, Cave formed The Bad Seeds, a title taken “I don’t do happy. I do sad from a 1970’s horror film. or angry.”

Singer, songwriter, angry composer, melancholy poet, underground author, independent film actor, brooding artist, Nick Cave is a modern day renaissance man.

Imagine if Elton John decided to collaborate with Edgar Allan Poe, and you would Photo courtesy of nickcave.com get somewhat of an idea of how “By writing I try to Cave operates. Songs fraught understand myself in some with visions of biblical stories, lost love, Elvis, and death, way,” Cave said. “It’s the only combined with beautiful melodies way that I have of really and simple, beautiful rhythms understanding what I feel about encapsulate his albums. 1996’s myself and what I think about album “Murder Ballads” is a things.”

Cave had an influence on perfect example. most of America’s mainstream Born in Wangaratta, Australia, in 1957, Cave moved musicians, including Metallica to Melbourne to study at the and Johnny Cash. Mojo local university. There he met magazine asked Cave how it felt schoolmates that would help when he found out that Cash form his first band, The Birthday was doing a remake of his song Party. This first band rounded up “The Mercy Seat.” This one of a heavy underground following, the times, in public history, that drawing on the influence of such people have seen Cave smile. “It bands as The Who, The Stooges, was a good feeling,” he said.

2001’s “No More Shall We and The Sex Pistols.

The Birthday Party officially Part” and 2003’s “Nocturama” disbanded in 1983. Cave wanted are the two most recent offerings to move away from the punk by Cave. Oddly, Cave plans to scene, and take on a mellow step up release dates for persona, getting away from the upcoming albums. For a smashed guitars, and utilizing all musician that has never rested 88 keys of the piano. too long and is always Collaborating with Mick Harvey, experimenting, the best may be German musician Blixa Bargeld, yet to come.

Dashboard delights Detroit

By J e f f Ber r y Reporter Where can you find 2800 bleeding hearts screaming all at once? No, it’s not the Democratic National Convention, but the Dashboard Confessional concert in Detroit ‘Rock’ City.

The ‘emotional-rock’ group Dashboard Confessional played to a sold-out crowd at the State Theatre in Detroit on Oct. 5, the second of three shows (two of which were sold out). Front man Chris Carrabba got the show started with “The Sharp Hint of New Tears.” Although the band is primarly acoustic, Carrabba later traded his acoustic guitar for an electric and played songs from the new electric record.

“Rapid Hope Loss,” “Easy as

Lovers go,” and “Hey Girl” a just a few new songs that ignited the theatre as Carrabba looked at the singing crowd with amazement.

“Detroit is still the loudest city we’ve ever played for,” Carrabba said. The Detroit crowd responded with earpiercing screams. They didn’t let the band down—singing at the top of their lungs, which at times were just as loud as the amplifiers, to every song for about an hour. The usually quiet and nervous Carrabba seemed at ease with the crowd.

“Detroit is the only city on this tour that we are playing three shows. We’re not even playing that much in our hometown,” Carrabba said. He added that Detroit was their home away from home and the crowd responded again with a roaring welcome.

October 27, 2003

Vote, pg 1 Amy Phillips disagreed.

“Since the Bible says quite clearly that sex with another person of the same [gender] is a sin, then this change[ to the Michigan constitution] would be for the best,” Phillips said.

“Our society is deteriorating because of all the evil things people are doing, and if the law said people of the same sex should not get married then we are sending the right message to our children.

“But, if people are in same-sex relationships, then

B-ball, pg 1 likely to occur than a competitive, intercollegiate team.

“I think our college needs some sports programs. It would bring more people to the school. Most college students start at universities because they want to play sports,” MCCC student Jenny McDaniel said.

Another student, Harrison Buberniak, said, “I think it would unify the college. It would give something to tie the college together […] it’s just a loose gathering of people.”

“Students may be more apt to enjoy their time here at

Ban, pg 5 Monroe County Community College student A.J. Rosenberger is working toward a major in secondary education.

He believes that he may run into a similar problem when he takes over a classroom.

“I’d try to convince the parents that the books are not just smut, and that they have depth. These books are no

IN THE MIX they probably do not have high morals, and are probably having sex with each other regardless if they are married or not, so making it illegal is not going to change their morals,” Phillips said.

Kim Cady, a student at MCCC had a different opinion.

“I feel that marriage should be between two people that love each other, and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Who am I to judge?” Cady said.

Similar resolutions in M a c o m b , L a p e e r, a n d Oakland counties have recently been proposed.

MCCC if they’re able to participate on a sports team,” MCCC student Cara Gubbini said.

“We’ve had some very good athletes that played here in the past,” Brunswick said.

MCCC athletes have gone on to universities and into professional sports like basketball, baseball, and golf.

Jim McElroy was one of the best to play for MCCC. Graduating high school from Detroit Murray Wright, the 6’3” McElroy went from MCCC to Central Michigan. He was drafted into the NBA and played for the Atlanta Hawks and the Detroit Pistons.

worse than MTV or any of the dating shows on T.V.,” Rosenberger said.

The final decision in Mercedes was to keep the books as curriculum, and to give parents more control over their children’s reading material.

Holladay feels that this decision is best.

According to Holladay, if the student is under 18, the choices of what is questionable material is “entirely up the parents.”

Food, pg 2 I have a break for a few days, as National Pizza With the Works Except Anchovies Day is not until the 12 of the month, followed by National Indian Pudding Day. I have never savored Indian Pudding, but intend to find out what it is and eat some.

Thanks to the powers that be, November 15 brings

Twist, pg 2 In my view, 80 percent of these types of jobs are never completed, and probably 90 percent of ideas are discarded or forgotten due to the negligence and laziness of the thinker. This is not new, as even T.S. Eliot was either viewing it or experiencing it when he wrote his poem “The Hollow Men” in 1925.

He wrote: “Between the idea and the reality […] falls the shadow.”

That shadow covers many lights, and only grows darker as nightfall closes on

Waitress, pg 2 everyone should be a server at one point or another to experience what has been referred to as one of the top ten most stressful jobs in the world.

Think of the last time you went out to a restaurant.

Food was awful, your fork

Book Nook, pg 5 Store, it is one of the oldest stores in the city.

The store features new and used books, obscure paperbacks and new hardcovers. If you can’t find what you are looking for, Berns has an ordering system

Madrigal, pg 5 GoS. The names “Mod” and “Rel” are short for “Moderately Grim” and “Relatively Grim”, which brilliantly displayed in the performance.

“Madrigal Dinner was started in 1981 set in 18 century England. Since 1989 it has been set in Elizabethan times and has become a traditional Christmas activity for many Monroe families,” Tyner said.

The Fedosky Recorder Group plays throughout the show, further selling the leap into the past. The hosts also have an elaborate collection of historically correct

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National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. I need this holiday to prepare for Thanksgiving and the food which will displace my leftover deviled eggs, sandwiches, doughnuts, chocolates and pizza.

I await the 17 of November, which is National Take a Hike Day. I need to lose some weight! Good thing National Good Nutrition Month only comes once a year. the worthwhile dreams and goals of many people. You don’t have to be honored or remembered for your work to have merit.

As my friend’s dad looks through the pages he created the time spent is no longer important.

After making the idea a reality he is moving back to concentrating on other interests. He’s always liked the gangsters of the 1920’s, and has worked with friends on uncovering facts about them. Maybe in three years he’ll show me his latest creation. Hopefully I can respond by showing him mine. was dirty, and the table next to you was obnoxious. Did this affect the tip you left?

It probably did, even if you didn’t realize it at the time.

But were these incidences the waitresses fault?

Waitresses make $2.65 a n h o u r. N o w t h a t ’s something to think about.

R V

eader’s oice

What is your favorite restaurant?

Why?

“Red Lobster, because I just love seafood. But I don’t get to eat there very often because it’s expensive.”

Brandon Aniol

“I’m so picky; I’d have to say Big Boys. I like the spaghetti with Grecian rolls. I love the Grecian rolls!”

Amber Wilson

for out of the ordinary requests. You can trade in your old paperbacks for discounts on used paperbacks. She also has plans for a web-site in the near future.

Visit the store at 42 South Monroe St., or for more information call 241-2665 Elizabethan clothing. “This clothing was done by a GoS member ’s mother Carolyn McAninch, a professional seamstress,” Tyner said.

After the show the guests are treated to a concert put on by the GoS which gives them the opportunity to show just how talented they are.

“It was a magical experience,” Wayne Todd said, “I definitely want to do it again.”

Tickets must be preordered by calling (734)2411793. The nights sell out quickly and this year is no exception as Friday and Saturday are completely booked. Tickets are only $18.50 per person.

“The Japanese and Chinese in Frenchtown Square Mall.

They have the best sweet and sour chicken.”

Lauren Mitchell

“Michigan Bar and Grill.

Their Rueben sandwich is one of my favorites, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money.”

Pat Lemanowicz

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Spotlight

October 27, 2003

Health Odyssey

In the gym, the American Red Cross held a Blood Drive throughout the day. Many donors from the community came to give others a chance at life.

A Massage Therapist offered free massages.

Free snacks were available for all.

Free glaucoma testing was offered by Reed Vision.

Chef Kevin Thomas was one of the many speakers featured during the event. He explained about how healthy food can taste good and offered free samples of his delious work.

Agora photos by Kelli Massa