2-19-2009

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Spring Break Tips pg 6

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GORA A THE

Monroe County Community College

February 19, 2009

Student Government Noon Concert

Vol. 52, Issue 2

Economy threatens MCCC financial aid Resa Waldecker Page Designer

What does the shaky economy mean for financial aid at MCCC? As the stock market continues to drop, students are beginning to be anxious about what this means for their financial aid.

Tracy Vaught, director of financial aid, confirms that there will be fewer scholarships for the 20092010 year because of the stock market and the economy.

“The type of scholarship that will be hardest hit will be endowed, because the amount of money we award is based on our earnings each year on our investment and our earnings are down,” she said.

Vaught estimates that about 60% of students at MCCC rely on financial aid. Although funds are decreasing, Vaught says that

there is an increase in the number of students applying for financial aid, probably due to the economy.

As grim as this news is, students can take refuge in the fact that all the financial aid counselors are taking steps to combat the bleak economy, Vaught says.

“We help students find other ways to make up for that loss by offering other types of financial aid,” she said.

“One way is by increasing the student loan to help. There is also work study on campus, which helps pay for school by allowing students to work on campus.”

Matthew Crots was awarded a full ride, thanks to the MCCC Board of Trustees scholarship.

“Even though I can see why some students would be worried, I am not as worried about my

scholarship because the tuition is so low at MCCC, I do not think I will be affected,” Crots said.

Sue Wetzel, Director of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of The MCCC Foundation also is optimistic. Wetzel deals directly with the donors.

“People are still being very generous because they are still concerned about education. I think people realize how hard people are working to get an education and get a good job so they are still donating.”

“Student’s should not be dissuaded from applying, they should still apply,” she said. There will be scholarships available, but I don’t know how much.”

And even when that statistic comes out in March, students’s can be assured that the MCCC financial aid divison is working hard to make up for the loss, Vaught said.

New STARS Online Scholarship Application System

Gary Winslow performed on Feb. 16 in the cafeteria. He sang blues songs along with a rap song on the guitar. The song he is singing in the picture is about being a father. It was a part of Black History Month celebrated on campus.

Agora photo by Emily Chandonnet

Applying for scholarships just got easier thanks to the new application system. MCCC student Shane Spaulding did not know about the application, and when he did apply, he was surprised at how easy it was.

“The best thing about it is if you have to stop in the middle of answering a section of questions, it lets you save.” To apply you can either got yo www.monroeccc.edu/stars or go directly to https://stars.monroeccc. edu/stars All you need to apply is your student is number. If you are having difficulty applying, you can attend the STARS Online Scholarship Application Workshop on March 15, 2009 from 2pm - 4 pm. Please call 734-384-4254 by March 13th to reserve a spot.

Governor wants tuition freeze, but MCCC costs already low Asia Rapai Copy Editor

Some students are so appreciative of MCCC’s low tuition that they want to stay here as long as possible.

Julia Barbour is in her third year at MCCC. She said the low tuition is what is keeping her from leaving.

“I’ve looked at some other colleges around the area, and wow!”

Barbour said. “The prices here are so low.”

Tuition does rise from year to year, but MCCC President David Nixon said that he wants to keep it as low as possible.

In her State of the State address in early February, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm proposed that colleges and universities in the state freeze tuition.

Decisions about tuition, however, are up to the college’s Board of

Trustees, not the governor, Nixon said.

Board Chairman William Bacarella said the college will consider the request.

“While I would like to support Gov. Granholm’s request to freeze tuition, it is the board’s obligation to maintain fiscal responsibility to the students and citizens of Monroe County for many years to come. It is their college,” Bacarella said.

Timothy Bennett, MCCC’s vice president of business affairs and treasurer, said the governor’s tuition request would be unfair to MCCC because its rates already are low.

“MCCC is one of the least expensive community colleges in the state,” Bennett said. “Putting us in the same mix as high-cost institutions ignores our consistent record of keeping tuition costs as low as possible to remain affordable to our

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students.”

Still, there has been speculation that colleges that do not freeze tuition could lose some state funding, while colleges that do freeze tuition could receive extra money from the stimulus package.

There are several factors that go into deciding the cost of tuition.

Although MCCC board members make the final decision, they must wait to consider all of the available resources, Nixon said.

Next year’s tuition will not be determined until late March, he said.

“We can’t make any decision until we know what the state of Michigan will be appropriating to community colleges and know an estimate of how much revenue will be coming in from property taxes,” he said.

Nixon explained that the recession and poor housing market are affecting the property values in

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Enriching the students across Southeast Michigan

Students at MCCC save money Below are costs for tuition and fees for Michigan residents for 2008-2009 (Approximate full-time cost for 2 semesters) at nearby colleges or universities.

Monroe County. As property values drop, tax revenues also drop.

This means that cities, townships, schools and MCCC will receive less money.

Bennett said college officials will work to keep tuition low.

“The college’ s board of trustees and administration will continue to keep student needs at the forefront of any decisions and will do their best to maintain MCCC’s reputation of both quality and affordability,” he said.

Once the decision is made, students must decide what is right for them in this struggling economy.

“I think for the cost, it’s a very good deal,” MCCC student Josh Kraus said.

Kraus will move on from MCCC in the fall, but said that he thought the education he received was “on par” with some universities.

• Monroe County Community College $1,752 • Owens Community College $5,532 • University of Toledo $6,816 • Eastern Michigan University $7,590 • Western Michigan University $7,220 • Michigan State University $9,806 • University of Michigan $11,037 Source: www.monroeccc.edu

Continued on Page 2

Fitness Center Hours:

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Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 9:30 Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Writing Center Hours:

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Monday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

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Visit our website at: www.monroeccc.edu

2 THE AGORA

Editorial

February 19, 2009

Same courses don’t mean equal work

Resa Waldecker Page Designer

I feel my eyelids become heavy with dread in Math 164 as my teacher excitedly rambles the problems that will become my grave this weekend.

I hear a siren go off as my brain goes into overdrive and above the noise the hallway gossip battles for attention. I inadvertently groan as I recall that this class is usually an easy A, but this teacher refuses to let it be so easy.

Unlike some of her fellow teachers, she seems to pride herself in pushing her student’s until they reach their full potential.

As I regain my composure from my reverie, only to find my teacher covering up the few holes in my weekend casket with story problems, I become angry at my teacher’s need to push her students.

I mean, of course I want to be the best, but I prefer to just wake up one day and be

the best. Having to work to be the best is torturous. And what for, anyway?

How is the college I am transferring to supposed to know that I worked harder in my Math 164 class than all the other applicants?

I find that these reveries are not isolated to Math 164. In Geography and English I also find myself wondering the merit of that seven-page research paper. The gossip rings in my ears once more as I remember that the other English 151 class only had to write four pages.

What if I receive a lower grade just because the teacher decided to assign two more pages?

Jeff Wistinghausen, another MCCC student, agrees.

“I would definitely do better in a class with less homework.”

Kristen Leforce also agrees. She was in a Pre Calc class with one teacher and dropped it. The next semester she took the same class and did great. She attributes this to the teacher’s teaching method.

Alex Pankiewicz sees it a little differently.

“I took a Biology class and got a B. If I would have taken a different Biology class, I probably would have done better, but I am not upset I took it with that teacher. I liked his teaching methods.”

But as much as I love to expand on this tangent, I have to agree with Alex.

If that teacher was not afraid of burying me in story problem misery, I would still dread weekends in a Math grave. And although I would have received an A, I will eventually have to face that monster of juxtaposed numbers and letters.

If only I had faced the monster when Mrs. Appledrop handed me that sentence about adding kittens, maybe I would not be so worried about calculating the rate of the population growth of cats.

After all, just because Algebra 2 is spelled the same way on resumes, in the real world, jobs are on more than just spelled words.

And even Jeff admits that when the class is over, he’s glad he took the tougher one.

“I would rather learn a lot about Welding, than be in a blow-off class.”

Responses from teachers ...

“If students use the solutions manual to assist them too much, their grade on the test will suffer.

As adults, it is a choice they are free to make.”

– James K. Vallade, Assistant Professor of Mathematics

“Solution manual or not, it is very important to assign homework in math classes. The only way students can really learn is by doing the problems themselves.”

“I do not grade homework because I feel the students are adults and they are responsible for their own learning. I can facilitate the learning but I cannot make the student learn. Some students have full-time jobs and families and may not have time for homework until Saturday or Sunday.”

— Kathleen Shephard Associate Professor of Mathematics

“[The English teachers] follow a grading rubric for letter grades that has been developed “When I first started teaching by the humanities professors. I I assigned the odd problems for give this to my students each sehomework. A few students in mester. These are the standards each class would hand in just a I maintain, and I hope the othfew sheets of paper with only the er Comp. II instructors are as answers on them and no work. well.”

— Lori Joe Couch Those same students would also Assistant Professor of English fail the tests.”

— Ann Savenon Adjunct Faculty

— Mark Naber Professor of Mathematics

Phelps: Athletic role model or just young athlete Kristin Stepinski Page Designer

Sixteen Olympic gold medals?

Check. Earning millions of dollars in endorsements? Check. Having seven world records to your name?

Check.

Disappointing all of America with one little photo?

Yes, put a check next to that one too.

Since the tabloid photo of Michael Phelps smoking marijuana at a college party surfaced, journalists and various forms of media have ridiculed him day in and day out.

Good for him, I say. Maybe next time he’ll think about the consequences of his actions a little more thoroughly.

People say that he’s not hurting anyone but himself or that it’s “just weed” and it shouldn’t matter what he was doing during his off time.

It really doesn’t matter what he does during his off time—until he

gets photographed and the pictures end up plastered on the Internet for the entire world to see.

As a role model to young kids everywhere, Phelps needs to be more careful when choosing his extra curricular activities.

Yes he apologized and he might even be genuinely sorry, but it doesn’t really matter.

It’s not like he hasn’t had this problem before. In 2004 after the Athens Olympic games, Phelps was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence. He was 19 at the time.

He apologized then too.

Maybe he needs to go sit in a corner and think about what he’s done. Think about all of those gold medals, all of the records and the endorsements. Think about the one million dollar bonus he received from Speedo.

Phelps earned the bonus money by tying Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals won in a single Olympic tournament.

He turned around and donated all of the money to various charitable organizations to promote the sport of swimming to young children.

So what happens when that 10year-old boy sees these pictures?

The same little boy who started swimming just because he wanted to be like Phelps, the one with the posters stuck to his walls and the one who wants to someday go to the Olympics.

MCCC’s tuition is already low Continued from Page 1

Not only is he a student, but he also works in the computer lab of the L-Building to support himself.

“For this year, I’m not worried about tuition because I have grants and scholarships, but for the first year, I had to pay for it myself,” Kraus said about his two years at MCCC. Kraus said he will leave MCCC satisfied with the cost he paid for his education.

What happens when he sees Phelps, bong in hand, smoking away on some weed?

If the little boy wants so badly to be just like his hero, maybe he goes out and does the same thing.

Phelps needs to understand that like it or not, he’s a role model. He wanted to be an Olympian.

Mission accomplished.

But the Olympics are every four years and he could have competed in his events and gone home with his shiny new medals.

Instead he signed millions of dollars worth of endorsement deals and put his face on every commercial, billboard, magazine cover and TV screen.

In doing so, he accepted the fact that he was no longer simply the greatest Olympian of all time. Now he is a public figure.

In the public, Phelps had different expectations. If the burden of being a role model to children was too much, then he shouldn’t have signed so many deals.

Maybe the pressure was too much for him to handle.

All of a sudden the 2012 Olympics that Phelps seemed so committed to during the summer are no longer a guarantee.

Now he says he might not even end up going.

Two stupid decisions already ruined his character. It’s too bad that it might have also ruined the rest of his career.

Allan McKee Staff

Thoughts of something as fearful as an apocalypse can be accounted for a span of 3400 years or more.

Pessimism has been evident for an extremely long time, much of which has been spurred on by war, politics, and many forms of literature, such as George Orwell’s negative utopia classic, 1984.

From mysteriously accurate predictions by Nostradamus to today’s roster of so-called trusted experts, it seems as though there is a new trend emerging in forecasting a very bleak future. Issues have been raised ranging from global warming, which has impacted society’s outlook of the future, to earthquakes, tidal waves and fears of Yellowstone National Park exploding its top with a catastrophic explosion 1000 times more violent than Mount St. Helens more than 20 years ago.

President Obama may now be discovering that promised intentions are going to be more difficult to accomplish than expected.

The struggle for peace worldwide has thrust

Michael Crossman Assistant Copy Editor

As soon as I heard the news break the story on Olympic Gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, I knew this was going to be a much-debated issue.

It is an outrage to think that Phelps should be ridiculed, as much as he is being, for simply smoking pot.

Celebrities and athletes cannot always be expected to live and act as if they are inhuman. Phelps is only 23 years old, a kid himself, and by the looks of the photo was not experimenting with this for the first time. Only professionals can operate a bong as efficiently as that.

As much as America loves to have a front row seat to a 24 hour “Truman Show” episode of our favorite celebrity, everything they do is not our business.

I completely understand his obligation to being an Olympic hero and the example he is expected to

many Americans into an unsure state as to when, or if, peace will ever be achieved. And it’s not just war, but internal issues of economy, health care and industry.

In the past, we have risen to the task of helping conflicted Middle East countries settle their disparities. With the economic problems America is facing, it appears that we are losing trust, because we just don’t deliver like we had before. This is just the tip of the iceberg regarding some of the tasks facing our new president.

The U.S. economy and health care have come to the forefront of American concerns.

Unemployment rates that are already staggering are being forecast to become even bleaker.

These current problems seem to have brought about a true Era of Pessimism. This is not the first time skeptical reasoning has ever happened. Perhaps if we look beyond what exists today and see something positive ahead, instead of a bottomless pit, optimism will lift us out of that deep hole.

me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

The U.S. Olympic Committee released a statement the following day stating they were “disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps.”

Disappointment did not say suspended, or banned. It wasn’t until the photo was repeatedly surfaced, and the entire “Mother’s of America” population started yelling for his head, that he received the three-month disciplinary action.

It is not up to us to regulate what Phelps, or any celebrities, does in their personal life. We are not the agencies signing the checks supporting their high life, no pun intended.

The American youth are going to parade behind whoever they chose, whether it’s the stoner swimmer or drunken rock star, but I can guarantee one thing. Neither this swimmer nor rock star is going to be there when they are faced with the opportunity to use drugs.

And I find it hard to believe that the first face that is going to pop in their mind is their favorite athlete or idol.

As far as 2012 is concerned, I am amazed knowing that Phelps chose a downer instead of enhancer for his competition.

A-Rod can’t say the same thing, along with a spew of other franchise “role models.”

Nixon praises new law

MCCC President David Nixon and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholmpose after the governor signed new legislation giving community colleges power to bond to provide financing for new training programs.

A new Era of Pessimism?

set.

Leading by example can only become fully achieved when the leader has learned from his mistakes and develop a method of overcoming the downfalls.

As far as losing his endorsements, which is what he is paid for, the only one he lost was the Michigan based Kellogg Co. Obviously they didn’t think his recreational activities were “Grrrrreat.”

The funny thing about this was that his initial contract was already expiring at the end of this month, and the two commodities were not in talks to renew prior to the photo.

Speedo, Visa, Omega, AT&T, or any other contributor did not deem it necessary to extinguish their relationship with their golden boy.

And as far as his character is concerned, I think it is wrong to say that he can no longer be a role model for all the little Olympic tadpoles of the world. If Brittney can do it after her trip to Candyland, shaving her head, and almost dropping her children on numerous occasions, I think Phelps will be just fine.

He did come out almost immediately and offered his heartfelt unnecessary apology to everyone who was offended by his actions, and all the children.

“I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from

MCCC President David Nixon was in Washington D.C. on Feb. 12 when Gov. Granholm signed legislation intended to help community colleges.

The legislation, which will allow community colleges to work with companies in Michigan to provide training programs, also will provide more funding for MCCC. “This legislation can be used to

The Agora Staff Members Editor-in-Chief Design Editor-in-Chief Emily Chandonnet Assistant Editor Jennifer Niswender Adviser Dan Shaw Copy Editor-in-Chief Casey Cheap Design Team Mary Rose Takacs Resa Waldecker Kristin Stepinski Miranda Panik Jennifer Niswender

Copy Assistant Editor Michael Crossman Marketing Team Casey Cheap Asia Rapai Copy Team Asia Rapai Brandy Werner Marcus Akers Staff Jeremy Hickey Susan Banoski Alan McKee

attract new industries to locate in Monroe County. In return, we can use the funding to train workers specifically to those employers’ needs and guarantee good wages,” Nixon said.

The legislation allows community colleges to bond for funding to establish training programs for companies moving into Michigan or existing firms creating new positions.

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) 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 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.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. Submissions of stories or photos alsoare welcome. E-mail them to Agora@monroeccc. edu or bring them to ouroffice.

Dan Shaw, Adviser

3 THE AGORA Campus News

February 19, 2009

Soccer Club Wednesdays 7-9 p.m.

HED BLDG

MCCC students decorated the Silver Spoon Saloon to look like the Wild West era.

MCCC’s Cuisine 1300

For more information contact Vladimir Vjatchslav at

Transforms into Silver Spoon Saloon

vvjatschslav@monroeccc.edu

Grants assist faculty, students with cash Marcus Akers Copy Editor

Agora photos by Casey Cheap

Casey Cheap

Copy Editor-in-Chief

It takes a lot of dynamics to make a real restaurant function.

That is what those running Cuisine 1300 have learned.

First and second year Culinary Students led by Chef Kevin Thomas have transformed the college’s restaurant in A-Building into the “Silver Spoon Saloon.”

Thomas admits it has been “a lot of work to go through” for the two weeks it will be open. The saloon took its first customers Monday and will operate until Feb 27.

“Because of demand in the past, the theme this year will last two weeks instead of just one,” said MCCC Director of Marketing, Joe Verkennes.

He also cited this is the third year

Cuisine 1300 has had such a makeover.

“We had a Retro Diner two years ago and a 1920’s based ‘Wise Guy Club’ last year,” said Verkennes.

Always open to the Public, Cuisine 1300 has been transformed into a Wild West era saloon this year.

It even has the swinging doors to prove it.

“The point is to have fun,” said Thomas. “The idea is to bring a Heehawing, knee slapping, spittoon clanging atmosphere.”

The “Silver Spoon Saloon” is decorated to the finest details.

Servers—who are also students in the MCCC Culinary Program—are dressed in 19th century Wild West clothing. The outside is decorated to resemble an actual era saloon, and the inside has “Wanted” posters on the walls.

The placemats even have a reproduction of an 1883 issue of The Monroe Commercial.

“An entire group was devoted to decorating,” Thomas said.

Not only has there been a change of atmosphere, but the type of food served has been changed as well.

“We wanted to emulate an 1800’s menu,” Thomas said. “It’s nice to do different foods, and have some fun with the entertainment.”

Some of the additions to the menu include: Bucking Bronco Buffalo Chili, Tequila Bandit Salmon, Silver Spoon Saloon Slaw, Home on the Range Chicken Pot Pie and Tumbleweed Taters.

Some of the “Happy Trails” desserts include Chocolate Cow Pies and Golden 24K Cake.

MCCC President Dr. David Nix-

on has also invited some Monroe area V.I.P.’s to enjoy Guest Bartenders throughout the two weeks.

All drinks are non-alcoholic.

It seems the “Silver Spoon Saloon” has been an immediate hit.

“The restaurant has been filled every day,” Thomas said.

“Now it’s like any other brand we built up,” Verkennes said. “We really had to publicize the first year.

But now the college gets a lot of publicity for it. Channel 13 featured it on the news last year.”

The restaurant is open at 11:30 a.m. weekdays but closed both Feb. 17 and 24.

“I just wanted to thank everyone for their support,” Thomas said. “A special thanks goes out to the decorating and planning committee for this.”

Recycling program returns Brandy Werner Copy Editor

The campus will seem a little greener this summer.

The recycling program is returning to MCCC, shooting for a debut date of July 1st.

Jim Blumberg, the head of Maintenance at MCCC, said that the details of the new program are still being worked out.

“We’re having a meeting in March,” he said. “We’re still sorting out the new vendors.”

The program was suspended last year due to lack of participation from the recycling company.

Tom Ryder, the student activities coordinator, anticipates that the recycling program will be very beneficial to the college.

“I think the college understands and sees the need for a recycling program,” he said.

The planning will not be easy, however. There are so many different recycling needs around campus, including plastics, paper, cardboard, etc. The committee assigned to work on this project is trying to find a company that will best suit all the needs.

“We had some problems a few years ago. One was contamination,” said Ryder. “People were putting stuff in the wrong bins.”

Campus organizations are also getting involved with the new program.

“The Student Government will be taking on an educational role in this,” Ryder said. “They will be informing students about why they should recycle and the importance of it.”

Although the program is still in the planning stage, be prepared to see it in place by the fall semester.

The Foundation at Monroe County Community College’s winter 2009 Enhancement Grants Program award winners were announced recently.

The program assists faculty, staff, and students by providing funding for the development and implementation of innovative projects.

The Foundation Board of Directors allocated $20,000 for the 2009 Enhancement Grants Program.

Applicants Cheryl Johnston, assistant professor of reading and English, and Dr. William McCloskey, professor of English, received an award of $3,000.

This award will be used to defray the cost for students to attend live theatre productions, and pos-

sibly to defray the cost of guest performers invited to MCCC. “It’s wonderful, because with the cost of books and courses, students often cannot afford the extra cash,” Johnston said.

Students enrolled in humanities and theatre classes are going to see professional live theatre this semester, with help from the foundation.

Among the plays scheduled are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.

Also, students will see Monroe’s own River Raisin Centre for the Arts production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

“The foundation has been very generous, and we’re happy to make these opportunities available to students,” she said.

Other grants that were approved, according to an MCCC news realease Dr. Joanna Sabo, professor of political science, for an award of $2,139. This grant will help offset student travel expenses for a study abroad program during the spring 2009 Semester. The program will be held in Southeast Asia and includes political science and art studies for almost three weeks in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Thomas Harrill, Roop Chandel, Martin Dubois, Bob Leonard and Parmeshwar Coomar, of the Industrial Technology Division, received an award of $2,139. This grant will be used to support Industrial Tech student attendance at electronics and manufacturing trade shows in Michigan in the fall of 2009 and the International Machine Tool and Automation Show in Chicago during the fall of 2010.

Tiffany Wright, instructor of early childhood development, received an award of $2,000, or early childhood development students to attend the annual Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Grand Rapids.

Mark Felder, director of the College/Community Symphony Band, received an award of $1,500. This funding will help pay for an original band commission, which will be written for and premiered by the Monroe County Community College/Community Symphony Band in October.

Lori Bean, associate professor of biology/chemistry, received an award of $1,500. This grant will be used by the Math and Science Society and Industrial Technology Division students to completely restore the telescope observatory decking at MCCC. Dan Shaw, humanities instructor, received an award of $1,498.

This funding will allow the members of The Agora staff to attend the National College Media Spring Convention in New York City in March.

Bonnie Boggs, director of respiratory therapy, received an award of $1,285. This grant will be used to sponsor three teams (four students per team) representing MCCC in the annual Sputum Bowl Competition conducted by the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care. The competition will be held in Lansing on March 31 and April 1.

Sandy Kosmyna, director of the Whitman Center, received an award of $800 to support a Lunch and Learn program at the Whitman Center from March 2009 through February 2010. Displays and guest speakers will address issues selected to enlighten students on contemporary topics, diversity issues and career development.

Further details may be found in the news section of MCCC’s website.

Feature

Jiffys in a jam, contamination shocks market Jennifer Niswender Assistant Editor

Would choosy moms choose this?

Many people have already heard about the nationwide recall on peanut butter. It seems that everyday another item or something else comes up about the recall.

Some may already be sick of hearing about it while others cautiously watch everything they purchase or eat. It seems like you can’t even turn on the television without hearing about the recall.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on Jan 28 the Peanut Corporation of America

(PCA) issued an expanded voluntary recall of all peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia facility since Jan 1, 2007.

This was shortly after the FDA initiated an inspection of PCA’s Blakely plant on Jan 9 after learning that this firm might be linked to the ongoing Salmonella outbreak.

The peanut butter and peanut paste is sold by PCA in bulk containers and isn’t directly sold to consumers. But throughout the investigation the FDA has determined that the PCA has distributed potentially contaminated products to more than 100 consignee firms, for use such as an ingredient in hundreds of different products such

as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, and ice cream.

Although, major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are not affected by the PCA recall, many people are still taking precautions and have stopped buying peanut butter altogether.

The peanut butter has been linked to a food poisoning outbreak that has so far killed approximately eight people and sickened more than 400 people in 43 states.

“I’ve definitely had to cut down on my consumption of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” Alex Gallagher, MCCC student said.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the list of recalls is expected to expand more than it already has.

“Well we get the recall orders in and pull the entire product for the lot numbers they send,” said MCCC student Kyle Lockmiller, who also works in the grocery department at our local Meijer. “I think the recall is BS. The company’s been sending out the peanut butter when it tested positive for Salmonella before testing it a second time like they’re supposed to.”

So next time your in the grocery store, make sure you watch what you’re walking out of the store with. You never know it could be contaminated.

Campus News THE AGORA 4 Throw out the scales Working out Beat February 19, 2009

Vladimir Vjatschslav Personal trainer/Sports coach/ Gym instructor The Agora presents a series of articles specifically focusing on health and fitness for the students, staff and faculty of the college.

Vladimir Vjatschslav, a fitness professor, recently replaced Tom Ryder as the new college fitness activities coordinator. He will be shedding some light on the lies and truths in the health and fitness world through his experience and expertise.

He hopes that readers will read this because they are genuinely concerned with their health and fitness levels. Look for future advice by Vladimir in coming issues of The Agora.

Students have many reasons not to be as healthy as they should: studies, home life, work schedules and the many other myriad of things going on that hinder adequate nutrition and exercise.

It doesn’t have to be that way. On campus we have the fitness center, we have the campus grounds, and we have the gym and multi-purpose room in the HEB building, more than enough to keep you from getting bored, out of shape and not achieving your full potential.

With all that said, let me start off with my first topic, weight scales and you! I hate scales, especially the mass produced ones that 99.9% of you have in your homes, and even the one we have at the fitness center here on campus! I hate them for a number of reasons.

Firstly they lie! They are giving you false readings and secondly depression.

Think about it, you weigh yourself after you have eaten, drank, and are fully clothed and have been up for at least an hour. The scales tell you a WHOLE number, not the individual components you really need to know. Your body fat percentage, your bone density, your lean muscle mass, your base water

level. No, all that it is telling you is what you and your clothing weigh as a WHOLE. My honest advice, throw the ruddy things out into the garbage and go out and get up to date scales that tell you what you really want to know about your body. An electrical impedance set of scales are best. The more info it can tell you the better they will be.

I bet you can agree that at some time you have been on the scales and gone wide-eyed at the 5+ pounds you just put on in one day! How was that, you didn’t do anything out of the ordinary? You didn’t break into a bun shop and start shoving down all the cream

Lifelong Learning: Fitness Excerpt Personal fitness Trainer Certification: $499 (Senior/Staff $399) Feb. 24 – Apr. 9 Tues/Thurs 6:30-9:30 p.m.

May 2 –June 13 Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Women’s Self-defense Seminar Thursday, April 30 7 – 9 p.m. $29

Pilates $199 Wednesdays 7 – 8 p.m.

March 11 – April 15 May 13 – June 17 Urban Fitness Circuit Boot Camp $132 Sat/Sun 7:50 – 9:10 a.m.

March 28 – May 10 June 6 – July 19 July 25 – Aug. 30

Zumba $49 Saturdays 11 a.m. - Noon April 18 – May 30 June 6 – July 18 Mondays 6:45 – 7:45 p.m.

March 23 – May 4 May 11 – June 22 June 29 – Aug. 3

Tae Kwon Do 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. $49 March 10 – 31 April 2-28 May 5-26 May 28- June 18 June 23 – July 16 July 21 – Aug. 11 Legs, Tums and Bums $64 Tues/Thurs 4:45 – 5:30 p.m.

May 12 –June 4

Progressive Circuit Training $99 Mon/Wed/Fri 5:30-6:30 p.m.

March 9 –April 1 April 6 – May 4

Medical expereince in high school Asia Rapai Copy Editor

There will soon be more local high school students on the MCCC campus.

A program beginning this fall will allow high school students to take classes at MCCC and study at Mercy Memorial Hospital. Students have the opportunity to obtain an Associate’s Degree and a High School Diploma.

This new medium of schooling is called Monroe County Middle College. Its focus is on preparing high school students for a career in healthcare.

“Monroe County Community College is happy to collaborate with Mercy Memorial Hospital and the Intermediate School District to provide health career opportunities to these students,” said MCCC President Dr. David Nixon in an article for The Monroe Evening News.

Students that are part of Monroe County Middle College with attend the school for 5 years.

According to the selected principal for the middle college, Robert Krueger the first two-and-a-half years are focused on general high school courses; the second twoand-a-half are focused on college courses and healthcare training.

Current MCCC students may not see a difference immediately, but within a couple of years there will be more students learning about health care at MCCC. Not only will there be more new students, but they will be younger than a majority of the current students.

In late November, MCCC President David Nixon said in the Toledo Blade that the future of the state economy lies in health care, and that is clearly evident at the community college, where 700 of the 4,500 students are enrolled in heath-related fields.

According to the Monroe County ISD website, the middle college will begin operation in Fall, 2009, with an initial group of 40-60 students.

Krueger said that they are developing an application packet for interested high school students. He added that they are not sure of all of the details yet and that they are working to develop the middle college.

“We are looking at other counties that have this program to see what has worked and what hasn’t, but we still want to make it our own,” Krueger said.

He hopes to start exposing the students to the health care field in ninth grade, and says that they should get exposure to it for sure in tenth grade.

“I’m jealous,” MCCC student Nicole Sampsel said after hearing that this is free for local high school students.

Middle College Will Include: •Rigorous curriculum •Student assessments via MEAP, MME, ACT and WorkKeys instruments •Focus on personal responsibility •Career option exploration

•Latest educational technology •Continuous evaluation of student achievement •Experience and class exposure to wide spectrum of hospital settings

pies in the shop! But according to your scales you have. It’s because your old scales don’t know the difference between five pounds of fat and the large breakfast you just ate.

If you get an up-to-date set of electrical impedance scales and want a guideline to how much you really weigh, do this. Get out of bed, go to rest room (use rest room!), stand on scales as nature intended and then weigh yourself.

This will give you an honest guideline to work from.

Do not think this is the be all and end all of your weight. Your metabolism plays a good part in this scenario, just as your exercise regime. Please do not look at your scales every day, they are there for a general guideline to work from, nothing more. Don’t be a disciple of the “Have to look at the scales every five minutes” brigade. I will go more into metabolism and nutrition/ fitness if I get asked back.

So, in finishing my diatribe to you good souls, use the facilities, join clubs on campus, start clubs on campus, watch what you eat and when you eat. Throw the scales.

Yoga – Level 1 $89 Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

April 18 – May 30 June 6 – July 18 Wednesdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

March 11 – April 15 April 22 – may 27 Level 2 Saturdays 8 – 9:30 a.m.

April 18 – May 30 June 6 – July 18 May 11 – June 5 June 8 – July 3 July 6 – 31 Aug. 3 – 28

to the

Tracks to add to your work-out playlist After surveying students and faculty The Agora staff complied this list

1 2 3 4 5

Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi The Middle – Jimmy Eat World Enter Sandman – Metallica Click, Click, Boom – Saliva Highway Star – Deep Purple

11. For Whom the Bell Tolls Metallica 12. Take My Breath Away - Berlin 13. Thanks for the Memories - Fall Out Boy 14. Please Don’t Stop the Music Rihanna 15. Move Your Feet - Junior Senior 16. In The End - Lincoln Park 17. Headstrong - Trapt 18. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor 19. Meant to Live - Switchfoot 20. Bar-ba-Sol - David Cook

Personal Training If your goal for the new year is to lose weight, get healthy and/or build muscle, then take advantage of MCCC’s fitness facilities and work one on one with a personal trainer. Your first consultation and fitness test will be free.

Dates and times will be coordinated between student and trainer. $40 per training session (sign up for 10 sessions in advance and receive a $60 discounts) Call (734) 384-4127 to register for one or more sessions. Currently enrolled MCCC students may train at a discounted rate.

6 7 8 9 10

$1 per slice & pop

Picture to Burn – Taylor Swift State of the Union – Rise Against Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard

Keep possessions locked up or secure Monday, Feb. 16 afternoon a set of keys was taken from an unlocked locker inthe men’s locker room. The thief moved the automobile from lot #1 to lot#2 and stole a small amount of money. The Sheriff’s Department isassisting with the investigation. We will keep you posted as informationbecomes available. In the meantime, please do not leave valuable items in the locker room.

Randy Daniels Vice President of Student and Information Services

Blood Drive:

Help save a life and donate to local supply

By Susan Banoski Staff

Monroe County Community College will have a blood drive on Tuesday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria in the A Building.

“This blood drive is needed to help maintain our community’s blood supply,” said Jennifer Rosa, donor recruitment representative for the regional chapter of the American Red Cross.

“College and high school blood drives account for 20 percent of our annual blood donations,” she said.

“We are hoping for a great turnout to help save lives of patients in our regional hospitals.”

Rosa said donations are needed to help patients continue to live.

“Every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion – accident victims, people with chronic disease, premature infants, or maybe a family member,” she said.

“This could happen to someone we know.”

Donated blood has helped save the lives of countless people in our community, but unfortunately, so few actually give, she said.

Students at MCCC are aware of the importance of giving blood.

“Anything one can do to help another human is worth it,” student Samantha McNamara said. “I consider it a privilege to be able to donate blood.”

Dayna Kosaeiny said giving blood isn’t a frightening experience.

“My family gives and so do I,” she said. “There were times when family members needed blood also and it makes me feel great knowing that I can help save lives.

James Vallade, a professor of mathematics at MCCC, agreed.

“I’m honored and consider it a privilege to give to help others

live,” he said.

Barry Kinsey, director of Workforce Development at MCCC and a longtime blood donor, was on the board of directors for the Western Lake Erie Region of the American Red Cross from 1996 to 2001.

The Western Lake Erie Region serves 11 counties, including Monroe, and needs to collect about 300 units of blood a day to meet patient need in 23 hospitals.

According to the Red Cross, whole blood has a shelf life of 42 days, which is why a consistent stream of new blood is needed to save lives in area hospitals.

In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Feb. 21 6 p.m. $3 admissions

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21. My Own Prison - Creed 22. Side of a Bullet - Nickelback 23. Avenged Sevenfold - Unholy Confessions 24. I Don’t Care - Apocalyptica 25. Breathe in Breathe Out - Bush 26. Hollywood Undead - Hollywood Undead 27. Hells bells - AC/DC 28. So Cold - Crossfade 29. I Hate Everything About You - Three Days Grace 30. Sweet Child of Mine - Guns N’ Roses

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Babylon’s Pride – Nihility

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

February 19, 2009

A&E

THE AGORA

5

Readership decides our fate Detroit Free Press ends daily distributing Casey Cheap

Copy Editor-In-Chief

Agora photo by Resa Waldecker

Enter the World of Youth Young Adult Literature provides enjoyment for all ages Resa Waldecker Page Designer

Transfixing the entire nation under a spell is no small task, but JK Rowling mastered it nationwide.

Readers of all ages can recall the excitement at the grocery store as the stampede of feet marked the start of a new day.

Both grandmothers and nineyear-olds drifted into reverie as they read of a world that they secretly wished they were a part of.

How could a book have an audience as young as seven and as old as eighty? Was JK Rowling using dark magic?

No, JK Rowling was only following the rules of a genre where readers can easily relate to talking hats.

Welcome to the world of young

adult literature.

The American Library Association defines YA literature as, “literature that welcomes artistic innovation, experimentation, and risk-taking.”

As a reader myself, I know the one thing I look for in a book is risk-taking. I want to read about something new. I do not want to read the same story I just finished.

The ALA also says that YA literature is known for “fostering understanding, empathy, and compassion by offering vividly realized portraits of the lives – exterior and interior – of individuals who are unlike the reader.”

Just like teenagers, adults want to know how others feel and how they experience the world, and reading gives us that ability.

YA literature in particular tells stories of children with disabilities who overcame the odds. Stories we can all relate to, but for some reason, society does not talk about.

Fortunately, everything is clearer through the eyes of a child, and YA literature lets readers explore characters who are not Cinderellas.

Young Adult literature does not have to be realistic, however, and Harry Potter is a prime example of this.

There is everything from the futuristic society where the government selects one boy and girl to fight until death in The Hunger Games, or there is the older spectrum of YA literature that is found in Double Helix.

Whatever your taste, I recommend you enter the world of youth.

“He chose the boy he thought most likely to be a danger to him ... and notice this, Harry. He chose, not the pureblood (which according to his creed, is the only kind of wizard worth being or knowing), but the half-blood, like himself. He saw himself in you before he had ever seen you, and in marking you with that scar, he did not kill you, as he intended, but gave you powers, and a future, which have fitted you to escape him not once, but four times so far.”

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

They’ve been around for centuries.

Originally funded by political and religious proponents, the first newspapers in the U.S. started publishing around the time of the Revolutionary War. This was a critical time in the history of journalism; those calling for war with England needed to spread the word of a social revolution and the tyranny of the English monarchy to the American people.

Of course pamphlets, magazines, newspapers and other forms of print journalism eventually helped sway public opinion and win the War for Independence.

But the power of the written word in a daily form was not truly tapped until the middle of the 19th century.

During a boom-and-bust age, it was not uncommon for calls of social reform to start in the local editorial pages. Aided by the great newspapers of America, it was also possible for the Women’s Suffrage and Civil Rights movements to begin.

Closer to home, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may never have been removed from office if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication to justice of a few reporters at The Detroit Free Press.

Unfortunately, those going into journalism have never had a harder time finding job security.

Because of the emergence of the Internet as a valuable and newsworthy tool, as well as television, talk radio and other forms of media, it seems the oldest form of entertainment and news

has been left out in the cold.

To put it bluntly, old-fashioned print newspapers could be in serious trouble.

But in a twist of irony, some of the same daily papers that are in trouble have never had more readers. Many of today’s readers get their news from newspaper Web sites that present the same information in the print copy and more — but most of the information is free.

The Agora may soon be following this trend. Because of widespread use of the Internet as a newsworthy tool, MCCC’s newspaper has plans to launch a website this fall.

Although readership might be up online, there are still a faithful few who get their news the traditional way, and from a variety of sources.

“I often get my news from the Internet, but also the newspaper,” said MCCC student Aimee Siebarth.

“I’m not a big fan of television.”

Although the newspapers have been struggling to keep up with Internet sources, it seems like an ever-losing battle. Newspapers such as The New York Times have included many forms of media under one outlet.

In doing so, some papers have been moving away from the printed portion. It is simply not economical to keep printing. It is also seen as a convenient way to dump people off strained payrolls without sacrificing the quality of writing.

Last December, the Detroit Newspapers revealed they would cut home delivery back to four days per week.

Although they will still keep printing a daily edition, they want to consolidate most of their resources to the online coverage and only print single copy sales versions of their papers that will be distributed

He’s just not that into you

Best friends start up local band Jeremy Hickey Staff

MCCC is home to students in one of Monroe’s upcoming local bands This is Everything.

Dustin Longnecker, MCCC student, and the main vocalist in the group, who gave his insights on his fellow band mates: “This is everything features Kyle Spottz, our bassist, who is currently attending UT in the pharmacy program, and he has definitely provided our band with a ton of instrumental creativity,” he said.

“Jordan Downing, our drummer, has a full time job, attends U of M, and is probably one of the most fun loving, exciting guys you’ll ever meet.

Kyle Wagenknecht, our guitar-

ist, is currently attending Monroe, and he’s basically just a crazy, goofy, kid who loves music.

This is Everything is heavily influenced by such bands as Blink 182, Brand New, New Found Glory, and Motion City Soundtrack.

“And then there’s me, Dustin. I sing and have been writing songs since forever,” Longnecker added.

The band has all its latest information posted on its MySpace at www.myspace.com/ThisisEverythingband.

The band spreads out many of the songs between an acoustic and an electric touch. Songs range with heavy tone, such as The Soundtrack of Your Life to the mellow tone in Mirrors and Judging Eyes.

The Influence of New Found Glory is apparent in their melodies as Blink 182’s influence seems to be made on the lyrics.

I suggest if the kind of music you prefer is kick-back and relax then this is the band you need to discover.

Surprisingly to some, the band is based on a group of friends who don’t drink or do drugs; they just simply like to play music.

On April 4 the band will be performing at Rick’s Music Café in Toledo.

“It’s about best friends sticking together and playing great music and not giving up on our dreams or belief no matter how big or small,” Longnecker said.

“Having the chance to meet new people is always cool, too.”

Friday the 13th

Emily Chandonnet

Jennifer Niswender

This romantic smack in the face definitely deserves five out of five stars for its brutal honest message, talented acting cast and easy to follow complicated storyline.

Based off the book He’s just not that into you by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo its message simply explains there are no rules when it comes to dating, love, or men and women for that matter. And if you don’t believe that then simply realize there are always exceptions to all the rules.

There are seven storyline all which intertwine and represent the most stereotypical love cases.

There is a married couple with adultery problems, a best friends with “benefits” situation that won’t become serious, a player who thinks he has all the answers, who gives advice to the girl who can’t find a guy to stick around, a dating profile and technology dating girl and a very long term relationship that refuses to commit through marriage.

This unbelievable cast is made up of Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston , Jennifer Connelly, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Connolly and Ginnifer Goodwin.

This movie is for everyone. Ones in love or alone, those exploring the dating world or just wanting friendship. There are tons of laughs, serious moments and rule defying advice. This movie questions all we’ve been taught about men and women since we were little, all of which are lies.

Horror movie lovers, Friday the 13th is a must see.

The newest remake of Friday the 13th was released into theaters recently and is one of the longest-running horror film series made. The movie brought in an estimated $19.5 million in its debut.

The murderous spirit of Jason Vorhees lives on in this sequel. Clay, who is played by Jared Padalecki, is in search of his missing sister and friends who had gone missing in the woods surrounding Crystal Lake. Though the police and locals all warn Clay to stay as far away from Crystal Lake as possible, it’s the only lead he has, and he isn’t willing to give up until he finds his sister.

He isn’t the only one visiting these woods, either. A group of thrill-seeking college students have just arrived at Crystal Lake hoping for a fun weekend.

As Clay and one of the college girls, Danielle Panabaker, search for clues, Jason emerges to show them just why the locals have avoided these woods for years. Is Clay searching for his sister just a waste of time? Or is his sister still out there waiting for her brother to come rescue her?

Whatever the case, Friday the 13th keeps viewers suspenseful until the last slash of the knife.

Editor-in-Chief

‘This is Everything’

at news stands on the other three days of the week.

In another unprecedented move, the Christian Science Monitor, one of the oldest and most circulated in the United States, announced it would no longer print and become strictly an online news outlet.

It may be a matter of time before others do the same.

Last December, the Tribune Company, which owns both the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

It cited plummeting newspaper sales and advertising revenue, as well as $13 billion in debt. Both daily papers—as well as a host of their subsidiary daily papers—may not survive in print form.

Deep cuts in the business more recently have put many media outlets on edge across the nation.

Seeing how the U. S. economy has ground to a halt, advertising dollars may become even more restricted before the problem is corrected.

In essence, the economic crisis is almost certain to weed out and shut down less profitable papers across the nation.

Much like what e-mail has done to the ailing U.S. Postal Service, the Internet has starved America’s daily papers of both readers and advertisers.

No one really knows what the future will hold. But what is certain is the law of supply and demand. If there is no market for it, the newspaper will undoubtedly go the way of the ham radio.

So the question will soon become: just who is reading, what are they reading, and where are they reading it?

Those are the most important questions this generation of journalists must figure out.

Because time is running out.

Assistant Editor

A Tribute to Bette Midler featuring Kathy Thompson Saturday, March 7, 2009 La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theatre Reserved Seating $20 VIP Seating $30 For tickets go to monroeccc.edu/theater or call the cashier’s office at (734) 834-4272

February 19, 2009

Feature

THE AGORA

6

Spring Break Agora photos by Emily Chandonnet

Mary Rose Takacs

Cost

Page Designer

Pressed for cash?

Here are ways to help your money last on spring break At spring break, all inclusive packages tend to be the less expensive way to go. The earlier they are booked the better package of airfare and hotel reservations; sometimes a vehicle will be included for much less then the individual going rate.

Depending on your destination and how many are in your party determines your choice of travel.

Taking into account, the number of people and how much a plane ticket would be per individual by the miles in a vehicle and how much gas cost will show which will be better economically.

Also take into consideration, if traveling by vehicle, the gas price changes along the way and at your destination.

When determining your place of stay have your student I.D. number with you to mention during reserva-

tion making and confirming. Most places fail to mention Spring Break discounts. Carry your student I.D. on vacation to show at restaurants, movies etc It may save a few bucks.

Before heading off, if driving, pack a cooler with homemade food, and buy snacks at places such as Target, Kroger or a Dollar General store to take with, providing less spending on the drive.

If flying or another form of travel, pack a cooler and buy food at a local store, not on the beach. Beach prices are usually double or triple at beach concession stands and restaurants.

When driving to and from your destination, watch your speed limit.

Always have a designated driver as well, and be careful not to have too many people in a vehicle. Police patrol is heightened during spring break.

For additional ideas check out: blog.gocollege.com, moneysmartlife.com, collegeuniversity. suite101.com.

Magic Kingdom

Chichen, Cancun Mexico Epcot

Panama & Daytona Beach

Where warm

Mary Rose Takacs Page Designer

Every year, from the middle of February until mid April, college students around the country take trips for spring break.

Many students travel to Cancun, Mexico, Daytona Beach, Florida and Panama City, for the warm weather, crashing waves, hot sun, beach bashes, and volleyball tournaments.

Each of these destinations is unique in its own ways, providing a variety of activities and places to check out.

Cancun, Mexico, attracts nearly 200,000 college students each spring break season, according to paradiseparties.com.

Cancun offers such things as MTV’s spring break headquarters at Fat Tuesdays.

Soaking up the sun on the pure white sand or diving into the crisp waters for scuba diving, and snorkeling.

The nightlife is filled with exotic themes, light shows and dancing until sunrise.

There are also historic sites to see, such as the Chichen Itza tour, of the Mayan Ruins.

An adult ticket of $55 will give the “Clasico” Tour, showing the Mayan culture, and climbing 91 steep wide steps is the “ball court” where the ceremonial games took place.

The Beach at Panama City welcomes over a half a million college students every year for spring break, according to paradiseparties.com.

There are 27 miles of pristine white sand making up Panama Beach.

Along it, sponsors such as Gatorade, Right Guard and Ice Breakers hold contests and activities for free

giveaways.

Every evening, as the sun sets, a cannon is blasted to mark the start of the nightly parties, and Club La Vela the largest in the U.S. fills to the brim.

Daytona Beach expands over 23 miles along the middle atlantic shore line of Florida.

In the early 1900’s car races were held on the beach, which is now prohibited, but driving on the beach is not.

Surfing, skim boarding and sail boarding are just a few of Daytona’s activities offered to learn.

Nightclubs such as 600 North, The Oceans Deck and Razzels are lined with lights, loud music and dancing all night.

Daytona is also a short driving distance from Walt Disney World.

In a day at Epcot Center, 13 different counties can be seen and experienced.

The Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World can bring childhood right back to the heart.

Animal Kingdom, another park at Walt Disney World, has exotic wildlife from around the world roaming around up close and personal.

Also within a short drive, Universal Studios shows the behindthe-scenes effects from Hollywood films.

These are just a few of the top spring break destinations for warm weather, hot sun, sandy beaches and new experiences.

For more information check out: www.cancunandrivieramaya.com, www.springbreakdirect.com/daytona www.springbreakdirect.com/ daytona, www.paradiseparties. com/destinations, www.visitdaytona.com, www.associatedcontent. com/user/148547/brandon_kingston.html.

Tanning: Does fake baking have more benifits than just bronze skin Mary Rose Takacs Page Designer

Why do people tan, is it more helpful or harmful From the middle of February until the 1st of June is peak season for tanning salons in the north.

There are several reasons people go to tanning salons and there are many pros and cons to it.

With spring break, vacations and proms being just around the corner, some customers are looking to gain a bronzed glow.

Many desire a no tan-line appearance if they are going on a vacation.

“People tan before vacation so they don’t burn,” Stephanie Duling, owner of Sunseekers Tanning in Temperance, said.

People also tan for self image.

“It’s kind of like, “why do people work out?” It’s because they like how they look and feel. The same goes for tanning,” Kari Fuerstenberg, employee at a Monroe Electric Beach salon, said.

“Tanning is also recommended to people with bad acne. The ultraviolet light and rays from the tanning bed can help clear up people’s skin,” Fuerstenberg said.

The desire to gain a mood and energy boost is also sought after.

With sunshine being seen sporadically in these winter months, vitamin D3 is difficult to absorb from the sun’s UV rays.

Tanning bed rays can help the body produce this vitamin and hormone, which effects the signals within the brain dealing specifically with the mood.

Other means of obtaining Vitamin D3 is to buy it in capsule form from a local health food store.

There are harmful aspects to tanning as well.

Overexposure to UV rays can cause wrinkles, irritation and a leather look to skin particularly when older, and on facial skin.

“Moisturizing and taking proper care of your skin will help you,” Fuerstenberg said.

Understanding your skin type and how it reacts to different kinds of tanning lotion can also be helpful.

There are different indoor lotions designed for specific results, such as accelerators, bronzers, tinglers and coolers, and they range from $15 to $130.

Each of these have a base to protect the skin from a burn; however burning can occur.

Malignant Melanoma is one of the most common forms of skin cancer, which has been known to become activated due to overexposure to UV rays.

“It appears as an asymmetrical, irregular shaped area with mixed shades of tan, brown or black. This is the most deadly type of skin cancer. 1 in 5 will die,” according to the center for disease control, www.cdc.gov/nasd.

Particularly, if tanning on a regular basis, the risks can increase 55 percent, and is more common among women between the ages of 20 and 29, according to American Academy of Dermatology.

“A harmful aspect of tanning that most people probably don’t think of is eye damage,” Fuerstenberg said.

The ultra violet (UV) rays from the beds can penetrate through the thin layer of skin on our eye lids, causing possible color distortion, trouble seeing at night, and cataracts disease, according to www.all-tanning-beds.com.

The human immune system can also be affected.

The radiation tanning beds emit this break down tissues within the body and affect the body’s ability to heal itself.

With these different beneficial and harmful aspects to tanning, there is a new method reaching the northern states, or spray tan, also known as Mystic Tan. This allows for a right-off-the beach tan look, without the UVB or UVA rays from tanning beds.

“I love it, it takes five minutes, and lasts five days,” Stephanie Duling said.

Not all the benefits have been discovered, nor the harmful effects studied with spay tanning, but it provides another new option.

For more information check out, www.all-tanning-beds. com, www.ezinearticles.com, www.cdc.gov.com and www. vitaminshoppe.com.

Staying local Alan McKee Staff

There are many spring break ideas, right here in Michigan! Believe it or not!

College spring break for students generally is translated as: Warm weather destinations, partying, sandy beaches, partying, maxing out the credit cards, partying, returning home and getting back to school.

Here’s an idea! Instead of heading south, why not go north? No, not north to Alaska, but to the U.P. There is a place aptly named Nature’s Kennel in McMillan, Michigan near Harbor Springs of the Upper Peninsula.

This is where you can experience live dog sledding. They provide a team of dogs. Guides will lead you through training for harnessing a sled team, provide advice, and then allow a trial two mile run.

A typical adventure involves a 20 mile trip to camp to spend a night sleeping in tents, then returning to the base the following morning.

Doesn’t that sound fun?

Party

If there’s still snow left, tobogganing runs are scattered throughout Michigan, as well as snow skiing slopes and cross country ski adventures.

If you’d rather stay close to home (that is if you reside in the Monroe area), Splash Universe Dundee is an indoor water park, located next to Cabela’s March 1 will mark the Grand Opening of the Women’s History Month Exhibit at the Monroe County Historical Museum beginning at 10 a.m.

On March 7, Dundee is hosting the 12th Annual German Festival Dinner Dance at the Old Mill Museum. Tickets for the event are $20, which includes food and live music.

If you’ve never danced the Polka, here’s your chance to add a bit of culture of the past, which is still admired today.

Sitting around for a week playing video games and watching reruns just adds to the winter time blues.

The common saying of “There’s nothing to do around Monroe,” is just a fallacy.

vs.

Miranda Panik Page Designer

Spring break has a reputation for being a week full of drinking and debauchery. Many students make their way to popular places such as Panama City Beach, or Cancun, Mexico,to indulge in a week full of partying.

For others though, spring break is the perfect time to relax and clear your mind of stress. Though these experiences are vastly different, they are equally as enjoyable.

For Eric Johnson and three of his friends, their spring break trip to Daytona, Florida was five non-stop days of alcohol and adventure.

“We probably went through at least five cases of beer between the four of us while we were down there. It was awesome. Everyday started off by walking on to the balcony, looking out at the beach, crackin’ open a can of beer. It was just non-stop. We even attempted surfing one day, but that didn’t go over so well.”

Relax

Many spring breakers have this same story.

“We knew this was going to be the only time we could really afford to go on a trip like this, so we just wanted to go all out,” stated Johnson.

Devon Williams’ spring break story is a little different.

“My friends and I decided we still wanted to take a trip, but none of us could afford to go anyplace far.

Plus, none of us were really into the party scene. Instead, we took a two day trip to Frankenmuth.”

“We went shopping at Birch Run, and walked around the town. Some people would consider it to be really lame, but it was surprisingly fun. We just wanted to relax for the weekend without breaking bank.”

Spring Break can be the perfect time to party, or it can just be a week to relax and spend much needed time with your friends. Even if you want to take a trip, it doesn’t mean you need to empty your life savings to do so.

Party On!!!

Laid Back

February 19, 2009

Sports

THE AGORA

7

Red Wings Rant

Hossa vs. Franzen Casey Cheap

Copy Editor-in-Chief

Now it’s really crunch time.

With all the attention on the Detroit Red Wings being the masters of the capped salary, probably the worst news to hit Detroit hockey fans is this bleak reality: the Wings more than likely can’t keep both Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa.

“Both are vital to the team,” said Red Wings fan Jason Balk. “Hossa scored a goal at the game I was at Jan 29th, against Dallas.”

Henrik Zetterberg was safely tucked away by the Wings after signing a 12-year, $73 million deal.

That really only leaves Detroit heavyweights Hossa and Franzen left to vie for what increasingly looks like one spot on the roster.

Previously, the talk in Hockeytown was whether the Wings could keep Zetterberg, Franzen and Hossa. But with Z’s future sealed in Detroit, only Franzen and Hossa are in question.

“The ‘talk’ was that depending on what Zetterberg took for his 12year contract, it would be possible to keep both Franzen and Hossa if

one of them took less money,” said Balk.

Although it would be hard to give up Franzen, I firmly believe Hossa is the guy Detroit needs for the future of the franchise.

Hossa, 29, has been in the NHL since 1997 when he was drafted by the Ottawa Senators.

Since then, he has also played with the Atlanta Thrashers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hossa, along with superstars Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby, played a big part in why Pittsburgh made a Stanley Cup bid last year.

After defeat from the hands of future teammates, Hossa signed a one-year deal just before the NHL season began last fall. But he clearly stated his intentions at the beginning of the season.

He wanted to spend one year in Detroit pursuing a Stanley Cup. Whether he won a Cup or not, he might be out after his one-year, $7.4 million contract expires.

Hossa turned down a lot of money to come to Detroit.

Because of other weighty con-

tracts amongst the Wings, General Manager Ken Holland’s hands may be tied when it comes to offering Hossa enough money to stay in Detroit.

And not yet knowing the salary cap for ‘09-‘10 does not help.

Some fans believe turning down Marian Hossa would be a mistake.

Hossa almost looked as if he was the unofficial leader of the Wings in their unusually sluggish home start to the 2008-09 NHL season.

At the beginning of the season he was unstoppable, and since has acquired 30 goals and 25 assists in just over a half season of play.

That puts him 5th in goals and 59th in the league this season, respectively.

The four-time NHL All-Star has also racked up 329 goals and 374 assists in 754 games played in his NHL career.

At this point, it is hard to say whether or not Detroit can offer enough money for Hossa to stay.

But if he can get a big enough contract, and Hossa does except it, Franzen would most assuredly have to be cut loose.

Kristin Stepinski Page Designer

Once a wing, always a wing.

The Detroit Red Wings drafted Johan Franzen in the third round back in 2004.

Since the 2005-06 season, he has continued his role as a power forward on one of Detroit’s top lines.

With the recent signing of Henrik Zetterberg to a 12-year deal, it seems that Franzen’s days in Detroit might be numbered.

Big players like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart and Marian Hossa are scooping up most of the money under the salary cap.

The last time Franzen signed his name on the dotted line, it was for just over $2.5 million for three years. Needless to say he has been grossly underpaid.

The key to this whole situation is Hossa. After Holland signed Hossa and goaltender Ty Conklin to deals over the summer, everything changed.

Apparently Hossa wants to stay in Detroit and sign a long-term deal now. Holland has come out and

blatantly said that the Wings will only be signing one player before July 1, when free agency opens.

So who is going to get the deal?

While Hossa’s thirty plus goals a season are great, its no substitute for the grit and determination that Franzen brings to the table day in and day out.

Franzen has been a wing for his entire NHL career, he knows the system, the people in the front office know him and love him, and he has been nothing short of solid during his four and a half years in Detroit.

Hossa is one of the best players in the league, but he hasn’t always played for the best teams.

Drafted by Ottawa, sent to Atlanta then dealt to Pittsburgh, he finally ended up in Detroit for a year. During his ten years as a player in the NHL, Hossa has spent a lot of time bouncing around the league.

Hossa hasn’t had the time to sit and gain experience with one team like Franzen has been doing for the past few seasons.

Franzen has since taken a liking to the big points and big plays. In March of ’08 he scored six-game

winning goals in one month, breaking a record set by Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe.

That same year, he scored a crucial overtime winner in the swing game against the Nashville Predators, putting the Red Wings up 3-2 in the series.

During the playoff series against Colorado, Franzen scored two hat tricks and nine total goals in a four game sweep of the Avalanche. The entire Colorado Avalanche team didn’t even get nine goals in the series.

Franzen also currently holds the franchise record for most goals during the playoffs. He shares the record with Zetterberg as both scored 13 goals during last year’s Stanley Cup run.

Franzen scores big points. Big points win big games.

He seems to find that extra gear every April come playoff time. The question is, does Hossa have that same ability? And does he have it with the Red Wings?

All things considered, Ken Holland has a difficult decision to make in the coming months, and it will be exciting to watch.

Kenseth’s season starts with win at Daytona Rain shortens NASCAR’s season opener Kristin Stepinski Page Designer

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.

Everyone at Daytona International Speedway muttered the phrase over and over as the fans huddled underneath the grandstands and drivers and their crews gathered in car haulers and garage spots.

Everyone except for Matt Kenseth.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, Kenseth made it very clear that he wanted NASCAR to pull the plug on the race right then and there. He might as well have just said hand me my Harley J. Earl trophy, snap a few photos, sign the paycheck and lets have everyone get home a little bit earlier tonight.

Kenseth got his wish and won the 51st running of the Daytona 500 last Sunday.

He can thank good ‘ole Mother Nature for that $1.5 million paycheck.

The clouds loomed over Daytona Beach all day long. Fans looked up at the darkened sky and wondered if they would even get to see the race.

The rain held out, the fans got to see three quarters of The Great American Race and Kenseth won the biggest race of his life, even if it was only the Daytona 380 instead of the Daytona 500.

Kenseth started at the rear of the 43 car field after a crash during Thursday’s qualifying race forced the Roush Fenway team to unload a backup car.

“This backup car is actually way better than the 500 car,” Kenseth told NASCAR. com. “I felt pretty good going into this morning, but I didn’t dream we were going to win.”

With a push from Kevin Harvick, Kenseth passed Elliott Sadler for the lead on the final green flag lap before NASCAR threw out the yellow flag signaling a rain induced caution.

NASCAR had the cars continue circling the track for a few caution laps, in the hopes that the rain would move on. It became clear that the rain was in Daytona to stay and NASCAR red flagged the race, bringing the cars down pit road on lap 152.

One quick look at the weather radar screen sealed Kenseth’s fate. The rain was there, and it wasn’t going away.

Tears flowed from Kenseth’s eyes as he received the news that the race was official.

“It’s going to be really wet out here because I’m crying like a baby,” Kenseth said.

A thirty six race losing streak can do that to a man.

“I actually am a pretty emotional guy.

You guys just don’t always really see it,” he told ESPN.com. “I just wanted to wait until it was either over or we were going to go race again. I didn’t want to let my emotions get too high one way or another.”

Harvick finished just behind Kenseth in second. A.J. Allmendinger earned his

Far left, cars come around the bend begining the Daytona 500.

Left, Matt Kenseth holds the Harleys J. Earl trophy, after winning the Daytona 500.

Agora photo by Kristin Stepinski

career best finish in third place, in front of Clint Bowyer in fourth and Sadler who ended up in the fifth spot.

Kyle Busch had a strong car all day and could have been a threat for the win but a wreck between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brian Vickers ended his hopes of taking home the trophy.

After a difficult Speedweeks for Tony Stewart, the new car owner rounded out the week in Daytona with a top ten finish, coming home eighth.

David Ragan and Michael Waltrip finished fifth and sixth respectively. Reed Sorenson and Kurt Busch rounded out the top ten.

MCCC hosts March New recruits bring hope basketball tournament to UM’s 2009 Wolverines Michael Crossman

Assistant Copy Editorw

It’s time to put up or shut up.

MC3- 3 on 3 basketball tournaments have been re-formed, and are asking for participants interested in competing. The deadline for registering your team is March 2.

“I’ll probably play in the tournament,” Jeremy Moody, MCCC student, said.

“I just haven’t seen any flyers posted around campus about it at all,” he said.

Potential combatants are asked to create a roster of three motivated ballers, and one alternate.

The cost is $60 per team. The tournament will take place on March 14, at 9 A.M. and will be played in the Health (H) Building located on the North part of campus.

The tournament is for those ages 15 and up. So the alternate seems to have been created for the elder participants in case of a broken hip.

“I think it will turn out to be pretty good if enough people show up to play” Aaron Maurer, MCCC student, said.

“It’d be even better of they offered a cash prize for the winner,” he said.

Even though there is no monetary gain from being champion, prizes will be given in the form of medals

Sponsored by Student Government

MC₃3 on 3 2009 March Madness Basketball Tournament

Staff

Michigan football suffered the most losses in school history during their 2008 campaign.

However, to all the critics’ ,and so called “fans” considering that this season was the Wolverines “worst” season, check your sources!

Yes, the Rich-Rod Wolverines lost more games last season than any other season in the university’s 129 years of existence, but wouldn’t the worst season be based on winning percentage?

In fact, if one says that the 2008 season was the worst season in Michigan football history, they are saying it was worse than their 1881 0-3 season, or even their 1934 and 1936 seasons which combined for 2 wins and 14 losses.

Although 2008 was contaminated with upsets and doubt in the future of Coach Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense, 2009 brings along with it a new set of hopefuls.

Michigan’s recruiting class this year is ranked number seven in the nation bringing in 22 new faces If there are any questions regard- with new aspirations of earning the ing registration or the tournament right to play for a BCS title. contact Tom Ryder at (734) 384Along with Michigan’s 5 star 4201, or tryder@monroeccc.edu. recruit in DT William Campbell, Michigan will be bringing in 13 Four Star recruits to the 2009

Saturday, March 14 at 9:00 a.m.

Health Sciences Building MCCC Main Campus

Registration deadline: Monday, March 2 $60 per team

For more information contact: Tom Ryder, Events/Student Activities Coordinator (734) 384-4201 tryder@monroeccc.edu 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. Monroe, MI 48161 to the first, second, and third place teams.

All participants in the tournament though will be presented with a Tshirt commemorating their experience.

Jeremy Hickey

season. One of the 4 stars includes QB Tate Forcier, San Diego, who many are convinced, may earn the opportunity to be under center for the Wolverine offense this season.

“Forcier gives Michigan the opportunity to run the spread offense the way Rich-Rod wants it” Garrett Stevens, MCCC student, said.

“I think 2009 will bring a huge turn around, and 2010 might even bring home a national title,” he said.

Denard Robinson, Florida, also adds another dimension to the spread running a 4.48, 40 meter.

Robinson was a quarterback in high school, but is considered an outstanding all around athlete anyone would want to add to their roster.

Key players Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown .and the promising young Michael Shaw will be returning in the back field this year for the Wolverines. Martavious Odoms and Darryl Stonum will be

Michigan’s Top 5 Recruits of 2009 DT QB QB WR DB

William Campbell Tate Forcier Denard Robinson Cameron Gordon Vladimir Emilien

MI CA FL MI FL

returning at wide receiver, and are expected to heavily improve the passing game.

With all the pieces set up for a more promising Michigan football team, expectations are much higher than in previous years.

Coach Rodriguez used his get out of jail free card last season.

Some also speculate if he does not meet the requirements as head coach for one of the most prestigious football programs in the nation, he may find himself unemployed.

Michigan Football 2009 Schedule Sept. 5 -- Western Michigan Sept. 12 -- Notre Dame Sept. 19 -- Eastern Michigan Sept. 26 -- Indiana Oct. 3 -- at Michigan State Oct. 10 -- at Iowa Oct. 17 -- Delaware State Oct. 24 -- Penn State Oct. 31 -- at Illinois Nov. 7 -- Purdue Nov. 14 -- at Wisconsin Nov. 21 -- Ohio State

8 THE AGORA

Spotlight

February 19, 2009

Local teen gives back through horses Brandy Werner Copy Editor

MCCC student Brinna Dunn loves the feeling of giving back to her community.

Brinna has been volunteering at Stepping Stones Therapeutic Riding Inc. in Monroe for more than 4 years.

“I think it’s amazingly fulfilling to work with the riding students,” she said.

Stepping Stones is an organization that provides horseback riding lessons to people with mental or physical disabilities in Monroe.

Riding a horse is therapeutic for the students. For some, it is the first time they are ever able to move on their own.

“After a while, each one of them becomes a friend of yours,” Brinna said about the riders. “And when one day someone comes to class no longer on crutches, or no more supported by their mother or father, but walking on their own, you feel like your world is a little bit better, a little bit brighter.”

At first, Brinna didn’t realize the connection she would make with the students.

“When I began volunteering, I had just turned 13,” she said. “I was horse crazy like most girls that age are. I wanted to work with horses, and my neighbors told us about Stepping Stones. So I decided to try it out.”

She has loved it ever since.

Brinna volunteers her time at the stable once a week for three hours, April

through November—when their program is in session. She usually works as a leader—someone who walks the horses for the riding students.

“My job is easier or more complicated depending on the horse and the level the rider is at,” she said.

Throughout her years volunteering there, Brinna has been able to make many friends.

“The other volunteers at Stepping Stones are wonderful people to work with,” she said.

The stable has only one paid employee, the main instructor, Linda Bolton, and the rest of the workers—from the aisle sweepers to the president of the board—all are donating their time to the program.

“When I first came to Stepping Stones, I couldn’t even groom a horse,” Brinna said. “Now I am one of their best leaders. It’s all thanks to the concentrated efforts of our amazing instructor, Linda, and many more experienced volunteers who showed me the ropes.”

Brinna has not only helped out during riding sessions, but on other days also. The horses need more work than what they receive in class.

“I learned how to lunge, fully tack, and ride a horse,” she said.

She also was able to make a connection with one of the stable’s more obstinate horses, Pistol.

“We make an excellent match most of the time as horse and rider because we are both extremely stubborn,” Brinna said. “Pistol has probably taught me

more about working with horses than any human expert ever could.”

Brinna has helped the riding students show the horses at the Monroe County Fair.

She said one time at the fair stuck out in her mind. The independent riders—the students who can control their horse on their own—were showing. The class consisted of three girls from Stepping Stones.

“Seeing these three individually from week to week, I hadn’t noticed their progress,” Brinna said. “But standing there, I didn’t see three handicapped girls anymore. I saw three accomplished horsewomen.”

“Maybe altogether that is what the program has taught me—these children may have a handicap or may be mentally challenged in some way, but somewhere inside, they are just the same as everyone else. If only we could help them all unlock that door.”

Volunteering at Stepping Stones has led Brinna toward wanting to become a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

“When you have a bad day at school or work and are feeling sorry for yourself, you go to volunteer and see that child who is confined to a wheelchair,” said Brinna.

“Their every movement causes them pain, and yet you see that child laughing and smiling at the world as though they have nothing to worry about.

That’s when your troubles seem to melt away, and you find yourself smiling at the world too.”

Sponsored by Student Government

Want to learn more about Stepping Stones?

Any volunteers are appreciated and can help with the horses, promotion, or adminstration.

Contact: (734) 241-0915 Or e-mail: volunteer@ steppingstonesmonroe.org

Brinna Dunn leading for a student named Jafia on the same horse at the fair last year.

Photo courtesy of Brinna Dunn.

FREE STUDENT ADVERTISING!

Want to be a Part of a Rock Band?

If you are interested in showing the world your talent, and you are a good musician, then we are in need of you. MCCC’s own, Andrew Mutter and Kyle Lockmiller are looking for someone with experience of playing electric lead guitar and are interested in continuing their passion on to higher levels.We already have places to play and many more on the way. So if you are interested please get a hold of: Andrew Mutter @ 734-915-8860 O-pcs_atm@hotmail.com

Need to sell your books, looking for a roommate, or want to teach music lessons but don’t know how to get the word out? Send your Ad to agora@monroecc. or drop it off at room L 202. You can design it or we can.

Just give us the info and we will put it in our next issue. Ads for March 26 issue should be sent in by March 19.

Bring in elementary school supplies to donate to local youth and schools

Collection Spots: A Building by ATM Library Foyer

MCCC Whitman Center 7777 Lewis Ave., Temperance, MI

Feb. 11 - March 14

Transfer Fair

Questions? Call 384-4186 or email us at agora@monroeccc.edu

March 11 4 -7 p.m.

Mercy College of NW Ohio

Talks to representatives from:

University of Findlay

Easter Michigan Univ.

University of Michigan

Heidelberg Univ.

University of Toledo

Lawrence Tech Institute

View exhibit booths and learn about available majors, prerequisites, financial aid and scholarships and distance earning opportunities.

Winter Semester

Meyer Theater Entertainment

For more information and to purchase tickets online go to monroeccc.edu/ theater. Or call the Cashier’s Office at (734) 834-4272.

Band and Chorale ‘Collage’ Concert

Lourdes College

Siena Height University Spring Arbor University

Whitman Center Mona and Friends

March 2 - 19 Mon-Fri 8-4:30 p.m.

Sat. 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

An invitational exhibition featuring interpretations of the mona Project and portraits by members of the Athena Art Society For more information: 734-847-0559

Students!

We need your imput

Sunday, February 22 2:30 p.m. • 7:30 p.m.

Free A Tribute to

Bette Midler featuring

Kathy Thompson Saturday, March 7 7:30 p.m.

Reserved Seating: $20 VIP Seating: $30

Remembering the Raisin:

Perspectives on the War of 1812 Thursday, March 12 Hors d’oeuvre Reception: $25 6:30 p.m.

Lecture: Free 7:30 p.m.

Magician/Comedian James Michael Friday, March 20 7:30 p.m.

Reserved Seating: $15

Do you know an outstanding professor? How about a librarian, or advisor? Then nominate them for the Outstanding Faculty Award.

One full-time, as well as one part-time faculty member will be chosen, based on your nominations, as faculty member of the year. To nominate the staff member of your choice, go to www.monroeccc. edu and click on the link for the OFA nominations no later than Friday, Feb. 27.

Criteria: Leadership Knowledge Interest Fairness Integrity

Student Government Corner Next meeting: March 10

Want to get involved on campus?

Join Student Government All meetings: - Open to the public - Every 1st and 3rd Tues.

- Located in the Cellar - From 12:30-1:30 p.m.