4-9-2010

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Monroe County Community College

April 9, 2010 Vol. 54, Issue 3 www.mcccagora.com

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MCCC’s Big Read kicks off pg. 8

Architects look at sites for new Career Tech building Marissa Beste Staff

Two possible locations for MCCC’s proposed new Career Technology Center are north of the Life Sciences building and behind the Health Education building.

The potential locations were introduced at the Campus Development Committee’s March 31 meeting.

The architectural firm, Hobbs + Black of Ann Arbor, which was selected by the college last summer, has created drawings for the future building, placing it in different locations on campus.

The possible locations will be discussed further by the committee, and issues such as parking and wetland areas will be studied by the architects to determine the best place for the new building.

Originally, the Life Sciences building was constructed as a half-building in 1972, which left room for future development.

The land behind the Health Education building was a space holder location, meant to be a place where possible athletic fields could be created.

The college owns all the land that extends to the Monroe County ISD, Bennett said.

It’s still unclear when and whether the building will move beyond the planning stage.

“We do not have the money yet for this building,” said Tim Bennett, Vice President of Business Affairs at MCCC. The new building could cost anywhere from $10-$17 million dollars, depending on the size and how much is put into it, Bennett said.

As part of the state’s funding process, the college needs to show the state it has 50 percent of the necessary money. The state would then supply the other 50 percent.

To see more architect’s drawings, visit The Agora’s website, www.mcccagora.com.

“We cannot, as a community college with state funds, just build a building,” Bennett said.

The college has to get state permission to build a new building, partly because of colleges that constructed buildings in the past without planning for how to operate them. Then they would go to the state and request money to operate the buildings, Bennett said.

“It’s a long road,” MCCC President David Nixon said. “All the planning that is being done right now is essential because money could fall out of the sky. It could be in a stimulus package from the federal government or some other place.”

Bennett said the MCCC Foundation has looked at capital campaigns and talked to fund-raisers about raising money for the new building.

It also conducted a study in the community to see whether the building would get support, which was met with positive responses.

The college wants to build the new Career Technology Center to replace the East and West Technology buildings, since the technology in those buildings is outdated.

The East and West Technology buildings would be remodeled and used for other needs on campus, he said.

Each technology faculty member has been consulted to determine their present and future program needs, which could be accommodated with the new building, Bennett said.

Images provided by Hobbs+Black Architects

Agora photo by Marissa Beste

Above & Lower Left: Architect drawings of the potential Career Technology Center.

Lower Right: MCCC Vice President Tim Bennett presents architectural drawings during a Campus Development Comittee meeting March 31.

Tuition rates rise for Fall In-county students will pay $72 compared to the current $67

Asia Rapai Staff

Sheriff’s deputies are looking for this suspect, whose picture was taken by the bookstore security camera.

Thief takes $8,000 of merchandise from bookstore Andrew Hoppert & Marissa Beste Assistant Editor & Staff Member

An investigation is under way for a string of thefts in the MCCC Bookstore between March 3 – 10.

According to the police report filed by Monroe County Deputy Jason Peters, an inventory check made by Bookstore Director Jean Ford found that $8,000 in inventory was missing from the store.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5’10”, 180 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Ford does not suspect him to be a student, because he was in the store at a time when very few students were on campus.

See Thief, Page 2

INSIDE: Editorial...................2 CampusNews.........3 CampusNews.........4

MCCC students gave mixed reactions to the tuition increase for the Fall.

“I still think the prices here are pretty good,” student Diane McIntyre said.

Student Todd Sawyer disagrees.

“I don’t think it’s right. I think they can find other ways to accommodate problems,” he said.

A $5 per credit hour tuition increase was approved March 22 by the Board of Trustees.

Trustee Bill Braunlich read from a report prepared by the board’s Strategic Financial Planning Committee.

“MCCC continues to face serious and accelerating challenges at a time of record enrollment and record demand for services,” Braunlich said.

The report included information on MCCC’s financial background, recommendations for the cost of tuition, and notes to explain the suggestions to the board.

Tuition for in-county students will go up $5 per contact hour, a 7.5 percent increase. Out-ofcounty-students’ tuition will increase by $9 per contact hour, and out-of-state students’ tuition will increase by $10.

Board Chairman Bill Bacarella defended the larger increase for out-of-county residents.

“This college is meant for Monroe County students,” Bacarella said.

There will be no increase in the technology

fee for the Fall.

Because of the unstable economy, tuition rates will be analyzed each semester, Braunlich said. Winter 2011 tuition rates will be reviewed in the fall, he said.

In comparison to other Michigan colleges and universities, MCCC still has a relatively low tuition rate. The increase moves MCCC into a tie for the lowest tuition among community colleges in the state.

With a predicted enrollment increase of 3 percent, the rise in tuition is expected to bring in $800,000. That will help with a predicted revenue loss from local and state funding of $1.5 to $2 million, according to the committee’s report.

To make up for some of the remaining shortfall, the board has decided that any extra income should be left in the college’s reserve fund.

Braunlich said having any kind of positive number at the end of the year is great, but it doesn’t tell the story of what is missing.

“We aren’t getting enough surplus funds to meet the college’s needs,” he said.

“We don’t have the money to launch new programs,” Braunlich said. “It costs close to half a million dollars to launch a new program.”

The money in reserves is used to support the cash flow into the college. It is used for unexpected expenses and maintenance costs.

“It costs between $1.1 million to $1.2 million to keep status quo at the college,” Vice President of Business Affairs and Treasurer Tim Bennett said.

Braunlich said if there is no new money in the reserves, they would eventually run dry.

“That would be an economic Armageddon for this institution,” he said.

Visit The Agora’s website, www.mcccagora.com, to see a video of the views of MCCC’s President and Trustees.

Another concern of the trustees was that record enrollment does not translate into record revenues.

But because of the record enrollment, there is a record demand for MCCC’s services.

Only about 30 percent of the college’s revenue comes from tuition, Bacarella said.

The other two thirds of revenue are created by income from property taxes and state funding.

“Property taxes are down by 14.67 percent,” Bacarella said.

Bennett has previously explained that revenues from property taxes decreased by 2 percent last year. The last three years before that, the college received a 4.8 percent increase in revenues from property taxes.

State funding for the next year could decrease by a projected 3.1 percent, according to the committee.

“The state has no legal obligation to fund us at all. A discretionary funding formula is used to calculate the amount we will receive,” he said.

The college has no control over these forms of revenue, Braunlich said.

“MCCC is working hard just to financially tread water,” Bacarella said.

Fitness Center Hours:

Feature....................5 A&E..........................6 Feature....................7 Campus News.........8

Enriching the students across Southeast Michigan

See Tuition, Page 2

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Visitour ourwebsite websiteat:at:www.mcccagora.com www.monroeccc.edu Visit

2 THE AGORA

Editorial

Tuition

Continued from page 1 The trustees said the budget is out of balance, because it will not generate the surplus money MCCC will need for its future health and prosperity.

“Even if a new building was donated to the college, we couldn’t afford the operating expenses for the building,” he said.

Braunlich also pointed out that tuition was not raised last year and that the switch to contact hours was a methodology change, not a rate change.

Financial aid is becoming increasingly available, he said.

And the more costly health care programs continue to experience record enrollment.

“We must balance all obligations to all of our stakeholders,”

Tuition rates for Fall 2010: Current Rate Fall 2010 rate

In-District Students

$67

$72 (+$5)

Out-of-District Students

$115

$124 (+$9)

Out-of-State Students

$128

$138 ($10)

Braunlich said.

“These are my personal thoughts; if I have any concern, it’s that we’re not raising tuition enough in light of the concern.”

After the committee’s report was reviewed, Trustee Linda Lauer read a statement she had previously prepared.

“We must continue to ask hard

questions about major policy changes and assess the effect that our policy decisions have on our constituents,” she said.

“Let’s not disempower our students or our great staff by framing the debate in a self-defeating manner. It is a “rainy day” for the college; it is a monsoon for our constituents.”

April Fools: pranks and paybacks You go to get some water out of the faucet and next thing you know the sprayer shoots you with water. This is a classic prank on April Fools’, but how do you bounce back from the humiliation?

Do you just forget what happened and move on? Heck no!

Revenge is in order. Some classic pranks range from harmless and funny to sad and humiliating.

One funny prank includes changing people’s most frequently used phone numbers to numbers for psychic hotlines, WalMart and Wendy’s. Just imagine someone calling their girlfriend and getting, “Hello Wendy’s”.

This would cause the person to wonder if they have called a girl named Wendy or the restaurant.

Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, “Wow that sounds a tad lame.” Okay then, let’s step it up a notch. You can pull one of the greatest pranks in all of April Fools’ history. Please take into account that it could make the other person cry.

Take some plastic wrap and put it right under the toilet seat. Then, just when the person goes to get rid of their bodily fluids, they will splash up on them. It will be funny to those hearing them shriek outside the bathroom, but not so funny to the person it happens to.

Carla Crockett Staff

If someone has played a prank on you, you know it’s not always fun. Here are a few more pranks to help you get (insert name here) back.

Go out to eat with (insert name here) and let the server in on the joke. Have the server print two bills for the table with the same amount. Pay the one bill before they send the other to the table.

Make sure you take (insert name here)’s money out of their wallet beforehand. Then, just when the server sends the bill, whoever you’re with will go to pay and realize they don’t have any money.

(Insert name here) will try to explain the situation to the server,

and the server will say the bill has to be paid somehow. Just when the person you’re with starts freaking out, tell them you’ve already paid and have their money.

If you don’t want to be that mean to someone, you can pull a few harmless pranks. Save all of your friends or family member’s contacts on a phone card and delete all the contacts from their phone. They’ll go to call someone and have no contacts or contact history.

Iranian’s celebrate a holiday similar to our April Fools. It is called Sizdah Be-dar, and it is the thirteenth day of their New Year.

They believe that joy and laughter clear the mind from all evil thoughts.

No one really knows when April Fools’ began or who started the tradition but it is believed that Pope Gregory XIII may have started it. According to infoplease. com, when the Pope changed the New Year from April 1 to Jan. 1 some people refused to make the change with him. They would play pranks and make a fool of people to celebrate the New Year.

So, maybe we don’t celebrate April Fools’ because of the New Year. We just enjoy a day of playing pranks on others and having a good laugh.

Stuck in Monroe:

a New York retrospective Going to New York might have been the worst thing I could have done at this point in my life because now I hate being anywhere else.

I experienced more cultural and financial diversity walking down one New York block than I have in my entire life. You can walk 100 yards in any direction to appease any need. Don’t like driving, expensive gas or a car payment? No problem there. There was success everywhere; I was bumping shoulders with the best people in every industry.

Now I am back in Monroe.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate our small, highly unemployed city (or state), but NYC fit my personality, lifestyle and goals more than any other place I

Danny Shaw Web Editor

have ever been. Job opportunities seemed to be around every corner, along with a food vendor to grab a hotdog along the way.

I met journalists from The New York Times, Time Magazine, The

Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker and Time Out New York.

I even met a journalist working for the NY Times who is only 24 years old– what have I been doing these past few years?

It was downright inspiring, but I did have a feeling of self-contempt at times. To see people my age doing so much in the Big Apple really put my life into perspective. That is where I need to be.

Being around inspiration, culture and success was a reminder of the payoff of being a poor college student juggling multiple jobs, school and bills. My new goal: make it back to NYC and stay for good.

(The Agora staff visited New York City March 12-16. See story Page 3.)

Spring classes have pros and cons Tired of not getting a parking space or having to stalk people out to their cars to get one? Well then, maybe you should take spring classes at MCCC. Spring Classes may sound great to those who don’t have a lot of time to get an education with smaller classes, more parking spaces available, and a short time frame.

The only problem is that it’s a much faster pace with all the work of sixteen weeks crammed into only six weeks. With all the work of sixteen weeks, some classes require more work but less production for the same amount of money.

Registration started March 15, but you still have some time to register before Spring semester starts May 17. I would hurry before the class you want fills up.

Carla Crockett Staff

“Almost every semester, among the first to fill up are online classes,” Registrar Paul Schmidt said.

If online classes don’t interest you, many of the general education classes such as English and Science are also among the first to fill up.

Class sizes are smaller because fewer people take spring classes.

Average class sizes for lecture classes are 30-35 people, but it varies by class type.

There are 104 classes to choose from this spring, not including the few summer classes. It is a pretty good selection for a short amount of time.

According to the Data Record, after the drop period last spring we had 1,624 students enrolled. It was not an all time high, but still pretty good for only a six week semester.

So whether you’re on a tight schedule and work full time or just want to take a few classes, the Spring Semester is an overall good idea. It will definitely test you on your procrastination.

April 9, 2010

Thief

Continued from page 1 “It’s just a feeling that I have; I could be totally wrong,” Ford said.

During this period, no students were working in the store, she said.

A photo of the suspect from video footage was sent via email to staff members, but he has yet to be identified.

Authorities are having difficulty identifying the subject, because he is believed to have left in three different vehicles, Ford said. The license plate numbers for each could not be obtained.

Each time, he entered the back seat. The front seats were occupied by two other individuals.

On March 3, a delivery person advised Ford that he had witnessed a male stealing a book

from the store.

Ford recognized the subject.

He had previously been coming to the store and documenting book information and prices.

Ford reviewed video footage from that week. She found that on March 5, the same subject came into the store with a backpack on his back. He walked to the back of the store, and left with two backpacks that Ford said appeared to be full of books.

The following Tuesday, the suspect came into the store. Ford approached him and spoke to him about the current book sales.

Ford does not believe that he took anything during this time, but she is not sure.

The next day Bookstore Associate Annette Russell witnessed the subject walk into the store, place a book down his pants, and walk out. Russell and Ann Gerweck, another associate, fol-

“Bookstore thief strikes again!”

lowed him out of the store after calling security. When a security vehicle arrived, he exited the building through a different entrance. Russell and Gerweck, who denied comment, did not follow him.

The theft has caused the store to stiffen security measures. Security personnel will be utilized more often than in the past. The store is in the process of rearranging its layout, so the more expensive inventory is in sight of the counter.

The store is also hoping to install more security cameras, and, if necessary, a security system.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating the theft.

If anyone has any information on the suspect or sees anything suspicious, please call campus security at (734) 384-6007 or the switchboard at (734) 242-7300.

Cartoon by Dylan Gallagher

Agora takes to the Web When The Agora staff launched a Web site late last year, it was a huge adjustment.

Instead of deadlines once every three weeks, the staff was responsible for a 24/7 news site.

Journalism on the Internet doesn’t have any deadlines. “As fast as you can,” is the rule.

When an event ends, people expect to go back to their home or office, jump on the Internet and find news coverage. The story, photos, video and other media aren’t due the next day or the next week – they’re expected now.

Agora reporters are dealing remarkably well with this new reality. Several have completed stories within a few minutes or hours of the end of an event.

Two weeks ago, when the college Board of Trustees increased tuition by $5 a credit, reporter Asia Rapai had the story on www. mcccagora.com within an hour after the meeting. She updated the information the next day, and then added a video of officials explaining the increase.

Last week, reporter Marissa Beste posted a story the same day the Campus Development Committee heard a report on potential locations for a proposed new Career Technology Building. The next day she added a longer story and several images of architect’s drawings.

It was the first time most members of the MCCC community

Dan Shaw Adviser

had a chance to see the architect’s drawings, which show how the building might fit into campus.

A theft at the college bookstore also was reported on the Web site as soon as The Agora heard about it, along with a photo of a suspect – which could help authorities identify the man.

All three of those stories are on the front page of today’s print edition of The Agora, although they’ve been updated somewhat.

For members of the MCCC community who haven’t read the stories online, they’re still news.

There are other stories in this edition that haven’t been on the Web site at all.

These examples highlight the new relationship between print and Web faced by all news organizations – from The Agora to the Monroe Evening News to the

The Agora Staff Members Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Niswender Assistant Editor Andrew Hoppert Web Editor Danny Shaw Photographers Symone Thomas Ashley LeTourneau Designers Mary Rose Takacs Marissa Beste Morgan Hofbauer

Copy Editors Brandy Werner Asia Rapai Staff Susan Banoski Ashley Hammer Carla Crockett Adviser Dan Shaw

New York Times to CBS News.

Reporters and editors have to decide with each story whether it should go immediately on the Web site or be held for the print edition or the 6 o’clock news.

Helping students make decisions like these – as well as learning the skills to tell stories in multi-media – is the reason I’m teaching a new course this semester: New Media Journalism, JOURN-181.

The class, which will be offered again in the Fall, explores the full range of issues that journalists deal with on the Internet. From how to produce a news video to how to blog or use Facebook to find sources, it’s a potpourri of Internet journalism.

The Intro to Journalism class, is a prerequisite. But that can be waived for students with experience in Web design, video or other multi-media skills.

Most journalism doesn’t change from one medium to another. Facts are facts. The search for truth is the same, whether in a newspaper, a TV news show or online.

But the Internet offers journalists a full toolbag of possibilities for how to tell stories. With www. mcccagora.com, the Agora staff now has all tools, too.

(Dan Shaw teaches journalism at MCCC and is adviser to The Agora. He can be reached at deshaw@monreoccc.edu or 734-

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 Room 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, 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 also are welcome.

E-mail them to agora@ monroeccc.edu or bring them to our office.

April 9, 2010

Campus News

Brandy Werner Staff

The Agora staff got the chance to meet the country’s top journalists, walk around Central Park, see Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” and experience the site of the 911 tragedy all in one weekend.

Nine members of the Agora staff traveled to New York City Mar. 12-16 to attend the College Media Advisers Spring National Convention journalism conference.

The convention gave students the opportunity to learn about all aspects of journalism—from designing pages to interviewing techniques.

It offered several one-hour sessions a day, over the span of three days, that were put on by journalists from around the country. The conference featured keynote speakers like Brian Stelter, a media reporter for the New York Times, and Terry Moran, the co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline.”

Among those impressed by the convention was Agora Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Niswender.

“My favorite part about the National Spring Convention, besides New York City, was that I was given a chance to tour one of the best and biggest newspapers in the country, The New York Times,” Niswender said.

“It was so amazing to be able to see a real live newsroom and hear about the tools and techniques of publishing the daily newspaper.”

Agora copy-editor and reporter, Asia Rapai, also enjoyed the convention.

“After each session, we could ask the presenters for their contact information,” Rapai said. “This was probably the best part of going to the conference. Especially in journalism, it is super important to network.”

“In this conference, we were given a chance to connect with so many different types of professionals who were all willing to offer their knowledge and support.”

Rapai was especially impressed by a session put on by a few women from a small town in Virginia who went on to work in New York City.

“They showed that through their hard work, they made it to the big city and are successfully working in a field and city that they love,” she said.

“After the session, I was all excited. I went up to the women, got their contact information, and thanked them over and over again for showing me that I could really achieve everything I’ve been dreaming of for such a long time.”

THE AGORA

3

The trip was an experience for the Agora staff on a personal, professional, and cultural level, said MCCC Agora Adviser Dan Shaw.

“On a personal level, students get to experience living and working in New York City for five days,” Shaw said.

“On the professional level, the students are exposed to dozens of top-flight journalists and journalism educators from around the country. They get to sit in a fairly small, intimate room with people like the multi-media editor of the New York Times and the design editor of the Washington Post. That’s an amazing opportunity.”

The trip was a cultural experience as well, he said, with the students having visited three New York City museums—The Museum of Modern Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the 911 Tribute Center.

“Imagine looking into the crater that was the World Trade Center in the afternoon, staring at Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” masterpiece that night, then ogling the first brontosaurus mounted in a museum the next day,” Shaw said.

For Agora Web Editor and staff reporter, Danny Shaw, this trip was his first to a big city.

“Going from small-town Monroe to big-city New York was a wake-up call. We are missing out on so much diversity and culture,” he said.

“Inspiration seemed to find me at every street corner, on every subway train and in every skyscraper– it made my life goals grow in size.”

“During the trip it was nice to get to know everyone on staff with all titles aside,” Jennifer Niswender said.

“We all got to bond just like best friends.”

Adviser Shaw said that half the fun of the trip was watching the students have fun, learn, and experience New York.

“From the look on their face when they walk out of the subway into Times Square for the first time, to the late-night discussions about how to improve The Agora, it’s immensely rewarding for me, just to be part of it.”

The trip inspired Asia Rapai.

“The sessions were really motivating and gave me inspiration to continue to challenge myself,” she said.

Photos and illustrations by Ashley LeTourneau (except the staff photo, which was taken by a total stranger).

4 THE AGORA

Campus News

April 9, 2010

Faculty contract negotiations scheduled Asia Rapai Staff

Bargaining teams for MCCC and the faculty will meet for the first time April 13 to begin faculty contract negotiations.

This is the first meeting where the teams will discuss the next steps in the negotiations process.

Chief Negotiator for the faculty Pat Nedry said the faculty has prepared for this meeting.

“We’ve met to talk about approach and things that we want to get done,” he said.

“I mean, some of this is prescribed protocol.”

To begin the process of negotiations, either party could show interest in initiat-

ing bargaining for a new contract between Jan. 15 and May 1. The faculty did this on Feb. 15, MCCC Faculty Association President Mark Bergmooser said.

MCCC responded with an interest to enter into arrangements for negotiations on Feb. 19, Bergmooser said.

Since then, both teams have worked to arrange a time for their first official meeting.

“There was contact with the two chiefs, working out some of the preliminary details, floating some dates, and picking one,” Nedry said.

After contact was made, and MCCC gave the names of their team members, the faculty added another member to their team. The newest member is Tim

Cady, Michigan Education Association Uniserv director.

With his addition, each bargaining team has three members directly related to the college, and one off-campus member.

Cady will serve as a team member for the faculty, along with Terri Kovach and Tracy Rayl.

MCCC’s team includes Randy Daniels, Grace Yackee, and Molly McCutchan.

Rob Boonin, attorney for Butzel Long (the college’s law firm) will serve as chief negotiator.

After this first meeting, a time will be arranged between the faculty and MCCC to meet again and continue with negotiations.

“A major challenge is finding times convenient for all team members to meet at the same time,” MCCC President David Nixon said. “It is complicated, because each person on each team has a different schedule.”

The next meeting could be scheduled during the first one, Nedry said.

“It’s the easiest way to do it, when everybody is sitting in front of you.”

The results of this first meeting cannot be predicted at this time, but Nedry has his own expectations.

“I’m optimistic,” Nedry said. “Some of what’s going on around us could be more upbeat, but we’ll see what can come out of reasonable people.”

“A major challenge is finding times convenient for all team members to meet at the same time.”

Dr. David Nixon MCCC

President

LGBTQ club welcomes new members Carla Crockett Staff

Photo courtesy of MCCC.

A giant inflatable slide provides a good time for two girls at last year’s Family Fun Night. This year’s event is from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 23 in the Health Building.

Family Fun Night needs help

Marissa Beste Staff

Family Fun Night is one of Student Government’s largest events of the year, and they could use your help.

The annual family event is an inexpensive and fun evening for families in the community.

“We have a lot of things to do including carnival games, giant inflatables, family photos, The Toledo Zoo, Magicians, Face Painting and Fire Trucks,” Tom Ryder, adviser of Student Government activities said. “It should be fun.”

Families can enjoy all of these activities for only $1.

This year’s Family Fun Night will take place on April 23 from 6-9 p.m. in the Health Education Building’s Multi-Purpose Room.

Student Government needs approximately 80 volunteers for the event.

Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and pizza after the event, thanks to Scott Smith from Farmer’s Insurance.

Volunteers can help any time during the event.

Previous years have brought over 700 members of the community to the event.

This year, they are expecting over 1,000 community members to attend.

“This is a fun and affordable event for the students, staff and community with families,” Ryder said.

New to the event this year are critters from the Toledo Zoo. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Tom Ryder at 734-3844201 for a volunteer form as soon as possible.

Student Government Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 13 Time: 12:30 p.m.

Location: Student Government room, back of the Cellar in the Administration Building.

MCCC Broadcasting Club

Next meeting: April 29 - 7.30 p.m.

Subway @ M50 & Telegraph

Family Fun Night Presented by Student Governmet

Friday, April 23 6 - 9 p.m.

Health Building For more information, contact Tom Ryder, adviser of Student Government and Student Activities Coordinator at 734-384-4201

The newest group to hit MCCC is the LGBTQ Club.

LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning club. This doesn’t mean they prevent anyone from joining; they welcome anyone into the club.

“It’s about forming a miniature community within the college,” LGBTQ President, Nik Fuentes said.

They have roughly 20 members and have been an official club for two months.

They got new members by advertising with flyers and having a signup sheet on Diversity Day at the College.

Ryan Davison got the idea for the group along with Fuentes because MCCC did not have a club like this previously. Davison helped Fuentes set up the club and get the club started because he had former experience making clubs at his last college.

LGBTQ will be meeting Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and possibly Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. as well. They are trying to use the Cellar but are possibly reserving the conference room in case the Cellar is too full.

They are starting to plan events for the coming months and are open to ideas and suggestions. One of the events includes a possible movie night on campus showing either an upcoming or old movie. It was discussed, but the plans are still in motion.

Anyone can join the LGBTQ club. Their main goal is not to make people uncomfortable with any “political” issues or talk about anything that would make anyone feel out of place. They want to have a safe space for people to socialize and relax.

If you are interested in joining the LGBTQ Club contact Jerry Morse at (734) 384-4318 or jmorse@monroeccc.edu.

Feature THE AGORA 5 Ninth annual Antiques in April April 9, 2010

Mary Rose Takacs

Fast Facts

Staff

MCCC is hosting the ninth annual antique show this weekend.

The show has quickly become one of the most recognized antique shows throughout the Midwest.

“Since the show started 10 to nine years ago, we usually have 1,500 to 2,000 people come through the door that weekend,” Tom Ryder, MCCC’s Campus Community Events/Student Activities coordinator.

Ryder begins planning several months in advance for the antique show.

The exhibitors from last year are given first pick for an exhibitor space, and those new to the show are then given the opportunity to seal a space.

“Usually 50 to 55 exhibitors show,” Ryder said.

“It varies, because sometimes exhibitors want two spaces.”

Each exhibitor has collected unique items of various use, style and price.

“If you collect stuff and love antiques you’ll find something there,” Ryder said.

The show will display much of the unique home decor, elegant china and high fashioned furniture

Where: When: Time:

Cathy Spearing is the April winner of the Enriching Lives Performance Award at MCCC. The award was created this year to honor employees for their contributions to the college Each month, MCCC students or employees can nominate a coworker to receive the award. Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible.

Cathy Spearing is the second employee to be given the honor since the program was launched.

Spearing has worked at MCCC for nearly 20 years. She began at the college as a part-time employee in 1990 and became a full-time employee at the Whitman Center in 2001.

She was given the position of Administrative Assistant to the director of the Whitman Center.

For Spearing, the most enjoyable aspect of her job is having contact with the students.

“I feel really fortunate to get to know the students, and some on a regular basis. I enjoy that they’re not just total strangers,” she said.

A big part of Spearing’s job is to help the students in whatever way possible.

“I answer questions about the college, how students enroll, and how to apply for student aid. I register students and collect tuition and I help trouble-shoot Webpal and Blackboard,” Spearing said.

Those are just some of the responsibilities of Spearing’s job.

She also helps the faculty and handles the room assignments.

“Just about anything you need done here for the college, we can do,” Spearing said.

Spearing works within a small

From 9 a.m. to 5

p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Jewelry of all kinds, coins from around the world and clothes from various eras will also be displayed.

Many of the collector’s antiques and collectables

will be available for purchase, as well.

“Most everybody sells [their wares] because they have to pay for their exhibitor space,” Ryder said.

The exhibitors will be awaiting the public buyers as the show starts on Saturday.

Cost:

Cathy Spearing wins April performance award Staff

Saturday April

10th and Sunday the 11th

Whitman employee honored

Mary Rose Takacs

Health Building

Blood drive missed goal; still success

By Morgan Hofbauer Staff

“Cathy is an awesome employee; she is so helpful to everyone, including to myself. At Whitman Center, she needs to know every entity of the college and provide the information to the students and faculty.”

Sandy Kosmyna Director, Whitman Center

staff at the Whitman Center.

There are four full-time and three part-time employees.

“I really enjoy working for Sandy, she’s a great boss,” Spearing said.

Sandy Kosmyna, Director of the Whitman Center, and Dagmar Martin, Business Learning Lab Technician at the Whitman Center, nominated Spearing for the award.

“Cathy is an awesome employee; she is so helpful to everyone, including to myself,” Kosmyna said.

“At Whitman Center, she needs to know every entity of the college and provide the information to the students and faculty.”

Kosmyna is happy to see people acknowledging Cathy Spearing and appreciating her hard work.

Spearing feels honored that Kosmyna and Martin nominated her for the award.

“I think it was their way of thanking me for all I have done,” Spearing said. “It’s very nice and touching, very touching.”

$3.00 per person

Agora photo by Ashley LeTourneau

Cathy Spearing, administrative assistant at the Whitman Center, received the April Enriching Lives Performance Award at MCCC.

A Red Cross blood drive, hosted at MCCC, missed its goal by nine donations but still had a successful turnout.

The second blood drive this semester collected 66 units of blood, bringing the number of donations given this semester up to 149.

“We projected the goal at being 75 units, so in terms of presentation it was down a little bit,” Communications Manager of the Red Cross Annie Marckel said, “but it was definitely still a good turnout.”

Several things were changed in comparison to the last blood drive, including gaining more beds and staff, giving out water bottles to every donor, and not continuing the raffle that was done in January.

Student Government also added costumes to gain support.

“There’s the blood drop costume, and I got the life saver one,” Student Government member Katey Strube said, “so that’s something that we did do differently.”

Despite the Student Government’s attempts, donations decrease in the spring and summer.

“They’re having a lot less people donating this spring,” Strube said.

Barton Blossom, a Red Cross supervisor for six years, shared her sentiment.

“We’re in a high need priority right now,” Blossom said. “For whatever reasons, the blood donations in the summer go down.”

Blossom pointed out again that one full blood unit can save up to three lives and the double-red machines take up to six.

“The double red machines take out double the red cells and give back the plasma,” Blossom said.

“It takes a little bit longer but you get twice as many life saving products.”

Another blood drive will be hosted at MCCC on May 25.

6 THE AGORA A&E Saline Fiddlers entertain MCCC April 9, 2010

Morgan Hofbauer Staff

On Saturday, March 20, a group of high school students from Saline, Mich. performed their musical talent at the Meyer Theater.

The Saline Fiddlers revealed rhythm and humor to the audience through alternative styles of melody and dance.

Their music is an engaging assortment of classical, jazz, swing, Celtic, and bluegrass, which has been publicized in as illustrious places as the White House.

With 475 seats purchased, the Fiddlers had the Meyer Theater nearly filled.

Between their scales and measures, the students revealed further talent as choreography and clogging were infused. By utilizing the walkways of the theater for dancing and brief comedic skits, the Fiddlers engaged the audience.

From the beginning of the show to the end, the students kept the energy high and positive. The string instruments accented popular songs such as works from the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and the Chordettes, and revealed some of their own original tunes.

With such a unique blend of influences, it seems hard to pinpoint an accurate genre.

Ian Waters, a senior at Saline High School and violinist for the Saline Fiddlers, even mentioned the impossibility of directly defining their style.

“We have Michael Jackson, the Beatles, traditional bluegrass,” Waters said. “There are so many different things in one place it’s extremely hard to define it.”

Another unusual blend that the Fiddlers strive to define is the line between stardom and reality.

The group began in 1994 when Bob Philips, the music teacher for the Saline schools, began a fiddling class for the middle school. Upon the hope of continuing throughout high school, the Saline Fiddlers was created.

Photo courtesy of Mark Spenoso,MCCC photographer

The Saline Fiddlers performed at MCCC on March 20. The high school group has performed at the White House and has released eight albums.

“We were then called the Fiddlers Philharmonic, but nobody knew how to say Philharmonic so we became the Saline Fiddlers at that point,” Artistic Director Ben Culver explained. “So we’ve grown ever since to where now we’ve got students in all grade levels.”

And grow they did, performing at the White House on three separate occasions, and performing at George W. Bush’s presidential inaugural ball.

They have toured the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Germany, and opened for many other famous artists.

Instead of being swept away by the publicity, Culver tries to keep the kids in other activities and

‘New Moon’ DVD disappoints students MCCC student Liz Baker said.

“The books are better, because it’s not bad acting,” “Twilight Saga: New Moon” made $72.7 million MCCC student Erin Kirkpatrick said. on opening night, according to Hollywood Insider.

Kirkpatrick remembers seeing the first Twilight The movie made more than “Twilight” but still movie in theaters. The entertainment she received was not up to par, as it disappointed Stephanie Mey- was from the kid in front of her. er fans.

“The best part about Twilight was the kid in front Nobody I interviewed on campus went out at mid- of us making fun of it.” night to purchase the DVD on opening night. Let’s So maybe the movie wasn’t as good as the books. see, go out and stand in line at Wal-Mart? Or go there It still managed to capture attention with the new cast the next day to buy the same DVD when you’re out for the Volturi. Dakota Fanning plays Jane, an evil and about? looking woman with a gift to hurt. Even though the I see no point in rushing to buy something when Volturi only have a small part in New Moon, they will be in more of the Twilight films to come. you can get it the next day.

Also making an appearance throughout the film is When asked what age group this movie appeals to, MCCC Student Jennifer Swope had some comical the werewolf pack from La Push. The “wolf-pack” seemed to win some people over to “Team Jacob” thoughts.

“Teenie Boppers and Justin Bieber Fans!” she with their constant tearing of clothes and showing of their abs. said.

“I know what he did to you, but Bella, I want you Now to those who saw the movie, this might seem to know I will never hurt you”, Jacob Black tells a little harsh. Most diehard fans were originally fans Bella mid-movie. of the books.

Even though the movie entertains for approxiWhen asked if the books are better, a few MCCC mately two hours and two minutes, it still didn’t live students had this to say: “Yes, books are always bet up to people’s expectations. ter , it’s not spoon feeding information, you get to It’s just another movie for lonely women to besee it in your h e a d , ” come more depressed as the movie drags on or for those who have a relationship to “ooh” and “ah” o v e r , while eating a pint of Rocky Road.

Carla Crockett Staff

pushes them to follow any career choice whether it is fiddling or not.

“Our goal has always been to give them as much professional experience as possible without any of the garbage that can come along with that,” Culver said.

“So we could certainly take it further but it would come at the expense of losing balance. Our kids are all pretty involved in different things so it would be a really tough choice for them at a time where I don’t think it’s an appropriate choice.”

Violinist, singer, and clogger, Desi O’Brien said that though performing is her passion, she has other

plans for her career choice.

“I plan to keep playing the violin somehow during college at least,” O’Brien said. “I’m hoping to go into biology or nursing, something in the medical field, but I definitely want to keep playing the violin.”

“I’m probably going to follow a similar course. I’m also interested in the life sciences, and in addition I definitely want to keep playing my instrument,” Ian Waters added.

The Saline Fiddlers are now working on their ninth album and the group tours the U.S. regularly.

For more information or tour dates, visit their Web site at www.SalineFiddlers.com

Film Reviews

How to Train Your Dragon Danny Shaw Web Editor

Yes, yet another computer-generated 3D movie, but don’t worry, “How to Train your Dragon” isn’t terrible– but that doesn’t mean it’s great either.

Mixing good voice acting and even better animation, Dragon definitely shows off its budget with great production values. It’s just too bad the feel-good storyline doesn’t deliver. Perhaps I am spoiled on rival animation studio, Pixar, and their streak of excellent movies.

Taking place solely on a cold, wet Viking island, Dragon doesn’t hesitate to show the creative styles of the dragons that torment the human populous. Not all dragons look like the English lore we’ve all grown up on. Some look a bit like salamanders, others have two heads. One type of dragon even sets itself on fire. It all adds up to be pretty cool.

Typically, the movie drags us down the path of “the bad guys are just misunderstood” storyline. It turns into the they-hate-us-we-hate-them scenario.

Dragon might not ascend to the heights of a Pixar-quality flick, but it does hold its own. Keep in mind it truly targets the younger audiences.

Overall, it’s worth spending the extra cash to see it in 3D, but don’t expect too much substance.

Storyline: 5/10 Visuals: 8/10 Acting: 8/10 Overall: 7/10

Hot Tub Time Machine Danny Shaw Web Editor

With a movie titled, “Hot Tub Time Machine,” you can’t expect too much depth– but expect some good laughs.

The premise is a bit obvious: there is a hot tub, and well, it’s a time machine. Three 40-something buddies, and one of their nephews, decide to go a ski lodge where they spent their teen years partying. They reminisce, get drunk and hop into an outdoor hot tub that happens to act as a portal to 1986.

They look like their 1986 counterparts to everyone but look normal to the audience and to each other. From here on out, it follows a “Back to the Future” path while mixing tones of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

Hot Tub manages to capture the feel of dumbfunny 80’s comedies while putting in a bit of vulgarity that has defined new age comedies.

Prepare yourself for plenty of prostitute and sex jokes, repeatedly used expletives and a throwback storyline. Overall, you’ll get your laughs and 80s nostalgia here, but not much more than that.

Laugh Factor: 8/10 Storyline: 7/10 Acting: 6/10 Overall: 7/10

April 9, 2010

Feature

THE AGORA

Lunch and Live Music Morgan Hofbauer Staff

The MCCC dining hall welcomed acoustic musician Kevin House.

The solo performer played his blend of original acoustic music and covers of popular 90’s songs for an hour and a half on Wednesday, March 24.

House said he got into music because of his father, who has been a musician since high school.

“My dad’s been in a band since he was 16,” House said.

“And I’ve been playing for about two years now.”

The music he pulls inspiration from is bands that he listened to as a kid and teenager.

“A lot of Rob Thomas, Goo Goo Dolls; a lot of 90’s, basically. It’s what I grew up with,” House said. “80’s too but I like acoustic because it’s more personal than a band, more my style. More than half of what I play is original though.”

MCCC’s Student Government got the performance together, along with the help of Tom Ryder.

“Katie Barth, on Student Government, asked me if I wanted to play so I came in and talked to Tom Ryder about it,” House said.

The student government co-historian met House through House’s girlfriend, April Stahl.

“We went to high school together,” Stahl said. “She’s come over and seen him sing before.”

The performance didn’t gain much popularity due to the location and timing, but the audience that wasn’t preoccupied with meals and homework applauded his talent.

“It was a little awkward because people are eating and whatnot, but it’s somewhere to play,” Stahl said.

Despite the busyness of the crowd, House said he would love to play at the campus again.

“I like acoustic because it’s more personal than a band, more my style.”

Kevin House

7

Speed dating fails due to lack of participation Morgan Hofbauer Staff

Are the students at MCCC too embarrassed to participate in speed-dating?

Student government member Jimmy Frye had planned to create a fun, free activity for the students of MCCC but because only one participant signed up, he was forced to cancel it.

As chairman of the event, Frye was disappointed at the lack of involvement.

“The hope was for a nice, fun activity for the campus, something that was free for students, and it ended up getting canceled,” Frye said. “I canceled it due to lack of participation. We had one woman sign up for it.”

Several things may have played into the collapse of this event - whether students were too busy, self-conscious, or simply unaware of the idea.

“I believe it had more to do with the location of it, because it was supposed to happen in the cafeteria,” Frye said. “Maybe that was a little too out in the open where people would be able to see it going on.”

Spring break also played a role in the downfall.

“We had just come back from spring break so the timing on it wasn’t very good.”

The only promotional method was flyers that were passed around the school.

Frye said these were all things that would be improved should they try again for this event in the future, which is very likely.

“Not this year, next year,” Frye said. “I’m going to try to get this idea going much earlier, probably in the winter semester.”

Improvements in location, timing, and promotion are to be made.

“I think we’re probably going to have it in one of the conference rooms here in the A building instead of the cafeteria,” Frye said.

“Tuesdays between 12:30 and 1:30 no one on campus has classes, so if I can get it within that time frame, I think we might get more participation.

Also, I’m going to e-mail everyone around the school.”

“But other than that, I think it’ll be a really fun thing,” Frye said.

“We had just come back from spring break so the timing on it wasn’t very good.”

Jimmy Frye Student Government Member

Whitman hosts NASA speaker

Mary Rose Takacs Staff

The Whitman Center is hosting a presentation by a NASA engineer and an Earth and Space display for the month of April.

Matt Melis will be speaking at the Whitman Center on Monday April 26.

Melis is a Bedford High School graduate and works at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

“He will discuss the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Investigation and efforts of NASA to return the shuttle fleet safely to flying status,” Libstorff said.

Melis will show motion and still imagery of outer space, the Earth and much more.

The presentation Matt Melis, from Bedford High will be held with no School grad to NASA engineer. entrance cost, but requires registration.

The display of poster pictures are along the hallway walls and set up in the central seating area of the Whitman Center.

“The poster display is a set of 20 posters from the Smithsonian Institute that features images and text from a traveling exhibition the Smithsonian hosts,” Rebecca Libstorff, Whitman Center’s evening Administrative Assistant, said.

These posters are reproductions of images taken by high-tech satellites. The satellites encircle the globe to capture the Earth’s storms and natural disasters.

The posters among the display are of rare dust storms, magnificent volcanic eruptions and tragic hurricanes.

“Examples are Deforestation in the Amazon between 1976 and 2001; Cairo, Egypt including a shot

The Earth and Space display includes poster pictures along the hallway walls and is set up in the central seating area of the Whitman Center. The display contains 20 posters from the Smithsonian Institute, which are reproductions of images taken by high-tech satellites.

Agora photos by Ashley LeTourneau

of the Giza Pyramids; flooding of the Dongting River in China; Changing Seasons of the Bering Sea; Forest Fires in California; and the 2002 Typhoon Higos in the Pacific Ocean,” Libstorff said.

Text accompanies these images to explain their rarity. The text also gives information on how the satellites gather the imagery.

Volunteers needed Habitat for Humanity in need of volunteers Marissa Beste Staff

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County could use a helping hand.

Volunteers do not have to need special skills or be construction workers to help build the houses. People with all skill levels are welcome to come out and help the community.

Beginning in May, two new builds are scheduled and volunteers are needed to help.

Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County have helped over 150 people by building simple, affordable homes.

Worldwide, Habitat for Humanity volunteers have helped over 1 million people.

Volunteers are needed in construction, helping prepare families for home-ownership, raising money to build more houses, and connecting the organization with church communities.

Groups as well as individuals are welcome to volunteer and partner with Habitat in the home building process.

According to Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County’s Web site, Habitat “provides an opportunity for people from many walks of life, to take a hammer in their hands and work together to provide simple, decent, affordable homes in our community.”

Those who are interested in volunteering can sign up online at www.habitatmonroemi.org by clicking on the “Volunteer Now” button. All opportunities are listed there.

Volunteer days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, May 25—September 11.

Anyone with questions can call 734-243-2048.

With in the text is explanation of how the satellites’ gathers additional information about the magnitude of these natural forces.

For those with technical interest, space intrigue or curiosity in the Earth’s natural forces, check out the Whitman Center for more information or contact Rebecca Libstorff, Whitman Center Assistant Administrator at 734-847-0559.

For more information contact Rebecca Libstorff, Whitman Center Assistant Administrator at 734-847- 0559.

8

The Big Read

THE AGORA

April 9, 2010

Big Read kicks off Thornton Wilder book, play featured Brandy Werner Staff

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

This year’s Big Read has officially begun.

The month-long event started officially with the Kick-Off Celebration on Mar. 26, featuring a Monroe Community Players performance of “Our Town,” a play written by Thorton Wilder that complements the Big Read book, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey.” Copies of “Our Town” and “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” along with their respective reader’s guides, were handed out free at the Kick-Off. MCCC, along with the Monroe County Library System and other community partners, are sponsoring this year’s Big Read events.

“The intent of the National Endowment for the Arts in creating The Big Read program was to restore reading to the center of American Culture,” Beth Kohler, coordinator of grants and major gifts at MCCC, said.

“I am particularly proud of The Big Read Committee’s slate of events this year and hope everyone can participate in at least

one.”

Book discussions, a panel discussion, showings of related movies, a walking tour of Monroe, and two more performances of Our Town are just a few of the upcoming events.

“One of the events I’m most excited about is The Big Read Panel Discussion being held on Thursday Apr. 22 at 7:00 p.m., facilitated by The Agora staff, on ‘Why bad things happen to good people,’” Kohler said.

The discussion will feature representatives from different religions to speak on the subject.

It will be the last major event of the Big Read 2010.

Kohler urges students to take the time to read, and she hopes that the Big Read will help them to.

“When I was in college, I always made time to read for pleasure.

To me it’s as necessary as breathing.”

Schedule of events April 1-30 Kitabu - MCLS Online Teen Book Club, will discuss the Big Read companion book selection, “Thirteen Reasons Why,” by Jay Asher. http://apps. monroe.lib.mi.us/bookclub/.

April 8

Teens Only!

Navarre Branch Library – 2 p.m.

Joins us to create altered books based on themes from Thornton Wilder’s novel, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” or the Big Read companion book selection by Jay Asher, “Thirteen Reasons Why.”

April 10

Our Town

Bridging the Gap Between Generations Arthur Lesow Community Center – 1 p.m.

An interactive event for youth and their families to spend quality time together reading and building bridges. Awards will be granted to youth who bring in adult family members and the youth who brings in most inter-generational family members as well as awards for the most creative bridges.

Refreshments provided.

Monroe City/County Arts Council 37th Juried Art Show Ellis Reference & Information Center - 1 p.m.

The show will feature local artists and will include a Big Read art category.

Exhibit: April 8 – April 23

Agora photo by Ashley LeTourneau

Film Critic David Walsh talks about the movie, “Land and Freedom,” in the Meyer Theater at the La-Z-Boy Center Wednesday night. It was one of four films that are art of the Big Read Film Festival. Next is “Persepolis” on April 15, followed by “The Pianist” on April 20.

presentation and continues with a walking tour of historic Monroe. Facilitated by City of Monroe Planner, Jeffrey Green.

April 12

April 20

Erie Book Club Discussion Erie Branch Library - 7:00 pm

Film Festival - The Pianist MCCC La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater 7 p.m.

April 13

Thirteen Reasons Why

A Journey to Peru Guest Speaker Dr. Joanna Sabo MCCC La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater 7:00 p.m. Program Travel with Dr. Joanna Sabo on a pictorial journey across this diverse and beautiful country. Witness amazing places like the Floating Uros Islands and strange rituals such as the Festival de la Virgen de la Candelaria.

Frenchtown-Dixie Book Club Discussion Frenchtown Library - 6:30 pm

April 14 Evening Book Club Discussion Bedford Branch Library - 7:00 pm

April 15 Bedford Senior Center Book Discussion Bedford Senior Center – 10:00 am Brown Bag Book Discussion MCCC La-Z-Boy Center, Atrium, 12:30 p.m.

Film Festival - Persepolis MCCC La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater 7 p.m.

April 17 Historic Walking Tour of Monroe Dorsch Memorial Branch Library 2:00 p.m.

Begins at the Dorsch Memorial Branch Library with a multi-media

April 22 Film Book Club Discussion - Bedford Branch Library - 7:00pm Big Read Panel Discussion La-Z-Boy Center, Atrium 7 p.m.

A discussion on why bad things happen to good people.

Confirmed panelists include Dr. Abed Alo, M.D., Masjid Saad Foundation of Toledo; Terry Beamsley, Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple; Florence Buchanan, Soka Gokai International-USA, Nichiren Buddhism, Buddhist Association for Peace, Culture and Education; Sister Marie Gabriel Hungerman, IHM, philosopher and educator; and Reverend John Piippo – Redeemer Church Mark Thompson – Detroit Atheist Meetup Terry Beamsley of the Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple, Sister Marie Gabriel Hungerman of the IHM Sisters, the Reverend John Pippo of Redeemer Church.

Hosted by The Agora, MCCC Student Newspaper.

April 26 The Big Read Film Festival features “The Pianist” April 20.

An Afternoon Read Book Discussion Robert A. Vivian Branch Library - 1pm North County Book Club Discussion Carleton Branch Library - 7:00 pm Family Story Times The Monroe County Library System will also be using The Big Read companion book, All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon in several story times around the county.

Please check the library’s website for dates and times: www.monroe.lib.mi.us.