Oct 11, 2012 (44.1)

Crime PG. 2

Giving back PG. 4

Summer armed robbery follow-up

Campus blood drive raises awareness

SPOKANEFALLS.EDU/COMMUNICATOR

Oct. 11 - Oct. 25, 2012

Higher One pays FDIC fines

Volume 44 | Issue 1

Higher One FDIC Settlement: $11 Million Number of Students Receiving Settlements: 60,000

Sarah Dyer

The Communicator Despite Higher One’s claims of simplified financial aid disbursement and competitive price comparisons with alternate banking options, students around the country remain unconvinced.

In fact, news regarding Higher One’s $11 million settlement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) this August has given voice to the concerns of some students who feel that Higher One’s fees are predatory.

“Higher One has agreed to provide restitution of approximately $11 million to approximately 60,000 students,” said the FDIC in an Aug. 8 press release. “In addition, the FDIC has imposed civil money penalties of $110,000 for Higher One.” Higher One’s settlement out of court included no admission or denial of liability. However, the FDIC made it plain that the company would be required to change several of its practices regarding nonsufficient funds, including not charging non sufficient fund (NSF) fees to accounts that have had continuous negative balances for more than 60 days, and not charging more than three NSF fees on any single day to a single account.

In addition, the FDIC said, “Higher

Freshman 15 PG. 8

College weight gain, myth or fact?

Non Sufficient Fund (NSF) Fee: First item: $29 Additional items: $38 Number of Current Class Actions against Higher One: Three Higher One’s profit from fees (2010): $66 Million Bryce Gray | The Communicator

SFCC has only one Higher One financial aid distribution ATM, causing lines of students to form at the beginning of the quarter.

One is required not to make misleading or deceptive representations or omissions in its marketing materials or disclosures and to institute a sound compliance management system.”

In an official statement posted on Higher One’s website, titled ‘In Response to FDIC’, Higher One CEO Mark Volcheck said, “We believe the relatively low civil money penalty

imposed reflects how seriously we take our commitment to our customers, the degree of the issue, and our level of cooperation with the FDIC. After researching Higher One Lyssa Davis, a student at SFCC, chose not to use the myBigfoot Card, instead opting for an automatic transfer to

Number of students Served By Higher One: Approximately 6.2 Million Source: http://www. fdic.gov/news/news/ press/2012/pr12092. html

FAFSA | Page 2

Domain update causes login confusion Tu Nguyen

The Communicator Students may have noticed problems with their logins on to campus computers, but the change from “@stu” to “@bigfoot” is intended to benefit students attending any of the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) campuses.

On Sept. 17, school web portal myBigfoot altered its login system in order to connect the different CCS websites and smooth transitions between them. Now their username shares an “@bigfoot” extension, and passwords were reset to their SID. The change itself came upon many students as sudden, with the schools default backgrounds still instructing the “@stu” extension.

“The change made students confused about what to do to login,” said SFCC Librarian Jan Wingenroth.

“I don’t think students were notified well enough that they needed to change their password or how to change it.”

The myBigfoot site itself is used by students in order to register for classes, manage their information, and login to campus computers. Before the change, each student at each Bigfoot | Page 2

American Honors College takes root at SFCC Student program brings advanced classes to SFCC that promise to increase transfers to 4 year institutions.

Corbin Bronsch

The Communicator New American Honors builds connections between four-year universities and CCS students.

In partnership with SFCC and SCC, the American Honors program will allow admitted students to learn at an honors level and be better prepared to transfer into a fouryear university.

“We’re building a national network between community colleges and four-year transfer universities

that will offer students more opportunities for transferring than (they) may have thought possible,” said American Honors adviser Brittney Snitch. “With the support of advisors from both CCS and American Honors, students will develop a strong academic plan, have the time to determine the best transfer schools for them, explore relevant grant and scholarship opportunities, and take on leadership opportunities within the American Honors and CCS community.”

The American Honors advisers are strictly committed to the few students in their program, and will also have the time to meet with

NEWS

FOCUS

Night safety

Apples harvest time Page 2

The Communicator

Honors | Page 2

Bryce Gray | The Communicator

New lounge seats American Honors students between classes, providing a quiet space.

FOCUS

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Historic house turned bistro 509.533.3602

SIDELINES

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Page 11 Bump, set, spike! www.twitter.com/_communicator

News

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Students consider night safety Jolene Danaher

The Communicator How can students keep themselves safe on campus?

Due to the recent armed robbery that occurred during daylight hours, some students are wondering what they can do to protect themselves.

“I talk on my phone, like a safety net, in case something happens,” said Crystal Belwood, who works nights and weekends at the library. “Security is doing the best they can.

“I’ve even seen a security car right across the street in the parking lot.”

According to an email sent by the office of campus safety, “It is also good to keep in mind that the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) are microcosm society, so we have people who have committed crimes, and who are registered sex offenders (RSO).”

According the handbook of student conduct, it is against the rules to carry any weapon, explosive device, hazardous chemicals, or any hazardous device including knives without prior approval of the chief executive of the

campus or an authorized designee.

“Having no lights by the gym makes me nervous,” said Mahomi Ejiri who lives in an apartment just down the street and takes two night classes.

“Walking down Fort George Wright Drive is dark and kind of scary.”

One technique that instructors have taken is giving only one break during longer block classes so that they can still get the hours required for the class but release students in time to catch the bus.

“There is always a way to arrange it so contact hours can be reached and students can still make the bus,” said Kellie Fischer, English Instructor and faculty advisor to the Associated Women’s Society (AWS). “My best suggestion is to use the buddy system when taking the bus.

“Find someone in class taking the bus and take the bus together...be careful who you make buddies with.”

Safety escorts are available to escort to or from vehicles 24/7 hours a day.

Blue phones are placed strategically throughout the campus, which automatically connect you with security.

Stay Safe: Be aware of your surroundings.

Walk in well lit areas at night.

Keep keys and cellphones close at hand.

Contact security if you see something suspicious.

There is safety in numbers. At night, walk with a buddy.

To Contact Security: SFCC & IEL Building 17 (the SUB) room 125, Phone 509.533.3555 24/7 Emergency 509.475.7035 SCC Building 1 room 147, Phone 509.533.8624 24/7 Emergency 509.475.7035

Source: http:// www.scc.spokane. edu/?sectipswww Megan Smith | The Communicator

SFCC students often find themselves alone at night waiting for the bus.

FAFSA: FAFSA Facts: Who?

15 million students paying for college or career school

What?

$150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year

When?

Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2013.

Where?

http://www. fafsa.ed.gov/

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Students relate how the switch to Higher One has affected their financial aid From Page 1

her own account.

“Their website says that Higher One is a leading company focused on helping college business offices manage operations and provide enhanced service to students,” said Davis. “Enhanced service in what, unreasonable fees?”

“I think we could all use a little less service in that area.”

Higher One has had three additional class action suits filed against it since the beginning of 2012, both having to do with accusations of predatory fees and practices aimed at students.

In a complaint filed April 24, 2012, Ventura College student Sherry McFall accused Higher One of “unfair and unconscionable practices of automatically creating bank accounts for unsuspecting college students, luring those college students into using Higher One banking accounts, then subsequently assessing and collecting deceptive and improperly disclosed bank fees on such banking accounts.” Neither case has been decided.

This hits home with many current SFCC students, some of whom have yet to receive their financial aid after declining the use of a Higher One account, opting instead for either a direct deposit to their own bank or having a traditional check mailed to their home.

David Steely, a student at SFCC said, “I have a job, but its only enough to pay my bills,” said Steely. “I want to buy my books, but I think having a place to live is more important.”

Students are required to use financial aid refunds and student loans to pay basic living expenses like rent and food in addition to direct school costs like books.

Higher One takes 2-3 business days to transfer financial aid refunds electronically and 5-7 business days to issue and send a paper check. Even students who opt to use Higher One’s accounts have run into problems.

SFCC student Jazzmin Belton chose to use Higher One’s account, but has yet to receive her financial aid.

“I haven’t gotten my financial aid yet, and it’s been eight days,” said Belton. “I’ve had to borrow money from my mother to pay for my books and pay my bills.”

Sarah Dyer | Editor

Joggers robbed at gunpoint Shelby Miltner

The Communicator SFCC experienced an armed robbery over the summer.

The robbery took place on July 28, around 10:15 a.m., by the tennis courts. An email sent from campus security’s CCS Alert program described the event as occurring at the victims’ parked car, when a suspect approached the driver’s side window and robbed him at gunpoint.

The robber is described as a hispanic male in his mid 20’s, wearing baggy pants and no shirt. He was said to have had tattoos covering his arms and back.

Spokane Police Department was called to the campus to investigate,

Honors:

American Honors helps students transfer to four years.

From Page 1

four-year universities and establish a connection.

“The community college tends to have good connections with colleges around the state, ” said Joel Lee, an English American Honors teacher “I believe the American Honors advisers have extended connections with out of state universities, and can help students who choose to go down that path.”

Talking to students you’ll hear that many of them want to transfer out of state, but are in need of a mentor to guide them into the appropriate school.

“I’m very open to transferring out of state,” said Brandon Markham an American Honors student. “I just find it difficult to get information on out of state schools, and American Honors has the information we need.”

Second year students who are also new to this program are getting help with out of state transfers.

“I feel very confident that I can get into the four-year university I want,”

Bigfoot: MyBigfoot accounts work at all CCS facilities.

From Page 1

college had a different myBigfoot account, or multiple accounts if they attended multiple campuses.

“By combining all the student network accounts in a single place, called a ‘domain,’ we are able to provide students with a single network account and password to use (anywhere),” said Rod Larse, Director of Information Systems and Development Services at CCS. “Now if a student happens to be taking classes at both campuses they can use the same network account (for) both.”

Because this portal has so many features that affect students, such as schedule and financial aid information, if current students haven’t changed their passwords yet they may be putting their information at risk.

“The risk is that the network account might be used by someone other than who the account was in-

and the SFCC campus was on lockdown for all of Saturday.

Spokane Police Department Officer, Jennifer DeRuwe, released a statement in an email, “Two men were jogging and observed the suspect take things out of their unlocked vehicle. They confronted the suspect, who then pulled a gun on them, forcing them back to the car.

The suspect fled on foot, and we do not have any additional info on the suspect. The suspect dropped the victims’ wallets, so I believe most of their property was returned,” DeRuwe said.

If you see any suspicious activity or have any information regarding this crime, please call campus security at 509.475.7040 or Crime Check at 509.456.2233.

said Robbie Dean, another American Honors student.

“I want to go Cornell or Georgia Tech, and I believe the transfer advisers will help me do so.”

Several things differentiate between honors courses and a regular community college curriculum.

“Aside from being interactive online courses, honors courses emphasize critical thinking, leadership, discussion, real-world application, and organizational and interpersonal skills at a high level of rigor,” said Snitch.

Along side their online classes, students are required to take a College Success Course which focuses on helping students figure out their plans for post community college education. Meeting every other Thursday, the students discuss their top ten schools they want to apply to and then work on the skills necessary to get there.

“I think that students pursuing their AA degree before transferring to a four-year university are making a great financial and academic choice,” said Snitch. “To that end, our program provides an honors education that utilizes talented community college faculty and offers students dedicated honors advisors, a strong honors community and an innovative online learning environment.” tended for, and for a purpose that they are not entitled to,” said Rod Larse, Director of Information Systems and Development Services at CCS. “It could be used by someone who does not attend our college, or who has not paid the technology fee, which in part funds these network accounts and the resources available through them.

They could use the account to print materials in the labs or libraries perhaps, consuming paper and toner, even.”

In addition, Wingenroth also suggests that students may login to their myBigfoot from any computer at any campus of CCS. Students can now keep their account when they study at both SCC and SFCC. “Furthermore, if a student attended one college for a couple of quarters, then changed their educational goals and transferred to the other campus, their network account would follow them,” said Larse. “They would not have to have a new account at the other college, and their password would be just as it was the last time they used it.”

Did You Know?: At the start of the 2010 fall semester, 14 Colorado community colleges (38 campuses) began allowing licensed concealed carry on campus.

Source: http://concealedcampus.org/

Perspectives

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C

The

ommunicator Spokane Falls Community College

Registered sex offenders have a right to higher education just like any other citizen. But what policies are in place to protect the rights of other students and their family members. Not all CCS students are over the age of 18 and many students utilize the on campus daycare facility to watch over their children during the school day. This topic is hotly debated as a matter of public safety both on and off campus. We decided to weigh in and we would also like you to let us know what your opinion is.

Treading a slippery slope of regulations My colleague With our current laws, these questions whether people have served their time and or not registered their debt to society is paid. I think sex offenders there’s a real question on how we (RSOs) should be can reform offenders so that their allowed to attend chances to reoffend aren’t so high, school here and but advocating for new changes argues that if they like public notification will not fix are, school notifithat particular problem. The current Clayton cations should be policy of keeping records on RSOs Kraft more public. The in college, and keeping that informareasoning is that tion available to any student who there are young women and children has a concern, is the appropriate around. If we use that as a qualifier one. for RSO attendance, though, I fear It’s much like the process we use we will quickly run out of places for to put car thieves and drug dealers in them to go. prison. After their sentences they get We’d be banning them from out of jail and can’t find a legitimate grocery stores, gyms, sports teams, job, given that they have to list themcomic shops, comedy clubs, parks, selves as felons on their application. and just about everywhere else.

I don’t blame the people doing They’d be essentially locked into the hiring, who have simply made a their apartments, ordering food and smart decision for their businesses. getting their educations from inside If you had two equally qualified apbarred windows. There’s a place plications, and only one had a drug like that already, conviction, it’s called jail, and who would “Welcome to college they’ve been there. you choose? everyone,” the instructor If people want to This is why would say. “Also, these two talk about harsher they turn back sentences for RSOs, guys in the front are sex to crime, and then I think that’s somehow it’s offenders.” a conversation we a surprise. should have. I’ve -Clayton Kraft The problem Managing Editor is that we’ve heard it argued that they should receive built into our only life in prison or the death system a rule that potentially causes penalty. If people believe that then all kinds of damage in the name they should advocate for sentencof declaring felons as felons. We ing changes, but we tread a slipshouldn’t do the same at our school. pery slope by continuously adding There is legitimate anger to be had regulations and restrictions to further against RSOs and the system that constrict the lives of people who manages them, but incorporating a have ostensibly served their time. policy that is tantamount to public Let’s bring the conversation back harassment will create new probto college. If having a public registry lems, not solve old ones. on campus isn’t enough for those We do need to keep safe, but I’m concerned, what is? Should instrucunconvinced public notification is tors publicly identify RSO’s in class what does the job. We can stay safe on the first day? This might sound by avoiding being alone when we like a good idea, but I think in pracwalk to our cars at night. We can tice it would be difficult. stay safe by being careful about who “Welcome to college everyone,” we drink with. We can keep our kids the instructor would say. “Also, these safe by making sure the programs two guys in the front are sex offendthey are enrolled in take good care ers. That one slept with a girl at a of them, so that they are not alone. party who was younger than she told At the end of the day, RSO’s are him, and the other one is a child in Spokane and will frequent all the molester.” places I talked about. You simply This kind of notification would have to look at one of the online make attending classes nearly imRSO maps to see that. I don’t think possible for these individuals. It’s not we can remove the risks we deal a far cry off from forcing them to get with every day by keeping them out educations online, given the harassof school, and that is just the effect ment I expect would ensue. public notification would have.

Jen Bridges | Editor

No sex offenders at SFCC

The Staff

The Communicator, hopes to maintain a forum in which students are able to voice diverse opinions this policy, given the school’s meager on campus-related attempts at notifying the student body issues. of registered sex offenders on campus The Communicator also aims to inwith nothing more than a binder in form students about an office somewhere. topics relevant to That being said, I want to reiterate their education.

I received an email from SFCC on October 1 that was mass distributed to students, in regards to campus safety. my belief that everyone (yes, even a The email detailed registered sex offender) has the right several ways that to higher education. I also understand students can keep that people end up on the registered Emily their belongings offender list for things like peeing Norton and themselves in an alley, or a drunken streaking safe while attendincident. I get that some registered ing SFCC. However, there was a offenders are not at any risk to reofspecific element of the email that I fend and do not pose a danger to the found extremely disturbing. general public. However, those who SFCC’s policy regarding a regisend up on the sex offender registry tered sex offender (RSO) attending typically deserve to be there for atrocampus is clearly outlined under cious reasons, and most are at risk to security on their website; however reoffend despite having served jailit’s not completely clear as to how time and “rehabilitation” processes. students are notified when a sex The Bureau of Justice Statistics did offender is attending the college. a study on 9,691 male sex offenders, According to the email from Camincluding 4,295 child molesters, who pus Security, it’s basically left up to were tracked for 3 years after their the students themselves to research release from prisons in 15 States in their classmates to find out whether 1994. The 9,691 sex-offenders studor not someone in their class is a ied accounted for two-thirds of all sex offender. the male sex offenders released from The Spokane Sheriff’s Department prisons in the United States in 1994. notifies SFCC when a RSO plans to Within 3 years of their release, 5.3% attend classes, provides informaof sex offenders were rearrested for tion regarding their crimes and how another sex crime. likely the RSO On average “I personally have a problem the 9,691 sex is to reoffend. It is then up to the with convicted sex offenders offenders served vice president of only 3-1/2 years student services to physically attending the of their 8-year implement restric- campus for classes.” sentence. tions, if any, on -Emily Norton the RSO. Compared to Copy Editor The information non-sex offenders regarding RSO students are kept in released from prisons, released sex binders in the Human Resources offenders were four times more likely Department, and are available for to be rearrested for a sex crime. students to view at their leisure. So, These are frightening statistics on how many students even know this the possibility of students and their information exists? It was news to children being put at risk by allowme, so I can imagine it will be news ing registered offenders to physically to other students as well. attend campus classes. While others I personally have a problem with may argue that sex offenders have convicted sex offenders physically the right to attend class on campus attending the campus for classes. In like anyone else, I argue that they my opinion, this puts students at a forfeit certain rights upon commithuge safety risk, and it’s laughable ting a crime (much like how felons to me that this falls under “Campus lose their right to vote upon convicSafety” policies. Many students tion). It may not seem fair, but if a bring their small children here to person makes a horrible choice that attend childcare while they are in is against the law they suffer the conclass, not to mention the running sequence. start students who are often under Students these days are able to earn the age of 18 themselves. their degrees online. Why does SFCC/ Registered sex offenders are not SCC not have a stricter policy in place allowed to be near an elemenrestricting registered sex offenders to tary school in the “real world,” yet online classes only? They certainly RSO’s being near our campus child have that option, being that their own care, or taking classes and attendpolicy states that RSO attendance reing study groups with running start strictions are at the school’s discretion students.Students are supposed to and based on RSO profiles provided “know” who they hang out with, by by the Sheriff’s Department. mind-reading or requesting each of SFCC should consider implementtheir classmate’s personal info in or- ing such restrictions on RSO’s, rather der to conduct background checks. than putting the responsibility of The school is essentially saying identifying potential criminals on that if a student becomes a victim of the shoulders of students alone, with an RSO (who is also a student), it’s limited notifications from the school the victim’s fault for not researching regarding the attendance of said that classmate better, because it’s criminals. Stricter policies regarding their responsibility, not the school’s. RSO’s attending campus can only I personally have to disagree with equal safer students.

Did You Know?: The Communicator welcomes your viewpoints. You can send a letter to the editor at comeic@spokanefalls.edu.

Editor-in-Chief Randy Breedlove Managing Editor Clayton Kraft Web Manager Shelby Miltner News Editor Sara Dyer Focus Editor Reilly Bealer Sidelines Editor Conner Nuckols Perspectives Editor Jen Bridges Photo Editor Bryce Gray Marketing & Advertising Emily Norton Jen Bridges Adviser Jason Nix Writers Connor Nuckols Ben Ellerd Jolene Danaher Tu Nguyen Corbin Bronsch Quentin McQueen Rachel Northway Amanda Hatcher Zachary Brickmeir Rodney Cabison Katelynn Rutter Staff members can be reached via email with the following format: sfcc.firstname. lastname@gmail.com

Please Note The Communicator is an open forum that is entirely student edited and produced, with no prior review from the faculty or administrators of Spokane Falls Community College. Content in this publication is the responsibility of the student staff of The Communicator, and as such does not necessarily reflect the view of SFCC administrators, faculty, or the student body.

Individual student contributions to the opinion page or any other section of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board or the student staff of The Communicator.

First copy of an issue is free, additional copies are 50 cents each.

3

F ocus Students donate blood to help center in need

Reilly Bealer | Editor

spokanefalls.edu/communicator

Inland Northwest Blood Center

Make an Online Appointment: http://www. inbc2.org

INBC Facts: Open since 1945 Percentage of female and male donors are equal In 2011 Total Whole Blood Donors: 28,919 1952: First mobile unit outfitted and able to use An average adult has about 10-12 pints of blood total.

There are one billion red blood cells in two or three drops of blood Source: http://www. inbc2.org/About_ INBC/

INBC mobile units come to SFCC fully equipped and ready to extract blood. Anyone 16 years or older and over 110 pounds can donate.

Quentin McQueen The Communicator

Inland Northwest Blood Center’s blood drive came to SFCC last week, and students responded by pitching in.

In an effort to continue to supply the blood bank of Spokane, many students took time out of their school days to donate. The SFCC blood drive took place behind the library building on Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. The donation drive was sponsored by the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) and their mobile unit. The INBC was able to provide a higher donor count by bringing the mobile donation unit on to campus.

“There’s a lot of sick people who are in need,” said SFCC student Cori Johnson. “I figured hey, I’m healthy I might as well donate.”

The Inland Northwest Blood Center tries to keep at least two weeks worth of blood at its regional office, which it sends out everyday to 35 different hospitals and facilities.

Each blood drive in the area of Spokane has a project number of how much blood will be donated and how many people will be donating.

With easy access for donation, all donations help the center from staying out of critical mode.

“Critical is when we only have

Bryce Gray | The Communicator

SFCC Student Taylor Benner gets his blood taken by Nurse Holly McMillon. INBC mobile units will be at the school, October 4th, Feb. 12, 2013, and May 21st 2013. Maximum Blood Donations Per Year: 6 about one or two days worth of blood on the shelf...but it hasn’t happened for about eight years thankfully,” said blood bank employee Holly McMillon. “But, when it does, we’re rushing on the phone trying to get people in and quickly.

Inland Northwest Blood Center has about a 200 mile radius where they send mobile units almost everyday to keep their inventory up.

After the blood is drawn it is flown out to be processed, then flown back to the facility, where its held up to 42 days for blood, five days

for platelets and up to a year for plasma.

“Every drop counts. Our goal is to make sure we stay out of critical so we can help everyone that needs blood,” said McMillon.

The blood bank is open seven days a week and you can donate every two months when you sign up as a donor.

The drive itself had so many students donating that some were waiting as long as an hour and a half to give blood, but the atmosphere was positive with students

enjoying themselves.

“The experience was great, ” said Johnson. “It was almost painless, (and) it barely hurt at all.”

There are over 29,000 donors in our area according to the INBC website with a total of 8,294 first time donations.

“Every drop counts. Our goal is to make sure we stay out of critical so we can help everyone that needs blood,” said McMillon. The blood bank is open 7 days a week and you can donate every 2 months when you sign up as a donor.

Megan Smith | The Communicator

updating and preserving the buildings for years.

“I’ve been very involved in the Browne’s Addition historic preservation ever since I moved here in 1981,” Moltke said. “We are still working to gradually increase the perception of Browne’s Addition as a historical place, that still consists of its diverse community and background.”

Because of EJ’s location in Browne’s Addition, their objective is to take a unique approach to the restaurant business and how to stand apart from other bistros like it.

“Our servers and staff make us stand apart in the restaurant business,” Depue said. “Because the location of our bistro is in an old house, we want to make it a home for everyone.

“Servers here are trained to welcome you as if they are welcoming you into their own homes.”

David Sharp is Head Chef at EJ’s, a Browne’s Addition local. Sharp has lived in Browne’s Addition for 27 years and doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

“I’m hoping for this bistro to be a place for the Browne’s Addition family,” Sharp said. “I want to continue to make it a place where I would want to be, as well as would my community.”

As well as being family oriented, the bistro uses some of their own garden-grown produce and spices.

“We are going back to the basics,” Moltke said. “All of our herbs, tomatoes and pears are grown right here on the property in our own garden.”

EJ’s Bistro designs their restaurant for the community that surrounds it, which means it’s prices work accordingly with the people who are around the bistro.

“All of our prices are set to accompany the neighborhood mostly consisting of students and families,” Depue said.

EJ’s Garden Bistro serves food from 11a.m. to 10 p.m., and plan to be serving brunch in the near future.

They consist of three different areas for seating. EJ’s also has a bar that is open all day until 2am every night.

“You can sit outside on the patio when the weather is nice or, when the weather is not so nice, you can cozy up to the outdoor fire pit,” Depue said. “You can also sit in the main floor dining area, or head upstairs to sit in the full service bar.

The bar has cheap drink specials, free internet and the (sports) game is always on.”

Even with EJ’s Garden Bistro being the next door neighbor to the well known restaurant The Elk and having an underline knowing of the competition, no hardships have come upon the two restaurants.

“We have a good relationship with EJ’s and Mary, the owner.” Marshall Powell said, manager of The Elk, via email.

A historic home in Browne’s Addition is the latest historic Spokane property to be repurposed as a business, something that is a trend in many small cities.

Historic house turned bistro EJ’s Bistro: Contact Info: 1928 W. Pacific Ave., Spokane, WA 509.443.3544 Source: http:// www.yelp.com/biz/ ejs-garden-bistrospokane

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Amanda Hatcher

The Communicator What used to be a family home has now been turned into a restaurant for the public in Browne’s addition, while remaining a historic home on both the city and national registries.

EJ’s Garden Bistro resides on the corner of Pacific Ave and Cannon St. They serve a variety of food under the theme of “handcrafted American cuisine.” Their price range for

lunches are around or below $10.

Mixing family and history to bring something new to Browne’s Addition, EJ’s Garden Bistro opened on Sept. 10, and is already well known in the surrounding areas.

“It’s a great place for everybody,” General Manager Greg Depue said.

Mary Moltke, owner of the new bistro and the bed and breakfast located behind EJ’s, has been maintaining the four city lots which both businesses reside on. She has been

Did You Know?: Your one blood donation has the potential to help save the lives of as many as three people. Source: http://www.inbcsaves.org/Donating_Blood/About_Blood/Blood_Facts.html

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Focus

Apples all over

Randy Breedlove | The Communicator

Community members from all over Spokane come to Green Bluff for fresh, crisp apples.

Green Bluff: Apple Festival: Every weekend September 22nd thru October 28th Growers: 36 different growers GBDMA P.O. Box 1117 Mead, WA 99021 Source: http://www. greenbluffgrowers. com/contact/index. html

Reilly Bealer

apple festival (fall) season, sometimes even 70 percent,” said Jason Morrell, employee and son of the owner of Every year people from all over the Walter’s Fruit Ranch. city come to Green Bluff to experience The Farms at Green Bluff are filled the festive activities and delicious pro- with numerous attractions for visitors duce Spokane generates. to be entertained with. A very popuWhether it’s watching a pumpkin lar sight during this time of year is the take a 1400-foot flight at Knapp’s Farm pumpkin cannon at Knapp’s Farm. or, rocking out to “The Pumplive music at Wal- “ If you make Paula-Red kin Cannon...we ter’s Fruit Ranch, apples into apple sauce, it started that about the Apple Festival is 11 years ago,” suitable for all ages. turns the apple sauce pink said Larry Knapp, This festival oc- in color,” owner of Knapp’s curs from Sept. 22 Farm. “I shoot it -Daniel Sinclair through Oct. 28.

17 year old employee of Walter’s Fruit Ranch on the weekends Most of the farms of October, about in the Green Bluff region depend on every 30 minutes. this important harvest season.

“I shoot the pumpkin in the air “Well for our farm, we make about about 1,400 feet high, towards a target 60 percent of our income during the that is about 1,500 feet away.”

The Communicator

reilly Bealer | Editor Many members of the community come to Green Bluff to pick fresh fruit, and continue to come back every year.

“Spokane people like to come up here,” Knapp said. “We’ve had people still come up here since the first year we opened.”

Walter’s Fruit Ranch, another farm that resides in Green Bluff, is a very family friendly farm that features numerous activities that anyone would enjoy.

“We have the U-Pick apples which is the main thing,” Morrell said. “We have pony rides, live music, and something unique to our farm called The Wiggleworm.

“My wife and I painted it when we were dating, it’s an antique tractor that pulls 50 gallon drums that the kids sit in and they just wiggle.”

There are many other activities that Morrell included such as facepainting, pumpkin doughnuts, fantastic apple cider, a sandbox filled with 3 tons of peas, a tire swing, a slide, a corn cannon and much more. But, one thing that countless people come up to Green Bluff for is to experience the U-Pick apples.

“We grow 22 varieties of apples,” Morrell said. “A unique thing about Walter’s is that we have educators that teach you how to pick correctly.”

A few of the many apples that they grow are Granny Smiths, Honey Crisps, Golden Delicious, and PaulaReds.

“If you make Paula-Red apples into apple sauce, it turns the apple sauce pink in color,” said 17-year-old employee of Walter’s Fruit Farm, Daniel Sinclair.

Family is an important value for the farms at Green Bluff. Most of the farms

Did You Know?: The science of apple growing is called pomology.

Source: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/apples/facts.cfm

at Green Bluff including Knapp’s and Walter’s are family owned and have been from the time they were developed. The Apple Festival is a great place to take the whole family.

“There are plenty of fun things to do here but, it’s not too commercial,” said Kevin Gardner, live musician and employee of Walter’s Fruit Ranch. “It’s (Walter’s Fruit Ranch) is very family orientated.

“I really like that about it.”

Green Bluff farmers strive to not only have good produce but good relations to the public.

“Our number one goal is customer service,” said Morghan Morrell, wife of Jason Morrell and Walter’s Fruit Ranch employee.

“It’s beautiful up here...that’s one of the reason’s I like working here,” said Sinclair. “Also, the corn cannon is ridiculously fun, it never gets old.’’

Randy Breedlove | The Communicator

Cannon shoots pumpkin at target 1500 feet away.

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Conner NUCKOLS | Editor

Volleyball team bump, set and spike their foes The SFCC volleyball team has been dominating and are looking to continue their campaign to the conference tournament. Sophomore leadership will be key for the Lady Sasquatch to continue their domination.

Rodney Alton

The Communicator

Megan Smith/ The Communicator

Sophomore, middle blocker, Kate Hart jumps to spike the ball for SFCC.

With a 17-5 record the women’s volleyball team are conference tournament bound, and only halfway through the season.

There are ten games left of the regular season. Five of them, are road game’s and the other six are at home. The Sasquatch are currently in third place, with the top four teams making the conference tournament. On their last road trip they went 1-1 losing to Blue Mountain CC whose current record is 24-0.

“They’re beatable,” Head Coach Jenni Roselli-Hull said, we still need to work on a few things.

“We were happy with bringing home the other game against Treasure Valley, we did well there.”

The Sasquatch have brought a solid all around game on both sides of the ball offensively and defensively.

The biggest weapon of all this season, is returning sophomore middle blocker Kate Hart of Riverside.

“She’s fast and fun to watch,” Hull said, “loading a heavy arm, we do depend on her a lot.”

Hart is also on pace of breaking the school’s all-time blocking record.

“Having the opportunity to break a school record excite’s me,” Hart said, “I was quiet my first year, and I believe in leading by example so as a sophomore I’m a little more vocal.

Anchoring this season’s Sasquatch crew is the ability to go deep into the bench. All the players bring

consistency and mirror each other’s skills .

“All of our other sophomore’s including defensive specialist, Andrea Heartburg, middle blocker Amanda Youngers and outside hitter Kylie Casselberry have provided outstanding leadership contributions.”

Roselli-Hull said, “Our returners, and new acquisitions are skilled players which is the result of our record.”

Freshman standout Annie Arnzen of Mt. Spokane, has been enjoying playing on the team after missing her senior year due to injury.

“I’m honored to be here at SFCC and I’m extremely grateful of the entire program,” Arnzen said, “they have a great fitness program, that allowed me to return to volleyball after I missed my senior year of high school with hip surgery.”

Another Freshman standout to watch for going into the tournament is Sam Buratto at middle blocker of Sandpoint.

“I feel confident about our team, but we haven’t reached our ceiling yet.” Roselli-Hull said. “we’re gonna get there, but we’ve got a lot more work to do.

“On the offensive side of the ball we have weapons, but we haven’t used them to our advantage yet” Later this month they will be facing North Idaho CC Tuesday October 16 at 6pm and Colorado Northwestern CC October 30 at 6 pm, both games will be at the SFCC gym.

CCS Volleyball Facts: CCS holds the NWACC season record of 54 wins and 2 losses.

Established in 1988.

Jenni Rosselli was a National Player of the Year in 1996.

CCS has qualified for the conference tournament 26 times.

CCS won the tournament 3 years in a row . 1980, 1982, and 1982 CCS has finished in the top four of the tournamnet 20 times.

Source: http://athletics. spokane.edu/ VOLLEYBALL/ History_Records.aspx

New recruits to join CCS women’s basketball team Conner Nuckols

this season.”

Last season the girls team was plagued by injuries which had a huge impact on the team given by In preparation for the upcoming their 7-19 overall record. season the girls basketball team “Last season was my only losing held open tryouts Oct. 3rd and 4th season in the past 25 years,” Johnfor any women enrolled at SCC or son said “Injuries hurt us a lot. Our SFCC. point guard played on a broken “We’re just kinda fishing,” Head ankle.”

Coach Bruce Johnson said, “We Johnson also haven’t picked expressed his anyone up “We are 2x better than last excitement over through open season.....speed will be key.” two new players tryouts in a recruited over -Bruce Johnson while but you SFCC Womens Basketball Coach the summer. never know. If Vanessa a 6’4 transfer Corona, a red shirt freshmen from from Germany comes through then Boise State, and Riley Holsinger, obviously we are going to want her a sophomore transfer from Califorto play.” nia.

The Sasquatch didn’t get a 6’4 “It’s going to be fun to watch the transfer from German, but they did girls compete,” Johnson said. find Morgan Trout.

The Lady Sasquatch will begin With the team set and winter aptheir season in November. No proaching Bruce Johnson is excited word yet on who they play in their for the upcoming season. home opener.

“We have are 14 girls that we Coaches and players would like plan on having on the team, and to encourage everyone to show up we are 2x better than last year. We and cheer on both them and the are a little slim in the post position mens basketball team. but we are fast. Speed will be key

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Conner Nuckols/The Communicator

The Sasquatch are looking to make some noise this season, hopefully with no injuries.

Did You Know?: James A. Naismith invented basketball in 1891.

Source: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0771582.html

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Study shows ‘Freshmen 15’ more rumor than reality Katelynn Rutter

The Communicator

Many things scare freshman college students during their first year on campus, one of those fears is weight gain; the dreaded Freshman 15.

A persistent myth about Freshman entering their first year of campus life is that they will gain 15 pounds due to poor eating habits.

According to researchers at Ohio State University, first year college students, both men and women, gain about 3 pounds. Heavy drinkers gained more while students with jobs gained less. The biggest contributor to Freshman weight gain is alcohol.

“There’s lots of potential for fat when consuming alcohol because your system absorbs it quicker,” Health and Fitness instructor Travis Warner said. “There’s seven calories per gram of alcohol. Alcohol equals sugar.”

At parties it’s hard to track how much alcohol they have consumed, especially when playing drinking games. Students will become more focused on competitiveness, rather than how many drinks they have downed.

Most college parties have music and dancing, which is good to fight weight gain. However, drinking also leads to late night eating such as ordering a greasy pizza or going out to fast food.

Since most first year college

students are on their own for the first time, they are free to eat whatever they want and whenever they want.

If students just eat out all the time or don’t eat healthy meals at home then don’t exercise the pounds come on faster.

Adjusting to college life can sometimes be stressful, and some people tend to turn to comfort foods like junk food or fatty foods.

“Consuming more calories than you burn is the main cause to weight gain,” Warner said.

A nutritional diet and exercise are good ways to avoid excessive weight gain.

You should also watch the portion sizes of the food that you consume, resist from getting additional helpings, stay clear of vending machines and fast food, keep healthy snacks in your home, and keep snacking between meals to a minimum.

Spokane Falls Community College offers many ways to keep in shape.

They offer classes ranging from 1-3 credits and everything from just working out to ballet, kickboxing, or different styles of dancing.

SFCC’s website explains each course in detail and how many credits each one is worth, or you could talk to a Physical Education advisor to see which program is the best for your needs.

Conner Nuckols | Editor

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Did You Know?: Indoor volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964.

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