Feb 15, 2018 (49.5)

C

The

Volume 49 Issue 5 Feb. 15 2018-March 7 2018

ommunicator Spokane Falls Community College

Sarah Surface designs history ARTS: Page 8 NEWS: CHINESE NEW YEAR FEATURES: ASTRONOMY CALENDAR OPINION: SAFETY IN SPORTS SPORTS: EDGAR NAJERA PHOTO CREDIT: CHANDLER PEDERSEN

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Contents

The Communicator 02.15.2018

MISSION STATEMENT

As a newsroom we aim to cover stories, events and achievements close to campus which affect students, staff and our community as a whole.

Editor: Aiden Swank sfcc.aiden.swank@gmail.com

NEWS

3 International Club Chinese New Year 4 50th anniversary of SFCC 5 New Arts Building / Gym update 6 Pizza with the President

ARTS

7 Measure for Measure 8 Sarah Surface designs history 9 Film Festivals 10 Poetry and Open Mic Night 16 Dawn of Life

FEATURES

11 Astronomy Calendar 12 College hacks/ Eco friendly Andrew Mark Mariano| The Communicator

The plate is called 100 blessings, as each of the 100 symbols on it represents a blessing for the new year. The Peone is a celebratory symbol of spring, wealth and honor.

Staff members may be contacted at: sfcc.firstname.lastname@gmail.com

Visit our website at communicatoronline.org

Follow us on Twitter at: @SFCCcomm

Editor in Chief may be contacted at: communicator.eic@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook at: TheFallsCommunicator

Follow us on Instagram at: @TheFalls_Communicator

OPINION

13 14

Caffeine and sleep deprivation Winter sport injury prevention

SPORTS

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Edgar Najera

OUR STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chandler Pedersen

MANAGING EDITOR Aiden Swank

NEWS EDITOR

Magdalena Clough Chandler Pedersen

Aiden Swank

Andrew Mark Mariano

Zack Da Silva

Madison Pearson

FEATURES EDITOR Joseph Pumphrey

OPINION EDITOR Cheyanne Ross

ARTS EDITOR Hannah Ortiz Magdalena Clough

Joseph Pumphrey

Cheyanne Ross

Hannah Ortiz

Juan Lopez

SPORTS EDITOR Juan Lopez

PHOTO EDITOR Zack DaSilva

WEB EDITOR

Andrew Mark Mariano Jasmine D'Amico

Makenna Lillis

Dominique Arce

Riley McKenna

Jason Nix

ADVISER

Jason Nix WANT TO JOIN THE COMMUNICATOR STAFF? Any SFCC student is welcome to join our staff by enrolling in College Newspaper Production I (JOURN 101). No previous experience is required.

communicatoronline.org

Editor: Magdalena Clough sfcc.magdalena.clough@gmail.com

News

Year of the Dog at SFCC

International Club brings the New Year to SFCC Andrew Mark Mariano The Communicator

Gōng Xĭ Fā Cái! Gong Hei Fat Choi!

Friday, Feb. 16 will be the start of the traditional Chinese New Year. This year will be the Year of the Dog, one of the 12 rotating Chinese Zodiac Animals. People who are born in the Year of the Dog are said to be friendly, trustworthy and loyal.

The International Club co-sponsored an event with the MOSAIC Office, and Service Learning Club, about Chinese New Year on Jan. 30. They covered cultural topics about how people in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and in Chinese communities worldwide celebrate the 15 day long festival through music, lion dances, special food

and fireworks.

“There is no set date, for example this year, Chinese New Year starts on the 16th of February rather than the First of January,” said Julie Wong, International Club Representative. “Chinese New Year always falls between late January to the end of February.”

Some Chinese people go back to their ancestral hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve with their whole clan with a feast called the Reunion Dinner.

The meal is traditionally served on a round table.

“It represents fullness,” said Roy Yan, one of the presenters who was born in the Year of the Dog. “Like when all your family gets home and then everyone is back home together, so that’s technically how the circle represents how they’re

Zack Da Silva | The Communicator Mingchen “Ming” He, second from left, leads International Club as President.

The Communicator 02.15.2018

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Andrew Mark Mariano | The Communicator Roy Yan, ASG Senator was born in 1995, another Year of the Dog like 2018 will be.

all reunited together.”

Another custom is eating symbolic food like fish which, because they are found in groups, represent abundance. Celebrants eat the fish and other dishes at the Reunion Dinner and then leave some for Chinese New Year’s Day. “Usually the dishes that we eat, something like when you eat the fish, then we have some leftover, so for next year we have good fortune,” said Yan. “Which means you have leftover for food, money or anything or even health, so it’s for good things like that.”

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Andrew Mark Mariano | The Communicator The Chinese believe that wearing jade (above) and eating special food on the holiday (Below) bring good fortune.

Andrew Mark Mariano | The Communicator

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The Communicator 02.15.2018

It’s SFCC’s 50th Anniversary

News

CCS Foundation is) reaching out for donations, and comments of memories and experience we can use to tell our story.”

Pitcher, who formerly served the school as the Vice President of Student Services, said that over his 6 years here the campus changed significantly.

If we were a marriage we would be has“Building 30 (Falls Gateway) was conmaking more cookies than love. structed,” said Pitcher. “The early learning center, the gym, and there has been a lot of changes in the area, there are better Magdalena Clough streetlights and housing.”

Nicci Nayes, Campus Visit Coordinator The Communicator who first came to SFCC as a student in 2010 rose to her position after doing tours ounded in 1967, SFCC is halfway as a Student Ambassador, a work study through its 50th year as an affordposition, while getting her degree. able, community oriented next “Since 2010, it’s a lot more of a comstep, and second chance for many in munity,” said Nayes, “Back then reSpokane. sources were not as promoted The administration and discussed. Now everyis hosting monthly one knows about the food events on cambank, and tutoring.” pus to celeMoving on to the brate, and the next 50, the adminfull list with istrative faculty and dates can be staff have some big found at the dreams about where ccsfounto go from here, dation.org/ some of which were sfcc-50th discussed at Pizza page. SFCC With The President. is also apAccording To plying our Pitcher, the adminismission and trations’s focus will be values to a on diversity, equity, degree brighter next 50 completion rates, and support years. for non-traditional students “In March we’re Sarah Surface |Artist Contribution who aren’t straight out of honoring our Student designed logo used in 50 year celebrations high school. music programs,” Said Lori Williams, Student Recruitment Manager at SFCC. “May we’re honoring retirees, and featuring our art program, and June is our wrap- • Visit Page 8 to read about the up celebration.” student designed logo The 50th anniversary page on the CCS Foundation website also has a tab where • Visit Page 5 for info on our 50 year alumni of SFCC can share memories from old art department’s facelift their time here, or donate to the school, as a fundraiser for the campus.

• Visit Page 6 for coverage of the “Something that has happened with the Pizza With the President event 50th is re-engaging alumni,” said Darren Pitcher, Acting President of SFCC. ”(the

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For more on this

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Editor: Magdalena Clough sfcc.magdalena.clough@gmail.com

Here is what the Faculty has to say about the next 50 years at SFCC “(We are working towards) being a place where students can come and learn in a judgement free place. Non-traditional students not straight out of high school come to build knowledge, and further careers. We want to feed the community.”

Nicci Nayes Campus Visit Coordinator

“In higher education change is constant, we always seem to be adapting, budget concerns crop up every year and the need to be innovative always presents itself, if you do the same thing for more than 3 years, you’re falling behind.”

Darren Pitcher Acting President of SFCC

“Some of our goals are really, truly meeting the needs of our community, providing resources, education, and community.”

Lori Williams Campus Visit Coordinator

Editor: Magdalena Clough sfcc.MagdalenaClough@gmail.com

Artsy fartsy facelift

News

The Communicator 02.15.2018

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Building 6 and 11 are being torn down to make way for a new Visual and Applied Arts Building Makenna Lillis The Communicator

final completion and occupancy in mid-2021.”

Due to the fact that this new Spokane Falls Community building idea had just arose, College students and faculty there is no definite factors of the can expect the construction of new arts building except that the a new arts building. SFCC has structure will be modern and enbeen funded for the design and ergy efficient. The effects of this is looking to receive full funding new building will be that it is by the year 2021, at the latest. replacing building 11, the Photo “Design and construction Arts building. funding follows a biennial cyThe Fine Arts building, buildcle. In the 17-19 biennium, we ing 6, will be demolished. have been funded for design. If “The decision to build a new all goes as planned, then conbuilding is based on a scoring struction should be funded in matrix that quantifies the conthe 19-21 biennium,” said Clin- dition of the current building as ton Brown, Director of Capital well as age of facility and curConstruction of 9 years. “Since rent usage,” said Pitcher, “Buildthe funding for design was just ings 6 and 11 are old, they are appropriated by the Legislature heavily used and are in rough in January this year, anticipate shape therefore scored high

Riley McKenna | The Communicator The pictured art gallery in Building 6 will soon be relaced with the new arts building.

and were towards the top of the funding list.”

Building 11 can especially expect major changes due to its construction in the 60s-70s.

The modernization of the new building will not include new equipment, the Photo Arts funding goes towards new cameras and other appliances quarter to quarter. This is because technology continues to evolve and faculty want the students to use upgraded materials.

“I think overall it will be a

Qui Gone Gym

the paperwork is processed, students can access the gym.

While being able to access the gym The SFCC gym is getting a had been a main concern of students, the construction of the new gym is where the “forceful” renovation majority of the questions are concerned.

Hannah Ortiz & Juan Lopez The rumors of climbing walls, an expanded fitness center, new weight rooms, and many The Communicator more classes that will become available once the new gym is completed are true.

The new gym is working out for many According to Ken Buccus, the Dean of students across campus.

Physical Education, the new gym is not only As of the beginning of winter quarter, on schedule for the 2018 fall quarter openthe gym has become open to all students, whereas before it was only open for students ing, but actually ahead due to the early enrolled in physical education classes while spring weather.

“The new gym should be up and moving construction was being done. this coming June with students having full The sign-up process students must go through to access the gym is simply showing access by fall quarter,” said Buccus.

Bruce Johnson, instructor and the Deup with your student ID, filling out a brief partment Chair, was excited for the new legal form (contact info, doctor’s name, any gym, he said it was a long-awaited change. health concerns, etc.), reading the rules of “I think for me, it’s just about being able the gym, then, depending on the instructo better serve our students,” said Johnson. tor, take a short verbal test on the do’s and don’ts while accessing the gym. The process “I mean this is a fifty-year-old building we’re in, and now it’s going to be a modern takes less than ten minutes, and as soon as www.communicatoronline.org

great improvement for our students, some of our facilities here are a little outdated,” said Collin Masteller, Instructional Lab Technician at SFCC. “And as far as the learning environment goes, it’ll push them forward on where they [the students] need to be.”

These additions to campus will be completely funded by the state’s legislature. The funding for building will have no effect on student tuition and fees, and faculty pay.

facility to serve our students.”

The new building doesn’t stop at the interior or exterior, it’s merely the beginning.

New classes are still being discussed, so students will have more options when it comes to physical education classes as soon as more instructors are hired and programs set in place.

As of right now, three new classrooms are being built in the new building. The classes being taught in those rooms, however, are not set in stone.

Zack Da Silva | The Communicator The boards used on the new gym walls are salvaged from the school’s old bleachers

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The Communicator 02.15.18

News

Editor: Magdalena Clough sfcc.magdalena.clough@gmail.com

Pizza & the President Communication with cheese.

their concerns about campus.

Students brought up all kinds of different topics, from the construction of the new Arts building, to the need of more instructors and leadership in programs.

One concern was that stuChandler Pedersen | The Communicator dents have to pay for the bus Every presenter brought a unique point of view to the table while talking about hot topics relating to their personal experience. pass even if they do not use it. young, or have no connection don’t think of you like ‘this’.”

Willow Zimmerman, President Magdalena Clough & to that country.”

Darren Pitcher, Acting Pres- of ASG, addressed the situaChandler Pedersen Agustin Martinez talked ident, and Christine Johnson, tion.

The Communicator about homelessness and his Chancellor of CCS, discussed “Think of it like public A week ago, the campus personal experience working SFCC’s mission statement and school,” said Zimmerman. made a clear effort at transpar- his way into college. how important education is.

“Not everyone has a kid in it, ency, with the pizza with the “I was willing to stand in “Education is the great but everyone pays into it.” president event. front of the college with a sign equalizer,” said Pitcher.

The event ended with ASG The speakers all expressed with my student ID number After the speakers gave their handing out pizza and drinks their views on a variety of top- and payment center phone thoughts and reflections on to the students and faculty who ics, but went into detail about number saying ‘will someone their topics, students expressed were there. the ones they chose to speak please pay $30 [for testing] so on. Andrew Mark Carlos, who I can get into college?’” said advocates for the school’s Agustin Martinez, Outreach clubs to student government Coordinator of ASG. and administrators, spoke Claudine Richardson, Direcabout DREAMers and his extor of diversity, equity, Mosaic perience living as one. center and the LGBT+ center, “I am here to represent spoke about diversity on camstudents hiding or ashamed of pus and in the community we their [legal] status,” said Carlive in. She spoke about safe los, Club Liaison of ASG. “My spaces on campus and defined message to you is that you are what those are. not alone.”

“A safe space is a place He expressed the need for where students who have been acceptance on campus, makhistorically minoritized can ing the point that those who go to share their concerns,” immigrate to America often said Richardson. “They know don’t have a home elsewhere their experiences won’t be to “go back” to. silenced.”

“When you tell a student to Richardson also spoke about “go back to your own country” how many people see diversibecause they don’t have the ty. proper papers,” Said Carlos, “When people think of di“keep in mind that they may versity they think of it in a very have been born in that counone dimensional way,” said try, but left when they were Richardson. “You are ‘this’ so I www.communicatoronline.org

Arts

Editor: Hannah Ortiz sfcc.hannah.ortiz@gmail.com

The Communicator 02.15.2018

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Shakespeare takes SFCC: Measure for Measure Aiden Swank

The Communicator Measure for Measure, the classic Shakespearean dark comedy, showcasing the battle between purity and corruption, opens March 1st, 7:30 p.m. at SFCC’s Spartan Theatre.

The production will be in its original setting of Vienna, Austria during the Renaissance.

Although written in the early 1600’s, the play hosts various modern pieces of social commentary that are alive and well today.

“I am excited for this production because it is one of Shakespeare’s problem plays,” said Bill Marlowe, director of SFCC’s Measure for Measure.

“Right now, at this particular

time in our country, I find this important because the play deals with a sexual predator.”

The vast contrast between characters within the play will showcase a collection of social issues that are still relevent in contemporary society.

“We take a look at this idea of powerful men who take advantage of their position and influence over people. Especially women,” said Marlowe. “It is a really hot topic right now, and I wanted to choose a play that is right in the focus of what is happening in the world today.

We still have the same societal ills that we had in the past.”

Although the sentiment of

Zack Da Silva | The Communicator

darkness plays a heavy tonality throughout the script, without giving away the ending, it will bring forth a powerful female protagonist.

“The woman holds to her ideals and moral structure, and does not give in at the chance of opportunity,” said Marlowe.

People will also be able to experience the rich and colorful set designed by Chris Hansen, the lead male protagonist and set designer on Measure for Measure.

“This production is going to be very traditional. It is based loosely on the set you would see in the Globe Theater - Shakespeare’s theater - in England,” said Hansen. “You are going to see a green-show in the beginning, which is the show before the show. I think this play will look the best compared to what we have done in the past. Audience members should expect to be greeted and wowed.”

The green show will be preceding the play when the doors open at 7 p.m. Patrons will be able to experience first-hand interaction with the cast, and are expected to ask the members of the show to do various things with them.

“There will be host of lords and ladies as you enter. Upwards of twenty to interact with

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before the show,” said Hansen.

The Duke, played by Hansen, will be juxtaposed by the character Angelo. Angelo, the lead antagonist, is being played

by SFCC student, Herron Davidson.

“He is not that great of a guy,” said Davidson. “He does some really nasty stuff, let us just say that. He’s coming from a conservative religious background, and he will let that all lash out in tense moments.”

This will be Davidson’s first play since before high school.

Davidson had performed in theater off and on again in his younger years, but never anything he would consider too professional.

“That was more like kids plays. There was less professionalism. Here you really feel the deadlines, and it just feels bigger and more important,” said Davidson. “I get to put my heart into this character. My devotion. That is what it takes.”

Info for the show:

March 1-4 & March 8-11, 2018 Thursday Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday Matinees, 2:00 p.m.

Spartan Theatre, Bldg 5 TICKETS (at the door): FREE — CCS Student • Child (6 & under) $10 — General $5 — Senior (60+), military, CCS employees, and non-CCS students) Box office opens 1/2 hour before show. Arrive early to get the best seats!

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The Communicator 02.15.2018

Arts

Editor: Chandler Pedersen sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com

Student Spotlight: Sarah Surface designs history Meet the student face behind SFCC’s 50th anniversary logo Andrew Mark Mariano The Communicator Some people set out to make history, some design their way there.

When SFCC’s class of 2017 graduated last year, a banner with a logo for the college’s 50th Anniversary decorated the stage. The logo’s also on faculty email signatures, buttons, balloons and even was on a sheet cake for the commencement. Little did they know that, Sarah Surface, one of their fellow classmates, designed that logo.

Every Spring Quarter first year students in the Graphic Design Program are assigned a design project for the college.

Spring 2017, Sarah Surface was in Alicia Wimmer’s Computer Drawing class when they were told to design a logo for the college’s 50th Anniversary.

“They weren’t super clear with what they wanted initially,” said Surface. “A lot of our logos were a little off base but we worked with the school and came to a little agreement using school colors and school fonts, but still having a fun logo to celebrate 50 years of Spokane Falls.”

Sarah Surface’s finished product showcases her signature style in its typography and shape.

“I’m a Minimalist by nature,” said Surface. “Most of my Design work is minimal in style. One thing I like about Minimalism is that it’s so simple but it gets the point across.”

When the college decided to adopt Sarah Surface’s logo and use it for the 50th Anniversary celebrations, she was surprised. She only learned that they were using her logo when her classmate, ASG’s Director of Marketing Yashuel Campos, texted her pictures of the logo from the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017.

“I personally feel like she wasn’t credited enough,” said Campos. “Sarah had no idea any of that was happening until I sent her pictures of it. I really hope that she gets

Chandler Pedersen | The Communicator Sarah Surface’s logo design was picked from a whole class of first year designers in a Computer Drawing class.

more recognition because she is a very talented designer. When I saw that her logo was picked, I was like ‘Yay Sarah!’”

Both Campos and Surface will be graduating with a Graphic Design Major this year.

“It’s like a stamp, or a badge,” said Surface about her logo. “After five decades, we’re established and made it this far and at the same time, we’ve got lots to look forward to.”

Surface almost didn’t go through with the Graphic Design program, but says she overcame the intimidating tasks and developed her skills as a designer.

“I think if you keep pressing on, you keep learning these skills, and learning from your instructors and by not comparing yourself to other people,” she said.

“Just stick with it, one day at a time you’ll get there. It was not until this year that I felt like ‘Wow, I’m a designer now!’”

Greg Stiles, Chair of The Applied Visual Arts at SFCC shares Surface and Campos’ excitement over the 50th Anniversary logo.

“It’s fabulous to see student work out there, and even the level of it,” said Stiles.

“This project was a team effort between the students and Spokane Falls Community College and it makes me feel proud. This is great for Sarah’s portfolio and it shows that people have trust in her professional work.” www.communicatoronline.org

Each year Graphic Design Students also design the commencement ceremony covers, and every Fall Quarter they design a multi platform advertisement for the Music Department’s concert series.

The winning student designer gets their name put out there and bragging rights.

Under Greg Stiles’ leadership, the Applied Visual Arts Department has developed an annual grad show for not only Graphic Design Students, but also Interior Design and Photography Students. They will be showcasing the students’ work, including Sarah Surface’s portfolio, at the Riverside Plaza on Friday, June 9th from 5-8pm. It will be free and open to the public.

Information about the show: SFCC Applied Visual Arts Grad Show Friday, June 9th, 2018 5-8pm Free Public Admission Riverside Place (Old Masonic Temple) 1110 W Riverside Ave. Spokane, WA 99201

Arts

Editor: Chandler Pedersen sfcc.chandler.pedersen@gmail.com

The Communicator 02.15.2018

Spokane’s film festival season unites SFCC Andrew Mark Mariano The Communicator From Cannes to Spokane, Film Festivals expand minds and bridge cultures.

As French Club Advisor, Ellen Fujioka encourages her club members to attend Spokane’s film festivals that often feature French films. This year they attended the Jewish Cultural Film Festival at Gonzaga, and last week, they attended two viewings at the 20th Spokane International Film Festival or SpIFF. “I try to expand their minds as much as possible,” said Fujioka.

“We don’t have to do things that are French (language) related. As long as it’s some cultured event to get them working and thinking.”

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Clubs at SFCC collaborate on ideas for films to use in Spokane International Film Festival, or SpIFF for short.

French Club also hosts one of the five films for the SFCC International Film Festival. For thepast 13 years, they have collaborated with The International Club, The Alliance (SFCC’s Gay Straight Alliance), Japanese Club and The Spanish Club who each host a film corresponding to their club.

“It’s not easy to watch all of the films we come up with,” said Spanish Club Advisor Gabriel Valenzuela. “It’s a list of about 20 films and we’re all supposed to all go home over the break and say ‘OK, here’s our list that we complied in October, November and December. We have until February to watch as many films as

possible.’”

Valenzuela co-chairs the SFCC International Film Festival with Darlene Rickett, the ServicemLearning Club Advisor and Communications Instructor at SFCC. This is Valenzuela’s sixthmyear as co-chair.

“In 2005, through the work of French Instructor Elodie Goodman and film instructor Mary Hyatt, SFCC was awarded a grant from the French Government to put on a French Film Festival, which was held in the Bing Crosby Theater (then known as The Met),” said the film festival’s page. “The second year the festival expanded to include films from

Finish your bachelor’s degree online at the UW.

SOCIALSCIENCESONLINE.UW.EDU

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other countries and moved to The Garland Theatre to facilitate parking.”

Despite the lengthy process, Fujioka says it’s all worth it.

“There are people from the community of retirees and families that come to support the school and our language programs, but they also come to see a movie they might not be able to see otherwise,” she said. “It’s also nice to see it on a big screen with popcorn rather than at just home on the computer.”

The SFCC International Film Festival starts at 7:15pm on April 17 this year and is free to all CCS students, staff & faculty.

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Poetry, prose, and places to go

Arts

Editor: Hannah Ortiz sfcc.hannah.ortiz@gmail.com

Spokane’s poetry hotspots simplified.

Jasmine D’Amico The Communicator Citizens of Spokane will be thrilled to find out that poetry slams are hosted within the walls of their favorite hotspots.

Poets get three minutes to read their work to an audience and are then scored by judges.

Boots Bakery and Lounge hosts BootSlam, where judges are commonly members from the audience.

Mark Anderson, Poet Laureate of Spokane, works at Boots Bakery and Lounge. He has had an active interest in poetry his whole life, but really became committed to it ten years ago. Anderson has had several works published and plans to have more published in the future.

“Majority of [the writing process] is just sitting down and accepting that what you write might not be good,” said Anderson.“Letting yourself have the freedom to fail at times is important.”

For people not interested in competing, a non-competitive poetry slam called 3 Minute Mic is hosted at Auntie’s bookstore.

Non-competitive poetry slams are also known as open mics. Here, poets can enjoy reading their work without fear

Makenna Lillis

| The Communicator

Places like Boots Bakery and Lounge, Auntie’s Book Store and Neato Burrito offer open mic poetry nights for those who want to present poems they have written.

of judgement.

“Fear is the most crippling thing, and the liberation that comes on the other side of sharing is completely worth it,” said Catherine McCully, Events Assistant at Auntie’s Bookstore.

“All poetry and all art is valid and oftentimes poetry readings are filled with accepting people who are just excited to hear new voices. Do it once, and you’ll realize why people come back again and again.”

Audiences at poetry readings tend to get excited about hearing first-time readers. Those who aren’t quite ready to take the stage are always welcome to be in the audience and enjoy listening to the poetry.

New readers are very common at Broken Mic, an open mic hosted at Neato Burrito. As the poet approaches the mic, the audience will applaud and cheer. It’s a very supportive environment for first time readers.

Anderson was the host of Broken Mic seven years ago

when it began. He is also good friends with current host, Fitz Fitzpatrick. “ Because of our longevity, we have a certain cultish atmosphere that several readers have compared to [that of] the Rocky Horror Picture Show,” said Fitzpatrick. “The audience participation is a grand ol’ time.”

Broken Mic also has feature poets, who are paid to read their published work. Often times, their publications will be for sale at the end of Broken Mic. Feature poets are not exclusive to Broken Mic. 3 Minute Mic also has a segment called Remember the Word.

For about fifteen minutes, a member of the community will read the publications of a dead poet.

“It’s a way of remembering the words of a poet and promoting the work of outstanding individuals in our community,” said McCully.

These three locations are a

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great start for people who are new to the poetry scene. Students at SFCC can also sign up to read at Student Open Mic later this month.

“All poetry really requires is paying attention either to the world around you or the voice inside you ,” said Fitzpatrick.

Open Mic Night Information: Broken Mic Neato Burrito Wednesdays All ages Sign up at 6p Starts at 6:30p Vegan friendly Bar

BootSlam Boots Lounge and Bakery 1st Sundays All ages Admission $5 Prize $50 Sign up at 7p Starts at 7:30p Vegan Friendly Bar

3 Minute Mic Auntie’s Bookstore 1st Fridays All ages Starts at 8:00p

Student Open Mic SUB Rec Center Feb 21 11a-1p

Editor: Joseph Pumphrey sfcc.joe.pumphrey@gmail.com

2018 astronomy in brief A calender to inform of the events in

Features

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space in 2018

F

Zack Da Silva The Communicator

orget the telescope. These astronomy events can be seen with the naked eye.

2018 is an exceptional year for astronomy as there is at least one major astronomical event that can be seen with the naked eye every month.

January: • Super Moon • Blue Moon • Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) January kicked the year off with a triple play of easy to observe astronomical events. On January 31st the moon was full for the second time in a single month, making it a Blue Moon.

The Blue Moon was also eclipsed by the Earth’s shadow, turning it a copper tone known as a Blood Moon. To top it all off, the moon was in perigee, its closest approach to Earth. The phenomenon, known as a Super Moon, results in the moon appearing as much as 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter.

February: • Black Moon The month of February will not see a full moon, a phenomenon known as a Black Moon.

Zack Da Silva | The Communicator Month-by-month, meteor showers, moon phases, and more happening in 2018.

May:

• Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower This meteor shower will peak on May 6 as Earth travels through the path of Halley’s comet and debris it left behind.

June: • Summer Solstice June 21 marks the 2018 Summer Solstice and the longest daytime hours of the year.

July: • Total Lunar Eclipse Blood Moon On July 27 a total lunar eclipse will occur on the same night as a Full Moon, making it a Blood Moon.

August: • Perseid Meteor Shower The best time to catch this cosmic light show is just before dawn August 9 - 13.

September: • Equinox The Fall or Autumnal Equinox happens on September 23.

March: • Harvest Moon • Spring Equinox Blue Moon The Full Moon on October 24 takes on a The Spring Equinox will occur Tuesday, reddish hue due to atmospheric light disMarch 20. This means the length of night tortion. The Moon is in its shallowest orbit and day will be equal, with the following compared with the horizon. This means the day being longer than night. March will also have two full moons, one on (date) and moon will rise just after sunset for several the second on (date), making it the second days in a row. Light from the moon passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere when blue moon in a single year. the moon is closer to the horizon than April: when it is overhead. The atmosphere acts as • Lyrid Meteor Shower a filter for the blue light and lets the light in The Lyrid Meteor shower happens anthe red spectrum through, thus causing the nually between April 16 and 25. The peak viewing times will be the nights of April 22 Harvest Moon to appear to have a copper hue. and 23. www.communicatoronline.org

The Harvest Moon gets its name from the Full Moon coinciding with harvest season for crops. Early moonrises provided extra light after the sun went down, perfect for farmers during their busiest season.

October: • Draconid Meteor Shower This Meteor shower peaks October 8.

The best time to watch is just after sunset.

• Orionid Meteor Shower October’s second annual meteor shower peaks the night of October 21 and morning of October 22 but can be seen from October 2 all the way to November 7. This is the second meteor shower created by dust and debris from Halley’s comet.

November: • Leonid Meteor Shower The best chance to see these shooting stars is November 17 at night and early morning November 18.

December: • Winter Solstice The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, is December 21.

• Geminid Meteor Shower A high meteor density makes this shower a crowd favorite of astronomy enthusiasts and photographers. More meteors means increased opportunity to capture photos of shooting stars. The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks December 13.

• Ursid Meteor Shower The last meteor shower of the year peaks the night of December 22.

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The Communicator 02.15.2018

Features

Eco- friendly ideas

Ways to be eco- friendly around the SFCC campus Makenna Lillis

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The Communicator

ith winter coming to an end, one can expect to see more people grooming their yards, and because most of the “feasting” holidays are over, taking part in healthy eating.

All these options not only help people, but the environment as well.

“I try to stay eco-friendly as a college student by making my own products like deodorant and toothpaste,” said Kelly Mueller, a fourth year student at WSU. “I save money by making my own products because all it requires are materials you might already have in your kitchen, like baking soda and coconut oil.”

Mueller describes how it is a win-win to make homemade own products with non-expensive supplies.

“I always tell students that the most immediate impact they can have is with their food choices. Eat less meat, organic as much as possible, and hopefully supporting local farmers and businesses,” said Ryan Campanella, AP Environmental Science teacher at Mt. Spokane High School. “Food gives someone a

Editor: Joseph Pumphrey sfcc.joe.pumphrey@gmail.com

chance to vote three times a day for the change they want to see.”

Campanella explains that how we treat ourselves, we’re treating our planet. A healthy lifestyle creates a healthy ecosystem.

“By learning about how healthy ecosystems provide services to humans that we most often take for granted, and learning how our everyday activities and life choices affect ecosystems,” said Ruth Kirkpatrick, biology and botany instructor who has taught at colleges around California, at WSU, and SFCC. “For example, the biggest impact each of us has on the environment is directly related to the foods we choose to eat. Everytime we spend money, we are voting for the type of world we want to live in.”

Campanella teaches about major areas that include ecology, biodiversity, water and air pollution, climate change, urbanization, and energy. His class is intended to introduce students to current issues while giving them the tools necessary to understand the complexity of environmental concerns.

Whilst Kirkpatrick teaches her students “ Botany 112: Survey of the Plant Kingdom” as an exploration of the variety of plant forms and functions. She also teaches “Botany 113: Field Botany” which explains how to identify plants using dichotomous keys and guiding students to recognize and name the plant parts used for identification, as well as how to collect, document, and preserve collected plants.

Although both Kirkpatrick and Campanella teach very different studies, they both want to express how much healthy eating has an impact on people and your surroundings.

Financial aid tips

cated on the FAFSA website as well as SFCC’s website.”

The earlier the student gets their application in, the more money they’re likely to get.

Navigating through financial aid forms and FAFSA To get the FAFSA started, head to www.fafsa.ed.gov , and click on Start New FAFSA. Once the account is created, the Cheyanne Ross & Dominique Arce process takes anywhere from 30-40 minutes.

Make sure to select the correct school year that will be The Communicator attended. If there is uncertainty on which school year is coroing back to school is stressful enough, and with the rect, contact either the school in mind, or FAFSA help desk. added stress of figuring out how to afford it all, things A student will be taken through a series of financial quesmay seem to start sinking. tions, including the parents schooling, tax, and income inforAbout 30% of students either didn’t fill out their FAFSA or mation. As well as the students information. had no clue it existed.

Once this is completed, the individual will select schools FAFSA is a free application form for college students that de- of interest for their information to be sent to. termines their eligibility for financial help Then the state can decide how much from the state. aid is required depending on the school.

The state will provide options such as; Eligibility questions are next on the list. unsubsidized loans, subsidized loans, These are questions about ethnicity, miliand the Federal Pell Grant. A student can tary, and other special circumstances that choose to accept or decline the rewards. may create a higher amount of aid given.

The Federal Pell Grant is one a student Finally, at the end of it all, a confirmawill not have to pay back, but the loans tion page will be given stating how much that are accepted will require the set up of you could be eligible for. a payment plan.

In the meantime, while waiting on the “Students struggle most with filling out acceptance and decline portion, a stutheir FAFSA on time,” said Robert Krause. dent should start applying for the schools “As well as realizing there are other forms of interest. that are requested.”

Scholarships are another way to get aid These forms are found on the school’s to get through college. There are various FAFSA section. types of scholarships that are given, so Zack Da Silva | The Communicator there is no limit as to what types of aid Robert Krause is one of SFCC’s FAFSA program specialists. you can apply for.

“The thing I stress the most is apply for FAFSA as early as possible,” said Krause. “The next priority deadline for summer/ fall quarter is April 13th, 2018, but all of the deadlines are lo-

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Editor: Cheyanne Ross sfcc.cheyanne.ross@gmail.com

Caffeine: Boon or Bane

Opinion

The Communicator 02.15.2018

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Managing sleep and caffeine habits in a go, go, go world.

Zack Da Silva

The Communicator College students everywhere are familiar with the ritual of throwing back a cup of coffee after getting a measly four hours of sleep. The world a college student operates in practically requires this routine.

The notorious stamina potion is not without its adverse effects, however, and the lack of sleep itself quickly takes a toll on the body.

“Sleep is something most students don’t know a lot about,” said Keith Snyder, Health and Wellness instructor at SFCC. “Especially here, because this is a commuter college. Most of our students work and go to school.”

The Center for Disease Control defines insufficient sleep as anything less than seven hours of sleep a day. Juggling multiple schedules often means sacrificing sleep for many working college students. Those students are hard pressed to find a better solution for their sleepiness than caffeine, but the effects of the stimulant result in poor sleep... and thus the cycle continues.

“Adenosine is a key hormone our bodies use to fall asleep,” said Snyder. “Caffeine inhibits the body’s release of it and thus interrupts the circadian rhythm. Caffeine is also a vasoconstrictor, meaning it causes your blood vessels to constrict and in turn makes your heart work much harder.”

Zemi Williams, pictured above, buys coffee at the Cafe on campus.

Snyder himself has two cups of coffee a day and manages to get a solid seven and a half hours of sleep each night. His secret? Know when to cut the caffeine out.

“I drink a cup of coffee in the morning with my wife and then I have one more while teaching class,” said Snyder. “Caffeine gets into your system relatively quickly, about 30 minutes. It takes much longer to leave your system, however.”

The half life of caffeine, the amount of time it takes for your body to metabolize half of the substance, is somewhere between three and five hours. Snyder uses this as a rule of thumb for when to stop consuming caffeinated drinks.

“Five hours before bed is a good time to stop consuming caffeine,” said Snyder.

According to the Center for Disease Control, lack of sufficient sleep is associated with a higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity and depression.

“You end up being more

emotional in irrational ways,” said Snyder. “If you reflect on your past, the times we make mistakes are usually when we hadn’t gotten enough sleep.”

A non-scientific study, which surveyed students and staff at the cafe in the Student Union Building, found that nearly twenty percent of respondents reporting drinking coffee more than two or three times a day.

The study also asked participants to report on how much sleep they get on average. About twenty percent reported only getting between two and four hours of sleep a night. Almost five percent reported getting less than two hours each night.

“If we normally get seven and a half to eight hours of sleep and we knock off just one hour for two or three days, it’s like only getting two or three hours one night,” said Snyder. “Sleep is cumulative. For things like tests, It’s the sleep you get 48 hours prior that counts.”

With this information

www.communicatoronline.org

Zack Da Silva

| The Communicator

in mind, students should be conscious of how much sleep they allow themselves and whether or not their caffeine habits are obstructing their health.

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Opinion

The Communicator 02.15.2018

Winter Sport Injuries Joseph Pumphrey The Communicator

Many events can happen in sports and outside activities that can affect people’s lives.

Injuries. Injuries can happen in many ways, and with the winter season still very much alive on the local mountains, one could ask, what are some ways to prevent injuries during the winter season?

Mark Finley from REI in Spokane says that it all starts with the proper equipment.

“The biggest thing is a solid winter sports helmet,” Finley said.

“There’s a mountain bike helmet for winter that tries to keep your head warm, then we have snowboarding and ski helmets.”

Most winter sports helmets have a tag that will show the term “M.I.P.S.” which stands for “Multi-directional Impact Protection System. ” “You’ve only got one brain,” Finley says, “The brain has this cerebral spinal fluid so it’s basically floating inside your head and that fluid is your protection. With M.I.P.S, they essentially put a helmet within a helmet, and therefore the interior helmet will allow the exterior helmet to spin while elastic bands will adsorb the shock. ” “ Ice skaters are five times more likely to suffer head or face injuries than inline skaters or roller skaters,” according to downtownmagazinenyc.com. “ Within any given year, approximately 10,000 children ages five to fourteen, are treated in a hospital emergency room for ice skating related injuries.”

There are several ways to prevent injuries while ice skating. “ Make sure your ice skates fit comfortably and provide strong ankle support,” according to down-

townmagazinenyc.com. “Lack of ankle support makes ankles wobbly and can lead to injuries.”

“The most common injury for skiing is the thumb,” Finley said.

“It’s because they’re using poles and falling in a particular way causing the strap to basically rip your thumb back.”

There’s also a very common injury in snowboard that involves a piece of the arm.

“Most common injury in snowboarding is probably wrists,” Finley said. “ You have a lot of falls where you put your hands down causing so much force that you just aren’t ready for, breaking a wrist or sprain a wrist.”

“There’s a glove with and integrated wrist brace,” Finley said.

“It’s basically got inside the glove a plastic brace that’s basically a big support so essentially it gives you a lot of support on that bone. It’s also sold separately so you can put it in any glove.”

There’s also a new piece of equipment for skiers.

“Basically it’s a breakaway strap for the pole,” Finley said. “If you look at 99% of the skiing poles, the strap is not coming out. What these guys have done with breakaway straps is kind of create a fail-safe, so you wear this thing and snug it up with the velcro. When you’re getting ready to head up the hill, you just pop it into the pole. If you crash hard, this thing will come out of the pole to save your thumbs. It’s designed to release under force.”

There are many ways to prevent injuries in winter sports. It just takes a little preparation to make sure that one avoids having to deal with one at all. www.communicatoronline.org

Editor: Cheyanne Ross sfcc.cheyanne.ross@gmail.com

Editor: Juan Lopez sfcc.juan.lopez@gmail.com

Critical injury sidelines Najera

Sports

The Communicator 02.15.2018

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SCC point guard out for season after sufferng a pneumothorax injury.

Juan Lopez

The Communicator With fewer than 200,000 of these cases of pneumothorax per year this injury is still considered rare, and would be a scary situation to be in because a pneumothorax can be a life threatening event.

“A pneumothorax (noo-moe-THORaks) is a collapsed lung. A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space Alfredo Najera Contribution between your lung and chest wall. This Edgar Najera layng in the hospital bed following his surgery for his pneumothorax injury. air pushes on the outside of your lung and makes it collapse” according to the www.

MayoClinic.org. nity college basketball team comes first no matter what. We just want Unfortunately this rare injury has af“We are missing having Edgars energy too to see him all the way recovered. There fected the point guard of the and enthusiasm is no hurry or time table to get back, he Spokane community college to our needs to men’s basketball team, Edgar group. He “This injury will make take all Najera must sit out the rest of is a great me stronger and I will the time his freshman year after only teammate he needs train harder to prove to playing nine games. and hard to get “I am very excited to get worker people that I will never healthy” back and play the sport I love and very Clearly fold.” and have played my whole well-liked everyone life,” said Najera. “This injury by all the Edgar Najera on the SCC will make me stronger and I guys.” basketball will train harder to prove to said team, and people that I will never fold.” head basketball staff is on the same page that there is no Having played this game coach Jeremy time table or rush on a players health, The your whole life it becomes a Groth. most important thing is Edgar getting back lifestyle all you think about is His mentalito a hundred percent. basketball, and at the same ty through this “I’m out for the rest of the season to let time your teammates and injury has been my lung heal and get stronger to be the coaches become more than great, instead of player I was before,” said Najera. friends in a way they become folding over and With a great supporting cast including family. saying he’s done his teammates and coaches and most im“I miss stepping on the for the seaportantly himself, with this mentality and court with my teammates,” son and being support the Spokane community college said Najera. “As I lay in bed scared, he has point guard will be back to crossing over and sit at home all I do is Bob Johnson |Contribution used this injury people, dishing sweet dimes, and getting think about basketball and watch you to try to boost his game to the next level. buckets by next season with no problem tube!”

“Most important is his recovery for Edgar while becoming a stronger player mentally Edgar also brought a lot of energy on to get completely healed,” said Groth. “It and physically. and off the court to the spokane commuwas a very scary situation and his health www.communicatoronline.org

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Arts

The Communicator 02.15.2018

Editor: Hannah Ortiz sfcc.hannah.ortiz@gmail.com

Spotlight: Dawn of Life

The next generation’s Classic Rock Joseph Pumphrey

The Communicator

Allman, Knopfler, Van Halen, Wilson, and Young. These names all have something in common: they are siblings in rock bands together. Now add a new name to this lengthy list: Shoemaker.

Stephen and Sam Shoemaker started Dawn of Life in 2012 and since their formation, have created their own unique style and instilled their place in the Spokane music scene.

The music didn’t start in 2012 though, it started much earlier.

“We grew up playing music,” said Stephen, the group’s guitarist and vocalist. “We would always play, but I never really

was inspired to do a band thing with it, but Sam was in and out of a lot of bands, so we decided to do it ourselves.”

Sam, who is the group’s drummer, percussionist, and the older brother of the two, found his passion for drumming in his teen years.

“I guess I was always a performer as a kid. I got my first (drum) set when I was 15,” Sam said. “Actually seeing ‘The Song Remains the Same’ by Led Zeppelin and watching John Bonham and the opening part of ‘Rock and Roll,’ I was like ‘yeah, that’s what I want to do.”

At first, Stephen only played guitar in the group, but as time moved on, he thought of doing more.

“We were playing a competition down in Moscow, Idaho,

and I had written lyrics, but we couldn’t find any singers,” Stephen said. “We were talking backstage with one of the other performers and he was like ‘Just sing it yourself. You can’t mess up if you’re doing it yourself,’ and I went out there and improvise three of the songs that we performed and that was when I realized that I can do it.”

While the brothers have been influenced by many critically-acclaimed musicians, Stephen would say that their inspiration is closer than the music they listen to.

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“Our dad played guitar growing up and I always wanted to be able to do what he did,” Stephen said. “I still can’t play the way he did and he doesn’t give himself enough credit.”

Dawn of Life is finishing up their work in studio for their upcoming album, and they hope to re-capture the classic rock style and sound for the modern time.

“We love the music and music touches people,” Stephen said. “We’ve been helped through music and we plan to help through music.”