Volume 49 Issue 9 February 13, 2014www.meramecmontage.com

MT H E M O N T A G E

TALES OF THE LOST

FORMICANSPlay Written By: Constance congdon

PAGE 12&13

The MeRamec Theatre Presents

NEWS2February 13, 2014

Spring Career FairFREE Admission!

�ursday, March 6 2014

Meet with area employers and learn aboutemployment opportunities in your community!

9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Meramec Gymnasium

11333 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122

OPPORTUNITY

NEWS BRIEFS: MERAMEC MORSELS

Five candidates are running for two open seats on the STLCC board of trustees.

Resident in STLCC districts will have the opportunity to vote for the following candidates at the April 8 election.

Theodis Brown Sr. and Redditt Hudson are candidates for the subdistrict 1 seat, which includes the Hazelwood, Ferguson/Florissant, Riverview Gardens, Jennings, Pattonville, Ritenour, University City, Normandy, Clayton and Ladue school districts.

Rodney Gee, Libby Fitzgerald and Daniel Henderson are candidates for the subdistrict 4 seat, which includes Parkway, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Rockwood, Valley Park, Meramec Valley and Hancock Place school districts as well as small portions of Jefferson and Franklin counties.

District voters elect board members, who normally serve a six-year term.

Theodis Brown Sr.Theodis Brown Sr. is running

for the Subdistrict 1 seat. He is

currently the chief of the Castlepoint F i r e P ro t e c t i o n Association and a trustee of the Castlepoint

Community Association. Brown ran unsuccessfully for the STLCC board of trustees in 1994, 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2012.

Brown graduated from the St. Louis Police Academy in 1970, and from the St. Louis Fire Academy in 1978. Brown is listed in the International Biographical Centre’s “Outstanding People of the 21st Century.” Brown is also a free-lance paralegal and publishes “St. Louis Private Eye” Magazine.

Redditt HudsonRedditt Hudson is running

for the Subdistrict 1 seat. He is the regional field organizer for Region IV of the NAACP. Before working with the NAACP, he was a program associate for the American Civil Liberies Union of Eastern Missouri.

Two seats on the STLCC board of trustees to be filled in April 8 election, Five vying for seats

The Sky Club will host a severe storm spotter and public safety training class from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Feb. 22, in the STLCC-Meramec Theatre.

This training session offered by the National Weather Service is free admission and open to the community, as well as students,

staff and faculty. Upon completion of the

training session, information will be provided on how to register as an official volunteer storm spotter.

For more information, contact The Sky Club at the.sky.club@hotmail.com or call Professor Joe Schneider at 314-984-7419.

Free safety training offered by the NWS

STLCC-Meramec’s campus-wide tornado drill will take place on Friday, Feb. 21, at 2:45 p.m.

The phone broadcast messaging system will be tested

at 7:30 p.m. and the computer pop-up messaging systems will be tested at 10:30 a.m. both on Monday, Feb. 24.

Alert systems to be tested on Meramec campus

H u d s o n is a former St. Louis p o l i c e officer; he left the force in 1999 to focus on addre s s ing

systemic problems in the criminal justice system and on improving the relationship between the community and police officers. As a result he co-founded Project PEACE, an organization working with educators, students and parents to address gang violence prevention and intervention in communities and schools.

Rodney GeeRodney Gee is running for the

Subdistr ict 4 seat. He is a principal for financial a d v i s o r d i v e r s i t y performance for Edward Jones. Gee

was formerly director of staffing at Monsanto, as well as the director of human resources for

Monsanto’s Roundup business unit, genomics technology and corporate research groups. Gee is also the president of the St. Louis Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Gee was awarded the STLCC’s Honorary Degree Award in 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University in 1981 and completed a master’s degree at Webster University in 2002.

Libby FitzgeraldLibby Fitzgerald is also

running for the Subdistrict 4 seat. She is a retired associate professor in counseling at STLCC-Forest Park. Fitzgerald served two terms

as president of the JCD-NEA She earned the Forest Park c a m p u s Innovation of the Year Award in

1997. Fitzgerald was a board

member of the Ponepiotic Federation of America, a group that defends human rights for the

Greek ethnic minority in Albania. Fitzgerald has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and a master’s degree from University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Daniel HendersonDaniel Henderson is also

running for the Subdistrict 4 seat. He is president of Henderson’s E l e c t i c LLC. He prev ious l y served as an e lectr ic ian for St. Louis Public Schools and three years as a lead matenance mechanic at STLCC. Henderson volunteers with Kids Against Hunger Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, KaBOOM and Habitat for Humanity.

Henderson holds a bachelor’s degree from Webster University in 2000 and earned his journeyman wireman certification at the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 1 in 2005. He is a first-time candidate for public office.

STLCC has set withdrawal deadlines for the spring 2014 semester based on the length of courses. The final withdrawal deadline for full-term (16 week) classes is Friday, April 11. Students

enrolled classes beginning Jan. 13 and ending March 7 must withdrawal by Feb. 21, classes beginning March 17 through May 12 must be withdrawn by April 25 and classes beginning Feb. 13

and ending May 12 adhere to the April 11 withdrawal date.

Students wanting to withdrawal from classes must file paperwork in the registrar’s office by the designated drop dates.

Withdrawal deadlines for the spring semester begin Feb. 21

MONTAGETHEJOIN

WRITEDRAWLAYOUT

TAKE PICTURES DESIGN

TUESDAYS @ 5:00 P.M. IN SC 220A FOR OUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING

CONTACT SHANNON PHILPOTT AT SPHILPOTT@STLCC.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

The Meramec Theater program will launch production of “Bye Bye Birdie” with auditions slated for Tuesday, Feb. 18 and Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Meramec Theatre. Students

auditioning should prepare a one to two-minute comic monologue and prepare a one-minute song with sheet music in the correct key. The theatre departments encourages dress for a dance

audition. The performances of “Bye Bye Birdie,” directed by Meramec Professor Michelle Rebollo, will be April 16-19 at 7:30 p.m. and April 20 at 2 p.m. in the Meramec Theatre.

Meramec Theater program hosts auditions for ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

In order to assist STLCC with fulfilling the federal regulations for recording and reporting attendance, the college instituted the Banner XE Attendance Tracking system at the beginning of the fall 2013 semester. The attendance tracker has become the electric version of “green sheets” or the paper form of how attendance was previously taken.

The program directly affects students with financial aid, according to Regina Blackshear, Director of District Wide Financial Aid and Scholarships. The financial aid office uses the module to assess when and how to distribute federal money.

“It helps the school, but it also helps the student,” Blackshear said. “When you have a student that has paid for a class, but never attended we have to send that money back to the Department of Education. We’re liable. The student is in the situation, now, where they have to pay the institution back.”

According to Blackshear, the program was put in place because the college had some issues where attendance was not reported for students until the fifth week of class. The Department of Education determined that a student missing 14 consecutive calendar days of class was the magic number of excessive absences and the school needed a quicker way to evaluate attendance.

“That meant then, if you received financial aid and you had not attended class, that put us in a lot of positions where we were actually sending money back [to the government], taking money away and those types of issues.” Blackshear said. “The

green sheets were not doing it anymore.”

Blackshear, who has been in her position at STLCC for two years, said she hopes that in using this system, they can have real attendance data to work with.

“We can actually start looking at processes that will allow us to have attendance on the first week of class,” Blackshear said. “Then hopefully we can look at moving the refund dates back up closer to the beginning of the semester because then we have attendance to confirm.”

According to Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Kim Fitzgerald, professors can still use green sheets for their daily attendance, but once-a-week need to enter the attendance records online.

“They can still do that and then go in and do it electronically. Once-a-week is ideal because those first couple weeks they have to really stay on it,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s not like a daily task. They can do it by hand and then go in on the computer and do it later.”

The attendance tracker is designed to track each individual class session, but lies within a 14 consecutive calendar day period.

For students who take one class on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and a different class on

Tuesday, Thursday, not attending the class on Tuesday, Thursday, for the two-week time frame, throws up a red flag even though it is only four class periods.

The Department of Education also requires proof of attendance in online courses. Just logging in the class does not count as attending, according to the Faculty and Staff Resources section on the STLCC website. There must be verification of regular interaction between students and faculty, such as contributing to an online

discussion. For this reason, the STLCC website says the school has made it mandatory that all online courses are required to document a weekly assignment.

However, according to Blackshear, if a student misses just the one week of classes (or two consecutive class days of a Tuesday, Thursday class) and then comes the second week, the 14-day period starts over.

“It’s 14 consecutive,” Blackshear said. “If a student misses 10 days and then shows back up, the clock starts all the way back over.”

At the 10-day mark, STLCC sends out two emails, one to the instructor and the other to the student.

“The one to the instructor says that this student has been

reported as not being in your class for 10 days. Is that accurate?” Blackshear said. “The one to the student says, ‘You haven’t been to class in the last 10 days. Are you attending or not attending?’ If they are, it gives them an opportunity to talk to the instructor. The email will also tell them if they’re not intending on coming back, then there is a withdrawal process that they need to do. If they don’t do that, then by the end of the semester, they’ll have an ‘F.’”

Federal regulations expect the college to determine whether or not the student has the intention of returning to class or withdrawing, said Blackshear. In order for STLCC to identify students who have excessive absences, without administratively withdrawing the student, STLCC created the code for registered but not attending (RN).

“Students who have been given an RN status will be documented as just not attending. That allows for if there is some reason a mistake was made, as far as the attendance, the instructor can fix that,” Blackshear said. “It also allows if for some reason a student shows up after those 14 days and does enough work to still pass, it allows the instructor to still give that student a passing grade if that’s what they deserve.”

According to Blackshear, students should be proactive about their situation if they know that they are going to miss class.

“What that is saying is the student has made contact. We know where the student is and the student has the intention of coming back,” Blackshear said. “Then when we send out an email it’ll say, ‘We’re getting

ready to say you’re registered, but not attending. Is this accurate?’ We want to give them some time in case they’re not proactive to say, ‘Wait. I need to contact my instructor.’”

Like any new product, Blackshear said that there were some issues last semester. The problems that arose according to Blackshear mainly involved students who had been given an RN status.

“I wish I could tell you it was wonderful. But I can tell you that this semester has gone by a lot smoother,” Blackshear said. “There were some issues for students with an RN status. There’s an option for the instructor to update the attendance. They may have accidentally marked students there when the student knew they’ve never been there. What we do then, is we send out an email that says, ‘You’re sure this student hasn’t been there? Are you sure she’s come back?’ That gives the instructor the opportunity to go in and take that date out. We’re still getting used to working the program out itself.”

Despite the kinks, according to Blackshear, the attendance tracker has helped STLCC save money.

“If a student has been reported as never attending a class, then they never received the financial aid for that class. That’s one of the mechanisms that will help us to get that refund date moved up,” Blackshear said. “Because if I register for 12 hours and I’ve truly only gone to six, then financial aid should only release aid for six hours. And that’s gone really well.”

NEWS 3February 13, 2014

STLCC launches attendance tracker to safeguard financial aid fundsSPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF

Banner XE Attendance Tracking system replaces paper attendance ‘green sheets’

““If a student has been reported as never attending a class, then they never received the financial aid for that class. That’s one of the mechanisms that will help us to get that refund date moved up,”

-Regina Blackshear

THE FOLLOWING ARE AFFECTED BY ATTENDANCE TRACKER.

SKIPPING CLASS COULD LEAD TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID BEING REVOKED.More information at www.stlcc.edu/Faculty_and_Staff_Resources/

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Federal Work Study Program

Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

Federal Pell Grant

WARNING

Become a Professional Cook

train at the #1 Culinary School

Le Cordon Bleu in North America had more culinary graduates in the USA than any other national network of culinary schools, for the years 2006 to 2012. Source: IPEDS. On average 74% of available scholarship/grant dollars were actually awarded in 2008-2013.By texting to the short code, you are giving Le Cordon Bleu written consent to contact you by phone or text message using automated dialing systems. This consent is not required to purchase services from Le Cordon Bleu.Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation. Find employment rates, � nancial obligations and other disclosures at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Credits earned are unlikely to transfer. 26-36297 656954 02/14

Call 877.453.0222Text AWARD to 94576

Visit StLouisLCB51.com

Plea

se cu

t alo

ng lin

es b

efor

e m

ailin

g.

NO POSTAGENECESSARY

IF MAILEDIN THE

UNITED STATES

BUSINESS REPLY MAILFIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. R-6550 SPOKANE WA

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

ADMISSIONS PROCESSING CENTER9921 N NEVADA ST STE 200SPOKANE, WA 99218-9903

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts7898 Veterans Memorial ParkwaySt. Peters, MO 63376

Culinary Arts• Immersive Hands-on Training in

the Kitchen• Learn from Experienced Chefs• Develop Your Own Style and Creativity• Hone Your Skills in Your Externship

$7.5 Millionin Scholarships & Grants

Available in 2014!

NEWS 5February 13, 2014

JUSTIN VILLMER COPY EDITOR

Go to the campus website: www.stlcc.edu •ClicktheMYSTLCCboxintheupperrighthandcornerandthenclick ontheBannerself-servicetabontherighthandsideofthescreen.

ClicktheStudentRecordsoption. •AtthebottomofthechoicesisDegreeAudit,uponclickingitwillletyou choosebetweenRequestaDegreeAuditorViewRequestedDegreeAudit.

OpenthelinknamedStudentServices&FinancialAid •Thistaboffersinformationaboutregistration,studentrecords andpaymentoptions.

FirstgotoRequestaDegreeAudit. •Displayedonthispageisthedegreeinprogress,nexttowhichthereis abuttonthatreads,“RunAudit”clickthisbutton.

Noweitherreturntothepreviouspageorclickthe“What-if?”buttonatthebottom. •Thisoptionallowsstudentstoseewhichclasseswouldtransfertoa differentdegreeprogramifchangingtheirmajor.

NowchooseViewRequestedDegreeAudit. •Hereshouldbeyourname,alongwithalinkmadefromyourdegree. Ifnotpresent,itmaytakeupto5minutesforthedegreeauditto appear.Degreeauditsareautomaticallydeletedafter7days.

Onthenextpage,clickthegreenLoginbutton. •WhenpromptedloginusingyourMySTLCCIDandPassword.

Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is a tool students can use to evaluate the progress toward their degree. This system displays how classes are applied to a degree, what classes or criteria are still required and student statistics such as GPA or total credits. The degree audit includes a pie chart with in progress, completed and unfulfilled hours; a breakdown of credit hours; how classes apply to the degree and what classes are still required. There is printer friendly link as well.

A step-by-step guide follows:

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO

DARS

DESIGN BY: CORY MONTERO

The inevitable energy crisis surrounding America and other key countries is troubling. Relying on oil to power our cars, heat our homes and fuel our military is essentially futile. Oil is a limited resource; so looking in other areas is crucial to our survival in the digital age.

Many countries are switching over to renewable energy sources. According to http://makewealthhistory.org, Iceland heats around 85 percent of its homes using geothermic energy (or energy attained from underground heat sources.) Other countries such as Bhutan, use mountains to create electricity and then export that excess energy to places like India.

America falls behind in the renewable energy race. Though America is creating new wind farms and finding new ways to use solar energy, we still heavily rely on coal, which is horrible not only for the economy but for the environment as well.

The problem is that there is no immediate profit from renewable energy and big companies like Ameren want to keep their business, so they lobby for laws against renewable energy in the hopes to delay a possible loss in profit. This puts a huge halt on America’s progress toward green energy.

If America wish to see a new country full of renewable energy, we must bite the bullet, suffer short term and give it time. In that time, we will see wind farms rise, solar panels built and other forms of alternative energy flourish, thus relieving our need for expensive oil and coal all the while preserving the planet. It is a win-win, but it takes a little bit of time and aspiration.

Ultimately, it is foolish to stay on the path we are now as a country. With depleting resources, one can only imagine why a country as great as America has not made the change towards alternative energy that other countries have. America needs an alternative way of living and what we have now will not cut it.

Marius, an 18-month-old giraffe at the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark has sparked

worldwide outrage. Animal rights activists have turned to the Internet to express their views on a decision made by zoo officials to euthanize the animal. Scientific director Bengst Holst said, “When giraffes breed as well as they do now, then you will inevitably run into so-called surplus problems now and then.” Critics far and wide have shamed zoo for its decision. Holst defends the killing of Marius stating that the animal posed the threat of inbreeding on their “sound and healthy giraffes.” Marius’ body was used for a public autopsy after which his remains were fed the zoo’s big cats. The fact that Marius was himself a member of the population of healthy giraffes, which he was killed in order to preserve, poses serious moral questions concerning the zoo’s decision.

Upon reading of Marius’ situation, the first question that came to mind was: why not transfer the animal to a different zoo? Britain’s Yorkshire Wildlife Park offered to do just that. However, the zoo declined the

park’s offer to provide refuge for Marius. The zoo’s refusal to send Marius packing only reveals that the Copenhagen Zoo values their success as a business more than the lives of the animals they “care” for. What is it that the world needs to know about giraffes that we cannot read in an encyclopedia that would justify killing a young and healthy specimen who would have almost certainly made a positive contribution to the community—fellow giraffes and animal-lovers alike.

The Copenhagen Zoo has shown disloyalty to its animals and has only provided significant evidence that a zoo is (in most cases) a profitable organization always looking to increase its income. I, for one, will no longer be able to pay a visit a zoo without first paying respect to Marius by knowing how my contribution affects the living conditions of the animals that call the zoo home.

To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., 314-984-7955.

Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the board of trustees or the administration.

The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122. 314-984-7655.

One copy of The Montage is free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager.

Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.

Proud member of

Spencer GleasonCory MonteroCassie Kibens

Jake HunnDavid KloeckenerRebecca Biundo

Justin VillmerShannon Philpott

Editor in ChiefManaging EditorProduction ManagerGraphics EditorPhoto/Asst. Sports EditorIn-Depth EditorSr. Copy EditorFaculty Adviser

EDITORS MONTAGE STAFFTiara Bams

Billy GardnerJake Heidbrink

Robert KnightAaron McCall

Dennis W. ParksDalila Kahvedzic

Jason JamisonDarla Storm

Staff WriterStaff WriterStaff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff WriterStaff WriterStaff WriterStaff Photographer

THE MONTAGE

www.meramecmontage.com

OPINIONS6February 13, 2014

CORY MUEHLEBACH STAFF WRITER

WACKYSCIENCE

Exercising Energy

JAKE HUNNGRAPHICS EDITOR

KEEPIN’IT

REAL

Marius The Giraffe:Martyr for

Animal Rights

Planning to vacation with a group of friends (and no parents) can be tough, especially when you are 18 or under. Sure you can use the whole “I’m eighteen and I don’t need your approval,” but in many households that just does not do the trick. In a recent student survey, thirteen 18-19 year old people asked their parents to go on a week-long trip to California, and only eight were given the hesitant “okay.”

So the question is: are parents being too lenient with their kids, or are they not being lenient enough? Of course every normal and loving parent would be scared of the “what if ’s”…. What if they get into a car crash, what if they get robbed,

what if they get kidnapped, but is this an overreaction? Are these just things they get from watching those crazy fictional Lifetime movies that are evidently way too unrealistic? Of course, kids think so because the goal is to have the time of our lives with best friends and explore new sights or just get away for awhile. It is not like those 18 and under want to run with open arms to a robber or purposely do something to harm themselves, which is what parents often make it seem like sometimes.

Then arises another question: What is the point of being young? Students are overwhelmed with trying their best in school and working countless hours at jobs and who knows what else, that they forget how to even enjoy themselves. They get so caught up in paying cell phone bills or filling up gas tanks that they are pushing themselves to adulthood and before long, five years just fly on by. Students only have a couple of years to be young and the rest of their lives to be adults. So to be fair, don’t we deserve a break? Don[t we deserve to look back on our teenage years and get to say “wow, I really enjoyed being a teenager,” before the stresses of adulthood start piling on. But unfortunately, students are often deemed “just kids” and told they “don’t know anything about the dangers of life” and that is the end of the conversation.

DALILA KAHVEDZICSTAFF WRITER

A NEWPERSPECTIVE

Have a SafeTrip

ILLUSTRATION BY JAKE HUNN

OPINIONS 7February 13, 2014

For around 50 years, parents, teachers and various government agencies have been telling us that smoking marijuana is a bad thing. Studies indicate that its use leads to the use of stronger, more addictive drugs; an increase in crime in attempts to pay for marijuana and health risks that negatively effect brain function and memory. What made marijuana okay, all of a sudden? What changed?

Nothing. Mother Nature did not take the artificial coloring out of grass or the pesticides out of weed. It is still the same stuff that it has always been. Other than eliminating some possession charges, making marijuana possession legal does not make it less harmful.

In a country where cigarette smoking has been legal since our founding fathers signed the Constitution, it is being increasingly regulated and/or

eliminated, it seems incredibly strange to foresee a vote on legalization of marijuana. Whether their first cigarette was while in the military or as a stressed-out teen, many smokers agree that a cigarette relaxes them. Perhaps it does. I cannot imagine anyone smoking for the thrill of having COPD or other illnesses connected to smoking. Smoking tobacco can certainly lead to smoking marijuana. Would this serve as proof that marijuana use could lead to use of more addictive drugs?

Is it possible that legalized marijuana use would curb the use of other potentially more dangerous drugs such as heroin, cocaine and meth? I do not believe anyone is going to say, “No, I don’t want to get any higher than where marijuana will take me.” What happens if legalized marijuana is combined with legal limits of booze?

How will legalization affect neighborhood crime, organized crime and governmental corruption? The first day that marijuana was legal in Colorado, consumers were paying close to $400 per ounce before taxes according to several reports on national news outlets and the Internet. How long does that ounce last? Once it is wrapped in paper and set on fire, I doubt the lifespan of anything combustible lasts very long. Will a $400 purchase get you through until next week or the next day? Lots of hardworking people in well paying jobs do not have that kind of discretionary income, much less anyone in less elite positions.

While it may not be easy to get a job that pays for that kind of lifestyle, some people might find it easy enough to steal to live it. I do not believe anyone steals car stereos just to put that same stereo in their ride.

Opponents say marijuana should not be legal, while proponents say to make it legal and tax it. Colorado lawmakers have imposed a 15-percent wholesale and 10-percent retail tax on marijuana. In Washington State, the tax is 25 percent across the board. The potential for tax revenue may sound good to many. However, you can bet where there are tax dollars, there will be corruption. Will black marketers attempt to persuade licensed retailers to buy from them in order to avoid taxation? Who will be in charge of collecting those taxes and who will be holding them accountable? If you think our government is corrupt now, can you imagine what it will be when there is an influx of drug money to control? Whenever someone is making easy money, they will go to extremes to get what they feel is his or her cut.

While long-term effect studies

of marijuana use have yet to prove or disprove possible health risks, how can a natural plant be regulated? Booze can be tested for its alcohol content quite easily. Will there be government inspectors to certify the level Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of marijuana? What level should be acceptable for public marketing? What if the product was more potent than advertised? What happens if someone overdoses or dies from complications on marijuana purchased from a state certified retailer? Has drug use directly or indirectly claimed the life of a friend or relative?

Countless dollars have been spent speaking of the risks of marijuana use. Does making marijuana possession legal really make it less dangerous? Can our society afford to get high, even if it is legal? The answer to both of these questions is a resounding “No.”

Making it legal does not make it right … or even a good ideaDENNIS W. PARKS STAFF WRITER

ILLUSTRATION BY: CORY MONTERO

INDEPTH8February 13, 2014

how to: chocolate covered strawberries

BE MYXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

winter’s tale

endless love

that awkward moment

Get ingredients ready. You will need however many strawberries you want to make, chocolate chips of your choice (dark, milk, white, etc.) and vegetable oil.

Set up a double boiler. Pour about an inch of water into a pot and bring it to a simmer (not a boil) and set your bowl of chocolate chips on top, adding 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil.

Make sure to keep stirring the chocolate chips until they are melted, and once they are melted you can go ahead and dip your strawberries.

GRAPHICS BY: REBECCA BIUNDO

about last nightFrom director Steve Pink, About Last

Night captures the story of two new couples that are struggling to make and stay in relationships. The romantic comedy stars Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall and Joy Bryant. The film is released into theaters, Friday Feb. 14, just in time for the holiday.

Based on the book by Mark Helpri, Winter’s Tale features the story of a dying woman and a thief. This film is directed and produced by Akiva Goldsman. Russell Crowe alongside William Hurt, Jessica Brown Findlay and Jennifer Connelly. The movie is released in theaters on Valentine’s Day.

As a remake of the 1981 film starring Brooke Shield, Endless Love features the store of a rich but sheltered girl falls in love with a guy her parents do not approve of. Directed by Shana Feste, the romance stars Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde. The movie comes into theaters, Friday Feb. 14.

Written and directed by Tom Gormican comes a comedy about three friends who make a pact to stay single but find themselves trying to get around the deal. The movie stars Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Imogen Poots and Michael B. Jordan It is currently showing in theaters nationwide.

VALENTINE to: my lovefrom: your

secret admirermovies to make heartspop

the valentine’s day playlist

date night: v-day edition

we heart gifts

On Campus:

Friday, Feb. 14Healthy Relationship Seminar

SC 125 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

The St. Louis Zoo7:30 p.m.

Downtown STLFeb 15 at 9 a.m.

Jazz St. Louis7:30 & 9:30 p.m.

untamed hearts

run for chocolate

erin bode

How Long Will I Love You/ Ellie Goulding Kiss Me /Ed Sheeran The Other Side/ Jason DeruloChasing Cars/Snow PatrolValentine/Kina Grannis

Lovesong/ The CureFalling in Love at a Coffee Shop/ Landon PiggWaves/ Electric GuestFirst Day of My Life/ Bright Eyes1234/ Feist

ROSES ARE REDVIOLETS ARE BLUE

REBECCA BIUNDO INDEPTH EDITOR

INDEPTH 9February 13, 2014

STUPIDXOXOXOXOXOXOCUPID IS

rejected conversation hearts

NOBODY2

KISSU LOOKED

BETTER

ONLINE

Make sure to keep stirring the chocolate chips until they are melted, and once they are melted you can go ahead and dip your strawberries.

Set your strawberries on wax paper (foil works too) and let them sit out for about 5 minutes, then let them cool off in the fridge for 15 minutes and they are ready to eat.

You can leave them coated in just the chocolate, or you can do some drizzle designs in which case you take a zip bag, cut a small little corner, add another melted chocolate chip flavor of your choice and drizzle any design you like.

PHOTOS BY: DALILA KAHVEDZIC

GRAPHICS BY: REBECCA BIUNDO

DON’T TXTME

FOREVERALONE

IUNFRIENDEDU

Walk down any store aisle in February and it is apparent love is in the air, or something like that. With giant pink stuffed animals and hearts galore, it is hard to escape the mushiness of Valentine’s Day. However, February 14 can still be enjoyable even when your relationship status is single. Valentine’s Day can be gruesome especially for the lonely. However, Single’s Awareness Day, otherwise known as SAD, is an alternative holiday to the normal Valentine’s Day. As a more recent holiday added to the calendar, SAD is often celebrated on the day of Valentine’s Day but can be on the 13th or 15th to avoid the fluff of the normal holiday.

I </3

U

the anti-valentine’s day playlist

now showing:

date night: v-day edition

we heart gifts

To Celebrate Single Awarness Day:

Wear Green (the opposite of red)

or Black

Starring:Joel Kinnaman, Michael

Keaton, Gary Oldman, and Samuel

L. Jackson

Starring: Matt Damon and George Clooney

robocopStarring: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube and John

Legizamo

ride along

the monuments

men

Gonna Get Over You/ Sara BareillesBlow Me (One Last Kiss) /PinkForget You/ Cee Lo Green365 Days/ ZZ WardSomebody That I Used to Know/ Gotye

We are Never Ever Getting Back Together/ Taylor SwiftDon’t Gotta Work it Out/Fitz & the TantrumsJust Aint Gonna Work Out/ Mayer HawthorneStupid/ Kacey MusgravesLet Her Go/ Passenger

Relationship Status: Single

BE MY EX

DISCOVER AND EXPLORE ALL WE OFFER AT AN EXC IT ING PARKUNIVERS ITY EVENT OR A PERSONAL CAMPUS EXPER IENCE

VISIT PARKSPRING PIRATE PREVIEWS

Get the whole story at this event where we feature every academic program,visit with current students and show you why Park is such a great value.

March 1, 2014 April 5, 2014

PERSONAL CAMPUS EXPERIENCEMake any day your visit day. Tour the Parkville Campus, meet faculty, talk with current students and

discover historic Parkville. Schedule your experience at park.edu/montage or (816) 746-2533

CAMPUSVISIT DAYS

Park University is located in historic Parkville, Mo., only minutes from downtown Kansas City.

1-ON-1 WEEKENDSThese special weekend dates are for students looking to get more information aboutPark University. Meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor and receive a tour of

our historic campus. RSVP early for time slots as space is limited!• February 22, 2014• May 16, 2014• June 6, 2014

• June 14, 2014• July 12, 2014• July 18, 2014

ART&LIFE 11February 13, 2014

Where would students go in the world?Students at STLCC dream of different places

CORY MUEHLEBACH STAFF WRITER

“I would like to spend a year in Africa. I would constantly sing that one Toto song.” -Mitch Duncan

“I would go to Australia. I always wanted to go there, it seems beautiful.” -Luana Nascimento

“I would go to Disney Land and become a Disney Princess.”- Michelle Bommarito

“I would go to some kind of space station,or a colony on another planet.”- Taylor Gehner

MAN ON THE STREET

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – FEBRUARY13 14 17 18

19 20 21 22

Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday Friday

“Under Pressure”Meramec Art Gallery.10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Healthy Relationship Seminar with

Latricia BucknerSC 125 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WASHINGTON!

NO SCHOOL

Auditions for “Bye Bye Birdie” Meramec Theatre 7 p.m.

2014 Allied Health Advising Sessions at STLCC-Meramec

6-7:30 p.m., Library

Auditions for “Bye Bye Birdie” Meramec Theatre

7 p.m.

Black Trivia12-1 p.m. SC Commons

Meramec Choral Festival7:30 p.m.,

Meramec Theatre

SaturdayStorm Spotter Class

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Meramec Theatre

Try something new today. Go for a walk. Ponder life.

ART&LIFEFebruary 13, 201412

TALES OF THE LOST

FORMICANS

ABOVE: Jerry (Marshall) lays motionless in the spotlight in attempts to find peace in the chaotic world that surrounds him.LEFT: Cathy McKissick (Steinkamp) appears annoyed by her and Jerry’s (Marshall) conversation.

SHOWTIMESWednesday, Feb. 12 –

Saturday, Feb. 157:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 162 p.m.

Admission is free and open to the public. The production is intended for mature

audiences.

CASSIE KIBENS PRODUCTION MANAGER

Cathy, played by Meramec student Caroline Steinkamp, moves back to her childhood home where the characters of her past reappear.

In the play “Tales of the Lost Formicans” by Constance Congdon, the audience is supposed to take the view of aliens trying to figure out the human culture, according to Keith Oliver, director.

“[The audience is] really on the side of the aliens and seeing it through their eyes and understanding that if they were attending a lecture of a conference

of fellow aliens trying to explain this human race,” Oliver said. “It’s a hard thing to explain who we are.”

Oliver and the cast had a few timing set-backs with the weather and other events, but Oliver said he believes the cast and crew pulled through.

“I watch them and I’m amazed that they’re getting all the costumes changed and the props; that they’re making it happen,” Oliver said. “I’m very proud of the cast.”

At STLCC-Meramec, community members are also welcome to audition

for productions. Dorothy LaBounty is one of those community members. LaBounty has taken some courses at Meramec over the years as well.

“It’s great,” LaBounty said. “I mean I really appreciate being able to come here and do shows. It’s a lot of fun.”

The production takes place in a New York apartment, then switches to a subdivision somewhere in Colorado. The production is set in 1988, while folded into present day. There will be a 15 minute intermission and seats are limited.

Play By: Constance Congdon

Directed By:Keith Oliver

Set Design By:Rick Willmore

ART&LIFE 13February 13, 2014

TOP LEFT: Alien, Megan Wallace, stands invisible while Judy (Stiles) and Jerry (Marshall) share a drink at the bar. TOP RIGHT: Cathy McKissick (Steinkamp) attempts to assist her rebellious son Eric (Hollocher) in his school studies.MIDDLE LEFT: Aliens, Chappell, Robinson, Cockerham and Wallace describe the middle-class American lives as aliens while Jim McKissick (Donahoe) struggles with Alzheimer’s disease.MIDDLE RIGHT: Jerry (Marshall) sits on stage contemplating.BOTTOM RIGHT: Judy (Stiles) and Cathy McKissick (Steinkamp) get back at a recent ex.

CASTCathy McKissick ............................. Caroline Steinkamp*

Eric ......................................................... Robert Hollocher

Jim McKissick ......................................... Drew Donahoe*

Evelyn McKissick ............................... Dorothy LaBounty

Judy ................................................................ Jordan Stiles*

Jerry ............................................... Sean Patrick Marshall*

Aliens ........................................................ Megan Wallace*David Robinson*

Denise A. ChappellQuentin Cockerham*

*Indicates STLCC students

PHOTOS BY: DARLA STORM

YOU HAVE wHAt it tAkEs.NOW TAKE IT TO A NATIONALLY RANKED

RESEARCH UNIVERSITY.

siu.edu/transfer

THIS IS SIU.

THIS IS SIU.

You’ve worked hard. And Southern Illinois University Carbondale has all the resources, faculty, and support you need to take your initiative further. Our admissions counselors will help make the transfer process as easy as possible. You can even visit our transfer page to see exactly which of your classes transfer, so there’s no confusion about where you stand—or our support. Start here: siu.edu/transfer.

From Kirkwood Parks & Recreation

• IT’S SHINY! Cabin Fever Productions’ annual Gem and Mineral Show is THIS WEEKEND at the Kirkwood Community Center: February 14, 15, and 16. Show times: 4pm to 9pm on Friday, 10am to 4pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Gems, minerals, rocks, and jewelry on exhibit and for sale. Cost: $3/adults; $2/seniors and ages 12 to 18; free for under 12.

•• IT’S MAGIC! The International Brotherhood of Magicians brings its Greatest Illusionists and their Parade of Magic back to the Kirkwood Community Center THIS SATURDAY, February 15, at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. Fun for all ages! $10/adults, $5/children.

• IT’S DRAMATIC! Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 at the Kirkwood Community Center, Reim Theatre, March 7 through 16, various dates and times. For ticket information call 314-821-9956.

From the Kirkwood Police Department

•• IT’S DELICIOUS! TODAY – February 13: The Annual Kirkwood Police PANCAKE SUPPER at Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Buy tickets at the door. All you can eat for $4.00 per person (no carry-outs). Get there early before the line is out the door!

• IT’S TIME TO GET INVOLVED! Would you like to be prepared to help your community in the event of an emergency? Join the Kirkwood CERT Team (Community Emergency Response Team). The next class begins March 3 and runs through April 21 – 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Monday nights. It’s FREE, and you will receive training on how to be a qualified “first responder.” Call 314-822-5868.

SPORTS15February 13, 2014

ABOVE: STLCC Archer forward, Randy Reed II, goes up for the shot against the Wentworth Military Academy Red Dragons from Lexington, Mo. on Feb. 8 at the STLCC Meramec gymnasium. The Archers defeated the Red Dragons, 72-67, for their 15th win this season. The Archers improved their record to 15-7 with their third straight victory. Reed II is named after his father, Randy Reed, who is the head coach of the Archers. The sophomore forward scored 21 points and went 8-for-13 from the free throw line against the Wentworth Military Academy.

RIGHT: Archers’ sophomore guard Cortez Conners (1) fires an outside shot over freshman Red Dragons’ forward Daniel McElroy (20) from beyond the three-point line. Conners contributed 10 points coming off the bench against Wentworth Military Academy and was one of four Archer players to hit double-digits. The matchup marked the last regular season game that the Archers played at Meramec for the 2013-14 year. The Archers have five more regular season games before the Region XVI Tournament kicks off the postseason, with two home games at STLCC-Florissant Valley on Feb. 12 and Feb. 22. The Archers went 2-1 in their three games at Meramec.

PHOTOS BY: DAVID KLOECKENER

SPORTS16February 13, 2014

Beating leukemia STLCC Lady Archers Cancer Awareness Game helps local family

SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF

From the far side of the bleachers, Kane Weinberg, a family friend of Lady Archers Head Coach Shelly Ethridge, sat amongst family watching the STLCC Lady Archers basketball game on Feb. 8. It was the STLCC Lady Archers’ Sophomore Night and Cancer Awareness Game. They were playing Wentworth Military Academy, a team they had beaten by 29 points earlier this season.

By half time, the Lady Archers were ahead by eight, 35-27.

By the end of the game, the Lady Archers were down, 63-57.

For Weinberg, the score did not affect his outlook on the day. He had received chemotherapy for leukemia the day before.

With a silent auction, raffles, games and giveaways taking place; the proceeds were going to help his family pay for his treatment. He was there to support a team, who was there supporting him.

“I think for most people, at the end of their treatment, the best thing for them is to get back into the world and realize you’re

still who you were before cancer,” Weinberg said in a looping commercial video that played next to the concession stand. “You can still do all the things you want to do in life.”

Weinberg, 20, was diagnosed with leukemia during the fall of his senior year at Mater Dei Catholic High School. He is in his third year of chemotherapy, which goes until September 2015.

“He went to the same high school that my nephew did,” Ethridge said. “They played in the same sports together and stuff. So all the families sit together and that’s how we got to meet the Weinbergs.”

The day marked the third annual STLCC Cancer Awareness Game, which is played in memory of Ethridge’s father, Mike Ethridge, who died in December 2011. The Gateway Grizzlies, Shenanigan’s Restaurant, as well as other local restaurants and hotels donated toward the cause. They also sold T-shirts for 15 dollars.

On Sunday, Ethridge went to the Weinberg’s

house and wrote them the check — a $3,050 check.

For the Weinberg family it was just what the doctor ordered.

The family was so grateful because they just got their new insurance bill and they have to meet that deductible for his insurance to start kicking in. So, they were so grateful when we brought that check over yesterday,” Ethridge said. “The deductible was something like $2,500. We wrote them a check for $3,050 dollars and it was perfect.”

Although the game did not end in the Lady Archers’ favor, Ethridge still considered the day a success. It was a day that belonged to Weinberg.

“Nothing can take away the importance of that game. Win, lose or draw as far as basketball goes, the game was successful, with being able to write a check to a cancer patient of that stature,” Ethridge said. “It was a successful event. Naturally, we would’ve liked to have won the game, with it being our sophomore night and the Cancer Awareness Game, but it still turned out to be a successful day.”

Kane Weinberg, 20, sits in the bleachers with his dad during the STLCC Lady Archers Cancer Awareness Game on Feb. 8. Weinberg was diagnosed with leukemia his senior year of high school and will continue with his chemotherapy treatment until September 2015.

ILLUSTRATION BY: CORY MONTERO

PHOTO BY: SPENCER GLEASON