The Communicator Issue 46.2

Vol. 46 Issue 2Nov. 6 - Nov 20The

Spokane Falls Community CollegeCommunicator

The HealthIssue

Life: The vaccine debate starts as the flu season begins to hit campus.

Page 10

News: Security is beefing up smoking patrols across campus.

Page 5

Health:We explore different ways to eat healthy in on a student budget.

Page 4

CONTENTSEditor: Gage A. Lewis

[email protected]

The Communicator 11.06.2014 2

Pg. 5 - 6

Pg. 7 - 8

Pg. 3

Pg. 9 - 10NEWS

LIFE

Pg.11 - 12

Features

HEALTH

SIDELINES

Staff members can be reached via email with the following format: [email protected] unless otherwise specified with an (*) next to their names meaning you can contact them at [email protected]

The Communicator, is a student run news-paper that hopes to maintain a forum in which students are able to voice diverse opinions on campus-related issues. The Communicator also aims to inform students about import events concerning CCS, including sports and other fun activi-ties that make their college days memorable.

Editor-in-ChiefGage A. Lewis

Corrections for issue 46.1: 1. Tech Help for Students: The Applied Tech Club does not repair or rent out computers. They advise and loan computers. SFCC workstudy Lab Techs do repair student computers. That service is available in Building 18, rm 127B.2. Success at tutoring center: Connie Pittman’s last name was incorrect in the previous issue.

Managing EditorMikayla Davis

Web ManagerKyle Waterman

News EditorJeremy Logan

Sidelines EditorAshlynn Schwartzenberger

Features EditorCaroline Rhoads*

Life EditorBrianna Chavez

Photo EditorKiki Johanson

Photographers

Ebony Bjaaland

Writers

Brittany TollensonSierra Bates

Mikayla Nuehs*

Ron Ford

Emilee Rosenau

AdviserJason Nix

AdvertisingDesirae Knight

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FEATURESEditor: Caroline [email protected]

The Communicator 11.6.2014

The SFCC Revelers Drama Club will give students a taste of Asian theater styles with its fall production of “Rashomon.”

“Rashomon” was adapted from a 1950 film by Japanese movie director Akira Kurosawa. It runs Nov. 13-16 and Nov. 20-23 at the Spartan Theatre, Building 5. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. The shows are free to SFCC students, but donations are accepted.

The play is being directed by dra-ma instructor Sara Edlin-Marlowe.

It’s about a rape and murder that happens in the woods and four people go to court,” Edlin-Marlowe said. “All of them give totally different interpre-tations of what happened. The play isn’t really about the rape. It is about the perception of each individual watching the incident.”

The film’s title is now used to de-fine an actual psychological phenom-enon, according to Edlin-Marlowe.

“There were some psychiatrists that looked at this and ended up call-ing it the Rashomon effect, how four people can observe the same event and interpret it in totally contradictory ways,” Edlin-Marlowe said.

This is Edlin-Marlowe’s third time directing “Rashomon.” She was drawn to the material because of her person-al interest in Asian theater.

“I did my graduate work in Ha-waii, so I had access to studying Asian theater,“ Edlin-Marlowe said. “We did Kabuki every other year, so I was able to study that form. I really got inter-ested in using ideas from Kabuki and Noh theater. Other than what we do here, the students have few opportuni-ties to study Asian theater.”

Kabuki is a stylized Japanese form of theater combining drama and dance. Noh is a classical Japanese form of musical theater.

Shakyla Hacker, who is un-derstudying the role of the wife, enjoys the challenge of exploring a culture from a bygone era.

“It’s set long, long ago in Japan and women walked and talked as the man pleased, and that was their role in society,” Hacker said. “Today, we are free to do pretty much whatever we want, so its fun to embody the characteristics of somebody who lived back then.”

Edlin-Marlowe decided to in-troduce an element of Kubuki theater into this production that was not pres-ent in Fay and Michael Kanin’s script.

“We’re using Kokens, which are invisibles in Kubuki theater who bring the actors their props and take them away,” Edlin-Marlowe said. “The students decided the Kokens are very earthbound. They’re doing these wonderful make-ups so that they’re like elements, earth, wind, fire and water. ”

Blake King-Krueger, who is assis-tant stage manager, is also playing one

of the Kokens.“The Koken is

fun in the sense that it’s all body move-ment. Its a very physically-based character because they don’t talk,” King-Kreuger said.

Edlin-Marlowe and the drama department are hoping to continue bringing a broader world-view to SFCC theater.

“We have a world theater course that is in the making that we hope to get through curriculum committee and start offering that in addition to intro to theater,” Edlin-Marlowe said.

Caroline Rhoads | The CommunicatorCara Lyonnaisse (left), Taylor Johnson (right), and Eddie Casto (back) rehearse a scene from “Rashomon, debuting” Nov. 13.

The Health and Fitness Club welcomes everyone.

According to Travis Warner, the club advisor, The Health and Fitness club wants to build strong bonds, learn more about what health really is, and grow strong relationships by exercising and growing as a club together.

“A lot of people have precon-ceived notions about the people involved,” Warner said.

Some preconceived notions about the club are that you have to be in shape to join the club and that if you are out of shape you are not welcome. This holds to not be true because a lot of the students in the club like to help others reach their goal.

“We work out together every week. A lot of the people in the club want to be personal trainers and like opportunities to teach,” said Warner

The club holds meetings every Monday at 8:30 a.m., outside the weight room in building 7.

During club meetings, members have access to the facilities without having to pay a fee or taking an exer-cise related class.

“It makes you realize there is a goal to overcome,” Amber Hartman, a new member said. “The club is very unified, almost feels like a family.”

The students in the club use the workout time as an opportunity to grow friendships and develop new skills that pertain to their health.

“We help each other,” said Da-vid Reed, a returning club member. “We’re able to meet a lot of people through the club that helped me with my studies.”

The club does a combination of workouts, training, and activities, keeping fitness at the root of every activity or exercise done. Along side with club events off campus, they help the club members learn how to properly train and live a healthy lifestyle.

“Anybody can join at any point in time,” Reed said. “We strive to be as welcoming as we can.”

Health and Fitness Club

SFCC Revelers presents ‘Rashomon’Ron Ford

The Commnicator

Ebony BjaalandThe Commnicator

3

Spotlight

“The play isn’t really about the rape. It is about the perception

of each individual watching the incident.”

-Sara Edlin-Marlowe

FEATURES The Communicator 11.06.2014

Once separated indoors, smokers now pushed to edge of parking lots

The smoking policy on campus has changed significantly over the years. In the 1980s there were smok-ing sections in buildings. Now stu-dents can only smoke in one of three designated spots.

“I think we need more spots to smoke in general because it’s kind of a hassle to get to the designated spots,” said Shaquille Worthy, a regular smoker on campus. “It would be nice to have one or two more spots back, because they moved some back.”

It is the student’s choice to smoke on campus, but students feel they should be able to have a choice to smoke on campus at ease. Also, the non-smokers have an equal right to not be around the smoke if they feel that way.

“It would be nice if places to smoke were closer for them, especial-ly in the winter,” said Rachel Ruff, a non-smoking student. “It doesn’t seem fair.”

“I don’t care as long as they respect the campus by not littering and throwing the butts away,” Ruff said. “Smoking regu-lations are fair because I don’t like the smell of smoke.”

“As a smoker, I don’t want second hand smoke in my face,” Worthy said.

In an old Communica-tor issue from 1985 there is an article fighting for equal rights for smokers on campus.

“We feel that non-smokers have a right to smoke-free areas, but still we feel we have a right to be comfortable too,” said Sharon Etheridge, an old reporter for The Communicator. “Smoking and the selling of cigarettes is legal and since we do have to share the same campus, let’s attempt to respect each other’s rights.”

“I take issue to the fact there is a non-equality factor to the areas provided,” Kathy Nathan, a former student said.

Kyle WatermanThe Communicator

A revisit of 1985 sheds light on today’s campus smoking issue

With about 18.7 percent of Spo-kane’s population under the poverty line, sometimes a good warm meal is a blessing.

Several organizations are step-ping up to ensure that Spokanites will have something to be thankful for this thanksgiving. Tom’s Turkey Drive, 2nd Harvest, and SFCC’s Food Bank will all hand out food to hungry people this November.

Tom’s Turkey Drive is one of the region’s most recognizable food drives, and according to the official Tom’s Turkey Drive website, it is the largest turkey drive in the Inland Northwest. They will be distributing food for Thanksgiving at the arena

from 10a.m.-7p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

“Tom’s Turkey Drive has grown to provide 11,000 meals to Spokane fam-ilies,” said Joni Meyers, the Account Coordinator on Community Projects at KREM2. “The Thanksgiving meal has grown over the years to include fresh produce and additional food, thanks to generous sponsors. Many families say they can make the food provided last through a weekend. Bag contents in 2014 include a turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, fresh potatoes, ½ gallon milk, frozen dessert, canned vegeta-bles, fresh stuffing mix, and rolls.”

SFCC students who can’t make it to the arena for Tom’s Turkey Drive are in luck, too.

According to Bailey Terrasas, the SFCC Food Bank Director, and

Raymund Morales, SFCC’s Director of Marketing, the SFCC Food Bank is planning on having an on-campus Farmer’s Market that will be held on Nov. 21 at 12:30 in the SUB lounge.

Students can also find something to eat at the SFCC food bank.

“We have an average of 30-40 people visit the food bank per week,” Terrasas said. “All you need to do is come down to the food bank and show your current SID and have a current quarter sticker on it. You will fill out an intake form the first time you visit and then you will sign in and we will walk you around and let you shop.”

At the heart of both of these re-sources is 2nd Harvest Food Bank. 2nd Harvest donates food to both Tom’s Turkey Drive and the SFCC Food Bank,

and works closely with both to ensure the people of Spokane aren’t hungry for long.

“Second Harvest distributes two million pounds of donated food each month to partnering food banks and meal centers in the Inland Northwest,” said 2nd Harvest.

Mikayla NuehsThe Communicator

Community resources ensure Thanksgiving dinner for all

4

SFCC Farmers Market on Nov. 21 at 12:30 p.m.

Multicultural Thanksgiving Dinner, 2-4 p.m.

SFCC Café @ the Falls

For more on smoking, see pg. 8

Editor: Caroline [email protected]

HEALTHEditor:[email protected]

The Communicator 11.6.2014 5Margaret Myhre

Ashlynn SchwartzenbergerThe Communicator

Your eyes are fighting a battle that no one may have seen coming.

Computer screens, iPod screens, Androids: while these technological devices can help make doing certain things in life easier, there can be consequences to their use. Eyes may be suffering now more than ever because of the time spent staring at some sort of light or screen without breaks. Such strain on eyes can

Increased tech use could pose eye health risks

Ebony Bjaaland | The CommunicatorBilly Libby, and other students are suscepti-ble to eye damage due to technology.

affect eyesight, and even start the development of a syndrome.

“I think that technology has an effect on eyesight,” said Brennan Rosendahl, an SFCC student. “It might create some strain on the pupils or focus. I find myself looking at technology quite often, about 75 percent of the time.”

As younger generations spend more time with technology, their eyesight becomes even worse, especially compared to generations that were not as affected by technology. Dr. Thomas Myers, an optometrist, can attest to this.

“In my opinion, as an eye doctor practicing for over ten years, I have already seen a younger population of patients requiring relief from the demands that technology places on our nearpoint vision,” he said.

The rate for people with eye problems correlates to the high amounts of screen time that people are commonly exposed to.

“Studies have shown that

between 50 and 90 percent of people who work in front of a computer screen have some symptoms of eye trouble,” Julie Taylor said in her related article, “Are computer screens damaging your eyes?”

Then comes the problem of developing what optometrists, like Myres, call Computer Vision Syndrome. This syndrome is known to cause headaches, hurt the condition of vision, and potentially cause visible reactions such as red or watery eyes.

“Obviously the longer the time spent looking at the screen will only heighten the extent of the symptoms,” Myers said. “The closer the screen and the smaller the text, like phones versus a desktop screen, additionally increase the demand required to keep clear, comfortable binocular vision intact.”

Students may be curious to know if what they have been feeling could be the syndrome. As it seems, symptoms are pretty easy to identify.

“Symptoms include red eyes,

tired and strained eyes, watery eyes and general eye/orbital/forehead achiness,” Myres said. “Your optometrist can test for these issues.”

As easy as it might seem to develop the syndrome, Myers said there is a simple way to prevent it and help save your eyes from any unnecessary strain. It is called the 20 rule.

“After about 20 minutes on nearpoint technology, look away from your screen at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds,” Myres said. “I would remind younger [16-30 year old] patients to give their eyes a break, and to make an effort to blink frequently.”

For more information :• www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/

health• www.webmd.com/eye-health

For information on Dr. Thomas Myers’ practice: • www.pecoeyecare.com

Breastfeeding on campus: a mother’s dillema

Women can pull out their breasts and feed their babies wherever they want in Spokane, but at SFCC some find that fact uncomfortable and feel women should breastfeed privately.

“There should be a building for breastfeeding,” Hamad Altaysau, an SFCC student, said.

There is not so much a “building” but there is a room in the Student Union Building for mothers who would like to privately breastfeed.

“I tried to breastfeed in a private place as much as I could but if I had to, I would feed my baby in public and even on the campus,” Courtney Hall, an SFCC student and mother, said. “I did not mean to make anybody feel uncomfortable. If they didn’t want to look then they didn’t have to.”

Though students have the choice not to look, some may still feel uncomfortable, or care-free about the natural process of breastfeeding being performed in public.

“I think woman should feel comfortable to breastfeed wherever

Emilee RosenauThe Communicator

they want on the college campus,” Ari Ziegler, another SFCC student, said.

Many students have opinions on if it is right or wrong to breastfeed in public, but their are private places for women to breastfeed on campus and it is not a rule that prohibits it in public places.

SFCC provides a private room for breastfeeding: Building 17 (Student Union Building) Room 120.

Brittany tolleson | The Communicator

Did You Know? According to RCW 49.60.030 1g

a mother has a right “to breastfeed her child in any place of public resort, ac-commodation, assemblage, or amuse-

ment.”

For More information on Workplace Breastfeeding policies in Washington

state, see RCW 43.70.640

HEALTHEditor: Margaret [email protected]


Affordable food for eating healthy in college

Healthy food does not need to be expensive or boring.

There are a lot of ways to eat healthy, delicious foods and spend $10 or less.

The first step to healthy eating is preparation. Planning and preparing meals on the first day of the week can help students avoid running to the nearest pizza place for dinner. “You can cut food costs by eat-ing more meals at home and by making sure they feature some of the healthi-est foods from your supermarket--foods like whole grains, vegetables, and beans,” Elaine Magee, the author of 26 books on healthy eating and nutrition, said.

The second step is to buy in-season produce.

“They are usually less expensive and are at their peak flavor,” said choose-myplate.gov.

Coming into season this month are

Mikayla NuehsThe Communicator

For recipes under $10 visit: cookinglight.com or bhg.com/recipes

kiwis, oranges, winter squash and po-tatoes. For your side dishes, try brocco-li, cabbage, pumpkin and sweet pota-toes. Brown rice can also be used.

“The more simple and unprocessed a food, the less expensive—and more

healthful—it is, typically,” Sharon Palmer, a food and nutrition writer, said.

“That’s because it requires less food production to get from farm to fork. Less production steps mean less money and

Ebony Bjaaland | The CommunicatorStocking up on fresh produce at stores like Albertsons helps prevent munching on

Caffeinated alternatives available for studentsCoffee is not the only way to get

moving and wake up in the morning.There are many different ways to get

caffeine into your system and there can be many health benefits to drinking caffeinated beverages.

“The best reason to stop drinking coffee is if you have heartburn,” Ellicia Milne, Manager of Lorien Herbs and Natural Food said. “Coffee can contrib-ute to a lot of those problems.”

Coffee has positives and negatives, but it depends how people drink their coffee.

“The preponderance of experts agree that coffee is beneficial in light of new research if consumed in mod-eration defined as 200-300 mg a day or 2-4 cups of brewed coffee,” Sta-cey Trogdon, a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator, said. “Conversely, heavy use or more than 500-600 mg caffeine can cause rest-lessness, sleep disturbance, irritability, uneven or quickened heart rhythm or stomach upset or heartburn.”

“Coffee does contain anti-oxidants which can help in prevention of some chronic diseases,” Joan Milton, the Clinical Research Coordinator at Prov-idence Medical Research Center, said. “Plus if you are switching from a fla-

vored latte-style drink you are cutting back on calories. Coffee in modera-tion about 3 cups a day has also been shown to help mental alertness.”

Tea has caffeine benefits too and is sometimes considered the best alter-native to get a boost in the morning.

“Healthy alternatives to coffee in-clude tea varietals such as black, oolong, green, white and herbal teas,” Trogdon said. “Consuming low fat, non-fat and soy or almond milk can boost calcium and vitamin D intakes. Fruit juice, if it is 100% juice and limited to half cup to avoid unwant-ed calories, is another viable option. Diet drinks with artificial sweeteners should be moderated due to recent re-search indicating their adverse health outcomes.”

According to “The Health Benefits of Tea,” from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, “studies that looked at the relationship of black tea intake and heart health reported de-creased incidence of heart attack, low-er cholesterol levels and significantly lower blood pressure.”

“Green tea is probably the best ‘hot drink’ alternative,” Milton said. “It packs a powerful punch of anti-oxi-dants and anti-inflammatory properties and has a fair amount of research link ing it to disease prevention, and there is also some evidence to link green tea

Sierra BatesThe Communicator

with possibly decreasing cancer risk and improving dental health.”

Starbucks also serves beverages that do not have coffee.

“We have vanilla steamers, hot chocolate, apple cider, teas iced and

hot, and cream based Frappuccino’s,” Ashlie Roloff, a SFCC student and Star-bucks Barista, said. “You can also al-ways get coffee drinks with no shots. I don’t think it would be very good but some people try it.”

Ebony Bjaaland | The CommunicatorVenesea Edwards mixes caffeinated beverages for SFCC students in building 17.

resources went into that food, which means a lower price at the check-out.”

If students cannot afford to buy a lot of meat for protein, they can substitute beans or other legumes like lentils. Eggs are another source of protein. Quinoa, a type of seed that is similar to grains, can also be used as a protein.

“If you buy healthy food--if you buy everything healthy--you can make healthy food,” Sophie Zyee, a student at SFCC, said.

“Drink lots of water, because if you eat junk food or drink a lot of pop, the water’s going to flush it out of your sys-tem. Or eat food that has vegetables in it.”

Finally, students should just have fun with the recipes, make healthier sub-stitutions for fries or chips, and try new things. You will never know if you like it, if you never try it.

NEWSEditor: Jeremy [email protected]


Jeremy Logan | The CommunicatorCampus Security patrolling parking lots, stop to help a student retrieve the keys from her car.

Jeremy LoganThe Communicator

SFCC parking lots saw three stolen cars in the first week of the fall quarter - all of them Subarus.

Car thieves around Spokane are using shaved keys to steal older model cars whose tumbler mechanisms have been worn down over the years.

Spokane was ranked - in 2013 - the 7th worst city for auto theft - with a rate of one auto theft per every 598 residence - by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Students at SFCC are starting to pay the price of living in such a vulnerable city.

“Last year we only saw one car stolen from the SFCC campus,” said Ken DeMello the head of security at SFCC. “This quarter alone we have seen three.”

At one point it appears that someone had stolen a vehicle from another location, brought it to the SFCC campus,

and then stole another vehicle from the parking lot.

“That first week of the quarter there were two in one day, and then a few days later there was one more - and with that - we recovered two stolen cars within that time frame,” said Jovonna Dunbar, a security officer on campus. “One they brought back, and one they probably dumped to take one of ours.”

In 2011, Forbes magazine saw Spokane jump 14 spots in their worst cities for auto-theft list from 18 to 4,

Car thieves use campus to dump stolen cars and shop for new ones

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Three Subarus stolen from SFCC parking lots

and Spokane has remained in the top ten since.

The problem has gotten so out of hand that the SPD gave away 250 Clubs - the anti theft device that attaches to the steering wheel to lock it in place - over the summer to people who could prove ownership of one of the nine most stolen vehicles.

The Club Anti Theft Device can be bought for around 20 dollars from local retailers or online. It’s visible from outside of the car so it is a good

deterrent for car thieves who may want to steal your car.

It doesn’t appear that thieves are using shaved keys to break into vehicles and stealing the possessions inside of them, and vehicle prowls don’t seem to be a current problem at the moment.

“We’ve had a couple of reports of vehicles being prowled, but in the two cases I know about, it seems that one the person had just misplaced their item and the other it’s possible the student just left their car open,” Dunbar said.

Nine most vulnerable vehicles*

19 8 3 - 2 0 0 5 19 8 3 - 2 0 05 19 8 4 - 2 0 0 5

1992 - 2 0 05 19 8 5 - 2 0 0 0

199 0 - 2 0 05 19 8 5 - 2 010

19 8 5 - 2 010 199 0 - 2 0 0 0

199 0 - 2 0 05 19 8 5 - 2 0 0 0 19 8 4 - 2 0 0 0

*Spokane Police Department

The Communicator 11.6.2014 [email protected]: Jeremy Logan

Ebony BjalandThe Communicator

Campus security cracks down on stray smokers

Designated smoking areas are not being used, so SFCC security is increasing patrols.

Security patrols around campus will increase due to designated smoking spots not being used by the

student smokers at SFCC. Smoking in a non-designated area can lead to a fine of $30.

“People who choose to smoke need to comply with the rules,” said Ken DeMello, the Head of Security. “We respect your right to smoke and expect [smokers] to respect others’ rights to not get secondhand smoke.”

With an increase in smoking over the years, SFCC built the designated areas so that students could have a place to smoke year round. There are a total of 5 designated smoking spots on the SFCC campus.

Act 132 Q states that all smoking and tobacco use are prohibited in all Community Colleges of Spokane

facilities. According to Act 132 Q, “smoking

is described as inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying or possessing any lighted tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and any other lit tobacco products; or use of electronic nicotine delivery devices. Smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless pouches or any other form of loose leaf smokeless tobacco included as well.”

“There is not enough time to go to the smoking spots in between class,” Jim Lanet, student smoker at SFCC said. “They need to be more accessible to students.”

Within the last couple of years, designated smoking areas have been moved. Most recently the newest movement was from building 18 to a parking lot. This movement happened due to the complaints of having to walk through smoke to go into the building.

“I see people who don’t use the smoking spots,” said Grant Wengeler, a student smoker at SFCC. “Personally I don’t want to get fined.”

Students are able to use the designated smoking areas at any point in time.

“We are obligated to enforce the rules and regulations,” said DeMello. “The current problem is smoking.”

Caroline Rhoads | The CommunicatorJuan Parris [left] doesn’t mind using the designated smoking areas. “It’s almost like a toilet, you don’t just take a dump all over,” Parris said.

Cases of gonorrhea in Spokane have increased 60 percent since last year.

According to Jeannie Schueman, who works for epidemiology at Spo-kane Regional Health District (SRHD), there have been 357 cases of gonorrhea in Spokane so far this year, compared to just 215 last year, and the number of cases of Chlamydia is more than four times that amount at 1501.

“Spokane has intermittently been in outbreak status for gonorrhea for the last few years,” said Kimberlee Papich, the Public Information Officer for the SRHD.

Caroline RhoadsThe Communicator

Both diseases can cause infertility if left untreated, according to the Cen-ters for Disease Control (CDC). They also increase an individual’s risk of contracting HIV or other STD’s. How-ever, these diseases are often asymp-tomatic.

“Sometimes they don’t know that they have the disease, and can carry it and have it for a very long time with-out any symptoms,” said Jodi Merritt, a Registered Nurse and Clinical Quality Manager at Planned Parenthood.

According to Jessica Berwick, the marketing and communications manager for Planned Parenthood, teen pregnancies and abortion rates have been going down.

“So from that we know that pa-tients have access to information as well as access to contraception, the rise in STDs could be in part to not practicing safe sex, not using con-doms,” she said.

Candy Howard, the Clinic Man-ager at the CCS health clinic, said that a lot of the students who get tested af-ter having unprotected sex did not do so out of ignorance.

“It was more of a spontaneous decision. A big part of them comes from students who have their decision making skills inhibited because they have been drinking,” Howard said.

According to Merritt, when a pa-tient tests positive for either Chlamyd-ia or Gonorrhea they may be eligible to receive free treatment for it through the state as well as free treatment for their partners through the Washington state expedited STD partner therapy program.

“We would ask that patient, how many partners do you have and would you like free treatment for them,” Mer-ritt said. “The young ones don’t want to come into the clinic. It’s best to treat them if someone brings the medica-

tion to them.”Partners are also able to pick up

the treatment pack from one of the participating pharmacies, or from the Planned Parenthood clinic, without having to get screened, but a fee may be applied for the initial testing.

Patients will also get a follow-up call from the Spokane Regional Health Department to make sure they don’t have any questions and were able to access treatment.

“Anytime you’re talking about your sex life or intimacy with oth-er people it can be uncomfortable to share that,” said Berwick. “But I think it’s important for patients to remember that we’re not here to judge them in terms of the number of partners they’ve had. We’re just here to make sure that everyone is safe and healthy and has access to the information and the med-ication or the resources if and when they need them.”

Gonorrhea outbreak puts clinic staff on alertSpokane health workers warn public, many with STDs are carriers without Knowing they are

NEWS

LIFEEditor: Briana [email protected]


Many natural products are beneficial for a variety of uses, from cleaning to health. One widely avail-able product can be used for many different purposes.

“In general, herbal medicine is more balanced and teaches your body how to heal itself,” said Carla Marinec, who practices homeopathic medicine. “Pharmaceutical medicine often times hold in the short term, but doesn’t in the long term.”

Ellicia Milne, who works at Lorien Herbs and Natural Foods store, agrees.

“Chemical compounds can be harsh on our body,” Milne said.

Toxins flood the environment, especially in cities, according to Marinec. Although some of these toxins are difficult to avoid, such as air pollution, we can still reap health benefits by making even slight adjustments to what we put in and on our bodies.

“A lot of herbs can be used internally and externally for beauty,” Milne said.

Here are a few easy, affordable beauty options to get started:

Honey:According to Care2.com, honey

can be used for many beauty uses. Honey is full of minerals, fla-

Alternative beauty products: honey, vinegar

Margaret MhyreThe Communicator

vonoids, antioxidants and enzymes. These all have health benefits. “Put it on burns and cuts,” Beekeeper Synthia Eaton said.

“All honey is antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide,” Peter Mo-lan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand told www.care2.com.

These antibacterial properties also make honey an excellent face wash for acne. Just apply some raw honey to the skin and wash it off after

10 minutes. It also moisturizes the skin, making it a perfect face wash. According to Eaton, Queen Cleopatra used honey as a beauty product. By mixing 1 tbs of honey with 2 tbs of olive oil, students can condition and highlight hair.

Vinegar:According to odyb.net, vinegar

can be used for many uses as well.Apple cider vinegar contains

more vitamins and minerals than white vinegar, so it’s recommended to use that if possible, although white

will still have benefits. Vinegar restores the skins natural

pH, helping to alleviate dry skin, acne and warts. Mix 1 tbs vinegar with 2 tbs water then rub over skin before adding lotion or honey. For warts, soak a cotton ball in vinegar and fasten over wart with a band-aid.

To condition dry hair, mix 1 cup vinegar with 2 cups water and use as a rinse. This will make for shiny hair.

Vinegar and honey have many shared benefits, so mixing them together and using them for the same purpose can increase the rewards.

Lama Lakshey will be holding a presentation about Wellness on No-vember 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in building 17, Sub-lounge C.

“This is the fourth year of Lama Lakshey doing this wellness presenta-tion, and what you will find when you go is someone from a different culture talking about what it means to have a healthy mind and body,” said Dexter Amend, a Psychology Instructor of 40 years at SFCC.

“You will get information from a master who has spent his life dedi-cated to his ideals and is a graduate from the Sertar Buddhist Academy, which is the largest Buddhist Acade-my in the world,” Amend said.

This presentation is designed to open the student’s mind up and help with relieving stress. Mental hygiene can be a foreign concept to many college students around the coun-try, but on SFCC’s campus students can find resources to clean out their mind and find relaxation.

“My Mom went to his class and loved them. She only went to a few but she loved going. She thought he was calming to listen to,” said Marisa Ray, a Lama Lakshey student.

Lakshey teaches meditation to people on all levels and is focused

on tying traditional views with modern society.

“The Wellness club brings him in to speak regarding other ways to deal with stress management in your life and to live a happier life,” Sheri Staudinger, the Wellness Club Coordi-nator of SFCC, said.

Students can learn more about what it means to have a healthy mind by going to this presentation.

“Lama Lakshey is going to talk about mental hygiene, and how med-itation helps with that,” Amend said. “He will also talk about what a mind can do and what it is for, what it can do that’s good and what’s not good.”

This presentation is not the only way students can learn from Lakshey. There will be a college credit course offered in the winter and spring quar-

Everyday house items that can be used for health and

beauty

Student opportunity with medition teacher

ter called the Psychology of Peace Course at SFCC.

“The class is an approach to understanding peace within our-selves. The western view and Buddhist eastern view,” said Amend, “We both teach every time, Lakshey teaches from his perspective and then I teach a little bit from the western psycholog-ical perspective.”

The Psychology of Peace Course is worth 5 credits.

“The course focuses on how we can be peaceful as individuals and relations with others, and that is what the course is about,” Amend said. “Most of western psychology is focused on information that they get from observing the person from out-side, but the eastern view starts from inside of the person.”

Sierra BatesThe Communicator

Photo illustration by Kristina Johanson | The Communicator

LIFEEditor: Briana [email protected]


Immunizations available at SCC health clinic In 2011 a school and child im-

munization exemption law passed in the state of Washington. According to the Washington State Department of Health website, if a parent or guardian does not want the child vaccinated they can fill out a Certificate of Exemption.

If the reason for exemption is because of religious membership status, then it is not required to receive information on the benefits and risks of immunization. However, if it is for personal, philosophical or religious views then you do have to receive the information on the benefits and risks.

For some, it has been years since their last flu shot or other vaccine. Vac-cines are available to SCC and SFCC students at the SCC Health Clinic.

“A more than usual number of [students] have been coming in to get vaccinated,” Candy Howard, a worker at the SFCC clinic, said. “Few running start students have come in for vac-cines; if they come in they need to bring in a parental or legal guardian permission form.”

These forms are available at the Student Health Clinic, and are needed for all students less than 18 years of age.

Briana Chavez | The Communicator Amber Spera, SFCC student, gets her free flu vaccine by nurse student Toriayn Cozza on free clinic day.

As the weather gets colder, more people are getting sick.

Vaccines are offered to students, children and adults here in Spokane, but not everyone wants them.

Although certain vaccinations are required by schools, some college stu-dents have not gone in to get vaccines. Those who chose not to get them do so for a variety of reasons.

“I don’t do them because I don’t get sick often and when I do I don’t get that sick anyway,” Shelbee Longman, a SFCC student, said.

“With the flu shot, we hear that people believe the flu shot makes them sick,” Dannette Dronenburg, a work-er with the Immunization Program at Spokane Regional Health District, said. “But the reality is that the influenza virus can lay dormant for two weeks before the person has symptoms of the flu. So, typically, the person was already infected with the virus before getting the flu shot.”

Some people have never gotten a vaccine before because of personal or religious reasons.

SCC health clinic-Call: (509) 533-8611Location: SCC campus in Build-ing 7, Room 118.Hours: Mon-day-Wednesday 8 a.m. -- 2 p.m. Thursday 9 a.m. -- 3 p.mFriday 8 a.m. -- 2 p.m.

Prices on vaccines cash or check:

flu vaccine (which protec-tion from h1n1): $12.00 MMR vaccine: $63.00

Tdap vaccine:$40.00

TB Testing:$10.00

More mental health services for students starting January

Briana Chavez The Communicator

The college years can be an emotionally challenging time for many. Fortunately, there is help.

The Jenkins Wellness Center on the SCC campus offers free counseling services for students facing emotional difficulties. Meanwhile, student mental health resources are expanding on the SFCC campus.

“College is certainly stressful,” Carmen Green, Mental Health Super-visor at the Jenkins Wellness Center, said.

Students from both SCC campuses visit the Wellness Center for a variety of emotional issues.

“We see a lot of different issues that arise that people come in seeking treatment for,” Green said. “We see anything from test anxiety, depression, family challenges, couples, domestic

violence - we see the gamut.” The center is financed with

student fees, so its counseling services are available to all enrolled SFCC and SCC students at no charge.

“We offer therapeutic services, usually up to 10 sessions,” Green said. “The first session usually lasts two hours because an hour is an intake session, which is getting to know your therapist and some additional paperwork as well. After that, it’s usually 50 minutes a week.”

Green said. “We do also have some counselors that provide services as well here on this campus.” Green said.

The Jenkins Well-ness Center is located on the SCC campus,

at Mission and Greene, in building 7, room 127. SFCC students wishing to take full advantage of counseling ser-vices at this time will have to make the trip east to the SCC campus. However,

“We will have an additional ther-apist intern present on campus starting in January who will also be available to provide short-term mental health services for students,” she said.

Students who are dealing with emotional issues are urged to take ad-vantage of these services.

“You are not alone,” Shelton said. “Reaching out is sometimes the most difficult and painful step in the heal-ing process, but there are people who genuinely care about you and want to help you in your time of need. Whether you are in need of brief crisis inter-vention services, short-term on-site mental health services, or community referrals to address more long-term or long-standing mental health needs, we are here to help.”

that is changing. “SFCC wants to get these

services available for their students as well,” Green said. “They just hired Shawna Shelton. She is the new supervisor for mental health interns. There is also now an intern from Gonzaga at SFCC. So the hope is that SFCC students will be able to see their own clinician on their own campus so they don’t have to travel all the way over here.”

Shawna Shelton confirmed that limited counseling services are now available on the SFCC campus.

“We are currently able to provide crisis intervention services for students who are experienc-ing life situations which they find overwhelming and are negatively affecting their normal daily func-tioning,” Shelton said. “We also have a therapist intern available for students to utilize short-term mental health services. Our goal is to assist students who are struggling to find balance and connect them with services that will promote their long-term success.”

Shelton and SFCC are working to expand that effort.

Ron Ford The Communicator

the DSHS Mental Health crisis line:(509) 838-4428 or 1-877-678-4428

Counseling and mental health services at Spokane Community Colleges. http://scc.spokane.edu/Admissions/Coun-seling.aspx

“We see anything from test anxiety, depression, family challenges, cou-ples, domestic violence”

-Carmen Green

SIDELINESEditor: Ashlynn [email protected]


Mental health benefits from exercise

According to the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health issues like Seasonal Affective Disorder, anxiety, depres-sion, suicide, and eating disorders are more likely to be increased during the winter months.

Part of the reason is sedentariness that happens when cold weather leaves us indoors and feeling lazy, but the benefits of staying active might be able to turn that all around.

“Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently,” said Sheri Staudinger, a SFCC Yoga instruc-tor. “When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more ener-gy to go about your day. It is preventa-tive for health issues or can turn them around for the better.”

According to Katella DeBolt, a Psychology instructor at SFCC, aero-bic exercise has also been shown to improve cognitive functioning, such as

memory, tension control and reaction to stress. This can mean the difference between a good or bad grade for a student.

“I’ve personally noticed that my academic performance goes up with more exercise, so I always try to promote that,” said Mike Pelton, a SFCC student. “Exercise is important for students because not only does it help them self-esteem wise and as an

emotional outlet for stress about school, stress about life, but you usually do better aca-demically.”

Intrin-sic moti-vation for

exercise yields longer success, meaning that enjoying your exercise is just as important as doing the exercise itself, according to Amanda Adams, Ph.D. Aside from losing weight and the mental health benefits that come from aerobic exercise, the challenge for some can be getting motivated to even start. “I think a lot of people already know the benefits of exercise;

Brittany TollesonThe Communicator

Information from Katella DeBolt, Psychology instructor:

• Inonestudy,peoplewithdepressionexercised.Theyfoundexercisewasmorepowerfulthancounselingatmakingchanges.

• Runner’sWorldfoundrunnersreportedincreasedlevelsofoptimism,improveddiet,lostweight,andimprovedmemory.

• Exerciseappearstobebetterthanrelaxationatreducingdepression.

• Exerciseisinverselyassociatedwithhostility(onegoesupandtheothergoesdown).

“Exercise is important for students because not only does it help them self-esteem wise and as an emotional outlet for stress about school, stress about life, but you usually do better academically.”

-Mike PeltonSFCC student

they already know that they should be exercising,” Travis Warner, a SFCC Physical Education instructor, said . “I have noticed that there is a gap between that knowledge and the application of it and the people that truly are consistent with exercise do it because they’ve experienced the benefits.”

For those wanting to pursue an activity, SFCC maintains a track and field (both indoor and outdoor) and a fitness center that boasts a multipur-pose gymnasium, aerobic gymnasium, and a free-weight room.

For more on campus resources, see pg. 12.

mental and physical well-being for attendees.

This month they will be held on Nov. 18 and 25 at 11:30-12:30 in SUB Lounge C.

“There’s a zillion styles [of tai chi], some traditional some western-ized, even wheelchair Tai Chi,” said Sheri Staudinger, the advisor of the Wellness Club. “[Andreasson] actually helps them, even though they’re in wheelchairs.”

There are many health benefits of doing Tai Chi, and anyone of any age or physicality can do it.

“Modern research has found that Tai Chi has positive effects on balance control, fitness, and flexibility,” Joseph Nord-qvist, a writer for Medical News Today, said. “In addition, the martial art has been claimed to reduce the risk of falls among elderly individuals who have

suffered from severe heart conditions.”Historians have not been able to

determine the exact origins of Tai Chi, but the most common belief is that Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist hermit, creat-ed Tai Chi. Since then many different styles emerged, including Qi Gong, the main style that Andreasson will teach during the Tai Chi sessions.

“Another aim of Tai Chi is to fos-ter a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises,” Andreasson said. “Learn-ing to do them correctly provides a

practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of move-ment, the genesis of movement from the

body’s vital center, and so on.”Tai Chi is considered a form of

martial arts by some, but it is much more than that. It’s roots are in Taoism which emphasizes a calm and reflec-

The SFCC Wellness Club will be participating with Karl-Erik Andreas-son to teach students basic Tai Chi in the SUB Lounge.

The events are open to anyone interested and will help promote

Mikayle NuehsThe Communicator

Tai Chi becomes modern resource for relaxing

Illustration by Desirae Knight Tai Chi at a glance:

• TaiChiisaformofmartialarts• Everyone,evenwheelchair

users,candoit• TaiChistrengthensthemind

andbody• SFCCoffersfreeTaiChi

lessonsintheSUB-LoungeTuesdaysandThursdays.

• Checktheactivitycalendarformoreinfo.

tive view of the world, and the peace and beauty of nature in particular.

“Because the Tai Chi movements have their origins in the martial arts, practicing them does have some mar-tial applications,” Andreasson said. “It is an opportunity to employ some of the martial aspects of Tai Chi in a kind of slow-tempo combat. The emphasis in Tai Chi is on being able to channel potentially destructive energy away from one in a manner that will dissi-pate the energy or send it in a direc-tion where it is no longer a danger.”

For another SFCC health-base club, see page 3.

“Modern research has found that Tai Chi has positive effects on balance control, fitness, and flexibility.”

-Joseph NordqvistWriter for Medical News Today

Photo from athletics.spokane.edu

Athlete Spotlight

Mikayla StrandMikayla strand is a sophomore at

SFCC and participates in two sports, volleyball and the pole vault for track. She excells through every season with the support of her family and team, and enters each season with a positive at-titude.

To learn more about Makayla, go to:http://athletics.spokane.edu

SIDELINESEditor: Ashlynn [email protected]


SFCC Soccer teams strive for championship

Ron FordThe Communicator

The SFCC soccer teams are slugging it out mid-season, taking some names, as well as some lumps.

The women’s soccer team bested its rivals in 16 out of 20 games, with one tie. The men’s soccer team defeated its opponents in 9 of the 15 games, with one tie.

“The season has gone very well so far, as we are sitting on top of the East Region,” Jim Martinson, head coach of

the SFCC women’s soccer team, said. Martinson is optimistic about where

the season is heading.“Our goal is to host a quarterfinal

match in route to the final four and bring the NWAC Championship back to Spokane,” he said.

Kenny Krestian, coach of the men’s soccer team, was a bit more reserved.

“We have a core group of returning players and 15 freshmen this year,” Krestian said.

“We started the season out at a sev-

Ebony Bjaaland | The CommunicatorThe SFCC men’s soccer team practice for the playoff games on Nov. 5. The NWAC final games begin Nov 8. with the finals on Nov. 16.

SFCC Student Health Resources

Gavin AndrewThe Communicator

If you are looking to become fit, SFCC has facilities to help.

SFCC students have a Fitness Center as well as a weight room on campus to help its students.

“We have the Wellness Club which helps students both mentally and physically,” said Kat Collins, who works at the college information desk in the Student Union Building. “We also have the Fitness Center, the Weight room, and the free health clinic at SCC.”

Other than the Health Clinic, however, unless you are currently en-rolled in a fitness class, the facilities on campus are not free.

“The rates are $90 a quarter,” Bran-dy Sonderland, an employee at the fitness center said. “Or $200 a year.”

According to SFCC’s website, this fee pays for your use of both the Fitness Center and the Weight Room. For an additional $50 you can have access to the indoor running track and swimming pool located at SCC.

However, many off-campus gyms offer student discounts.

en-to-two record, enjoying a few early road trips and the opportunity to bond as a team.”

“We have given up early goals in each of the matches and have found a way to fight back and get ourselves back into the matches, only to see us fall apart at the end,” Krestian said.

But the season is not over, and Coach Krestian remains optimistic.

“The team has refocused and is looking to get back to winning ways,” Krestian said.

Documents

The Communicator Issue 46.2