C

The

Vol. 46 Issue 2
Nov. 6 - Nov 20

ommunicator
Spokane Falls Community College

The

Health
Issue

Health:

We explore
different ways to
eat healthy in on
a student budget.
Page 4

Life:

News:

Security is
beefing up
smoking patrols
across campus.
Page 5

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

Page 10

The Communicator 11.06.2014

Editor: Gage A. Lewis

CONTENTS

sfcc.gage.lewis@gmail.com

DESIGN THE NEXT

COVER OF...

Pg. 3
Features

The

Pg. 5 - 6
HEALTH
Pg. 7 - 8
NEWS
Pg. 9 - 10

Vol. 46 Issue ?
???? - ????

ommunicator
Spokane Falls Community College

Join the
CommuniCator
winter and

spring quarter by
registering for

LIFE

You can also send

future story ideas
issue themes
and letters to the editor to

Pg.11 - 12
SIDELINES

TheFallsCommunicator
@gmail.com

Journ 101
item 1770 worth
3 to 5 Credits a
quarter

Staff members can be reached via email with the following format: sfcc.firstname.lastname@gmail.com unless
otherwise specified with an (*) next to their names meaning you can contact them at sfcc.contact@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief
Gage A. Lewis

Managing Editor
Mikayla Davis

News Editor
Jeremy Logan

Sidelines Editor Photo Editor

Ashlynn
Kiki Johanson
Schwartzenberger
Writers
Brittany Tollenson
Sierra Bates
Mikayla Nuehs*
Ron Ford
Emilee Rosenau

Advertising
Desirae Knight

Features Editor
Caroline
Rhoads*

Life Editor
Brianna Chavez

Corrections for issue 46.1:

Web Manager
Kyle Waterman

Adviser
Jason Nix

Ebony Bjaaland
Photographers

Brittany
Tollenson

The Communicator, is a student run newspaper 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 activities that make their college days memorable.

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 Pittmans last name was incorrect in the previous issue.

Editor: Caroline Rhoads

sfcc.caroline.rhoads@gmail.com

FEATURES

The Communicator 11.6.2014

Spotlight
Health and
Fitness Club
Ebony Bjaaland
The Commnicator

Caroline Rhoads | The Communicator

Cara Lyonnaisse (left), Taylor Johnson (right), and Eddie Casto (back) rehearse a scene from Rashomon, debuting Nov. 13.

SFCC Revelers presents Rashomon

Ron Ford
The Commnicator

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 drama instructor Sara Edlin-Marlowe.
Its 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 interpretations of what happened. The play
isnt really about the rape. It is about
the perception of each individual
watching the incident.
The films title is now used to define an actual psychological phenomenon, according to Edlin-Marlowe.
There were some psychiatrists
that looked at this and ended up calling 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-Marlowes third time

Edlin-Marlowe decided to indirecting Rashomon. She was drawn troduce an element of Kubuki theater
to the material because of her person- into this production that was not presal interest in Asian theater.
ent in Fay and Michael Kanins script.
I did my graduate work in HaWere using Kokens, which
waii, so I had access to studying Asian are invisibles in Kubuki theater who
theater, Edlin-Marlowe said. We did bring the actors their props and take
Kabuki every other year, so I was able
them away, Edlin-Marlowe said.
to study that form. I really got interThe students decided the Kokens are
ested in using ideas from Kabuki and
very earthbound. Theyre doing these
Noh theater. Other than what we do
wonderful make-ups so that theyre
here, the students have few opportuni- like elements, earth, wind, fire and
ties to study Asian theater.
water.
Kabuki is a stylized Japanese
Blake King-Krueger, who is assisform of theater combining drama and
tant stage manager, is also playing one
dance. Noh
of the Kokens.
is a classical
The Koken is
The play isnt really about
Japanese form the rape. It is about the perception fun in the sense that
of musical
its all body moveof
each
individual
watching
the
theater.
ment. Its a very
incident.
Shakyla
physically-based
Hacker, who is un-Sara Edlin-Marlowe character because
derstudying the role of the
they dont talk,
wife, enjoys the challenge of exploring
King-Kreuger said.
a culture from a bygone era.
Edlin-Marlowe and the drama
Its set long, long ago in Japan
department are hoping to continue
and women walked and talked as the
bringing a broader world-view to
man pleased, and that was their role
SFCC theater.
in society, Hacker said. Today, we
We have a world theater course
are free to do pretty much whatever
that is in the making that we hope to
we want, so its fun to embody the
get through curriculum committee and
characteristics of somebody who lived start offering that in addition to intro
back then.
to theater, Edlin-Marlowe said.

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 preconceived 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 exercise 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 David Reed, a returning club member.
Were 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.

Editor: Caroline Rhoads

sfcc.caroline.rhoads@gmail.com

The Communicator 11.06.2014

FEATURES

Once separated indoors,

smokers now pushed to
edge of parking lots
A revisit of 1985
sheds light on todays
campus smoking issue
Kyle Waterman
The Communicator
The smoking policy on campus
has changed significantly over the
years. In the 1980s there were smoking sections in buildings. Now students can only smoke in one of three
designated spots.
I think we need more spots to
smoke in general because its 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 students 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, especially in the winter, said Rachel Ruff, a
non-smoking student. It doesnt seem
fair.

I dont care as long as

they respect the campus by not
littering and throwing the butts
away, Ruff said. Smoking regulations are fair because I dont
like the smell of smoke.
As a smoker, I dont
want second hand smoke in
my face, Worthy said.
In an old Communicator 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, lets attempt
to respect each others rights.
I take issue to the fact there
is a non-equality factor to the areas
provided, Kathy Nathan, a former
student said.

For more on smoking, see pg. 8

Community resources ensure Thanksgiving dinner for all

Mikayla Nuehs
The Communicator
With about 18.7 percent of Spokanes population under the poverty
line, sometimes a good warm meal is
a blessing.
Several organizations are stepping up to ensure that Spokanites will
have something to be thankful for this
thanksgiving. Toms Turkey Drive, 2nd
Harvest, and SFCCs Food Bank will all
hand out food to hungry people this
November.
Toms Turkey Drive is one of
the regions most recognizable food
drives, and according to the official
Toms 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.
Toms Turkey Drive has grown to
provide 11,000 meals to Spokane families, 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, gallon
milk, frozen dessert, canned vegetables, fresh stuffing mix, and rolls.
SFCC students who cant make it
to the arena for Toms Turkey Drive are
in luck, too.
According to Bailey Terrasas,
the SFCC Food Bank Director, and

Raymund Morales, SFCCs Director

of Marketing, the SFCC Food Bank
is planning on having an on-campus
Farmers 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 resources is 2nd Harvest Food Bank. 2nd
Harvest donates food to both Toms
Turkey Drive and the SFCC Food Bank,

and works closely with both to ensure

the people of Spokane arent 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.

SFCC Farmers Market on

Nov. 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Multicultural Thanksgiving
Dinner, 2-4 p.m.
SFCC Caf @ the Falls

Editor:

Margaret Myhre
sfcc.margaret.myhre@gmail.com

HEALTH

The Communicator 11.6.2014

Increased tech use could pose eye health risks

Ashlynn Schwartzenberger
The Communicator

Ebony Bjaaland | The Communicator

Billy Libby, and other students are susceptible to eye damage due to technology.

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

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,

Breastfeeding on campus: a mothers dillema

Emilee Rosenau
The Communicator
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
didnt want to look then they didnt
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

Brittany tolleson | The 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.

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, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement.
For More information on Workplace
Breastfeeding policies in Washington
state, see
RCW 43.70.640

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

Editor: Margaret Myhre

sfcc.margaret.myhre@gmail.com

HEALTH

The Communicator 11.06.2014

Affordable food for eating healthy in college

Mikayla Nuehs
The Communicator
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 eating more meals at home and by making
sure they feature some of the healthiest 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 choosemyplate.gov.
Coming into season this month are

Ebony Bjaaland | The Communicator

Stocking up on fresh produce at stores like Albertsons helps prevent munching on

kiwis, oranges, winter squash and potatoes. For your side dishes, try broccoli, cabbage, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Brown rice can also be used.
The more simple and unprocessed
a food, the less expensiveand more

healthfulit is, typically, Sharon

Palmer, a food and nutrition writer,
said.
Thats because it requires less food
production to get from farm to fork. Less
production steps mean less money and

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
waters going to flush it out of your system. Or eat food that has vegetables in
it.
Finally, students should just have fun
with the recipes, make healthier substitutions for fries or chips, and try new
things. You will never know if you like
it, if you never try it.
For recipes under $10 visit:

cookinglight.com or bhg.com/recipes

Caffeinated alternatives available for students

Sierra Bates
The Communicator
Coffee 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 contribute 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 moderation defined as 200-300 mg a day
or 2-4 cups of brewed coffee, Stacey Trogdon, a Registered Dietician
and Certified Diabetes Educator, said.
Conversely, heavy use or more than
500-600 mg caffeine can cause restlessness, 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 Providence Medical Research Center, said.
Plus if you are switching from a fla-

vored latte-style drink you are cutting

back on calories. Coffee in moderation about 3 cups a day has also been
shown to help mental alertness.
Tea has caffeine benefits too and is
sometimes considered the best alternative to get a boost in the morning.
Healthy alternatives to coffee include 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 unwanted calories, is another viable option.
Diet drinks with artificial sweeteners
should be moderated due to recent research 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 decreased incidence of heart attack, lower 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-oxidants 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

with possibly decreasing cancer

and improving dental health.
Starbucks also serves beverages
do not have coffee.
We have vanilla steamers,
chocolate, apple cider, teas iced

risk

that
hot
and

hot, and cream based Frappuccinos,

Ashlie Roloff, a SFCC student and Starbucks Barista, said. You can also always get coffee drinks with no shots. I
dont think it would be very good but
some people try it.

Ebony Bjaaland | The Communicator

Venesea Edwards mixes caffeinated beverages for SFCC students in building 17.

Editor: Jeremy Logan

NEWS

sfcc.jeremy.Logan@gmail.com

The Communicator 10.16.2014

Three Subarus stolen from SFCC parking lots

Car thieves use
campus to dump
stolen cars and shop
for new ones
Jeremy Logan
The 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,

Campus Security patrolling parking lots, stop to help a student retrieve the keys from her car.

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,

S TA R T H E R E

< >

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. Its visible
from outside of the car so it is a good

Jeremy Logan | The Communicator

deterrent for car thieves who may want

to steal your car.
It doesnt appear that thieves are
using shaved keys to break into vehicles
and stealing the possessions inside of
them, and vehicle prowls dont seem to
be a current problem at the moment.
Weve 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 its possible the student
just left their car open, Dunbar said.

Nine most vulnerable vehicles*

WHIT WOR TH.EDU / E V E N I N G

START WITH YOUR A.A.S.

EARN YOUR BACHELORS
FINISH A.S.A.P.
Many A.A.S. degrees at SFCC transfer directly into the Bachelor of
Liberal Studies Program, so you start at Whitworth as a junior.
} Save nearly 65% on tuition as an evening student; books included
} Attend 6-week classes in the evening, once or twice weekly
} Two locations: Downtown in the U-District or in North Spokane

Learn more at whitworth.edu/evening or call 509.777.3222

to take the next step.

19 8 3
19 8 3
19 8 4
19 92
19 8 5
19 9 0
19 8 5
19 8 5
19 9 0
19 9 0
19 8 5
19 8 4
*Spokane Police Department

2005
2005
2005
2005
2000
2005
2 010
2 010
2000
2005
2000
2000

Editor: Jeremy Logan

sfcc.Jeremy.Logan@communicator.org

NEWS

The Communicator 11.6.2014

Campus security cracks down on stray smokers

Caroline Rhoads | The Communicator

Juan Parris [left] doesnt mind using the designated smoking areas. Its almost like a toilet, you dont just take a dump all over, Parris said.

Ebony Bjaland
The Communicator
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 dont use the
smoking spots, said Grant Wengeler,
a student smoker at SFCC. Personally I
dont 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.

Gonorrhea outbreak puts clinic staff on alert

Spokane health workers
warn public, many with
STDs are carriers without
Knowing they are
Caroline Rhoads
The Communicator
Cases of gonorrhea in Spokane
have increased 60 percent since last
year.
According to Jeannie Schueman,
who works for epidemiology at Spokane 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.

Both diseases can cause infertility

if left untreated, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). They
also increase an individuals risk of
contracting HIV or other STDs. However, these diseases are often asymptomatic.
Sometimes they dont know that
they have the disease, and can carry it
and have it for a very long time without 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 patients 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 condoms, she said.

Candy Howard, the Clinic Manager at the CCS health clinic, said that
a lot of the students who get tested after 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 patient tests positive for either Chlamydia 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, Merritt said. The young ones dont want
to come into the clinic. Its 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 dont
have any questions and were able to
access treatment.
Anytime youre talking about
your sex life or intimacy with other people it can be uncomfortable to
share that, said Berwick. But I think
its important for patients to remember
that were not here to judge them in
terms of the number of partners theyve
had. Were just here to make sure that
everyone is safe and healthy and has
access to the information and the medication or the resources if and when
they need them.

Editor: Briana Chavez

LIFE

sfcc.briana.chavez@gmail.com

The Communicator 11.06.2014

Alternative beauty products: honey, vinegar

Everyday house items that
can be used for health and
beauty
Margaret Mhyre
The Communicator
Many natural products are
beneficial for a variety of uses, from
cleaning to health. One widely available 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
doesnt 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-

Student
opportunity with
medition teacher
Sierra Bates
The Communicator
Lama Lakshey will be holding a
presentation about Wellness on November 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 presentation, 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.

Photo illustration by Kristina Johanson | The 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 Molan, 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 its 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.

You will get information from a

master who has spent his life dedicated to his ideals and is a graduate
from the Sertar Buddhist Academy,
which is the largest Buddhist Academy in the world, Amend said.
This presentation is designed to
open the students mind up and help
with relieving stress. Mental hygiene
can be a foreign concept to many
college students around the country, but on SFCCs 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 Coordinator 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 meditation helps with that, Amend said.
He will also talk about what a mind
can do and what it is for, what it can
do thats good and whats 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-

ter called the Psychology of Peace

Course at SFCC.
The class is an approach to
understanding peace within ourselves. 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 psychological 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 outside, but the eastern view starts from
inside of the person.

Editor: Briana Chavez

LIFE

sfcc.briana.chavez@gmail.com

The Communicator 11.06.2014

10

Immunizations available at SCC health clinic

In 2011 a school and child immunization exemption law passed in
the state of Washington. According to
As the weather gets colder, more the Washington State Department of
Health website, if a parent or guardian
people are getting sick.
does not want the child vaccinated they
Vaccines are offered to students,
can fill out a Certificate of Exemption.
children and adults here in Spokane,
If the reason for exemption is
but not everyone wants them.
because of religious membership
Although certain vaccinations are
status, then it is not required to receive
required by schools, some college stuinformation on the benefits and risks
dents have not gone in to get vaccines.
of immunization. However, if it is for
Those who chose not to get them do so
personal, philosophical or religious
for a variety of reasons.
views then you do have to receive the
I dont do them because I dont
information on the benefits and risks.
get sick often and when I do I dont get
For some, it has been years since
that sick anyway, Shelbee Longman, a
their last flu shot or other vaccine. VacSFCC student, said.
cines are available to SCC and SFCC
With the flu shot, we hear that
students at the SCC Health Clinic.
people believe the flu shot makes them
A more than usual number of
sick, Dannette Dronenburg, a work[students] have been coming in to get
er with the Immunization Program at
vaccinated, Candy Howard, a worker
Spokane Regional Health District, said.
at the SFCC clinic, said. Few running
But the reality is that the influenza
start students have come in for vacvirus can lay dormant for two weeks
cines; if they come in they need to
before the person has symptoms of
bring in a parental or legal guardian
the flu. So, typically, the person was
permission form.
already infected with the virus before
These forms are available at the
getting the flu shot.
Student Health Clinic, and are needed
Some people have never gotten a
for all students less than 18 years of
vaccine before because of personal or
age.
religious reasons.

Briana Chavez
The Communicator

Briana Chavez | The Communicator

Amber Spera, SFCC student, gets her free flu vaccine by

nurse student Toriayn Cozza on free clinic day.

More mental health services

for students starting January
violence - we see the gamut.
The center is financed with
student fees, so its counseling services
The college years can be an
are available to all enrolled SFCC and
emotionally challenging time for many.
SCC students at no charge.
Fortunately, there is help.
We offer therapeutic services,
The Jenkins Wellness Center on
usually up to 10 sessions, Green said.
the SCC campus offers free counseling
The first session usually lasts two hours
services for students facing emotional
because an hour is an intake session,
difficulties. Meanwhile, student mental
which is getting to know your therapist
health resources are expanding on the
and some additional paperwork as
SFCC campus.
well. After that, its usually 50 minutes a
College is certainly stressful,
week.
Carmen Green, Mental Health SuperGreen said. We do also have
visor at the Jenkins
some counselors that
Wellness Center, said. We see anything from provide services as well
Students from test anxiety, depression, here on this campus.
family challenges, cou- Green said.
both SCC campuses
ples, domestic violence
visit the Wellness
The Jenkins Well-Carmen Green ness Center
Center for a variety of
is located
emotional issues.
on the SCC campus,
We see a lot of different issues
at Mission and Greene, in building 7,
that arise that people come in seeking
room 127. SFCC students wishing to
treatment for, Green said. We see
take full advantage of counseling seranything from test anxiety, depression,
vices at this time will have to make the
family challenges, couples, domestic
trip east to the SCC campus. However,

Ron Ford
The Communicator

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 dont 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 experiencing life situations which they find
overwhelming and are negatively
affecting their normal daily functioning, 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.

SCC health
clinicCall: (509) 5338611
Location: SCC
campus in Building 7, Room 118.
Hours:
Monday-Wednesday
8 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
Thursday
9 a.m. -- 3 p.m
Friday
8 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
Prices on
vaccines cash or
check:
flu vaccine
(which protection from h1n1):
$12.00
MMR vaccine:
$63.00
Tdap vaccine:
$40.00
TB Testing:
$10.00

We will have an additional therapist 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 advantage of these services.
You are not alone, Shelton said.
Reaching out is sometimes the most
difficult and painful step in the healing 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 intervention 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.
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/Counseling.aspx

Editor: Ashlynn Schwartzenberger

sfcc.ashlynn.schwartzenberger@gmail.com

SIDELINES

The Communicator 11.6.2014

11

Tai Chi becomes modern resource for relaxing

suffered from severe heart conditions.
mental and physical well-being for
attendees.
Historians have not been able to
determine the exact origins of Tai Chi,
This month they will be held on
Nov. 18 and 25 at 11:30-12:30 in SUB but the most common belief is that
Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist hermit, creatLounge C.
ed Tai Chi. Since then many different
Theres a zillion styles [of tai
styles emerged, including Qi Gong,
chi], some traditional some westernthe main style that Andreasson will
ized, even wheelchair Tai Chi, said
teach during the Tai Chi sessions.
Sheri Staudinger, the advisor of the
Another aim of Tai Chi is to fosWellness Club. [Andreasson] actually
ter a calm and tranquil mind, focused
helps them, even though theyre in
on the precise execution of these
wheelchairs.
There are many health benefits of exercises, Andreasson said. Learning to do them correctly provides a
doing Tai Chi, and
practical avenue for
anyone of any age Modern research has found
or physicality can that Tai Chi has positive effects learning about such
things as balance,
Illustration by Desirae Knight do it.
on balance control, fitness, and alignment, fineModern
Mikayle Nuehs
scale motor control,
research has found flexibility.
The Communicator
rhythm of movethat Tai Chi has
-Joseph Nordqvist
positive
effects
on
Writer for Medical News Today ment, the genesis of
The SFCC Wellness Club will be
movement from the
balance control,
participating with Karl-Erik Andreasbodys
vital
center,
and so on.
fitness, and flexibility, Joseph Nordson to teach students basic Tai Chi in
Tai
Chi
is
considered
a form of
qvist, a writer for Medical News Today,
the SUB Lounge.
martial arts by some, but it is much
said. In addition, the martial art has
The events are open to anyone
been claimed to reduce the risk of falls more than that. Its roots are in Taoism
interested and will help promote
which emphasizes a calm and reflecamong elderly individuals who have

Mental health benefits from exercise

memory, tension control and reaction
to stress. This can mean the difference
between a good or bad grade for a
According to the Centers for Dis- student.
ease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Ive personally noticed that
mental health issues like Seasonal
my academic performance goes up
Affective Disorder, anxiety, depreswith more exercise, so I always try
sion, suicide, and eating disorders are
to promote that, said Mike Pelton, a
more likely to be increased during the SFCC student. Exercise is important
winter months.
for students because not only does it
Part of the reason is sedentariness help them self-esteem wise and as an
that happens when cold
emotional
weather leaves us indoors Exercise is important for
outlet for
and feeling lazy, but the
students because not only does stress about
benefits of staying active
school,
might be able to turn that it help them self-esteem wise
stress about
and as an emotional outlet
all around.
life, but you
Exercise and
usually do
for stress about school, stress
physical activity deliver
better acaabout life, but you usually do
oxygen and nutrients to
demically.
better academically.
your tissues and help
Intrinyour cardiovascular
-Mike Pelton sic motisystem work more efficiently, said
SFCC student vation for
Sheri Staudinger, a SFCC Yoga instrucexercise yields longer success,
tor. When your heart and lungs work
meaning that enjoying your exercise is
more efficiently, you have more enerjust as important as doing the exercise
gy to go about your day. It is preventa- itself, according to Amanda Adams,
tive for health issues or can turn them
Ph.D. Aside from losing weight and
around for the better.
the mental health benefits that come
According to Katella DeBolt, a
from aerobic exercise, the challenge
Psychology instructor at SFCC, aerofor some can be getting motivated
bic exercise has also been shown to
to even start. I think a lot of people
improve cognitive functioning, such as already know the benefits of exercise;

Brittany Tolleson
The Communicator

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 theyve 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 multipurpose gymnasium, aerobic gymnasium,
and a free-weight room.

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 martial 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 dissipate the energy or send it in a direction where it is no longer a danger.
For another SFCC health-base club, see
page 3.

Tai Chi at a glance:

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts

Everyone, even wheelchair
users, can do it
Tai Chi strengthens the mind
and body
SFCC offers free Tai Chi
lessons in the SUB -Lounge
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Check the activity calendar for
more info.

Athlete
Spotlight

For more on campus resources, see pg. 12.

Information from Katella DeBolt,

Psychology instructor:

In one study, people with

depression exercised. They
found exercise was more
powerful than counseling at
making changes.

Runners World found runners

reported increased levels of
optimism, improved diet, lost
weight, and improved memory.

Exercise appears to be better

than relaxation at reducing
depression.

Exercise is inversely associated

with hostility (one goes up and
the other goes down).

Photo from athletics.spokane.edu

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

12

Editor: Ashlynn Schwartzenberger

sfcc.ashlynn.schwartzenberger@gmail.com

The Communicator 11.6.2014

SIDELINES

SFCC Soccer teams strive for championship

SFCC Student
Health Resources
Gavin Andrew
The Communicator

Ebony Bjaaland | The Communicator

The SFCC mens soccer team practice for the playoff games on Nov. 5. The NWAC final games begin Nov 8. with the finals on Nov. 16.

Ron Ford
The Communicator
The SFCC soccer teams are slugging
it out mid-season, taking some names,
as well as some lumps.
The womens soccer team bested its
rivals in 16 out of 20 games, with one
tie. The mens 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 womens 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 mens
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-

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.

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 enrolled in a fitness class, the facilities
on campus are not free.
The rates are $90 a quarter, Brandy Sonderland, an employee at the
fitness center said. Or $200 a year.
According to SFCCs 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.