Journalism Perspective

Now I have a greater appreciation for every story that I read in newspapers or magazines, especially those published in the national media like The New York Times. This course definitely helped me realize that the job of a journalist is tough and a lot goes into reporting and doing it right. While I have really wanted to work for a magazine or a newspaper for a long time, I’m wondering if I’m really cut out for it after being in Media Writing. Because I’m such a frustrated perfectionist and take forever to write a story, I know it’d be a challenge to make those deadlines. And, although I feel a little more confident in writing for the media now, I also see lots of opportunities for improvement.

Postpartum Depression Strikes Fathers, Too

(The New York Times photo)
After childbirth, men can have postpartum depression as troublesome as women can. Although the condition is uncommon, fathers are two and a half times more likely to be depressed when the mothers are depressed. Postpartum depression in a parent can also affect the infant’s cognitive and emotional development. -- The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/health/08mind.html?hpw

NCC student, Nissa Passmore, finds her way

Nissa Passmore may be one of the happiest students at Normandale. So much so that when she talks openly about her life, she does so with laughter and without regrets. What’s more, Passmore has found her niche in worlds still considered male-dominated.
“I haven’t felt that growing up,” the NCC student said.
Shortly after Passmore was born in Corning, N.Y., her family moved to Minnesota. At the age of four, she started playing hockey when her brothers started playing the game.
Passmore remembers that ice hockey was a man’s game back then.
“Before they had women’s hockey, there was a sport called Ringette; it was a pretty big Canadian and European sport, but on hockey skates,” Passmore said. “You just had a straight stick with no blade and a rubber ring with a hole in the middle instead of a puck; and, you pretty much had the same room.”
“Then, we all got together and voted in the early 90s. However, it was more like, ‘Do you guys (girls) want to start playing hockey?’
When the female players were doing the changeover to hockey, Passmore remembers the transition was difficult.
“The men were so against it that they got mad at us,” Passmore said. “There was constant trouble because they thought that we were taking away from their ice time.”
“They, the Peewee male players who were about 12, used to have the rink all the time. We had to go at the odd hours at early mornings, because they didn’t want their schedules to change. There were negative reactions coming from both the guys and the parents, the Eagan Boosters later ... I think it was pretty much everywhere.
“So we (female players) got the bad hours and heard stuff like, ‘women shouldn’t be playing hockey,’ ‘women shouldn’t be doing this’ or ‘it might hurt the women’s back.’ It just took forever.”
In 1994, Minnesota actually became the first state to approve women's ice hockey as a high school varsity sport, according to Women’s College Hockey in the U.S.A. at http://www.whockey.com/univ/usa/. This happened before women’s hockey became part of the Winter Olympics in 1998 at Nagano, Japan.
“I still think that women should be allowed to ‘check’ but they can’t,” Passmore said. “We still have a ways to go.”
For two years, Passmore, a Minnesota Wild fan, played on the Eagan High School girls’ hockey team until she dropped out of school in the 10th grade and just started working.
Afterward, Passmore got her graduate equivalency diploma and found her way to college.
At first, she thought she wanted to be a nurse. But, when Passmore transferred to and applied at Dakota County Technical College, St. Cloud State University and Inver Hills Community College with a 4.0 grade point average, she just couldn’t get her foot in the door fast enough.
“They kept talking about waiting and that it’d take years to get in,” Passmore said. “And, I think that I was going to be 23-24 and I was kind of in a rush.”
That’s when Passmore moved back to New York to a small town with a school where she knew she could get into nursing.
“But, I went one semester, started working on the farms, stopped going to school and met a boyfriend and fell in love,” Passmore said. “That’s when I lived out there two years and moved back here.”
So, Passmore left the boyfriend in New York?
“I left him in New York. It probably ended up being the best thing that I ever did,” Passmore said. “But, it was a good experience and changed my life.”
While working on the farms, Passmore got an appreciation for being outside and seeing how hard the farmers have to work to maintain their farmland and equipment as well as help their neighbors’ farms.
“It was a lot of hard work up there and especially because it was a poor community,” Passmore said. “And, they had the kind of equipment that you had to fix all the time.”
When Passmore came back to Minnesota, “I had to move back home and it’s been kind of difficult to live at home again. But, I’m glad to be home,” Passmore said. “And, I’ve paid off a lot of my bills and financial aid. I’ll have a big loan when I’m all done. “
When she returned to college, this time it was at Normandale. But, when Passmore started a student worker job on campus with Building Services, that’s when her academic life started to fall in place.
“Before, I transferred schools all the time. But, I think working here really helped me,” Passmore said, “and, getting to know everybody, just feeling comfortable with it.”
“And you really get to know the individual departments (at NCC) and learn how to do pretty much everything; you get what needs to be done. I never know what we have going on usually, because we do so many different things.”
Gaining experience in the department also led Passmore to a big change in her career path to construction management.
“So, like Mike Koreen (physical plant director) and Chris Broin (foreman), they took me to the business meetings, a few of them, when the construction (Activities Building) was going on,” Passmore said. “So, they try to help, kind of show me what my major would be about.”
“And, they’ve been really flexible, so that if you can’t make it, if you have to study, they always say, ‘school is first.’ Right now, I can’t do too much because I can’t miss my classes. They are just a really good group to work with.”
Because she played hockey for 14 years, Passmore doesn’t mind working outdoors on campus either during the cold winters.
“I really like it when I’m working. I do love it, I don’t know why,” she said.
Another thing Passmore really likes about NCC is the teachers here. “I think they’re some of the best I’ve seen ever,” Passmore said.
Does she have a favorite teacher?
“So far, Jim Frankenfeld, have you had him?” Nissa said. “He’s just so ... he deserves recognition. “
“I’ve never had a teacher that cares as much as he does. And, he just brings a class together. And, he answers e-mails right away.
The first day of class, he said it’s his job, ‘E-mail me, I want to be bothered.’ I really respect him. I took his speech class; it just ended yesterday.”
“I had Gordon Graham for interpersonal and he’s another really good (Communication) teacher,” Passmore said.
“I had Rick Dunning in geology. When he talks about his subjects, you can tell he’s enthusiastic and he makes you want to pay attention, ” Passmore said. “It’s an interesting class. You wouldn’t think rocks would be interesting, but it has been.”
Which instructor at NCC has had the biggest impact on Passmore?
“I would say Jim Frankenfeld just because he does cares so much,” Passmore said. “And, that was half my problem growing up when I was young. Teachers just didn’t really seem to care. So, that’s special.”
Regarding Frankenfeld’s “Public Speaking” class on Tuesdays from 6-10 p.m., “I was really scared to take the class but it was fun,” Passmore said. “I hated to see it end in certain ways.”
Did Public speaking help her become a better speaker?
“Actually, I wouldn’t say ‘become,’ but it helped me be aware of the problems that I have giving speeches,” Passmore said, “because you are forced to watch yourself on video.”
“So, that really helped me because I kind of slur my words a lot when I’m nervous, or mumble. And, so, I didn’t realize it until I watched the tape.
“Then, I called my mom up and said, ‘Mom, why didn’t you tell me I have a lisp?’ She said, ‘You don’t have a lisp, you just mumble sometimes.’”
When Passmore graduates with an associate in arts degree in May, the 27-year-old plans to head off to Minnesota State University, Moorhead, to get her bachelor’s degree in construction management.
“A lot of friends in the construction field got me into it,” Passmore said. “When they went on contracting jobs, I used to travel with them and I just found it really interesting.”
Passmore said her mother thinks construction management is a perfect fit because of her type of personality.
“My mom knew someone who was a female who went into the field and she’s doing great,” Passmore said. It’s a good job for women. They need women in the field and I find the craft interesting.”
Has Passmore been happy with her decisions?
“Yeah, I’m really excited,” Passmore said. “So, next (fall) semester, I have to take construction graphics and all the core classes. I’m really excited.”
Looking back, Passmore does not have any regrets that she didn’t pursue nursing.
“I don’t think I would have made a good nurse. I like getting dirty, I like being physical,” Passmore said.

Obama orders 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

This large U.S Army convoy was near Maidan Shar, Afghanistan, Monday (Associated Press photo).
WASHINGTON — In a rare Sunday meeting with military leaders in the Oval Office, President Obama ordered some 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Obama plans to share this strategy Tuesday in a televised speech. Last week, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asked the president of France to send an extra 1,500. Australia already has 1,550 troops there. -- The New York Times, Nov. 30, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/world/asia/01orders.html?_r=1&hp

Could police have saved the 14-year-old victim?

With the discovery of the 11 dismembered bodies last week, Milwaukee police released the tapes Monday of the 911 emergency calls from three women who tried to get help for one of the victims before his death.
According to the transcript of the 911 calls, police might have saved the 14-year-old Laotian, Konerak Sinthasomphone, had they completely followed through on concerns voiced by Glenda Cleveland and her daughter and niece on May 27 at 2 a.m.
“He’s butt-naked and he has been beaten up. He is very bruised up. He can’t stand,” the niece said to the dispatcher. “He has no clothes on. He is really hurt ... He needs some help.”
When the dispatcher transferred the call to the fire department, the niece repeated her apprehension about the young victim. Then, after the sheriff's office got the call, the police checked out the apartment.
For the reason of insanity, Jeffrey L. Dahmer, 31, confessed to killing 17 people that included the 11 found dead in his rented apartment.
When Dahmer was arrested, he told police about the two officers who had stopped by his apartment two months earlier to investigate the emergency call. However, after the officers left the apartment, Dahmer then killed Sinthasomphone.
As a result, the boy’s remains were part of those found at Dahmer’s residence.
Although unidentified, two officers have been suspended with pay. Although Cleveland was concerned and followed up again with police, their lawyer said the officers did not see anything that would suggest the 14-year-old was in distress.

Can a simple drink make you intelligent?

Since it was the best deal in town, I bought a large bottle of drinking water for $1. Little did I know at the time that I would get a lot more for my money than the 33.8-ounce of water inside the container.
Because I had never tried Glacéau smartwater before, I was pleased when the cashier at Target praised the item. She also let me know that it does a lot more than “hydrate responsibly.”
(Photo courtesy of Glaceau).
The cashier’s story began when her boyfriend recommended that she drink smartwater before she took some big tests. She did just that and surprisingly passed the exams.
“And, another friend who normally doesn’t even pass his tests also drank the water and did well. This was really a big deal for him,” the cashier said.
Unbelievably, I was able to keep a straight face when I admitted that I had never heard of this before. Since I had nothing to offer, I smiled and thanked the Target worker for her good words.
Actually, I appreciated the friendly cashier’s “thumbs up,” I really did. Because the truth is, I can use all the help that I can get when it comes to taking college tests.
Long after I left Target, I could not get the so-called elixir and its possibilities off my mind. Sure, I was skeptical. But, who am I to judge something badly before I even try it? After all, colleges teach students to keep an open mind and think critically.
Therefore, I conducted an online survey to learn if other students had had similar positive experiences with using Glaceau smartwater before tests. Among the 170 students invited by e-mail, 18 participated in the survey.
When students were ask if they had ever tried Glacéau smartwater before, 38.9 percent had tried it and the same percentage had not. Additionally, 16.7 percent drink the water regularly and 5.6 percent did not know if they had ever had it before.
When students were asked if they or their friends had personally consumed smartwater before taking school tests, 5.6 percent said yes. However, 66.7 percent said no and 27.8 percent did not know.
While 11.1 percent said Glaceau smartwater makes you more intelligent, 55.6 percent said no and 5.6 percent did not care. Also, of the 27.8 percent who were unsure, Krista Manuelson said, “Is it smart to drink smartwater? Are you smart for drinking it or smarter for drinking it?”
Thus, overall, results of this survey showed that it might be wiser if learners relied on more than well-regarded water for their academic success. And, although vapor distillation and electrolyte-enhancement might be as good as hydration, scholars interested in improving their test scores and grade point averages might want to take a look at more tried and true methods to become smarter when taking tests.
And, after trying those more reliable academic approaches, if students still want to imbibe on a little wonder water to stay hydrated during a test, then that’s OK. Like one student, Tammy Robertson, said, “People need to stay hydrated while learning. So drink up everybody ... it sure cannot make you dumber.”

Taking time out to relieve stress not easy for students

(Graphic by MCT Campus)
The best way to relieve stress is by exercise like brisk walking or working out at the health center. Still, I've found it hard to keep up regular routines, although exercise really helps my brain.
Another good stress reliever is to just get away from all the homework and tasks to spend time with friends/family. Although I frequently turn down invitations because of school work, my attitude and outlook always improves when I finally say “yes.”
After attending a state college in Texas in the 70s, I returned to school two years ago. Although I should be old enough and smart enough to know better, I’ve taken on unhealthy habits common to college students -- not getting enough sleep, spending too many hours at a computer and desk, eating less healthy food on the run and rarely taking time out for myself -- because there's always so much to do and so little time.
Interestingly, Debbie Tillman, director of Normandale's Office of Student Disabilities, said studies prove that community college students are under more stress than other students. This is because they try to do too much and constantly juggle school, family, work and other commitments.

UC students occupy buildings to protest fee hike

Students gather on the University of California, Berkeley campus Friday (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma).
BERKELEY, Calif. — In protest of a 32 percent increase in student fees, job layoffs and program cuts, students locked up in buildings, blocked exits and gathered outside at different University of California campuses. Campus police arrested more than 50 supporters Thursday and three on Friday. According to regents, fees increased because of the lack of state funding. -- The Associated Press, Nov. 20, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gi_1CaTjFsR3j2QntpKsXZY0sP1gD9C3NLE00

What NCC students wish to see at their school

The new Activities Building at NCC (Photo courtesy of ITS).
Because students continue to talk about the parking problems, it’d be easy to assume that this is the number one campus concern among the student population at Normandale.
But, when it comes to what students want that’s not currently at NCC or how things should be done differently, students have more on their minds than just those same old, same old parking problems.
This came from an unscientific poll set up in November to find out what students want beyond parking spots right by the main entrances. Because of an online Media Writing assignment, 100 NCC students were invited by e-mail to participate in a quick, two-minute survey via metnet.edu.
More than anything, the results of the informal poll suggested that the best way to get to a student’s heart is through their stomachs and wallets. Other opinions ranged from Facebook to faculty, from Farsi to fitness and from four-year degrees to free stuff.
When it came to food and beverages, 26 percent asked for better cafeteria food and more variety, healthier food choices and more Vegan options, “taco bar the same day every week” and “Chipotle in the school! :) I know it’s a long shot!”
Whether students eat or drink in the cafeteria, Java Junction or the new healthy snack bar in the Activities Building, 30 percent of all respondents wanted “cheap, cheaper” and “low, lower.” Students also said:
o “I have to pay around $5 for a salad.”
o “Last week 2 slices of pizza set me back 6 bucks, too expensive.”
o “Maybe offer healthier affordable foods and beverages emphasizing on more affordable because the new snack bar is too expensive for many students.“
o “Lower priced coffee drinks at Java Junction.”
o “Many items are expensive. I paid $4 for a plate of salad yesterday. Items in the lunchroom, bookstore and vending machines are often more expensive than they would be at a gas station, Target or fast food place. I am paying for college myself (with the help of financial aid) and I can't afford to spend that much more money at school.”
NCC students also wanted better hours in the cafeteria and the Java Junction opened without afternoon breaks. Plus, students asked for more vending machines, a “punch card of sorts” and a “more convenient location to buy food instead of having to walk all the way to the back of the school for the cafeteria.”
Regarding the 17 percent concerned about the academic courses, one-half asked for pre-law classes and more honors, music and language classes -- Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Portuguese, etc. -- with an increase in the levels offered for those languages.
The other half wanted to see more than one instructor teach the same course and “more times for the classes offered.”
“I would like at least TWO different teachers teaching the same course. Sometimes there will be only one choice offered with no alternative and that is very limiting to some people.”
“Having more classes offered T/H days. For people who have full-time jobs and schoolwork, it would be more convenient.”
“Offering Math 1050 in the Spring as well Math 1060 in the Fall, due to the need to get it all done, and then you have 150 kids battling for only 2 CLASSES in the spring?? Really frustrating!!!”
“I wish they offered more gym classes at night.”
“Certain classes that I need to take are only available during morning or early afternoon, and I need night classes.”
Although students were pleased about the four-year degrees that can now be earned at NCC, 11 percent wished for more.
“I like that Normandale now offers four-year degrees, however I would like to see more added to that list.”
Of the 8 percent that had to do with computers, 5 percent wanted more available computers and printers with “perhaps a second computer center.” The other 3 percent were unhappy that NCC students use the computers for facebook rather than schoolwork.
“Make it so people can't go to frickin facebook in the computer center. Even if the supervisor says for people to stop using computers for pleasure, no one gets up. They still keep on facebooking.”
“Send the facebook and e-mail kids to the library computer lab if the third-floor lab is full.”
About the faculty, 21 percent wished for more consistent professors and that professors cared more about the students. Students also wanted to see an increase in the amount of instructors using D2L and for their teachers to get back to them faster.
Although parking issues were not at the forefront, 9 percent still brought it up. These students wanted “better,” “closer,” “covered” and “more” parking. One student asked that NCC, “Run the shuttle bus throughout the ENTIRE semester, not just randomly stop mid-January without any warning what so ever.”
Finally yet importantly, one student wanted NCC to take to heart their thoughts about how to encourage students during these tough economic and academic times.
“Free meals, snacks, notebooks, planners or some sort of item. Maybe one item once a semester. Most schools give many things (pizza cutters, key chains, notebooks etc.) to their students. I think that would sort of boost morale, or give a fond reminder to students to carry with them into the future.”
Of the 100 invited to be a part, 20 actually provided answers at the link provided by a free basic survey service, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ANbo0cWLXO5m3UeNTfzZQQ_3d_3d. There, students were specifically asked, “What would you like to see at Normandale that the college does not currently have or offer?” And, “What would you like to see done differently at Normandale?”
Whether their comments were related to classes, beverages and foods, programs and services or hours, procedures and rules, participants were told that they could list as many things as they’d like.
Although the overall 20 percent student response rate was on the lower end, it fell within the 14 percent to 70 percent reported by the National Survey of Student Engagement. Their findings were the result of a 2003 study where NSSE polled students at 316 colleges and universities.

Man Jailed for ’91 Murder Is Cleared by Judge

Fernando Bermudez at Sing Sing in 2007 (Photo by The New York Times).
According to a Manhattan judge Thursday, a man who has already spent 18 years in prison is innocent.
“I find no credible evidence connects Fernando Bermudez to the homicide of Mr. Blount,” Justice John Cataldo of the State Supreme Court said.
Because of the ruling, Bermudez, 40, may be able to collect compensation from the state of New York. -- The New York Times, Nov. 12, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/nyregion/13freed.html?hp

Traveling to Mazatlan

After our family transferred to the Twin Cities from down south, we soon learned that Minnesotans take trips to warmer and sunnier climates to get through the five-month long winters here. Therefore, after we survived a few Minnesota winters, we followed suit and took our first spring break trip to Mazatlan, Mexico, in 1996.
The friendly and happy people there impressed us. In fact, we’ve made some good friends and try to keep in touch.
Also, we love the variety of fresh fruits and fish and seafood along with the Mexican cuisine of the region. The open-air restaurants by the ocean are calming and soothing.
Our very favorite hotel is Playa de Mazatlan where the service is impeccable. Although the sprawling stucco resort was built in the 50s, it’s often hard to get reservations there because it’s a popular holiday spot for the natives of Mexico.
Naturally, the water on the Pacific coast is not as clear and blue as the Caribbean side. Nevertheless, it still has a beauty of its own and taking walks on those beaches are just as enjoyable.
Because the peso is usually devalued at less than the U.S. dollar, this means that our money goes further south of the border. Thus, travels to Mexico have been good budget choices in vacations for a big family of six.
Interestingly, we have learned that if we want to take a real break, then it’s better to get far away from home. Even then, it takes two or three days to de-stress and wind down once we get there.
So, being gone one week isn’t nearly long enough. I think spending 10 days to two weeks on a warm, sunny beach is much better. Oh, yeah!

Surviving Fort Hood

It’s hard to understand why the U.S. Army doctor allegedly killed 13 soldiers and wounded 30 at Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas, Thursday. But, it’s possible Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan snapped because of all the sufferings of the victims of war the psychiatrist had helped at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"Warfare has a way of making us into something that we are not," Joseph A. Kinney, a decorated Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War, said.
Because post-traumatic stress syndrome often goes undetected, it can torment a soldier for a lifetime. But, P.T.S.D. support groups have helped, especially when the facilitators are combat veterans, rather than clinicians. --The New York Times, Nov. 6, http://homefires.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/surviving-fort-hood/
Among those killed was Army Spc. Kham Xiong of St. Paul, Minn., while he waited in line at the Soldiers Readiness Processing Center. For five months, Xiong, 23, had prepared to deploy to Afghanistan in January. His brother, Nelson, 18, is a Marine in Afghanistan. Their father from Laos, Chor Xiong, fought the Vietnamese with the CIA in 1972. Xiong, who loved fishing on the St. Croix River, is survived by wife Shoua, three children under five and 10 siblings (AP Photo).
While preparing to deploy to Iraq at the Readiness Center, U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Keara Bono Torkelson, 21, of Otsego, Minn., was shot in the back of the shoulder and scraped her head while on the phone with her husband, Joe Torkelson.

Costumes are biggest part of Halloween's event marketing

Although consumers planned to cut back on spending for Halloween outfits, costume sales still brought in the most revenue -- $2.12 billion -– of the four sales categories that included candy, decorations and greeting cards (MCT Campus photo).

Halloween is a good excuse to dress up in a costume. But, event marketing has made the darkest holiday of the year just another commercial tradition to keep shoppers spending until the Christmas shopping season begins. Thus, during a 10.2 percent jobless rate reported for October, more pressure was put upon people to spend money they most likely didn't have.
In stark contrast, the retail store owners were the ones who laughed all the way to the bank, because they gained the most from Halloween. Halloween sales were expected to break a record and top off at $6 billion in the U.S. This is a 4.2 percent increase from the $5.77 billion spent in 2008, according to Reuters News Service, Oct. 13.
While I've always respected that most people celebrate Halloween because it’s fun, I don’t participate specifically because of its dark past in pagan customs. This is why I took the road less traveled in this blog about Halloween costumes. If you'd like to know more about where Halloween comes from, please read Post #2 that follows this story.

When children and adults go out dressed as ghosts or witches to get a Halloween treat or play a mischievous trick, they innocently re-enact the sacred Celtic ceremony of Samhain, according to French historian, Jean Markale, in “The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween: Celebrating the Dark Half of the Year,” August 2001 (MCT Campus photo).

Deal in Senate will protect reporters

WASHINGTON—-The U.S. Senate reached an agreement Friday that will give greater protection to reporters and unpaid bloggers who refuse to reveal their confidential sources. It does not apply when journalists refuse to reveal their confidantes in cases of terrorism. Since 2001, “at least 19 journalists had been subpoenaed by federal prosecutors for information about confidential sources and four had been imprisoned for refusing to comply,” Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., one of the prime sponsors of the bill, said.
President Barack Obama plans to sign this law. His administration is the first ever to support shield legislation for members of the media.-- The New York Times, Oct. 31, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/us/01shield.html?ref=politics; Oct. 1, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/us/01shield.html?ref=politics.
Thirty years after the fact, FBI agent, William Mark Felt, Sr. (Aug.17,1913-–Dec.18,2008), admitted in 2005 that he was the confidential source (Deepthroat) for Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, whose investigative reporting of the Watergate scandal won a Pulitzer Prize.
The 1976 movie, "All the President's Men," tells this true story that’s based on Bernstein and Woodward's 1974 book.

Dean Rick Smith says NCC has record enrollment during recession

(Photo by true grimes)

At a time when students cannot find jobs, community colleges across the country have seen record-breaking enrollment increases this semester. The community college in Bloomington, Minn., has not been an exception.
Normandale has exceeded 10,000 headcount students, according to Rick Smith, the dean of enrollment, marketing & multicultural services.
That’s an increase of 7.9 percent. “Normandale has reached a remarkable milestone,” Smith said.
Specifically, 10,095 students enrolled for Fall 2009 as compared to 9,367 for Fall 2008, according to the NCC Office of Institutional Research’s Sept. 28 report.
Although the potential for enrollment varies dramatically between colleges, when compared to the other 31 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, “It looks like we will be at or near the top in enrollment growth from everything we’ve heard so far,” Smith said. “Normandale is currently third in MnSCU.”
“Not only is Normandale the largest community college in Minnesota,” Smith added, “but it is also the fourth largest college in the state, right up there behind the University of Minnesota.”
Before the semester began Aug. 24, community colleges across the country were expecting enrollment increases higher than any seen in more than 20 years. Some reported as many as 33 percent more applications, but officials believed those numbers would even out at 10 to 15 percent,” according to Newsday, July 26.
“There’s been a longstanding rule of thumb that for two-year colleges when the economy is bad, enrollment is good,” Smith said.
In his professional career as admissions director at NCC and chief enrollment officer for private colleges in Minnesota, Smith has done preliminary studies in trying to understand this irony of a recession.
Still, the dean of enrollment will always say he has yet to find a common correlation in this big social science behavior as it varies between colleges. It could be a combination of factors as varied as the conditions, consumer levels, marketing situations and unemployment rates.
One part of the economic issue, though, is the shift of people from higher cost colleges to Normandale.
“We know that to be anecdotal from working with students and parents. We actually started to pick up on that last fall at this time,” Smith said because families have limited resources for higher education.
Also, other colleges have told Smith that when it comes to transfer students, Normandale’s students outperformed academically on average more than the rest. “Our reputation with both four-year colleges and potential employers keeps growing,” Smith said.
“I think, honestly, we’ve been marketing the college more aggressively and more broadly than ever before,” Smith said. “In all due respect, we have looked around and we just didn’t find the combination of low cost, high quality and great reputation that you have here at Normandale.”
“It makes us the best value in higher education in the upper Midwest,” Smith added.
In college cost comparisons, NCC is $4,888 for a resident whereas a private university in Minnesota is $29,023. That’s six times more or $24,135 greater than what it costs to attend NCC, according to the brand new marketing brochure used at the NCC college fair last week.
When he was 27, Smith became a vice-president of two private colleges. So, for almost 15 years before landing at Normandale five years ago, Smith was vice president of enrollment management and dean of admissions for St. John’s University, St. Benedict’s and Augsburg College, all in Minnesota.
From a Lutheran upbringing, he might have even had a sense that he had a calling to work with new entering students and the retention of students.
“I cannot imagine more important work than matching students with the right college situation,” Smith said. “When it’s done right, the impact of that match is as profound as anything a person experiences in their lifetime.”
Smith sees this same impact at NCC as well.
“It’s not that I see it, I hear it,” Smith said. I hear it from students, I hear it from alumni, I hear it from people who know the reputation of NCC.”
Naturally, 900 something students cannot be added to NCC without stretching the system a little.
However, Smith said there’s never a time when all 10,000 students are here at NCC. That’s because classes are held for the most part from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. six days a week.
When comparing NCC to private colleges that normally have an enrollment of 3,000 to 3,500 students, Smith said NCC also feels more like a small school this way.
“The biggest thing is I have yet to hear real significant criticism of this place. I find that really extraordinary, given the size and the extent of the diversity of the students and faculty and staff. It’s really pretty extensive diversity in all three groups.”
Smith added that Normandale being a great place to work plays in to the increases as well. “Breaking an enrollment record of this magnitude would not be possible if it weren’t for the consistent efforts of everyone on campus.”
“This is as student-centered a place as I’ve ever been to or seen,” Smith said. “People from the president all the way across to people who work in the facilities are just constantly asking what they can do to help the students.”
Smith said that people sometimes forget what is involved in growing close to 10 percent. And, with the aggressive marketing issues, there is more work.
Matt Crawford, the new director of admissions who replaced Smith last February, has expanded new software tools that Smith first put in place.
Throughout the milestone 7.9 increase, Crawford has counted that the admissions staff has made 5,260 phone calls to students who needed the Course Readiness Assessment tests and the advising and registration sessions. In addition, 4,289 e-mails were sent on the same topic and 6,742 postcards were sent out to remind students and parents of those same issues.
When considering that 72 percent of students enrolled at NCC applied in the six weeks leading up to and including the first week of fall semester, “That’s a huge amount of work,” Smith said.
“I’m not sure we can ever thank the admissions staff enough,” Smith said. “It’s a zoo during this time.”
“I’m really impressed about the students here,” Smith said.
“These are smart students, they’re really dedicated, they’re bright. They’re inquisitive, analytical, they just have an awful lot of qualities that completes the picture.
“Normandale is a treasure trove.”

Interview questions for Sharon Harvey, Normandale’s funniest instructor with the most clubs under her belt

(Photo by true grimes)
Last spring semester, Mark Plenke told Journalism Lab you'd be an interesting person to interview. Of course, I agreed. Since then, I've wanted to write a story about you.
Thanks so much for wanting to interview me.
Are you a Minnesota native?
I've lived my entire life in Minnesota. I was born and raised in a small farming village on the Iowa border.
Before you became a teacher, where did you attend college?
I received an AA from Rochester Community College, a BS in Mathematics with a minor in Music at Mankato State University and an MS in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota.
What inspired you to become an instructor?
I've wanted to teach since I was 4 or 5. My father was a school guidance counselor. He brought home old school desks and school books, a small blackboard, and even a small flag for me to set up a "school" in our basement. He'd try out his new IQ tests on me and my brothers and I got to use the old forms with my "classes" of dolls and whatever neighborhood kids I could rope into playing my students.
How long have you been teaching?
I taught junior high mathematics and music and coached gymnastics for 4 years.
After graduate school I taught at Mankato State University for 2 years before coming to Normandale. This is my 23rd year here.
What do you love best about your job?
I LOVE the face-to-face interaction with students.
What’s the downside?
I wish I had more time for classes, advising the student clubs, and campus meetings and committees.
In which NCC department(s) do you teach?
I teach in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department.
Which courses are you teaching this fall?
I'm currently teaching a C programming class, a computer architecture and assembly language class, a programming data structures class using Scheme LISP and a Math 600/700 class in the Math Center.
What’s your favorite course to teach and why?
I love them all. I like the variety.
Students say you’re very nice, highly knowledgeable and a very good teacher. You even accept late assignments, wow! And, although computer material can be tough, you do your best to make the computer stuff fun for the class. You’re known to be helpful with assignments, explain everything very well and will even help students after class. This all sounds too good to be true. Are you really this great?
I am this great! Anyone who walks into my office with a Visa or Gold card gets all the help they want! ;-)
Some students here say you’re their favorite teacher, because you’re energetic, make the class interesting, are a comedienne and start each class with a comic strip. Why do students (and colleagues) consider you a comedienne?
I have no idea. I am so totally serious all of the time.
In October 2008, you did a “Pi Woman” routine in your classes. Did you repeat that performance this fall?
Yes, I did it again this year during Halloween week. I think I'll switch between Dilbert and Pi Woman each year.
Tell me about the standup comedy you’ve done in the past? Was this for fun or pay? Have you considered comedy as a career possibility? It’s not too late!
I mostly did open mike nights at various local venues. I'd try out new material in my classes here. If I couldn't get a big laugh after a couple of tries, I'd scratch the routine. I had a couple of paid gigs and turned down some others. But stand-up is very time consuming and I decided that I preferred teaching. Now most of my stand-up is done in my classes
One of your claims to fame on campus is being the faculty advisor of the MOST Student Life clubs. Please tell me a little about the many hats you wear and the clubs you’re involved with?
I don't know about that - Howard Odor advises a bunch of clubs, too. I've been advising InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for over 20 years, and Juggling Club for almost as long. Campus Crusade for Christ came on the scene 3 years ago and the Motorcycle Riders Club began 1 ½ years ago.
When considering a club, is there a specific criteria before you’ll advise that club? Or, do you take it on because the new club is in need of a willing adviser?
I keep telling myself "No more clubs!" But then someone will approach me about a new club and I'll get all excited about it, try to find someone who will advise it, and then end up doing it myself if I can't rope…ahem, I mean, encourage, them to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to interact with young people!
Since most of your clubs are religious based, are you a religious person?
I'm not fond of the term "religious". Jesus was sorry to see the "religious" leaders of his time putting themselves and their rituals ahead of the needs of the people.
I have a personal relationship with God and love to pray and study His word in the Bible.
Do you feel there’s a need for the religious clubs on college campuses?
Most MNSCU campuses, and certainly ones as large as ours, have multiple chapters of various Christianity-based national and international organizations, such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Campus Crusade for Christ. These organizations typically share the same basic statement of faith, but offer their own conferences, leadership training seminars, printed materials, and staff people assigned to various campuses. Multiple clubs help the staff from becoming overwhelmed and offer alternative meeting times for students with busy schedules.
If students have questions about any of your sponsored clubs, you recommend they call ext. 8434 or drop by your office at C 3117. Since you’re a computer instructor, I’m surprised that you don’t request being reached through your Normandale e-mail address. Any comments on this?
Chatting with a student in person or over the phone is much quicker than e-mail. I can answer all of their questions in a few minutes, versus several days of e-mailing back-and-forth.
Because you advise the Motorcycle Club, are you a biker chick?
I am a biker. I ride a 2001 Suzuki Marauder 800. I am a member of the Women on Wheels, the Christian Motorcyclists Association and the American Motorcyclist Association.
Since you’re 100 percent pure “geek” and proud of it, please share more details about this part of your life?
I just like programming. It's like working a good crossword puzzle. It's fun to do and there's a great feeling of accomplishment when you get a computer to do what you want it to. The computer itself is pretty dumb - it can only count to 1 (binary code is made up of 0's and 1's). But it has billions of fingers!
When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Socializing with friends and family, playing with my cats and dog, working crossword puzzles or sudoku and playing guitar.
What are your plans for the future?
I love everything I do, so I just plan to continue to do it all as long as I can.
If I have a few more questions, please list contact info where it’s best to get in touch.
E-mail is okay or call me here at x8434. I'm here Mon. - Thurs. 6:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m., 10am, and Mon. and Weds. at noon. I'm often here in the early afternoon hours, too.
Thank you, Ms. Harvey.

Church Janitor Charged in Slaying of NJ Priest

"Father Ed," as he was known to parishioners, was seen outside walking his cocker spaniel every day. When the priest’s body was found Friday, his dog was nearby unharmed(Photo by The New York Times).
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) – As St. Patrick’s Saturday Mass began at 5 p.m. in Chatham, N.J., authorities 10 miles away announced the arrest of the church's janitor for the murder of its priest.
Jose Feliciano, 64, allegedly stabbed the Rev. Edward Hinds 32 times after they argued in the rectory Thursday, according to Morris County prosecutor, Robert Bianchi.
The 61-year-old Hinds’ death is the first homicide in Chatham since 1990. - The New York Times, Oct. 24, 8:44 p.m. ET,
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/24/us/AP-US-Priests-Death.html?scp=2&sq=Rev.%20Edward%20Hinds&st=cse

Students want to know, “Where’s our H1N1 flu shots?”

Although sociology instructor Muketiwa Madzura is afraid of needles, he made it through his shot. According to Jill Lawrence of NCC's Human Resources, 175 faculty and staff members got shots Oct. 21 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the on-site clinic. (Photo by true grimes).
In light of the annual flu shot clinic for faculty and staff in the Kopp Student Center Oct. 21, some Normandale students have ask about a flu shot clinic just for them. This question has come about because of the college’s milestone fall enrollment and the widespread campaign to keep the 10,095 students up-to date about the H1N1 swine flu.
About a month ago, there was a “very initial discussion” in a meeting with NCC President, Joe Opatz; Ed Wines, vice president of finance and operations; Erik Bentley, director of campus security and the city’s public health department, according to Bentley.
Bentley also said the student flu shot clinic could be a possibility in case of a full-blown pandemic or if the H1N1 shots even became available.
If that happens, “Bloomington Public Health Department would at least consider the possibility of coming to Normandale,” Bentley said, “assuming a lot of conditions – if there was enough of the vaccine and if they even received it.”
On Wednesday, Wines confirmed there was nothing new in terms of a possible student clinic.
“I have no further information from the health department,” Wines said. “I’ve not heard anything further. To my knowledge, no college official has.”
When asked if he could see a student flu shot clinic in the near future at NCC, Wines said, “At this point, I really don’t know.”
Currently, the H1N1 vaccine goes to those of high-risk first – pregnant women and children – as well as first responders and healthcare workers. Since children 2-24 years of age are in that high-risk category, Bentley said NCC students would get the H1N1 vaccine before the faculty and staff here.
The dean of student affairs, Gail Cywinski, said there were other factors to consider before NCC hosted a student flu shot clinic.
Is there enough of the vaccine? Is it available? Because some students go to a family doctor or clinic, is this something they even want?
For students who do not have insurance cards, can they afford it? Who would assume the costs?

He's in the Army now! Wife’s cancer prompts man to enlist

Bill Caudle (left front) and other recruits are sworn into the U.S. Army Oct. 7 at the Milwaukee Military Entrance Processing Station (Photo by Michael Sears).
On Oct. 7, Bill Caudle left home for Army basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C. Because his wife was sick with ovarian cancer in Watertown, Wis., he moved 950 miles away.
Caudle lost his job of 20 years from PolyOne, a plastics company, in March. His family’s health insurance was about to triple in cost and then triple again.
Since his wife needed a third round of chemotherapy to fight the cancer, Caudle signed up for four years in the Army. The tradeoff meant he had to leave when his wife and three children needed him the most. - Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel,
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/64677772.html

OBITUARY: True Grimes

Tawana R. Grimes, better known as "true grimes," journalist for The New York Times and author of the John Newberry Medal award-winning children's book series, “The Big Family on a Little Ranch in Texas,” died in an accident Wednesday. According to her driver's license, Grimes was 49 and lived in Eden Prairie, Minn., and Manhattan, N.Y.
Grimes was jogging with her dog near home when a Minnesota Ice (block & chipped) truck hit her, Eden Prairie Police Chief Rob Reynolds said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 3-year-old Westie, Fanny Yancy, was airlifted and remains in critical condition at Hound Dog Hospital & Hotel in Eden Prairie.
Charges are pending against the truck's driver who admitted text messaging on his Apple iPhone 3GS at the time of the accident. Text messaging while driving is prohibited in Minnesota by a state law that went into effect August 2008.
Grimes' success came later in life. After three children completed their post secondary studies, she went back to school after attending a state college in Texas 21 years before. Although she was called a non-traditional student, Grimes preferred to describe herself as a "late bloomer."
Upon her return to college in 2007, Grimes pursued medical technology. However, because of inspiration from professor James Frankenfeld and his Interpersonal Communication class, her academic life course took a turn toward communication studies at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn.
Grimes also became involved with The Lions’ Roar, Normandale’s college student newspaper, and The Ink Spot, Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s student newspaper in Cambridge, Minn. It was in the newspaper business that she found her niche.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, in December 2011, Grimes accepted an internship at “The New York Times” magazine. Thus, she began her career as a health journalist. Because of her sense of humor and easy going, down home writing style, Grimes soon became a twice weekly columnist. Colleagues called her a younger Erma Bombeck, an American humorist and syndicated newspaper columnist who died in 1996.
Grimes was preceded in death by first husband and the father of their four children, Bill Grimes, who succumbed to metabolic syndrome.
Grimes is survived by husband, George Clooney, who she met on the job during an interview on the set of Ocean's 14 at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing, Minn. Survivors also include two daughters, Holland Grimes of Esteli, Nicaragua, and Summer Grimes of Toronto, Canada; two sons, Benjamin Grimes of Berlin, Germany, and Justin Grimes and wife Kassie and their baby (Grimes' first grandchild due in September, of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil; close family pet, Edie Grimes; and extended family down South.
The family will receive visitors from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Washburn-McGreevy Funeral Home, 7625 Mitchell Road, in Eden Prairie. The funeral service is 4 p.m. with Mark Warren officiating.
Afterward, the celebration event begins at 6 p.m. at Lake Calhoun Beach Club, 2900 Thomas Avenue S., Minneapolis, Minn. The sit-down dinner is followed by special guest, Jeff Foxworthy, who will perform his one-man play, "How to Tell if you’re a Redneck." At 8 p.m., the Grimes' family band will provide the live entertainment for the dance.
Instead of sending flowers, the family asks that friends donate to the “True Grimes' Late Bloomers" Scholarship Fund. Donations may be made to the NCC Foundation Office, either online at http://www.normandale.edu/alumniFoundation/giving.cfm or by mail to 9700 France Avenue S., Bloomington, Minn. For questions, call the Foundation Office at (952) 487-8147 or e-mail foundation@normandale.edu.

In dance Melissa Holthaus lets go and moves with the music

What people may not realize about dance is that, “It is really about strength and durability. It tests your limits and you have to try and try again,” Anoka Ramsey Community College student, Melissa Holthaus, said.
Since the age of three, Holthaus has been dancing. She can’t even imagine what life would be like if she had never started it.
“I think something would be missing and I would feel a void,” Holthaus said.
Unsure why she joined a dance class at such a young age, Holthaus thinks a dancer on TV probably caught her attention. And, because she looked up to her cousins, Jennifer and Alycia Holthaus, when she was little, they were always in dance and inspired her as well.
Holthaus said that dance has affected every part of her life.
“From the time I was very little and started it and my whole family would come out to watch me at my recitals to now, I am still loving it and needing it to be happy,” Holthaus said.
In particular, her mother has been the most supportive. She has not missed a single dance event and paid for everything her daughter needed to dance.
“I wouldn't have been able to do it without her,” Holthaus said.
From 16 years of testing her limits, Holthaus said the best reason to dance is the stress relief benefits from just letting go and moving with the music.
“It takes my mind off of things and makes me feel better if something is bothering me,” she said.
Holthaus favorite dance memory is when she convinced best friend Alisha to join her dance team in high school. Because Alisha was only interested in trying hip hop, Holthaus learned a whole new style of dance.
Before that, Holthaus had only done ballet, jazz and lyrical. But, because she gave hip hop a try, that year was actually the best dance year of her life.
“Not only had I found another style I loved, but my best friend was right there with me,” Holthaus said.
Holthaus said that dance is not only something that no one can ever take away, but it’s something a person can always take with them.
“Dance is always there. It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing, I will just start dancing,” she said.
Meanwhile, “I’m just living in the moment, and loving the life I have,” Holthaus said. She was dancing, of course.

Two die, 19 fall ill at Ariz. retreat sweat lodge

(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Claiming to "absolutely change your life," a "Spiritual Warrior" retreat ended with two people dead and 19 hospitalized in Sedona, Ariz., Thursday. While in a ceremony practiced by Native American tribes, 64 people spent up to two hours in the makeshift outdoor sweatbox. Guests paid up to $9,000 for the New Age program at Apple Valley Resort. –The Associated Press, Oct. 10, VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI7OvovE2MI&feature=player_embedded

Interview questions with Rachel Halvorson, a champion figure skater

Rachel Halvorson was Star Tribune's Athlete of the Week Aug. 8 (Photos by Star Tribune).
Hi Rachel, I am really happy to have this opportunity to get to know you better. For starters, how did you begin figure skating as a hobby?
I started figure skating when I was eight years old. I took the 10 week winter session at the Elk River Ice Arena. I didn’t skate again until the next winter when I was nine years old. My mom didn’t realize that they offered skating classes all year round, but after the second winter session that I took I began skating all year round.
If you’ve skated nine years, your family has been supportive. Emily is also involved. Are either of your parents skaters?
Yes, my family has always been very supportive of me. My sister Emily is three years younger than me, and she began skating a year after I had started. She was six years old when she started. Neither of my parents were figure skaters. My mom did take a few skating classes when she was younger, but it was more recreational skating. She just did it more for fun. My dad was actually a hockey player though. When I was younger he always wanted my two twin brothers to be hockey players, but they decided to play football, basketball, and baseball instead. When my younger sister Emily and I started skating he wanted us to start hockey classes. My sister Emily and I didn’t want to take hockey classes. We wanted to be figure skaters.
Where do you skate on a regular basis?
I skate Monday-Friday at the Elk River Ice Arena. I have trained at other places though including the Blaine, Bloomington, Parade, Coon Rapids, and Brooklyn Park Ice Arenas. Elk River is where I usually train though, on a regular basis.
During winter, do you ever practice by the neighborhood warming house?
I do like to skate outdoors in the winter, for fun. It isn’t very good for training though because the ice is really bumpy. They aren’t always shoveled either so it’s hard to practice on outdoor rinks. Plus the outdoor rinks aren’t very good for my skates so when I do skate outdoors I have to wear different skates.
Do you wear the basic warm-up suit to practice and then one of those cute little outfits when skating in serious events?
To practice I typically wear tights, black-spandex type pants, and a t-shirt with a jacket. Sometimes I wear two jackets because our ice arena doesn’t have any heat. The clothes that we wear though can’t be baggy. They usually have to be pretty tight fitted. For competitions I do wear a skating dress. I have a long program and a short program. I have a different dress for each program. Whenever I get new programs I will typically get new dresses as well.
Is skating an expensive hobby?
Yes, figure skating is a very expensive hobby. It’s probably one of the most expensive sports. My figure skates range anywhere from $1,000-$1,500. The cost of my skating dresses and other girls skating dresses can really depend on the amount of Swarovski crystals added to the dress. A typical competition dress can range anywhere from $250-$1,000. Plus all of the ice time, off ice training (ballet, yoga, running, karate, ect.), private lesson costs, and competitions really adds up.
Along with skating, do you like to play hockey? And, are you a Wilds’ fan?
I have actually never played hockey on the ice. I’ve played street hockey (on rollerblades) before which is really fun, but surprisingly I have never played it on the ice. I have never even tried on a pair of hockey skates. I do like the Wild, but I don’t have a lot of time to watch their games on TV or anything.
Are you skating five days a week to earn a spot on the European skating tour?
Yes, I’m hoping that I can make the European skating tour. That is mainly what I am practicing for right now. I am also doing a few competitions as well throughout the year. There are other tours along with the European tour that I am also hoping to join.
Have you also considered competing in the winter Olympics?
When I was little I always wanted to compete in the Olympics. I’ve come to realize though that I just don’t have the time and money that it would take to go to the Olympics. To get to the Olympics in figure skating you must place in the top four at Regionals. Then you would go on to Sectionals and you must place in the top four again. Then you would go on to compete at Nationals. Then the top two skaters from Nationals would go on to compete at Worlds. Depending on how the skaters place at Worlds the U.S. would either be able to send two or three skaters to compete in the Olympics. So it requires an incredible amount of training, dedication, and commitment to make it to the Olympics.
Does skating this often ever become a grind?
Sometimes it does become a bit stressful, especially now that school has started again. I’m really busy all the time. It’s sometimes hard to fit everything in, but I love skating so much that I would never give up on it.
How do you get through those days when you absolutely don’t feel like skating at all?
Well, I know that I will have my good days and my bad days. You have to work hard for what you want, and it isn’t always going to be easy. I know that if I can get through it even when I’m having a bad day it will only make me stronger. My coaches help motivate me, but ultimately I’m the one pushing to be the best that I can be.
How has the large time commitment played into your academic studies? It was a struggle at first, and sometimes it still is, but I have learned to work with my schedule. Most of my life I have been homeschooled, which has allowed me to skate in the afternoons as opposed to the skating in the evenings like many other skaters at my club. I am able to spend more time on the ice because of this, and it is much less expensive. My junior year (last year) and this year (my senior year) I began going to Anoka Ramsey taking PSEO classes. Going to Anoka has allowed me to be able to go to school while still being able to choose what my schedule is like. I’m able to take online classes (like this one), but most of my classes I take in the morning before I go to skating. Two days a week I have evening classes that I go to after skating. This has allowed me to still be able to skate in the afternoons which is wonderful.
What are your academic goals?
This year I hope to graduate from high school with 40+ credits of college completed. That way if I make it on the European tour I will already have some college credits completed. I want to try out the tour for a year, and it I really like it, I will maybe go on another tour for a year. I want to seize this opportunity when I can because college will always be there for me. I’m not sure what I want to major in yet, but hopefully I will be able to decide soon. I’m thinking about attending Biola University though in California.
Do you feel your high level of discipline has helped toward being a student and in other areas of your life?
Yes, I have learned so much from skating, and I don’t think that I would be the person I am today if I had never started. Skating has taught me many valuable character qualities that will benefit me for the rest of my life. It has taught me to be self-motivated, disciplined, patient, and I believe I have a harder work ethic because of it. I have to work hard for the things I want, but if I set my mind to something I know I can accomplish anything.
Obviously, through your training and roller blading, you’re in excellent health. Are you concerned that skating for a lifetime could possibly cause premature osteoarthritis or another similar related condition?
I guess I haven’t really thought about that very much, but I’m not too considered about it.
At the young age of 17, you’ve accomplished a lot, which includes "Athlete of the Week," congratulations! From all the above, I think you’re well on your way to a European skating tour.
Thank you!
What all is involved to become a member and in the skating tour?
Well, you have to send an audition tape in, and submit it online. Certain jumps, spins, and footwork are required on the tape. You also have to send in a resume. You have to sign up online and become part of their program. There is a fee to this, but I’m not sure how much it costs. I think it’s around $100. Once you are in their system, you can send out your tape to different ice show tours, and they will review it, and let you know if you made it. I am currently working on finishing up my audition tape so hopefully I will be able to send it in soon.
What exactly does a skating tour involve?
Well, it depends on which tour you doing. Each tour begins with 2-3 weeks of rehearsal. (learning all of the ice show numbers) Each year they have a new show so if you do the same tour twice you will learn a new show the next year. The tours can last anywhere from six weeks to six months. They have some tours offered at theme parks, on cruises, or different places around the country. Once you start the tour there is usually 1-2 shows on the week days. On the weekends there is usually 2-4 shows a day. Usually you have one or two days during the week free that you can go sight seeing, or sometimes you’re traveling to another city. All of the plane tickets, food, and housing are paid for. Plus you get a weekly salary.
On a side note, I know you probably miss your brother who lives in Japan.
Does Josh like the Marines and/or plan to make it a career?
Yes, I think my brother, Josh, likes the Marines. He’s been learning a lot from it. A lot of valuable life lessons. He signed up to be in the Marines for four years. He has been in the Marines for almost two years now. After, the Marines he is planning on finishing his college education, and joining the FBI.
Will he have to do active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq?
I don’t think he knows for sure yet. He is still in training right now.

One last thing: it’s cool you were interviewed by Star Tribune. Since you have always been interested in writing and have kept a journal since the age of seven, is there room for a writing career anywhere in your future?
Possibly. From this course I have been learning a lot. I didn’t realize all the work that really went into journalism. There are a lot of rules that I didn’t know about, and you really have to be careful of what you write, otherwise you could get into a lot of trouble. Writing in a journal has a totally different feel to it because I am free to write whatever I want. So taking this course has helped me realize that I have to be careful of what I write, and think carefully about it before I publish it somewhere. I have always loved writing though, so I am keeping the option of a writing career open.
If you pursued media writing, which area would most interest you?
I’m not really sure. I would have to look into all of the different options, but I think writing for the paper could be fun.
Have you found JOUR 2121 helpful toward improving your writing skills and expanding writing capabilities?
Yes, I have found this class to be very helpful, and I am learning so much from it. I think the things that I have learned in this class will help me whether or not I pursue a writing career.
Thank you, Rachel, for answering my fifty questions and for all your time!

Losing sleep is risky behavior

Going without sleep is as much a safety hazard as going to work drunk. It can also make people clumsy, stupid and unhappy, according to NCC psychology instructor, Diana Gant.
Gant, a sleep expert who has worked at NCC for 17 years, also said that most people suffer from sleep deprivation but not always for good reasons.
“Some people think going without sleep is the big, sophisticated, macho thing to do,” Gant said. “They figure they don’t need it, that the rules don’t apply to them, that they can get more done.
“It may work for a while, but sooner or later they begin to suffer the consequences.”
Because Gant has studied the connection between sleeplessness and accidents, she has found that sleeplessness was involved in the major disasters like the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Russia’s Chernobyl nuclear reactor and the Space Shuttle Challenger.
The sleep expert has also studied the complications from resetting the biological clock on traffic accidents in Minnesota.
When people lose an hour of sleep as daylight savings time starts in the spring, Gant has noted an 8 percent increase in traffic accidents the day after the time change. Getting up just one hour early is the equivalent of a national jet lag that can last a week.
In contrast, when people gain an extra hour of sleep in the fall, there’s a decrease in accidents.
For people who have trouble making sleep a priority, Gant said to think of sleep like exercise.
“People exercise because it’s healthy. Sleep is healthy,” Gant said. “Most people need nine to 10 hours of sleep a night to perform optimally.”

Hopes dim for quake survivors in Indonesia

Closest to the earthquake’s epicenter in the Indian Ocean, the rural district of Padang Pariaman was the hardest hit. Its villages and the road that connected them were destroyed and hidden under the flattened mountains (Photo by Norimitsu Onishi and Peter Gelling).
PADANG PARIAMAN, Indonesia — Relatives of the thousands missing from the quake Wednesday are angry help has been too slow. Rescue workers said finding survivors three days later were unlikely. The death toll was at more than 1,000 from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia, according to the United Nations Saturday. – The New York Times, Oct. 3, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/world/asia/04indo.html.
VIDEO: International help arrives in Indonesia

Spending the night away from home

My earliest memory was of me sleeping in a drawer from a chest placed on the floor. Blankets lined the wooden box for warmth and comfort. I was staying in a room at an older motel with my parents.
My mom finds this unbelievable because I was so young. Yet, I remember standing up in the drawer that seemed big at the time.

Sheriff DiCesari accuses commissioners of shortchanging his department to save money

“You’re putting the lives of the people of the county in jeopardy,” sheriff Gus DiCesari said Thursday after the Hennepin County commissioners voted 5-2 against his request for new vehicles and personnel.
DiCesari accused the commissioners of “shortchanging” his department to save money.
”You commissioners eliminated the equipment budgets for my department this year and now I can’t buy anything,” DiCesari said. “This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment.”
The county does not have the $580,000 needed to supply eight new cruisers and hire five more deputies for the sheriff’s department, according to commission president Anne Chenn. Commissioners Valerie Dawkins, Faith Ellis, Jose Gardez and Roland Gauman supported Chenn.
The county’s budget was $127 million this year. But, the county ran short because of higher fuel costs and increased costs for employees’ health care. Also, $30 million was spent to build a new prison to alleviate overcrowding.
Because the cars spend too much time in the repair shop, DiCesari said he needs the new cruisers to replace older vehicles that have more than 150,000 miles on them.
Chenn said the sheriff’s department would have to make do this year. She also suggested that deputies not drive their cruisers home each day as they do now. This would make more cars available and save mileage.
DiCesari said letting the deputies drive their cruiser home and parking them in their neighborhoods is a deterrent to crime.
In support of the sheriff, commissioners Anita Shenuski and Raymond Laybourne said the county should spend more money on the sheriff’s department and law enforcement than on programs for migrant workers.
“We never had problems until we began letting migrants come to this county to work,” Shenuski said. “They take away jobs from decent people and work for next to nothing.”
But, Chenn said the immigrants are not the problem because they are willing to do the jobs that the local residents don’t want to. “They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes,” Chenn said. “You are being a hypocrite when you try to blame those people for everything.”
“Many of the migrant workers become permanent members of the community, opening businesses and eventually earning citizenship,” Gardez said.
According to the commissioner’s estimates, there are around 5,000 migrant families in the county working in agricultural, construction and service industry jobs.

Ark. player ends game with noble gesture

During the final seconds of the game Sept. 18, Thamail Morgan headed for a touchdown. But, the Cave City teammate stopped short to kneel at the 5-yard line instead.
This was a way the Arkansas all-state football player could pay respect to Yellville-Summit. The losing high school team's No. 72, Kymbal Duffey, was killed and four players injured in a truck wreck Sept. 11. ArkansasVarsity.com

My first day at Anoka Ramsey Community College

Even though fall semester had started, it was a relief to find the online "Media Writing" course at ARCC. I had to register for the single course as if I were a brand new college student. This came as a surprise because I’ve been at Normandale Community College (NCC) two years. Still, I got a nice welcome when I drove up to the quiet Coon Rapids campus to purchase a used textbook, quite the find at the time.

Blue is the new black

In the 70s, women felt happier leaving their mothers’ domestic roles behind. But, as women have taken on male-dominated roles, they have put more stress on themselves.
Now men feel happier about their lives while women take far more antidepressants and feel less happy no matter what they achieve. – The New York Times, Sept. 20, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/opinion/20dowd.html?em

Chain reaction causes war zone at crash scene

Two people were killed and 20 injured Wednesday in an accident on Interstate 790 W. Two tractor-trailers colliding apparently started the chain reaction at 6:45 a.m. that involved four tractor-trailers and fourteen cars, according to Eden Prairie Police Sgt. Albert Wei.
The crash scene looked like something from a war zone unlike anything he had seen in his 18 and one-half years with the fire department, Eden Prairie Fire Chief Tony Sullivan said.
The drivers and passengers trapped inside three cars were freed when his firefighters cut the roofs off, Sullivan said. Two of the four worst injured were airlifted to the trauma center in Statesville from Memorial Hospital in Eden Prairie.
The accident in the northbound lanes closed the entire highway, north and south, according to Wei. Rush hour traffic was also backed up for three hours as commuters had to use Interstate 690 E.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the interstate was still closed and it was unknown when it would open again, Wei said.

Clues point to inside job in Yale killing

On Sunday, the same day her wedding was scheduled, police found the Yale graduate student dead inside the campus lab where she worked. Annie Le, 24, had disappeared five days before. Due to the evidence from the hidden crime scene, police tell the Ivy League community this is not a random act. - www.msn.com

The Sonic in Bloomington

The new Sonic in Bloomington was a fitting way to wrap up the first week of fall semester.
While dining curbside, I ordered a tasty burger with a milk shake special for $2.99 and a side of French fries for $1. Even though food server, Ashlee, didn’t wear roller skates, her service was great.

Lessons learned about leads

There was a lot of good stuff about leads in Chapter 7. No matter how much I learn, I can always use reminders about leads, such as AVOID:
- stating the obvious or negative, which helps eliminate wordiness.
- adjectives/adverbs that often state opinions instead of facts.
- using yesterday/today/tomorrow for times.
Plus, I need to work hard to keep my leads specific without useless details, concise and to the point in shorter sentences and appealing to readers.

For Longtime Captives, a Complex Road Home

(Photo by Ivor Markman/Associated Press)
During her 18 years in captivity, Jaycee Dugard endured trauma hard to imagine. Now, therapists feel that her biggest challenge will be to break away from the abuser who fathered her two children. And, it won't it be easy to begin a new life and re-establish trust with her first family again. -- The New York Times, Aug. 31, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/health/01psych.html

When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated

After class returned from lunch and recess, my sixth grade teacher cried when she told us that President John F. Kennedy had just died in Dallas, Texas. Because Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connelly and their spouses were planning to come to the state capitol next, all the schools in Austin were scheduled to dismiss early. So, we still got out early there but of course the parade and events canceled that Nov. 22, 1963.
For a long time, a dark cloud completely covered the entire country because everyone was sad. The television coverage was even in black and white. Jacqueline Kennedy climbing over the top of the convertible trying to get help from the secret service after her husband was shot, the horses pulling Kennedy’s flag-draped coffin and little John Jr. saluting while his big sister Caroline stood close by were impressions left behind by the newspapers and television.