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