December 2014 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 2 Art Around Campus by Lori Leahy I agreed to write this article a mock-up or draft of artwork to about the art around the the committee, which will then campus, and I thought, “No review the art before deciding problem, there are just a few which pieces will be purchased paintings here and there.” But for the new center. An initiative then I got to talking to some by the State of Alaska, called, folks and found out that there “The Percent for Art in Public

The Glenn Massay Theater Opening and Events: Inquiring

Minds Want to Know By Lori Leahy Since we’ve all been been set optimistically for for all who wish to attend. area at Vagabond Blues in Mat-Su art student hard at work. waiting with baited breath February. At this point Palmer, and these shows Continued on page16 One of the main factors to hear the official FYI the construction crew is causing the delay of the are usually sold out due on the opening of the new working feverishly on what to space constraints. is actually a lot more art here opening is the water tower theater and what the line-up appear to be the cosmetics that will provide water for Whistling Swan has than meets the eye. So what of events will be, I spoke of the building; walls are a whole list of great I’m going to share with you here the fire sprinkler system. with Dr. Coleberg, College up and chairs are installed Until that is operational performances scheduled is just a glimmering of all the Director. And not only was in the auditorium, complete for this coming spring at myriad artwork on display, and and has passed code he very forthcoming with with fold-out desks for certification, the doors the college (these can be art in creation, and art potential all that he could reasonably lectures as well as lighting will remain shut. But seen on their web-site). tell me, he gave me a sneak apparatuses hanging from that I discovered on my brief they are getting close! Sale is really enthusiastic peak of the new grand the majestic ceiling in the campus tour. about the great line-up so venue. (Shhh, I may even auditorium. The cat-walks Upon conferring far, some of which include My first stop was to talk with show you some pictures.) are ready to walk, the with Matt Sale, Theater the return of Luna Fest, managing theater director, orchestra has been sunk; Coordinator, I was So the official word on a women’s conference Matt Sale. As well as being the stage has been set--a informed that the schedule the opening date is: no word featuring films by, for, and the director of the theater splendid hall ‘tis to be! through the end of May is yet. But I can tell you that by now almost completely about women. This is being department, Sale has also been it is getting really close. It The grand opening expanded to a two day given the honor of heading up booked. The theater is would not be fair to give an celebration is intended as working with Whistling event this year. The first day the committee that will pick the exact opening date because the earliest event of the of this will be a benefit to artwork for the new addition to Swan Productions--who as we all know, events do year, but what exactly that books a lot of concerts support the Breast Cancer the college, The Glenn Massey occur, especially when one is remains in the planning in Anchorage-- and they Association and is being Valley Center for Arts and is trying to plan an event. stage, all hinging on the are thrilled about the new put on by My House of Learning. Sale says that Alaskan So no performances have official opening date. venue, as they have been Wasilla. Day two will artists will be allowed to submit Harkening Spirit with artist and been scheduled for January, Once it is known, this placing most of their creator Gene Stotts but a few things have gala will be publicized Continued on page 14 concerts for the Mat-Su 02 MEMORIES Commemorating Dr. Vandever (1944 - 2014) by Jacob Mann Rogers, of Manchester, University in 1973, as well as a Ph.D. New Jersey; her in Measurement and Statistics nephew, James Dean, from the University of North from Newtown, Dakota in 1976. Pennsylvania; and her Jan taught from 1981-2003 for niece, Donna Holt, from South Dakota State University. Hollsville, Texas. Upon retiring, she received Raised in New Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Jersey, Jan graduated status. After retiring from SDSU, from Lakewood she taught for 10 years at the High School then Matanuska-Susitna College in attended Monmouth Palmer, Alaska. “I took Jan Vandever for College Algebra, and didn’t stop until I ran out of classes I could take with her (Calc II). She is absolutely amazing. One of the best teachers I’ve ever had in my life.”

College in West Long Jan won many awards for Branch. While still teaching: her Professor Emeritus of a college student, Mathematics at SDSU, the Larson she landed her first Foundation Award for Teaching mathematics teaching Excellence, the F. 0. Butler job at St. Mary’s School, Award for Outstanding Service Middletown, New to Students, and the Cushman- Jersey. Breitwieser Award for Outstanding After graduating Research, Teaching, and Service. from Monmouth College Most recently, Jan was inducted Dr. Jan Vandever spent 10 years their homework in a classroom near in 1967, with a BS in Elementary into the Lakewood High School Hall as a full time mathematics teacher Jan’s office so that they could ask Education, Jan taught mathematics of Fame for her achievements and here at the Mat-Su College. After for her patient help and guidance,” in grades 9-12, in addition to dedication to teaching mathematics. nearly 50 years of teaching, she said Julie Larson, a close friend of serving as the Mathematics Jan enjoyed fishing and hunting had just recently retired before Jan. Coordinator/Supervisor for during her South Dakota residency her death. Jan was known well for Dr. Jan J. Vandever was born Burlington, NJ Township Schools and she had often bow hunted with her deep knowledge and dedication on October 28, 1944 in Newark, until 1974. Jan went on to her father. After a trip to Alaska, to her craft. Students readily New Jersey and died on October 1, earn a Master of Education in she decided that she wanted to live relied on her knowledge and 2014, under hospice care inside the Mathematics Education from there. After returning to home to support for Math throughout her Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Rutgers University in 1971, a South Dakota, she put all of her career. “...there was always a core after a long fight against cancer. Master of Arts in Teaching in group of students who would do She is survived by her sister, Nancy Mathematics from Colorado State Continued on page 16 IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU 03 yourself do homework, promise pays off big time. • Utilize the resources the college yourself a treat once you finish as • Sit in the first few rows. Statistics provides such as tutoring in the Each fall, the Mat-Su College Student Ambassadors an incentive (i.e. watch a favorite TV Learning Center (tLC). staff tables where students exchange advice on episode). Visit your professors during their • Study slowly throughout the Campus Resources succeeding in college for candy. These tips are later semester and manage the time you have for studying that portion. Personal Health printed on sticker-paper and placed on yet more candy, It really lessens the burden when show better performance. finals and exams roll around. Go to the library! which is distributed during Tips & Treats week. For the Same with stress. • Get involved with Student office hours. benefit of students who missed these tips the first Record your lectures (with Government. instructor’s permission) and take time, we have reprinted them here, in a completely notes. Having trouble with your budget? Make it a priority once a month to Go see the financial advisors; they’re • Just do it! soak in a tub and let yourself relax. non-edible (or at least non-tasty) format. free and willing to help you figure You need time for yourself, too. Color code information as a memory out how to leave college with little • Get enough sleep! (6-8 hours) day as well. Do your homework right when trick. debt. Good health = increased ability to • Don’t procrastinate - get things you get it, don’t wait until the last • Spend 1-3 hours a week outside of • Have your Wolf Card with you Time Management learn. done ahead of time! minute. class for each hour spent in class. every day. You need it to print, check out items at the library and Always take one hour before bed to • Wash your hands, please. Pace yourself while studying. use it to purchase food at the café. study! Water and rest is better than energy You will procrastinate. Just be smart • Make a daily chart of assignments Study Skills The librarians are your best friends drinks. about it. to manage your study time and • Use erasable pens on a test. for research. • Walk 40 minutes every day! • Friends can wait if you have an get assignments done before they Every night sit down and open your • Go see an advisor at least once a exam coming your way. are due. • Spend your time wisely. class books and go over previous Be conscious of your surroundings. Take some time to relax. This is more lessons even if you don’t have semester. Prioritize your life (school, work..). Make a schedule monthly, daily, and • If there is a day you hate most in important than you realize. homework if you want a high GPA. You can check out a laptop in the a week, you need to hate it less • Video games can wait… weekly. Plan ahead! • Study a little later after class if you • Regardless of what level chemistry library (for in-library use only) if you because that is 1/7 you your life • Get the HW app and use it. It’s free. Don’t take all GE classes at once; can and do homework for an hour. class you take, study your book forgot yours. that you hate. take half and half. It will help a lot with getting get Read all the required chapters. and use YouTube if you still don’t • Professors are students too- they Drink water. Eat clean. Lift heavy. • Some things in life only come once. done; a little at time. understand. make mistakes and lead stressful • Make a set time to study and • Don’t neglect your physical, Be wise about what you choose. Have a planner for all your classes schedule frequent breads so it is not Don’t study high! lives. Bond with them, it is tremendously worthwhile. emotional, and spiritual health in Have fun Saturday. Sunday is and due dates! endless and overwhelming. • Always check your math signs. the pursuit of a grade or a dream. homework day. For some, church If you have a hard time making The library is a great resource. • Do not procrastinate! Work ahead every chance you get. It Brush your teeth.

HAVE SOME QUESTIONS? TRY ONE OF MAT-SU COLLEGE’S LEARNING SERVICES. The Most Critical Element Online Tutoring: UAA Consortium LIbrary 1pm-midnight.Limited hours per student. www.tutor.com/alaska www.tutor.com/military for military families who qualify of Deciding on a Career Khan Academy: Videos (math, science, economics, history) http://www.khanacademy.org/ by Karen Backlund Foreign Language: http://libraries.mangolanguages.com/alaska/start (includes English) In the last issue I outlined skills, academic background, ON MAT-SU CAMPUS AT THE LEARNING CENTER* the career services available and personality. While formal OLB121 745-9713 to you at Mat-Su College. and informal assessments are MATH ASL Many factors need to be important, you are the best Mon 9:30-5:00 1:00-5:00 considered when deciding on a source of information and I BIOLOGY career: training requirements, enjoy interviewing you to mine Tues 11:00-3:00 & 3:30-7:30 10:00-12:00 wages, employment outlook, the gems you have to offer your Wed 9:30-1:00 & 2:30-5:00 advancement, characteristics of world. We can also review your WRITING work place, nature of the work, personal and family situation Thur 10:00-3:00 Mon 12:30-3:00 physical demands, benefits, as it relates to your career Fri 10:00-3:00 Wed 12:30-3:00 etc. Can you guess what the planning and development. most critical element of career Call 745-9762 to schedule an decision making is? That’s appointment to further discover right, it is YOU and there are the unique contributions you *Tutoring is available only for students enrolled n MSC courses many tools available to help might offer and what motivates Fall 2014 Hours are subject to change Tutors available Sept 8 - Dec 12 you learn about yourself, your you to succeed. interests, values, abilities, Please make appointment http://matsu.alaska.edu/offices/the-learning-center/tutoring/ 04 NEW FACES number of students in the pro- Mat-Su College’s Three New Full-time Professors gram grows. But his main goal, he says, “is to help to ensure that By Lori Leahy when a student goes through the Mat-Su College has three burned out, so he left school and there they went to the Philip- raise their kids. The family re- program here that I have done new full time professors. Sal Pi- worked for a chemical company pines for a couple of years and turned to the lower 48 when both the best possible job I can to etromonaco is the new Assistant in Montreal doing laboraty work. then finally to Nairobi, . and his wife’s fathers got make sure they are successful.” They found it hard to return to ill, but always loved Alaska, so Professor of Chemistry; Johnny “I’m a lab–rat. I love teaching, When asked what his pas- Kirby is a new professor in the but I also love the lab,” says Sal. the U.S. at first, “My wife and returned as soon as they got the I are kind of gypsies in a way,” chance. sions are, he says that would Heating and Refrigeration de- In 1979 he moved to Gaines- have to be his family, spending partment, and Lukasz Garbark ville, Florida with his wife, and he says, but they have since ad- Kirby has a bachelor’s degree justed. time with his kids, fishing, hunt- is a mathematics professor. I started graduate school at The in animal science from Okla- ing, and his church. But he’s also was asked to chat with each of University of Florida. Saying Hired to help bolster the homa State, and had previously just glad to be back here and part them to find out their respective he chose Gainesville because he chemistry program, Sal hopes taught high school science but of this college as well as being stories. Here a summary of what liked what was happening in the the program can continue to felt it was time to change ca- back in Alaska. I learned during my conversa- program with molecular evolu- grow and draw more students, reers. He really likes anything tions, each fascinating in its own tion at that time. Sal was in the possibly with a bigger lab where that is “hands on” and thought way: bio-chemistry department there other types of experiments can teaching heating would be a lot and got his PHD in 1986. He be performed. He is teaching of fun. “Some doors were open- then worked at Yale with a post- survey of chemistry, general ing, and some were closing, so doctorate fellowship in the field chemistry, 104 and 106, and the this is the door that opened.” of cell biology, which was ex- corresponding labs. Sal says Kirby says he’s glad he made the ploding at that moment in time; teaching chemistry is difficult change since he is really enjoy- from there, on to The University because people don’t always ing it. Kirby himself is a gradu- of New Mexico, in Albuquerque, get it at first. Usually those who ate of the Mat-Su College Heat- working at the cancer center. have moved onto organic chem- ing and Refrigeration program. During this time Sal’s wife istry have finally gotten a grasp When asked how he likes it here was teaching middle school and of it, and are starting to like it. at the college, he says, “I love it. was getting tired of it, and sug- Sal says he’s really excited I enjoy working with my hands gested they try teaching abroad. to be here in Alaska and so far and I enjoy teaching, so here I “What am I going to do?” said really likes the college and staff. get to do both. And the kids are Sal, “because lab research is not He seems like a great addition to really great. I loved going to Dr. Lukasz Grabarek, Assistant something that is easily done if the college; a lot of knowledge school here, and now I’m enjoy- Professor of Mathmatics you wind up in a country that and some fun stories to tell. ing teaching here,” also adding Dr. Salvatore Pietromonaco doesn’t have a good university that the staff has all been really Lukasz Grabarek is Mat-Su Assistant Professor of Chemistry system.” So that is when he be- helpful. College’s most recent addition came certified in teaching. And This semester Kirby is teach- to the Mathematics Department. Sal Pietromonaco is Mat-Su off they went, first landing in ing a codes class, a job etiquette Originally from Poland, Graba- College’s new addition to the London, and then on to Riyadh, class, the fundamentals of rek’s family moved to Chicago chemistry department. An inter- Saudi Arabia. They arrived in forced air heat, and a basic con- when Lukasz was a child, and it esting fellow with an abundance Saudi Arabia two weeks before trols class. Next semester he will was here that he went to college. to say, Sal was hired as the as- 9-11, which he says was pretty be teaching advanced controls, He then moved to sistant chemistry professor; he tense in the beginning, as move- sheet metal, and hydraulics. and his wife recently moved and “lived a bunch of years” and ments as a foreigner were moni- Kirby says that a student can be lectured at the University of Ha- to Alaska. Sal shared with me tored, and they had to be careful certified in heating in two years, some points of his fascinating waii. On Math, I asked? Always where they went. They managed but that there are different certi- on Math, he said. “I am a math- life story and his career as a to travel around anyway; the lo- fication courses through NATE, scientist. He says he started his ematician by trade. It has al- cal Saudis were wonderful, gra- a national certification program, ways been my thing.” Grabarek livelihood as a “science nerd” cious people. Some even invited where students can be tested in high school, but then got his says he has taught math since Sal and his wife to their tent to against the national average, as st bachelors in science and chem- his 1 year in graduate school, share a meal. John Kirby, Assistant Professor of part of the college program. istry, in Montreal, Canada, at and always knew he’d do math. Refrigeration and Heating McGill University. University The next destination was Kirby says that there is a “I wasn’t part of math teams in Bangkok, , “the polar group called “The American high school or anything, but my life and all that was going on at Johnny Kirby is a new Re- the time in the 70s was thrilling, opposite of Saudi Arabia.” Sal Society of Refrigeration and En- Grandparents say I always want- says “all the stories you hear are frigeration & Heating professor. gineering” that he was involved ed to be a mathematician”. with the Vietnam War, the Fran- Johnny, his wife, and two kids cophone separatists in Quebec, true. It’s unbelievable, I love the with when he went through the Grabarek says he likes math culture”, he says. “Just stay away moved here from the Arkansas/ program, which he would like to and people defecting to Canada Oklahoma state line. Johnny and because it’s a very rewarding to avoid the Viet Nam draft. from the typical seedy bars and see get going again. He’d like to subject; the more time you put you’ll be ok.” Sal and his wife his wife had lived in Alaska once see the students go outside the After five years in Montreal before in the lower Yukon Delta, got to travel all over Southeast college to do some interesting Continued on page 5 and a really rough chemistry Asia, including China. From for one year and then had moved things. He also hopes that the program, Sal says he was getting to the Palmer/Wasilla area to 05 Continued from page 4 New Professors into it, the better you get at it. “But you have to Get involved with YOUR paper! keep using it all the time,” he says. “This happens at all levels, not just to students. From the profes- sors’ and researchers’ point of view, it’s exactly The Mat-Su Monitor is open to students of all experience the same idea-- you must pay attention to the idea The Mat-Su Library Network or you’ll lose it; you have to study.” He says, ”it’s levels. A paper like ours always needs writers, artists, graphic not the correct point of view to learn it just so designers, advertisement coordinators, photographers, and is now part of the Joint you can pass the test, but rather you are teaching yourself to get through a fairly difficult situation.” more (maybe you can contribute something we haven’t even Library Catalog. Your public In the military they make you take calculus and thought of)! chemistry just to train you to get through things library card will work at the that are difficult. When asked, “Why Alaska?” Grabarek says Meetings: Mondays and Thursdays, 12:00 to 12:50, Mat-Su College Library. Alaska was one of a couple of different choices. Admittedly, he looks for jobs in places he likes in OLB 214 (upstairs in library). and wants to live. Hawaii was one place he re- ally wanted to live and even stayed there after the job finished. When he came up to Alaska for a job interview in May he saw it was a place he really liked so was glad when the job was offered. An avid hiker and ice climber, Grabarek has Enroll in Affordable Care Act insurance with local help climbed Pioneer Peak and Matanuska Peak, and By K.T. McKee is anxious to see more of Alaska as soon as he has Open Enrollment for the $29,820 to $119,280. Add Those who continue to There are other hardship some time--although this year he plans to visit go without health insurance exemptions available. family in Chicago between semesters. He tries to Affordable Care Act (Obam- $5,000 for each additional aCare) is happening now family member to calculate and are not considered Please go to healthcare.gov go to Poland every other year also, to visit fam- exempt will face increasing for more information. ily. And although he really likes to visit, he would and runs until February 15. beyond that. If your income fees when they file their never want to live there. “This is home now”, He Do you know if you qualify? falls below the bottom fig- taxes in 2016. Those who For free help applying says. “Life is harder there economically, and jobs Below is a simple checklist. ure, you would not qualify for Affordable Care Act are scarce,” and adds, “the culture is different; aren’t covered in 2015 You might qualify for ACA for the tax credits, but you coverage, please call me people behave differently and have different ex- (and should be) will pay a health insurance and Ad- might qualify for Medicaid (Kate) at Mat-Su Health pectations”. vanced Premium Tax Cred- if Governor Walker expands one-time fee of $325 for themselves and $162.50 Services at 352-3225 for an Another of Grabarek’s pastimes is reading in its/Cost-Sharing Reductions Medicaid for our state. for each uninsured child or appointment. If you enroll German or Polish to keep his skills sharp, or just to if: in a plan by Dec. 15, your see how much of it he can understand. He grew up 3. You are not offered 2 percent of their income coverage will start Jan. 1. If speaking Polish, but learned German later in life. 1. You are not currently health insurance through a (minus the tax-filing you enroll between Dec. 16 An additional hobby is video games. But Grabarek covered or offered health spouse’s employer. threshold) – whichever is and Jan. 15, your coverage says his perspective has shifted—once enjoying insurance through an em- greater. would start Feb. 1. If you playing video games mindlessly for hours, now he ployer, Medicare, Medicaid, 4. You are a legal U.S. Citi- To some, that might enroll between Jan. 16 find himself sort of criticizing what’s going on. “If VA, or COBRA. zen or permanent resident I just knew how I could do it better,” he says. (possess a Green Card, etc. not seem like much to and Feb. 15, your coverage Content to be here in Alaska teaching math at 2. Your income is between for at least five years). pay for the right to go would start March 1 and Mat-Su College, Grabarek says he would like to 100% and 400% of the Fed- uninsured. But if something you would not be penalized see the Math Club resurrected. He’s not sure what eral Poverty Level for Alas- 5. You are not incarcerated. unexpected happens (heart for not being covered in all that entails, but would like to see it be student- ka. For a single person, that attack, cancer, surgery, January and February. run, with it being a social club that emphasizes would be an adjusted gross 6. Your parents qualify for car accident, etc.), those K.T. (Kate) McKee is math. He’d also like to see the math students pre- income for 2015 of between ACA coverage and you are without insurance will face paring for national math competitions at the col- a Certified Application $14,580 and $58,320. The under age 26. mounting medical bills that lege level, and possibly some student to student Counselor for the Affordable closer your income is to will go far beyond what it tutoring. Many of those who do Care Act at Mat-Su Health that bottom figure, the would have cost them to be qualify for coverage through Services, Inc., at 1363 W. Currently teaching algebra 107 and applied more help you would get insured. It’s just not worth math, as well as working with the Refrigeration the Health Insurance Spruce Ave., in Wasilla. paying for the insurance the risk. and Heating department teaching math, Grabarek Marketplace (Affordable Mat-Su Health Services is a through tax credits and says he plans on staying here. “I’m happy here. I Care Act) have found Those who are under the Federally-Qualified Health cost-sharing reductions. don’t really have a plan to leave, but if for some policies for as little as $0 or poverty level and have not Center that provides both For a family of 2, it would wreason, I was not able to work here, I would stay less than $100 per month yet qualified for Medicaid primary medical care and be $19,660 to $78,640; for in Alaska for a while.” and have deductibles of less will be exempt from the fee a family of 4, it would be behavioral health care. than $1,500 per year. for not having insurance. 06 Black Thursday Discounts, Deaths, and Disarray - a Holiday Tradition by Jacob Mann who volunteer to work Thanksgiving Day, “We 11/28/2014 - Black Friday is starting early also heard last year from this year. Macy’s, Walmart, Target, J.C. many associates who appreciated the According to Macy’s, the popularity of Penney and other major retailers have an- opportunity to work on Thanksgiving Black Friday and earlier open times was nounced that they plan to open their doors so they could have time off on Black based on “significant, sustained cus- for Black “Friday” on Thursday, Thanks- Friday.” tomer interest.” Ramesh Swamy, a retail giving Day - at 6pm. Secret Campsite partner at Deloitte, stated that when he According to a Time Magazine article by While most families begin carving their approached people waiting in lines, some from 2013, last year’s Black Friday Shop- Richard Leif turkeys, dedicated shoppers will be lined ping Spree was “calm.” Here’s the title: didn’t have a particular strategy or game up at the department store doors, pouring ing (the fourth Thursday in November). “Calm Black Friday: Only 1 Death, 15 plan. out into the parking lot. This is two hours Most of the department stores have Injuries Attributed to Big Shopping Day.” “It was interesting to see that some cus- earlier than last year. opened earlier and earlier in the recent There is a website that tracks the deaths tomers were simply out to be part of the Black Friday is commonly seen as the years. Macy’s stated to the Star Tribune and injuries which resulted from Black experience. It’s more of a tradition that’s beginning of Christmas shopping. In the that the idea of a “Black Thursday” ap- Friday shopping called “blackfridaydeath- forming than anything else,” he said past, it occurred the day after Thanksgiv- peals to both consumers and employees count.com.” The most injuries occurred in

Here’s some data regarding the recent years of Black Friday Shopping: Last year, Wal-Mart had more than 22 million shoppers on Thanksgiving Day, said former CEO Bill Simon 89 million shoppers showed up on Black Friday 2012, 86 million more than 2011 10% of shoppers on Black Friday 2012 appeared at the stores by 8 p.m. on Thursday and an estimated 28% of weekend shoppers were at the stores by midnight, compared to 24.4% in 2011 Total Spent: Total Consumer Spending on Black Friday (2012): $59 Billion Total Consumer Spending on Black Friday (2011): $52.4 Billion Total Consumer Spending on Black Friday (2010): $45 Billion Average Consumer Spending (per person): Average consumer spending on Black Friday (2010) = $365.34 per person Average consumer spending on Black Friday (2011) = $398.62 per person Average consumer spending on Black Friday (2012) = $423 per person

2011, with two separate pepper spray incidents injuring 20 shoppers each. But 2008 was the most dangerous year - three people were killed trying in the name of consumer goods. One of the most infamous of the Black Friday incidents is also attributed to 2008, when a Wal Mart employee was trampled to death by 2,000 people, rushing inside to shop. Two men also shot each other in a Toys ‘R’ Us that year. Sources: Black Friday By The Numbers. http://www.accounting-degree.org/black-friday/ Black Friday Death Count. http://blackfridaydeathcount.com Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/ Macy’s to Open Its Doors at 6 P.M. on Thanksgiving Day. http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/macys- open-its-doors-6-p-m-thanksgiving-day-n225451 07

Secret Campsite by Richard Leif

Sharpe’s Scroogy Christmas Guide by Michelle Sharpe Well, the time is upon us -- the holiday season. A time when Christmas and winter movies are rampant and you will most likely spend endless hours watching those holiday movies in order to get into the spirit of the festivities. Don’t worry, I’ve got a great list of some of my favorite holiday movies for people who love the holidays and people who can’t wait for the new year. Don’t worry, my dear Buddies and Scrooges alike, I’ve got you all covered.

1. Christmas selfish TV executive who destruction, cloning, and it will make you laugh, it 7. How the Grinch who celebrates the holidays Vacation (1989): This gets haunted by three singing Snow White songs! might even make you cry. Stole Christmas but wants a great seasonal Chevy Chase movie is a ghosts on Christmas Eve Also, there is an adorable But most of all, it will make (1966): Forget the Jim movie to watch with your must for every holiday in order for him to see little creature named that Mariah Carey song Carey version, classics are family, this is a great movie season. Whether you love how his actions affect the Gizmo. Check it out. Rated: more bearable. Rated: R better! for you. the holiday season or people around him in the PG couldn’t care less, this is the past, present, and future. 6. Nightmare Before 8. Simon Birch 10. Edward movie for you. Not only If you’re tired of the same 4. A Christmas Christmas (1993): (1998): Not really a Scissorhands (1990): can every family relate to old Holiday movie or need Story (1983): This This wonderfully dark holiday movie, but this This odd tale of how snow the shenanigans that the a little bit of dark comedy recommendation goes Disney movie is sure to movie about a boy’s faith came to a small town is Griswold family have to in your life this season, without saying. This movie spread both Christmas and and his friendship will be sure to delight everyone. endure throughout this give this movie a try. Rated: is a classic and no holiday Halloween cheer. You will sure to make you laugh and It’s a Tim Burton movie, so movie, you will watch this PG-13 season will be complete most likely be singing some cry. Rated: PG expect an unusually odd movie and realize “Well, my without it. “You’ll shoot very non-holiday sounding and heartwarming movie. Christmas could be worse.” 3. Gremlins (1984): your eye out, kid!” songs, such as Kidnap the 9. Anastasia (1997): Rated: PG-13 Feel like traumatizing Sandy Claws, What’s This?, Not a holiday movie, but Happy Holidays everyone! some younger children this 5. Love Actually and This is Halloween. This it does take place in the Hope this guide was 2. Scrooged (1988): In holiday season? Give this (2003): Fan of star- is a great family movie. If winter and it is all about helpful and that you all this 1988 modern update of movie a try! This movie is studded British comedies? you’ve never seen it, what finding family. It also has have a great end of the Charles Dickens’ Christmas about a small town getting are you waiting for? Rated: Not sure? Give this movie a some awesome musical year! Carol, Bill Murray plays terrorized by little green try. It will make you smile, PG numbers. If you are not one Frank Cross, a rude and monsters hell-bent on 08 AROUND THE CAMPUS “Rocking Horse” by Marie Fremlin

Artwork by Crystal Bruns These works of art were produced by students in Barbara Laucius’s Art Appreciation class. The assignment was ‘Sculpture from Nothing.’ Students were given 10 recycled items and told to find 10 more recycled items of their own choosing. And then – create!

Inspire: To arouse the mind or emotions of, to stimulate: impel. How many of us are moved by a compliment of another, or encouraged to complete a hard task? Learning something new also inspires us to learn more or and to expand our vision of our lives. Many of you are here at Mat-Su College because you were inspired. You are becoming smarter, serving your community with new knowledge. You yourself is an inspiration to all those around you. Rachel Goodall. Year in History Oct 13th 1997 Andy Green jet powered car reaches record 749.69 miles per hour January 14, 2005 Huygens probe lands on Saturn’s moon Titan. February 14th 1908 Gabriel Lippman introduces the new three dimensional color photography at the academy of sciences. October 16, 1869 A hotel in Boston became the first in the US to install indoor plumbing. November 9, 1951 Lou Ferrigno’s Birthday. He is the original “Incredible Hulk” 09 ART DEPARTMENT EVENTS Mat-Su Area UAA Alumni Chapter Home of Infinite Possibilities Members Carol Gustafson and David Johnson caught STUDENT ART SHOW up during a recent Meet & Greet held at Vagabond Nov. 21 - Dec. 11, 2014 Blues in Palmer on November 15th. The two Juried Art Show. were former classmates Drop off: January 6 to 8, 2015 in a 2011 Honors class studying Chinese-American Show: Jan. 14 to Feb. 11, 2015 High School Portfolio Contest History with Mat-Su College Portfolio review day Feb. 4, 2015 Juried art show opened to all artists, Director Dr. Talis Colberg. Drop off dates Feb. 9-12, 2015 in any medium, from around the Winner announced: Feb. 18 Show valley. Rules and application will Both UAA grads are still be posted on the Mat-Su UAA Art Feb. 18– Mar. 18, 2015 Department Facebook page or can active on several campuses This contest is open to High school be picked up outside of the attending a variety of Mat-Su Art department office. students. Students have the opportunity classes. Carol studies to be awarded a one-year full tuition Dr. Felicia M. Desimini, scholarship to Mas-Su College, history primarily and is a Assistant Professor Seniors only Teacher’s Assistant for a Art Department Coordinator Rules and application will be posted Director, Machetanz Arts Kindergarten class while on the Mat-Su UAA Art Department Festival David pursues a degree in Facebook page or can be picked up Office: 745-9755 outside of the Mat-Su Art t department [email protected] Environment and Society. office. The group is planning http://matsu.alaska.edu/departments/fine-arts/ another get together soon.

Sharpe’s Recipe of the Month Pumpkin Cheesecake Greetings reader! Do you love cheesecake? Do you love pumpkin? Do you know someone who hates both? This recipe is a must for the holiday season. I made this recipe for the first time last Thanksgiving, and it was a hit amongst the family members who did not like either pumpkin pie or cheesecake. As someone who loves cheesecake, this is my favorite recipe. It’s spicy, creamy and fluffy. This easy recipe makes about 8 servings. Prep Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Ingredients: Filling- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Crust- 3 (8-ounce) Packages cream cheese, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs at room temperature 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 (15-ounce) Can pureed pumpkin (Optional: ½ pinch ginger, pinch of allspice) ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 stick melted butter ¼ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional: Pinch of nutmeg and cloves) 1 ½ cups sugar (I used powdered sugar) Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For Crust: In a medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon (Optional, spices). Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. For filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined. Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place in water bath, and then in oven. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours. And that’s it! Happy eating!!! 10 JOIN A CLUB Club calendar American Sign Language club Mat-Su Monitor The American Sign Language club’s The Mat-Su Monitor club puts out the paper you’re purpose is to provide “an environment reading right now. The Monitor club needs writers of outside of a classroom to practice and all kinds. If you don’t like writing, come and take on learn American Sign Language.” It one of the many tasks that needs doing, like graphic meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in design, photography, or handling our finances. If you JKB 111. don’t like doing anything, you can come and look at our cookies and candy. The club meets Mondays and Paramedic Association Thursdays from 12-12:50 in library room 213. The Mat-Su College Paramedic Palette Art Club Association is open to students in or The new campus art club hasn’t yet announced meeting interested in the college’s paramedic times, but they’re sure to be planning something program. Meeting times are not yet interesting. Hopefully we’ll have more to report next announced. issue. Dance club Mat-Su Gay Straight Alliance The dance club is a great way to meet fellow students and learn to dance. “The Mat-Su Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is a Meetings (with lots of dancing and student club that provides a safe, productive, and music) are held on Tuesdays and fun environment for all students to get together, Thursdays from 5 to 7 PM in FSM support each other, talk about issues related to sexual 212. orientation and work together to promote equality.” Meeting times are yet to be announced. Japanese study club Chess club Japanese is a hard language to learn. The chess club meets from 4-5:15 PM in library room Make it a little easier by joining the 213. These guys get their kicks above the waistline. Japanese study club. Meeting times to be announced later. Student Government Student government is a body advocating for students. Mat-Su Carbon Crew They do everything from fighting for fairer tuition The Mat-Su Carbon Crew has taken and fees to sponsoring dances, holiday events, and on many projects that have made snacks during finals. Become a member by attending Mat-Su college a greener place. If a meeting on Wednesdays from 11:50-12:50 in FSM you’re interested in doing something 105. for sustainability, come to a meeting on Wednesdays from 2-3 PM in Phi Theta Kappa Snodgrass 124. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honors society Metl Hedz for two-year college students. The club has a variety of ideas on what they might do this year, ranging The Metl Hedz club shares from screening short films to volunteering around the metalworking ideas, designs, and tips. community. Membership in the club is open to those They also offer additional lab time with a good GPA. MembershipS looks good on a outside of the metalsmithing classes. resume or CV (especially if you sfill one of the open They meet on Tuesdays from 6:30- leadership positions). See their bulletin board near the 8:30 PM in FSM 208. JKB entrance for more information.

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Call 376-2411 and ask for OUR ASSISTANCE IS FREE an ObamaCare person AND CONDIFIDENTIAL. 12 GAMER REVIEW Settle it in ! Super Smash Bros. 3DS Review By: Dr. Wily Shulk can switch between five different abilities and use his Platforms: 3DS, Wii are crisp and make good use of Monado Arts to switch up his U Rating: E-10 the 3D technology. They are ob- attacks. Each fighter also comes viously different from the bigger Since 1998, Super Smash with a special finishing move and more complex HD graphics Brothers has established itself called a Final Smash that ei- of the Wii U version. Hardware as one of Nintendo’s greatest ther does enormous damage limitations aside, the graphics and most popular franchises. or switches up gameplay. Two look as if someone painted the Notable for its unique fighting examples are Zero Suit Samus,

IT’S ON LIKE YOU KNOW WHO! entire game. and co. look system and scores of recogniz- who hops into her ship to blast like a living Van Gogh painting as able characters mixed with new enemies, and , they beat each other senseless creations, Super Smash Broth- who dances across the stage for your enjoyment. The game- ers has captivated since the be- and lulls foes to sleep, allowing play runs at a smooth 60FPS ginning. Its current incarnation her to recover health with the even at full 3D blast, with the has been split into two different fruit that appears. Guest charac- gameplay frantic and fun as al- versions. One for the handheld ters also appear, making the al- ways. Four players can fight ei- Nintendo 3DS and the new Wii ready stacked game even more ther locally or online with their U. Both versions feature the enjoyable. Sonic the Hedgehog, friends. There are tons of new same cast, but have differences , and Pac Man can be characters to choose from. Fan in stages, music, collectibles and played and are very fun to use. gameplay modes. The version favorites like Ness and Meta reviewed here is the 3DS ver- Knight return, while newcomers The 3DS version comes sion. like Robin and bring a with its own little quirks to fresh new twist to a classic se- stand alongside the Wii U The Nintendo 3DS version is ries. counterpart. One such quirk is special because it marks the first Each fighter comes with their Smash Run. Smash Run is a five time in the series that gamers minute power up grabbing mad can play on a portable handheld own special moves and styles. Robin’s spell books and swords dash against legions of enemies console. The game pushes the from different games. Goombas, 3DS to its limits, but that’s far break after extended use, while from a bad thing. The graphics deals more hurt the Continued on page 15 more his damage increases. SPORTS 13 NFL Mock Re-Draft 2014 Original Draft Pick by team By Sam Ouellette 1. Houston Texans Jadeveon 20 New Orleans Saints Brandin a much better option here Clowney DE South Carolina Cooks WR Oregon State 3 Jacksonville Jaguars Teddy 2 St. Louis Rams Greg Robinson 21 Green Bay Packers Ha-Ha Bridgewater QB Louisville OT Auburn Clinton-Dix S Alabama With Bortles picked up by Hous- 3 Jacksonville Jaguars Blake 22 Cleveland Browns Johnny ton the Jaguars look elsewhere Bortles QB UCF Manziel QB Texas A&M for their QB of the future in Teddy Bridgewater 4 Buffalo Bills Sammy Watkins 23 Kansas City Chiefs Dee Ford WR Clemson DE Auburn 4 Buffalo Bills Sammy Watkins WR Clemson (same) 5 Oakland Raiders Khalil Mack 24 Cincinnati Bengals Darqueze OLB Buffalo Dennard CB Michigan State Looking to bolster their weak WR corps Buffalo picks up a 6 Atlanta Falcons Jake Matthews 25 San Diego Chargers Jason much needed weapon Coolest sports team ever. Vikings v Green Bay by Joe Bielawa. https://flic.kr/p/dG8hEN OT Texas A&M Verrett CB TCU 5 Oakland Raiders Zach Martin 20 New Orleans Saints Jordan 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike 26 Philadelphia Eagles Marcus OL Notre Dame The more experienced and ver- Mathews WR Vanderbilt Evans WR Texas A&M Smith OLB Louisville The Raiders are desperately in satile OLB in this draft Mack is a better option than Barr 21 Green Bay Packers Anthony 8 Cleveland Browns Justin Gil- 27 Arizona Cardinals Deone need of offensive line help and Barr OLB U.C.L.A bert CB Oklahoma State Bucannon S Washington State Martin gives them a solid young 10 Detroit Lions Darqueze Den- 22 Cleveland Browns Johnny prospect that can pay immediate nard CB Michigan State 9 Minnesota Vikings Anthony 28 Carolina Panthers Kelvin Manziel QB Texas A&M (same) Barr OLB UCLA Benjamin WR Florida State dividends A weak secondary gets a much 23 Kansas City Chiefs Dee Ford 6 Atlanta Falcons Kyle Fuller needed upgrade with Dennard 10 Detroit Lions Eric Ebron TE 29 New England Patriots Domi- DE Auburn North Carolina nique Easley DT Florida CB Virginia Tech added to the equation in the 24 Cincinnati Bengals Aaron Needing to bolster their second- backfield 11 Tennessee Titans Taylor Le- 30 San Francisco 49ers Jimmie Donald DT Pittsburgh wan OT Michigan Ward S Northern Illinois ary the Falcons pick up Fuller 11 Tennessee Titans Brandin who has made a promising debut Cooks WR Oregon State 25 San Diego Chargers Jason 12 New York Giants Odell Beck- 31 Denver Broncos Bradley his rookie season and making an Verrett CB TCU (same) ham Jr. WR LSU Roby CB Ohio State 12 New York Giants Taylor early play for Defensive Rookie Lewan OT Michigan 26 Philadelphia Eagles Marquise 13 St. Louis Rams Aaron Donald 32 Minnesota Vikings Teddy of the year. Lee WR U.S.C. DT Pittsburgh Bridgewater QB Louisville 13 St. Louis Rams Kelvin Benja- 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike min WR Florida State 27 Arizona Cardinals Eric Ebron 14 Chicago Bears Kyle Fuller Re-Draft Evans WR Texas A&M (same) 14 Chicago Bears Ha-Ha TE North Carolina CB Virginia Tech 1. Houston Texans Blake Bortles The Bucs pick up Evans to play QB UCF Clinton-Dix S Alabama 28 Carolina Panthers Odell 15 Pittsburgh Steelers Ryan on the other side of Vincent Beckham Jr. WR LSU Shazier OLB Ohio State With Clowney ineffective to this Jackson giving QB Josh Mc- 15 Pittsburgh Steelers Ryan point and an injury prone risk cown two very good weapons Shazier OLB Ohio State (same) 29 New England Patriots Louis 16 Dallas Cowboys Zack Martin Nix III OL Notre Dame the better move would be a QB 8 Cleveland Browns Justin Gil- 16 Dallas Cowboys Calvin Pryor to replace Schaub and Bortles is bert CB Oklahoma State (same) S Louisville 30 San Francisco 49ers Jimmie 17 Baltimore Ravens C.J. Mos- the best QB option in this draft Ward S Northern Illinois ley ILB Alabama The Browns trade up and nab 17 Baltimore Ravens C.J. Mos- 2 St. Louis Rams Jake Mathews Justin Gilbert to pair up with Joe ley ILB Alabama (same) 31 Denver Broncos Bradley 18 New York Jets Calvin Pryor S OT Texas A&M Roby CB Ohio State. Louisville Haden making for a solid CB 18 New York Jets Jadeveon Greg Robinson has had an corps Clowney DE South Carolina 32 Seattle Seahawks (With 19 Miami Dolphins Ja’wuan unspectacular season after being 9 Minnesota Vikings Khalil Bridgewater gone Minnesota James OT Tennessee moved to guard and second on 19 Miami Dolphins Gabe Jack- Mack OLB Buffalo son OG Mississippi ST. does not trade up) Lamarcus the depth chart Jack Mathews is Joyner CB Florida St. The Mat-Su Monitor Team Editor Faculty Advisor Staff Writers Mike DiBattista Micah Muer Lori Leahy Sam Ouellette Layout Artist Jacob Mann Michelle Sharpe Contributing Writers Nadia Myers Albert Wily Audrey Badger Karen Backlund Rachel Goodall 14 The Night of the Krampus

Long ago, in a land far away Santa was annoyed, feeling irate They heard the hooves stamping on the floor For he had his list, and he’d read it twice The sounds grew louder More children had been naughty, and few had Until they stopped at the door been nice The doors all opened with a creak “This is abysmal!” he said aloud The naughty children were scared “I must teach these children a lesson! And pulled their blankets up to their cheek But how?” The Krampus burst through the door He tossed around idea and thought Red eyes glowing in the dark Until suddenly he stood His yellow teeth sharp as he opened his mouth He had found the perfect plot to roar He grabbed his coat, pulled on his hat He pointed his birch whip at the scared child An ran out into the snow And said, “I have come for you” To go find where the Krampus sat In a voice most wild Now the Krampus preferred to be alone “You have been naughty! You have sinned He hated everyone and everything I have come tonight So he lived in a cave out in the snow To teach you a lesson” When Santa arrived for a visit You can only imagine He snatched the kids right of their beds The Krampus was a little less than pleasant And switched all of their hides Until their skin was red Not only was the Krampus mean His appearance was frightening as well “This is what you get as a reward” And Santa was horrified at what was seen He said The Krampus stood over 7 feet “Be nice. Or I shall be back to give you more!” His hooves were cloven Krampus wasn’t done His breath reeked of pine and rotten meat There was one more thing He was coated with black fur and mold That had to be done His fingers were long with black claws But that wasn’t the scariest thing to behold One child who had been nothing but mean Was stuffed in his sack What Santa noticed instead Soon to be eaten Were the massive brown ram horns Krampus was stopped by St. Nick Growing from his head So he put the child back The Krampus wasn’t having the best day But left him with a lick And he was crankier than usual Continued from page 1 Glenn Massay Theater But Santa implored him to hear what he had to “You better beware! say If I see you again next year, St. Nick won’t be there.” feature Alaskan women filmmakers. being able to showcase them. Sale says any So St. Nick struck a deal most curious indeed events will be booked around the regular class It was decided that they would both visit houses The night was long and full of cries There will also be a silent auction, that Christmas Eve But Santa was happy and any donations are welcome. schedule, as some class lectures will be held At the end of the night Sonya Babcock Dance Studio in Wasilla in the theater on weekdays, and that naturally On the night of the 24th of December is to hold a spring recital with her semi- takes precedence. Santa planned on teaching a lesson “Good work Krampus!” professional troop, and the Machetanz Art All revenue generated from the theater will go That bad children would do well to remember He said with glee, “You have done a great service this Christmas!” Festival is combining the theater venue back into the cost of running it. Sale hopes to Santa and the Krampus’ bags were both full and the campus to make a three day keep it booked throughout the year, but feels Santa’s with presents Santa was so pleased by what they achieved affair this year, and will be featuring a keynote selling tickets may be tough here in Alaska in The Krampus’ with coal That he said to the Krampus speaker. Additionally there are various seminars the summertime. He also acknowledged that “Let’s do this again next Christmas eve!” scheduled with Mat-Su Food Bank and Alaska running a theater is sort of a dichotomy in Santa gave the Krampus the list of the bad Family Services. Mat-Su Concert Band has two And the Krampus chuckled Santa’s plan worked, for the very next year that if you price the tickets too high, you don’t At the fun to be had The nice list was overflowing concerts on the agenda for spring, and let us sell many, but if you price them too low, you’ll And come Christmas Eve, there was hardly a tear not forget the commencement ceremony, to be sell a lot, but won’t make money. “It’s a tricky So he picked up his sack held in the auditorium this year! balance,” he says. Sale considers it his mission And clutched his birch whip Eventually, the Krampus quit being so rude Sale is anxious to try some new things in to make the theater just as full as the movies. And strode toward the town And through the years “You can be too artsy, a lot of people try to be With chains clanging at his hip He’s changed his attitude the future, such as an old western film night, Now he enjoys streets and flame featuring some of the films that our younger too artsy,” adding that “it’s a strange thing— He entered the houses one by one And in Germany folks have never seen on the big screen. He’s audiences love commercial—if you do ‘Wicked,’ Filled each stocking with some coal He even gets his own parade also excited about doing the college’s own they’ll show up, but if you do something more But that was the beginning of his fun productions. “That’s the main thing,” he says. obscure, they don’t want to come.” Children no longer fear his scary sight So there you have it—it sounds like a lot of Next, he strode up stairs and down halls They welcome him Children’s plays, musicals and regular plays Clutching his whip And promise to be nice are what means. He’s also hoping to see more wonderful events have been planned. it won’t His chains clanging and hitting the walls dance and music classes at the college now that be long now, the dfoors will be open, and we’ll So ends the story of Santa and Krampus we have the theater. Some students have their all be sitting in the new theater enjoying the The children woke with a fright Working together own bands, and the director looks forward to show! Most of them knew To bring joy and fear to every Christmas Santa wasn’t the one visiting that night 15 Upcoming events: November 10: Spring registration begins. ALVIN S. OKESON LIBRARY November 11: Veterans Day ceremony in front of FSM building at noon. November 14: Withdrawal deadline. Phone: 907-745- Regular Hours November 18: Niqipiaq Potluck and Presentation on Alaska Native Nutrition 9740 M-Th 8:30a-8:00p Today. 5 PM in Cafeteria. Fax: 907-745-9777 F 8:30a-6:00p November 21: Student Art Show begins in FSM 200. Location: OLB 115 Sat 9:00a-4:00p November 25-29: Thanksgiving break. Text (during busi- Sun Closed December 13: Fall semester ends. hours): December 18: Grades available on UAOnline. 615-745-9740 December 25-January 4: Campus closed for Winter Break.

Game and Watch or can carry as good as it was the first time. Players have fun! This mode is recommended Continued from page 12 Super Smash less. Medium sized characters like Robin fight the entire roster according to when for novice players. For Glory is different. Bullet Bills, and Koopa Troopas from the and strike a good balance they first were created. Players get three For Glory does indeed record wins and Mario series will combine with Metroids, between gear and weight. Even then, it health items but nothing more. Can you losses. It also disables items except Pokemon, and Kremlings to stop you still depends on how you play and what defeat the entire cast? If that’s not your the Smash Ball and turns all stages into from collecting as many stats as possible. you use. cup of tea, try out Stadium! Stadium has generic platforms. Fight to win and grab You could just jump in with a favorite One issue with Smash Run is that you three special game modes. Target Smash that ball! This mode is recommended character, but wait! This time instead of never know how it’s going to end. You has been replaced with Target Blast, but for more experienced players. Conquest just choosing a fighter to play as, you get spend five minutes running around and other than that the modes are the same. Mode has also been introduced. Players to customize them! Players can choose beating up foes only to come up short Fight legions of foes using your chosen pick from two opposing sides. Each side from tons of special gear to give to their because you didn’t grab enough speed fighter! Hit the Sandbag with the baseball has a character or series pitted against chosen fighter to boost attack, defense, or boosts to win the upcoming race. It would bat after racking up the damage! Beat up each other. Who’s the best mascot? If you speed. Each piece of gear raises one stat have been nice to allow users to change a bomb before sending it flying into a pile play as the chosen characters online in and decreases the other. It’s fun to mix the ending match type or extend the time of crates and targets, trying to get the For Fun or For Glory, you can get points to and match according to your play style, limit, but those options are not available. best high score. Stadium is a lot of fun, decide who the winner is! If you don’t like but finding an all-around type is kind of The enemies are relentless and can be and can offer different alternatives from to fight, you can choose to watch others difficult because the items are randomly frustrating to fight, especially if you’re Classic and All Star. fight. In Spectate Mode, you can watch generated and you could end up getting just starting out. I recommend playing the Trophies are also back, and they are battles from all over the world, and bet the same gear more than once. other modes to get more gear, or using a more special and diverse than ever. to see who will win. If your chosen fighter wins a match, you can bet it all on him You also get to change your fighter’s fighter you play as well. Collect 685 different trophies of handheld or her a second time and get even more special moves. There are three in each games and characters. Did your favorite Single player has also been revamped. gold. If you lose, you lose the whole pot! type, and they are fun to mix and switch character not make the roster? Don’t Classic mode now allows you to choose It’s exciting to bet and see who will win. up your style. However, they are really worry, there’s probably a trophy version! which path to take, instead of fighting Sometimes the least likely candidate pulls rare and usually are given out at the end You can get trophies by playing the single enemies to the end. The path chosen off a huge underdog victory! of Smash Run. Even then, you might not represents how hard the match is going player modes and even randomly during get a move at all, or if you do, it’s for a to be. Blue is the easiest, while Green is matches and Smash Run. Or, you could In conclusion, Smash Bros. 3DS is character you don’t use often. normal and Red is hard. You get to spin play Trophy Rush, which pits you against a everything fans could have hoped for. horde of dangerous boxes falling from the It has everything that has carried the Players also get to add powers to a roulette wheel to choose a reward, sky. Hit bombs to cause a chain explosion series this far and throws in some new their fighter. Want Mario to become but often the wheel stops at nothing. It’s and get combos. The higher the combo, and appreciated bonuses. Unfortunately, invincible without a star? You can do disappointing too, because you could miss the higher the rewards! hardware limitations limit the creatvity that. Do you want Link to have two extra out on a lot of rewards for not stopping but it’s more than made up for with the swords protecting him? You can do that it in time. The good news is that you get Perhaps the most exciting feature addition of online play and Smash Run. too. Or how about giving rewards regardless if you stop the wheel. of Smash is the online mode. Here the Online is fun when it works, because lag the ability to deal massive amounts of You might even get that reward you player has two options. They can play and lack of a stable connection between damage at the expense of his own health? wanted that the wheel skipped! When you with their friends or they can play with players can lead to disconnections. You can do that as well. The problem with get to the end of the road, be prepared anyone With Friends, you can play against Luckily if you have a strong connection powers is that it depends on how big or to fight the final bosses. The secret boss those people you have registered on your you should be able to have a fun time. small your character is and what gear is hard but he’s worth the fight. If you do 3DS console. With Anyone, you get two Overall, this game is fantastic despite you have equipped. Larger characters manage to best him, give yourself a hand. different versions. For Fun has most of the some flaws and deserves to be in every like or Ganondorf can carry more All Star Mode has returned, and it’s just stages and items activated. Battle records powers, while smaller characters like Mr. are not recorded. Just go out there and Nintendo fan’s library. 16 Continued from page 2 Jan Vanderveer effort into moving to Alaska. Once Here’s what a few students courses. She is very helpful, stays “Awesome teacher! I would take, she made it to Alaska she lived had to say about her:“I took Jan after class often and helps with although be prepared to work your out her years in a log cabin that Vandever for College Algebra, and anything I need.” butt off, because she’s not easy, she had built in the woods outside didn’t stop until I ran out of classes “Professor Vandever is but you learn so much, and she’s a of Palmer. She enjoyed Alaska, I could take with her (Calc II). She tough,there is no doubt about that. helpful teacher.” made many friends and traveled to is absolutely amazing. One of the BUT, she wants to make sure her “KEEP DR. VANDEVER AROUND several remote locations. best teachers I’ve ever had in my students understand the material. FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE life.” Jan was an avid baseball fan. She She is flexible with her grading. BECAUSE SHE IS THE BEST pitched softball during her time “If you really want to learn and If you don’t skip class and if you MATH PROFESSOR THAT I HAVE in South Dakota. She held season improve your math skills she is the ask questions and show interest, EVER BEEN EXPOSED TO !!!!!!” tickets to the Mat-Su Miners and teacher to have! Super picky with she will offer plenty of help. She Comments via www. she threw out the first pitch for notation, but pushes students in the is always available for questions ratemyprofessors.com the team’s 2013 season, being quite assumption that they will go on to and encourages students to take This obituary is printed in Comic qualified to do so. higher math, and points out where advantage of that.” Sans, Jan’s favorite font. current math will be used in further One of my favorite pieces on Continued from page 1 Art Around Campus campus is: “Harkening Spirit” Places” requires one percent of Each student is at a different by Gene Stotts, a statue located level, and working at his or her outside of the main lobby, the capital construction costs of FSM building. This piece was public buildings to be spent on own pace. Desimini says that her main goal as an art teacher is to purchased with the one percent the acquisition and permanent nurture the students’ ability, and for art commission. Much of the installation of artwork. Sale says also their confidence. She uses a art on the walls of the college is technique called, “empathetic by former students, but there the one percent translates to is also a fair amount of artwork Business owners! around $80,000.00, available for critique” which, she says, “Is more about a conversation by Fred Machetanz, for whom artwork. about their work, and allows the Fred and Sara Machetanz The Mat-Su Monitor is a great place to advertise According to Sale, no art has them to get feedback and building was named. The Machetanz family has been a been chosen yet for the new positivity, and that helps them your business or event. The Monitor has a wide to attempt the next step, or contributor to keeping the arts building, and he is leaving all alive at the college through a possibilities “open to whatever at least experiment.” Desimini circulation, with thousands of copies inserted in the says, “It’s all about the process; $64,000 endowed scholarship comes along that is amazing.” fund, according to the book, He hopes to find a sculpture for It’s not always about talent; just Frontiersman and distributed thoughrout the Valley. not giving up.” “The Art of Mat-Su College,” by the front of the building, but Ruthmarie Jacob, Erin Leaders, is agreeable to whatever the and Vivian Ramsey. Other works We also have low rates: committee chooses. He added Desimini hopes to see the art department at the college around the college have been that a spot has been built into donated by various artists, the architecture of the lobby expand. She would like to see, Ad Size Cost, B/W Cost, Color among other things, dance including Dean M. Larson, who that will house one of the has taught at the Machetanz Art Machetanz paintings that has classes. “The Fundamentals of 1/8th page $75 $125 Modern Dance” is slated for the Festival, held each year at the never before been displayed at college in June. 1/4th page $125 $175 the college. spring semester. Her program stresses the academics of art, but she’d also like to see more There is also the Student 1/2 page $175 $225 In talking with Sale, I learned Juried Art Show, which is held of the many aspects of theater design courses to what is already offered--2D and color design. at least once per year, giving Full page $275 $300 that many people don’t think of students a chance to display as art. In addition to the actual Desimini’s dream for the Mat- Su College is to be a support their work to the public and have Full page, back Always color $375 acting and performances, there it judged by an outside source is also scene design and painting, foundation program where the base art classes are taught and hired by the college. First prize props design, costume design, for the Juried Art Show is usually Moreover, the Monitor runs relatively few ads, sound, makeup, and a whole subsequent classes are taken at the Anchorage campus. As well that the piece is purchased from classification of its own, light the winning student and put on which ensures that your ad will stand out. Finally, painting, which is essentially as drawing and painting, the Mat-Su college art department display at Mat-Su College (The coloring the stage with light, to Art of Mat-Su College). advertising in the Monitor demonstrates your get the effect desired. also offers jewelry casting, photography, stained glass, and ceramics classes. All in all, my journey was support for local students. For more on advertising, My next stop was to see Felicia very enjoyable and informative, Desimini, the art department one I am glad took. I would invite call 745-9758. coordinator. As is to be expected As my roaming continued, I started really noticing all the you to take a stroll and stop and of a department head, she was see the artwork. It’s worth the quite busy, but graciously took artwork on campus, of which there is a fair amount, some time spent to nurture your soul time to talk to me. I had an with the creativity of another. opportunity to see a few of the by students as well as other students working at their craft, artists. There are a variety of as well as snap a few photos. quilts, paintings, and sculptures.

18 TIME FOR A BREAK have told him, make it very clear to him that HAPPY HOLIDAY you are not interested in a serious relationship at the current time. If he remains clingy, you need to find a clearer route to make him realize that you are not interested. Ask Sophia Q. Dear Sophia: I feel like a huge disappoint- Welcome to Ask Sophia, the Mat-Su Monitor’s regular advice column. II ment. I never seem to you have a question you’d like to see focus and get my school answered, email it to sophia@matsu. and chores done in alaska.edu or submit it in the Ask So- a timely manner. What phia box at the library front desk. do fao [sic]? Dear friend, Q. Dear Sophia: Why do my I do not know how female friends put me in the your life is on a day-to-day basis. friendzone? Therefore, I cannot give particular Dear “Friendzoned,” advice, but I can give you some Some girls (or guys) either don’t pointers. One, try and make a want to date at the moment or timetable for your in-class ses- you just aren’t the person they sions, homework slots, and chore are looking for at the present slots. Make it tentative, other- time. You shouldn’t take it offen- wise you will become stressed if sively if your friend(s) does not you stray from the timetable. Be Circle the words from the list below. Place the leftover letters in the want to date you. In fact, don’t sure to leave space in between spaces for a special message! even look at it as a “zone.” Your each slot for driving time, eat- ______! ing time, friend time, etc. Two, if friend does not put you there-- YUM LEFTOVERS MEMORIES GRAVY STUFFING you do. Meaning, there is nothing that doesn’t seem like something PUMPKIN PIE HARVEST GRANDPARENTS BAKE CRANBERRIES you want to do, try setting aside CORNUCOPIA FAMILY PIES HAM YAMS wrong with “just being friends.” SCARECROW THANKFUL GOURDS TASTY VACATION No matter how cheesy it sounds, one or two particular days (e.g. when the right person comes Saturday) just for homework (or chores). This allows you to CRYPT-A-QUOTE along (even if it isn’t forever), you Here’s how it works: A R C T I C D R A G O N will know it. do your chores (or homework) whenever you feel you have time is B S D U J D E S B H P O One letter stands for another in this example the letter B stands for the letter A so all the Bs stand for the letter A, Ds Q. Dear Sophia: So I went out (well, maybe). If neither of these stand for C, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, and word length are all clues. with this guy once and now he’s work for you, put an updated all clingy. He wants to be in a re- “question” in the Ask Sophia box lationship and is all interested in and I will think of something else getting married and . What to advise. did I do to deserve this? Q. Dear Sophia: Magical Dear Uninterested, unicorn-meat tacos scare me! Well, you two are obviously on Help me through this troubling very different pages. You seem to time. be at a moment in your life where you want to go out and have fun, Dear good sir, whereas he is at a moment in Magical unicorn-meat tacos scare I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me. his life where he wants to settle me as well. Perhaps we should down. Just tell him that you are seek help from the flying-ninja Jokes about German sausage are the wurst. not interested--and even if you tacos in Tacoland. When chemists die, they barium. HALLOWEEN DANCE 19 On Friday, October 24th, Mat-Su College held its first-ever Halloween dance. For three hours, somewhere around 40 costumed students danced to blaring pop music. A festive Halloween atmosphere was provided by extensive decorations, as well as a fog machine, effective lighting, and a playlist that included some seasonal classics. (Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' still gets them

STUFFING CRANBERRIES YAMS VACATION

moving.) The Student Government sponsored the dance. Dance Club organized everything, from hiring a DJ and renting a dance floor to converting the cafeteria into a dance space. It is hoped that this will be an annual event, complementing the already-annual spring dance. Look for an announcement of the next dance in a Spring issue of the Mat-Su Monitor.