RSC brightens holiday for area children

News15th StreetStudents must have

them, butat what price?... page 2

Textbooks!

Volume XXXVIII, ISSue 14roSe State College

FrIday, deCember 12, 2008

Inside

Holiday PHoto Essay, ... page 3

HirosHi WatanabE art ExHibit,

... page 6

sPotligHt: JoannE stafford

... page 5

A slight chill in the air, the smell of cookies and the laughter of children set the mood at the “North Pole”, Friday Dec. 5. The RSC main din-ing room was magically transformed into a winter wonderland filled with fun activities for the adopted schools, Telstar and Willow Brook’s, first grade elementary classes. The Adopted Schools Christmas Party is an annual event sponsored by the student senate and Student Activi-ties. Generous donations by the RSC student body, faculty and staff also contributed to the event. “We had the scholarship pro-grams, President’s Leadership Class, Legacy Scholars and Ambas-sadors help with the event. Student clubs also volunteered such as the Black Students Association, His-panic Student Association, and the Paralegal and Library Club,” Kelsey Tucker, student senate chair, said. Tucker explained that “the event took about a month of hard work to plan.” RSC senators appeared as elves, toy soldiers and other holiday characters to

assist the children in various activities. Tucker found the most rewarding part of the day was that “the kids were genuinely grateful.” Activities included cookie decorating, holiday hat making, creating snowmen picture frames, listening to holiday sto-ries and a visit to the jolly duo, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa gave each child a gift filled with Hot Wheels and race-tracks for boys or tea sets with play food for the girls. Brikelia Lewis from Willow Brook Elementary had twice the fun at the event as she celebrated her eighth birthday at the holiday party. “Well, a couple of people in my class sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me just now and we made peanut butter cook-ies with frosting and sprinkles on it. It was really good.” Lewis, along with her classmates, lined up for their visit with Santa. “Santa said he would see me on Christmas and it made me feel so happy. I hope that I get the Bratz girls and all the Hannah Montana stuff. I already have her posters but want them again, all the girly stuff,” Lewis said. As the children left with beaming smiles from ear to ear, a joyous feeling filled the atmosphere.

By CHELSEA MCINTIREStaff Writer

MíTina Frost, aged 8 months, visits Santa Claus for the first time. (Photo by Eric Tatom)

Willow Brook first grader Brikelia Lewis, aged 8, celebrates her birthday and the Christmas party by mak-ing herself a holiday hat. (Photo by Chelsea McIn-tire)

Jerod Turbeville-Ridenhour, first grader at Telstar, excit-edly opens his early Christmas present from Santa with his mother Cindy Ridenhour. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)

The Health Information Technology Pro-gram at RSC is a two-year program offering an alternative outlet to the medical profes-sion with a wide range of careers within the program. Health information management has begun to expand to various areas of healthcare and involves the latest forms of technology. RSC is the home to one of two Commis-sion on Accreditation for Health Informat-ics and Information Management Education (C.A.H.I.I.M.) accredited Health Information Technology programs in Okla. The health in-formation profession involves several aspects of the medical profession such as maintain-ing, collecting, processing and analyzing patient data. “We do a multitude of different things and our degree is widely applicable in all levels of healthcare,” said Program Director, Cecil

Brooks. “Whether hospitals, governmental agencies that do reviews of healthcare claims or insurance companies, there is a range of fields for a person to peruse.” Health information is constantly evolving and being updated, with new technology and information that health information profes-sionals use to process patient records, for more efficient healthcare. “It is not a stagnant profession, it is con-stantly on the move,” said Brooks. “We are the legal custodians of the health information of any health provider… So if a record goes to court, we’re the ones taking it to court.” The C.A.H.I.I.M. accreditation is key in the program’s success, as it allows graduates to qualify for the Registered Health Informa-tion Technologist (R.H.I.T.), a national cre-dential for the profession. The C.A.H.I.I.M. sets the standards for the program’s criteria. As a graduate of the program, a student can expect to jump straight into a job within the field and earn an average of $30,000 – $37,500 annually. The salary varies nation-ally and also depends on the career. Along with the many options available within the program, the Health Information Technology Program offers a Coding Spe-cialist certificate. According to information gathered, the coding certificate is designed for those who have been working or would like to work in the medical environment. A student can also attain national creden-tials through the coding program, which is International Classification of Diseases 9 revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) certified. From there, the student can prepare for the C.C.S. (Certified Coding Specialist) credential examination, administered by the American Health Information management association (A.H.I.M.A.). For more information on the Health Infor-mation Technology Program contact Program Director, Cecil Brooks at 733-7578 or the Health Sciences Division at 733-7545.

Due to an industry wide short-age of qualified workers, aero-space leaders requested Okla-homa State University create a specialized bachelor’s degree to meet demand for employees with logistics skills. OSU re-sponded by partnering with RSC and creating the Aerospace Lo-gistics degree, which prepares students to manage the flow of parts required to manufacture an aircraft and teaches communica-tion and leadership skills. The logistics degree is an outstanding example of syn-ergy between higher education and business. For example, ex-ecutives from Boeing, Tinker, AAR, and the Federal Aviation Administration helped develop the coursework and curriculum. Even the delivery of the de-gree was designed for success. Students attend class at RSC near the heart of Oklahoma’s

aerospace industry. Aerospace employees can get to class in as little as five minutes to meet their classmates, instructors and fellow aerospace professionals. Imagine the advantage of having a hiring manager as your class-mate and an industry legislative liaison as your teacher. Boeing offers two logistics degree scholarships. Both the degree and scholar-ships are available to a wide range of students including mili-tary mechanics or supply per-sonnel, associate degree hold-ers, and high school graduates who want a four year degree that lands them a job. Plus, the logistics degree is designed for working adults. Many of the courses are online or available nights and weekends. For more information contact Dr. Mary Kutz at mary.kutz@okstate.edu.

Information provided by OSU.

R S CService Announcement

By H. ALExANDER SHAFERStaff Writer

Two degree opportunities

Aircraft mechanic, Travis Hunsicker works with aerospace lo-gisticians to help get necessary parts for the engine of a RC-135

Rivet Joint aircraft while working at Offutt Air Force Base in Bel-levue, Neb. (Todd Feeback/Kansas City Star/MCT)

Health Information Technology Aerospace Logistics

Cecil D. Brooks, R.H.I.A., C.C.S, Program Director Health Information Technology Pro-

gram Health Sciences Division. (Photo by J.L. Morrissey)

Adopted schools visit with Santa, elves, student senate

The beginning and end-ing of semesters are the most exciting, but fast becoming the most ex-pensive. Here’s a simple ‘how-to’ alternative to the daunting textbook task of obtaining books using Chegg.com.

Create an account: • you’ll need to put in your e-mail, first and last name, univer-sity, status (year of school), gender and password. you will need this account to buy, rent or sell text-books.Shop for your books: • The easiest and most accurate way to find textbooks is search-ing by the ISBN. This number is located on the barcode and is usually between 10

to 13 digits long. You can also search by author or title of the book.Which is best for • you?: After finding your text, choose the option best suited for you: renting or buy-ing. If renting your textbooks, you can choose between full semester, half se-mester and summer course rental periods. Make sure the due date on your rental is workable. If buying the textbooks, simply choose between new or used texts. Build your cart: Add • each text you need to your cart. Checking out with all of your books at the same time makes this an easier process for shipping and return-ing your books.

Enter payment • method: With Chegg.com, a credit or debit card will be needed for payment. After putting this informa-tion in the system (don’t worry, Chegg.com will never sell your information to a third party) your books will be found and sent to you via the shipping option you pick (Priority- 4 to 6 days at $6.99 for one book and $3.99 for each additional text or Standard- 1 to 2 weeks at $3.99 for one book and $1.99 for each additional).

In addition to the con-venience of never leaving your house or standing in line for books, Chegg.com will plant a tree for every book bought, sold, or rented though their service. Partnering with

Plant A Tree USA, Eco-Libris, and Ripple Africa, Chegg.com has, to date, planted over 100 football fields worth of trees. That’s ap-proximately three acres a week in Gua-temala, Costa Rica, the United States and Mexico. Although this may be a certain possibility for most col-lege students to ease their carbon footprint, become green and keep some hard earned time (and money), it’s not always a possibility. Make sure to

check out your local col-lege bookstore on campus or adjoining stores (like Ratcliff’s) for additional choice in textbooks.

The holidays are fast approach-ing. Most have bought their gifts for loved ones, ransacked Best Buy and Toys ‘R’ Us and started packing for travel. But for those of us who are still the last minute holiday people, here’s some advice: Get out there! The best part about the holiday season, or December in itself, is the people. yes, the malls are jammed, and you do run across more than one of Dickens’ Scrooges, but it’s the only time of year where most everyone is in smiles; where family is the main focus. There are those who dread the holidays, especially the ‘family’ part. Believe us, we know the pain. With family situated among several states, just getting there

is half the battle. But the battle feels accomplished after witness-ing the smiles and joyous giggles as everyone unwraps their new beloved possessions. Now is the time to rejoice. The time to forget past grievances, cease bickering and learn to love, if only for the sake of love. Believe in the holiday spirit everyone talks about but is rarely shown. When you’re cut off in traffic - it’s 20 be-low and the roads are slick as the snot dripping out of your nose - instead of making the usual gesture (don’t kid your-self, we all know what that hand movement is), just smile and wave at them. you might look crazy, they still might not be

sorry about driving like an idiot, but relish in the fact that you took the higher road. And, if you can’t come that far this holiday season yet, relish in the fact that you just thoroughly confused

them. That’s al-ways more fun anyway. Speaking of fun, we think it’s high time for everyone to fi-nally relax. Take that congratula-tory breath for getting through this semester and sit your butts down; put those feet up.

This isn’t just for the students, either. Instructors, it’s your time now. you’ve all dealt with our late papers, horrible excuses and tardiness this whole semester (here’s to you Dawson-O’Brien),

yet still managed to somehow pound useful information into our minds. Thank you professors. As for the administration, thank you opening up scholar-ship opportunities, dealing with some of our rule breaking ways, and providing a campus full of helpful, friendly and approach-able faces. To our staff, we thank you for feeding us daily with good food, even if we do complain about the lettuce sometimes. Thank you for always having hot coffee for those early mornings, beautify-ing our greens and never letting those smiles break from your faces. Everyone on campus deserves this winter break. Faculty, staff, volunteers and students, thank you for giving the 15 th Street News something to write about. Have a happy holiday season and we’ll see you all next semester. Bring the noise.

Page 2 • December 12, 2008

OPINION

ARIES (March 21-April

20) When the night

comes and you are alone to stare point-edly at your soul is the moment when

healing begins.

TAURUS (April 21-May 20) The wall, built in

youth, crumbles as the adult begins the

mortar breaking pro-cess. It is terrible, it is hard but clarity is

the result.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

Depression can be a gift in disguise. Use it as a tool for the betterment of your

condition.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

What you earn in the fire is yours to trea-

sure forever.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Not everyone around you will seek en-

lightenment, but you will. This will be to

the benefit of all.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)Compassion is the cure for what ails

you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)Have you ever no-ticed the most cre-ative people are the most unbalanced? Now that you do

possess that knowl-edge, use it to fulfill

your dreams.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)Darkness cannot hold you if you

choose to show it your light.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)Agony and pain

have only the power that you give them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)Be bold, be brave and above all be

powerful. You can do it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)

Fuel your passion to a hot blue flame then channel it into a new and radical direction.

PISCES

(Feb. 20-March 20) Nothing worth hav-

ing comes easily. Push yourself and

watch as your soar.

From us to you, thank you RSCditorialE

PolICIeS and letterS to the edItor Columns, commentaries and letters to the editor are personal opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of 15th Street News or other students, faculty or administrators of the college. Editorials are written by the editorial staff. Letters to the editor may be hand delivered to FA110; sent by mail to 15th Street News, Rose State College, 6420 SE 15, Midwest City, 73110; e-mailed to the secretary, [cbenefee@rose.edu] or recorded nights on PhoneMail at 733-7400 between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Letters must include the writer’s full name, ID number and telephone number. Letters will be printed with full name and must be 500 words or less. Editing may be necessary for space, clarity or to avoid obscenity, libel or invasion of privacy, but ideas will not be altered. Publication of all materials is at the discretion of the editor. Anyone having a complaint may call the editor in chief, 733-7400, or the Student Publications Board chairperson, Towry Barnard, 733-7379. 15th Street News, a student newspaper serving the RSC community, is published weekly, except school holidays, on Fridays during the fall and spring semesters by the Office of Student Publications, 6420 SE 15,

Midwest City, OK 73110. 15th Street News is a member of Oklahoma Collegiate Press Associa-tion, which has designated this paper top junior college newspaper six years, and Associated Collegiate Press, which has rated it All American 30 semesters. This publication is printed by Edmond Sun, Inc., issued by RSC and authorized by the Coordinator of Student Publications. Cost to the state taxpayers is $301.81 for 4,000 copies per issue and $56.40 for spot color. This paper is recyclable. RSC, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.

Editor in ChiefRacheal Price (rprice@rose.edu)

Assistant EditorJ.L. Morrissey (jmorris-sey@rose.edu)

News Editor Miranda Liming (miranda_liming@stu.rose.edu)

Features EditorBryan Mangieri (bmangieri@rose.edu)

Staff WritersH. Alexander Shafer

PhotographersChelsea McIntireEric Tatom (etatom@rose.edu)

Graphic ArtistsBrian Allen

Circulation ManagerPaul Kim (pkim@rose.edu)

Tech SupportScottie Seger (aseger@rose.edu)

SecretaryCarol Benefee (cbene-fee@rose.edu)

Coordinator of Stu-dent PublicationsJulie Lesko-Bishop (jlesko-bishop@rose.edu)

StaFF memberS

Soda is a sure fire way to get things done, as dirty deeds these things might be. To prove my point, Dr. Pepper gave away free pop on the day that Guns ‘N’ Roses released its new album, long in the works, “Chinese De-mocracy.” That makes me wonder. Why does Dr. Pepper taste so good,

while Guns ‘N’ Roses blows so hard? Don’t get me wrong. I hate Guns ‘N’ Roses with a purple heart of passion, but it’s for all the right rea-

sons. Kurt Cobain didn’t like them, so neither do I. But I’ll

take a free Dr. Pepper on the house if it means that Axl Rose has to invade my airwaves. Hey, I can always turn the radio off. Anyway, my point was soda serves as incentive, and although I was told very specifically to not talk about my cats in this column for this issue of the 15th Street News, let me warn you,

I will pledge to reference cats, as if I were a sixty year old cat lady who owned at least twelve cats named for ex-husbands—or something lame like that—I repeat that I pledge to reference cats, until my demands are met. I want soda pop. In addition, these demands must be met, with soda pop—of course—or else I will continue to not only write about my cats, Sarah and Joe, but to also write about my cats in serpentine sentences, informing you that I am reading—and therefore emulating—an F. Scott Fitzger-

ald book. So where do I go from here? What can I say? I love my cats. But I’d willing to negotiate over a Coke—or two—or else. Now if you gave me Dr. Pep-per instead of Coke, I would not only cease writing about Sarah and Joe, but I would stop threat-ening you. I mean, what else am I going to write about except for cats if that’s how I feel? Someone, please just bring me a Coke, preferrably two and we can chat about cats.

RSC Celebrates the Holidays

Green alternative to expensive textbooks

My Take On Life ...

By BRyAN MANGIERIFeatures Editor

By MIRANDA LIMINGNews Editor

Counseling Tip No. 14Especially during the holidays, set family differences aside. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to your expectations. Set aside grievances, old or new, until a more appropriate time for discussion.Remember this is a time to enjoy and appreciate the people in our lives. Call Special Services and Student Outreach 733-7373 for a confidential free counseling when you need help.

This week’s solutions

The “Coke” stops here: Writer demands more cats

Imagine the “green” you’ll save by rent-ing textbooks. (Photo by MCT Campus)

Thanks! Gracias! Merci!

Salamat!

15th Street News Page 3 • Decmber 12, 2008 Rose State College

RSC Celebrates the Holidays

Christina Flowers, age 6, tells Santa Claus exactly what she wants for Christmas at the annual adopted schools

Christmas party on Dec., 5. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)

Miss RSC 2007, Brandi Davison, reads Christmas tales to first grade students from Willow Brook and Telstar Elementary during annual adopted schools

Christmas party on Dec., 5.(Photo by Chelsea McIntire)

Theater professor, Rick Nelson, portrays Larry Vauxhall in his first

performance as a member of the featured cast in 3 years.

(Photo by Eric Tatom)

Telstar Elementary’s choir sings spirited renditions of favorite Christmas carols to spark the spirit during the

annual lighting ceremony. (Photo by Eric Tatom)

Eight year old, Alberto Stevenson, chomps down on his frosty cookie creation at RSC’s adopted schools annual

Christmas party. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)

Each Dec. RSC student senate selects the trees decorated during the month. (Photo by Eric Tatom)

The annual tree lighting ceremony brings vol-unteers from many student leadership groups including Legacy scholars Jessica Murray and

Jessalyn Johnston. (Photo by Eric Tatom)

Caleb Dan makes a “mischievous” elf ignoring Santa to whisper to Mrs. Claus what he wants for Christmas.

(Photo by J.L. Morrissey)

Jerod Turbeville, age 6, creates a fun snowman or-nament at the RSC annual adopted schools Christ-

mas party. (Photo by Chelsea McIntire)

Left: “Inspecting Carol” by Daniel Sul-livan tells the spirited story of a flus-tered cast of amateur actors in a pro-duction of “A Christmas Carol.” RSC’s production was assistant directed by Paul Kim, theater major, and starred Amanda Allbrecht, Alex Allred, Sami Cravens, Nick Cosentino, Gravelly Finley III, Jeramie Holman, Miranda Liming, Matt Mattocks, Chelsea McIn-tire, Rick Nelson, Beth Rollings and Nicholas Toscani. (Photos by Eric Tatom)

The Nutcracker and the Gingerbread Man offer treats and cocoa to visitors. (Photo by J.L. Morrissey)

Legacy scholar, Brian Allen, goes googly eyed over his hat. Allen was one of many student leaders who assisted groups of stu-dents during the adopted schools Christ-mas Party.(Photo by J.L. Morrissey)

Happy Holidays from the 15th Street News photographers!

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Page 4 • December 12, 2008 Rose State College

Red Jumpsuit Appa-ratus in concert at the

Diamond Ballroom

3-D movie “My Bloody Valentine”

Premieres

“Underworld”Premieres

Brad Paisley in concert @ Tulsa BOK Center

Red Dirt Music Fest in Guthrie 4 p.m.- 2 a.m.

AC/DC @ Tulsa BOK Center

First day of Classes

Downtown ice rink closes

Rent at the Ford CenterOKC Thunder

versus NY Knicks

Martin Luther King Day

MLK Parade at 2 p.m. Downtown

Abbreviation GuideBS - Business buildingCC-PAT - Communications Center-Performing Arts TheatreFdR - Founders RoomFR - Fountain RoomHBAT - H.B. Atkinson TheatreHE - Health and Environmental Sciences buildingHPER - Health, Physical Education and Recreation buildingHSA - Health Sciences Annex

LRC - Learning Resources CenterMDR - Main Dining RoomPTEC - Professional Training and Education CenterRR - Raider RoomSC - Student CenterSM - Science and Math buildingSSB - Student Services BuildingTSC - Tom Steed CenterTTR - Tinker Terrace Room

Page 5 • December 12, 2008

CAMPUS CORNER

By Willy A. Wiseman

ACROSS 1 Jessica Parker or Vaughan6 Address for a lady10 Little rascals14 Old hag15 __ Spumante16 Trolley17 Noted violin maker18 Furry-muzzled dog20 Proposed candidates22 Thurman of Pulp Fiction23 Vin of movies24 Nov. and Dec.25 First name of a canine star26 Part of ETA27 Danced to victory31 Big band leader34 Gets closer35 Bring back to life38 Melodies

41 Be tipped off45 Style of Gaudi48 Jackie’s second husband49 Uris novel, with “The”50 Nice one?51 Interrupt rudely54 Gasteyer of “SNL”55 Carpets from Iran58 Efficiency expert60 Diamond measure61 West and Jemison62 Vaccines63 Texas landmark64 Latin handle65 Nice summers?66 Michael of Monty Python

DOWN1 Cause of public outrage2 Ornate wardrobe3 Nomads

4 Naysayers5 “Die Lorelei” poet6 Ship’s pole7 Spore sacs8 In residence9 Bait fish10 Post-ER place11 Lively Polish dance12 Chief13 Leaves high and dry19 Actor Armand21 Big name in aluminum28 Arista29 Butter cutter30 Symbol of Wales32 Sci-fi writer David33 Makes up for36 Extinct bird37 Oranjestad’s island38 Gandhi’s title39 Person of a third sex40 “__ Infirmary Blues”42 Instinctive

43 Paper folding44 Groom or Churchill46 Disquiet47 Old World monkey52 Flip the lid off of53 Refrain syllables56 Bone dry57 Levin and Gershwin59 NASA’s partner in space

Solution from 12/5

Campus ClosedThe campus will be closed

Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Jan. 2.

EnrollmentExtended hours for spring en-rollment will be offered Jan.

5- Jan. 30, 2009. Students can enroll Monday through Thurs-day, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m and Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Additionally, special Saturday enrollments will be available 9 a.m. – 2

p.m. Jan. 10 and 17.

Flexible Part Time Production (Quad Graphics)

Quad Graphics is seeking part-time, entry-level production

workers for our Oklahoma City Plant. Candidates must be at least

18 years old and have one year of continuous work history in

the last three years. Experience in manufacturing is preferred, but not required. The applicant

must be able to perform essential functions such as: lifting 10-15 lbs, bending on an occasional to

continuous basis and standing for long hours at a time. The work schedule consists of 6-12 hour shifts, which are flexible, and

consist of days, nights, holidays and weekends. Starting salary is $10 per hour. For more informa-tion contact Shevaun young at 405-264-4051, 6801 S. Sunny-

lane.

People SourceNow hiring for clerical, account-ing, administrative, receptionist, data entry, warehouse, assembly, CNC welders and order pullers. Full-time clerical and warehouse

work is available. Applicants must have their resumes if they are applying for a clerical posi-

tion. For more information, contact

405-943-2600 and apply at 4236 N.W. Expressway, Suite 112,

Oklahoma City, OK.

OMC Inc. OMC, Inc. is now offering Soft-

ware Technician Internships for those students obtaining an Associates or Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Program-

ming, MIS or related fields. The position requires the intern

to answer phone calls and dial in computers to troubleshoot soft-ware. The current requirement will be for students who have completed at least one college course where basic computer

skills were emphasized and who currently have a 2.5 GPA or

higher. The position is flexible to the students’ schedule and starting pay is $10 per hour. OMC Inc. will be setting up a table in the

Student Center on Tuesday Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For more information on OMC Inc. contact Mike Wolff at 405-830-4891 or Mike.Wolff@order-

matic.com.

Briefly Speaking

Dr. Joanne Stafford said words could not do justice for her 2006 trip to India. Stafford, who serves RSC as the director of Special Services, traveled to north-east India as a representa-tive for the Oklahoma City Rotary Club. Her Rotary Club funded the building of two wells in two rural vil-lages without water. “Not only do we take wa-ter for granted in the U.S., we take drinkable water for granted,” Stafford said. “In these villages, as in many under developed countries, people either walk miles for water on a daily basis, or the water they have is not safe to drink.” While in India, Stafford visited the well sites and

dedicated them, she said. This mission became im-portant, she said, as it was part of her civic duty. “I am a Rotarian and had the honor of being selected as the team leader to repre-sent our district in the 2006 visit to India,” she said. “Rotary is a civic organiza-tion to promote good will and service not only in the U.S., but also internation-ally. Education, peace and health efforts are all im-portant project in the clubs across the nation.” She said the people of India treated her with great kindness. She stayed in houses hosted by Rotarians across the country. After a short time she developed a new personal mantra: “We meet as strangers, we be-come friends, and we leave

as family.” Her travels also brought her to see sights such as the Taj Mahal. “Looking at the beauty of the Taj Ma-hal and recognizing the intricate details and the love as well as the craftsmanship of the work was a sight I only dreamt I might see,” Stafford said. Perhaps the most eye opening of what she took in during her trip was the response of the people she and her fellow Rotarians helped. “Seeing the joy in the eyes of people who had so little helped me realize how ‘material possessions’ have little importance in our real journey,” Stafford

said. “Visiting the service projects of the Indian Ro-tary clubs was humbling. Over and over again I saw these clubs reach out for the health of their country.” In the end, Stafford said the experience changed her life.

Dr. Joanne Stafford potlight on ...S

Dr. Joanne Stafford (Photo by Eric Tatom)

By BRyAN MANGIERIFeatures Editor

There is a chill in the air, the night is droppin’ by a little earlier each day. Shop-ping malls are flooded with people, willing to engage in hand-to-hand combat for dis-counted items. Everyone is either a little grumpier or more joyful, depending on the person. Alas, the holidays are here. The holidays bring different traditions for everyone. No matter how one chooses to spend the holiday season, it is an in-teresting time for all. I have for you, my dear friends, five holiday traditions worth knowing more about and maybe to inte-grate into your holiday plans…

Hanukkah1) Also know as the ‘Festival of Lights,’ Hanukkah is a holiday observed by people of the Jewish faith. The holiday is in celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The story of Hanukkah is related in the Jewish Talmud and the deuterocanonical books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Mac-cabees. According to the story, An-tiochus IV was a tyrant who ruled Jerusalem around 200 BCE, he persecuted the Jews, outlawed Ju-daism and desecrated their temple by erecting an altar to Zeus inside it. When Antiochus was over-thrown by the Hasmonean family, the temple had to be rededicated to yahweh. The only problem was the Jews did not have enough oil to burn continuously day and night during the cleansing process. Mi-raculously, the oil supply lasted the entire eight days and nights (the time it took to make olive oil). Hanukkah is remembered today as an eight-day celebration, where a section of a Menorah is lit each night to symbolize the days the oil continued to burn. Sing a Jew-ish song or light the menorah in honor of Hanukkah this year. The

festival will be celebrated starting at sundown, Dec. 22 and last until Dec. 29. Eid2) Eid, also know as Eid ul-Fitr or Id-ul-Fitr, is a three day holiday celebrated by the Islamic faith. The name literally translates as “to break the feast” and marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The typical celebration begins with a small breakfast and attendance at a special Eid prayer. Generally, Muslims will wear brand new or their best clothing to this event be-fore visiting relatives and friends. The holiday always starts the first day of the Islamic month of Shaw-wal. However, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar-based system and the Islamic calendar is lunar based, the day of celebration ap-pears to change from year to year. “Blessed Eid” or “Happy Eid,” spoken in Arabic, are the tradi-tional greeting during the holiday. Try it during the next celebration of Eid. Kwanzaa3) This week long celebration of African-American heritage is practiced throughout the world. Kwanzaa is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 of every year. While traditionally an African-American holiday it can be celebrated by anyone who wants to share in the celebration of common humanity. Kwanzaa celebrations are as var-ied as the individual participants. Some common factors can include the lighting of candles, sharing of libations from a communal chalice, giving respect and grati-tude to ancestors and decorating households with colorful African cloth and fresh fruit to represent African idealism. Try incorporat-ing the traditional greeting into your traditions this year by saying, “Habari Gani,” which is Swahili

for “What’s the news?”Boxing Day4) Boxing Day is primarily cel-ebrated in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Tradition-ally, it is the day those of means give gifts to those less fortunate. No one is quite sure the origin of the day but one popular myth goes all the way back to feudal England. The lord would summon his serfs the day after Christmas to give them their annual pay. Along with the cash, they would be given a box of cloth, grains, tools, food and other needs. Later, during the Victorian age, company owners would give their employees food, cloth, Christmas bonuses or other useful items. Their wealthy wives would box up household items they no longer needed or had been replaced for Christmas to distrib-ute to the workers’ wives. Children were not forgotten on this day ei-ther. They would be given a pair of mittens and a kite or other gender specific toy. Technically, Boxing Day must fall on a workday but in modern times many countries have fixed the day to Dec. 26 and compensate their employees when it falls on a Sunday. This year try to remember the less fortunate in your day on the 26 and you too can celebrate Boxing Day.Christmas5) Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of the Jesus of Nazareth. During this holiday presents are exchanged and young children are told stories of Santa Claus, who is supposed to deliver the gifts. Other Christmas customs such as tree decorating, church events and family get-togethers are usually practiced on this day. The day of this celebration is on Dec. 25.

5 Holiday traditions to try with your friendsBy H. ALExANDER SHAFER

Staff Writer

Page 6 • December 12, 2008

ENTERTAINMENT

SUDOKU

Each smaller square, called a cell, is to be filled in with a

numerical figure from 1-9.

These numerals are not to be

repeated within horizontal or

vertical rows or within a large

square.

Solution from 12/5/08

At the age of six, Hiroshi Watanabe picked up his father’s camera. In shoot-ing photography, Watanabe discovered his passion—a way to express himself artistically. His exhibit, “Heartland through Japa-nese eyes,” opened at the Science Mu-seum Oklahoma (formerly the Omniplex) Nov. 7. His collection of 17 photographs captures Oklahomans as the RSC stu-dent, originally from Japan, sees them through the lens. “It’s not really pretty famous people,” Watanabe said. “It’s just regular ordinary people.” These “ordinary people” might not be considered conventional beauties, but each intimidates the viewer as they all display a quiet inner strength in their eyes and posture. Easily, you could imagine any of the subjects on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine. Whether the subject is Larry, the pro-

fessional wrestler; W.C., the one-armed farmer; or Lafayette, the bouncer with haphazard afro, there’s a story behind each picture, but a certain melancholy envelopes the viewer as you’re only left to guess what that story is. In a way, that sense of wonder will make you want to reevaluate the way you approach a stranger, just like these subjects, he or she might have a tale to tell. Watanabe put great care in the process of preparing the exhibit and it shines through. When put to scale, the black and white prints aren’t just portraits but larger than life renditionS of a face you may see in a crowd in downtown OKC. Watanabe said he started photography at a professional level ten years ago, when he started making money in the art. He is also a full time social science major. This is his first semester at RSC. you can see his work at the Science Museum Oklahoma until the end of De-cember. UCO students, Belinda Kinney, Emily Mroz and Livi came to support Hiroshi Wa-

tanabe’s bigger than life portraitures. (Photo by J.L. Morrissey)

Artist reveals extraordinary lives of average AmericansBy BRyAN MANGIERI

Features Editor

The Holiday Door Decorating contest invited student clubs to create a display on their club advisor’s door. The clubs were awarded points for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and for participating in the event. Awarded points wento toward the to-tal determining the RSC Club of the Year. This year’s winner was the Non-traditional Student Organization for their Santas pulling a reindeer in a sleigh display. Second place was awarded to the Black Student Organization (below left) and third went to Mu Rho Alpha (below right). (Photo by Eric Tatom)

RSC Annual Holiday Door Decorating

Zombie-infested world is a great playground for mature gamers Zombies are everywhere in “Left 4 Dead,” set in the aftermath of a virtually unexplained undead apocalypse. Players control one of four survivors of the zombie apocalypse as they try to make it from each level’s starting point to a safe house on the other side. It’s a typical ragtag group _ a college student, a nerd, a grizzled old-timer and a rough-edged outlaw. All of them have the same abilities, though: Run, jump and shoot. The game doesn’t really have a story beyond the setup. It can be played solo,

but like the “Battlefield” games and “Team Fortress 2,” it’s much improved by the addition of a human mind or three. Oh, and please note: “Left 4 Dead” is violent, gory and gross – just like a zombie movie. Depending on the stage, the survi-vors may trek through zombie-infested streets, zombie-infested woods or zom-bie-infested sewers – wherever they go, it will by infested with zombies. These aren’t the slow, dumb zombies of “Dawn of the Dead” or “Resident

Evil.” These are the fast, angry, virus-infected zombies of “28 Days Later,” and they’ve brought along some special friends.

The Boomer is a bloated •specimen whose vomit attracts hordes of the regular kind; The Hunter pounces, pins and •tears at hapless survivors; The Smoker can snag a human •with its extremely long tongue and drag him or her away; The Witch will only unleash •her devastating attack when disturbed; and the rare Tank is just a mound of mutant muscle. Each zombie type has a distinctive look and sound; after a few games, it’s easy to know the situation just by the noises each zombie makes and they way it moves. The weapon choices are limited: pistols, shotguns and automatics, along with occasional goodies like pipe bombs. Downed survivors can be revived by teammates, but only a couple of times. If all four survivors are taken out, it’s game over. The levels are controlled by what the game calls its “AI Director,” which alters the playing field, depending on the players’ performance, so no level is the same every time. It even decides where

to place item pickups. Players can team up with computer-controlled bots for the game’s four campaign settings (each with five areas), play split-screen with friends or hop online. The game is fun on its own, but working with fellow live brains is better. And better than that is the versus mode, which sets a team of survivors against an opposing foursome of player-controlled Boomers, Hunters, Smokers and Tanks. (Witches remain computer-controlled.) This mode offers all the frantic action of the standard multiplayer mode, along with the knowledge that some of those zombies are smart. And playing as the zombies is a blast –they’re individu-ally weak but just keep on coming; they can see in the dark and spot survivors through walls; and there’s a wicked thrill in snagging a straggler with a Smoker’s tongue or pouncing on an un-suspecting human as a Hunter. After each round, the situation flips, so each team gets to try a level from both sides before moving on to the next. ___LEFT 4 DEAD3 starsPUBLISHER: ValveSYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360, also for PCPRICE: $59.99 ($49.99 for PC)AGE RATING: Mature

By Justin Hoeger:jhoeger@thetribune-news.com

(c) 2008, The Sacramento Bee (Sacra-mento, Calif.).

“Left 4 Dead” promises graphic violence for the video game lover this holiday season. (Photo by MCT Campus)