Lindsey Treffry | Argonaut
Three out of 10 college students are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
This was the case for University of Idaho graduate Courtney Rainville, before she was a contestant on season 12 of “The Biggest Loser,” which premieres at 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
Rainville graduated in 2009 with a degree in communications and now works as an Internet marketing specialist in Scottsdale, Ariz. She was born in Lewiston and has struggled with weight since she was a young girl.
“I’ve always been aware that I was overweight,” Rainville said.
At 270 pounds, she said there were many moments throughout her day when she couldn’t fit comfortably in clothes and couldn’t cross her legs. She said she is 24 years old and had never had a boyfriend or gone on a date. According to an NBC press release, her father had a heart attack two years ago, as did her grandfather who died. So she applied to be a contestant on “The Biggest Loser.”
“The first time I applied, I was a senior at UI and kind of had help from my sorority sisters to help make a video and put myself out there,” Rainville said. “It was more on a limb to try and see if I could get a call back, what I never thought could happen.”
Rainville said words could not describe her reaction to her call back. Although she was a fan of “The Biggest Loser,” she said she had a hard time watching the show because she was envious of the people who had a chance to lose weight. She also said for those who watch the show at home, there is a misconception that contestants are overweight and lazy, and that viewers themselves can do the same work.
“It’s harder than anyone expected — physically and mentally,” Rainville said.
Depending on the day, Rainville trained an average of six to eight hours. Trainers like Bob Harper, professional tennis player Anna Kournikova and fitness expert Dolvett Quince intimidated Rainville initially, but she was excited to meet Harper, the veteran trainer.
“I was a little celebrity guru and all giddy and nerdy about it and he was fantastic,” she said.
Jill Carmen, “The Biggest Loser” and NBC publicist, said production of the show already finished except for a shoot in October and the live finale.
Rainville gave some wisdom to those trying to lose weight.
“Push yourself with that friend,” Rainville said. “Try something you enjoy doing: riding a bike, classes, basketball, something that’s going to give you activity.”
Rainville said to also take advantage of the UI Student Recreation Center, even though she did not.
“If you think that you can’t (keep going) or you want to give up, you can go that extra mile or an extra 30 minutes,” she said.
“The Biggest Loser: Battle of the Ages” runs at 8 p.m. every Tuesday on NBC and episodes can be viewed online at nbc.com, after the episode’s premiere. Rainville’s first interview can be viewed at nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/video/meet-courtney/1354605/.
“Tune in every week to watch and root me on,” Rainville said. “I love the support I’ve gotten from the university already.”
As seen in the Sept. 20 issue of The Argonaut.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Missing student confirmed dead
Archive from June 2011
Lindsey Treffry | The Communicator
SFCC student Leighton Welch, 35, missing since March, was found dead in the Spokane River on May 19.
On March 28, Michonda Weaver, Welch’s fiance, was talking to him via cellphone. He described a steep cliff, she said. Welch also told her that a dog in the area had spooked him.
Welch was intoxicated when he left home that day, according to Weaver. Spokane detectives said his cellphone was last used in the vicinity of 330 S. Oak St., near Browne’s Addition.
Welch’s body was found in the Spokane River close to the Stevens County line and near the Nine Mile boat launch, according to a May 21, Spokesman-Review article by Meghann Cuniff.
Welch was the father of two of Weaver’s children, Elijah, age 2, and Achellis, 7 months. The couple also raised an autistic child, named Zackahriha, age 4. The day after Welch’s body was found, Weaver discovered she was pregnant with Welch’s third child.
“He was the best father any child could ask for,” Weaver said. “He was always there for his kids.” Welch was studying social work and planned to transfer from SFCC to Eastern Washington University in the fall to become a drug and alcohol counselor.
Gerontology and social services instructor Polly McMahon had Welch in some of her classes.
“I could depend on him to want something better,” McMahon said. “For himself, his family, and his children.”
According to McMahon, he sat at the same table in class everyday. Part of the Coeur D’Alene tribe, Welch was paid to attend college, and through the payments supported his family, according to Weaver.
“Whatever grade he got he’d always ask ‘What can I do to get a better grade?’,” McMahon said. “Even if he had the maximum points, he’d want extra credit — a revise, a redo.”
Welch was the third student that the human services department lost this year, according to McMahon, who assumes Welch had an alcohol relapse the day he was on the cliff.
“When you drink you have impaired coordination. It happens,” McMahon said. “Especially if you have a grueling background (like) he did.
“He had turned his life around.”
According to Cuniff’s article, Welch had felony convictions, but according to Weaver, he had not committed a crime since the early 2000s.
“We had our problems, but we had an autistic child,” Weaver said. “Every relationship with a developmental child has a problem.
“But we overcame it.” Although plans are not concrete, McMahon and other social services students are planning a tribal-themed memorial for Leighton.
“He was a great guy,” Gerontology student Kerry Picard said. “He was personable (and) always wanting to help.”
According to McMahon, he was a iconoclast, always questioning and defying what is considered normal.
“A day without Leighton is a day without sunshine,” McMahon said. “He made me laugh and my eyes roll.”
According to Weaver, there has been some controversy over his death, especially online. Comments under the Spokesman story claimed that he committed suicide.
“He would never have done that,” Weaver said. “He was the person he was now because of our family.”
As seen in issue 42.11 of The Communicator.
Lindsey Treffry | The Communicator
SFCC student Leighton Welch, 35, missing since March, was found dead in the Spokane River on May 19.
On March 28, Michonda Weaver, Welch’s fiance, was talking to him via cellphone. He described a steep cliff, she said. Welch also told her that a dog in the area had spooked him.
Welch was intoxicated when he left home that day, according to Weaver. Spokane detectives said his cellphone was last used in the vicinity of 330 S. Oak St., near Browne’s Addition.
Welch’s body was found in the Spokane River close to the Stevens County line and near the Nine Mile boat launch, according to a May 21, Spokesman-Review article by Meghann Cuniff.
Welch was the father of two of Weaver’s children, Elijah, age 2, and Achellis, 7 months. The couple also raised an autistic child, named Zackahriha, age 4. The day after Welch’s body was found, Weaver discovered she was pregnant with Welch’s third child.
“He was the best father any child could ask for,” Weaver said. “He was always there for his kids.” Welch was studying social work and planned to transfer from SFCC to Eastern Washington University in the fall to become a drug and alcohol counselor.
Gerontology and social services instructor Polly McMahon had Welch in some of her classes.
“I could depend on him to want something better,” McMahon said. “For himself, his family, and his children.”
According to McMahon, he sat at the same table in class everyday. Part of the Coeur D’Alene tribe, Welch was paid to attend college, and through the payments supported his family, according to Weaver.
“Whatever grade he got he’d always ask ‘What can I do to get a better grade?’,” McMahon said. “Even if he had the maximum points, he’d want extra credit — a revise, a redo.”
Welch was the third student that the human services department lost this year, according to McMahon, who assumes Welch had an alcohol relapse the day he was on the cliff.
“When you drink you have impaired coordination. It happens,” McMahon said. “Especially if you have a grueling background (like) he did.
“He had turned his life around.”
According to Cuniff’s article, Welch had felony convictions, but according to Weaver, he had not committed a crime since the early 2000s.
“We had our problems, but we had an autistic child,” Weaver said. “Every relationship with a developmental child has a problem.
“But we overcame it.” Although plans are not concrete, McMahon and other social services students are planning a tribal-themed memorial for Leighton.
“He was a great guy,” Gerontology student Kerry Picard said. “He was personable (and) always wanting to help.”
According to McMahon, he was a iconoclast, always questioning and defying what is considered normal.
“A day without Leighton is a day without sunshine,” McMahon said. “He made me laugh and my eyes roll.”
According to Weaver, there has been some controversy over his death, especially online. Comments under the Spokesman story claimed that he committed suicide.
“He would never have done that,” Weaver said. “He was the person he was now because of our family.”
As seen in issue 42.11 of The Communicator.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuition rates to increase Fall 2011
Lindsey Treffry | The Communicator
Beginning in 2012, tuition will cost CCS students at least $315 more per year.
Given the 14.6 to 16.4 percent reduction in state funding, CCS administrators have already taken other measures to balance the district’s cost of operation. These include employee reductions and a plan to raise student fees.
In her recent budget, Gov. Christine Gregoire proposed a reduction of the state’s portion of higher education spending. The state senate and house budgets echoed these cuts. The tuition hike will save the state $344.7 million, according to the Senate budget released April 12.
According to Greg Stevens, CCS Chief Administration Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, CCS has already taken a 23 percent cut in its state operating budget since 2007, not including the additional cuts outlined in the new budget proposals. These previous cuts resulted in reductions to travel, training, goods, and supplies.
“All our budget fat is gone,” Stevens said.
EMPLOYEE POSITIONS
According to Stevens, the easy cuts have been made. Now CCS is left with difficult decisions: those that impact people directly.
The released budgets loosely agree on a 3 percent cut in compensation (employee salaries). According to Stevens, CCS has already begun laying off classified employees, faculty, and administrative personnel. The number of employees to be cut or redistributed through the district is unknown.
According to CCS’ response to the September 2010 SBCTC Budget Reduction Survey, in a plan for a potential 10 percent cut in the 2012 fiscal year, approximately 17 staff positions would be laid off. An additional $500,000 in further personnel-related reductions were “to be determined.”
“We are trying to be as empathetic and sympathetic as we can,” Stevens said. “By starting early, we’ve been able to find other spots in the district for every employee, with the exception of one [employee].”
TUITION AND FEES INCREASE
The 10 to 12 percent increase in tuition will amount to $315 to $375 a year, respectively, for a 15-credit student. Not all tuition is going to pay for teacher salaries and electricity, though. Three percent of this increase will fund a statewide enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation—essentially an updated IT computer system.
Additionally, excess tuition will likely be captured to fund state needs grants given to students. According to accounting and economics instructor, and SFCC Association for High Education Vice President, Don Brunner, students’ tuition is going up to fund the grants that students receive.
Tuition only pays for about one-third of a student’s college education, according to Brunner.
“[The students] think the college has more [money],” Brunner said.
According to Stevens, Washington technical and community colleges are subsidized differently than universities. For example, if Washington State University (WSU) were to have a 12 percent cut, they are granted the authority to raise tuition by 12 percent. At CCS, a 1 percent budget reduction requires a nearly 2.5 percent tuition increase to offset it because, unlike a university, all tuition funds do not go directly towards a budget deficit. Despite this fact, Stevens said tuition will not be raised more than the legislature proposed.
According to Stevens, with a 10 percent tuition increase and a 12 percent budget reduction, there is still an 8 percent gap.
Part of the gap may be filled by a raise in student fees.
“[CSS has] local authority over [student] fees,” Stevens said. “The Board has always held [the fees] to cost of living adjustments.”
According to Stevens, historically CSS’ Board of Trustees has not raised fees to the maximum amount allowed by statute.
FUTURE PLANS/STRATEGIC BUDGET PLANNING COMMITTEE
On April 19, CCS Chancellor Christine Johnson led a strategic planning and budget forum. At this meeting, Johnson shared the projected cuts that are to be made and where some of the state money will be redistributed.
SFCC President Pam Praeger also discussed a savings fund that is available to the college. This fund is much like a contingency or “rainy day” fund that may be used upon request from the Board. The enrollment for 2011 was over target by 17.5 percent, so other revenue may come from excess tuition and additional Running Start students.
“Many states are saying colleges are now state-located, but not [state-] supported,” Johnson said. “Colleges are entrepreneurs and have to ask ‘How else can we generate revenue?’.”
Some federal budget projections, from the fiscal year 2012 budget, include a reduction of Perkins funds and the rate per student for Pell grants, according to Johnson. According to Stevens though, there are some increases in other financial aid, like state need grant funds.
“[Financial aid increases] will help needier students,” Stevens said. “But it will put a squeeze on people who don’t qualify.”
CCS budget specifics cannot be decided until Gov. Gregoire, the state senate and house come to an agreement and finalize the budget. The CCS budget will be presented to the Board for approval in June.
“Tuition and fee increases are a last-resort option,” Stevens said. “We want education to be affordable.
“We’re trying to do everything we can.”
To find a detailed report of the meetings and budget drafts formed by the CCS Strategic Planning committee, visit ccs.spokane.edu/About-CCS/Strategic-planning.aspx.
As seen in issue 42.9 of The Communicator.
Beginning in 2012, tuition will cost CCS students at least $315 more per year.
Given the 14.6 to 16.4 percent reduction in state funding, CCS administrators have already taken other measures to balance the district’s cost of operation. These include employee reductions and a plan to raise student fees.
In her recent budget, Gov. Christine Gregoire proposed a reduction of the state’s portion of higher education spending. The state senate and house budgets echoed these cuts. The tuition hike will save the state $344.7 million, according to the Senate budget released April 12.
According to Greg Stevens, CCS Chief Administration Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, CCS has already taken a 23 percent cut in its state operating budget since 2007, not including the additional cuts outlined in the new budget proposals. These previous cuts resulted in reductions to travel, training, goods, and supplies.
“All our budget fat is gone,” Stevens said.
EMPLOYEE POSITIONS
According to Stevens, the easy cuts have been made. Now CCS is left with difficult decisions: those that impact people directly.
The released budgets loosely agree on a 3 percent cut in compensation (employee salaries). According to Stevens, CCS has already begun laying off classified employees, faculty, and administrative personnel. The number of employees to be cut or redistributed through the district is unknown.
According to CCS’ response to the September 2010 SBCTC Budget Reduction Survey, in a plan for a potential 10 percent cut in the 2012 fiscal year, approximately 17 staff positions would be laid off. An additional $500,000 in further personnel-related reductions were “to be determined.”
“We are trying to be as empathetic and sympathetic as we can,” Stevens said. “By starting early, we’ve been able to find other spots in the district for every employee, with the exception of one [employee].”
TUITION AND FEES INCREASE
The 10 to 12 percent increase in tuition will amount to $315 to $375 a year, respectively, for a 15-credit student. Not all tuition is going to pay for teacher salaries and electricity, though. Three percent of this increase will fund a statewide enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation—essentially an updated IT computer system.
Additionally, excess tuition will likely be captured to fund state needs grants given to students. According to accounting and economics instructor, and SFCC Association for High Education Vice President, Don Brunner, students’ tuition is going up to fund the grants that students receive.
Tuition only pays for about one-third of a student’s college education, according to Brunner.
“[The students] think the college has more [money],” Brunner said.
According to Stevens, Washington technical and community colleges are subsidized differently than universities. For example, if Washington State University (WSU) were to have a 12 percent cut, they are granted the authority to raise tuition by 12 percent. At CCS, a 1 percent budget reduction requires a nearly 2.5 percent tuition increase to offset it because, unlike a university, all tuition funds do not go directly towards a budget deficit. Despite this fact, Stevens said tuition will not be raised more than the legislature proposed.
According to Stevens, with a 10 percent tuition increase and a 12 percent budget reduction, there is still an 8 percent gap.
Part of the gap may be filled by a raise in student fees.
“[CSS has] local authority over [student] fees,” Stevens said. “The Board has always held [the fees] to cost of living adjustments.”
According to Stevens, historically CSS’ Board of Trustees has not raised fees to the maximum amount allowed by statute.
FUTURE PLANS/STRATEGIC BUDGET PLANNING COMMITTEE
On April 19, CCS Chancellor Christine Johnson led a strategic planning and budget forum. At this meeting, Johnson shared the projected cuts that are to be made and where some of the state money will be redistributed.
SFCC President Pam Praeger also discussed a savings fund that is available to the college. This fund is much like a contingency or “rainy day” fund that may be used upon request from the Board. The enrollment for 2011 was over target by 17.5 percent, so other revenue may come from excess tuition and additional Running Start students.
“Many states are saying colleges are now state-located, but not [state-] supported,” Johnson said. “Colleges are entrepreneurs and have to ask ‘How else can we generate revenue?’.”
Some federal budget projections, from the fiscal year 2012 budget, include a reduction of Perkins funds and the rate per student for Pell grants, according to Johnson. According to Stevens though, there are some increases in other financial aid, like state need grant funds.
“[Financial aid increases] will help needier students,” Stevens said. “But it will put a squeeze on people who don’t qualify.”
CCS budget specifics cannot be decided until Gov. Gregoire, the state senate and house come to an agreement and finalize the budget. The CCS budget will be presented to the Board for approval in June.
“Tuition and fee increases are a last-resort option,” Stevens said. “We want education to be affordable.
“We’re trying to do everything we can.”
To find a detailed report of the meetings and budget drafts formed by the CCS Strategic Planning committee, visit ccs.spokane.edu/About-CCS/Strategic-planning.aspx.
As seen in issue 42.9 of The Communicator.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Laptop recovery service reveals thefts
Lindsey Treffry | The Communicator
In Fall 2010 alone, there were three Dell laptops and three MacBook Pros stolen or lost by students from the library.
All SFCC laptops rented through the library can be tracked through a chip placed internally that allows a company called Computrace to track the where-abouts of the laptop.
“Once a laptop has been stolen, we do a police report, or the student who checked out the laptop [files a police report],” Library Supervisor Babs Hachey said. “I file a claim with Computrace and they work in conjunction with the police department.”
Once Hachey files a report with the police department, she then files a theft report number on the Computrace website.
According to IT Manager Rod Larse, Computrace is comparable to an On-Star system in a car. Laptops can be tracked through a GPS-like system.
According to the Computrace website, their theft program mines computers using techniques like file and registry scans, geolocaters, and key capturing, which enables Computrace to track every key struck on a keyboard.
If the gelocation system cannot track the laptop in a certain time frame, the Absolute Software company—who owns Computrace—is required to replace it, according to IT Specialist 2 Sharon Gunn.
“We got a laptop back from law enforcement in December,” Larse said. “[The student] had peeled the inventory tags off.”
According to Larse, the laptop had been vandalized by green stickers and tape.
“[When an inventory tag is removed] students don’t realize that doesn’t solve the problem,” Gunn said. “Computrace is embedded in the notebook.”
According to Hachey, if a laptop is stolen or lost, a student is charged the basic cost of a laptop: $1350 for a Dell and $2200 for a MacBook Pro. The fee for a damaged laptop amounts to the total cost of damages. For a stolen or lost power cord and computer case, students are required to pay $75, according to Hachey.
According to Washington state law, if rented or leased property is stolen, it may result in a class C felony, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
“Students need to think twice before taking [laptops] because then you have a criminal record,” Gunn said.
As seen in Issue 42.6 of The Communicator
In Fall 2010 alone, there were three Dell laptops and three MacBook Pros stolen or lost by students from the library.
All SFCC laptops rented through the library can be tracked through a chip placed internally that allows a company called Computrace to track the where-abouts of the laptop.
“Once a laptop has been stolen, we do a police report, or the student who checked out the laptop [files a police report],” Library Supervisor Babs Hachey said. “I file a claim with Computrace and they work in conjunction with the police department.”
Once Hachey files a report with the police department, she then files a theft report number on the Computrace website.
According to IT Manager Rod Larse, Computrace is comparable to an On-Star system in a car. Laptops can be tracked through a GPS-like system.
According to the Computrace website, their theft program mines computers using techniques like file and registry scans, geolocaters, and key capturing, which enables Computrace to track every key struck on a keyboard.
If the gelocation system cannot track the laptop in a certain time frame, the Absolute Software company—who owns Computrace—is required to replace it, according to IT Specialist 2 Sharon Gunn.
“We got a laptop back from law enforcement in December,” Larse said. “[The student] had peeled the inventory tags off.”
According to Larse, the laptop had been vandalized by green stickers and tape.
“[When an inventory tag is removed] students don’t realize that doesn’t solve the problem,” Gunn said. “Computrace is embedded in the notebook.”
According to Hachey, if a laptop is stolen or lost, a student is charged the basic cost of a laptop: $1350 for a Dell and $2200 for a MacBook Pro. The fee for a damaged laptop amounts to the total cost of damages. For a stolen or lost power cord and computer case, students are required to pay $75, according to Hachey.
According to Washington state law, if rented or leased property is stolen, it may result in a class C felony, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
“Students need to think twice before taking [laptops] because then you have a criminal record,” Gunn said.
As seen in Issue 42.6 of The Communicator
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Stop paying for cable
Lindsey Treffry | The Communicator
According to Wired Magazine, the cost of cable per year is $1643.16 while satellite is $1463.88. Here are some ways to avoid these costs altogether.
Services:
-Hulu, although this service only streams NBC, News Corp, and Disney programs, it offers recent episodes of shows like The Office, Family Guy, and SNL. The new Hulu Plus account enables you to stream full series of new and classic episodes though Wi-Fi and 3G phones, iPads, internet televisions, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles.
Cost? $8 a month for Hulu Plus account; free to watch the most recent episode of a show you missed (some offered the same day or a week later than the television premiere).
-Netflix streams new and classic movies and TV shows through your computer, gaming console, Apple products, TiVo or Blu-ray player. Once you pay the account cost, ordering movies and shows costs no extra. Not all shows and movies are available, and it can take a month to two years for Netflix to release a movie (or not at all).
Cost? $8 a month for a basic Netflix account, $10 to be able to rent 1 DVD at a time (there is a bigger library of shows and movies if you choose this option), and the price rises per number of DVDs to rent. There is a "limited account" that allows 1 DVD at a time, but only allows you to stream 2 hours of shows a month on your computer (unlike the unlimited time of other accounts).
Gaming consoles:
-PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii are no longer simple systems that play Gran Turismo, Halo, and Rayman Raving Rabbids. These consoles now can play DVDs and all have a Netflix application, where you can stream Netflix straight from your wireless internet connection to your television.
Cost? $8 a month for a basic Netflix account (no extra cost if you already own a gaming console); $199 - $399 for a new console. The console will pay for itself within two to four months once your cable/satellite subscription has been cancelled.
Other options:
-Internet boxes: Apple TV is among other "net-connected boxes" that connects you from iTunes to your television or computer. From the iTunes store you can pay $1.99 per episode. Other boxes include Roku (connected to Netflix, Amazon, and MLB.TV), and TiVo connects to related services as well as cable shows.
-Vudu: A Walmart-owned service that allows you to rent or buy movies. The only hitch is you must buy a television or Blu-ray player that has Vudu built in. Shows and movies range from $1.99 to $4.99 and $9.99 to $19.99 to purchase.
-ESPN 3: espn.go.com/espn3 is the home for all ESPN sports: live shows, upcoming previews, and replays. It's completely free and HD.
-Mobile television: Smartphones now offer portable television. Bitbop for Blackberrys, Flo TV for AT&T and Verizon plans, and Sprint TV for your Sprint phone.
-Clicker.com: Not sure what service to choose when it comes to watching television sans cable? Clicker.com is a TV Guide for the internet. You can search your favorite shows and see what services (between Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, or clicker.com itself) offer them. This may make your choice easier.
As seen in issue 42.5 of The Communicator
According to Wired Magazine, the cost of cable per year is $1643.16 while satellite is $1463.88. Here are some ways to avoid these costs altogether.
Services:
-Hulu, although this service only streams NBC, News Corp, and Disney programs, it offers recent episodes of shows like The Office, Family Guy, and SNL. The new Hulu Plus account enables you to stream full series of new and classic episodes though Wi-Fi and 3G phones, iPads, internet televisions, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles.
Cost? $8 a month for Hulu Plus account; free to watch the most recent episode of a show you missed (some offered the same day or a week later than the television premiere).
-Netflix streams new and classic movies and TV shows through your computer, gaming console, Apple products, TiVo or Blu-ray player. Once you pay the account cost, ordering movies and shows costs no extra. Not all shows and movies are available, and it can take a month to two years for Netflix to release a movie (or not at all).
Cost? $8 a month for a basic Netflix account, $10 to be able to rent 1 DVD at a time (there is a bigger library of shows and movies if you choose this option), and the price rises per number of DVDs to rent. There is a "limited account" that allows 1 DVD at a time, but only allows you to stream 2 hours of shows a month on your computer (unlike the unlimited time of other accounts).
Gaming consoles:
-PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii are no longer simple systems that play Gran Turismo, Halo, and Rayman Raving Rabbids. These consoles now can play DVDs and all have a Netflix application, where you can stream Netflix straight from your wireless internet connection to your television.
Cost? $8 a month for a basic Netflix account (no extra cost if you already own a gaming console); $199 - $399 for a new console. The console will pay for itself within two to four months once your cable/satellite subscription has been cancelled.
Other options:
-Internet boxes: Apple TV is among other "net-connected boxes" that connects you from iTunes to your television or computer. From the iTunes store you can pay $1.99 per episode. Other boxes include Roku (connected to Netflix, Amazon, and MLB.TV), and TiVo connects to related services as well as cable shows.
-Vudu: A Walmart-owned service that allows you to rent or buy movies. The only hitch is you must buy a television or Blu-ray player that has Vudu built in. Shows and movies range from $1.99 to $4.99 and $9.99 to $19.99 to purchase.
-ESPN 3: espn.go.com/espn3 is the home for all ESPN sports: live shows, upcoming previews, and replays. It's completely free and HD.
-Mobile television: Smartphones now offer portable television. Bitbop for Blackberrys, Flo TV for AT&T and Verizon plans, and Sprint TV for your Sprint phone.
-Clicker.com: Not sure what service to choose when it comes to watching television sans cable? Clicker.com is a TV Guide for the internet. You can search your favorite shows and see what services (between Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, or clicker.com itself) offer them. This may make your choice easier.
As seen in issue 42.5 of The Communicator
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Art Coop
Lindsey Treffry | The Communicator
The Art Coop is a warm space with art spilling from the shelves, and a cloud-painted ceiling. A wall is covered with old board games, and a kiln and glass-cutter sit across the room.
Once a chicken coop in the Downriver district, the Coop started as a Washington State farm “testing ground” in the 1930s and his since evolved into a home for wacky art classes.
SFCC graduate, Lou Carver is the owner of The Art Coop. With the help of friends, Carver spent a year and a half renovating the chicken coop.They lead visitors from the front of a brick house into a welcoming backyard by building a false wall that was once made of chicken wire, adding insulation, electricity, and a wooden pathway. Her cat and beagle welcome you into her yard and a fake rooster perches in the rafters of the Coop.
Carver received her A.A.S. in Visual Media Technology, which involved photography, hand-lettering, and printing press work. According to Carver, this multimedia major didn’t mean she was necessarily proficient in one art form, but was able to enjoy “fine” art. The Art Coop was able to support her eclectic fine art habits, but also gave her the ability to share.
“If you don’t share what you learn, the knowledge dies,” Carver said.
The Art Coop has compartments of charms, glass, metal, and miscellaneous pieces that have been collected by Carver over the years. Most of these pieces are for reuse, and instead of recycling these pieces, Carver likes to call this process “upcycling,” converting waste into new, better art products.
According to Carver, the most popular craft projects between class-takers is fused-glass. According to fusedglass.org, to make fused glass you take two or more pieces of glass and heat them in a kiln until they fuse together to make a single piece. These form a dichroic piece that according to Carver come out in unpredictable colors.
She offers multiple classes a week, from jewelry, to mosaic work, hats, pins, felting, and shrine boxes. Prices per class usually range from $25 to $40; all materials are provided and no experience is needed. Unless the Coop is featuring a fused-glass class, students can usually take projects home the same day.
Although she advertises her Coop as art classes for “chicks,” according to Carver, a rooster is a chick too and men return to her classes often.
“[The Art Coop] is a shabby, chic place to just have fun,” Carver said. “You don’t have to be an artist.”
Break Out Box
Address: 4225 N. G Street
Contact: 509.327.3726
Info: Visit theartcoop.net
Other Facts: Apart from the Coop, Carver teaches one hour “Spokane Falls Living History” presentations, where she shares photographs of Spokane from 1880 to 1910, along with board games, clothing of the era, music players, and common household items.
As seen in issue 42.5 of The Communicator
The Art Coop is a warm space with art spilling from the shelves, and a cloud-painted ceiling. A wall is covered with old board games, and a kiln and glass-cutter sit across the room.
Once a chicken coop in the Downriver district, the Coop started as a Washington State farm “testing ground” in the 1930s and his since evolved into a home for wacky art classes.
SFCC graduate, Lou Carver is the owner of The Art Coop. With the help of friends, Carver spent a year and a half renovating the chicken coop.They lead visitors from the front of a brick house into a welcoming backyard by building a false wall that was once made of chicken wire, adding insulation, electricity, and a wooden pathway. Her cat and beagle welcome you into her yard and a fake rooster perches in the rafters of the Coop.
Carver received her A.A.S. in Visual Media Technology, which involved photography, hand-lettering, and printing press work. According to Carver, this multimedia major didn’t mean she was necessarily proficient in one art form, but was able to enjoy “fine” art. The Art Coop was able to support her eclectic fine art habits, but also gave her the ability to share.
“If you don’t share what you learn, the knowledge dies,” Carver said.
The Art Coop has compartments of charms, glass, metal, and miscellaneous pieces that have been collected by Carver over the years. Most of these pieces are for reuse, and instead of recycling these pieces, Carver likes to call this process “upcycling,” converting waste into new, better art products.
According to Carver, the most popular craft projects between class-takers is fused-glass. According to fusedglass.org, to make fused glass you take two or more pieces of glass and heat them in a kiln until they fuse together to make a single piece. These form a dichroic piece that according to Carver come out in unpredictable colors.
She offers multiple classes a week, from jewelry, to mosaic work, hats, pins, felting, and shrine boxes. Prices per class usually range from $25 to $40; all materials are provided and no experience is needed. Unless the Coop is featuring a fused-glass class, students can usually take projects home the same day.
Although she advertises her Coop as art classes for “chicks,” according to Carver, a rooster is a chick too and men return to her classes often.
“[The Art Coop] is a shabby, chic place to just have fun,” Carver said. “You don’t have to be an artist.”
Break Out Box
Address: 4225 N. G Street
Contact: 509.327.3726
Info: Visit theartcoop.net
Other Facts: Apart from the Coop, Carver teaches one hour “Spokane Falls Living History” presentations, where she shares photographs of Spokane from 1880 to 1910, along with board games, clothing of the era, music players, and common household items.
As seen in issue 42.5 of The Communicator
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Riley
I spent an afternoon with my Irish Terrier mutt, Riley. She was a cute and very curious model. Mostly this session was just to play with camera settings on a overcast, fall day.
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