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(Archive November 2016) MWCC Spotlight: Nancy Regan

By editorialteam on November 10, 2016

Advisor to the Hiking Club

By Tyler Morgan | Observer Contributor

Hiking a mountain can be a tough obstacle for some, but it is also a way to relieve any stress one may have or even just to clear one’s mind. For Nancy Regan, who works in Health Services on the Gardner campus at Mount Wachusett Community College, this is a way of life. She hikes nearly every weekend and does it year round.

“I love it. For me, it is exhilarating. I consider it a lot of soul-searching that you can do when you’re out in nature and I think it’s great for anyone,” said Regan, who is currently in her third year as the advisor of the MWCC Hiking Club. read more

(Archive November 2016) MWCC Spotlight: Aliza Miller

By editorialteam on November 10, 2016

By Liam Scanlon | Observer Contributor

Aliza Miller

Most students at Mount Wachusett Community College may know Aliza Miller as their math professor. She teaches a wide range of levels of math classes. She is a Project ACCCESS (Advancing Community College Careers: Education, Scholarship, and Services) Fellow with the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC). She posts a Math Problem of the Week on the whiteboard outside her office.

Aside from her work with the math department at The Mount, she is also the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies at The Mount, has traveled all around the world, and is an artist. Miller has lived in New York, Kaohsiung (in Taiwan), Montreal, Vermont, and here in Massachusetts.

Miller taught English in Kaohsiung through HESS International Educational Group. She came into the country without knowing how to speak Chinese. It was a ‘huge culture shock’ she recalls.

She had to learn to drive a 90cc scooter aggressively through crowded streets. She eventually had to learn some traditional Chinese characters. There were vastly different landscapes within 50 miles of each other. Karaoke was a big deal. After a week of training, she was teaching.

She taught students from the kindergarten level to junior high level. She has kept in touch with some of her former students through social media. One of her students, whose English name is Vivian, is now an aspiring dancer living in London.

What she misses most from Taiwan is the food. It isn’t the karaoke or having to drive aggressively on a 90cc scooter in crowded streets, but the ‘fresh,’ ‘legit,’ food available at almost any hour. She could get fresh food at a night market on her way home from teaching late night classes.

Miller has decorated her current home with artwork featuring origami and geometry. She has a flock of origami cranes following the path of a huge Pythagorean Spiral on one of her walls and a flock traveling along a sine curve on another. She does Bonsai Origami. Her office also has some origami artwork.

Like most professors here at the Mount, Miller is more than what meets the eye in her classes.

(Archive November 2016) DNC and Clinton Campaign Caught in Alleged Illegal Activity

By editorialteam on November 10, 2016

Investigative Tapes cause Two Democratic Operatives to Lose their Jobs Just Days Before Final Debate

By Rebekah Chiasson | Assistant Editor

An anti-Hillary Clinton promotional decoration prior to the release of O’Keefe’s video.

Democratic operative, Robert Creamer, stepped down from his position at Democracy Partner and Scott Foval was fired on October 18, just two days before the third and final presidential debate, due to the release of an undercover investigative video from James O’Keefe.

O’Keefe’s Veritas Project, a non-profit dedicated to uncovering dishonesty, corruption, waste and fraud in public and private cooperations, released its latest investigative video project claiming illegal activity from the Clinton campaign. MWCC student and Trump supporter, Jack Korman says, “Honestly, I don’t even care about Creamer and Foval, I am more worried that the mainstream media is barely covering it.” read more

(Archive November 2016) Question 4: An In-Depth Look

By editorialteam on November 10, 2016

By Jamie Parker | News Editor

One of the most talked about questions of this election year for Massachusetts is Question 4: Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana. A “yes” vote on this question would, “allow persons 21 and older to possess, use, and transfer marijuana concentrate (including edible products) and to cultivate marijuana, all in limited amounts, and would provide for the regulation and taxation of commercial sale of marijuana and marijuana products.” A “no” vote would keep the laws on marijuana in Massachusetts the same as they are now. So let’s take a deeper look into what the “Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act,” the “Marijuana Tax,” and the “Regulation of Use and Distribution of Marijuana NOT Medically Prescribed.”

The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act

The purpose of this act is to control the production and distribution of marijuana. The act works on a system that licenses, regulates, and taxes businesses involved. The system is very similar to that of businesses that deal with Alcohol. It would allow adults over the age of 21 to purchase, and even grow a limited amount of marijuana. The act would have its own advisory board, the “Cannabis Advisory Board.” The board would make recommendations on the regulation of marijuana. The Cannabis Advisory Board would consist of 15 board members assigned by the governor. There would be one expert on marijuana cultivation, one expert in marijuana retailing, one expert in marijuana product manufacturing, one expert in marijuana testing, one board member or officer of a medical marijuana treatment center, one registered medical marijuana patient, one person to represent recreational marijuana consumers, two experts in public health, two experts in law enforcement, two experts in social welfare/justice, and two attorneys with experience with marijuana related cases. Each member will serve a term of two years. The members will not be paid for their work, but they will be reimbursed for expenses they run into while performing advisory board duties.

Marijuana Tax

One of the major arguments in favor of legalization is the potential tax revenue the state would gain. The excise tax for the sale of marijuana and marijuana products would be 3.75% of the total price of the sale. However, on top of that, each city or town has the right to impose its own sales tax on top of that of up to 2%. This collected tax revenue could be used towards things like improving our education system, and the infrastructure around the state.

Regulation of the Use and Distribution of Marijuana NOT Medically Prescribed

In this section, we’ll go over the different regulations, and limitations that will be put into place if legalization is passed. Just like alcohol and guns, marijuana will have its own rules and requirements. These are some of the major limitations: Much like alcohol, it will be illegal to operate any sort or heavy machinery/ motor vehicles under the influence. Also the consumption of marijuana would be illegal on the public or private grounds of any educational facility where grades 1 through 12 are taught, and any negligent conduct would be treated very similarly to that of the current public intoxication laws. A marijuana dispensary will not be permitted to open within 500 feet of a school serving grades K through 12.

As far as regulation goes, here are some of the major points. Marijuana establishments could pay up to $3000 for the application to become a licensed dispensary. If their application is accepted, the license itself will cost the owners another $15,000 to obtain. Dispensaries will be require to have certain security measures as well. This includes actual security guards, specific lighting, video and alarm requirements, and secure storage for the marijuana. There will be random testing of samples of marijuana to ensure that all marijuana is labeled, and advertised correctly. There will be restrictions on the advertising to marijuana to avoid being attractive eto children. There are also a few rules for the personal use of marijuana. An individual may have up to 10 ounces of marijuana in their person residence, but may only purchase 1 ounce at a time.

For more information on the legalization of recreational marijuana, please read the Massachusetts Information for Voters 2016 Ballot Questions booklet that is free, and given to every registered voter.

(Archive November 2016) 2016-2017 Humanities Project

By editorialteam on November 10, 2016

By Courtney Wentz | Observer Contributor

The Humanities Project at MWCC is in its third year with events that can be attended throughout the year.

The project started in 2014, and is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to enhance humanities programs at MWCC. The grant is up to $500,000, which is matched 50 cents on every dollar raised.

According to the pamphlets scattered around the building every year, Henry David Thoreau was chosen because he considered himself a scientist and a poet. Last year’s theme was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, but it didn’t just focus on the book. It also focused on the science of the monster and even psychology. This year’s theme is Imagining Work that shows how artists, writers, and photographers viewed work in the 19th century.

The project’s co-chairs are Professor Michelle Valois, Professor Lorie Donahue, and Professor Susan Blake. The administrator is Dean Laurie Occhipinti. Donahue and Blake referred to Valois as their “fearless leader.”

Every school year, they work hard to come up with a theme that is going to be relevant in other classes, not just humanities and English, but science and maybe even history. The theme is decided by surveys students, faculty, staff, and even the community can take part in. The chosen theme comes with events throughout the semester that students, faculty, and the community can attend, either at MWCC or local libraries.

To raise money for the project, a fundraiser is hosted at Wachusett Mountain where contributors hike the mountain, which raises about $6,000 a year. This will be their third year for this fundraiser to take place. The project has also gotten $240,000 in anonymous donations. The money spent each year has been approximately $8,000.

Professor Blake also wanted to give credit and thanks to the LaChance Library for their help in providing “theme-related materials, creating research guides, and promoting events.”

(Archive November 2016) Living Out a Dream

By editorialteam on November 8, 2016

Local Man tours with Pop Artist

By Tyler Morgan | Observer Contributor

Traveling across the United States on tour with a popular musician is something not many people can say they have done. The rock star lifestyle is not fit for many, especially with what goes on from day to day while traveling from state to state.

Imagine not being able to take a shower for over a month while being stuck on a luxury tour bus traveling around the U.S having the time of one’s life? For Travis Collier, 21 a graduate of North Middlesex High School in Townsend, the time spent touring was well spent. read more

(Archive November 2016) Pics…Or It Didn’t Happen!

By editorialteam on November 8, 2016

By Courtney Wentz | Assistant Editor

Everywhere you turn, someone has their phone out to snap a photo of where they are, what they’re doing, or who they’re with.

When you go to a show, whether it’s a concert, play, musical, comedy show, most of the audience has their phone out to record or take a picture of the performance, instead of living in the moment and enjoying the show. You aren’t enjoying the show if you’re on your phone the entire time trying to get that non-blurry photo.

Even when people go on a trip or vacation, you feel like you’re there because your friend is posting every second on social media. Your phone is not your brain. Yes, the photo is going to be a great reminder, but how well are you going to remember that moment? How you were feeling? How environment felt around you?

Last September, the BBC wrote an article where they talked to Linda Henkel, a psychology professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut. She said, “What I think is going on is that we treat the camera as a sort of external memory device. We have this expectation that the camera is going to remember things for us, so we stop processing that object and we don’t engage in the types of things that would help us remember it.”

A photo may say a thousand words, but it’s not going to tell you how you were feeling in that exact moment and you’re not going to remember it because you were too busy thinking about how this would make a great profile picture or Instagram post.

When you go to a concert, the crowd is lit up by cellphone screens, not fans being there with the band. When you go to a play or a musical, people are trying to seek taking a video instead of being in the world the actors on stage are creating.

People should be more focused on enjoying the experience and living in the moment, instead of worrying whether or not your hair looks good for the photo op.

One of my cousins is always posting photos of everything he’s doing on Facebook. It’s great to see recent photos of him because he lives far away, but I can’t help to feel that he should just write a post about the things he’s doing and the things his students make. I would rather know what he’s thinking and feeling.

Last month, YouTuber and author John Green said in his Drowzees and Masterpieces: Thoughts from London video, “At times it feels like documenting a meaningful experience is more important than having the experience.”

The next time you go to a concert, museum, play, musical, comedy show, or leave the middle of nowhere Massachusetts, put the camera down. Tell people a story about your experience with words, instead of a photo because you’re clogging up Facebook with all your selfies.

(Archive November 2016) Battlefield 1 Game Review

By editorialteam on November 8, 2016

By Nicholas Velillari | Observer Contributor

Battlefield 1 is the new first person shooter released by EA and Dice and is the sequel/prequel to Battlefield 4. With most shooters sticking with a futuristic/modern setting, BF1 is going back in time, focusing on World War 1.

The draw to Battlefield games is their multiplayer and in BF1 the multiplayer is the best it’s been since Battlefield 3. At launch, there are six modes to play: Conquest, Rush, Team Deathmatch, Domination, and two new modes called War Pigeons and Operations. read more

(Archive November 2016) The Older One Gets

By editorialteam on November 8, 2016

By Rachel Vargeletis | Observer Contributor

Eyes tend to glisten with a certain, familiar
Shine of regret the older one gets.
Wrinkles tend to cast a deeper, darker shadow
Upon their chagrinned pretense
The older one gets.

“Sorry”s feel empty and
“I love you”s only feel like a way of apologizing.
The sun hurts more than is ever brightens your day,
And suddenly,
You find your feet sore from
The routine
Instead of bouncing in eager leaps across each room,
Craving sand under their seasoned edges
And wet dirt between their wriggling toes,
The older one gets. read more

(Archive November 2016) Non-Traditional Students Club Launching Unique Outreach

By editorialteam on November 8, 2016

By Stevie LaBelle | Editor-in-Chief

The Adult College Experience Club is looking to reach out to Mount Wachusett Community College’s non-traditional student population. While this club started out as a program within the college, it has expanded into a means for seasoned non-traditional students to mentor incoming non-traditional students.

This club is for measure of helping to ease the anxiety of these students while entering into the college experience. Co-Advisors to the club are Melissa Sargent and Sarah Dorsey. While they hope that students will find the club fun and engaging, their overall goal is to be available to help.

They hope to be able to host workshops relevant to this population of students. These workshops would be offered at no cost to the students. Some topics that may be covered include: how to balance life and school, juggling methods for study when you have children, resume writing, etc. Additional topics would be decided by the members of club as to represent what is they feel is necessary to their experience and challenges undertaking college.

Since a great deal of non-traditional students have an inflexible and sometimes challenging schedule, the ACE Club has additional options to the standard club meetings. “Life happens,” explains Melissa Sargent, which they began looking into these alternate meeting options. The Club is going to launch a virtual meeting tool to its members.

“This variation in club meetings will allow students from not only the Gardner campus to participate, but the Leominster, Devens, and Web students as well,” Melissa Sargent explained. Not only will the meetings allow for students who have a web camera and microphone to actively participate, the meetings will be recorded so that students who could not watch at the scheduled time, can view at their own availability. The club will encourage its members to participate in the discussion via Facebook as well.

With “National Non-traditional Students Week” coming up, November 7th – 11th, the ACE Club is recruiting new members as they currently do not have their Officer positions filled. There first meeting will be held in the North Café at the Gardner campus on November 17th at 5pm. This meeting will be launching the new technology for a virtual meeting. Sargent encourages students who are available to come to campus for the meeting to do so, as it will not be solely a virtual experience.