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The
Triton
December 7, 2015
The holiday season
Being over-commercialized for profit
By Hannah Hall
Staff Writer
According to the National Retail Fed-
eration, the average American will spend
$806 individually and an estimated $630
billion dollars collectively this holiday
season.
This is ​25 times the amount spent on
supplies and preparations for students go-
ing back to school and nearly ​90 ​times the
amount spent on Halloween and other fall
festivities.
What does this say about our spending
priorities in this country? And more impor-
tantly, have we lost sight of the true mean-
ing of the holidays in an endless maze of
shopping for gifts and ‘​ d​ oor-buster​’ sales?
The answer is​,​simply, YES. To fully un-
derstand the scale of the issue one must go
back to where it all began.
Many do not realize that the idea of
Christmas as we know it today only be-
came a reality a little over a century ago. In
the early 1800s, society was increasing in
diversity and numbers as immigrants trav-
eled to our country in hopes of a fresh start.
With this abundance of different cul-
tures came conflict and social discourse,
ultimately leading to our nation’s first civil
war​,​ according to ​HISTORY.com​. Amidst
the turmoil, Americans sought something
to bring peace of mind to the people​,​and
found this in the spirit of the holiday sea-
son.
As showcased in the Washington
Irving’s 1820 series, “A Sketchbook of
Geoffrey Crayon,” the holidays were con-
sidered a time to unify w ​ ith o​ thers regard-
less of wealth, status, or background.
Families came together in spite of
things and began molding traditions we​
continue to c​ arry on today. In 1832, Ger-
man immigrants showcased their custom
of the ​Weihnachtsbaum​or, the Christmas
tree.
In the 1850s, English-born printer
Louis Prang distributed the very first
Christmas cards, and as late as the 1860s,
Scandinavian folklore of S ​t. Nicholas​ ,​
or Santa Claus​,​began to surface in local
In This Issue:
Student Voices p. 3
Campus Notes p. 4
News p. 5
A&E p. 6-7
Opinion p. 8
Sports p. 10
Games & Comics p. 11-12
An independent student voice since 1973
A person illustrating the shopping habits of people during the holiday season, dressing
like Santa and carrying many bags of merchandise.
newspapers.
With the introduction of these rituals,
Americans created something that met the
ideals of a progressively multicultural na-
tion and in 1870, Christmas was finally de-
clared an official federal holiday.
The concept of giving gifts was not
as widely practiced until the early twenti-
eth century, whe​n ​parents enjoyed treating
their children without it necessarily being
considered as ‘spoiling’ them.
The idea was that Santa Claus had
brought the gifts to the children if they’d
been good all year. This notion quickly
caught the attention of local businesses
who saw an opportunity to sell more goods
and create more revenue.
As time went on, retailers even began
marketing toward this ever-growing pa​
st​ime​;​for example, Sears, Roebuck and
Company (known as Sears today) introduc​
ed ​their first issue of the “Wish Book”, a
compilation of children’s toys and gifts.
Photo Winners: page 6-7
Review
Photo By: Charles Tuttle
By the 1980s, the holiday season ac-
counted for a quarter of all sales for retail-
ers throughout the year. In recent times,
the holidays have become a classic case
of consumer-based supply​-​and​-​demand in
which a shopper’s need for holiday gifts
and preparations is met by businesses’ sup-
ply of marketed items and sales.
As the amount spent on the holidays
annually increases by the billions, we as a
society move farther away from the ideals
our ancestors once established. Time that
should be spent with family at home is now
replaced with 5 a​.​m​. s​ hopping ventures at
the local mall. Conversations with distant
relatives have been replaced by greeting
cards with vague sentiments and gift cer-
tificates to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Most
importantly, memories and impressions
that can be shared with our children are lost
in the multitude of activities and presents.
The sadder part is that by putting so much
emphasis on gift-giving, we are setting
Holiday Lights : page 5
Facebook.
Volume 32 Issue 4
them up to continue the cycle and to expect
more each year. Dr. Steven Dowshen from
kidshealth.org agrees.
“It can be hard for kids and parents
to look beyond all of the product-driven
hoopla and remember what the holidays
are really about,” Dowshen said.
With this, the time and effort spent
can be unhealthy physically and mentally
for many people. According to a survey
conducted by the American Psychological
Association, 44 percent of women and 31
percent of men experience elevated levels
of stress during this time of year. This in
turn can lead to loss of sleep, irregular ap-
petite, migraines, heart complications​,​etc.
Even so, we continue to over​-​commit our
time and money to commercialization.
The solution to this issue is simple.
Begin by thinking small​and limiting the
amount of effort given to Christmas shop-
ping. It will help parents manage their
stress and children to find greater value in
the gifts they are given.
When you do shop, keep it local and
support smaller businesses. By doing so,
it helps your local economy directly and
doesn’t feed back to the corporations that
bid to increase their sales. Give back to
others around you or those in need. It al-
lows others to reflect on their good fortune
and could make someone else’s holiday a
better one.
Lastly, keep traditions alive​ ,​for
they’re what create lasting memories. In
doing so​,​you will see that the holidays are
not just about what you want, but are more
about what you already have.
In the words of Ebenezer Scrooge from
the Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas
Carol,” “I have always thought of Christ-
mas time, when it has come round... as a
good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable,
pleasant time; the only time I know of, in
the long calendar of the year, when men
and women seem by one consent to open
their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of
people below them as if they really were
fellow-passengers to the grave, and not
another race of creatures bound on other
journeys.”
Skiing : page 10
 2 DecemberJune
7, 2015
1, 2015

EdCC band plays on

A Student Publication of
Edmonds Community College Faculty Advisor
20000 68th Ave W. Lynnwood, WA Rob Harrill
98036 rob.harrill@email.edcc.edu
425.640.1315
Business Advisor
Editor-in-Chief
Todd M Clayton Jr
tritoneditor@gmail.com Writers:
Lindsey Major, Hannah Hall, Denise
Section Editors: Robles, Haley Smith, Lesley Love,
Ian Moffet - Opinion Kearstin Franco, Kaitlin Morrison,
Tritonopinion@gmail.com Sadie Jordan, Isatou Dumbuya, Kyla
Blair, Lucas Bisell, Everett Amundson,
Todd M Clayton Jr- News Henry Welch,
Tritoneditor@gmail.com

Review Staff - Sports

Tritonsportseditor@gmail.com
Chief’s Notes
Todd M Clayton Jr
Lindsey Major- A&E
TritonAEeditor@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief
Hello everyone. Well, we did it. We
Layout & Design made it through another quarter, and will
Todd M Clayton Jr be moving on to Winter Quarter sooner The EdCC Jazz band playing at one of the many concerts at the Black Box Theatre.
than you think. By Lesley Love
Business Manager This is the last issue of Fall Quarter, Staff Writer
Justin Bisacky so I hope you all will enjoy it and come
revbusma@edcc.edu Have you ever been to an Edmonds
back in the winter when we publish our
Community College band and vocal con-
first issue of the new year.
Copy Editor cert? If you haven’t, now is your chance
Speaking of the new year, the paper
Gayle Johnson to go and watch a LIVE performance from
will be going through more changes to im-
the music department, conducted by Steve
prove the content and the look of the paper.
Photographers Mostovoy. On December 1, the concert
Thanks, and everyone have a safe and
Tritonphotographer@gmail.com band performed festive, classical, and
fun holiday season.
jazzy music in the Black Box Theatre.
The beautiful Christmas theme with
colorful bright lights, balloons, and a
Christmas background created holiday
spirits in the audience.
The band opened their performance
with a trio of wonderful classical music
and then there was a 15-minute break half-
way into the show. After the intermission,
the band came back playing the famous
“Festive Overture” by Shostakovich.
The conductor Steve Mostovoy then
gave a special shout-out to one of his fa-
vorite music composers, George Gershwin.
Mostovoy says “He created both classical
and jazz music, which was just right for the
merging of the time.”
Gershwin was the American composer
of the jazz-influenced symphonic poem
“An American in Paris,” written in 1928,
and played in the 1951 film “An American
in Paris”, as well as in the 2005 ballet “An
American in Paris”.
The symphonic poem is about the
time Gershwin had in Paris, as it elicits the
sights and energy of the French capital in
the 1920s. Mostovoy also gives notice to
Raymond Scott, another American com-
poser, who is famous for cartoon music,
such as themes for Bugs Bunny and The
Simpsons.
The band played one of his famous
songs named “Toy Trumpet”. The Ed-
monds Community College symphonic
band then played the famous “Russian
Christmas Music” composed by the Amer-
ican neo-classical composer, Alfred Reed.
Photo by Lesley Love
Reed was assigned to write a piece
of Russian music for a concert in Denver,
Colorado. The Denver concert was intend-
ed to improve Soviet-American relations.
The Edmonds Community College
band kept the audience in joy, laughter, and
smiles, with their ongoing holiday music.
The audience seemed very impressed
with the stunning theme and the upbeat
music that kept their eyes open and ears
listening. After the band ended the “Rus-
sian Christmas Song”, Steve Mostovoy
grabbed the microphone and gave a special
thank you and appreciation to many people
who have been supportive of him.
He says “I’d like to thank the band
members for favoring me. Every day I
say it’s amazing to stand of front of these
people.”
He also gave a thank-you to a few staff
members of the music department, as well
as the stage manager and manager of the
Black Box Theatre.
Mostovoy and the symphonic band fi-
nally ended the night with the famous mu-
sic “Let the Bells Ring”. The band played
very cheerfully as the audience moved out-
side.
If you missed out on this wonderful
night, don’t worry! There are more upcom-
ing live performances from the music de-
partment that you can attend.
Dec. 7: Edmonds Community College
Voice Class @ 6:00 p.m. held in the Black
Box Theatre
Dec. 7: Edmonds Community College
Voice Class @ 7:30 p.m. held in the Black
Box Theatre
Dec. 9: Edmonds Community College
Student Showcase @ 7:30 p.m. held in the
Black Box Theatre
The Edmonds Community College
music department would love for everyone
to come and watch their live performances
each quarter, so don’t hesitate to bring your
support!

The Triton Review is a student-written and -produced newspaper for Edmonds Community College and the surrounding community. The opinions expressed in the Triton Review
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Triton Review staff or of the college.
Mission Statement
The Triton Review is a student-run newspaper at Edmonds Community College that serves the student readership by reporting on issues and events as they relate to the campus
community and by supporting the open exchange of a diverse range of viewpoints and opinions.
The Triton Review strives to be impartial in its reporting and adheres firmly in its First Amendment rights.

Newspaper Policy
1. The Triton Review covers issues and events as they relate to the Edmonds Community College campus community and surrounding areas.
2. The Triton Review editorial staff reserves the right to comment editorially on any issues the staff finds newsworthy and important.
3. The Triton Review resists the influence of advertisers or special interest groups on the selection of news content or editorial expression.
4. The Triton Review will consider for publication signed letters to the editor or contributed opinion pieces reflecting student opinion on relevant topics, as well as those of other
on or off-campus constituents when submitted according to publication guidelines.
5. The Triton Review strives to uphold State and Federal Laws and Edmonds Community College policies, particularly the Office of Student Life Code of Ethics and the Society
of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.

Letters to the Editor

The Triton Review welcomes letters to the editor. Letters submitted should be no more than 400 words, signed legibly, and accompanied by a phone number in order to verify
authenticity. Some letters may not be printed due to limited space, because they are similar to other letters received on the same subject, are potentially libelous, or are illegible. The
Triton Review reserves the right to edit letters.
 The Review
Dear Triton, ...
If you have a burning question or problem feel free to drop it off in the folder taped
to our door on the second floor of Brier, room number 234; We look forward to helping
you in anyway possible.
Dear Triton, ... is helping one student at a time.
Dear Triton,
I’ve never talked to anyone about this
before and I find it very difficult to talk to
anyone about this. My parents often fight,
but it’s not the fighting that bothers me.
It’s what happens AFTER the fighting
that bothers me. One night, my dad will
call my mom a b*tch, c*nt, etc. under his
breath—just loud enough so that I can hear
it but she can’t—and then the next day,
he’ll be “nice” to her, try to give her hugs,
keep casual conversation with her, try to
look interested in whatever she talks about,
etc.
I hate this so much. He’s yelled at my
mom before, called her terrible things to
her face, yet my mom still tells me to love
him and respect him because he’s “not all
that bad” and because I “have flaws, too.”
But I can’t bring myself to respect my
dad after I’ve heard him say such terrible
things to my mom and treat her like crap.
And I DEFINITELY can’t bring my-
self to treat him with respect when he
tries to be all goody-goody the next day.
It’s sick and disgusting; and my mother
doesn’t deserve to live like this. There’s so
much more I could say, but this gives you
some basics of the situation.
I don’t know how to deal with this sit-
uation and how to deal with myself know-
ing that I’m gradually starting to hate my
own father. I know hate is a strong word,
but I also know this word matches exactly
how I feel right now toward my dad. I’m so
angry and I want to help my mom.
I can’t talk to friends about this be-
cause I’m scared that they won’t believe
what I say (since they’ve never seen this
side of my family) and I can’t talk to my
brother about this because I know he really
loves my dad. Please help me. I have no
one to talk to.
— Sabrina, 18
Hello Sabrina,
This situation actually hits close to
home for me personally. I did not get along
with my father growing up and always
questioned why my mother would marry
such an individual.
It was when I reached my late 20s that
I began to understand that my parents’ rela-
tionship looked a lot different through the
eyes of an adult versus a child. I also real-
ized that my mother was not perfect and
could take care of herself.
At some point in your life you will
date a guy and someone may not agree
with it, but only the two of you will under-
stand the connection.
My advice is to try not to concern
yourself with your mother and father’s
relationship with each other, but focus on
their individual relationships with you.
The good thing is that you are able to
observe bad behaviors in order to prevent
this in your future relationships.
When your parents begin to argue, put
on your headphones and listen to some mu-
sic. I used to go outside and ride my bike
when my parents began to fight.
It’s very important to take care of
yourself during these moments by mental-
ly or physically removing yourself. I hope
this at least lets you know that you are not
alone and provides you with some options.
Dear Triton,
How do I come out to homophobic
parents?
— Anonymous, 15
Students Voices 3
Around campus and
the community
Dec. 7 Non-instructional Day (no classes and no faculty on campus): College
Dear Anonymous, Open
When we are able to accept ourselves
with something as important as our sexual Dec. 7 Web grading available to instructors through instructor briefcase
orientation, it’s hard not to want to share
our good news with others—particularly Dec. 8 Final exams begin
the people who love us.
However, it’s crucial to consider in ad- Dec. 9 Final exams
vance how such a disclosure could affect
your situation and personal well-being. Dec. 7: Edmonds Community College Voice Class @ 6:00 p.m. held in the Black
There is a lot at stake for you since you Box Theatre
are 15 years old and living in your parents’
house. Dec. 7: Edmonds Community College Voice Class @ 7:30 p.m. held in the Black
Before you “come out,” consider your Box Theatre
parents as people. Do they have a consis-
tent spiritual practice, and if so, what are
the guidelines espoused in that practice?
Are your parents often judgmental—even
of people on TV—and how and when do
they express their criticism and disapprov-
al?
Do they comment or bring up stories
about gay people, or have their actions
gone further?
Observe yourself in their eyes. Were
you a child who pretty much conformed to
your gender in appearance and/or behav-
ior, or could they have had concerns about
the sexual identity that you are now able to
embrace?
Could their “homophobia” be a kind
of defense, or a way of letting you know
that they don’t approve?
If your parents have exhibited extreme
or violent behavior, I would recommend
that you not come out to them at this time,
but instead seek the advice of organizations
that support gay youth and youth in crisis,
and perhaps even seek out a counselor with
such expertise.
Even if your parents are less extreme
in their response, gay youth organizations
are a great resource for assistance with
challenges around coming out, managing
interactions with family and friends, and
simply finding community.
As a starting place for your research,
I would suggest the international organiza-
tion, PFLAG (pronounced P-flag, Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) which
supports LGBTQ people as well as their
friends and families with national and lo-
cal chapters around the world.
Congratulations on how far you have
come in understanding yourself, your
sexual identity, and reaching this impor-
tant level of self-acceptance. Recognize
your own progress while trying to accept
the fact that your parents and others you
encounter may have a long way to go in
reaching a similar understanding.
Try to see how your “homophobic
parents” may not understand the insensi-
tivity of their attitudes, and that you have
an important opportunity now to help them
grow.
This won’t be done by insisting that
they accept you—but by your practice
of patience in accepting them and loving
them as they are right now.
Make an effort to express to your par-
ents that you love them unconditionally,
regardless of what they say when you tell
them you are gay. Show them the love that
you have for them and—no matter how
much they resist—never stop making this
effort.
I hope that they can find it in them-
selves to show that same love back to
you—believe me, it will be worth the wait.
 4 Campus Notes NovemberJune
December 17,2015
7, 2015
1, 2015

Finals week in the Library

EdCC Library
Campus Notes
It’s that time of the quarter: final ex-
ams, research papers, and presentations.
At the Edmonds CC Library we know this
can be a stressful time and we are here to
support you, with resources, services, and
an always helpful staff. Here is some use-
ful information to get you through the end
of the quarter:
The library will be open our regular
hours during finals week:
Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sat.-Sun. 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
If you have work to do before or after
the library is open, the ACS labs in Alder-
wood Hall are open:
Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-9:45 p.m.
Fri. 7 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Sat. and Sun. closed
During the break between fall and
winter quarters, the library will be closed.
However, the Sno-Isle and King County
public libraries are open. Check their web-
sites for information and hours.
With students feeling the pressures of
final exams and finishing up projects, we
want the library to be a place where every-
one can concentrate and focus.
During the time, the entire library goes
into “FINALS = QUIET” mode. This
means quiet throughout the library, includ-
ing those areas where students throughout
the quarter generally interact and work to-
gether, such as the computer area and the
west side of the library.
If you are in these areas, out of respect
to fellow students, please keep your voices
low and your conversations, both face-to-
face and cellular, to a minimum.
For help putting together a speech or Photo by EdCC Library
a presentation for your class, take a look at A message from the EdCC Library: Be courteous and quiet during finals week of Dec 7.
“Putting Together a Presentation” (http://
edcc.libguides.com/presentation). This is tation guides: MLA (http://edcc.libguides. website at http://www.edcc.edu/library, but
a great resource for finding tips for effec- com/mla), APA (http://edcc.libguides.com/ never hesitate to ask the librarian at the ref-
tive public speeches, links to free software apa_citation) and CSE (http://edcc.lib- erence desk for support.
and online presentation tools, and other de- guides.com/cse) and never hesitate to ask Reference librarians are here to assist
sign tools and resources. the librarian to help. you in person, by phone or email, and 24/7
We know students stress over those ci- There is more information on library online chat through Ask-a- Librarian http://
tations. For help, use one of our handy ci- services and resources, visit the library www.edcc.edu/library/ask.html

Saving energy is conservation-minded

Green Team
The end of the quarter is approach-
ing, but the Green Team is continuing its
mission to educate students on sustainable
practices not only on campus, but through
their daily lives. Energy consumption is
a major problem for the environment, es-
pecially at this time of year. With winter
coming soon, PUD bills could double. As
a Green Team member, two of my top pri-
orities are protecting the environment and
the well-being of people. That is why I
come with some money-saving tips for re-
ducing the consumption of energy in our
residences during the holiday season.
According to the Snohomish County
Public Utility District’s report, reducing
lighting is the first step in energy savings
because “lighting accounts for an average
of 40% of a commercial building’s electri-
cal energy use”. Thus, in order to reduce
our energy bills, we need to use our light-
ing more efficiently. That means turning
off unnecessary lights such as the ones in
unoccupied rooms and spaces. A simple
way to implement this is in our daily lives
is turning off the light when we are the last
person to leave a room. We can also use the
natural daylight instead of artificial light-
ing. During the day, it is most energy-con-
servative to avoid turning on lights unless
they are really needed. Nature has offered
us the gift of daylight. It is totally free and
environmentally friendly. In many of our
rooms and house areas, the overhead light-
ing fixture output gives more light than we
need in the daytime. Thus, by using only
the light needed to complete a task, wheth-
er it is by opening a window, or using a
desk lamp or task lamp, we are practicing
sustainability and saving energy.
Furthermore, with the cold weather
we are experiencing, the heaters in our
homes are now being utilized more than
they have been for the last few months. At
this time of year, the heating system can
become the greatest energy consumers.
According to the Snohomish County Pub-
lic Utility District’s report, an efficient use
of heaters can help save as much as 30%
on the total energy bill as well as reduce
the environmental impact. With that be-
ing said, it is beneficial to use the natural
warmth of the sun to help heat our houses
during the winter. While opening the cur-
tains during sunny days can allow a little
extra heat to enter the house, closing the
curtains when it’s cold can help retain
some of a home’s heat. When we do need
to use the heating system, it is important
to set the thermostat to about 70 degrees
during the times the house is occupied, and
about 55 degrees during unoccupied times.
The Snohomish County Public Utility Dis-
trict’s report affirms that for each degree
we turn down the heat, we save 2-5% on
our heating bill. In addition, it is also help-
ful to turn off the heaters when a space
feels sufficiently warm. This practice can
produce significant energy savings.
Apart from lighting and heating, there
are other culprits of excess energy con-
sumption. The Snohomish County Public
Utility District’s report finds that electron-
ics (computers, phones, televisions, etc.)
consume great amount of our annual ener-
gy. Thus, with regard to the fact that elec-
tronics have such a great impact on our en-
ergy usage and bill, the Snohomish County
Public Utility District’s report argues, “It
is important to make smart decisions about
the models you buy and the ways that you
use electronics.” Turning them off or en-
abling the power-saving mode when they
are not in use helps conserve a lot of en-
ergy. Like all other reduction in energy
consumption, this practice will also help
us save money. More than that, it can even
aid in extending the life of our electronics.
Furthermore, it is proven that, as long as
electronic equipment is plugged in even if
turned off, it still continues to use power.
So, in order to conserve energy, let us un-
plug non-critical machines and devices or
turn off the power strip they are plugged in
when they are not in use. Along the same
line, even the power adapters that charge
mobile devices such as cell phones, mobile
computers, and handheld tools continue to
draw power even when we remove the ful-
ly charged device. To eliminate this energy
waste, we have to unplug chargers or turn
off the power strip they are plugged into
when devices are removed. Thus, turning
off the “unnecessary” is the key for more
conservation of energy.

Used book boards are relocated

Trio
Buy and sell used books: student text-
book exchange
To help students buy, sell, and trade
textbooks, go green, and save money, Ed-
monds Community College students took
the lead to create and promote options for
students to exchange used textbooks by
creating a used book board.
However, the used book boards, origi-
nally located in Brier Hall, have not been
in use for approximately a year due to an
ADA compliance audit. However, we are
happy to say that the book boards are now
relocated and ready for use.
Beginning in November, students can
access these boards at their new location
on the 1st floor the Mountlake Terrace
building on the southwest wall west of the
TRIO office.
Whether you are looking for a text-
book for class, or looking for a way to re-
cycle your used textbooks for some cash,
the used book boards are a perfect alterna-
tive to traditional buying and selling meth-
ods.
The high cost of college textbooks,
their short-lived shelf life, limited use and
limited life has been a primary concern for
today’s college student and should not be a
deterrent to pursuing higher education.
Back in the spring of 2010, the Proj-
ect Management 271 class planned and
executed the enhancement of the bulletin
board system.
These improvements provided the stu-
dent body an effective and accessible way
to buy and sell used textbooks until being
shut down by an ADA compliance audit in
2014.
As of late, the fall 2015 Project Man-
agement 271 class has gained approval
from various stakeholders to move the
boards to a new location that will com-
ply with ADA requirements and allow the
EDCC students to start saving money once
again.
This option requires minimum operat-
ing and maintenance costs and maximizes
the benefits to students.
Edmonds Community College student
textbook resources:
• College bookstore — purchase new
and used textbooks at the beginning of the
quarter, and sell back your used textbook
at the end of each quarter or at http://book-
store.edcc.edu
ed inside the Mountlake Terrace building.
• Student bulletin board — Purchase
Come and check out the new location
and sell used textbooks from other EDCC
and see if there is a textbook for your class-
students by posting advertisements on the
es on there to buy trade.
Edmonds CC student bulletin board, locat-
 The Review
The downfall of EdCC clubs
By Todd M Clayton Jr
Editor-in-Chief
The beginning of Fall Quarter saw
a good number of clubs coming back,
and even more new ones beginning to be
formed.
All the students were excited to be-
come members or even officers in clubs.
Some do it just to make their resume or
college transcript look good, others do it
for the social interaction with other stu-
dents who have the same interest.
Clubs are created by the students
of the college for the students, but as of
late, clubs have gone through a few major
changes that are not well-liked by the stu-
dents or the advisors.
You see, students had the ability to run
the clubs and do all the fund-raising them-
selves. In the days before the changes, the
students just needed the advisor to sign the
green forms that give permission to CSEL
to allow a club to get refunds or permission
to hold a function on school grounds, but
now the students cannot do that anymore.
Students have to have advisors be
present at all fund-raiser events and at any-
thing that the clubs are doing any more.
The higher-ups in the college admin-
istration are basically taking away the abil-
ity to have a “Student Club.” With the new
changes in place, there is no need for a stu-
dent to even be in charge of a club, there is
no reason for a president, vice president or
especially a treasurer.
The advisor has to do everything now
in the club, and if the advisor is busy do-
ing the class stuff, then there is no club
activity. With all these changes, it seems
that thecollege wants to do away with the
student clubs.
The new changes are putting more
work and more responsibility on the advi-
sors and less on the students who actually
started the clubs. It seems that the college
is saying that the students are not respon-
sible enough to run a club.
These new changes are not good for
students’ morale. Many students that are
running the clubs are thinking of closing
up the clubs and not even joining one at all,
because they don’t have the control of the
cub or the advisor cannot be there at every
meeting now.
The college administrators that decid-
ed in favor of the new changes are wrong
and they have not taken into account what
it will do to the college in student morale or
PR; if students are not creating or joining
clubs, they could go to other colleges that
have none of the restrictions on the student
clubs.
Besides coming to school and learn-
ing, students come for the gathering and
mingling of students that enjoy hanging
with other like-minded students. The stu-
dents are the college and their morale is
what is important.
Morris Williamson, a first time student
at EdCC: “I was wanting to start a club on
campus, but when I heard that the advi-
sor would be doing everything, there is no
need. I wanted to bring back the rugby club
but now there is no sense in it because it’s
not a student club anymore.”
If the new policy stays in place, the ad-
ministration could jeopardize the future of
clubs coming back and being started in the
winter quarter and other quarters.
Before the administration made these
News 5
changes, they should have talked with
the clubs and told them about the policy
change that were coming, but no there was
no word until it happened, and was thrown
at the clubs with no warning.
Brooke Johnson, an EdCC student:
“Joining a club is one of the fun things
here. I belong to three clubs and I have
enjoyed going to the meetings. With the
changes, I’m not sure that I’ll even stay a
member any more or that the clubs will be
around for Winter Quarter.”
Clubs are a great enjoyment amongst
the students and before had minimal con-
trol from the advisors; now it seems that
the college is turning them into a class-
room without credit.
This is not going to be good for the
students’ morale if they decide not to start
or continue with clubs, and will look bad
on the college administrators.
So we hope there is a way that it can
work itself out and the clubs will not van-
ish from Edmonds Community College,
because that is the fear in a lot of students’
minds.

Holiday lights around the cities

By Kaitlin Morrison
Staff Writer
December is a magical time of year.
Happy music, delicious smells, and a sense
of wonder can be found nearly everywhere
you go during the holiday season, but
many people will say it’s the lights that
make the season.
The greater Seattle area is lucky to
have so many opportunities to make one’s
holiday season shine bright this year with
a plethora of different destinations to see
spectacular holiday lights!
From neighborhoods decked out
lawn-to-roof to zoos with zebras made out
of twinkling lights, there is something for
everyone this season. Check out the list
below to find your perfect light viewing
destination.
1. Woodland Park Zoo “Zoo Lights”
Seattle, Washington, November 27 – Janu-
ary 3 5:30-8:30 p.m.
With more than 600,000 lights
throughout the zoo grounds, you are bound
to be blown out of your snow boots! While
enjoying the lights, make sure to check out
the indoor snowball area or go meet the
reindeer.
Santa will also be making an appear-
ance every Friday until Christmas, as well
as December 21 – 23. Don’t forget to find
all the peacock-themed lights to be entered
for a chance to win a weekly prize!
5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, Wash
98103
Tickets: Adults (13+) $9.95, Children
(3-12) $6.65 Toddlers (0-2) FREE! Photo By:Todd Clayton Jr
2. Garden d’Lights Bellevue, Wash- One of the many lighted house that is decorated with Christmas and holiday spirit. This house is located in Edmonds, Washington
ington, November 28 - January 2 4:30-
For the past 25 years, the residents of Washington, Every night in December The largest holiday event in the Pacific
9:00 p.m.
Fir Grove have been putting on an amazing Do you love the holidays? Do you Northwest. Enjoy over a million holiday
The Bellevue Botanical Garden has
show every night of December. love the Seahawks? Two houses in Lake lights scattered over 15 acres of land. Pick
been transformed for the holiday season
The entire neighborhood is lit, from Stevens have decided to combine their love up some fresh donuts as you walk the land,
with over half a million lights! Kids under
modestly decorated houses with a few of the two and have brought two amazing enjoy listening to carolers, and maybe
10 get in free, so remember to bring the
strings of lights to houses decorated from Seahawks-decorated houses to the public check out the holiday theatre. Keep your
whole family.
head to toe, and then set up to music! Santa this season. eyes peeled so you don’t miss Santa. Don’t
Volunteers have put in thousands of
will be making rounds nightly to collect You can find them at 12809 20th St forget to ride the Polar Express train, and
hours collectively to put on their best sea-
toys, food and money donations for The NE, Lake Stevens, Washington, and 11704 perhaps consider staying the night at one of
son yet. Keep an eye out for Charlotte in
Salvation Army. 20th St NE, Lake Stevens, Washington. the six accommodations offered – they’re
her web, or for Winnie the slug making
This year the fun kicks off at the in- Don’t forget to wear your jersey! also decked out with lights.
rounds in the garden!
tersection of 21st Ave. SE and 104th Street 12809 20th St NE, Lake Stevens / 20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood, Wash-
12001 Main Street Bellevue, Wash-
SE. 11704 20th St NE, Lake Stevens, Wash- ington 98292
ington 98005
104th St SE and 21st Ave SE, Everett, ington Tickets: Adults (13-59) $16 ($12 with
Tickets: $5 per person, Children 10
Washington, 98208 near the Costco Tickets: FREE! military ID) Seniors (56+) $12, Youth
and under get in free
Tickets: FREE! Donations preferred, 5. The Lights of Christmas, Stan- (4-12) $11, Child (0-3) FREE! Come in
3. Fir Grove Neighborhood, Ever-
but not required. wood, Washington, December 3-6, 10-13, groups of 20 or more and save $3 off each
ett, Washington, Every night in December
4. Seahawks Houses Lake Stevens, 17-23, 26-29 5:00-10:00 p.m. ticket.
6 NovemberJune
17,1,2015
2015

The Triton Review Fal

1st Place Amanda Hart

‘Silent Autumn’

2nd Place Roger Addams

‘Colors of Autumn’
 The Review A&E 7

ll 2015 Photo Contest

Honorable Mention

Marcus
‘Seattle at Night’

Joseph Fedorov
‘Don’t Be Angry with the Rain’ 3rd Place
 Opinion
8 November 17,1,2015
Attack on Paris: The facts
By Everett Amundson
Staff Writer
After the terrifying attack in Paris on
November 13, the French and US presi-
dents came together to show their soli-
darity. “It is true that on 9/11, we all felt
Americans. But after the 13th of Novem-
ber, Americans felt French”, said French
President Francois Hollande in a public
address with US President Barack Obama.
The two presidents showed their unwav-
ering support for each other and renewed
their resolve to eradicate terrorism.
“On Thursday, I will be traveling to
Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin”,
said President Hollande, “And I will tell
him that France can work together with
Russia if Russia concentrates its military
action on Daesh, against ISIL, and if Rus-
sia fully commits to the political solution
in Syria”, he continued.
The historic allies of France,
Russia,and the USA have moved moun-
tains and led us to win the Second World
War, so what can it do for us in the war on
terrorism?
He went on to outline the basis of a
plan to allow Syria, where ISIL has had a
huge effect and corrupted the political pro-
cess, to return to a democracy and to help
effect a peaceful transition.
“Diplomatically, we’re working on a
credible political transition in Syria with-
in the framework of the Vienna process.”
(The Vienna process references the Vienna
Convention that drew up guidelines so that
independent countries could have diplo-
matic relations.) Bashar al-Assad’s leader-
ship has lead to the outbreak of a civil war.
“Because we cannot imagine the Syr-
ians getting together, gathering around the
leader who is responsible for some -- the
most of 300,000 dead in a few years”, said
The Legacy of the Defender: A sword-swinging hit
By Todd M Clayton Jr
Editor-in-Chief
Book Review
“Legacy of the Defender”: By Jacob
Spadt
Cover Art: By Abner Hernandez
Dieter is the main character and he is
sixteen years old. After a close encounter
with Bigfoot (Sasquatch), everything in his
life changes.
He learns that he is a defender of the
human race from daemons of “Hell.” and
that there is a war between Heaven and
Hell raging, which is where Dieter comes
in, or his real persona of The Defender.
Dieter learned about this while in a
comma. Once he accepts his destiny, Di-
eter starts to train and learn about what be-
coming The Defender means.
This book blends elements of Urban
Fantasy and mild aspects of spirituality.
It starts fast-paced and doesn’t end even
Arts & Entertainment Events
Dec. 7 Non-instructional Day (no classes and no faculty Geek & Culture Club Meet every Friday at 1 p.m. Monroe Hall
on campus): College Open
Dec. 7 Web grading available to instructors through in- EdCC Historical Society Meet every Friday at 11:30 a.m. Brier
structor briefcase
Dec. 11 Last day of fall quarter
Dec. 7: Edmonds Community College Voice Class @ 6:00
p.m. held in the Black Box Theatre
Photo By: Pascal Turner
PARIS — As Paris mourned after the terrorist attacks, the Ei-
ffel Tower was lit up Monday evening in blue, white and red.
President Hollande, commenting on the
President of the Syrian Arab Republic.
The purpose of the Islamic State of
Iraq and Levant (ISIL) attack on Paris is
still unknown, but many theories have
already been circulating among the inter-
national governments and news reporters
worldwide. It may be years, and after the
fall of the ISIL, that we discover their true
purpose.
The U.S. only recently discovered the
reason for al Qaeda’s attack on the twin
towers, after raiding an office in Kabul and
retrieving the information from computers.
The leading theory surmises that
this is retribution for France’s contribu-
tion to the USA’s coalition against the ter-
rorists. Australia, Belgium, Canada, Den-
at the last page; after reading the book it
makes you want more. The story is well
written and the author had a great eye for
plot detail from chapter to chapter.
The dialogue between the main char-
acter and all those he meets is incredible. It
was like reading a book from a well-known
author, and it is hard to believe that this is
his first book so far. He has set the bar high;
I hope he can continue to jump over it.
Once I started reading this book I
couldn’t put it down. The Defender is
based in Snohomish, Washington, where
most of the sightings of Sasquatch have
been taken place.
This is a new and compelling story
that is worth reading, one of the best good-
versus-evil books I have read in a long
time.
“Legacy of the Defender” does have
elements of Christian-style spirituality, but
it does not preach or spout the gospels of
that faith to tell the story.
I really enjoyed this book and recom-
110
Hall 244
Dec 11: last day of Fall Quarter
Jan 4 first day of Winter Quarter
mark, Jordan, Morocco, the Netherlands,
the United Kingdom and France have all
contributed military force to the coalition
led by the USA.
Though instead of striking fear into
France, The attack seem to have lit a spark
in the President of France, as he remarked
in the East Room of the White house:
“We, therefore, decided, President Obama
and myself, to scale up our strikes both in
Syria and in Iraq, to broaden our scope, to
strengthen our intelligence-sharing regard-
ing the targets we must aim at.”
As for President Obama’s stance
on support of the French and the war on
terrorism, “President Hollande, it has been
an honor to welcome you to the White
House before, in happier times than this”
he began. “It is a scourge that threatens all
of us”, President Obama said when talking
about the ISIL in his address.
“More than 8,000 airstrikes, com-
bined with local partners on the ground,
have pushed ISIL back from territory in
both Iraq and Syria”, stated President
Obama. “Today, President Hollande and I
agreed that our nations must do even more
together.” Hopefully, with the combined
might of the USA and France, we will be
able to end this threat to democracy.
In their attempt to cull the bomb-
ings of ISIL territory, Syria and Iraq, may
have very well written their own demise
by bringing down the combined wrath of
the United States and France, and possibly
Russia.
“France and the United States, given
their history and the values -- the founding
values of both our nations, given our spir-
its, we both have that duty to act as a matter
of -- urgently against terrorism and against
Daesh, and at the same time, to prepare for
the future”, said President Hollande as a
closing comment.
mend this to everyone who enjoys fantasy
and metaphysics. I give this book five out
of five stars, and I cannot wait until book
two comes out to see where the story goes
from there.
June 2015
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Mississippi Grind” (R) -- Gerry (Ben
Mendelsohn) has done a whole lot of gam-
bling, and very little winning. Divorced,
deluded and deep in debt to a tenacious
loan shark (Alfre Woodard), poor Gerry
pins his hopes on a younger, better player,
Curtis (Ryan Reynolds). Gerry convinces
Curtis to join him on a trip down the Mis-
sissippi River, from Iowa to New Orleans,
placing bets and flipping cards at every
stop. Gerry is clearly an addict with trag-
edy in his bones, but he truly believes that
success and happiness is just a good streak
away.
So it’s road flick, underdog, male-
bonding story and addiction drama, but
it doesn’t feel pushed along. Mendelsohn
rules his role as somebody who’s been
beaten down -- so much that he may not
have another chance after this one -- but
keeps getting up for more. He’s acting
against his better judgment, but you want
him to win.
“Cooties” (R) -- A nasty, not-so-organ-
ic chicken nugget served up for cafeteria
lunch kicks off a zombie plague inside an
elementary school. An unsuccessful young
writer, Clint (Elijah Wood), returns to his
hometown and takes up working as a sub-
stitute teacher. He’s not well-equipped to
teach a roomful of children, and even less
prepared to fight a whole school of pre-
teen zombies. Clint has a crush on fellow
faculty member Lucy (Allison Pill), but
she’s involved with a dopey gym teacher
(Rainn Wilson).
Sadly, the movie runs out of fun while
there’s still plenty of runtime left. The
humor comes from the same shtick over
and over, and the horror isn’t horrifying.
Comedy-horror can exist -- “Shaun of the
Dead” proves it -- but this movie doesn’t
hit either target.
“90 Minutes in Heaven” (PG-13) --
Based on a real-life memoir, pastor Don
Piper (Hayden Christensen) was in a head-
on collision with a semi-truck on a narrow
country bridge. His injuries were so bad
that he was declared dead by first respond-
ers. Through a long recovery, Piper was
wracked with physical pain, as well as a
unique emotional pain -- he says he saw
heaven in all its glory, only to be ripped
back to earth and returned to his broken
body. This drama, told out-of-sequence
with the events, covers the emotional and
spiritual journey of Don and the struggles
of his wife, Eva (Kate Bosworth).
“Some Kind of Beautiful” (R) -- Rich-
ard (Pierce Brosnan) is a rakish British
professor of literature who practices his
romanticism on gorgeous young under-
grads. A 25-year-old flame, Kate (Jessica
Alba), ends up pregnant with his child, so
Richard goes with her to LA -- in one of
those sun-drenched beach mini-resorts that
only people in rom-coms can afford -- to
raise his son and try being a one-girl kind
of guy. Kate falls for an age-appropriate
man, leaving Richard to romance her older
half-sister, Olivia (Selma Hayak). Despite
her obvious objections to the cad, she is
charmed by him, and the audience is some-
how supposed to fall for the same trick.
TV RELEASES
“The Walking Dead Season 5 Limited
Edition”
“Fear the Walking Dead: Season 1”
“Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol-
ume XXXIV”
“2015 World Series Film”
“Zoo: Season 1”
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
 The Review
Kick off the holidays in style
By Denise Robles
Staff Writer
When the weather drops down to 30
degrees, everyone’s bundled up and it’s hot
cocoa season… you know it’s finally the
holiday season again and the happiest time
of the year! Start it off with taking a trip
down to Downtown Bellevue.
In the heart of Bellevue there’s a whole
bunch of activities and fun-filled events go-
ing on for seven weeks. It’s known as the
famous Bellevue Magic Season, the perfect
place to get your holiday spirit kicking in.
It’s a great community celebration where
you can take your family and friends.
There are different festivities that go
on every week, shopping centers to get
your holiday shopping done and free pa-
rades. It’s quite a show and something you
can’t miss.
Snowflake Lane is something a lot of
locals look forward to at this time of year!
It’s about a twenty-minute parade with toy
soldiers, fairy princesses, snow, and Santa
even makes an appearance; it’s the closest
thing you’re going to get to a Winter Won-
derland.
The roads are closed off so it does get
a little crazy. Plan to arrive early rather
than later and you won’t regret it. It goes
on every day at no cost up until the 31st of
December at 7p.m. There’s no better way
to get into the holiday feel, with live mu-
sic, drummers, and beautiful lights plan a
spontaneous trip and bring your family and
friends!
After Snowflake Lane, there’s also an
ice skating rink right next to it; it’s the big-
gest ice skating rink in the region!
For admission, it’s $12 per session
with skates included; with personal skates
it’s only $9 and group rates are available as
well. If you’re looking for a snack, there
are concession stands with Dippin’ Dots,
pizzas, pretzels, popcorn and other assort-
ed foods. There’s music from STAR 101.5,
and a series of special events including
Free-Skate Mondays, free skating lessons,
Stroller Skate Thursdays, Husky Skate
Day and Coug Day!
Mario Candice goes every year with
his family. He says, “I started going to Bel-
levue Magic Season a few years ago. Ever
since then, my family and I started going
every year; it’s like a tradition now. When
December rolls around, we always have
to check out what’s going on. Every year
they always add something different so it’s
definitely a fun and memorable experience
every time we go.”
How can one miss the Botanical Gar-
den? There are thousands of light that illu-
minate this beautiful garden; it’s brighter
than ever.
Alyssa Santos recently just went for
the first time. She says, “The view was
breathtaking. It reminded me of Disney-
land; for only $5 for entry, why not? That
is a sweet deal to me. I’d highly recom-
mend it. If you enjoy lights and want to
feel like you’re in a Winter Wonderland,
it’s a must.”
However, many people may argue and
have some frustration on how crazy Bel-
levue Magic Season can be. Weekends
may not be the best time to go. It’s busiest
then and parking is a big issue, especially
if you’re late. However, there are ways to
avoid the crowd and parking issues; com-
ing early or even going on the weekdays
is the best time to go. Save yourself some
time and stress.
There are a whole lot of different ac-
tivities and places to go to in downtown
Bellevue. Besides Snowflake Lane, the
Botanical Garden and ice skating, there’s
always Bellevue Square right down the
street.
Lifestyle 9
Enjoying the beautiful city lights with
your family and friends and also getting
your Christmas shopping done all in one
day is a win-win situation. You can even
get a bite to eat at the Cheesecake Factory
right along the mall.
Who would want to pass up on some
delicious cheesecakes? From Fresh Straw-
berry Cheesecake topped with fresh glazed
strawberries, to Red Velvet and their
scrumptious cream cheese frosting, to an
Oreo Cheesecake with layers of fudge and
Oreos. How can you pass up on delicious-
ness? Spend a day in Bellevue and get your
holiday spirit kicking in!
Pricing, Events, and informational
notes below:
Magic Season Ice Arena
Bellevue Downtown Park – NE 1st
Street and 102nd Avenue NE Photo By: Adam Tuttle
Free Skate Mondays compliments Families of all ages, some dressed in holiday style, celebrated the annual Tree Lighting in Downtown Grand Junction, kicking
of Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card. off the holiday festivities.
Show your Alaska Airlines Visa Signa-
through the gardens and enjoy music by lights.
ture® card to receive two free skate admis-
Classical KING FM 98.1. Don’t miss Celebration Lane, The Bel-
sions on Mondays. Limit of two admissions
Bellevue Botanical Garden – 12001 levue Collection’s glittering salute to ring-
per person and limited to skate availability
Main Street ing in the New Year! Be sure to join in on
$12 admission (includes skate rental),
Open nightly, 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Last a fantastic celebration featuring a display
8-year-olds and under $9 (includes skate
entry at 9 p.m.) of brilliant lights, dancing drummers, fun
rental)
Advance tickets available online at characters and music that will have every-
Advance Discount Admission Pass –
Gardendlights.org one rocking to the beat as festive bubbles
Purchase 10 skating passes (includes skate
$5 admission; children 10 and under fall from the sky.
rental) for $85 (a $35 savings)
free Snowflake Lane: November 27 – De-
Special events including free lessons,
On-site parking $5 per vehicle, free cember 24, on the streets between Bellev-
Stroller Skating, family skate days and
with handicap permit. Free parking avail- ue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue
themed skate nights
able at Wilburton Hill Park. Place.
Booking availability for private holi-
Snowflake Lane and Celebration Lane Celebration Lane: December 26 – De-
day and birthday parties
Dates: 01 Dec, 2015 – 04 Jan, 2016 cember 31, on the sidewalks between Bel-
The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center
How to find us: Bellevue Square, The levue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue
Dates: 27 Nov – 23 Dec, 2015
Bellevue Collection, Lincoln Square and Place.
Address: NE 6th Street and 112th Av-
Bellevue Place Free nightly shows at 7 p.m.
enue NE
Experience this magical evening per-
Website: http://meydenbauer.com
formance of live Toy Soldier Drummers,
Phone: (425) 450-3810
costumed characters, Jingle Belle Dancers,
The Theatre at Meydenbauer Cen-
lively music, falling snow and glittering
ter hosts a magical series of musical and
dramatic productions, including The Nut-
cracker, The Elves and the Shoemaker,
Magical Strings – A Celtic Yuletide and
more by regional and local performance
groups. For more information and a com-
plete schedule of performances visit Mey-
denbauer.com or call (425) 450-3810.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s Fam-
ily Gingerbread House Workshops
Dates: 27 – 28 Nov, 2015
Location: Bellevue
Address: 900 Bellevue Way NE
How to find us: Evergreen Ballroom
Website: http://kidsquestmuseum.org
Work together with family or friends
to decorate a unique gingerbread house us-
ing KidsQuest’s giant candy buffet! Kids-
Quest cleans up the mess and you go home
with a marvelous gingerbread creation to
enjoy throughout the season. For more in-
formation and to sign up for workshops
visit KidsQuestMuseum.org. Pre-registra-
tion required and space is limited.
Hyatt Regency Bellevue at Bellevue
Place – 900 Bellevue Way NE, Evergreen
Ballroom
Family Gingerbread House Work-
shops:
Friday, Nov. 27, Noon – 2 p.m. and 5
– 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. – Noon and
2 – 4 p.m.
Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Bo-
tanical Garden
Dates: 28 Nov, 2015 – 02 Jan, 2016
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Address: 12001 Main St
Website: http://gardendlights.org
Brought to you by the Bellevue Bo-
tanical Garden Society and Bellevue Parks
and Community Services, Garden d’Lights
features thousands of lights which trans-
form the Bellevue Botanical Garden into
a blossoming winter wonderland. Stroll
10 Sports November
June2,1,2015
2015

Skiing & boarding in El Niño

By Lucas Bissell
Staff Writer

When the cool rains of autumn end

and the leaves have fallen to the forest
floor, Jack Frost makes his annual ap-
pearance. Along with the smell of the
dead and frozen Phycosphere, covered
by the harsh, enduring snowfall, comes
the ever-popular skiing season.
With the biting winds, the chilled
mornings and the cold, bright sun, the
season begins for many on the steep
snowy slopes of the Cascade mountain
range. Skiing is a popular sport for
many people from many walks of life. It
is a great way to bring together family
and friends for an outdoor activity, all
having a blast upon the slopes as they
breathe in the crisp mountain air.
However, during the last few years,
an unambiguous decrease in ski activity
has not gone unnoticed by the Wash-
ington public, and for a good reason.
According to the National Ski Areas As-
sociation, the West Coast, specifically
the Pacific Northwest regions of Wash-
ington have not been faring so well with
the amount of snow they have been re-
ceiving on the slopes as of late., but there
has in some years have been blanketed
on the fields, but the last few have been
naught for the sparse sprinklings, which
have been generous to the skiers.
During the 2014 and 2015 season
the slope visitors reflected the decline in
snowfall by the numbers. Even though
places like Colorado and Utah had some
of their best seasons on record, Wash-
ington has been struggling during the
last three years in particular.
If you haven’t understood by now,
weather has a large and sometimes det-
rimental impact on how ski areas per-
form from year to year. A larger blan-
ket of white will yield a larger influx of
green, as it were, leaving the big ques-
tion on everyone’s mind: Will the phe-
nomenon known as El Niño will have
any effect on the slopes this year, and if
so, in a positive or negative way?
“The Boy” or El Niño, as it is called
around the world, is a global weather
affecter that causes widespread effects
all around the world. The effect is a
condition that starts with warmer-than-
average sea surface temperatures in the
eastern and central Pacific Ocean near
the Equator. What does this have to do
with weather for us in the Pacific North-
west? To answer this question, we need
only look at the data.
When the unusually warm seawa-
Samantha taking on the powder as she skis down the smooth slope of Mt. Rainier during one of her many trips in the winter.
heats the atmosphere, it can change the
weather around the globe for up to two
years.
The results could be droughts,
floods and even ice storms. El Niño hap-
pens usually every two to seven years
and has happened roughly 20 times
since 1950. What does this mean for ski-
ing? The effect of El Niño usually cuts
off the jet stream that goes through the
Pacific Northwest, causing the snowfall
in winter, and even affecting the spring
rains the following year. The jet stream
gets split shuttling the storms north to
Alaska and south to California.
But this gets back to skiing. To ski,
as many know, there needs to be not just
snowfall, there needs to be lots of it, and
it has to stick. In general, the average
temperatures in Washington are a de-
gree or two warmer during the event of
El Niño, and when it comes down to a
degree or two, that could mean all of the
difference between snowfall and rainfall.
The ski resorts around this area
during this time are realistically wary of
the forecast. El Niño is a horse of many
colors.
For example, in the winter of 2004-
2005 the weather elicited one of the
worst winters for skiing on record; how-
ever the El Niño in 2006-2007 delivered
nearly 100 inches more snowfall than
normal.
When it comes to average projection
ing an El Niño, with stormy conditions
north of Washington and south as well,
with more precipitation.
However, around the Northwest,
they are expecting less precipitation
with warmer temperatures. NOAA is
showing a 30-40% drier-than-normal
season, which again will affect the skiing
season severely.
The CFSv2 seasonal forecast Long-
Range Model shows roughly the same
thing. The only difference is the models
around the Olympic Mountain range
and Hurricane ridge in particular.
This model shows that there will
be some moderate snowfall there, mak-
ing for some nice skiing conditions, but
along the Cascades, the same lack of
snow. Now, although the CFSv2 model
is not the most reliable, the Japanese
JAMSTEC model has been the most ac-
curate during the last few years in the
prediction of weather patterns around
the world.
The JAMSTEC model shows the
common snowfall predicted for El Niño
which is again high snowfall in north-
western Canada and into Alaska, as well
as a good amount in the Tahoe region of
California. However, again, little rain in
the Pacific Northwest mountains.
A competitive skier speaking on the
Photo By: Todd Cavanaugh
subject told of very differing observa-
tions when it came down to the snowfall
on Mount Baker. “Oh, Mount Baker was
fine,” Jill Jackson said. “There was quite
a bit of snow and no hints of Chowder
(chopped up powdered snow) or even
any boilerplate snow. It was pretty
smooth the entire day.”
The skier mentioned is on the light
side, making for a little easier skiing
when it comes down to the particulars
of snowpack; however, the consensus at
least for now is that snow is falling and it
is still robust upon the slopes.
What this means for the mid-season,
we still do not know. For now, however,
it seems like it is staying constant.
In the end, if you wanted to do any
sort of skiing, the Pacific Northwest
might not be the place to go. The most
lucrative and practical options would be
the Oregon ski resorts, as well as resorts
as far south as Lake Tahoe.
Alaska would also be a good choice;
however, therein lies the need for a pass-
port, except to travel to Alaska.
The Mount Baker Pass has already
opened with a good pack of snow; so far
it is all natural, none trucked in. How-
ever, how long this will last is Untenable:
“incapable of being defended, as an ar-
gument.

Athletic Events
ter (such as during the event of El Niño) forecasts, the NOAA forecast shows the
typical weather we would expect dur-

Dec. 8 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Green River Home

Dec. 11 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs Grays Harbor Home

Dec. 17 3 Days Men’s Basketball @ SPCC Crossover

Away

Dec. 18 3 Days Women’s Basketball @ Linn-Benton Tourna-

ment Away

Dec. 28 3 Days Men’s Basketball @ Clackamas Tournament

Away

Jan. 2 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs Tacoma Home

Jan. 4 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs Blue Angels Home

The Review Comics & Games 11

1. GEOGRAPHY: How many U.S.

states border the Gulf of Mexico?
2. TELEVISION: Who lives at 124
Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, Pacific
Ocean?
3. LITERATURE: What was the name
of the first mate in “Moby-Dick”?
4. MOVIES: What film was the first
full-length “talkie”?
5. MATH: What is the decimal equiv-
alent of the fraction one-eighth?
6. HISTORY: In what year did Presi-
dent Jimmy Carter pardon all Vietnam War
draft dodgers?
7. FOOD & DRINK: What is the tra-
ditional liquor used in making a Tom Col-
lins drink?
8. ANATOMY: What is the only mus-
cle in the human body that’s attached at
only one end?
9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the
offspring of a cockroach called?
10. DISCOVERIES: Who was the
first to show how anesthesia could be used
to relieve surgical pain?
10. William Morton (1846)
9. Nymphs
8. The tongue
7. Gin
6. 1977
5. 0.125
4. “The Jazz Singer” (1927)
3. Starbuck
2. SpongeBob SquarePants
Mississippi and Texas)
1. Five (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana,
Answers

(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

12 Comics & Games
Answers to
last issue puzzles
* It was Scottish novelist and politi-
cian John Buchan who made the following
sage observation: “We can pay our debt to
the past by putting the future in debt to our-
selves.”
* The general board of the prestigious
University of Cambridge has recommend-
ed that the institution hire a Professor of
Lego. Yep. The lucky academic will head
up the Research Centre on Play in Educa-
tion, Development and Learning. On a re-
lated note, Cambridge recently received a
donation of more than $6 million from the
Lego Foundation.
* If you happen to have 40 billion
Lego bricks lying around, you could, theo-
retically, build a tower to the moon.
* Single-shot coffee makers like
Keurig are increasingly popular, but the
inventor of the K-Cup coffee pods doesn’t
actually use them himself. John Sylvan
says, “I don’t have one. They’re kind of
expensive to use.” He added, “It’s not like
drip coffee is tough to make.”
* Beloved British author Charles
Dickens was forced to go to work at the
age of 11, pasting labels on bottles of shoe
polish in a boot-blacking factory. Soon af-
ter, his father was put in debtors’ prison,
and when his mother and siblings went to
live with him there; young Charles was left
to live on the streets and fend for himself.
It’s not surprising, then, that after Dickens
achieved the great success he enjoyed as
a writer, he was an ardent campaigner for
children’s rights.
* If you plan to become a patriotic
citizen of Greece, I hope you have a good
memory: The Greek national anthem has a
whopping 158 verses.
***
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
Horoscope
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Don’t
feel sheepish about looking to spend more
time with that special person during the
upcoming holidays. Do it because it’s the
right thing to do.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Nev-
er mind letting misunderstandings repair
themselves. Consider speaking up while
the healing process can be shorter and
sweeter and leave fewer scars.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Ro-
mance is easily awakened in the Geminian
heart, especially around the happy holiday
season. So go ahead and make those plans
with that special someone.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Moon
Children can glow with their own inner
light as the holiday season magic takes
hold. It’s a very special time for Cancers
and Libras together. Enjoy.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s a good
time for you fabulous Felines to take plea-
sure in your special gift for, well, taking
pleasure! Look for this holiday season to
give you every reason to purr.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)
This is a good time to let others who are in
your life get a little closer to you. You’ll
both find out what you’ve been missing for
far too long.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
Open up your eyes and see some welcome
surprises you’ve missed or overlooked for
Have story ideas?
- Is something going on around campus?
Comments on
stories?
- Letters to the editor are a good way to
too long. What you find can lead to other
favorable changes.
SCORPIO (October 23 to Novem-
ber 21) What you expect to be potentially
troublesome might simply be especially
challenging and well worth your efforts to
check out. Good luck!
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to De-
cember 21) A friendship might not seem as
trustworthy as you’d like. OK. Ask your
questions, get your answers and settle the
matter once and for all.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to Janu-
ary 19) A family situation moves into a
new area because of (or, maybe, thanks to)
some decisions you might have felt you
could not avoid making.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to Febru-
ary 18) You could be cutting it very close
if you hope to make those holiday plan
changes in time to avoid problems. Get a
friend or family member to help.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Friends show how important you are to
them. Keep these precious relationships
thriving. They affect much that will hap-
pen to the fabulous Fish in the new year.
BORN THIS WEEK: Time spent at
home alone nurtures your mystic self.
Spending your time with others nurtures
them.
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
Thought for the Day: “The greatest
analgesic, soporific, stimulant, tranquiliz-
er, narcotic and to some extent even antibi-
otic -- in short, the closest thing to a genu-
ine panacea -- known to medical science is
work.” -- Thomas Szasz
let us know what’s working and what’s
not.
Or want to write for us?
Drop us a line at:
tritoneditor@gmail.com