LEAF School wildlife projects featured in newsletters

Snohomish County featured Edmonds Community College's Learn and Serve Environmental Anthropology Field (LEAF) School in a Wildlife Monitoring Project Update in its March 2012 staff newsletter.

LEAF students have been been monitoring the wildlife passage culvert installed by Snohomish County Public Works as part of the Granite Falls Alternate Route project (now Quarry Road).

According to the county, with a year of data collected, no road kill or vehicle/wildlife collisions have been reported to date and a variety of wildlife (deer, coyote, raccoon, rabbits, dogs and cats) have been using the culvert — which makes the road safer for both vehicles and wildlife.

"The avoidance of accidents is a great accomplishment because more than 2,000 vehicles a day travel the road," the article said.

LEAF  students are also monitoring wildlife at other county projects.

The LEAF School was also featured in the Kettle Falls School District newsletter. Students assist students at Kettle Falls with wildlife tracking and related assignment and help Kettle Falls High School students set up wolverine snare hair stations and monitor trail cameras on the Boulder Highway Pass.

The information gathered is used by Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service to monitor the presence of wolverines on the Kettle Crest.

LEAF School students have worked with Kettle Falls students for the past three years.

LEAF is a series of Human Ecology anthropology classes with a strong service-learning component. Register now for spring quarter classes. Classes start April 2.

LEAF School transforms garden at Whidbey Institute

The Edmonds Community College Learn and Serve Environmental Anthropology Field (LEAF) School was featured in the article LEAF transforms the whole garden! on the Whidbey Institute blog Learning From the Land — with lots of photos!

The institute thanked anthropology instructor Dr. Tom Murphy, Americorp volunteer Erin Ryan, and LEAF students: Nicole Allais, Aurash Arvani, David Beckman, Rita Boonprasert, Damien Douglas, Mark Dunnigan, Gema Ebanks, Gabriella Golzarian, Calvin Hansen, Courtney Honey, Jane Hutchinson, Matt Klatt, Anders Kvarnberg, Kate Luebke, Sarah Mortensen, Kim Ohlmann, Michael Stringfellow, Leif Takacs, and Gail Tamura.

LEAF is a series of Human Ecology anthropology classes with a strong service-learning component. Register now for spring quarter classes. Classes start April 2.

Edmonds Library hosts new literary series

Join local authors at the Edmonds Public Library (650 Main Street) on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. as poets and prose writers hosted by the EPIC series read from their work, offer insights on their craft, and share hands-on writing exercises.

On Thursday, March 8, EPIC presents four poets and prose writers from a group called The Writing Sisters: Monda Van Hollebeke, Kizzie Jones, Joanne Peterson, and Reni Roxas.

The March 8 event will have a special emphasis on poems and essays which pay tribute to classic Hollywood, as a nod to the March 9 appearance of Lorna Luft singing the songs of her mother, Judy Garland, at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

The Edmonds Prose/Poetry Interactive Community (EPIC) supports Edmonds-area writers and readers by producing literary events which are offered free of charge. EPIC programs are open to adults and teens interested in the craft of writing nonfiction, dialogue, humor, poetry, memoir, fiction, and all genres in between!

If you're a writer looking for a friendly exchange of ideas, EPIC events are for you. If you're a reader interested in knowing more about how authors produce their works, EPIC events are for you, too.

Started by managing director Janette Turner and creative director Amanda Laughtland, EPIC is produced through a collaborative effort of the Edmonds Arts Commission, Edmonds Library, Friends of the Edmonds Library, Swedish Hospital Art Committee, and the Edmonds Community College literary magazine, Between the Lines.

EPIC events in January and February featured mystery novelist and nonfiction writer Skye Moody and SketchFest Seattle director and comedy writer Clayton Weller.

In April 2012, EPIC will host a poetry writing workshop with Judith Roche. In May 2012, meet outdoors writer Craig Romano, author of Backpacking Washington and several other titles for Mountaineers Books.

Also starting in April 2012, Janette Turner will lead a free drop-in writing group on Monday mornings at 11 a.m. at the Edmonds Library. Bring pen and paper!

Keep up with details on upcoming events and speakers on the Facebook page for EPIC Literary Series at www.facebook.com/EPICseries. For more information, feel free to call or email Amanda Laughtland at amanda.laughtland@edcc.edu or 425.640.1339 ext. 7248.

Meet student: Shanti de la Pena, Associate of Arts

"It is a great environment to learn in.”
— Shanti de la Pena
Running Start, Associate of Arts

Why Edmonds CC? I know people who go here and they told me it was a good place to go. After going here, I met new friends and that made me want to stay.
Why now? I wanted to get a head start on classes I have to do in the future. By junior year in high school, I had completed almost all of my required credits and was ready to spend time working on classes I needed to get finished.
High school: Lynnwood
Working at: Clay Pit, JCP Photography Studio
Volunteering at: an elementary school
Best college experience: Meeting all the people here and realizing how friendly and mature people were. College is a lot different from high school.
Biggest challenge: Time management — Sometimes it is hard to get all the things you know you need to get done, done on time.
Favorite class: Spanish — I thought it would be hard, and while I may have not been good at it the teacher was sure to make the effort to work with everyone and keep people on track with the class. The students were also really fun and helpful. It was a great environment to learn in.
Best advice: Keep up with homework and don't procrastinate! Doing a little work every day is a lot easier than doing all your homework the night before. And don't be afraid to get help.
On my iPod: Memories by David Guetta
Movie: Horrible Bosses
Author: Alice Sebold
College goal: Graduating from UW with a 4.0
Dream job: To work in a photography studio or something in the creative arts.

Meet student: Selma Tanjo, Associate in Pre-Nursing

“Edmonds CC is a great school so it was an easy decision for me to make.”
— Selma Tanjo

Running Start, Associate in Pre-Nursing

Why Edmonds CC? Running Start was a great opportunity for me to finish high school and my AA at the same time so I decided to do it.
Working at: Harbor Square Athletic Club
Best college experience: Meeting new people every quarter. There were always new faces and it’s an overall great environment to be in.
Biggest challenge: Managing all my classes in Running Start, playing volleyball and working all at the same time — but I did it!
Advice for students: Learn good time management — when a person manages their time, they will do well in their classes.
Traveled to: Bosnia, Turkey, and Germany — but I have never been to a state outside of Washington!
Interests: I love to play sports! I played volleyball all four years of high school and played basketball for two years in high school.
College goal: Master’s in Nursing
Dream job: I would love to work with cancer patients at Swedish Medical Center in downtown Seattle.

Students create "Tatanka" artwork in creative welding class

David Taylor's creative welding class in the Native American Career and Technical Education Program created the artwork "Tatanka" currently displayed on the second floor of Snohomish Hall at Edmonds Community College. Sonny Dippary assisted with the piece. Student participants were Lepae S. Nielsen, Adam Bob, Sherry Bradford, David Henson, David Hunt, Spencer Morris, and Darren Levantonio.

Meet artist Kristen T. Ramirez Feb. 24

See "Lore" an exhibit by artist Kristen T. Ramirez in the college art gallery through Feb. 24. The exhibit, incorporating students' histories and lore, is a mixed media installation drawing on sign painting and typography.

Meet the artist 4:30-6:30 p.m., Fri., Feb. 24 at the Heart and Grace Reception for Women's History Month in the college art gallery. Refreshments will be provided by Edmonds Community College Culinary Arts.


Find more photos like this on Edmonds Community College

Student recieves scholarship from Machinists Union

Congratulations to Edmonds Community College student Hunter Coulombe who was featured in Machinists News as one of three students to earn a scholarship for aerospace training from Machinists Union District Lodge 751.

Read "District 751 sponsors scholarships for aerospace".

Comedy of Love at the Black Box Theatre

Stumped on what to do tomorrow night? Celebrate Valentine's Day (Singles Awareness Day- call it what you will!) at the Black Box Theatre with Comedy of Love, 8 p.m., Tues., Feb. 14.

Join us for a special Valentine's Day themed improv show, as Unexpected Productions explores the passions of the holiday through hilarious comedy improv. Watch as veteran improvisers take on love, lust and everything in between, all based on audience inspiration. All ages are welcome. A lounge area will be open for those 21 and over. Comedy of Love has been a hit since 2005. The six performers are couples themselves.

Tickets are $15. Pre-order online or purchase at the box office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tues., Feb. 14.

About Theatresports: Seattle Theatresports is the most professional improv show the Northwest has to offer. Theatersports is comedy, improv, theater, and sports all rolled into one! Teams of improvisers create scenes based entirely on audience suggestions and are scored by a panel of judges. Seattle Theatresports is also Seattle's longest running show, and will turn 30 years old in June 2013.

What is improv? Find out HERE!

Facebook Event

Edmonds CC Community Read Scholar: Melissa Sokolowsky

Edmonds Community College students Tonja Campbell, Lacy Kinman, and Melissa Sokolowsky are the recipients of the 2012 Edmonds CC Community Read scholarship.

The students read The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America (2009) by Timothy Egan, completed projects based on the book, met the author, and received scholarship awards of $1,200 each from the Edmonds Community College Foundation.

Melissa created a presentation, which includes a video of a Kung Fu influenced fire-sword piece she choreographed and performed.

“Fire is a force to be respected, and just as a fire performer gracefully moves in harmony with the fire she carries, wildfire is actually harmonious with nature as well,” she said.

Melissa Sokolowsky | Energy Management
Why Edmonds CC? I needed a career change. I enjoyed earning a certificate in Electronics and I decided that I wanted to continue my study of energy, especially renewable energy. I received a Department of Labor State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) grant to study EnergyManagement.
Before Edmonds CC? I earned a Graphic Arts degree from Utah Valley State College and had a career in web design.
Volunteering at: Central Co-op in Seattle
Interests: outdoor activities, music, Kung Fu — I fell in love with the grace, fluidity, and meditative aspect of this art.
Ask her about: I had the opportunity to travel to China to study under a Chinese master. This was an eye-opening experience; I saw magnificent structures and climbed the Great Wall, and also in certain areas witnessed the worst pollution than I’d ever seen. This renewed my interest in helping to foster sustainability.
Goal: to help individuals and companies implement energy-saving technologies and practices, in order to help make a difference in this world
Dream job: building renewable energy systems and spreading awareness about conservation and sustainability.

Edmonds CC Community Read Scholar: Lacy Kinman

Edmonds Community College students Tonja Campbell, Lacy Kinman, and Melissa Sokolowsky are the recipients of the 2012 Edmonds CC Community Read scholarship.

The students read The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America (2009) by Timothy Egan, completed projects based on the book, met the author, and received scholarship awards of $1,200 each from the Edmonds Community College Foundation.

Lacy completed a painting “Hope Through Loss,” acrylics with mediums added, based on three scenes from the book.

“I wanted to tap into what I felt for the men who fought the fires and for the many who lost their lives, for the families who lost their livelihoods, and for everyone who was unable to get out in time,” she said.

 Lacy Kinman | Associate of Arts 
Why Edmonds CC? Because I live only a couple miles away, which is extremely convenient.
Before Edmonds CC? I owned my own online retail business.
Why now? My business was steadily making less money and since I did not enjoy my work I decided I needed to get a career. I have always wanted to go to college to become a teacher so we looked into it and here I am. Also, my daughter is older now which has freed up time and made it easier to go to college.
Biggest challenge: Making sure I spend quality time with my family and volunteer at my daughter's school while keeping my grades up at college.
Working as: a tutor in The Writing Center at Edmonds Community College
Best college experience: Receiving my first 4.0 in Logic the first quarter I went to college. I did not believe I was smart enough or "had what it takes" to do well and I proved myself wrong!
Favorite classes: Logic, Philosophy 106 and Painting, Art 150
Foundation scholarship recipient: Money always helps. I am in the process of applying to four-year colleges and seeing how much more they cost, I am glad that I have received the scholarship because I will probably be paying for school for a long time :).
Advice for students: Join some clubs and/or find out what you like and try to join in on what that community has going on. You can meet some new friends, make some contacts, and have fun doing it.
College goal: Ph.D 
Dream job: university professor

Edmonds CC Community Read scholar: Tonja Campell

Edmonds Community College students Tonja Campbell, Lacy Kinman, and Melissa Sokolowsky are the recipients of the 2012 Edmonds CC Community Read scholarship.

The students read The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America (2009) by Timothy Egan, completed projects based on the book, met the author, and received scholarship awards of $1,200 each from the Edmonds Community College Foundation.

Tonja Campbell wrote and designed a children’s book Pinchy and Puli: Seeds Freed by Fire based on The Big Burn. It tells a story from the perspective of two lodgepole pine seeds (named after Gifford Pichot and Edward Pulaski, a U.S. Forest Service Ranger) who are able to sprout and grow as the result of a fire.

“Learning about seeds affected by fire in Tim Hohn’s Horticulture 102 class and reading children’s books to my two-year-old daughter, Juniper, helped shape the idea,” Campbell said.

Tonja Campbell | Restoration Horticulture
Why Edmonds CC? Restoration Horticulture

Before Edmonds CC? she has a career as a psychiatric nurse, but is pursuing a new interest as well  
Biggest challenge: raising my two-year old daughter and attending Edmonds Community College as a full-time student.
Interests: gardening, worm bin composting, mushroom hunting, road trips to National Parks, edible landscaping and back country adventures.
College goal: College of the Environment at University of Washington for a BS/MS in Restoration Ecology.
Dream job: to work in the restoration field, especially in the areas of mycorestoration/remediation

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Awareness Week Events

Edmonds Community College invites public to celebrate Women’s History Month: Awareness Week Events, Feb. 19-25; attend a free series of lectures, panels, and performances

Lynnwood, Wash.— Edmonds Community College celebrates Women’s History Month with a prelude of events, Feb. 19-25.  The public is encouraged to participate in these free lectures, panels, performances, and more. During the Awareness Week Events, Edmonds Community College hopes to create opportunities to educate people on current issues facing women, and also learn about women’s tenacity, courage and creativity throughout history.

All events, except an art gallery reception Friday, take place in the Black Box Theatre in Mukilteo Hall. 

Women’s History Month | Awareness Week Events:

·      “History of Women’s Movement and a Portrayal of Alice Paul”- 11:30 a.m., Tues., Feb. 21, Black Box Theatre

Edmonds Community College anthropology instructor, Gem Baldwin, presents a history of the women’s movement and current issues and actress Debbie Dimitre will portray Alice Paul of the historical women’s movement. Door prizes!

·      “Human Trafficking- Local and Global” – 6 p.m., Tues., Feb 21, Black Box Theatre

Local experts present critical issues on human trafficking throughout our region and the world. Panelists include representatives from Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center, Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse, a mother of a victim, Shared Hope International, The Genesis Project, and Hope for Seattle. Booths include Penny’s Place, International Justice Mission, Shared Hope International, and The Bridge Program.

Angie Chau

·      “A Female Immigrant’s Journey to Success”- 12:30 p.m., Wed., Feb. 22, Black Box Theatre
International author, Angie Chau, discusses life in Vietnam, immigration to the United States, and her road to success as an author. Chau will sign copies of her book Quiet as They Come after the lecture and the book will be available for purchase.

·      “Women of the Middle East” 12:30 p.m., Thurs., Feb 23, Black Box Theatre

Edmonds Community College Arabic instructor, Christina Fusch, moderates a panel discussion on Women of the Middle East. A live presentation on the history of belly dance with demonstrations follows. Refreshments and henna tattoos will be available prior to the discussion with proceeds to benefit the student Arab Club.

·      “Female Entrepreneurs’ Business Network & Resource Fair”- 6:30 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 23, Black Box Theatre

Discover programs and services that contribute to sustainable communities, and get information about starting and managing a business, financing, counseling, and training. Representatives include the Service Core of Retired Executives, Small Business Administration, SNO-Isle Library, City of Lynnwood, and the Northwest Washington Business Center.

·      “Heart & Grace Reception”- 4:30-6:30 p.m., Fri., Feb. 24, Art Gallery, Third Floor, Lynnwood Hall

Meet artist Kristen Ramirez at the last day of her exhibit “Lore” in the college art gallery. Ramirez based her installation on students’ oral histories and creates a mixed media piece drawing on sign painting and typography for inspiration. Refreshments will be served.

About the Black BoxTheatre
The Black Box Theatre seeks to be a beacon for enlightenment, engagement, education, and entertainment in our community. It seeks to stay relevant and progressive as a workshop of exploration for the students of Edmonds Community College and for the community that surrounds it. The 200-seat theater, located on campus, offers full service support and state of the art technologies for all types of events including musicals, plays, opera, dance, music events and concerts.

Videos:


Human Trafficking-Local And Global from Visual Communications, EdCC on Vimeo.

"A Female Immigrant’s Journey" — Author Angie Chau from Visual Communications, EdCC on Vimeo.

Artist Kristen Ramirez from Visual Communications, EdCC on Vimeo.

iRobot Presentation: 2/9

Lee and his graduate students

The Computers, Electronics and Networks Department hosts a free Intelligent Robot presentation at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 9, at the Black BoxTheatre. Dr. Min-Fan Ricky Lee and his five graduate students from the National University of Taiwan, will present a demonstration, speech and video on The Intelligent Robot. Included in this demonstration are aerial and ground robots.

Lee and his students are on a six month tour and are also visiting the University of Washington and University of British Columbia.

Lee’s current research is on autonomous mobile robot (air, ground, joint operation and swarm intelligence), intelligent mobile robot behavior, and control and micro-fabricated MEMS Spectrometer sensing.