New Spanish Class for Health Professionals to be Offered in the Spring

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A basic class of medical vocabulary in Spanish will be brought to the school next semester. SPA 111, Introduction to Spanish for Health Professionals started and taught by Mrs. Kimber this is planned to begin in the Spring 2015 semester.

This program is designed to aid those entering into a medical field that will be in contact with Spanish speakers, that are becoming more common with the rise of the Spanish-speaking population. Mrs. Kimber stated “ The Spanish-speaking population of Western New York is growing.” However, since there are Vet Tech students at this school, there will be a focus on animal anatomy as well but is not the main goal of the course.

This course will be an elective aimed at the medical field here at the college. This course can be used to supplement a degree in Spanish translation, or a medical field equally. As an elective, this course does not require previous Spanish language experience.

The class is intended to run like an introductory Spanish class, focused on class work rather than online assignments. Class would be more focused on pronunciation rather than on conjugations and grammar; in due part to the human element of dealing with other Spanish speakers. The class itself will be split between room C303 and the foreign language lab in class hours. “After taking this course will you be a proficient Spanish speaker? No, but you will be able to give basic commands.” Mrs. Kimber states.

This offers a new opportunity to GCC students, as a fusion between classes, that provides the chance for students to gain people skills they might need to survive in their chosen field. When asked why Mrs. Kimber created this course she replied with, “ The best part of a foreign language is allowing people to advocate for themselves.” The course could be recommended to any would like an extra edge in their nursing career, or who want more capable public speaking skills. Mrs. Kimber states “ If it goes well, then there will be a second level.”

To learn more about Spanish for Health Professionals and even more new classes that will be offered beginning in Spring 2015, please visit our website. 

World Kindness Day at GCC

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64367_10152876277993103_7104776448007432459_nWorld Kindness Day was November 13th and the GCC RAKtivists were out in full force to celebrate. The event provided holiday cards for students to sign and send out to troops that are deployed. Cathy Costello was able to deliver the holiday cards to the local American Leigion. Students were encouraged to spin the “Wheel of Kindness” where they were given a good deed to complete.

Many people flocked to the event because Genesee County Animal Shelter brought 2 adoptable dogs and one adoptable cat. The RAKtivists were able to raise about $288 for the Genesee and Orleans County animal shelters and faculty and students donated around 175lbs of dog and cat food. The RAKtivists sold roses until about 2PM, afterwards Abby Wilcox and Cathrine Kelkenberg took the leftover roses and placed them on random cars. They hoped to brighten people’s day on a very cold and rainy/snowy day. 

10734264_10152876283543103_2419562408594155853_nThe RAKtivists will be gearing up for the second annual Random Acts of Kindness Week that will take place in February. If you would like to participate in the Random Acts of Kindness Week as a member of the RAKtivists, then like their Facebook page to see when the next meetings are or contact the GCC RAKtivists’ advisor, Lauren Paisley.

Volunteering for an Underground Fashion Show

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There are not many words to describe this feeling but one that comes to mind is magical.Rochester fashion week was simply breath-taking. My fashion show was the Saturday night show on October 17th. As I walked in the underground setting, (YES the fashion show was underground) I thought to myself wow this is beautiful and then i think wow this will be a lot to clean up. The huge projector screens and the super long runway let me know right then and there that the night would be a night to remember.

As a fashion business student I try to look for every opportunity that has anything to do with the fashion industry. So naturally I volunteered of the underground fashion show. The show was held in a closed off part of the Xerox parking garage located in Rochester NY. Upon my arrival I was given a volunteer lanyard and was asked to organize the gift bags on the chairs. After I organized the gift bags I was assigned to work the entrance and take the stubs of people’s tickets at the door. I did this until around 30 minutes into the show. There seemed to be an endless line of people just standing so eager to be let in. I was so excited for them because I knew they were in for a treat.

The show started at 8 pm but the doors opened at 7 once everyone was inside I was relieved of my duties until cleanup time. I walked down the entrance down the stairs to see the actual show. I was amazed by a model with flaming red hair strut down the runway wearing a black lace dress. It was relentlessly fierce. I saw so many different collections; one that seemed to be inspired by common French designs, an earthy looking collection, hipster looks, and more. The show itself had at least 1000 people there it was packed and people were kind of tipsy. It was amusing to watch them having a great time singing and dancing. The show lasted an hour and then it was clean up time. This took the longest amount of time. I had to clean up spilled cocktails and broken glasses until about 11pm but it all led to laughs and it was so much fun. I can wait to help again next year.

A Window Into Giving thanks

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With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, many people will begin to consider what they are thankful for. For some, this may be the extra slice of pumpkin pie that they scarf down at the dinner table. I however would like to take this opportunity to state how thankful I am for everyone who has contributed to my success and well being at Genesee Community College thus far. If it were not for the careful guidance I have received from my professors, Professor Dudkowski and Professor Ehrhart, as well as from a variety of other faculty members at Genesee Community College, I would not be nearly as capable as I am today.

That being said, though Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks as the name suggests, some individuals view gathering for this holiday to be another instance in which a large family brawl may occur. These specific instances of family in-fighting at Thanksgiving dinner is what I drew my inspiration from for my latest window display at Charles Men’s Shop in Batavia. I came up with the concept of the display window acting as an actual window into a family home at Thanksgiving. I wanted it to appear as though that the men of the family had begun to fight just as the feast was beginning. I created a small table environment set with dinner utensils to give the Thanksgiving dinner feel, as well as decorated the window with Tulle fabric which acted as window curtains. I also dressed the mannequins in various stages of outerwear to suggest that a few of the men would be leaving shortly due to the fight. I had a lot of fun coming up with the concept of this window. I felt a little kooky creating such a descriptive back-story for a window display; however, Kristen and Don from Charles Men’s Shop informed me that the most successful window displays employ the same tactics.

I feel as though I’m developing a better understanding on how to create more successful displays through the use of color, balance, focal point, and even movement. I have also started attending a Visual Display class at GCC and have found that I am able to transfer many of the concepts I am learning directly into my displays at Charles Men’s Shop. I find that learning by doing inside and outside of the classroom at Genesee Community College is helping me to further my skills and better understand where I might be headed in the future.

Vampire Lesbians of Sodom Review

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Think of a play that has the raunchiness of a film of the red light district and appear to come from repressed soul of an eccentric bohemian. Take your conception of zany aside, and try to endure the puns, and cheesy sound effects; you may find it hilarious: I know I did. The play was only $3 per person and for that amount of money I garnered that it would be average, however I am a sucker for the arts, and found myself paying the price. With a comfortable seat in the middle row, I could just see the stonehedge-esque setting when the play started.

The play was hilarious; some points went over the top at times, but overall I found myself hunched over from the battery of numerous, unsubtle, sexual jokes. Despite this, I found that it was too disjointed for my taste. I almost felt a sense of whiplash from the fast pace, characters that popped out of the blue, and clichés that made me cringe.

This was my first production that I have visited at the college, which pleasantly surprised me with the skill of its performers, and shocked me with the task of pulling off this piece. I look forward to whatever undertakings they will attempt to undergo in the future, and will probably be there with a ticket in hand. I am proud to say that we have such capable actors that attend the college and that they are truly able to push their comfort zones in the roles they take. They offer entertainment that rivals any night of watching Family Guy reruns, and I thank them for that. If any want to find out more about the theater acts then please visit our website.

The theater will have more events posted in the coming months and for anyone that wants to try something new, and, for some events, enjoy a free show, then I advise anyone to attend some of the other events. On Friday, November 7th at 7:30pm, the Genesee Center for the Arts will present, “A Supernatural Evening with Jeff Belanger.” Mr. Belanger will talk about his work as a paranormal investigator. On Thursday, November 20th, come and watch Cello Fury perform a variety of classical and rock music. For also anyone interested the band Cello Fury has a few music videos out on YouTube, and you should definitely check them out if you have the time. Now that I’ve had my fill of vampires for the month, I can finally work on homework in peace.

Boo Ball, a Night of Fright Around the Corner.

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It’s the time of year where you don old costumes, pull out the excess rolls of toilet paper (to clean up parties), and lament the absence of the great pumpkin. Wax hands hasn’t stolen the creepiest thing for this month at GCC. Of course I’m speaking about Boo Ball. Now you can’t go around pranking anyone, so you may ask where are the scares. The scary thing is that you’ll actually help someone if you party at this event. The price of admission, and yes there is one, will cost you a dollar or one canned good. They send the food to the homeless here in the area, where I assume there are not as many awesome Harry Potter themed parties.

The theme of this year’s Boo Ball is in fact Harry Potter. Yes, you too can release your repressed inner nerd in this costume based eve of frivolity, which will leave some of us in tears, for better or for worse. Despite whatever dissension you think I follow I’ll set the record straight; I think it’s gonna be awesome, and this is with fandoms likes, and background aside. There are only a few of these dances in the near distant future, and for the overall year the amount is slimmer still. If you want the chance to participate then I personally invite you as a member of CAB supporting this thing.

If I have peaked your interest then allow me to sate your voracious mind, and the questions I know are bubbling in your brain. This event will have more than just dancing planned, we’ll have food for the hungry, the college students, and potions for the venturous. But we have more than just food and drink. Attend and you will learn that the college village members have been assigned a house corresponding to the their residency, oh, and there will be games. If you fancy yourself a dueler, a match may clear your head; if perhaps you have some Felix Felecis, and desire a chance to sport your luck, then partaking in the scavenger hunt is in order. However, even I can’t tell what fate awaits the winning house, and only time will tell the victors prize; and it surely awaits in candy, and glory.

For those who don’t want to pay then maybe some work will do the trick. The event could use volunteers to make this thing stand out, and of course you’d meet the men and women behind the scenes. Everyone at CAB has a heart of gold, and the price to pay, of time and effort, you’re rewarded with a company of those with the heart to hold all these college events, and the skill to organize them. If you can donate and volunteer you would be a hero in my eyes, and I am sure those you’d help would too.

The games and fright is on ghosts and ghouls, and I would be delighted to see any of you there that fateful night, to sit a spell, or show your dance moves. This event will be fun, and from what I know there will be enough sweets to satisfy your palate; you’ll gain your dollars worth of entry: that, I guarantee. Have some fun, share some laughs, and enjoy the Harry Potter themed madness. Halloween comes only once a year, so I always make the best of it. I hope to see you at the Boo Ball on Thursday, October 30th from 8-12pm.

Friends Don’t Let Friends-Date Friends

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Rhonda Parker has been making films since she was 17 years old, but much of her life is invested in a full-length feature she’s just completed as part of an Honors Program project at Genesee Community College. The movie, “Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends” will debut at a VIP dinner and a movie night at the Bald Eagle Bistro, 1033 S. Lakeland Beach Rd. in Kendall on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 7 pm. Seating is limited to 50. Presale tickets are $25 and, if there’s room, $30 at the door. Tickets are available on the movie’s website, www.friendsdontletfriendsdatefriends.com, at which you can also view a trailer of the romantic comedy.

Parker is a paralegal and communications/media arts student at GCC. She expects to graduate in December 2014. Besides being an Honors Program student, she’s been a blogger for the College and also won an essay contest sponsored by The Historical Society of the New York Courts, about which Professor Charles Scruggs said “Her acerbic wit, frequently on display in class, is used to good effect in her written work.”

That wit is evident in “Friends…” which Parker describes as a “highly fictionalized account of actual events.” The main character, played by former GCC student Amelia Favata of Canandaigua, is a version of Parker herself. “It’s a very timeless story based on people I hung out with in my youth. It’s been in my head for 20 years. I started writing it 15 years ago and have revised it several times. Seven years ago it went through a peer review on [Francis Ford Coppola’s] Zoetrope.com.” So far, test audiences have enjoyed it. “One friend said of the film ‘I had forgotten…that’s what it feels like to fall in love.’”

Though Parker has written and produced a number of short films, and appeared as a “Walmart mom” in a commercial, this is the first time she held auditions for a movie. “It broke my heart to turn people away,” she said. Several current and former GCC students appear in the film. They shot the film over seven weekends at locations in and around Parker’s hometown of Albion. Because it is an Honors Program project, she was able to utilize equipment from GCC including camera, tripod, and lights.

Her husband, Mark Parker, completed editing the film at their home with Sony Vegas Pro software. “He’s the editor and I’m the editor-in-chief,” Parker explains. “He’s the doer, and I’m the thinker.”

Parker has been thinking a lot about how to get the word out about her film. “My goal is to have everyone in America see this movie,” she said. Beyond the dinner and a movie debut, she has lined up a number of additional screenings.

GCC Video/Telecommunications Director Barry Chow, with whom Parker completed an independent study, is sponsoring a show in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 2:45 pm with a reception to follow. General admission is $8; students and seniors, $6.

The Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival will show the film at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 at the Eastern Hills Cinema in Williamsville. Several other screenings are planned in Medina, Amherst, and Batavia. Check the film’s facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/558510764281947/.

The Honors Program at GCC encourages independent, creative, and interdisciplinary study through academic work of depth, originality, and quality. Parker is more than pleased with her Honors experience and the film overall. “It’s like watching your dreams come true right in front of your eyes,” she said. She hopes the film’s success leads to more moviemaking for her. “That’s exactly what I want to do. I have a lot of scripts in my head.”

#GCCINNYC

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Wednesday October 8th rushed in like the cool breeze that the morning brought with it. As the large capacity bus pulled up to section E in the GCC parking lot, everyone waited anxiously with their plethora of bags. Only one bag would be carried by the hotel’s bell service in New York City, but it was clear that everyone was willing to make the sacrifice of lugging multiple bags for the sake of fashion. Around seven hours, and a stop at Subway later, the fashion students of GCC had arrived in the heart of midtown Manhattan.

Christine Furmanek and Ami Cornell with the P.R. Director of Buffalo David Bitton, Diane Alexander.

Christine Furmanek and Ami Cornell with the PR Director of Buffalo David Bitton, Diane Alexander.

The very next day, we all trekked to the Buffalo David Bitton showrooms. This trip was one of the opportunities that I had been anticipating the most. I had hoped to take the opportunity to network with Diane Alexander, the PR Director of Buffalo, as well as visualize the direction of the upcoming Spring/Summer 2015 collection. Diane was one of the most entertaining presenters that I had the chance to meet all week. From her hilarious anecdotes about difficult celebrities, who shall go unnamed, to her candid persona, Diane certainly sells the Buffalo image. She shared with us the story of how one man by the name of Nik Wallenda, famed high wire artist, became one of Buffalo’s best brand representatives after stating that he wore Buffalo jeans while crossing the Grand Canyon on a high wire. Diane clearly knows the fashion industry, and therefore has an endless amount of knowledge and stories to share. Christine Furmanek and I also had the opportunity to connect with Diane directly after she described her love of bloggers due to their easy-going nature. I served as the Project Manager for the trip, and was responsible for presenting Diane with a Genesee Community College branded umbrella, after which she had told us that she is obsessed with the umbrellas we bring her annually. FullSizeRender (5)Later in the presentation, students had the opportunity to ask Diane questions. When I asked her how she would describe the “Buffalo man or woman,” Diane responded by describing their target customer as an eighteen to twenty-four-year-old man or woman who is looking for a great fashion denim at a reasonable price. Diane pointed out that their male customers are steadfast and will often wear the same style of jean every year, making them repeat customers. Buffalo is certainly a brand that is on the move, they are constantly evolving and perfecting their image. Be on the lookout for their Summer 2015 collection, Buffalo will introduce fun prints, colors on the cooler end of the color spectrum, and styles that emulate boho vibes.

IMG_8649After we finished our trip to Buffalo David Bitton showrooms, the fashion business students walked a few blocks south to The Doneger Group. While at the Doneger Group we had the opportunity to meet Liz Lettieri, Trend Services Manager, and Michelle Rotbart, Trend Analyst. Liz’s job is to introduce products into the market and sell them, while Michelle develops all of the trend concept books for Doneger. At Doneger we were shown a variety of color and style forecasting reports that many major retailers within the U.S. pay thousands to see. The experience we had at Doneger was very interesting due to the fact that the depth of forecasting we were able to view was a side of the fashion industry that often goes unseen and unexplained. A major takeaway that I had from the Doneger Group experience was that color never changes completely, it evolves from season to season. When thought about in that light, it becomes easier to understand how different color palettes become within trend based on the season.

GCC student Lekha Anderson with Michelle of The Doneger Group.

GCC student Lekha Anderson with Michelle of The Doneger Group.

Michelle closed the presentation by stating that if you’re interested in trend, you should be interested in knowing everything, because trends encompass all aspects of life.Visiting Doneger was an unforgettable experience, and a rare one at that, I left the building wanting to know more.

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit both Buffalo David Bitton and the Doneger Group. Opportunities like these do not come around often, but thanks to the excellent connections that we’ve all been presented with at Genesee Community College, this was all possible. Fashion is constantly on the move here at GCC so be on the lookout for there is more to come!

Shine The Light on Domestic Violence

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October is Domestic Violence awareness Month and on Wednesday, October 15th, all seven campus locations will participate in a one-day project aimed to Shine the Light on domestic violence through a number of purple themed initiatives. The organizers of the events hope to use the color purple to bring awareness to the suffering victims endure at the hands of loved ones. This is the third year of GCC’s THINK PURPLE campaign.

From 9:00am to 4:00pm, information tables will be set up in the Forum highlighting the YWCA Domestic Violence Program, RESTORE Rape Crisis Services, GCC Counseling and Campus Safety. Purple t-shirts emblazoned with “GCC Supports…Paws Off” will be sold for $5, with the proceeds benefiting the Genesee County Domestic Violence Program. Students from the Student Health Awareness Group, the Alpha Epsilon Gamma service organization, GCC Cheer and Dance Team and GCC Ambassadors will distribute neon purple glow bracelets and will ask participants to snap the bracelet and take a moment to think about victims of domestic violence.

The ‘Clothesline Project’ will be featured on the Forum stage for viewing and survivors and supporters are offered the opportunity to create their own shirt. GCC’s campus radio station, WGCC 90.7 FM will join the event to interview students and help spread the word about domestic violence. Once dusk settles in, GCC’s clock tower will be illuminated with purple lights in order to follow the lead of the SUNY Administration Building’s campaign to bring awareness to domestic violence victims.

Earlier this month, Harmony Reid came to speak to students about her experience with domestic violence. Reid struggled with depression, alcoholism and PTSD after she was raped during her first semester at college and later became a victim of domestic violence. Reid tells her story because she hopes to help people become aware of and prevent domestic violence. Reid declared:

We need to stop victims from being victims.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please speak up and reach out for help. The YWCA of Genesee County is able to help women with crisis intervention information, referral services, safety planning, shelter, court assistance, supportive counseling, advocacy, and other services. The Genesee County YWCA phone number is 585-343-5808 and the 24 hour domestic violence hotline is 585-343-7513.

A New Point Of View

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Charles Men’s shop is a family owned and operated business that has been Batavia’s number one choice for fine men’s clothing since the store’s creation in 1947. The store has an excellent reputation within the local community, as well as within Genesee Community College. For these reasons, I was explicitly overjoyed when offered the opportunity to intern as a visual merchandising coordinator at Charles Men’s Shop. I considered this a great opportunity to improve my skills within designing window displays, as I am set to take the visual display class in the next eight-week session at GCC.

Maggie's First Window Display at Charles Men's Shop.

Maggie’s First Window Display at Charles Men’s Shop.

Before going into set up my first window display I had very little experience doing any task of this kind. I was terrified of failing or of letting anyone down. I researched hours-upon-hours, looking at different color palettes popular for fall menswear, as well as observing a variety of window displays online. I took advice from anywhere I could get it; I was told to find a theme or direction in order to make the execution of my vision easier. I also spoke to Maggie, a current freshman in the Fashion Business Merchandising program at GCC, and current visual merchandising intern at Charles Men’s Shop. Maggie had told me that her first window theme would center around indoor fall theming which she phrased as, “Antiqued fall elegance.” Maggie captured her vision perfectly within her window space.

I however took an alternate route. I executed a theme inspired by the outdoor beauty of fall and the sense of community it can create through local sporting events and other active interests. I received a plethora of support and guidance from the Men’s shop staff, Kristen and Don, as well as from my fashion professors, Professor Dudkowski and Professor Ehrhart. I was appreciative of any constructive criticism or suggestions they had for me, as I felt lost in this brand new world. I’m still finding my way when it comes to creating displays for Charles Men’s Shop; recently I took on the task of creating a table display as well.

My First Table Display at Charles Men's Shop.

My First Table Display at Charles Men’s Shop.

Though I find this job to be challenging, I am interested and excited to strengthen valuable and necessary skill-sets within myself. If it were not for the excellent professors and connections I have access to at Genesee Community College I may never had earned an opportunity of this caliber. I am incredibly grateful to have this chance to grow, and cannot wait to see where this opportunity takes me in the not-so-far future.