JCCC Writing Center resources

Located on the 3rd floor of the library in room 308, the Writing Center (or WC) holds a slew of resources. they have a copy of each textbook used by English and Journalism faculty - maybe each text book used by humanities. MLA Handbooks, EasyWriters, and other style and usage texts also litter the tables.

Many instructors keep a binder with assignment prompts and examples of student work. Sometimes an example is worth more than any other kind of explanation. Look for mine.

They also have scads of handouts, but the most useful resources are the peer consultants. Talk to them.

REMEMBER: you need your JCCC ID card for many services.

Almost Maine

I'll offer extra credit to students who attend the JCCC production of Almost Maine at noon Friday, 11/20/9. It will be performed in the Polsky Theatre, and is directed by a friend of mine, Beate Pettigrew.

Students wanting extra credit will need to write a short summary (3- 5 sentences long), and a more extensive personal response that compares the work to other popular performances and evaluates the overall experience. From the publicity flyer from the theatre department:

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night's dream.

Transgender panel at JCCC

Friday, which is international day of rememberance, JCCC will be hosting a transgendered panel in Craig auditorium - on the 2nd floor of GEB. It should start at 3:00 pm.

This will be sponsored by JCCC Queers and Allies - who have a site on google groups with more information.

Sounds like an interesting and well informed panel - who will answer questions. I'll consider offering extra credit to those who attend and write up a page on the experience. Our text has led us to topics of gender - and feminism in particular has traditionally been concerned with diversity and all manner of sexual oppression. It would arguably be relevant.

in case there were any doubt

Despite a sizable and highly talented field, I walked away from the Shakespeare Poetry slam with 1st prize - and all the bragging rights and cash prizes. Speaking from memory probably had a lot to do with it. 119, where Shakespeare explains to his dad why he's still in grad. school pleased a few people - though my reinterpretation of 138 probably won it. That's the one that goes,

When my students swear that they are made of truth,
I do believe them, though I know they lie,
That they might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that they think me young,
Although they know my days are past the best,
Simply I credit their false-speaking tongue,
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed:
But who am I to say they are unjust?
And why should either of us say I'm old?
O education's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in teaching, loves not to have years told.
Therefore I front with them, and they with me,
And in our fronts by lies we flattered be.

We all had a blast - and the student readers were quite good.

Student missing: worst feared

Overland Park police are asking for help locating a JCCC student: Keighley Alyea. Fox 4 News has video from their newscast here. She's 18, 5 ft 1 inches tall, and approx. 113 lbs. Classmates note that her hair color may have changed since this picture.

She was last seen Tuesday, 9.29.9. Her car was found last night, Sunday 10.4.9.

Crime Scene KC has indicated a person(s) of interest (POI) and provided these pictures; Missingexploited.com lists details of the relationship of the POI and notes that she was the victim of domestic violence as recently as 9.21.9 [correction: The Kansas City Star noted that].


Her class is communicating and gathering information at their student generated Facebook page.