FALL/WINTER 2016
Local & Vocal An Inside Look at Harford’s Independent Music Scene Fall into Fashion p. 4 DIY Fitness p. 22
FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
Editor’s Note: EDITOR IN CHIEF Sydney Gaeth
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jessica Conway, Nick DeMent
WRITING STAFF
Taylor O’Brien, Georgina Cammayo, Matthew Combs, Alyssa Dietrich, Madelyne Lightfoot, Wade McCartin, Matt Tennyson, Stephen Wilson III, Malik Tyler, Adeyemi Ekundayo
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Kelsey Stephenson
FRONT/BACK PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY John Morin
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Neil Harman, Megan Malkus
PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALIST Joshua Eller
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY
Heathcote: School of Living, Jesse Stephenson
ART DIRECTOR John Parks
DESIGN STAFF BreAnne Mascetti
DESIGN SPECIALIST Brianna Breece
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Maddie Ritchey, Nicholas Costa
BUSINESS MANAGER/DISTRIBUTION Rachel Mitchell
CHIEF ADVISER Claudia Brown
PRINT PUBLISHER
AlphaGraphics of Bel Air
On my 18th birthday, my parents told me that I was suddenly free to do as I pleased. All they asked was that I remember the values they taught me. At first, I thought there was no way it could be true. Imagine – telling my strict parents I would be somewhere instead of politely asking if I could go? I couldn’t picture the repercussions that were sure to follow! However, they meant what they said and trusted me with everything. My parents soon became less like my guardians and more like companions as I grew more and more independent. Webster’s Dictionary defines selfsufficient (n) as “able to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid” or “having an extreme confidence in one’s own ability or worth.” I really believe it is both.
palsy whose positive attitude and perseverance is inspiring (p. 12). Selfmade artists demonstrate another way self-sufficiency is beneficial. On page 14, we spotlight local musicians. Success can also come from working with horses (p. 18) and learning valuable life lessons, such as self-reliance from them. The residents of Heathcote, an intentional living community that is the epitome of self-sufficiency, rely solely on themselves for education, shelter, food, and more (p. 20). If becoming an equestrian is out of your reach, you can still rely on yourself and achieve your goals
Self-sufficiency means believing that you are capable, but it is more than that. In this issue of Owl Magazine, we focus on the benefits of selfsufficiency and the many ways it can be achieved. On page 4, stock up on women’s and girls’ clothing at the Maryland Fashion Exchange without breaking the bank! Donate your old gear and pick up new items twice a year at the consignment sale. Another strong example comes from one HCC student with cerebral
by following our home workout routine (p. 22). Who needs the gym? All you need is yourself and a little motivation. Whatever self-sufficiency means to you, get out there and go for it! You’ll thank yourself.
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A special thank you to Harford Community College’s Grants for Innovation for awarding the staff a grant to attend the American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference in New York City in May of 2016.
FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
CONTENTS
6
Beginner’s Guide to Gardening
Learn how to produce healthy, organic food year-round with a variety of gardening techniques.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unbridled
18
Find out how working with horses teaches life lessons.
20
Heathcote: The School of Living Read how intentional communities embody self-sufficiency.
14
22
Harford’s Independent Artists
DIY Fitness
ALSO INSIDE:
Fall into Fashion p. 4 Freedom from Fossil Fuels p. 8 The Minimum Wage Debate p. 10 Striving for Self-Sufficiency p. 12 Home Brewed Hair p. 24
Discover local musicians who march to their own beat.
Save money and achieve your fitness goals at home.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
FASHION
Fall into Fashion
By BreAnne Mascetti | Additional Reporting by Taylor O’Brien | Photography by Megan Malkus | Owl Staff
Taylor O’Brien sold her gently worn clothing at The Maryland Fashion Exchange.
As HCC student Taylor O’Brien was getting ready for class one morning, she opened her closet to a cluttered mess. With an abundance of American Eagle and Charlotte Russe clothing staring her in the face, she knew she had to get rid of a few items, but how? The Maryland Fashion Exchange is a local consignment sale held in Bel Air, Maryland at St. Matthew Church off of Route 22. One sale is offered in the spring and one in the
Combing through her closet was the hard part, but luckily the fashion exchange makes the steps to consign easy: register, tag, drop, shop, and collect your check. Consigners register online, pay a one time $7 fee, and enter their items into an online database. Then, the consigner prints out the tags on cardstock paper, pins them to the items, and turns them into the sale volunteers on the designated date.
“Consigning at the Maryland Fashion Exchange was a great way for me to clean out my closet, and add new low-priced items that fit my budget.” fall. The sale makes it possible to tidy a closet and make a few bucks in the process. Going through her closet preparing to consign, O’Brien realized how hard it would be to let go of some things. However, her little black Express dress that shrank two sizes could go.
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She set her own price when she tagged her items. Most consigners price their items at a quarter to a third of the retail value. She tagged her $30 denim Pac Sun shorts for $8. “The rules are simple: clothing must be clean, stain and hole free, and in style,” says Melissa Krawchyk, the founder and coordinator of the Maryland Fashion Exchange.
There is no minimum number of items required but there is a 225 item maximum per consigner. “Consigners bring a wide variety of items to the sale. We have books, DVDs, lamps, picture frames, shoes, handbags, and jewelry,” says Krawchyk. Although home décor is accepted, the sale asks for no furniture. They also do not accept textbooks. Selling all of her clothes meant O’Brien would need to purchase more. The fashion exchange offers up to 60% commission for consigners who correctly tag and drop off their items, and 65% for those who volunteer their time to work a fourhour shift at the sale. 1. Cr As O’Brien walked into the sale, she was blown away. Clothing ea MyCon te an acc racks were filled to capacity as shoppers flowed from one to signm o entMa unt on *Note : n the next. Tables lined the walls filled with a variety of kitchen ager.c Consi gners regis om pay a trati supplies, light fixtures, and wall signs. There were rows of books on fe o n e tim e of e and movies of all types including an 800-page dream dictionary, $7. 2. Or ganiz a pair of purple skinny jeans, and a long patterned tunic. e type of cl your item O’Brien was surprised at how much junior clothing stocked the othin s by sweat g ers, racks. Most items were name brand such as Express and Merona. etc.) (pants, s into hirts a the d “To find something, even secondhand, I think it’s great, , ataba nd enter them se. especially when you find a name brand, it’s even better,” adds 3. Wh en fi Denise Cooke, a bargain shopper. nis print the t hed enter Seeing some of her old items hanging on the racks brought ags o i n car ng items, back countless memories. However, O’Brien was excited to see dstoc 4. At k. tach that some of her clothes were no longer there meaning some the t a g s of them sold. In her head, she saw dollar signs! to th 5. Dr e ite op of According to Krawchyk, “Consigner amounts vary greatly. ms. f all hange tagge rs to Some walk away with checks greater than $300, others d MD Fa shion the sale l items on make less than $20.” O’Brien chose to have the rest of her ocati rest excha on and w n clothes donated but another option is to come and pick up ill c ge handle . ut yo s the the items that do not sell. Consigners should expect their u a c heck. check up to two weeks after the sale ends. -----For m -----ore i Consigning at the Maryland Fashion Exchange was ---nform Maryl ation and F a great way for O’Brien to clean out her closet and , vis ashio it th n Exc maryl e hange andfa add new low-priced items that fit her budget. The fall shion w ebsit excha e: exchange is held in October and she knows she will nge.c om need a new vest for the upcoming season. O’Brien made $15.90 consigning at the spring sale and intends to sell even more items in the fall with hopes to walk away with some big bucks.
HOW T THE M O CONSIGN ARYLA ND FA WITH EXCHA S NGE: HION
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Tomatoes are ideal for new gardeners and can produce large amounts of fruit.
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From the Ground up
FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
HOW-TO
A Beginner’s Guide to Gardening By Matt Tennyson | Photography by John Morin | Owl Staff
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of enjoying a homegrown meal. However, most of our food comes from an industrial agriculture system that sources food from around the world. While this system has enabled us to stock our refrigerators, it comes with a laundry list of setbacks, failures, and shortcomings that relate to our wellbeing and the health of our planet. The Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and sustainability, classified the industrial agriculture system in America as “the outdated, unsustainable system that dominates U.S. food production.” In spite of this, many Americans have taken it upon themselves to start growing their own food again. Local Carroll County gardener Deanna Kopf says, “Jamie Oliver had a documentary on TV a couple years ago about food in schools. They interviewed some kids and showed them different vegetables and most of the kids did not know what the vegetables were.”
“I want my kids to know what real food is!” Kopf adds, “How does a kid not know what a tomato looks like? It made me realize the real crisis in that we are turning into a society that lives off of manufactured fake food. I want my kids to know what real food is!” Understanding our food does not have to mean trying to comprehend the labels on processed foods. Growing food from seed gives the reassurance that we know exactly where it came from and what went into making it.
As an organic gardener for more than three years, I have tried different types of gardens and I’ve come across several basic growing techniques. For any successful vegetable garden, it is important to make sure you have quality soil and at least six hours of sunlight exposure. A simple way to check the soil is to go to a local garden store, such as The Mill, and have them send a sample of the soil out to be tested. Based on the results, they can give advice on what to use to enrich the soil. Compost is a go-to for many gardeners, but some plants prefer a more specific blend of nutrients. Some might assume that a garden has to be in the ground, but there are several other ways to grow vegetables. Planting in raised beds, for example, can be useful in rural and urban settings because you can set them up on most surfaces, including concrete or a flat-top roof. One of the best ways to ensure year-round food production is to use greenhouses, hoop-houses, or cold frames, which can be built using materials found at a garden supply store or with bamboo, wood, old windows, and plastic. There is also container gardening, which allows plants to become mobile and easily accessible in the city. Even indoor growing is an option with the right type of ultraviolet lighting fixtures or sunlight. Cultivating a personal connection with our food brings us accomplishment, a connection to nature, and a stronger notion of community with one another. We are less likely to throw away our food when we have put time and effort into growing it. The fact that we throw away 40% of food in the U.S. is credited largely to the inability of corporations to sell
the food at a profit, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Additionally, we throw food away right after the “sell by” or “use by” date when most food lasts considerably longer than those dates will let on. According to Feeding America, one in six Americans struggles to put food on their plates. There are many economic and social factors that create this food crisis. It’s not that there is a lack of food; there is a lack of knowledge on how to properly allocate all of this food within the current structure of society. When future generations look back at our world and wonder what we did to counter the growing crisis that we face, what are we going to tell them?
Top Five Gardening Tips Use Compost. It has essential nutrients that your plants need to survive.
Know Your Zone. There are lists of hardiness zones that identify what crops will grow best in your zone.
Consider Your Adversaries. There are a variety of bugs and animals that will try and eat your crops.
Plant Companions. Plant crops that will benefit each other. Some plants get along better than others.
eliminate Weeds. The term really only pertains to anything you don’t want, but it will do you well to keep them out.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
ENVIRONMENT
Hemp: Freedom from Fossil Fuels By Nick DeMent | Photography by Kelsey Stephenson | Owl Staff
The use of hemp oil instead of petroleum may significantly lower fuel costs.
1619
1850–1915
1937
1970–1971
The Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp. Hemp was used as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.
Marijuana and cannabis products could be easily purchased in pharmacies and general stores around America.
Congress passed The Marijuana Tax Act, criminalizing marijuana and restricting possession to individuals who paid a large tax for authorized medical and industrial uses.
President Nixon signed and approved the Controlled Substances Act, beginning a “War on Drugs.” This renders cannabis products illegal to all, hemp included.
The History of Hemp
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For a country that prides itself on the concept of “independence,” our good old U.S. of A has the capacity to ironically, and infallibly, fail in this regard. One faulty aspect of our culture and country is our reliance on foreign oil, specifically in the form of fossil fuels. A large portion of the oil we exhume comes from the Middle East. This lack of independence has caused numerous negative effects, one obvious example being the everfluctuating fuel prices here at home. Not only does this detract from our sole sovereignty, but also causes unnecessary global conflict.
creates excess that cannot be used by the planet quickly enough. This results in an increase of the greenhouse effect. Since fossil fuels make up more than half of human produced emissions, this isn’t good. To make matters worse, we are running out of fossil fuels. According to a study done by Ecotricity, Britain’s lead green energy supplier, we could run out of fossil fuel as early as 2052. We have all heard of the alternatives, electric engines, vegetable oil, even cars that run on water, man. However, there has been a lesserknown but no less effective alternative
“No, you can’t smoke it, but it can be used as a renewable and clean energy source.” The U.S. Department of Energy defines fossil fuels as “non-renewable resources that formed when prehistoric plants and animals died and were gradually buried by layers of rock.” We burn these oils to produce energy; however, this process has a very drastic downside. The carbon dioxide released by the combustion of these archaic liquids is not good for our atmosphere. When we burn fossil fuels, carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide occurs naturally in our atmosphere and without it, we wouldn’t be here, but the constant burning of fossil fuels
gaining the spotlight. Hemp is a biomass derived from marijuana plants. No, you can’t smoke it, but it can be used as a renewable and clean energy source. In order for hemp to be effective, it first needs to be converted into oil. When the righteous flames of The American Way consume this biomass, it releases its energy in the same way fossil oil does. First we will focus on the most important issue, American independence. An absolute crucial and critical first step in this noble endeavor
is reducing our presence and reliance on Middle Eastern Oil. Hemp even has a patriotic presence in our fine nation’s history. In the 1600’s, American colonists were required by law to grow hemp. Hemp contains strong natural fibers and was often used in the production of rope and clothing. A century later, the original American hero, George Washington himself, grew hemp on his Virginia farm. That’s right, when Washington wasn’t sticking it to King George and deciding which powdered wig he would look best in while doing so, he was growing hemp. Today, thanks to the marijuana laws of the past century, it is illegal to grow hemp in America. That’s just insulting to our forefathers’ fierce and feathered memory, and insulting George Washington is quite Un-American. If George were here, he would be disappointed in the oil soaked eagle wings that are preventing us from reaching true independence. I’m willing to bet that Uncle Sam would approve of converting hemp to our primary source of fuel. Our independence as of right now is nearly non-existent, in this nation where we rely on the East for almost a third of our oil and you could undoubtedly find “Made in China” in great abundance in the average home. Hemp is the soaring eagle that America needs to carry us to true independence. That’s something Washington would be proud to look up at with a star-spangled glimmer in his eye and pride in his heart.
1986
1996
2012
2014
President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act. Possession of marijuana plants incurs the same penalty as possession of heroin. Offenders face life sentences and “kingpins” receive the death penalty.
Actor Woody Harrelson is arrested for planting four hemp seeds on his property in Kentucky, bringing to light some of America’s harsh hemp laws.
Colorado and Washington become the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
Maryland decriminalizes small amounts of cannabis and approves qualifying patients access to medical marijuana.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
VOICES
My Two Cents
The Minimum Wage Debate
By Stephen Wilson III | Additional Reporting by Nick DeMent | Photography by Maddie Ritchey Illustration by Kelsey Stephenson | Owl Staff
After a semester of college, I found myself moving back home with my parents and in need of a job. I ended up taking a minimum wage job at the local Dollar Tree. While working there, I made friends with my older co-workers and heard some of their stories of financial struggle. One woman’s story in particular stood out to me. She was in her mid60s and had been working at the store for about ten years. She was filled with pride as she explained how she had worked solely in the freezer section throughout that decade. Even with strenuous work, she still made minimum wage, which astonished me.
I realized then that economic change needs to occur: the minimum wage should be raised to $15 so people working full-time are able to support themselves. It is impossible to be self-sufficient on Maryland’s current minimum wage. HCC Economics Professor Anne Shugars elaborated on a process called wage stagnation. “To stagnate is to stop growing. Since the Great Recession, wages have really not grown by very much,” says Shugars. “They have started to, but really have only grown in the higher quintile group and they are starting to make more money, but the middle and lower
income [citizens] are not seeing that increase,” adds Shugars. According to a report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, anyone making minimum wage “must work on average 2.6 full-time jobs to afford a decent two-bedroom apartment in the USA without paying more than 30% of their income.” In Maryland, a minimum wage worker would have to work at least 129 hours to afford a decent apartment. Maryland is not even the worst off. Hawaii caps at a minimum of 161 hours and West Virginia is the lowest at 60.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 129 work hours are needed to afford a two-bedroom unit in the state of Maryland.
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If someone is willing to work for more than 40 hours a week, they should at least be able to afford a place to stay and have food to eat. I believe it has not happened yet because of the myths involved with changing it. A common anti-increase wage argument is that it will only benefit teens. A study done by the Economic Policy Institute contradicts this. The average age of minimum wage workers is currently 35 years old. 89% of those who would benefit from a federal minimum wage increase to $15 per hour are age 20 or older, with a further 29% of that group being older than 40. Another argument is that small business owners cannot afford to pay their workers more and do not support
There is also concern that increasing minimum wage will lead to job losses for newly hired and unskilled workers. The Center for Economic and Policy Research analyzed two recent studies concerning the perceived drop in employment related to wage increases. They found that “the minimum wage has little or no discernible effect on the employment prospects of lowwage workers. The most likely reason for this outcome is that the cost shock of the minimum wage is small relative to most firms’ overall costs and only modest relative to the wages paid to low-wage workers.” In addition, misconception is that the minimum wage issue lacks public support. Polls conducted by Pew Research Center since President Obama
“It is impossible to be self-sufficient on Maryland’s current minimum wage.” the increase. This is untrue. A poll taken by the Small Business Majority in March 2014 shows that 57% of small business owners do support an increase in the minimum wage. There is another belief that increasing the minimum wage would be bad for the economy. However, the United States Department of Labor maintains that since 1938, the federal minimum wage has been increased 22 times, from $0.25 to $7.25 as it is today since the most recent amendment in 2009. For more than 75 years, real GDP per capita has steadily increased, even when the minimum wage has been raised. A more recent example is the 19961997 minimum wage increase of nearly a dollar. Economists from all around predicted a monetary meltdown. However, this was not the case. According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, more than 10 million people benefited immensely from this increase. 71% of them were adults.
first called on Congress to increase the minimum wage and have consistently shown that a majority of Americans support an increase. Pew also concluded that since Obama first presented the idea to Congress, 73% of those surveyed were in favor of raising the minimum wage to $10.10. Malik Tyler, an HCC Mass Communications major adds, “I have my own car, apartment, and a family to take care of so some days I have a hard time getting by with just $10.50/hour,” says Tyler. “It’s hard for me to get a higher paying job because I don’t have a college degree yet so an increase in pay would be very beneficial to me.“ Many people are suffering despite devoting hundreds of hours a month (or even a week) just to survive. With these facts in mind, I encourage everyone to do even more research on raising the minimum wage. Only then will it become apparent that there is a problem with only one solution: raise the minimum wage.
SHOULD THE MINIMUM WAGE BE RAISED?
Bryan McGee, Physics Major
“The biggest thing for me is that I am former military and the GI bill is not going to cover everything…So if they raise the minimum wage, I wouldn’t have to work two or three jobs to get through college.”
Frankie Tildon, HCC Cashier
“…My mother always said ‘if we have yesterday’s prices and today’s money, everyone would have something’ and that’s what I think is a good balance.”
Shane Ziemboicki, Psychology Major
“In my opinion, a person that is flipping burgers at McDonald’s should not be making the same amount of money as an EMT that is working 13 hours a day saving lives…”
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HCC Education major Matthew Combs
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Striving for Self-Sufficiency By Matthew Combs | Additional Reporting by Sydney Gaeth | Photography by Neil Harman | Owl Staff
One of the first memories I have of surgery is when I was about two years old. The surgery split my inner thigh muscles, or adductors, to help me sit up and lift my legs. They were too stiff to move effectively. As I got older, I learned there were other things wrong with me that needed to be fixed. One of my legs is longer than the other one so I got a lift in one of my shoes to even out my leg height. Living with Cerebral Palsy isn’t easy. CP occurs when the cerebellum, a part of the brain, is damaged. It can affect an individual’s movement, reflex response rate, posture or balance. Bones and muscles affected by Cerebral Palsy may also either be too stiff or “floppy.” I have had many surgeries through the years because of this disability. My parents didn’t tell me about one surgery until the night before. I was bawling my eyes out because I was scared. It ended up being about a twelve-hour operation.
of time. Rehabilitation has made me appreciate a lot of simple tasks that others take for granted. The first 24-48 hours are miserable after a surgery. But I focused on working or having something to do instead of sulking. Staying busy helps build positivity. In February 2012, I practiced bending and straightening my leg in rehab. I just kept going. I couldn’t think of a better way to recover than to just keep going. It’s essential. Everything that you do, you want to push the limit. Everyone has different tolerance and I pushed mine. Just 12 hours after that surgery, I walked 150 feet. Some operations only took a day to rehabilitate. The main thing that motivated me was to get back home. The hospital staff is great, but they aren’t your home. I have a much deeper appreciation for simple tasks such as getting dressed, using the restroom, and walking since I know it’s harder for me to accomplish
For me, I strive to gain as much selfsufficiency as I can. When I was younger, I could not get in the car by myself because I couldn’t lift my knees. My dad had to carry me from the house to the car. Today, I sit on the edge of the car and my dad holds the bottom of my legs steady so I can push myself into the car. My parents also used to have to bathe me but now I shower by myself. To move around the house, I used to crawl. Now, I use my walker or canes instead of my hands and knees. I can get just about anywhere. I have a “school chair,” which is a large wheelchair that I can push it around. I have a smaller one for going other places that folds up. My parents always taught me about the power of positivity. Nothing lasts forever, and this was going to be over with one day. I would wake up crying, frustrated, and going through pain. They told me to hold on and to get through it.
“What you can’t do physically you must do for yourself mentally and vice-versa.” As the surgeries went on I got used to it. I understood why I had to go through it and that there was a better purpose for each one. There’s always a genetic factor that limits you in some ways. You take the situation that you have and try to improve it as much as you can. I thought my last surgery was going to be in 2010 but the doctor later realized more could be done. I cried then too because I thought I wouldn’t have to go through any more surgeries. I didn’t want to leave my house. Rehabilitating from these operations has been tough and has taken a lot
and I probably won’t be able to do them as long as other individuals. Living with a disability is tough. According to Disability World, about 10 percent of the world lives with a disability. That is approximately 650 million individuals. I know it’s been tough for me during my lifetime. I’ve had surgeries that split my adductors, released my hip muscles, rotated my tibia (and then de-rotated it), moved my kneecap, stabilized my foot by adding screws, and more. Full self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities is difficult to achieve.
I’ve always been motivated by a quote my uncle told me one time while I was recovering from one of my operations. “What you can’t do physically you must do for yourself mentally and vice-versa.” This quote spoke great depths to how I would look at gaining independence and selfsufficiency the rest of my life. My journey to self-sufficiency really shows what two attributes can help individuals overcome obstacles: a willingness to face challenges and a positive attitude. My disability can’t knock down my spirit.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
FEATURE
Local and Vocal An Inside Look at Harford’s Independent Music Scene
By Adeyemi Ekundayo & Madelyne Lightfoot Photography by John Morin | Owl Staff
Faras Aamir (AKA Farosty) incorporates eastern elements with hip-hop to create a musical style, “Punjabi hip-hop.”
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At any given time, you could be walking in HCC’s quad alongside talented musicians who have yet to be recognized. In fact, we often don’t recognize musicians unless a record label backs them. The record label provides promotion, funding, and an image. Before all of these things, artists start with their music. In the past, representatives for major record labels scouted talent typically through auditions. Today, labels expand their search by scouring the Internet for the next sensation. Artists often turn to the Internet hoping to spread their music. While taking classes at HCC as a General Studies major, Faras Aamir (AKA Farosty) uploaded music videos of his songs online and amassed a following on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Aamir got into music by taking inspiration from rappers like Eminem, Drake, and Chance the Rapper. “I started by mixing and remixing songs I already knew and then I played my own instruments and created my own beats,” he says. As his musical style developed, he began
incorporating eastern elements with hip-hop to create what he likes to call “Punjabi hip-hop.” Aamir is currently working on three projects and two are cultural music videos. The third project is a spoken word piece about a wolf. Artists like Aamir are able to self-produce and promote because resources once exclusively provided by record labels are now available to the public. Being able to produce their own music has allowed artists to sustain their creative rights and artistic integrity. Jason Brown, former HCC student and former elementary school teacher, is an alternative acoustic rock musician. For Brown, “Self-sufficiency is important because it keeps the integrity of the music intact.” Brown began playing the guitar when he was 17. “I had always been into music but when I was 17 I became good friends with someone who played guitar and he taught me the basics and we has such a good time playing music together that I was hooked,” says Brown.
This demonstrates the lasting connection that many artists aim to create with their music. The biggest musical influence in Brown’s life has been the Grateful Dead. He explains, “Not only their music, but their philosophy behind it as well. They carved out a mostly independent way of doing things and became extremely successful. They also showed me what a positive power music can be in life.” Brown is self-taught because he wanted to develop his own style. “Taking the independent route is what came natural to me. Music is so personal to me, especially the music I make, that I didn’t want anyone else telling me how or what I should play,” says Brown. He explains that his goals have changed recently since he retired from his day job. “Now, music, for the first time, is my career. So my goals are to find as many local places to play my music as possible. For me, music has always been about playing it live.” Brown is currently working on a CD at a local studio. He is hoping that recording a CD will gain him exposure so he is able to play more live shows. ›
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Tia Jones creates conscience rap music with hip-hop and rhythm and blue influences.
According to both Aamir and Brown, the hardest part about being an independent artist is getting the music to the public and getting your foot in the door. “Being independent, you can’t just keep making songs in hopes that someone will listen to something,” Aamir adds. “You have to sacrifice some time to actually get your name out there and come up with new ways to do it.” Brown agrees, “Without the financial and promotional backing labels give you, an indie artist is just another musician; I believe it is more difficult to get the attention of people that are in a position to further your music.” Every promotional effort comes from the artists themselves. There’s no other assistance. Conversely, every cent made goes into the artist’s pockets. It isn’t split with labels or executive bodies. Indie-folk artist Kelsey Stephenson (AKA Kelsey G) acknowledges the
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financial hardships that come with being a self-producing artist. “I put my money and effort into my art, so others can experience my music,” explains Stephenson.
started to play guitar, and thought ‘hey, I want to inspire others through music like they have inspired me.’” After a lot of hard work, Stephenson will release her album “In My Head” this year. She is not currently working on any projects but she is working on lining up shows. By fueling their own projects, rather than placing their creative rights in the hands of record labels, musicians sustain their artistry as well as themselves. Working on music is just as much of a spiritual journey as it is an artistic one. Progress does not come without hard work. HCC Mass Communications major Tia Jones, AKA Mazlow, says she works towards her goals by practicing daily, taking the opportunities that come to her, and spreading her message through other art forms. Jones creates conscience rap music with hip-hop and rhythm and blues influences. She is beginning to venture into other genres, as she believes versatility is important quality to possess as an artist. Her biggest musical influence is Jay-Z. She remembers being amazed by his lyrics and beats as young as 11 years old. Eryka Badu, Aailyah, and Jamie Foxx are other strong influences to Jones’ music.
“Music is so personal to me, especially the music I make, that I didn’t want anyone else telling me how or what I should play.” “Everything from album covers to recording comes out of my own pocket, so money is a struggle.” While majoring in Technical/ Professional Studies at HCC, Kelsey Stephenson took control of her musical career and began offering her music for free on her Reverb Nation page. Stephenson started her foray into music after falling in love with songs by Alanis Morissette and Jewel. “I
She’s currently working on a project called “Unprecedented Insight.” She describes it as “a collection of songs that reveal personal accounts of real life events” that she’s been working on for a few years now. She is hoping to release her work by the end of 2016 and performed this summer in Baltimore. Aamir says, “Any moment I am inspired by anything, that is when
I feel compelled to create. My sole purpose is to make what I envision, so I am never worried about how many likes it gets or where it gets me.” For him, creating is something that comes naturally and should not be forced. Like most genuine artists, Aamir and Stephenson make music for the art. Their goal is to touch people. They aren’t interested in becoming a machine that churns out dollars for a corporation. Instead, they march to the beat of their own drums. According to Aamir, “It is a lot easier to sign with a label than to struggle as a self-supporting independent artist, but the independent artists definitely have more creative freedom and keep all of the profit.” Stephenson describes her music as her own therapy: “[Music] allows you to have release through music.” Being in control of her music helps her remain true to herself and her vision, something an audience wants to see in an artist. “My goal is to just be myself and help others through my music. I feel as though I have achieved so much success already just being able to let others hear my voice,” says Stephenson. Aamir, Brown, Jones, and Stephenson all agree that they want their audience to identify with their
Jason Brown is a self-taught alternative acoustic rock musician inspired by the Grateful Dead.
music on an emotional level, which is why it is so important to retain their integrity. “If my music can make somebody laugh, understand, or relate to what I am saying in my lyrics, that is enough for me,” says Aamir. Jones says, “[My] goals regarding music are to inspire self-actualization, make innovation cool again, and to show people that converting pain into art can also serve as therapy.” While being a self-sufficient musician is difficult, it is worth the
struggle to be able to control your artistic vision and remain true to yourself. “I don’t go through anybody else; it’s literally all myself.” Stephenson says, “I am a self-taught artist, and it makes me feel like I have to work hard to achieve my goals.” For her, “The feeling of knowing I actually wrote a great song is something I will always enjoy.” So the next time you’re walking to class, look around. There might be a star on the rise right beside you.
tune in to these local artists:
Faras Aamir
Kelsey Stephenson
AKA Farosty
AKA Kelsey G
youtube.com/RwnlPwnl
reverbnation.com/musician/ kelseystephenson
jason brown
tia jones AKA Mazlow
facebook.com/inDEADnation
soundcloud.com/mazlow2123
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
FEATURE
UNBRIDLED
Life Lessons Straight from the Horse’s Mouth By Alyssa Dietrich | Photography by Neil Harman | Owl Staff
“I want a pony for my birthday!” These are the dreaded words many parents hear from their son or daughter at least once in the child’s lifetime. The replies echo from parent to parent—horses are too expensive, they are messy, and they are too much responsibility. But isn’t responsibility what we try to teach children and complain that they don’t have enough of? It is true that horses are expensive. I hand over $350 every month just to board my horse at a local farm in Pylesville, Maryland. I also pay farrier bills, vet bills, and other miscellaneous expenses. Every Saturday, I muck 20 stalls at the barn and can personally attest that yes, horses are messy creatures. But, at the end of the day, I would not trade a single moment of time I have spent with horses. My love of horses began when I was very young. While I learned to walk and talk, I also learned to adore horses. You could say it was love at first sight. Finally, shortly after my seventh birthday, I began to take lessons at a farm in Joppa, Maryland. I remember
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the day very clearly because it changed my life forever. My first few lessons were on an older horse named Blaze. I learned how to control his speed as well as direct his path. Soon, I moved on to my favorite part of riding: jumping. Jumping has helped to build my patience and my sense of partnership. When jumping, a rider must be in complete sync with her horse. A rider must trust her horse, but more importantly, a horse must trust his rider. I have spent 13 years building this partnership and even to this day I do not fully understand what makes this bond so special. All I know is that when it is made, the bond is life-long and brings me joy like never before. Through this bond, horses guard my deepest secrets. Their big, patient eyes never portray judgment the way human eyes do. However, there was something missing. While I had worked with a great multitude of horses, I had never owned one. Never before had I been able to call a horse “mine.” After years of dreaming, my wish became reality. In November of 2014,
I came to own Twister, a wily exracehorse with a bitter past. Twister’s owner, no longer able to control him, gifted him to me after I worked with him for nearly two years. This is when I was truly put to the test. Prior to owning him, my parents paid for all of my riding expenses with the exception of my shows. Once Twister became mine, I was financially independent for the first time in my life. I began to juggle college full-time as well as a job to help pay for Twister’s board ($350/month), vet bills, which varied in amount and frequency, and farrier bills ($50 every six to eight weeks). Financial troubles were not the only problems I faced as Twister’s new owner. As I said, he has a bitter past. He was born with one purpose in life and that was to race. Life on the track was not kind to Twister. While I do not know for sure the exact pains he faced as a racehorse, I am certain he lived a life of abuse and cruelty that left him with many emotional scars.
Often, Twister would lash out in fits of anger, especially when he had food. I suspect he was practically starved on the track as well as beaten. When I rode him, sometimes Twister would lose all sense of obedience and, not knowing what else to do, bolt wildly past the point of control. Many people urged me to quit, my parents included. “He’s not trainable,” they said to me. “He’s going to hurt you. He’s draining your bank account dry.” I would not permit myself to give up on Twister. An important lesson horses have taught me is determination. I was determined to prove everyone wrong. I did my duty as I saw fit, fighting through the mire of responsibility even though the odds stood against me. I worked as often as I could, struggling to bring in the money I desperately needed to support my horse. In the end, though, I learned yet another hard lesson in self-sufficiency. I learned what it meant to sacrifice. No matter how hard I tried, I could not change the fact that I was not
making enough money to support my horse. With my school schedule the way it was, I could only work once a week. It was time to give Twister up. In the last week of April 2015, just six months after accomplishing my life’s dream of owning a horse, I returned Twister to his old owner. I learned a valuable lesson from that moment. Self-sufficiency is a heavy burden and comes at a high price, but what great accomplishment does not? My time with Twister taught me what real responsibility is. As a young adult, I now know that my responsibility is to school and work. I have determination that not only carries me through this responsibility, but gives me hope that one day I will have a horse again. I know how to sacrifice some free time to work and save money or to complete school so that I can move on to the next part of my life (which will include a horse). Horses have taught me many things about
responsibility, determination and sacrifice. Despite the blood, sweat, and tears that went into those lessons, I would not trade a single moment with these beautiful creatures.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
FEATURE
Heathcote: The School of Living By Matt Tennyson | Owl Staff
Heathcote residents construct a new greenhouse for the property.
Tucked away in a wooded valley in Freeland, Maryland is the Heathcote Community congregating before dinner. As they form a circle to hold hands, one member bursts into song “My head is in the sky, sky, sky…” while others follow suit. Heathcote is one of five “intentional communities” within School of Living along the east coast. An intentional community is a community in which emphasis is placed on community interaction and growth collectively while also giving space and freedom for individual households. School of Living’s mission, as described on its website, is “dedicated to learning and teaching the
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philosophy, principles, and practices of living that empower individuals to establish decentralized, ecologicallysound, and humane communities.” The communities within School of Living, such as Heathcote, carry out this mission by demonstrating sustainable, cooperative living and offering educational programs. Karen Stupski, Director of Education at Heathcote Community, has lived there for over 22 years. “Some things I enjoy most about Heathcote are working outside in the gardens, working with other people, and sharing what we do here with visitors,” says Stupski. “I’ve had many joyous days here.”
The School of Living was founded in 1934 after the founder, Ralph Borsodi, became troubled with the ways of modern society after the great depression. As Borsodi spent much of his life writing about his ideas for an alternative model of living, his most passionate student, Mildred Loomis, took his ideas into action in order to start the Heathcote Community. Greg Newswanger and Juji Woodring have raised two children, Ursa and Avin, while living at Heathcote. “It’s been great generally,” says Woodring. “The kids have a lot of freedom to run around and play outside in nature or go swimming.”
Newswanger also shares Woodring’s enthusiasm for the community. “I really appreciate the collection of other people around, especially adult figures in their lives that they can interact with on a regular basis,” he says. Currently living in the community are three women, three men, and two children, along with interns and visitors that occasionally board with
says Stupksi. “Communities like Heathcote provide a great training ground where people can learn skills of sustainable and cooperative living.” Aside from being a regionally supportive group of people, the Heathcote community serves as an educational facility for people to learn about a modern synthesis of communal living, gardening,
“Communities like Heathcote provide a great training ground where people can learn skills of sustainable and cooperative living.” them. Each member takes on their own specific tasks for maintaining the community, such as farm manager, director of education, and bookkeeper. There is also a rotation for cooking and cleaning for dinner each night. Several members within the community have day jobs, while others are retired. Despite this, the community still finds time to collaborate on gardening, building, and education related projects, while hosting a weekly game night on Saturday nights where community members and guests alike come to enjoy music, games, and conversation. While most community members seem satisfied with their accommodations, the community is not without it’s own unique set of challenges. Stupski says, “There’s always financial challenges. We never have enough money to do all of the things we’d like to do. Another challenge is lack of labor, and the occasional conflict between members.” Heathcote was one of the first and longest enduring “hippie communes” in America. Having been founded in 1964, the community has taken on many transitions throughout the years, but it has remained consistent in its efforts to educate and inspire generations of people. “Currently we have a very unjust and ecologically unsustainable world; people are exploited, the earth is exploited, and there’s lots of suffering,”
sustainability and self-sufficiency known as permaculture. “We need a way to address these problems and create a world where we restore our natural ecosystems and we create cooperative, socially just social systems where we all have a good quality of life and we can meet each persons needs without degrading the earth. That’s what permaculture is all about,” Stupski adds. Patricia Ceglia is a trained architect and permaculture design expert who teaches Heathcote’s permaculture design course “Heathcote has had an education program for a long time, and they were one of the first communities in the country to teach permaculture,” says Ceglia.
She adds, “As an architect, I realized early on in my career that some of the projects I was asked to design, such as a strip mall, brought up my personal ethics. I discovered permaculture as a new way to design sustainably.” Students of the course are tasked with designing their own permaculture landscape over the course of a six-month period. At the end, if they pass all of the exams and their design checks out, they become certified in permaculture design. Another way that people get involved with the community is to intern. Interns are given boarding accommodations in exchange for roughly 20 hours of work each week and around $200 a month for food. Interns typically work on gardening or carpentry related projects. One intern, Kevin McCarty, experienced first-hand what it was like to live in the community. “It’s really good to be here and get a feel for what’s going on,“ says McCarty. “Changes are happening here, and it turns out some of them are quite difficult.” Like any family or group of people, there comes a list of triumphs and challenges. For the Heathcote community, the yin and yang of this balance is what allows them to grow stronger and pass on their wisdom to future generations.
A volunteer works in the dirt utilizing a permaculture method.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
HEALTH
DIY Fitness
By Madelyne Lightfoot, Wade McCartin, Malik Tyler | Photography by Madelyne Lightfoot, Kelsey Stephenson | Owl Staff
Between juggling my workload of 15 credits, 26 hours a week at a minimum wage job, Friday night movies with friends, and sleep, how am I supposed to find the time to work out? According to Donna Grove, Associate Athletic Director at HCC, the best way to get started is to “put it in your calendar as if it’s an appointment; it is an appointment with your health and well being.” “I can’t afford a gym membership,” or “I don’t have enough time” are frequently used reasons we use in regards to our lack of exercise. It may surprise you to know there’s no need to go to a gym! All you need to get into shape is determination and your own body.
Nicholas Costa, a professional personal trainer and HCC student, affirms, “You get what you put into it. As long as you’re willing to spend the time and effort, you’ll get results.” Exercising at home will leave you feeling just as accomplished as going to the gym, if not more so, because you have the satisfaction of knowing made progress using just your body. “Working out on your own without a trainer is beneficial because it teaches you self-discipline,” says Costa. “Selfdiscipline and motivation are required to meet the goals you set for yourself.” This leads you to be more self-sufficient in the long run.
Trainer Q&A: Nicholas Costa What are your fitness credentials, including certifications and job experience? “In high school, I went through Harford Tech’s sports technician and exercise science program for three years. A few years after graduation, I became NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers) certified and I’ve been so for two years. Mostly, I train clients by myself, on the side. I’ve worked in a gym before, but it’s nice to be able to choose the people I train.”
How did you become interested in fitness and personal training? “I’ve always enjoyed helping people as well as staying active. Being a personal trainer allows me to combine the best of both worlds. It helps keeps me energized too. I also notice that it’s easier to wake up in the mornings, I sleep better during the night, and my apatite is more predictable when I’m on a regular workout routine.”
What advice do you have to keep people motivated during a workout? “Record everything. This will help you track progress and it shows measurable results. Also, I’d recommend finding a partner in order to keep each other accountable.”
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Crunch Time
Russian Twists 1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent. 2. Lean back to make a “V� shape with your body. 3. Lock your fingers together and twist your torso to touch the floor on each side of your hips.
Double Crunches 1. Lie flat on your back; place your hands behind your ears. 2. Tighten your midsection. While crunching up, bring your knees to your chest to meet your elbows.
Cycling Crunches 1. Lie flat on the floor; place your hands behind your ears. 2. Raise your left leg slightly, and touch your right knee to your left elbow. 3. Repeat with the other leg.
Leg Raises 1. Lie flat on the floor with your hands by your sides. 2. Keep your legs as straight as possible and slowly raise them 4-6 inches off the floor. 3. Hold both legs up for one second. Slowly lower back down.
Heel Touches 1. Lie flat on your back and focus on a point on the ceiling. 2. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. 3. Slightly lift your shoulders off the ground and slowly crunch to the side and touch your heel with your hand.
Elbow Plank 1. Lie on your stomach (resting on your elbows and toes). 2. Raise your knees and midsection off the floor by tightening your abdominals and straightening your back. 3. Hold for 30 seconds, rest, and repeat.
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FALL/WINTER 2016 | OWL MAGAZINE
BEAUTY
Home Brewed Hair By Georgina Cammayo | Photography by Kelsey Stephenson | Owl Staff
If you go by a strict monthly budget like me, then you’re probably constantly finding ways to cut costs. But it’s easy to hit a brick wall when everything in your list feels like a necessity that’s weighing down your pockets. The good news is that there are ways to lower your expenses while simultaneously increasing your independence. Independence from commercial products and labor, that is. I used to rely heavily on products that were chemically processed to maintain my beauty regimen. But as I began exploring possible substitutes, I was introduced to a world of cheaper and healthier alternatives. One particular trend I decided to try was using tea to alter the color and texture of my hair. Chamomile and black tea offers two ways in which you can dye your hair naturally. While chamomile is best for medium brown to blonde hair for achieving more of a beige tone, brunettes can certainly enjoy the dark, rich effects of strong black tea. Experimenting with black tea on my dark hair did not disappoint. Since I started using this homemade rinse once a week, I noticed three things: my hair felt softer, the color is more vibrant, and flaking was significantly reduced. On top of that, I loved the scent it gives off. Modifying your hair this way consists of only a few simple steps: For black tea, add three-five tea bags plus sage to two cups of boiling water then let it steep for a couple of hours. Wait for the mixture to cool completely then pour it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on your hair then let it air dry. Using chamomile tea to lighten hair consists of the same steps, except lemon is used instead of sage.
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Georgina Cammayo uses a black tea rinse to enhance her hair color.
Then, there you have it! There’s no need to worry about damaging your locks or paying extra for a quick salon fix. Plus, unlike procedures involving chemical dyes and lighteners, this technique consists of natural elements and can therefore be safely repeated week after week.
the hair, soothe scalp irritation, and fight dandruff. Chamomile is also said to add sheen and softness to the hair, which explains why companies like Aveda and Crème of Nature list it as a main ingredient in some of their conditioners. Take note, however, that the change in color may not always be immediate
“There’s no need to worry about damaging your locks or paying extra for a quick salon fix.” Essence Magazine shares that topical application of black tea can reduce shedding and hair loss. Its caffeine content can counteract the effect of dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles, to give way to healthy hair growth. Meanwhile, popular health and wellness site, Livestrong.com, states that using chamomile rinse can nourish
or drastic. It is also temporary so it may require multiple tries in the course of a few weeks in order to reach your desired results. Now that you have discovered another use for tea, be on the lookout for more DIYs that suit your personality. Becoming self-sufficient feels great especially when accompanied by a growth in savings!
Prepare for a new career in less than a year. With more than 20,000 cybersecurity jobs currently available 1 in Maryland , now is the time to earn your Cyber Defense 2 Certificate from Harford Community College. To learn more and find out if you qualify, visit
harford.edu/cyberdefense.
“Cyber Defense is an interesting field where I’m learning about data breaches, phishing, malware, viruses, email security, and so much more.”
~Luke Wambua, Cyber Defense Certificate student
Harford’s Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. This workforce product was funded by grant #TC-26466-14-60-A-24, awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. 1 http://greaterbaltimore.org/cyber.aspx; 2 Pending MHEC approval
HARFORD.EDU/CYBERDEFENSE 25
The Experiences you deserve Leadership, service, and research opportunities Scholarships up to $20,000 Guaranteed Internship Program
ndm.edu/visit
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ou've worked hard at your education. Transfer to a place dedicated to helping you pursue your academic and professional goals. With a supportive community and opportunities for leadership, study abroad, research, service and a guaranteed internship program, Notre Dame of Maryland University is that place. You deserve it! Go to ndm.edu/womenscollege to learn more or find out for yourself and schedule a visit at ndm.edu/visit.
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4701 North Charles Street | Baltimore, Maryland 21210 | ndm.edu | 410-532-5330
October 27 @ 7:30PM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE SPEAKER SERIES: Exploring the Red Planet Get an up close look at exploration of Mars with Kobie Boykins, a dynamic young engineer at NASA.
Unnecessary Farce September 9, 10 @ 8PM September 11 @ 3PM Blackbox Theatre
Who’s Smarter Than a 5th Grader October 4 @ 6:30PM Chesapeake Theater
Anything Goes September 16, 17, 23, 24 @ 7PM September 18, 25 @ 2PM Chesapeake Theater
An Evening of Jazz October 14, November 4, & December 9 @ 8PM Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1
Trace Adkins September 23 @ 7:30PM APGFCU Arena Pinkalious, The Musical September 24 @ 1 & 4PM Amoss Center Sunday Afternoon Concert Series September 25 @ 3PM Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1
Beginnings: The Music of The Band Chicago October 15 @ 7:30PM Amoss Center National Geographic Live Speaker October 27 @ 7:30PM Amoss Center The Capitol Steps November 4 @ 7:30PM Amoss Center
Kaleidoscope of Cultures November 17 @ 6PM Chesapeake Theater The Grapes of Wrath November 16 @ 7:30PM Chesapeake Theater The Nutcracker December 2 @ 7PM December 3, 4 @ 1PM & 4PM Amoss Center HCC Music Students Recital December 14 @ 7PM Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1 Live From Nashville January 22 @ 3PM Amoss Center The Winter Doldrums January 29 @ 3PM Chesapeake Theater & Student Center
Visit LIVEatHarfordCC.com for complete event schedule.
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TURNS 5! 2011–2016