Angie Von Rueden
Staff Reporter

Each year the NIACC Ski and Snowboard Club takes a trip to a fun and exciting destination over spring break.

Winter Park, Colorado will be where the group travels this season for its next trip in March.

Any student or alumni are welcome to go on the trip, even if a person doesn't know how to ski or snowboard.

Sounds silly, but according to Bruce McKee, club adviser, a person can go to enjoy the scenery, lodging, shopping or just to get away for a few days.

The club will leave the NIACC parking lot Saturday, March 11, and car pool to Osceola, Iowa.

From there they will get on the Amtrak train and enjoy the scenery to their condos in Winter Park, Colorado.

The condos sleep six, which includes two bedrooms, a pullout sofa, two bathrooms, kitchen and living room.

Accommodations include a pool and a hot tub and the ski slopes and shopping area are only minutes away from the condos.

"Colorado is a great place to learn how to ski or snowboard," McKee said. "The runs are so long and wide, there is lots of time to practice and they are not so crowded."

There is not a set schedule on the trip, so a person can ski, shop or hang around the condo all day.

It's up to each individual as to what he or she would like to do with the days in Colorado.

If a person signs up before December 7, each individual will save $100 on the entire trip, four days and four nights, will only cost $395.

If a person knows he or she will not be skiing or snowboarding, the individual can talk with McKee personally and the price will be lower due to not having to purchase lift tickets.

A person does not have to own skis or snowboards.

McKee said there is a place where those can be rented right across from the condos at an affordable cost.

"Bring your friends, they can come too," McKee said.

Those interested can sign up in the NIACC Business Office and put a $100 deposit down.

Another $100 is due by December 7 and the rest of the balance is due by the end of February.

"Be sure to get that deposit in, saving a hundred dollars is a lot of money," McKee said.

Anyone with questions can contact Bruce McKee, club adviser, at (641) 422-4348 or John Brietzke, club adviser, at (641) 422-4261.

NIACC and the Mason City Noon Kiwanis will sponsor the Travel and Adventure Series. In its seventh season, this series offers something for everyone with films from around the world. The Travel and Adventure Film Series is an opportunity for world travelers and lecturers to take North Iowa residents on exciting and beautiful excursions.

Presentations will be held in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus. Tickets can be purchased individually at the door for $5 (adults) or $3 (students). They can be purchased at NIACC or from any Mason City Noon Kiwanis member. All proceeds go toward area youth programs. For additional information, call NIACC Continuing Education at (641) 422-4358 or (888) GO-NIACC ext. 4358.

The program schedule is as follows:

"A Canal Adventure in England, Scotland and Wales"(Wednesday, November 30, 2005, 7:00 p.m.)

Fran Reidelberger's "A Canal Adventure in England, Scotland and Wales" takes viewers on an adventure of the mass transportation system that sparked the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. Started in the mid-1700's, the canals crisscrossed the countryside, covering more than 4,000 miles. Abandoned by industry, the waterway has become a quiet, history-filled playground for holiday boaters. In the mid-1980s, filmmakers Fran and Brooke Reidelberger rented a canal boat to travel what they call "Britian's Gentle Highway." On a recent return trip, they discovered, much to their pleasant surprise in this rapidly changing world, that you can enjoy the very same journey today. The result is a fresh look back at a relaxing adventure along the canals of England, Scotland, and Wales.

"Canada's Incredible Parks"

(Sunday, January 8, 2006, 2:00 p.m.)

"Canada's Incredible Parks" will take us through twenty-one Canadian Parks from East to West. Starting with L'Anse aux Meadows Park in Newfoundland, where Vikings came ashore a thousand years ago. We explore the forested Parks of central Canada to the stunning mountains of the West. Included are Gros Moren, Cape Breton Highlands, Kejimkujik, Prince Edward Island, Kouchibouquac, Fundy, La Mauricie, Point Pelee, Ellsemere Islandm, Grasslands, Riding Mountain, Waterton Lakes, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Wood Buffalo, Nahanni, Pacific Rim and KluaneÉmajestic and resplendent.

"People of Poland"

(Thursday, February 23, 2006, 7:00 p.m.)

Come along on a fascinating journey, from the "Cradle of Solidarity" to the centuries-old beauty of Krakow! From the windswept beaches of the Baltic coast to the spectacular summits of the High Tatra Mountains. The rapture of a Chopin recital and the visual excitement of Poland's renowned poster art. The pageant of Polish history, from the victory over the Teutonic Knights at Greenwald in 1410 to the breakdown of the Communist Bloc and the end of the Iron Curtain. Welcome to Poland, old and new!

"LaBelle France"

(Wednesday, March 1, 2006, 7:00 p.m.)

From the beaches of Normandy to the Old Port at Merseilles, you'll view France with a twist, as seen through the eyes, ears and lens of American folk musicians Monty and Marsha Brown. You will stroll through the Seine in Paris, City of Lights; tour famous Mont. St. Michel; marvel at Roman Monuments such as Pont du Gard, a 2000 year old Roman Aquduct; catch a glimpse of the Tour de France competitors cycling by; experiencing the Grand Parc Puy du Fou; the Windmill of Daudet; and the last visitors of Van Gough.

"Irish Stories and Glories"

(Monday, March 20, 2006, 7:00 p.m.)

We'll join present day residentsÉand Medieval DublinersÉ for a night on the town. North is Kells Monastery, where the famous illuminated bible manuscript, the Book of Kells, was discovered. In County Monahan, there are three bachelor brothers who work wonders in wood and the largest Norman Castle in the countryÉwhere the movie, "Braveheart" was filmed. East is The Cooley Peninsula with its legends of the Children of Lir, the Brown Bull of Cooley, and prehistoric stone monuments.

Chelsie Anderson
Entertainment Editor

If I were to use the words suburbia, sex scandals, major drama and Wisteria Lane in a sentence, I'm sure most of you would know what popular television show I'm speaking of.

"Desperate Housewives" has made quite the splash on ABC's prime time TV. Nobody can seem to get enough of the sexy drama that makes the show what it is.

But that's what some people find to be the problem, the "sexy" aspect of the show. Many people are wondering if the content is too strong.

I personally have never been offended by the sexual content, only slightly surprised.

Actress Eva Longoria's character, Gabrielle Solis, has been known to frequently use her incredible looks to get what she wants, like the gardener.

But most recently, she used her lusty looks to get the lawyer to help keep her husband out of jail.

Now, I can see the problem with this in some cases because it's saying to girls that they can use their looks to get what they want.

But, it is a TV show people. I think that's important to keep in mind.

It shows all the drama that goes along with the choices they make, and usually it's A LOT of drama.

It's all for entertainment.

If you are someone who is not entertained by sexy women who walk around in lingerie and try to scheme to get their way, don't watch the show.

My point of view is, if someone doesn't want to see it or doesn't want the children to see it, simply change the channel.

If the big problem is that people think it shouldn't be on TV, the media and entertainment business is growing and evolving to where most people expect sex and violence.

Whether this is good or bad, it doesn't matter because it's happening.

I find the show to be fascinating, attention getting and fun to watch. The scenes with sexual content don't bother me at all.

When it comes down to it, if there were no drama or sex scandals on television today there would be no "Desperate Housewives."