Got the Grammar Blues? Writing Center to the Rescue!

             Do you remember the classic hit, “I Got the Grammar Blues?” It sounded great up until Comma Jack hit that sour note on his trombone. 

            If your writing is a bit hit-or-miss these days, don’t despair. The Writing Center’s team of coaches is standing by to help.

 

            In fact, the Writing Center will continue to operate entirely online through the Fall 2020 semester. 

 

            “We miss seeing you on campus, but we've worked hard all summer to make sure we are ready to provide excellent support from a distance,” said Jenna Caviezel, the center’s director and an associate professor of English. 

 

            Tutors are available for two types of appointments:

            *Live Online appointments allow students to have real-time video conferences or text chats with a tutor. This is ideal for those who miss the face-to-face, on-campus tutoring experience!

            * eTutoring appointments allow students to upload their writing assignments and receive written tutor feedback. There is no need to be logged in at the same time as the tutor, which can be ideal for students with very busy schedules or internet accessibility issues.

            Students and faculty can also take advantage of the information and handout bank available on the Writing Center’s Lib Guide: https://mscc.libguides.com/c.php?g=1004878

Home - Writing Center - Motlow Library at Motlow State Community College - Home - Home What is the Writing Center? The Writing Center is a free service available to the entire Motlow community. We support a dedicated team of tutors who are attentive and knowledgeable so they can provide exceptional guidance with any project at any stage of the writing process including brainstorming for an English essay, revising a lab report, or polishing a cover letter for a job application. mscc.libguides.com

 

 

            Here's what some students who’ve used the Writing Center had to say last year (on the center’s anonymous survey form):

            “The Writing Center has been my biggest support system during this Fall semester,” raved one student.

            “The Writing Center has been a lifesaver for me,” exclaimed another.

            “I would recommend EVERYONE use this resource,” praised a third.

 

            So, if you have the grammar blues (or any kind of writing woes), you know who to call. Rest assured that talented Writing Center coaches are ready, willing or able (or able, willing and ready).

 

            Happy editing!

Success is... Showcasing Our Students' Writing Talents

        SMYRNA – “Extra, Extra… Read all about it!” Students in Motlow Smyrna’s Survey of New Media and Media Writing classes were busy writing stories and blog articles last semester. We used The Motlow Buzz as an educational platform to help prepare them for real jobs. 

          "My students had the opportunity to do what the pros do -- cover events, conduct interviews, and write and edit articles," said Mass Comm Instructor Charles Whiting. "We hope these High Impact Practices at Motlow will help open doors for life-changing career opportunities."

Following are some of their articles.

* City Native 'Red' Grooms Cultures Nashville at Tennessee State Museum (By JaJuan Isaacs):  https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/city-native-red-grooms-cultures.html

* MTSU Blue Raiders Fall Short to Ranked Virginia (By Devin Jackson): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/mtsu-blue-raiders-fall-short-to-ranked.html

* The Curious Kitchen Hosts An Elegant Seafood Feast (By Amari Young): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-curious-kitchen-hosts-elegant.html

* Smyrna High Defeats Northwest and Mount Juliet in Wrestling (By Andrew Freund):  https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/smyrna-high-defeats-northwest-and-mount.html

* Shoppers Jam Smyrna Target for Thanksgiving/Black Friday Sales (By Kim Prasanerak): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/shoppers-jam-smyrna-target-for.html

* 'Perfect Little Holiday Market' Draws Crowd for Holiday Shopping (By Connor Jacks):  https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/perfect-little-holiday-market-draws.html

* Nashville Artists Organize Handmade Market (Ashlyn Henderson): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/nashville-artists-organize-handmade.html

* Beyond the Bench Press (By Andrew Freund): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/beyond-bench-press.html

* Music Runs in These Families (By Cameron McInTosh): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/music-runs-in-these-families.html

* Art as a Movement (By JaJuan Isaacs): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/art-as-movement_15.html

* Taylor Swift Shakes Indianapolis (By Georgie Allen): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/taylor-swift-shakes-indianapolis.html

* The Best Albums of 2018 So Far (By Amari Young): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-best-albums-of-2018-so-far.html

* How to Spot a Grizzly Bear (By Elizabeth Overcast): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/how-to-spot-grizzly-bear.html

* Crafting a Campfire Story (By Jeremy Broadwater): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/crafting-campfire-story.html

* How to Prepare for the Bonnaroo Festival (By Sarah Queen): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/how-to-prepare-for-bonnaroo-festival.html

* Balance: Priorities, Deadlines and Time Management (By Sarah Hood): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/balance-priorities-deadlines-and-time.html

* 'Good Makers Market' Draws Big Crowd for Holiday Shopping (By Delores Elliott):   https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/good-makers-market-draws-big-crowd-for.html

Motlow Smyrna Offers Wide Range of Courses for Fall Semester

By Charles Whiting

Motlow Buzz Editor-in-Chief

         SMYRNA -- If you're an incoming student, no doubt you've been searching the online catalog to decide which courses to take. There are a lot of good ones, but they are filling up fast as hundreds of new students attend orientation sessions before classes begin on Aug. 27.

         Here are a few highlights:

         * Introduction to Art (ART 1035) -- A course designed to help you understand the visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture and architecture) and to show how culture and art interact.

         * Media Writing (COMM 1020) -- If you've ever wanted to write stories, this is a good course for you. Students explore writing and editing for newspapers, magazines, radio, television, public relations and social media (and you'll get to write a story for our campus e-newspaper, The Motlow Buzz.)

         *  Introduction to Biology (BIOL 1010) -- You will examine basic biological principles and survey the kingdoms of living organisms. Specific topics include cell structure and function, cell processes and reproduction, inheritance, taxonomy, viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, animals, and ecology.

         * Introduction to Literature (ENGL 2045) -- There's nothing better than reading a good book. Enjoy reading and analyzing literature as forms of cultural and creative expression.

         * Personal Finance (BUSN 1300) -- You'll learn how to refine and reach your personal financial goals. Topics may include planning, budgeting, taxes, credit, housing, insurance, investing and retirement planning.

         * Early United States History (HIST 2010) -- Explore the history of the United States from the beginning of English settlement in North America through the Revolution, early national period, disruption of the Union, Civil War and Reconstruction periods. This course ends with the events of 1876.

         * Introduction to Music (MUS 1030) -- Develop your awareness of music from many historical style periods, music from diverse cultures, and the foundations of modern streams of musical thought.

         * American Government (POLS 1030) -- Have you ever considered running for public office? This course is a study of the basic features of American government with emphasis on constitutional principles and the structure and functions of the three branches of national government.

         * Introduction to Theatre (THEA 1030) -- This course provides an overview of theatre as an art form. Included in the course is the study of the development of drama, the theatre, and an appreciation and understanding of the theatrical process.

         To learn more about these courses and learn about others, visit http://catalog.mscc.edu/index.php?catoid=15.

Motlow Smyrna Media Writing Students Contribute Stories to Motlow Buzz

                Media Writing students at Motlow Smyrna have been writing up a storm, and it’s time to share their talents with fellow students, faculty, administrators and staff. Click on the links below to read their stories.

Adventure Science Center Welcomes 31st Annual Whistlestop Weekend  -- By Mohamed Kamara

Painting With A Twist Creates Art in Murfreesboro  – By Dillon Henderson

Smyrna Chick-fil-A to Undergo Renovation – By Landon McAllister

MTSU Students Perform Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ -- By Shanice Green

Cannonsburg Hosts International Festival – By Preslee Pope  

Fountains at Gateway Opens Outdoor Skating Rink for Winterfest   – By Matthew Northrup

Nationally Known Photographer Thomas Sanders Speaks at MTSU  – By David Delgado

Music Festival Ends Suddenly After Conflict Between Staff and Crowd – By Logan Langlois

Woodbury Hosts 26th Annual Cannon County Christmas – By Elise Floyd

Student Government Hosts Thanksgiving Feast in McMinnville – By Jordan Donalson

Western Kentucky Defeats Blue Raiders in Overtime Thriller -- By Gamari James

Skek Boutique Spotlights Jewelry at Fashion Show in Murfreesboro -- By Karlie Mingle-Prater

New Seasonal Ice Rink Opens as Part of Winterfest -- By Maria Mansour

Walmart Plans to Revolutionize Retail Online and Delivery Services

By Samuel Pitts

Motlow Buzz Reporter

SMYRNA, Tenn. -- The Walmart store at 570 Enon Springs Road East in Smyrna, Tennessee, plans to begin offering new delivery services that bring groceries to customers’ homes using local Uber or Lyft drivers.

The Walmart parent company in Arkansas announced a partnership with the public transportation companies Uber and Lyft in June 2016. This collaboration will allow customers to order groceries online for delivery to them within the safety and convenience  of their homes.

“Walmart decided to start this program to extend another service to its clientele,” Co-Manager of the Smyrna Walmart Kenny Roberts said. “And it opens the door to new clientele that does not wish or is not able to make it to the store.”

A specialized associate loading an online order

The process begins with a customer placing a grocery order online and choosing a delivery time period. Specialized associates will review the list of items and prepare the order. An associate will then make a request for a driver from Uber or Lyft to visit to the store, pick up the order, and deliver it directly to the customer’s location.

The service is available within Uber and Lyft designated driving areas. The cost of the order increases with a greater travel distance.

“Unlike other online delivery programs, Walmart’s services are free,” Roberts said. “With other grocers you pay a fee for the pickup service. The order is the only charge. As of now, I think we are the only big box retailer offering the delivery option.”

Right now, the program is being tested in Denver and Phoenix. So far, results have shown fairly positive reactions. The company hopes the program will be headed to all stores by the end of the year.

Shoppers will be able to order from a selection of 40,000 items. Walmart offers 30,000 food products and 10,000 household items such as cosmetics, diapers and pet supplies.

The Smyrna Walmart and its customers will benefit from the new delivery service. It’s currently one of the highest-grossing Walmart stores in the nation, although it is one of the smallest by comparison in size. Adding this program will increase company profit and help it compete with Amazon.

Many jobs will be created. There will be a need for more specialized associates, as well as drivers for Uber and Lyft as the program grows and becomes more popular to use. It will also grow the Online Grocery Pickup service, which will also bring more employment opportunities to the store.

“I think it will be one of the best choices for home delivery,” Roberts said. “It will combine Walmart’s low prices with the ability to get it the same day for a small fee.”

Amazon is the chief competitor of Walmart. The Seattle-based company is the largest online-based retailer in the world in total sales and market capitalization. Amazon surpassed Wal-Mart in 2015.

Graph indicating Amazon surpassing Wal-Mart

Walmart is an American multinational retailing corporation based in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in hopes of helping customers and communities save money and live better.

Although the new service is not yet available, you can order groceries online to be picked up at the store by going to https://grocery.walmart.com.

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Wild West Comedy Festival Hits Nashville

By Christy Charernnam

 

Motlow Buzz Reporter

 

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. – This year’s Wild West Comedy Festival drew thousands of fans to Nashville venues ranging from the Ryman Auditorium to Bridgestone Arena during its second annual run from April 14 to 19.

            When actor Vince Vaughn decided to hold the Wild West Comedy in Music City, he knew it was going to be a big deal.  He says it’s here to stay.  Quinn Kaemmer, the festival’s public relations director, wholeheartedly agrees.

            “I think the festival was a huge success and brought a nice change of pace to the everyday music scene,” said Kaemmer.  “Each comedian brought a nice variety to appeal to all types of demographics.  There will be another festival next year!”

            The festival kicked off April 14 with dozens of comedians performing through April 19.  Kevin Hart ended the festival with two sold-out shows at Bridgestone Arena.  Some fans said their cheeks hurt badly from laughing so hard. Courtney Clardy, a fan that attended the show agrees.

            “I have seen Kevin Hart a couple times in theaters, from his movies,” said Clardy.  “I would definitely have to say he is 10 times funnier in person.  If you haven’t seen him in person, do it!”

            There was so much talent in Nashville that week, it was hard to pick one performer as a favorite.  Even country star Brad Paisley attempted to do a stand-up.

Eric Andre performing at Exit/In April 18, 2015

            Besides Hart, there was another hilarious comedian named Eric Andre.  Andre, who stars in the “Eric Andre Show” on Adult Swim, performed at the Exit/in on April 18.  He approached the stage by showing love to Nashville, and hit it off with R-rated jokes.  When he speaks about R-rated jokes, he is referring to anal jokes and drug use.  Besides his hilarious band names, the audience enjoyed him.

            The festival consists of the funniest comedians in the world that travel to Music City to perform at well-known venues around the area.  Local or upcoming comedians are more than welcome to join.  As of right now, no plans for booking artists have been set in stone yet.  Be on the look out.

            To learn more about the Wild West Comedy Festival, visit http://www.wildwestcomedyfestival.com.

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