Clarion 3/4/2009

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Citrus College

Clarion A First Amendment Newspaper

March 4, 2009, Volume LXII, Issue 10

Joe Torre Book Review www.theclariononline.com Page 13

Men’s Basketball advances to Sweet 16 For the second straight year, the Owls have an opportunity to play for the state championship.

By Irene Treasure Davis Clarion Sports Editor It was just another day in the office for the defending champs.

The Owls men’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row, as they shut down and shut out Victor Valley College on Feb. 28, 95-81.

The Owls played with confidence and controlled the tempo of the game the whole night.

“It’s the playoffs,” sophomore point guard Steven Bennett said. “We know what time it is, and what’s at stake.”

“It’s win or go home, and we aint goin’ home,” he added.

His confident attitude showed on the floor, as he scored a career high of 25 points.

From the beginning of the game, the Owls played an up-tempo offense and aggressive defense.

The game was put out of reach with an early 11-0 run with the help of a couple of steals and drives from sophomore point guard Kelly Johnson to put the Owls ahead 21 points and the score at 33-12 with 9:30 left to spare in the first half.

Later, the Owls would grasp a 20point half-time lead.

Johnson had an overall performance of 6 points, 7 rebounds, game high 6 assists, and a game high 3 steals.

“Every night it’s going to be somebody else who steps up,” head coach Rick Croy said. “And they all have an understanding of that.”

The Owls continued their dominance in the opening of the second half with a 17-9 run to lead 70-42 with 14:33 remaining.

The Rams would try to cut the lead with three consecutive shots beyond the arc from sophomore guard Dwight Gordon with a little over a minute left and the score 91-79.

Bennett sealed the deal with a trey with less than 10 seconds on the clock. “[Bennett] has been a leader all year,” Croy said. “He’s been through this before and keeps getting better and better.”

Irene Treasure Davis ccclarion@hotmail.com

Andrew Vasquez Citrus College Clarion

The Gatekeeper of the Emerald City (Raymond Barcelo) laughs haughtily at the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy for never having visited Oz before as he takes them into the city during the final dress rehearsal of the Citrus College production of “The Wizard of Oz” in the Haugh Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26.

Football player caught stealing in bookstore

By Irene Treasure Davis Clarion Sports Editor

t’s not quite the start to a new beginning the coaches of the Owl’s football team were expecting, as one of their players was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 10 on the Citrus campus.

Nineteen year-old Jonathan Jones, defensive and offensive lineman, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of stealing textbooks from the Owl Bookshop as a student employee.

Jones was employed at the Owl Bookshop from Jan.12 to Feb. 10, the night of the incident.

Tipped off by an employee, campus security arrived around 7:40 p.m. when they discovered stolen textbooks in Jones’ bag. From there, security called

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the Glendora Police Department and Jones was arrested.

“Not only did he embarrass himself, he embarrassed his family, and he embarrassed this program,” head coach Ronald Ponciano said. “He couldn’t follow the rules and standards of this program, nor the law, so he is currently suspended from the team.”

Jones said he is regretting both the suspension and the theft.

“I know I made a stupid mistake. I’ve really learned my lesson,” Jones said.

“Just talking about it is a learning experience. I should be at practice right now.”

According to Jones, after a night in a Glendora holding cell, he was sent to West Covina for a morning court hearing, where he pleaded no contest. He does not refute the charges, but also does not claim guilt for the charges.

Jones was then transferred to the Los Angeles County Jail where he was to stay for the duration of his 10-day sentence, but was released within three days.

Jones was charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to 25 days of community service, and $800 in fines and restitutions.

Martha McDonald, the Dean of Student Affairs, declined to comment as disciplinary actions is still pending.

Jones mentioned that, being from out of state, his family didn’t have much money and he was having trouble paying for necessities.

“Being from a single-parent household, I didn’t want to ask my mom [for money] and she was already helping me the best way she could,” he said.

That’s no excuse, though, Jones admitted.

“I made my myself look bad, and my coaches,” he said. “I let down the people who where really counting on me. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. They say you never miss something until it’s gone, and I’m missing football.”

Jones hopes he will find himself soon on the field again.

“I just want to make my coaches proud of me because they believe I’m good,” he said. “If the school gives me another chance I’m not goin’ to mess this up.”

Jones is currently majoring in sports medicine, and holds a 3.2 GPA. There has not been any further information on any pending disciplinary action.

Irene Treasure Davis can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Budget has pros, cons for campus

By Dustin Call Clarion News Editor alifornia’s state budget crisis finally came to an end on Feb. 20 when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a compromise package, which includes an 18-month spending plan that extends into 2010.

The new deal, 85 days late, will attempt to close the $42 billion state budget deficit through the governor’s four-legged stool approach.

The four legs include spending reductions, (including an $8.4 billion cut from K-12 and

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community college education), revenue increases, (which will largely come from tax increases), economic stimulus, and more efficient government.

However, before certain aspects of the budget compromise are to take effect, several propositions must be approved by California voters in a special election on May 19, 2009. If those propositions fail, the budget will need to be revised again.

Scott Lay, president and CEO of the Community College League of California, said in a Feb. 19 press release: “Governor Schwarzenegger and the legislative leaders that

crafted this plan must be saluted… In making very difficult budgetary decisions, they prioritized community college access to ensure that the rungs of the ladder of economic opportunity would be maintained during these difficult budget times for the state and families alike.”

In a letter to her campus constituents, Dr. Geraldine Perri Superintendent/President of Citrus College, said, “While the new budget as a whole poses significant challenges for Citrus College and community colleges throughout the

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“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

—Thomas Jefferson

Campus

Wire

Empty Bowls Supper The Empty Bowl’s Project’s Soup Supper will be held on March 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Glendora. For $15 participants will receive a ceramic bowl, handmade by Citrus College students, filled with soup from local restaurants. There will also be a performance by the Citrus College Jazz Band. The funds raised at the event will be used to aid those in need of immediate hunger relief. For more information, contact Mike Hillman at (626) 914-8661.

Lessons from Little Rock Dr. Terrence Roberts, a member of the Little Rock Nine, will present “Lessons from Little” on March 18 at 10 a.m. in the haugh Performing Arts Center. The presentation will explore the impact the historic school desegregation has on today’s society.

Spring College/Transfer Fair The Career/Transfer Center will be hosting a college/transfer fair on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center Mall. Approximately 40 four-year institutions will be in attendance to assist students with any questions they have regarding transferring.

Race for the Cure A Citrus College team will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for Los Angeles County. This will be the third year that the college has had a presence at the event.

Once again, the team will be lead by Holly Colville and will include faculty, staff, students, and friends. This 5K "race" will be held at the Rose Bowl on Sunday, March 15. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m.

Funds raised are used to support local breast cancer services, particularly for under-insured women, and national breast cancer research programs. For more information, or if you are interested in joining the Citrus College team, contact Holly Colville at (626) 914-8777 before Thursday, March 5.

March 4, 2009

And in other news...

LOCAL: About face! Woman gets botox injections then bolts Police are on the hunt for a woman -- she calls herself Mariam -- who has patronized a number of clinics and salons in Orange County asking for Botox treatments but skipping out without paying.

They say she has received about

$2,000 worth of cosmetic injections at two Newport Beach clinics without opening up her purse.

The 50-something woman, who has used different last names -both believed to be fakes -- got the wrinkle-smoothing injections Jan. 6 and Feb. 23, Newport Beach po-

lice Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

On Feb. 23, she had $850 worth of Botox at Nulooks Med Spa, 1617 W. Cliff Drive, using the name Miriam Gombar, Sailor added.

So far, police have not determined the woman's real name.

STATE: Mysterious shaking moves doors, windows in OC Scores of residents across Orange County say they felt an eerie earthquake-like shaking at about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday that most moved doors and windows but not the rest of their homes.

Many readers say they were alarmed because they thought

someone was trying to break into their homes.

The source of the shaking isn’t known. There was no space shuttle landing tonight at Edwards Air Force Base. Camp Pendleton had some high explosive activities scheduled.

And Bob Dollar, a seismologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, said that at 11:55 p.m., “We did not record any earthquake tonight that could have caused this kind of shaking around Orange County.”

NATIONAL: Muslim American prosperity is tinged with alienation WASHINGTON — A study of Muslim Americans released Monday presents a portrait of an often misunderstood community -- one that is integrated socio-economically but culturally alienated; that succeeds in the workforce but struggles to find contentment.

The numbers suggest economic and career success among Muslim Americans -- they have a higher employment rate than the national average and are among the nation's most educated religious groups. Yet only 41 percent described themselves as "thriving."

And though the report by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies states that Muslim Americans are more likely than the general public to hold a professional job, they expressed less satisfaction with their standard of living and community.

INTERNATIONAL: An uncomfortable spotlight for Swiss bank ZURICH — Banking has long been to this tidy city what cars are to Detroit and computers to Silicon Valley, only more reliably. For while fortunes swung wildly in those places, quietly serving the world’s wealthy made growth here as predictable as a fine Swiss

watch. Until now.

With Switzerland’s biggest bank, UBS, staggering beneath a tax scandal that has undermined this country’s vaunted banking secrecy, as well as $53 billion in write-downs on American subprime securities, not only is

Switzerland’s reputation for stability threatened but so is the industry that made it one of the world’s wealthiest countries.

Stability will not return soon.

Last week, UBS replaced its chief executive, Marcel Rohner, after only 20 months in the job.

Student Business Office Hours Beginning this week, the Student Business Office will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming Deadline for Veteran Student Scholarship The Citrus College Veterans Network would like to spread the word that Walmart is offering a “boots to books” scholarship for student veterans with a 2.0 or higher GPA. But the deadline to apply for the scholarship is this Friday, March 6. Eligible students should contact the Veterans Network advisor, Dr. Bruce Solheim at 626-914-8096.

—To place an announcement, call x-8586, have a paragraph ready and specify which issue you would like your announcement to go in.

- Suspects on bicycles have been spotted on campus targeting vehicles for “smash and grab” crimes. Approximately seven to 10 cars have been vandalized over the past two weeks.

-Do not leave any visible valuables in your car; lock everything in your trunk.

- Left turns out of campus parking lots are not allowed.

- Do not park at Stater Bros., your car will be towed.

- Be courteous to our neighbors! Resident complaints have already been reported.

- Do not wait in the parking lot lanes for spaces to open up, keep moving.

- No skateboarding on campus.

Notes courtesy of the Citrus College Campus Security Office

March 4, 2009

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Campus faculty, foundation textbook scholarship recipients Afolabi David Duromola “It gives me extreme pain each time I ask my parents for money for my books, knowing they may be unable to provide it, so sometimes I miss points because of lack of textbooks to do my homework.”

Budget: Campus pros and cons state, it is a good one under the circumstances.”

Perri said that she feels that the budget is good because the Disabled Students Programs and Services and Extended Opportunities Programs and Services are still in tact, and even though cuts were anticipated, funding for Cal Grants still remains.

According to the Financial Aid Office, 200-250 Citrus students receive Cal Grant money to help pay for college.

Another positive aspect of the newly approved budget is that the registration fee at California Community Colleges will remain at $20 per unit. However, discussions about raising the rate in the future are still on the back burner.

Along with Carol Horton, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Perri held an open budget forum in the Louis E. Zellers Center for Innovation on Feb. 26 to explain the impact of the new budget on Citrus College.

Lahaina Baca “Her application was extremely moving.” said ASCC President Stefano Saltalmacchia.

On a statewide level, funds for state mandated activities that involve student services and health services have been reduced by $4 million.

Almost $40 million for the costof-living adjustment (COLA), which covers the additional costs of running a college in a community, has been eliminated.

Prior to the cuts, community colleges were allotted a .68 percent COLA increase to their funding, when in reality they needed a 5.66 percent increase during last summer and fall, according to Horton “It’s not the fact just of what they took away,” Horton said. “It is the fact of what they limited to begin with.”

Horton also said, “This $42 billion deficit, this whole stimulus package, and the four legs that the governor has proposed doesn’t completely clean it up.

Horton went on to explain that $340 million in cash payments from January through April 2008-09 have been delayed payment until June, and June’s payment has been delayed until October. “And that

Stephen Chakerian “I love my family very much, but they are unable to pay for my college education.

Therefore, I am paying for my education while being involved in a time consuming sport that reaps no current financial benefit.”

helps the state’s cash flow and destroys ours,” said Horton.

Perri then explained that Citrus would also experience reduced growth funding when administrators had already built the Citrus budget around 2 percent growth, which is what the state usually provides for community colleges.

Perri explained that preparation was taken at Citrus in anticipation of funding problems, which is why over 200 sections were cut from the winter and spring schedules.

“We tried to stay away from the schedule, but unfortunately it’s very hard to do when the college has such a small percentage of its budget that is discretionary,” Perri said.

Other measures that Citrus College administration has undertaken to adjust the college budget are to reduce on-call support, reduce travel, delay equipment purchases, and keep vacant positions vacant, Perri said, “We are doing it for several reasons. One is in anticipation of a budget that’s not going to materialize, apportionment that we won’t get at the end of the year, and as well, although we do have the

Rachel Knottknap “My parents have tried to help me as much as possible with funding my college education, but textbooks are always where we get into a real pinch for money.”

mechanism to borrow from the county, it’s always better that the college has its own ending balance or reserve that it can tap into, rather than getting in line with other community colleges and going to the county for funding to support basic operations in the institution.”

It is required that Citrus College maintains a 5 percent budget balance throughout the duration of the fiscal year. The goal is for Citrus to have an 11 percent ending balance at the end of the 2008-09 school year, which, according to Horton, is about what is needed to start the next fiscal year.

For the 2009-10 fiscal year the state has told community colleges that they will receive funding for 3 percent growth.

This should help Citrus College, which had filled almost 97 percent of its enrollment capacity by the time of the budget forum, according to Dean of Language Arts Sam Lee who generates an enrollment report.

Proposition 1B is one of items on the May 19 ballot, which, if passed, would repay K-12 schools and community colleges for the money that

they did not receive during 2008-09 as they should have under California Proposition 98 passed in 1998.

For the moment, it is still the plan for enrollment fees to remain the same and for Cal Grants to be funded in 2009-10.

Perri did say, however, that these items are targeted for legislative review in the next couple of months.

Perri said that if the legislature proposes to raise fees, cut Cal Grants, or change the funding rates for courses, Citrus College officials will be active in working against that happening.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Perri said. “We have to really stay active and watch this as legislation develops. And as soon as we hear legislation is developing, we have to get active to put calls out and tell our legislature that that’s not the way to go.”

Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

March 4, 2009

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ASCC withdraws participation from rally

By Dustin Call Clarion News Editor Students from at least 16 Southern California community colleges convened at Pasadena City College on Feb. 27 to join in the “We Are the Key to Recovery” community college rally.

Representatives from the Associated Students of Citrus College were not among them.

According to Chi-Chung Keung of Long Beach City College, one of the event organizers, the rally was originally intended to be a protest against funding cuts to community colleges proposed during the state budget crisis.

But since the state legislature passed a budget compromise on Feb. 19, the rally’s purpose was changed to thank legislators for considering the needs of community college students in their decision-making and to continue raising awareness for the needs of community colleges.

The event was emceed by Dat Phan, winner of NBC’s “Last Comic

Julia Kupisiewicz Citrus College Clarion Dat Pham emceed the “We Are The Key to Recovery”rally at Pasadena City College, Feb. 27.

Standing,” who incorporated his standup themes into his address to the crowd.

Pham was born in Vietnam and is an alumnus of Grossmont College, a community college in the San Diego area.

Chaffey, Rio Hondo, Orange Coast, College of the Desert, Barstow, Pasadena City, Cypress, Cerritos, Long

Beach City, Golden West, Santiago Canyon, Fullerton, Glendale, West Los Angeles, Mt. San Antonio College, and Santa Ana community colleges were all represented at the rally.

There was no representation for Citrus by student government officers or others who might have signed up to participate.

Stefano Saltalmacchia, president of

No suspects have been arrested in connection with student slaying Clarion Correspondent and Julia Kupisiewicz Clarion Editor in Chief An open forum for Duarte residents shocked with the recent shooting of former Citrus College student Miguel Sanchez Miguel Sanchez was held at Andres Duarte Elementary School on Feb. 17.

“We want to acknowledge this has been a difficult year,” said Duarte Mayor John Fasana to the residents, city manager, school officials and other notable officials who attended the meeting.

The 18-year-old was gunned down while walking along Millbrae Avenue on Feb. 9 and authorities believe the shooting was gang related, even though the victim himself was not involved with a gang.

City Public Safety Director Brian Villalobos said the city’s response has been suppression and extra patrols. While crime statistics reported by Duarte residents to the FBI scrolling on a white screen showed relatively few murders or violent crimes over an extended time period, Villalobos said, “We are a very safe city and we continue to be.”

Officials said they are doing everything possible to stem the tide of recent violence in Duarte and nearby Monrovia, saying the shooting has deeply affected the community.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Debbie Herman said the department’s homicide division has a lot of leads and are vigorously working the case.

“That night we had our gang

unit out there, and helicopters,” Resident John Reyes, a member Herman said. “Blood hounds were of the city’s neighborhood watch also out there. I can’t really talk program said he has seen a lot of about the investigation so as not to shootings and two murders since compromise it.” he’s lived in the city. Reyes called Herman urged residents to call for increase of programs for at-risk the city’s crime tip hot-line if they youth, better lighting on streets and see any suspicious activity or if for locks for the gates at parks something where children doesn’t feel or play. look right to “I’ve heard a lot them.

“We of talk over the “That night we had years, but I guess can’t do it by ourselves. You our gang unit out it’s just lip service. guys are a don’t need to there, helicopters. We huge part of hear excuses; we this,” she told Blood hounds were need to see results,” the assembled also out there. I can’t he said. residents.

Resident Rosa “ G a n g s really talk about the Gomez asked the have been investigation so as not Sheriff’s departaround for 30 ment to increase pato compromise it,” years,” Villalotrolling of her bos said. “It’s neighborhood. not a problem Sgt. Debbie Herman Monrovia resithat goes away dent Uriel Garcia, Los Angeles County Sheriff overnight.”

24, and Valentin He said the Valenzuela, 20, city will target at-risk youths and were arrested on Feb. 24, in conpeople on probation just coming nection with last year’s slaying of out of jail by providing after-school 19-year- old Brandon Lee. They programs such as midnight basket- are due in court for arraignment ball over spring break. Acknowl- March 11, according to Sandi Gibedging more jobs are part of the bons, a spokesperson for the Los solution, city officials announced a Angeles County District Attorney’s job fair would take place March 23. Office.

Residents were urged to contact the Although Detective Dan city for more information.

McElderry said the cases are not Villalobos added the county is related, friends of Sanchez relate implementing a county-wide anti- the two crimes as one of the same. gang initiative with four areas iden“We have no suspects in the tified for the pilot program, which Miguel Sanchez case at this time,” includes Monrovia and Duarte. said McElderry. “We haven’t got A group of 150 community any information back from forenmembers marched from the Im- sics and nothing to report at this maculate Conception Church in time.”

Monrovia to the New Hope Church If you have any information reof God in Christ in Duarte on Feb. garding this crime, contact the Los 21 as a sign of unity while combat- Angeles County Sheriff Departing the rising gang violence in their ment’s Temple City Station, (626) neighborhoods.

448-9861, or Sgt. Debbie Herman “It was very up-lifting,” said at the sheriff’s Duarte station, (626) Pastor George Salter of New Hope 359-5671, Ext. 304.

Church.

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By Ariel Carmona Jr.

the ASCC, said that ASCC officers decided the day before the rally to withdraw their participation.

According to Saltalmacchia, ASCC’s reasons for pulling out were projected low attendance by Citrus College students and the withdrawal of participation by California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott and by student governments from other community colleges because of their concern about the original direction of the rally. Saltalmacchia shared their concern.

“Right now we should be thanking the legislators because they were considerate, to the budget, with community colleges. So instead of rallying up and causing a ruckus for budget cuts that didn’t happen, we’re going to bring that continuous awareness, because then they’re going to pass the budget for next year coming up in May, so we need to [say] ‘Thank you for thinking of us this time, make sure you think of us next time,’” said Saltalamacchia.

“We didn’t want to set a tone that wasn’t one that we were feeling,” he said. “We were feeling thankful that the budget was considerate of the community colleges.”

Upon learning about this change on March 2, three days after the rally, Saltalmacchia said, “I’m happy that it was a thank-you, and if I would have known, I would have most likely have been there.”

Citrus student government officers still plan to attend the March in March, a rally on March 16 in Sacramento that is meant to raise legislative awareness for community colleges.

Saltalmacchia said there are 50 spots available for Citrus students to participate in this rally and that he will make it his personal goal to get that many to attend.

Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Life

March 4, 2009

Life Editor Julia Kupisiewicz - clarioneic@live.com

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Journalist emphasizes factual storytelling

Clarion Managing Editor

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e’s traveled the world covering wars and disasters. He has interviewed political leaders and celebrities and won three Emmys. He his one of our country’s best-known journalists.

But CNN anchor Anderson Cooper’s main focus is telling stories of ordinary people who are dealing with extraordinary circumstances.

That was the message he delivered on Feb. 17 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium as a contributor to the venue’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

Born on June 3, 1967 to writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and designer and heiress Gloria Vanderbilt, the anchor had no formal journalistic training, but he graduated from Yale University in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science.

“I had studied communism, but when the Berlin Wall fell I was totally screwed,” he said.

Cooper was unsure of the direction he wanted his life to take, but he did fall in love with the differences he saw in Africa after he traveled there.

After failing to get an entry level job at ABC, Cooper was hired as a fact checker for Channel One, a news provider aimed at teens.

Cooper created his own opportunities—he had a friend make him a fake press pass—and began traveling to war zones by himself to get into the news business.

“Until traveling to Somalia, I had never seen starvation or children die by me,” he said “ I was educated all over the world.

Working in places where pain and loss are palpable helped me realize that I should cover all types of stories.”

Covering politics can be frustrating, Cooper said. While he respects journalists whose political shows lean toward certain sides, he said that he feels it is important that his show be balanced, though people should remain open.“As a journalist I

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As a journalist I believe in facts, not opinions. It is important that we do not close ourselves off from the viewpoints of others.

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By Emily Rios

Anderson Cooper CNN Anchor believe in facts, not opinions,” he said. “It is important that we do not close ourselves off from the viewpoints of others.”

Cooper emphasized that people must know where their information is coming from. He commented that Hurricane Katrina is the best example of why reporting still matters.

He told the story of Ethel Freeman, a 91-year-old wheel-

chair-bound resident of New Orleans who along with her son, left her home to seek help at the Convention Center. With no medical care available, Freeman died. Her son, Herbert Freeman, stayed with her body as long as he could before he was evacuated. He wrote his personal information on a piece of paper, stuck it in his mother’s pocket, ,and covered her body with a blanket.

In the aftermath of the hurricane countless media outlets used a photograph of Freeman’s body.

It took her son seven months to track down Freeman’s body at a morgue in Louisiana.

At the close of his address, Cooper was asked how he dealt with being a first-hand witness to the pain of others without letting it cloud his judgment as a reporter.

“I grew up a WASP, so I was bred to suppress my emotions,” Cooper joked. “But it is important to be moved by things and be affected, but you learn to control it.”

Anderson Cooper Above everything, Cooper continuously emphasized the importance he sees in covering the stories of people whose names you might never remember.

His advice to young people was to find their voice in their writing and to strive to out-work everyone else.

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

Live your life with confidence, love

By Mitchie Rose Pardilla Clarion Staff Writer

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now your aspirations and pursue them with passion.

This was the message delivered by the speakers at a Black History Month panel presented on Feb. 26 in the Handy Campus Center.

The symposium “Live Your Life!” was organized and sponsored by the Umoja Program at Citrus College and the Latina Leadership Network.

In the Swahili language umoja means unity; the Umoja Program is a student achievement program open to students of all races with a focus on African Americans.

The Latina Leadership Network is a nonprofit organization that encourages and guides community college students, particularly women.

Anthony Ross, vice president for student affairs at California State University Los Angeles, was the first to address the crowd of 100 students, staff and faculty.

He shared his experiences of overcoming challenges–from a serious knee injury to juggling unexpected fatherhood, studying, playing ball and working.

Ross, the first and only college graduate in his family, said young people can reach their goals if they work hard and commit to them.

“We are finished products and you are a diamond in the rough,” he said.

Paula Green, director of communications at Citrus College, spoke next, sharing the value of education in her upbringing.

“I came from a family of teachers,” she explained.

Family and other mentors helped her to excel in college and life.

Rosalynn Garcia Citrus College Clarion Director of Communications Paula Green discusses the value education held in her upbringing at the “Live Your Life!” symposium held on Feb. 26 in the Handy Campus Center. The event was sponsored by Citrus College’s Umoja Program and the Latina Leadership Network.

“I would not be here today if it weren’t for their love, support and extremely high expectations.”

The final speaker, Evans Roderick, served as student athlete counselor at Mt. San Antonio College before retiring.

Roderick, who still teaches part-time at Mt. SAC, attended different schools in various places as his father was in the military.

Despite all the moves, Roderick went to achieve something he thought was im-

possible.

“The most important thing in the world is love and confidence; if you have both you can’t be stopped,” he said.

Before the speakers took the stage, Vincent Lopez, director of the office of outreach,recruitment and orientation for CSULA, informed the crowd that CSULA is still accepting applications for fall.

Most of the attendees, who were treated to a lunch of nachos, left imme-

diately after the presentation as the panel had run longer than expected. Some took time to ask the speakers for their business cards before leaving.

Mitchie Rose Pardilla can be reached at ccclarion @ hotmail.com

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Life

The Cowardly Lion (Alex Mendoza) meets Dorothy (Kristen Lamoureux), Scarecrow (Ray Spicer) and Tinman (Cameron Lanier) for the first time and sings “If I Only Had the Nerve” during the final dress rehearsal of “The Wizard of Oz” in the Haugh Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26.

Audience left Oz-struck by a wizard of a production Photos by Andrew Vasquez

By Julia Kupisiewicz Clarion Editor In Chief The Haugh Performing Arts Center had a strong feel of MGM circa 1939 during a performance of “The Wizard of Oz”on Feb. 27. Director Doug Austin, choreographer John Vaughan, and music director Keely Millikin went with the crowd-pleasing essence of the Hollywood classic movie.

The lean toward the film was a great choice, and inspired a performance that felt like an old familiar r friend.

The performers captured the smooth tones and easy lyrics of treasured numbers like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” hitting very close to the beloved screen legends.

The incredible stamina of Kristen Lamoureux as Dorothy Gale held her up through a two-hour performance in which she sang and danced in almost every scene. Lamoureux had an added responsibility of cuing Impy the dog on stage. Impy who has performed as Toto in the production of “Wizard of Oz” at the Musical Theatre West in Long Beach.

Ray Spicer conveyed a gentle and loveable Scarecrow with a wobbly walk and a fantastic singing voice. Cameron Lanier, a veteran to the HPAC stage, performed the Tinman. Whether rusting in a field, dancing stiffly or shaking in the presence of the great and wonderful Oz, this metal man was right on the money.

A bubble floated down to the stage carrying the glamourous Glinda the Good Witch, performed by Katie Ransom. Ransom dealt with the difficult special effects of rigging and cable that brought her bubble on and off stage like a professional. Her costuming and cmyk

make-up accented her exceptional interpretation of MGM’s classic Glinda the Good Witch.

Lauren Smolka’s Wicked Witch of the West demonstrated her wickedly good voice and also took to the air throughout the performance. Smolka made wearing a rigging harness and being yanked around by a heavy cable look as natural as riding a broom.

The cast was huge, with guest performers from high schools and elementary schools for the Munchkinland scenes. The kids were well-rehearsed and looked as if they were enjoying every minute of the show.

The crew behind the scenes did an exceptional job with the production. The scenery was authentic, the pyrotechnics were awesome and startling, and the lighting and flying were top notch. Led by Bill Hoehne, the orchestra gave the production a warm, reminiscent feeling of watching “The Wizard of Oz” on TV as a child.

The best performance by far was Alex Mendoza’s Cowardly Lion. He nailed it. His body language was terrific, even in such a cumbersome costume. His comedic timing was perfect, including a very amusing “Lion King” reference. Best of all was his voice. “King of the Forest” was a wonderful baritone piece and the audience just loved it.

Austin, Millikin, Vaughan, Hoehne, veteran Haugh performers and more than 125 members of the cast and crew received a well-earned standing ovation. At the end of the enthusiastic audience was up and out of their seats, ready to skip down that yellow brick road.

Julia Kupisiewicz can be reached at (626) 914-8586 or clarioneic@live.com

Dorothy (Kristen Lamoureux) is enchanted by the wondrous castles in Munchkinland when she first appears in Oz during the final dress rehearsal of “The Wizard of Oz” on Feb. 26.

cmyk

Citrus College Clarion

The Good Witch of the North, Glinda (Katie Ransom) descends upon Munchkinland to aid Dorothy during the final dress rehearsal of Citrus College‘s performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”

March 4, 2009

9

Dorothy (Kristen Lamoureux) and the citizens of Emerald City perform “Merry Old Land of Oz” during the final dress rehearsal, open to family and friends on Feb. 26 in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Scarecrow (Ray Spicer) gleefully sings “If I Only Had a Brain” to Dorothy during the final dress rehearsal of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion (Alex Mendoza) shriek in fear at the sight of The Wizard of Oz during the final dress rehearsal of “The Wizard of Oz” on Feb. 26.

Dorothy begins her journey traveling along the yellow brick road in hopes of finding The Wizard of Oz during the dress rehearsal of “The Wizard of Oz” on Feb. 26.

The Wicked Witch of the West (Lauren Smolka) screams her famous line “Oh, what a world!” as she melts during her final scene in “The Wizard of Oz.” cmyk

March 4, 2009

Sports

Sports Editor - Irene Davis - ccclarion@hotmail.com

Citrus College Clarion 11

Owls swoop over Condors for the win

By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondent

Nicole Madrid Citrus College Clarion Owls sophomore catcher Cassie Ward charges over homeplate during a home game against the Oxnard Condors on Feb. 26.

After a week of rain, the spring 2009 season has been nothing but sunshine for the Owls as their winloss record has risen to 8-4 overall and to 3-3 in the Western State Conference.

Last Thursday’s home game against Oxnard College had already been deemed special. It was the first game the Owls played on their newly constructed softball field but the team’s win over the Condors made their homecoming all the brighter.

The Owls were largely in control of the pace throughout the whole game and despite two two-run homeruns by the —Condors the first by Carissa “Chicken” Meza in the sixth inning and the other by Vanessa Flores in the last inning¬ —the Owls held their lead and conquered the Condors 4-6.

“Citrus started well in the first inning and just kept going,” said Condor head coach George Peraza. “We ran out of innings and Citrus just shut us down.”

“They are a well-coached and disciplined team,” he said.

Owls’ head coach Jackie Boxley said the team is still recovering from the damper rain put on the team earlier in the season.

“We had rented an indoor facility a couple of times so we could practice, but it has been hard,” Boxley said. “I think that the time we were not able to practice definitely took a toll on us but we are getting our fire back.”

Boxley said one of the highlights of the season so far is sophomore

Kelly Martin’s willingness to step up as a pitcher.

“Kelly has been incredibly tough because she was not a pitcher last season and we asked her to play as our main pitcher this season,” Boxley said, “and since the beginning she has shown she knows no limit to seeking improvement.”

So far this season, Martin has pitched 37 hits, 20 runs, 12 errors and 15 walks.

Boxley laments that although the team has not found its identity she is confident about the level of skill the team possess.

“Because our team has a great amount of freshmen we have been trying to find our identity as a team,” she said. “But with the talent we have on the team I am hoping it finds us.”

Freshman pitcher Stephanie Zuniga feels she has improved since the beginning of the semester.

“I have learned how to adjust to situations and think ahead quicker,” Zuniga said. “It’s a different level of competition and playing than I was used to in high school.”

“The team is more intense, there is a fire and passion in the way we play,” she continued. “That is how we win games.”

Thus far Zuniga has pitched 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 errors and 2 walks.

Both Boxley and the team are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

“So far no team has been really solid in the standings,” Boxley said.”

We are hoping to be the first ones. It’s going to be a battle.”

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Football coaching staff launches new era

By Irene Treasure Davis Clarion Sports Editor With a new head coach and offensive coordinator, the Owls football team is preparing for the new season with excitement and high expectations.

As of Feb. 2, coach Ben Noonan officially became the offensive coordinator for the Owls football team.

With smiles on everybody’s face, the coaching staff is anxious to have Noonan join the team.

“He’s a great guy,” head coach Ron Ponciano said. “I’m so excited I can’t even see straight.”

Ponciano said his interest in Noonan is based on the offensive coordinator’s experience. When Noonan was at West Texas A&M, the team broke records and had a dynamic offense.

“Obviously you don’t get a Big 12 responsibility of coaching quarterbacks unless you know what you’re doing, and I think that’s an extremely important issue here,” Ponciano added.

In 2008, Noonan coached NCAA Division I FCS Alabama State University, where he was also the offensive coordinator.

Prior to Alabama State, he coached another DI school, Baylor

University, in 2007-08. There, Noonan served as a graduate assistant quarterback coach.

“My wife and I are excited,” Noonan said. “We’re from the Bay Area, so after eight years out, this is a homecoming for us.”

Noonan said coaching at Citrus is a great opportunity.

“I’ve always thought of Citrus as a top J.C. and that it would be a great job to have,” he said,“I’ve coached six different offenses in eight years, and now I’m looking for stability. I have that here at Citrus.”

Noonan’s coaching career started at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif., during 2000-02 as the defensive backs’ coach. He then moved on to NCAA Division II Texas A&M University Kingsville for 2002-05 as the wide-receivers coach. There, he coached two Lone Star Conference wide receivers of the year in 2003 and 2004.

From 2005-07, Noonan served at West Texas A&M University as the team co-offensive coordinator. He helped lead them to the 2nd ranked passing game and 14th ranked total offense in the nation.

For now the off-season, the coaches are making new adjustments for both offense and defense.

Martin Bacon, former defensive back coach now defensive coordina-

tor, is looking forward to the retuning players.

“For defense, the plan is total domination,” Bacon said playfully.

“The plan is execution on plays and playing together as a team. This will be a new era and new direction for the whole team.”

The Owls struggled in fall 2008, finishing with a record of 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the western state conference, but Ponciano said his offensive plan was to hire the best offensive coach out there and feels he has done just that. Noonan also mentioned that spring football will give him a better grasp of the team’s chemistry.

“I’m definitely encouraged by the work in the weight room; the kids are working hard,” Noonan said. “So far the only disappointing thing is the quarterbacks’ grades. I’ve never had a player play for me that wasn’t a good student in the classroom.”

According to Ponciano, expectations for the team are high and changes need to be made on and off the field.

“I expect to be well prepared,” Ponciano said. “I expect to have a very disciplined and driven team, and I expect to be better, have fun, and be a class team with unity.”

Regarding off-the-field changes, Ponciano said, the coaching staff has set their standards high for the play-

ers here at Citrus College and expect nothing other than greatness.

“We are trying to find kids who like football; who like it enough to stay out of trouble, who like it enough to go to class, who like it enough to do the things they don’t want to do,” Ponciano said,“Football is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Ponciano said he plans to help players by starting a community service program specifically for the team here at Citrus.

“We’re going to get the kids to serve somebody or do something for someone other than themselves,” he said. “I feel you can’t become complete as a person until you do something for someone who is in need.”

“It’s a good feeling that happens within when you help someone else and a sense of accomplishment that you gain,” he continued, “We’re just trying to create a better person when they leave Citrus, and help them become men.”

Ponciano and Noonan will debut the 2009 season at Citrus College Stadium Saturday, Sept. 5, when they host Santa Ana College.

Irene Treasure Davis can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Speaking of

SPORTS...

By Frank Ram

Baseball team showing potential In recent years, the baseball team has had little to brag about.

Since 2005, the Citrus team has had only one winning season and one AllAmerican.

But in 2009, the Owls have come out of nowhere and are showing the promise of being a successful ballclub that could turn its losing tradition around.

As of Feb. 26, the Owls (10-3, 4-1) are ranked 11th in the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association So. Cal poll.

The squad remains undefeated at home and sits atop the Western State Conference South Division standings.

What makes this stat even more amazing is the recent past of the team.

Before 2009, the Owls had little to look forward to. Their most recent conference championship came when Citrus captured the 2003 WSC title.

The most recent conference player of the year to come out of Citrus, Sean Tracy, earned the honor in 2002.

Tracy has gone on to play Major League Baseball and signed a minor league contract in February with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Owls suffered three straight losing seasons prior to the 2009 season, never winning more than 20 victories.

Most recently in 2008, the Owls finished with a record of 20-24, 11-17.

So the baseball team has a lot to be excited about.

Steve Gomez, who is now in his fifth season as head coach, may be coaching his best team in his tenure at the helm of the Owls.

Whether or not the owls make the playoffs this season is yet to be determined.

Either way, it will be a competitive climb to the top throughout the season.

12 Citrus College Clarion

A&E

A&E editor Julia Kupisiewicz—clarioneic@live.com

March 4, 2009

Jazz great gives top-grade tribute to Armstrong

By Chris Lopez Clarion Correspondent In this blues-inducing, code-red economy, Marcus Belgrave salutes the life and times of Louis Armstrong and reminds us of “What a wonderful world” we truly live in.

Backed by a seven-piece band and accompanied by his beautiful, sultry voiced wife Joan Bow, the onetime member of Ray Charles’ band, former Motown session musician and all-around musical renaissance man brought his touring tribute on its tenth anniversary run to Citrus College .

From the onset of the performance, a professor of jazz studies at Oberlin College, Belgrave, made it known that his band’s ties were to the Louisiana Bayou and its hometown hero Armstrong.

After greeting the mostly salty with a few dashes of pepper haired crowd, he cracked a joke about the need to wait for his father. “We gonna take a trip down to the Bayou, wanna go with us? Well, then hold on to your seats but first wait for my pops. He’s gotta get his glasses.” The “pops” he is referring to is actually his right-hand man and tenor sax/flute/clarinet player and vocalist in his band Charlie Gabriel.

Gabriel has a musical lineage in Louisiana that goes back four generations: In addition to bringing great comic relief throughout the show, he provided an original composition for the performance detailing New Orleans street life entitled “Sweet Substitute.”

The backing band known as Marcus Belgrave’s Hot Octet includes Michigan natives Bill Meyer on piano, Chris Smith on trombone,

Peter Siers on drums, Paul Keller on bass, and Vincent York on alto saxophone.

The night’s most exhilarating moment came when drummer Siers and bass player Keller teamed up for an impromptu jam session with Siers drumming on Keller’s bass strings as he noodled along sporadically.

Filled with dozens of Armstrong’s most popular tunes, including “Stardust” and “Potato Head Blues,” and signature songs by other greats, including Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” and Ray Charles’ “Let the Good Times Roll,” the show ended with a very entertaining rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” which reduced several attendees to tears but left all thoroughly entertained.

Chris Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

www.centerstageartists.com

Citrus College Spring College Fair

Thursday, March 26, 2009 10 a.m. - 1p.m.

Campus Center Quad

Meet approximately 30 representatives from local colleges and universities.

Ask questions about transferring and pick up application information

For more information, call (626) 914-8639 or stop by the Career/Transfer Center in the ED Building, Room 129

March 4, 2009

A&E

Citrus College Clarion

13

Keepin’ it real:

By Emil y Rios Clarion Managing Editor

I thought writing a column about reality TV would give me a venue to vent and discuss the various reality shows that I watch. I did not count on it furthering my obsession and increasing the number of shows I watch.

But it did.

So in an effort to watch less, I decided that I would attempt to go a week without watching reality TV. Day 1, Feb. 11: I started the day excited. After all, how hard could it be to go a week without reality TV?

By Ariel Carmona Jr. Clarion Correspondent With the opening of the movie “Watchmen” on Friday, much attention has been paid to the 1986 graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons on which the film is based. As a matter of fact, as a hard-core comic book lover, I feel sick to my stomach that it takes a blockbuster motion picture for people to be exposed to one of the seminal works the industry has to offer.

Nevertheless, a great number of graphic novels have been released in recent years. Some have been tainted by Hollywood (think “I am Legend” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”). Others are not even on most people’s radar.

One of the best is Mark Millar’s “Wanted,” which is gloriously

By Frank Ram Clarion Correspondent Joe Torre had a dozen straight playoff appearances, six American League pennants and four World Series titles in his 12 years as the manager of the New York Yankees.

In his new book “The Yankee Years,” Torre discusses both the good and bad times from his unlikely hiring in 1996 to his abrupt firing following the 2007 season.

Torre, along with Sports Illustrated senior baseball writer Tom

After waking up around 8:30 a.m. and watching “Good Morning America,” I began scrolling through the channels to find something to fill the two hours before I had to go to work. I discovered that several of my favorite cable channels were playing reruns of their reality shows. Nevertheless, I persevered and avoided them.

Day 2, Feb. 12: Avoiding reality TV was not that difficult. I had to work and it was my birthday, so I did-

A week without reality TV n’t have much time to turn on the tube. Besides, I figured I could set my DVR to record and then watch my shows when the week was up. But several of my friends informed me that that was cheating. Not wanting to lose the deal I had made with myself, I canceled all of my recordings for the week.

Day 3, Feb. 13: Even though it was only day three, by now most of my friends were aware of my quest.

They said I was being ridiculous.

They always joked that I could not survive without TV. As long as I was busy, I didn’t seem to really notice unless it affected certain rituals I have.

On Friday mornings after I take my younger siblings to school, I come home, make breakfast and watch “Sober House” recorded on Thursdays. Having to break my routine seriously messed with me because no one is a bigger creature of habit than I

am.

Day 4, Feb. 14: With work and Valentine’s Day it was easy to avoid TV in general. But before I went out for the evening I was already worried about getting through the next day.

Day 5, Feb. 15: This day marked the premiere of the latest season of “The Amazing Race.” Not only was it the season premiere, but it was also the first time in the show’s history that one of the racers is deaf, so I was eager to see how that would affect the race.

Day 6, Feb. 16: Saddened by missing “The Amazing Race,” I was tempted all day to watch the episode online, but I didn’t. Not because of strength and determination, but because I knew if I watched it online I would never live it down. It all came down to pride. Sadly, I could not remain strong the whole day. I failed one day short of reaching my goal. I

Book Reviews written and inked by artist J.G. Jones. Unlike the vapid, formulaic 2008 film starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, the 2006 graphic novel on which the flick is based encompasses more range and characterization and features a superhero element that the Hollywood suits blatantly chose to ignore.

Millar, who is best known for penning gritty realistic material with profane dialogue and protagonists with questionable moral codes, recently revitalized the Marvel Comics universe with his “Civil War” mini series. Prior to that landmark achievement, he had already earned praise for works like Image Comics’ “Wanted.”

The premise is simple: Back in 1986, the bad guys won. Led by

Professor Solomon Seltzer, the supervillains finally teamed up and destroyed all the superheroes in a cataclysmic battle. Cubicledwelling Wesley Gibson thought he was like everyone else, until he discovered that he is the son of “The Killer,” a member of an underground fraternity of supervillains who had been running the world ever since the heroes died.

Wesley’s transformation from weakling to assassin is a masterfully crafted character piece. This graphic novel features some of the greatest spoofs on conventional superhero comics and their nemeses.

For example, there’s the Down Syndrome copy of the world’s former greatest hero, massively powered and used mostly as the fraternity’s muscle.

Millar obviously had fun turning comic book conventions inside out and making up his roster of villains, including an obvious homage to Superman’s golden age foe Bizarro. Artwork by Jones is impeccably rendered. His inks add a dark, moody atmosphere required by the hard-boiled narrative.

The book also features one of the most bizarre and controversial endings to date. Readers, be forewarned: This book is intended for mature audiences. It is often crude and is not for the easily offended.

“Wanted” is available in paperback and can be purchased at most major bookstores that carry comics and graphic novels, or it can be ordered online at www.topcow.com.

If you like comics and action and you’re thinking of dumping money

Verducci, has written a third person narrative that quotes Torre and others associated with the Yankees during his tenure.

The book starts with Torre being hired for the job. Torre was not the first choice of the Yankees, nor was he the second. He had just been fired from the St. Louis Cardinals in June 1995, but got offered the job with the Yanks because their other choices were elsewhere.

Sparky Anderson retired, Davey Johnson took a job with the Orioles and Tony LaRussa had accepted a job with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Torre and the Yankees would go on to win four of the next five World Series.

Torre speaks about how he dreaded it when the Yanks played the Red Sox, mostly because of the profound urgency of every pitch.

Torre said he and Red Sox manager Terry Francona shared the same feeling over the rivalry. Torre said, “It would wear you out.”

Torre is harsh on several of his players in the book, including pitcher Kevin Brown. He talks about a game on September 3, 2004, when Brown was losing to the Orioles and went into the clubhouse between in-

nings and punched a wall, breaking his hand.

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre checked on him first and reported the news to Torre, who was angered by the news. He went to the back and yelled at Brown: “That’s the most [expletive] thing I’ve ever seen someone do; I have no patience for that [expletive].”

Brown would later apologize and Torre accepted.

Torre also took a swipe at pitcher David Wells when he said the only difference between Brown and Wells was that when Wells made your life miserable, he meant to.

Another controversial topic of the book, which was the talk of many before the book even came out, was the reference to Alex Rodriguez as A-Fraud.

The nickname does not revolve around Rodriguez as a player, rather as a joke other players made behind his back about his trying to fit into the New York lifestyle. Torre feels that what holds Rodriguez from being a great team player is fear of failure.

In the book, Torre shares: “When you commit yourself without a guarantee that it's always going to be

good. There's a sort of trust, a trust and commitment thing that has to allow yourself to fail. Allow yourself to be embarrassed. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. And sometimes players aren't willing to do that.”

Another major controversy that broke before the book was published is that Torre said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman betrayed him at the 10-minute meeting determining his fate with the Yankees.

Although he kind of said it in other words, Torre never used the word betrayed.

The bad blood was over the final meeting Torre had with Yankees executives. Torre was offered a take-itor-leave-it three-year contract. Torre declined the job, feeling that he was not given the chance to present his case for a better offer.

He had presented a two-year deal to Cashman in advance of the meeting, in which it was stipulated that if they fired Torre in the first year, he would be paid for both years.

The subject of the contract never came up in the meeting and Torre asked Cashman about it afterward.

Cashman said he didn’t really know what Torre was talking about and

just could not bear to miss “The Bachelor” as Jason Mesnik chose his final two women.

Day 7, Feb. 17: With the Clarion in full production of our first issue and tickets to see Anderson Cooper speak at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, I was at home for three hours the whole day, so TV was the farthest thing from my mind.

I almost made it a full seven days without reality TV. Some days were harder than others mostly because skipping certain shows made me break my routine.

Hopefully one day I’ll be able to fulfill my goal, but I don’t think it’s going to happen soon especially with “Dancing With the Stars” premiering next week.

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

on the DVD, do yourself a favor: Skip it and read this excellent graphic novel instead.

Ariel Carmona Jr. can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com Torre reminded him of the conversation. Cashman ran into the conference room to tell the Yankees ownership about the deal.

In other words, Cashman never told Yankees management about the deal. Torre couldn’t understand why his one constant ally in the Yankees organization would not defend him when he needed him most.

In addition, Torre talks about his battle with cancer, the signing of Darrell Strawberry, and many other stories.

Every baseball fan should buy this book. “The Yankee Years” is not the usual tell-all memoir that attacks without being fair. Torre is fair in every word and shares good and bad memories of everyone he talks about in the book.

Torre, along with Verducci, delivers the ultimate insider baseball book, which is well worth the $26.95 price tag.

Frank Ram can be reached at Ram_Frank23@yahoo.com

14 Citrus College Clarion

Opinions Opinions Editor Julia Kupisiewicz - clarioneic@live.com

March 4, 2009

No one’s suffering should be invisible

By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondent One of the most random things I have ever done with my friends is go to one of their houses and instead of watching a movie like “The Love Guru” we chose a documentary called “Invisible Children.”

And that seemingly random decision opened my eyes even more to the suffering of people the world over.

“Invisible Children” was filmed in 2003 by three young men from Southern California: Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole.

They decided to travel to the African country of Sudan and they went in search of a “story” and an adventure they could tell their grandchildren about. What they discovered was that people between Uganda and Sudan lived in constant fear of the rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army, an organized terrorist group leading the longest-running conflict in African history. To combat the Ugandan government, the group has not only killed many but, as the three men discovered; abducts children and trains them to fight and kill for their cause.

Joseph Kony, a self-proclaimed holy man and mystic, has led the LRA since its formation in 1987, claims to want to create a theocratic state based on the Ten Commandments. It is estimated that the group currently has about 3,000 soldiers with approximately 1,500 of those

being women and children. The group abducts children as young as 7 and then train them to kill without mercy. Overall, it is believed that 90 percent of its forces garnered since the LRA’s creation were abducted as children.

Ugandan children live in constant fear of being captured or recaptured, as the three men found out. Many sleep in hospitals and other places they feel are safe.

Then, in great numbers, they move during the night trying to avoid capture or death.

The conflict has continued to rage on and children are still being captured and trained to kill. However, the three men did not just come back and go on with their lives; they started an organization called Invisible Children Inc., a nonprofit charity that raises funds to educate the public about the plight of Northern Uganda and to provide relief for the people in that region.

The region is suffering. Their children are in constant fear for their lives and are therefore unable to go to school and become educated individuals. Many die or simply live day-to-day in fear, poverty and silent sorrow.

However, the LRA is not simply contained to Uganda. Since its occupation of Democratic Republic of the Congo that started last September the group has killed 537 civilians and abducted 408. Overall the United Nations estimates that more than 100,000 Congolese have been displaced by the violence insinuated by the LRA. One of the group’s reportedly heinous acts was what is being called the “Christmas Massacres.”

From Dec. 25-28, 2008 the LRA

attacked several villages in the Congo, where an estimated 400 people were brutally killed. The rebel forces hacked many villagers to death or burnt others alive in their homes. There are also reports of several people having their lips cut off so that they would not speak out against the rebel forces. UN Officials estimate that at least 225 people, including 160 children, might have been abducted and more than 80 women raped.

The most recent peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA have been unsuccessful with Kony not appearing twice to sign the Final Peace Treaty from the Juba peace talks with the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.

With peace not being an option, the violence continues.

In Uganda alone, 1 million people still live in International Displaced Peoples camps because, for

many, their villages have been destroyed and they have no access to education, health care or economic opportunities. Even clean water is a concern.

This group has been and continues to be a scourge on the region.

However, all is not lost.

You and I can help, as many have already done. Those seeking to donate financially can go on https://secure.invisiblechildren.com /donate/ and have the option of choosing either a one-time or recurring donation.

There are other ways people can donate. Invisible Children Inc. is leading a bracelet campaign in which bracelets are made by those people in the DIP camps and can be bought online at invisiblechildren.org . The maker is given a generous cash payment and then a bank account is created in the benefi-

www.invisiblechildren.com ciary’s name and those funds go toward the Invisible Children’s scholarship program. So far, a total of 179 beneficiaries have received money. Visit the aforementioned link for other ways to help the children of Uganda.

Uganda may be a world away, but their suffering and need for generosity is apparent. While in our own time of crisis, we should realize that no matter where they are, those who are suffering should be helped from those that can give it, whether that aide is small or significant. No one’s should be “invisible.”

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Keep it down, combat noise pollution

By Julia Kupisiewicz Clarion Editor In Chief Did your morning start off way too early thanks to your n e i g h b o r ’s e a g e r- b e a v e r gardener revving up his superturbo leaf blower at the crack of dawn?

Were you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., while the barking dogs in your neighborhood started howling on their canine party line?

Isn’t the tanking economy enough depressing enough without adding the neighborhood racket?

Noise pollution is real. In fact, studies prove that second-hand noise levels at levels above 85 decibels can damage your hearing. Noise ranging from 65 to 75 decibels can cause hypertension, stress, heart damage, and depression, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Excessive noise is an increasingly serious hazard to public health and welfare. Exposure to certain levels of noise can result in physiological,

psychological and economic damage, according to the California Health and Safety Code sites in the Division 28 Noise Control Act per line “F” in the same state code.

Gas leaf blowers have been targeted for about 10 years. Aside from the air pollution caused by these machines, the noise they cause can damage the hearing of the operator as well as that of anyone else within 50 feet of the blower. Hearing loss can result from machine noise that record at 85 decibels and above. It is not uncommon for leaf blower noise to range from 90 to 110 decibels.

In response, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has established an exchange program for professional gardeners and /or landscapers to trade in their old leaf blowers, which exceed the safety limits on exhaust and noise pollution.

Those who participate receive a $200 credit toward a new STIHL BR 500 backpack leaf blower. This blower, which retails at $479, is clean, powerful, and low on noise at 65 decibels.

Jeff Eichler, Citrus College’s environmental health program supervisor, has replaced 15 leaf blowers

McClatchey-Tribune Media Services in the campus grounds keeping ar- verberates in your chest are also part senal through this program. of the problem.

Another disturbing noise polluThe California Vehicle Code tant includes car alarms. Still, the in- 27151 states no person shall modify cessant barking of a neighbor’s dog the exhaust system of a motor vehican be very frustrating, especially cle in any manner, which will result when the owners do not care, and in amplification of exhaust noise when a complaint to the proper au- above 95 decibels. thorities gets you nowhere. InsensiNinety-five decibels is also the tive rude drivers with the bass in loudest motorcycle exhaust noise altheir car stereos up so high that it re- lowed in California code. “Biker

Law” blog also informs riders that Long Beach is beefing up the action against those out of compliance.

I have to admit that I was hesitant to write on this topic when it was first suggested to me. I must confess, I am violator. One of my dogs is a barker, I do mow my lawn, I throw a party or two a year and my big black motorcycle is loud.

In my defense, I wouldn’t get out of bed to mow the lawn before 10 a.m. unless someone turned the garden hose on me. My annoying dog is a puppy and in training. And as for my bike…the baffles are still in the pipes, and I lay off the throttle when I ride home late in the evening after putting the paper to bed.

After all, keeping it down is common courtesy. Everyone should be sensitive to their neighbor’s comfort zones. Check out helpful guidelines on www.nonoise.org, where the motto is “good neighbors keep their noise to themselves.”

Julia Kupisiewicz can be reached at (626) 914-8586 or clarioneic@live.com

March 4, 2009

Editorials

Editorials Editor Julia Kupisiewicz - clarioneic@live.com Citrus College Clarion 19

Don’t pass up free parking; you can afford it

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t’s not too late for students to claim free campus parking this semester.

The Campus Security Office has extended the deadline for currently enrolled students to pick up a free annex lot parking pass. But hurry, of the 350 available passes, almost 200 have already been issued.

For the past few semesters students have been complaining about the lack of convenient campus parking and being late to class because of this.

Well, finding a decent spot is not getting any easier. Parking is now prohibited on several streets near the campus, especially in neighborhoods near Barranca Avenue. Vehicles parked in these districts will be ticketed and possibly towed.

To help students with this frustration, Citrus is trying something new this semester. Most of you may have received a message via e-mail about free parking. For those of you who did not know, there are three incentives that may make the first month of parking and commuting to campus much more efficient: free parking, a shuttle service, and a buss pass discount.

The annex passes allow students to park only in Citrus Annex Lots 1

Jarod Nokturne and Rosalynn Garcia Citrus College Clarion and 2, located on Foothill Blvd. on the Azusa Pacific Campus. But a shuttle is provided to drive students to the campus during peak hours.

And here’s the kicker, the annex permits only limit parking in these lots for the first four weeks of the semester. Well guess what, we are already mid-way through week

three.

After next Friday, March 13, students who were issued these annex passes will be allowed to park on campus for the rest of the semester, for free.

This means that the students who took advantage of this offer will be eligible to use the same parking fa-

cilities as those who bought the $30 Spring 2009 parking permits.

It is usually during these first few weeks of the semester when parking is particularly stressful. So, if you don’t mind the distance for the next week and a half, this is a great idea. You can save money and the hassle of finding parking.

Already purchased a parking pass? Not a problem, just turn in your original Spring 2009 permit and receipt to the Security Office when you register for an annex parking pass, and you will receive a voucher for reimbursement.

For Citrus students who use the Foothill Transit as transportation, they can purchase a 31-day bus pass for $15, half the regular price. This offer is limited to one pass per student.

Things are economically difficult for many of us right now, and we need to take advantage of the opportunities our school is offering us, including free parking.

There is no logical reason for all of the free 350 available passes to not be claimed by eligible students.

This type of offer isn’t always available.

Don’t pass up your chance, get your free pass today, you can afford it.

A demand for designated smoking areas itrus College has demonstrated its commitment to campus health by providing a Student Health Center which offers services such ranging from flu shots to free HIV tests, so does it make any sense that smoking which presents a great risk to one’s health should be tolerated everywhere on campus?

It is way past time for designated smoking areas to be implemented throughout the campus. Citrus College adheres to state policy, which prohibits smoking closer than 20 feet away from doorways and windows to public buildings. Given all the proven health hazards associated with smoking, it would make sense to establish specific smoking zones in order to help maintain a clean campus and promote a healthier school environment.

Despite the current surge in enrollment, some argue that an absolute ban on smoking might have the detrimental effects of driving students to another institution where they have the freedom to light up. Designated smoking areas seem to be the perfect compromise.

After all, many colleges and universities across the country have adopted stricter measures, some going so far as implementing campus-wide smoking bans.

For example, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges in San Diego County will ban smoking on campus beginning next year, joining other local jurisdictions which

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have implemented similar policies.

This college should be of interest to the Citrus faculty since Dr. Geraldine M. Perri our newly

hired superintendent/president came from Cuyamaca.

According to a recent report in USA Today, more than 140 campuses across the country are now smoke-free, more than tripling the number that had banned smoking as recently as March of 2007.

We are not calling for a policy as severe as that. After all, college students are old enough to make decisions about their own health, and government should refrain

many people still don’t take into consideration is that second-hand smoke has been identified as a serious health risk according to the American Lung Association’s director of Advocacy.

Also, when people are hospitalized as a result of prolonged smoking, their long-term treatment costs money, and it is often the tax payers who end up footing the bills.

Instituting smoking areas will result in a cleaner campus, eliminating most of the cigarette butts littering the ground and detracting from the college’s aesthetic appeal. Smoking zones would also go a long way in cutting back or reducing altogether the inconveniences and health risks associated with second-hand smoke.

By designating these areas at key places on campus, Citrus can appease those who argue that a full smoking ban would cause enrollment to decline, while at the same time observing a McClatchey-Tribune Media Servicesstudent’s right to light up from infringing on individual without infringing on someone rights. else’s health. It is about time that Most people are aware of the Citrus follow the example of colhealth risks associated with smok- leges like Brookhaven College in ing. Bronchitis, cancer of the Texas and Portland Community mouth, and heart disease are but a College and institute these desigfew illnesses which have all been nated smoking areas. linked to smoking. But what

Citrus College

Clarion

EDITOR

IN

CHIEF

Julia Kupisiewicz MANAGING EDITOR Emily Rios NEWS EDITOR Dustin Call Life Editor Julia Kupisiewicz Sports Editor Irene Davis A&E Editor Julia Kupisiewicz Opinions/Editorials Editor Julia Kupisiewicz Online Editor Emily Rios Photo Technician Frank Ram Instructional Assistant Emily Rios Adviser Margaret C. O’Neil Staff Writers Mitchie Rose Pardilla Correspondents Ariel Carmona, Rosalynn Garcia, Frank Ram, Andrew Vasquez Photographers/Artists Ariel Carmona Jr., Julia Kupisiewicz, Andrew Vasquez Page Designers Jared Nokturne, Frank Ram, Emily Rios, Andrew Vasquez, Julia Kupisiewicz The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester.

Ads are not endorsed by the Clarion.

Editorials are the opinion of at least 75 percent of the Editorial Board. All other opinion is that of the writer.

Views expressed do not represent those of the adviser, faculty, administration, Associated Students of Citrus College and/or the CCCBOT. Libel will not be published.

The Clarion welcomes feedback from our readers. If you have any gripes, questions, or comments ... we want to hear from you! All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for clarity or length.

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Citrus College Clarion

March 4, 2009

Club Rush promotes student involvement Photos by Rosalynn M. Garcia

By Rosalynn Garcia Clarion Correspondent

Jessica De La Cruz, Sexploration Club vice president, hands out free condoms on March 2 to Club Rush attendants to promote safe sex. The club offers students a community to ask questions and share experiences in an open environment.

Michael Schneider, mechanical engineering student, contemplates his next move during a game at the Chess Club booth on March 2.

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It will be hard to miss the array of booths lining the Campus Center Mall pathway today.

The campus has come alive again with the arrival of Club Rush, the early semester tradition of club representatives vying for student attention and membership.

Joining a campus club can advance a student’s career, increase their self esteem, make college experiences gratifying and fill in a few spaces on any future university applications.

Some of the campus clubs, such as the DJ Club, the Gamers Unite Tomorrow Society and the Citrus Business Association, offer prime networking opportunities for eager students to meet and learn from experienced individuals and industry professionals.

“We just try to bring people together,” said Frank Salas, DJ Club president.

The Film Club will be working on getting some of its members

on studio sets and is planning a film project of its own.

Other clubs, such as Sexploration, Latinos Unidos Student Association and the reactivated Pride Alliance are more personally effective by offering studentbased support groups and participating in community outreach.

“We want to reveal the truth about Islam and tell people what it’s really about,” said Linda Tweini, former president of the Muslim Student Association.

The MSA and Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, along with many other campus clubs, are fighting to spread awareness about various subjects and break down stereotypes.

Club Rush only happens once a semester. So today, while traveling between classes, stop by the campus center and find out what campus clubs have to offer.

Rosalynn Garcia can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Nursing student Mitonna Tep busts out some break dancing moves to tunes blaring on the DJ Club’s sound system during Club Rush on March 2. cmyk