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Clarion A First Amendment Newspaper
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Owls clinch 2nd consecutive WSC title See pg.11
February 18, 2009, Volume LXII, Issue 9 www.theclariononline.com
Student slain due to race, say neighbors A Citrus College student was killed Feb. 9, only a few houses away from his family’s home. By Julia Kupisiewicz Clarion Editor In Chief
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rom a make-shift memorial for a slain Duarte resident, the beautiful city of Bradbury is within sight. It might as well have been a million miles away. Miguel Sanchez, an 18-yearold Citrus College student, was walking down the street with a friend when he was slain near the northwest corner of Fernley Drive and Millbrae Avenue in Duarte. The Sanchez family moved into the neighborhood seven years ago. Directly across the street from the location of the shooting lives a 15-year-old neighbor, Vincent Smith.
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Things haven’t improved. This is just the beginning.
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Matthew Jones Sanchez’s best friend “We were watching TV around 6 or 7 p.m., and we heard five or six shots,” Smith said. “We kinda ignored it, and then we went out front because there were cops out there. They told us a guy got shot, and he was dead.” Smith stated that Sanchez was known in the neighborhood as “a good kid” and, as far as he knows, Sanchez is not affiliated with any gang. Three black men were shooting a handgun in a drive-by fashion from a black Dodge Magnum, said Detective Dan McElderry of the Los Angeles Sheriff Department. Sanchez was hit by bullets in
See Student / page 3
Julia Kupisiewicz Citrus College Clarion
A make-shift memorial stands on the spot where 18-year-old Citrus College student Miguel Sanchez was slain in a drive-by shooting in Duarte on Feb. 9.
Emergency prep is top priority By Dustin Call Clarion News Editor
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onsidering the recent increase in seismic activity, all of the buzz about preparing for “The Big One,” and the occurrence of the first regional drill known as the Great Southern California Shakeout on Nov. 13, 2008. It is time to evaluate the preparedness of Citrus College for a major earthquake. 2008 saw the highest level of seismic activity of a 3.0 scale or higher ever recorded in
Southern California’s history. The amount of quakes that were 4.0 or bigger was also high compared to recent years, numbering 27, according to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center. Since Dr. Geraldine Perri, took over as superintendent/ president and President of Citrus College, one of her top priorities has been emergency preparedness. Perri has been working with West Coast Consulting Group to assist the college community with an emergency operation plan and to help train employees. An emergency response
team has been developed which includes 62 personnel from the administration, staff and health division. Background checks were performed on all persons chosen for the team to make sure that they would be the best choice. This team, along with the board of trustees, is required to go through training sessions so that they will be prepared for an emergency. Faculty were also required to have some emergency training for their Flex Day, held Feb. 17. Detailed evacuation plans and purchase accounts for
emergency equipment that might be needed in a disaster or an emergency are also being developed. “I’m hoping that we get overprepared,” Perri said in regards to all of the emphasis being put on emergency preparedness. And while it seems to her that other college presidents don’t see it as such a big deal, she thinks that it is critical that she focus first on safety. Perri has good reason to prioritize emergency preparedness. While Vice President of
See Emergency/page 3
Cabinet nomination is still laboring By Ariel Carmona Jr. Clarion Correspondent
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local Congresswoman will soon be serving in the president’s cabinet if a Republican hold on her confirmation is lifted. President Barack Obama announced that U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) would serve as the next Secretary of Labor in a press conference on Dec. 18. Solis represents the 32nd Congressional District, includ-
ing Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, West Covina, portions of Monterey Pak and East Los Angeles. According to Associated Press reports, the
Senate set a test vote for mid February on Solis’ nomination. A 60-vote majority will be required in the Feb. 24 vote to advance her nomination. Solis ran unopposed on Nov. 4, 2008, and is now serving her fourth term in the House of Representatives. Until recently, Republicans were using a parliamentary procedure to delay her confirmation, according to news sources. The hold was placed in response to her support for pro-union legislation and due to reports surfacing that her husband settled and paid more than $6,400 in outstanding tax liens against his business. The Los Angeles Times recently reported Solis’ husband, Sam Sayyad, had two Los Angeles County tax liens lodged against him
since 1993. Throughout her career, Solis actively supported labor and has been a fixture on picket lines. She is highly regarded as a champion of labor by union leaders. Some Republicans are worried that Solis will bring a pro-union bias to the U.S. Labor Department. Solis, 51, has credited labor unions for making her success a reality. Her father immigrated to Southern California from Mexico and worked in a battery factory. Her mother comes from Nicaragua and worked on an assembly line. Both were union members. Solis graduated from California State
See Nomination / page 3
Life Pg. 4 Sports Pg. 11 A&E Pg. 12 Opinions Pg. 14 Editorials Pg. 15 cmyk
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News
Citrus College Clarion
February 18, 2009
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And in other news...
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LOCAL: More tests on abandoned baby
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“ When I was little, m mother taught me how to use a fork and knife. The trouble is that Mother forget to teach me how to stop using them! ” —Hattie McDaniel
Campus
Tips for a Safe Campus A safe college community largely depends on each of its members taking responsibility for their personal and collective safety, and by practicing the following proactive measures. - Always be aware of your surroundings. Nominations Wanted - Lock your vehicle; do not leave Citrus College Green Team will your valuables and other personal present four Environmental belongings where they can be Awards on 2009 Earth Day Celeseen. bration. Eligibilities for the nomi- Keep track of your purse or nees include the ability to raise backpack when you are in class, and demonstrate environmental the library, a lab or other campus awareness: be informed in green areas. issues, products, and lifestyle - Keep desks or offices locked choices; practice and promote enwhen appropriate. vironmental sustainability. Nomi- Walk in well-lighted areas at nee categories include Student, night, preferably with a friend. Faculty, Staff, and Community - Tell your family or friends Member. Applications are availwhere you are going, what time able for download from the Green you will arrive, and what time you Team web page. Applications will return home. must be received by February 27, - Report any illegal or suspicious 2009. Completed applications can behavior to the Security Office, be mailed directly to Kim Hol626-914-8611, or extension 8611 land, Vocational Education, 1000 if you are calling from a camus West Foothill Blvd, Glendora, CA phone. If you are calling from a 91741, or by email aau@citrcampus pay phone, you can reach uscollege.edu. Security by pressing *11. - Remember to utilize the SecuNew Textbook Scholarship rity Office’s services, which inAvailable clude vehicle jump-starts, vehicle “Readers to Leaders” textbook unlocks, and a security escort. scholarships are available this spring for current students. Recip- Student Business Office Hours ients must also have completed at Beginning this week, the Student least 12 units at Citrus, have a 2.5 Business Office will be open GPA, must not be receiving any fi- Monday through Friday from 8:30 nancial aid from EOP&S, and a.m. to 3:30 p.m. must have a current ASCC sticker. For details, call the Citrus College —To place an announcement, please Foundation at ext. 8825 or Levi call x 8586 and have a paragraph Richard at ext. 4054
Wire
ready to print and specify which issue you would like your announcement to go in.
BALDWIN PARK Officials need to perform more tests on the remains of a premature baby that was found at a recycling center in order to determine how she died, officials said Tuesday. An autopsy performed by the coroner yielded no cause of death for the female baby, 18-to-24 weeks
old, that was found amongst recyclables in Baldwin Park, according to Craig Harvey, chief of operations for the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. Additional tests, which could include toxicology, and pediatrician consultations will be preformed on the baby's remains over the next six
to eight weeks, Harvey said. The race of the baby is still unknown. She has brown eyes and brown hair, Harvey said. The body was discovered Feb. 10 by a worker at Baldwin Park based Allan Company recycling center while he was sorting materials on a conveyor belt.
STATE: Life in prison for man who killed brother's family
SANTA ANA- A Santa Ana man has been ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole for killing his brother's live-in girlfriend and her teenage daughter. Peter Nong Le was sentenced Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court for the December 2004 murders.
Prosecutors say Le moved in with his brother and his elderly parents about a month before he shot Tuyet Le and her 15-year-old daughter Jennifer Cu. Prosecutors say Peter Nong Le believed Tuyet Le had disrespected him. He was convicted last year on two counts of murder.
Defense attorney Brian Waite argued that his 64-year-old client was insane because he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from when he lived in a Vietnamese re-education camp after the fall of Saigon in 1975. The first jury in his case deadlocked 11-1 for sanity.
NATIONAL: Woman Mauled by Chimp Is Still in Critical Condition Connecticut-55-year-old woman who was mauled by a 200-pound pet chimpanzee in Connecticut remained listed in critical condition on Tuesday, as police officials investigated whether illness might have changed the animal’s behavior. Pet Chimp Is Killed After Mauling Woman (Feb.17) Charla Nash, a friend of the chimpanzee’s owner, was viciously attacked in Stamford on Monday — with much of her
face torn away — when she stepped out of her car at her friend’s house. The male chimpanzee, Travis, was eventually shot dead by officers, and Ms. Nash was taken to Stamford Hospital, where she remained on Tuesday. Despite their appearances, chimpanzees are known to possess astonishing power, with the average adult male having four to five times the upper-body strength of an adult human. As pets, they can be ex-
tremely difficult. They typically act aggressively toward their owners when they reach adulthood, and once reared by humans, they cannot be re-introduced into the wild because other chimpanzees will reject them, experts say. The injuries Travis inflicted on Ms. Nash, whom he had known for years, were called horrendous
INTERNATIONAL: Australians Rage Against Arson Suspect
SYDNEY, Australia — A man accused of setting one of the deadly fires that ripped across southern Australia this month has been placed in protective custody amid widespread fury and threats of vigilante justice that sprang up on the Internet after his identity was made public. The man, Brendan Sokaluk, was
arrested Friday and charged with arson causing death; he is suspected of setting a fire near Churchill, in the Gippsland region east of Melbourne, that killed at least 10 people and destroyed 200 homes. Mr. Sokaluk, 39, was also charged with deliberately lighting a forest fire and possessing child pornography.
A court at first ordered that Mr. Sokaluk’s identity be withheld for fear of revenge attacks on his family. But within hours of his arrest, several Australian newspapers had published detailed profiles that all but named him, pieced together from entries he had posted on social networking sites and from interviews with his neighbors.
Ortega Family Fund
For those of you that are unaware, James Ortega’s (ULV Baseball Alum and dear friend) life was turned upside down on Christmas Eve. If you can please forward the following message to any and all people, ti would be greatly appreciated. We need to help him and his family immediately! On the night of December 24, 2008, tragic events took place in the small town of Covina, CA. As the Ortega family celebrated Christmas Eve in the comfort and security of their own home, their world was shattered and destroyed by a man they once called family. Bruce Pardo arrived that night and took the lives
of nine family members and then eventually himself at his brother’s home in Sylmar home. In a matter of fifteen minutes, Pardo committed a crime so brutal and heinous that the effects have not yet completely been felt. With this tragic event taking place, there has been a large burden placed upon the remaining family members. There is a family printing business that is in need of help, funeral arrangements that need to be paid for, mortgage payments that cannot be made and a deep hurt that can never be described. We are asking for the community and nation’s help at this crucial time. There has been a fund created to
help the victims who are now left with very little family and burdens that no person would find easy to handle. All donations for the Ortega family can be sent in their name, care of Scott Nord, to 500 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203.
Future fundraisers are being planned; please stay tuned for future opportunities to help this wonderful family in their desperate time of need. *This ad ran in Facebook and was written by the family spokesperson.
February 18, 2009
Student: Shot in drive-by the leg and torso and pronounced dead on the scene. His friend was unharmed. Duarte resident Matthew Jones 16, was visibly shaken as he spoke about his self-described best friend. “Even though he hung out with troublemakers, he was a good guy and my best friend,” Jones said. Duarte resident Samuel Perez, a 20-year-old Latino said that a young man named Hector Acosta was shot a year ago while on his motorcycle in the exact spot. “You can just feel the tension walking down the street or through the hallways at school just because of the color of your skin,” Jones said. Last year another friend, Brandon Lee, was shot and killed in Pomona under Miguel Sanchez the same circumstances. Trai Jones, 19, brother of Matthew Jones, said this violence has been going on for the past five years in their neighborhood. “The guys who did it, did it in retaliation,” Trai Jones said. Detective McElderry said that the area where the shooting took place has been known to have gang activity attributed to the Du Roc Crips. Sanchez’s friends did not point a finger at any gang, but rather stated that the war is blacks killing the Latinos and Latinos killing blacks, gang members or not. Sanchez’s friends, Perez and the Jones brothers, are friends of both ethnicities. In fact, they conjured memories of growing up with Sanchez, skateboarding and summertime water balloon fights, the type of activities neighborhood children join in without judgment. Despite the country’s recently elected black president, these young men from Duarte say there has been no improvement in race relations in their society or more directly their local neighborhood. “Things haven’t improved,” Matthew Jones said. “This is just the beginning.” According to the Jones brothers and Perez, the men who do the shooting don’t pay attention to politics. A public forum to discuss local violence took place Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Andres Duarte Elementary School. Duarte Public Safety Director Brian Villalobos hosted the forum. Events from this meeting have not yet been made available to the public. Detective McElderry, Mayor of Duarte John Fasana and Duarte Public Safety Director Brian Villalobos were not available to the Clarion for comment.
Julia Kupisiewicz can be reached at clarioneic@live.com
News
Citrus College Clarion
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Security offers students free parking Student services will issue free annex parking pass for students on first-come basis only. By Rosalynn M. Garcia Clarion Correspondent
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pproximately 350 students will enjoy free parking this semester due to a new parking pass agreement recently implemented by school administrators. In an effort to entice students to use the two off-campus annex lots, the college will be issuing special parking passes to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must be willing to sign an agreement stating that they will utilize these parking areas for the first four weeks of the spring semester.
Current construction projects around the college have resulted in fewer parking spaces on campus and surrounding residential areas have been declared preferential parking districts. Additionally, school administration is reporting a higher enrollment for the current semester. The first few weeks of the semester sees the most traffic, so students will need to be patient and are advised to come early and stay late, said Security Office supervisor Tony Giannone. Students who receive an annex parking lot pass will be required to use those lots from Feb. 18 to March 13, Monday through Thursday, but will still be able to utilize on-campus parking on Fridays, said Martha McDonald, dean of students. Last semester, the college offered these additional two parking lots, leased from Azusa
Emergency: Faculty awareness is key Instruction at San Diego Mesa College, she had to deal with two fires in areas surrounding the school and her campus being transformed into an emergency center for victims. Perri said that in dealing with all the emergencies at San Diego Mesa College, “You really get to see the potential for disaster and harm to people.” Less than a month after she began working at Citrus College, the 5.4 earthquake on July 29, 2008 caused the Citrus campus to be evacuated. Perri said that the evacuation went well and the incident helped them to see where improvement was needed. Perri leads in emergency pre-
paredness by example. She keeps glow sticks next to her computer and an emergency pack hanging on the door in her office, which she is only too happy to show off to visitors. “If you’re not the one leading it, they’re not going to do it,” she said. “I’d like the students to know that it’s a priority,” said Perri, speaking of emergency preparedness. “We want administration to be a part of the process.”
Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
Nomination: Still undecided
U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis Polytechnic University, Pomona, and earned a master’s of public administration from the University of Southern California. In 1994, Solis became the first Latina to be elected to the California State Senate. Solis has assumed leadership roles in Congress. She serves as co-vice chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Solis is also chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Health and Environment.
Highlights of her congressional career include the passage of a measure to provide workforce training for green jobs and removing barriers to U.S. citizenship for non-U.S. citizens serving in the U.S. Solis was the keynote speaker at Citrus College’s third annual “Saluting Our Veterans event in the Campus Center Mall on Nov. 6 2008. “We’re confident it’s going to happen very soon,” said Solis’ congressional staffer Sonia Melendez in reference to Solis’ confirmation. Melendez said Solis has been asked by White House officials not to do interviews, but added she didn’t anticipate her confirmation to be held up indefinitely.
Ariel Carmona Jr. can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
Pacific University, as a way to counter the amount of parking spaces taken up by construction projects. The lots are situated west of the Citrus College campus and are located off of Foothill Boulevard. In addition, the college will be offering a free shuttle service from the annex lots to the main campus. The shuttle will run every half hour during the peak hours Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until March 13. It will run from Citrus Annex Lots one and two to the Haugh Performing Arts Center. Parking on campus during these hours will not be permitted with the special passes. Any student who breaks the agreement will be ticketed. There is no grace period. Students with annex parking passes will be allowed to park in the on-campus student lots
for free after the four-week mandatory period has expired. Annex parking passes are currently available in the Security Office. Students who have already purchased a regular parking pass but would like to receive one of the free passes can turn in their spring parking pass, along with a receipt, in exchange for a refund voucher. In addition to the free annexed parking lot passes, Citrus College is also addressing the campus parking difficulties by selling 31-day bus passes for $15. These discounted passes are on sale in the Owl Bookshop from Feb. 2 to 27. Only fulltime Citrus students are eligible to purchase these bus passes.
Rosalynn M. Garcia can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
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Life
Life Editor - Amanda Goodhue - ccclarion@hotmail.com
Student government president welcomes students Hello fellow Owls. For those of you who do not know me, my name is Stefano Saltalamacchia and this year I serve as the Associated Student Body President. I would like to first take this opportunity to welcome you back to another semester here at Citrus College. I hope your winter went well if it was either a break or you decided to take classes during the winter session. Now we have a job to do: fight for legislation that promotes the well-being of California’s higher education community as well as the K-12 system. Education is at risk of functioning without the proper tools due to the budget cuts, with even more cuts proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. I am both excited and lethargic about this semester. This is our new frontier; a battle, in my opinion, worth fighting. Our country took a big step last year and elected a “people’s president.” Now is the time to begin change in a place that needs it right now. Our elementary, middle and
high schools, as well as our community colleges need our help. To be today’s heroes you do not need superpowers because knowledge is power. So my charge to everyone is to get equipped and do research to see what is going on in the community around you. You’re taking your first step by reading this letter. You will not need to go far to make a difference either. Our college’s associated students (ASCC) and I are participating with other California community college ASBs in two important rallies in opposition to the budget cuts, and we want you to join us. The first, at Pasadena City College, is on Friday, Feb. 27. Yes, it is soon, but we are hoping to bring 80 students. The second is a march on the Capitol in Sacramento on March 16 being called ‘March in March.’ We will be leaving Sunday night, March 15, and will arrive the next day for the march. It is free to march in both rallies however student government is asking students to leave
a $5 deposit to reserve their spot. Arrangements can be made for those that cannot afford the deposit. For information call the student government office at (626) 914-8610 or stop by. My office hours are Monday and Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m. After all is said and done, the ASCC has the college’s biggest social event of the year, Springfest 2009, already underway. Although I cannot spoil the surprise, I can say that the year’s theme will definitely be memorable. Lastly, always remember to stay on top of your classes and that communication is the key. I know there will be plenty of long nights that will be filled with Starbucks and Monster energy drinks, but just remember you are not alone. In the end we will be leaving our legacy on this distinguished college of more than 93 years. I invite you all to be a part of its long and proud history of success. So spread your wings, Owls, and let yourself soar at Citrus!
February 18, 2009
Faculty, foundation create textbook scholarship As the cost of textbooks rises faculty, foundation members, and staff have come together to pony up some cash for scholarships. This has Levi Richard been Professor Levi Richard’s pet project for the past several semesters. Many Citrus College textbooks will run a student less than a $100. When it comes to some of the more technical classes, the prices seem to skyrocket. A Chemistry 103 class book will run well over $200. Students enrolled in French 101 get ready to pay a smidge more than $220. The Government Accountability Office reports that the cost of books for an average community college student runs 72 percent of the total fees including tuition and registration. Fouryear schools take 26 percent of student’s college funds for textbooks. “The price of new books compared to used books is not
that much of a difference,” Marriella Mayuga, 19-year-old Citrus student, said. Richard, the faculty representative to the Citrus College Foundation, has worked hard to get the scholarship available for applications and awards within February. A committee will decide who will receive the scholarships. The student must be enrolled in Citrus College classes, be currently enrolled in at least 12 units and maintain a 2.5 GPA. The student may not be receiving any other financial aid through Extended Opportunity Programs and Services. A current ASCC sticker is required. Students who meet the criteria and who are selected will receive a voucher to buy the books and tools they need from the Owl Bookshop. Unused money will go back into the fund for the next student. Applications can be picked up in the student center and need to be turned in by Feb. 25. Two scholarship vouchers for $300 each will be awarded on Feb. 27.
February 18,2009
Citrus College Clarion
Illegal immigrant student fees challenged in court By Dustin Call Clarion News Editor A case that could affect fee rates for illegal immigrants students at public colleges and universities in California, and potentially the whole country, is currently under review by the California Supreme Court. Under California state law AB 540, which was passed in 2001, illegal immigrant students are exempt from paying non-resident tuition fees to the University of California, California State University, and California Community College systems if they fulfill three requirements: 1. They have to have attended a California high school for at least three years. 2. They must have graduated from a California high school or achieved the equivalent. 3. They must file an affidavit with the college or university that they will attend stating that they have already applied to legalize their immigration status or will do so as soon as they are eligible. The author of AB 540 is the late Marco Firebuagh, a former Democratic State Assemblyman, an immigrant from Mexico, and a Citrus College alumnus. The enrollment fee for all students at Citrus College is $20 per unit. California residents, and illegal immigrants who qualify under AB 540, are exempt from paying additional tuition fees.
Non-residents, including students from other states, pay an additional tuition fee of $181 per unit. In Martinez v. Regents of the University of California, a case that began in 2005, out-of-state students and their parents are arguing that illegal immigrants should not be exempt from non-resident tuition while American citizens, have to pay the much higher non-resident rate. After the case failed in the 3rd Appellate District of the California Court system, the plaintiffs filed an appeal to the California Supreme Court where it awaits opening briefs from both sides. The issues that will be examined in this case are whether the exemption provided to illegal immigrants by AB 540 violates 8 United States Code section(s) 1621 and/or 1623, and if it violates Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Lois Papner, dean of admissions, has been trying to collect data from the TeC Services Department at Citrus College, but, so far has been unable to obtain information concerning how many students at Citrus could be affected by the outcome of the case.
Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
Life
Beauty on a budget: Brighten, hydrate drab skin
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By Amanda Goodhue Clarion Life Editor
Winter can be harsh on the complexion, especially for those who already have dry skin. The key to keeping skin looking fresh and flake free is hydration. Following these tips will help ease those dry skin woes without breaking your budget. Along with daily cleansing and moisturizing, incorporate an exfoliating facial scrub into your skincare routine. Using products such as St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($4, drugstores) at least twice a week to remove dead skin and to clean pores will result in smoother skin. To give facial skin the extra moisture it needs during the winter, apply a hydrating mask such as Calm Yourself from Mark ($7, meetmark.com) at least once a week. Applying a facial mask will increase skin moisture and will help improve, even out and brighten skin tone. To combat midday skin dryness, spritz your face with Evian Mineral Water Spray ($10, Sephora stores) or another moisturizing mist such as Fix+ from MAC ($16, MAC counters or maccosmetics.com). A spritz to the face will instantly
McClatchey-Tribune Media Services refresh and hydrate the skin without causing makeup to run or smear. Keep in mind that drinking water and eating foods rich in Omega 3, such as fish and flaxseed, will help hydrate skin. Applying a moisturizer suited for your skin type every day, especially under makeup, will also prevent dryness. Everyone, men and women, should keep skin clean. Be sure to use a cleanser formulated for your skin type. If you are not
acne prone, avoid using products with salicylic acid, which will dry out the face and/or cause breakouts. If you have oily/combination skin, use facial products with mattifying formulas to reduce shine and breakouts and to keep skin glowing during the dry winter months.
Amanda Goodhue can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
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Life
Prominent Figures in Black History
Booker T. Washington In 1901 he became the First African American invited to dine in the White House.
Ella Fitzgerald In 1958, she became the first African American female Grammy award winner.
Henry T. Sampson He is credited for inventing the cellular phone in 1971.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a civil rights activist who delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in August 28, 1963.
Halle Berry In 2001, she became the first African American to win the Academy Award for best actress.
Thurgood Marshall He was the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.
Nat King Cole He was an influential jazz musician who hosted the television show “The Nat King Cole Show.”.
Oprah Winfrey The Oprah Winfrey Show is currently the longest-running daytime television talk show in the U.S.
Black History Month: Important Sporting Events Moses Fleetwood Walker plays Major League Baseball Made Major League debut on May 1, 1884 for the Toledo Blue Stockings of the American Association. Baseball bans black players Baseball owners of the American Association, National League and International League agree to unofficially ban black players from the game in 1889. Jack Johnson wins Heavyweight Championship Johnson defeated Tommy Burns on December 26, 1908 in Sydney, Australia. Jesse Owens wins four gold medals in 1936 Olympics Owens won gold for the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 relay, and long jump at the Berlin games. Joe Louis wins rematch against Max Schmeling Louis won by a first round knockout in the famous 1938 bout. Louis would go on to serve the United States in World War II from 1942-1945.
Jackie Robinson breaks color barrier in Major League Baseball Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. Charles Cooper signs plays in the National Basketball Association Cooper became the first African American to play in the NBA when he played his first game in 1950 with the New York Knickerbockers. Muhammad Ali refuses induction into United States Military Ali refused induction to serve during the Vietnam War. He justified his actions because war goes against the teachings of the Quran. He was stripped of his world title and would not fight for three and a half years. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise fist in 1968 Olympic protest Smith and Carlos raised their fists on the medal podium in a protest to bring African American civil rights to the forefront. Tony Dungy coaches Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl championship Dungy becomes the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl in 2007 with a victory over the Chicago Bears 29-27.
Frank Ram Citrus College Clarion
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Citrus College Clarion
February 18,2009
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Photo Courtesy of Tom Gerfen Citrus College adjunct faculty member Tom Gerfen and 55 students from Will Rodgers Middle School attended President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.
Faculty member attends inauguration By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondent
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popular question for our generation will now always be: “So where were you when our first Black President was inaugurated?” Well, for one Citrus adjunct faculty member and a host of middle and elementary school children they can proudly answer that they saw it in person. Since his retirement from full-time teaching at Citrus College, adjunct faculty member Tom Gerfen had little trouble occupying his time. He is serving as vice president of the part-time teacher’s union, and in July 2009 he is scheduled to become president of the Citrus College Foundation. Most recently, Gerfen was hired by EF Smithsonian Student Tours to be a professional tour guide for the students of Will Rogers Middle School in Lawndale during their trip to Washington D.C. for the inaugu-
ration of President Barack Obama. During their four-day trip, Gerfen and eight other teachers took 55 students to see many historical sights. They visited Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, and went to Arlington Cemetery, as well as the grave sites of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy. The students were left awe-struck by what they saw, he said. “A lot of their eyes were bulging throughout the whole trip,” he said. “Many hadn’t even been on an airplane before. On our trip returning from Mount Vernon there were snow flurries and they went wild.” The students even attended their own inaugural ball where a total of 1,400 middle school students were given a red carpet welcome and took pictures with a cut-out of the new president. On Jan. 20, the day of Obama’s inauguration, Gerfen and the students were given special passes so they could enter the mall where the inauguration took place. “I don’t know if they truly understood the importance of the event, but I think they will in time,” Gerfen said. “Someday they will look back and say
Photo Courtesy of Tom Gerfen Millions of people walked the streets of Washington, D.C. to witness the swearing in of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president. ‘I was there’ and it will stay with them forever.” After the inauguration ceremony, the students and the Citrus professor continued their tour of Washington D.C, visiting other historical monuments such as the memorials for presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson, as well as the memorials for the veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War. “I believe that the students have a
better understanding of our government,” Gerfen said. “In fact I would enjoy very much taking Citrus College students to see our nation’s capital.”
Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
Q: What are your hopes for the Obama administration?
Mary Wambolt 25, Child Development “I hope that he ends the wars we are fighting and tries to fix our failing economy. I hope that he restores our country’s pride and leadership in the free world.”
Adam Ricketts 31, Undecided “I hope the administration can stabilize the economy and the tension in the Middle East. I also hope we see an improvement in health care.”
Aris Lopez 19, Undecided “I hope President Obama is able to bring the change he said he would and keeps his word because the American people do not want anymore despair and hopelessness.”
George Brandlin “My hopes are that they can handle everything that comes their way. The expectations for Obama are quite high and if he doesn’t deliver than everything is going to be kaput.” cmyk
Sports
February 18, 2009
Sports Editor - Irene Davis - ccclarion@hotmail.com
Citrus College Clarion 11
Owls push through Vaqueros for victory By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Photo Editor The only thing louder than the buzzer in the Owl’s Nest on Saturday night was the roar from the Citrus College men’s basketball team and its fans as the Owls beat Glendale 114-106, to clinch their second consecutive Western State Conference title. The Vaqueros of Glendale Community College entered the matchup with a win-loss record of 12-15 and 5-5 in the WSC. The Owls’ win-loss record was 26-4 and 10-1 in the WSC. The beginning of the first half was rough for the Owls with the Vaqueros scoring 6 points before the Owls started to make headway. It was a battle for the Vaqueros, as the Owls maintained a 10-point lead for much of the first half. The Owls were leading at halftim, 57-49. Their lead then narrowed from 6
points to 4 with the score being 5955. From then on it was a constant shooting match, but the Citrus men still managed to keep their lead. Glendale closed the gap to 8 in the game’s final moments. But it was the Owls’ night, and the home team ended the game with a win of 114-106 and a second consecutive WSC title. “They made good shots and had good defense,” said Glendale head coach Brian Beauchemin. “They have depth as a team, and that is it in a nutshell.” Citrus point guard Steven Bennett said he thinks of his teammates as his brothers and that is how they succeed on the court. “I honestly feel like we are a family, and that takes our game to a whole other level,” Bennett said. “Sure, we have to sometimes wait for some people to get their heads in it, but at the end, the ‘W’ is what matters.”
Speaking of SPORTS... By Frank Ram
Julia Kupisiewicz Citrus College Clarion
Citrus player Justin Johnson shoots for the hoop against the Glendale Vaqueros in a home game on Feb. 14 Looking to the future, Coach WSC championship title, their seed Rick Croy said that he is not nerv- in the battle for the state champious about whether his team will go onship playoffs will be decided by on to win another state champi- the outcome of their final regular season game against the Bakersfield onship. “I think I am really hitting my College Renegades. Tip-off will be at 5 p.m. at Bakstride as a coach, and I truly believe in the character of our team,” he ersfield College on Feb. 21. said. “Our philosophy is ‘win forever’ and we want to win both on Andrew Vasquez the court and off.” can be reached at Although the Owls have won the
ccclarion@hotmail.com
Julia Kupisiewicz Citrus College Clarion
Citrus College pitcher Aaron Ilharreguy closes out the game against the San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines with a score of 6-4 Owls on Feb. 3.
Head baseball coach won’t candy-coat it By Julia Kupisiewicz Clarion Editor In Chief
The scoreboard does not determine the better team in the eyes of Citrus College’s head baseball coach Steve Gomez. On the afternoon of Feb. 3, the Owls were ahead of San Bernardino Valley College’s Wolverines with a score of 5-3, when late in the game pitcher Aaron Ilharreguy, a 19-year old sociology major from Rancho Cucamonga, took over the mound. Citrus’ assistant coach Bill
Viverto shouted from the bench, “Let’s shut the door right here.” With more than 40 spectators in the stands cheering on the Owls, Ilharreguy cleaned up the last two innings with a powerful slider. “Coach Gomez taught me that pitch last year,” said Ilharreguy, “He’s a masterpiece.” Ilharreguy has been playing baseball for the last 10 years. This is his second year playing for Citrus. Since San Bernardino Valley College is in the Football Confer-
ence and Citrus is in the Western State Conference, this game did not count for Citrus’ conference standings. The game ended with the Owls ahead with a 6-4 win, but Gomez was not happy with the performance of the team. “We had an error at second base late in the game,” said Gomez, “and we let a couple double plays through.” The baseball season opened on Jan. 27 with a loss to Chaffey College. This win over the Wolverines
brings the Owls’ record to 3-1. Gomez is hopeful his team will prevail this season, as there have been no major injuries. The Owls’ team is comprised of 10 sophomores and 20 freshmen cut from 90 players at tryouts. The team knows that Gomez expects the very best performance, and that a winning score is not enough to be a winning team.
Julia Kupisiewicz can be reached at clarioneic@live.com
Women’s basketball: Citrus’ next great team A good coach should be able to make the team relevant within three to four years of taking over the program. The first year is for the coach to instill his new philosophies and game plan; the second year is about building on the previous season. By the third season, the team should be ready to compete at a high level. This cycle has happened with several Owls teams in this decade. The football team won four straight Western State Conference championships from 2003 to 2006. Likewise, the women’s basketball won a WSC title in the 200405 season, and softball was crowned WSC champ in 2007. Men’s basketball topped them all with its spectacular run to the 2007-08 State Championship. Now, the women’s basketball team is trying to re-emerge as a Citrus powerhouse. The women (21-10, 7-4) have improved all three years with head coach Eric Anderson. Anderson, along with assistant head coach Monica Peters, took over the program in 2006-07 and struggled throughout the re-building season, finishing with a 6-23 record. The following season, they went 19-12. And with one game to go in the 2008-09 season, the Owls have 20-plus victories. As for the players, many have stepped up this season and shown why they are contenders this time around. Four players—Terri Washington, Shateah West, Jazmine Matthews and Jessica Nieves— are all averaging double digits in points per game. Washington, averaging 17.3 ppg, and Matthews, averaging 13.6 ppg, are both ranked in the top 10 in the WSC south. Whether the Owls make the playoffs, the season was a step in the right direction and it looks like the success will continue into 2009-10. The six freshmen on the team can all potentially be stars on next year’s squad. With so many players returning next season, the outlook is promising. The 2008-09 Owls are scheduled to wrap up their regular season on Feb. 21 at Bakersfield. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m.
12 Citrus College Clarion
A&E
A&E Editor Julia Kupisiewicz—clarioneic@live.com
February 18, 2009
Follow the yellow brick road to the Haugh PAC By Rosalynn Garcia Clarion Correspondent
Next week, the mystical land located over the rainbow will set down right here at Citrus College In the college’s highly anticipated spring production, a young girl will be whisked away, via tornado, from her farm in Kansas and will crash land into a choreographed myriad of munchkins made up of children ages 5 to 14. Then, along with her canine companion and a few dysfunctional friends, she will begin her journey home by prancing and singing along the yellow-brick road, which will flow conveniently around the opened orchestra pit and straight into the intimidating Emerald City. Here, she will seek the wisdom of a classic faux-wizard, only to discover she had the power to re-
Andrew Vasquez Citrus College Clarion Professor Marvel (Kahlil Nelson) pretends to use a crystal ball to tell Dorothy’s (Kristen Lamoureux) fortune in a rehearsal on Feb. 17 for the Citrus College production of “Wizard of Oz.” turn all along. Citrus student Kristen Lamoureux will bring the innocent Dorothy Gale to life while Ray Spicer, Cameron Lanier and Alex Mendoza will portray the Scare-
crow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, respectively. Faculty member Douglas Austin works as the director. And as the tossed-around Toto is real-life canine thespian Impy, who toured with Musical Theatre West’s
production of the same play last year and is coming out of retirement to reprise her role at Citrus. But Impy isn’t the only professional aspect in this play, the sets, costumes and props were rented from Madison Square Garden. “A lot of the movement of the show is done by the scenery and that is part of the fun,” said John Vaughan, production choreographer. “This gives our student-actors the opportunity to work with sets used during a professional production.” The action will take place in the Haugh Performing Arts Center when the upcoming Citrus College production of “Wizard of Oz” has its three-day run Feb. 27 to March 1. If recent rehearsals are an indication, anticipate a fantastic performance by Lauren Smolka as the Wicked Witch of the West.
The play will incorporate the songs and plot of the 1939 movie and will include “The Jitterbug,” a song and dance which, after filming, was cut from the original picture. Audience members will also be treated to music performed by a full student orchestra, conducted by William Hoehne, director of instrumental music. Expect to see many of our actors take flight on the stage, thanks to the harnesses and rigging brought in by ZFX Flying Effects. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the HPAC box office or online at www.haughpac.com.
Rosalynn Garcia can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.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 quesions 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
February 18, 2009
Citrus College Clarion
By Emily Rios Clarion Managing Editor
As winter session stretched on I faced a lot of free time. With no classes and shortened work hours I tried to fill the hours with productive endeavors, such as reading, doing yoga and spending time with those that I don’t often see when I’m in school. But despite all my good intentions, I could not stop myself from getting sucked back into reality TV. Three shows drew my interest and I made that if I was not home to watch them my DVR was set to record. “The Bachelor”: While I find it absurd that people would go on national television to find their life partner, I’m addicted to the drama of the show. This sea-
son’s bachelor Jason Mesnik captured the hearts of countless women on “The Bachlorette” as the single father seeking the love of DeAnna Pappas. Mesnik made it to the final two, but Pappas chose Jesse Csiniak. Now Mesnik is the one handing out roses. It is inevitable that there is going to be drama and cattiness when you put 25 women who are all competing for the same man under the same roof. Whether t was trash talking or throwing ice at a fellow contestant who was talking to Mesnik, “The Bachelor” illustrates how competitive woman can be when it comes to vying for the attention of a man. Not all the women have been
Keepin’ it real:
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus garnered fame off their debut album Don’t You Fake It with songs such as “Face Down,” “False Pretenses” and “Your Guardian Angel.” The 2006 effort went platinum. Next up the quartet consisting of lead vocalist Ronnie Winter, guitarist and pianist Duke Kitchens, bass player Joey Westwood and drummer John Wilkes released their highly anticipated sophomore album “Lonely Road” on Feb. 3. “Lonely Road” has a completely different vibe than “Don’t You Fake It.” At first listen it was hard to decide whether “Lonely Road” could measure up to RJA’s freshmen album. The 11- track second album definitely grows on you with its mellower sound and simpler lyrics. At first listen many might not even recognize that it is The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The album opens with the catchy debut single “You Better Pray:” “You like to hide behind lies/ But we see through disguise/ It’s not a threat or a curse/ Just a proper verse.” “Pen and Paper” is a pleasant
sounding song that deals with that you are not always the person you are perceived to be and that public interpretation of who you are does not always result in a positive immage. “You like the way the people stare at you now/But you look so fake/ Just thought that you should know/ You're all the same/ and when the curtain drops down/You'll be replaced/ by something typical/You set yourself up ...What will you do when nobody wants you?” “Believe,” a poignant song about looking ahead and not focusing on the negative, showcases the pureness of lead singer Ronnie Winter’s vocal style: “And I still believe/That there is more love than hate/There's more heart than ache/And we are stuck in this great big world together/With a little bit of help from up above/And a sprinkling of love/We can break these chains/We will end these days” Although “Lonely Road” takes some getting used to, it delivers inspirational lyrics with a softer rock sound than they are known for. —Emily Rios
13
Shows that got me through the winter
catty and vindictive, most of them seem like sweet decent people. From the star my favorites were Jillian, an interior designer from Canada who has stayed away from the drama and Stephanie, a single mom and widow from Alabama who bonded with Mesnik because over their children Sophia and Ty who are around the same age. I was bummed when Stephanie was sent home in week five because Jason said he just did not feel a spark. On Feb. 16 he had to bring the number of girls from three to two. Jillian, my favorite from the start was sent home empty handed because Mesnik felt he need more than a best friend. The bubbly department store buyer Molly from Grand Rapids and and Dallas bred sales representative Melissa are the last two women who will go on and meet Mesnik’s family and most importantly Ty. I’m rooting from Melissa because the two seem to have a magnetic connection, but I’ve been off all season so who
knows how it will end up. “Sober House”: I began watching “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” on VH1 last semester. After completing their 21day stint in rehab, celebrities have to decide on a coping strategy to maintain their sobriety. “Celebrity Rehab” participants Nikki McGibbon, Rodney King, Steven Adler, Amber Smith and Seth “Shifty” Binzer all decided to go into sober living as they transition back into the real world. They have been joined by Andy Dick and Mary Carey in the “Sober House.” Actress and recovering addict Jennifer Gimenez serves as the house mother, who makes sure that the residents follow the rules and stay clean as they struggle through this transition period. It is interesting to see these people as they leave rehab and begin to slowly reenter society without the stringent rules of rehab. “True Beauty”: When I hear the premise of the show I was not even going to check out an
When World Comes Down All-American Rejects
boards), Mike Kennerty (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Chris Gaylor (drums, percussion) have created an album that has moments where the band goes 10 steps beyond their stereotypical pop rock sound. In songs like “Another Heart Calls” that features guest vocals by sisters Catherine Pierce and Allison Pierce of the New York based band The Pierces, The All-American Rejects show that they hold their place as one of the top rock acts of today. “Yeah, I remember when we stole the night/We would lie awake dreaming until the sun washed the sky.” The track has deep lyrics and emotional vocal performances put on by both Ritter and the Pierce sisters. Another progressively mature track on the album is “Real World.” The intro features an 80s’ style keyboard solo by lead guitarist Wheeler. The song itself is a realization that it is
not easy to understand life. “This can’t be the real world now/Welcome to the real world now/The old are carried in only to poison the youth/Am I, the only one who thinks it’s tragic.” The album’s single “Gives You Hell” the band should please their main fanbase while adding more to their sound than just clichés. “When you see my face hope it gives you hell/ When you walk my way hope it gives you hell/ When you find a man that gives a damn that treats you well/Then he’s the fool /Just as well hope it gives you hell.” The tonguein-cheek humor of the verses makes this song a more mature broken-heart anthem. ‘The All-American Rejects” have created an album that is an amalgam of progressivism while still harkening back to their original fanbase and sound. —Andrew Vasquez
certain presence in the hip-hop community that most artists wish to achieve. “So Far Gone” is by far his best work since his last two mixtapes, “Room for Improvement” and “Comeback Season.” He proves that his talents go way beyond just acting With a smooth vibe and tranquil beat, Drake gets off on his song, “Successful,” featuring his boy Songz and partner-in-crime Lil’Wayne. Of course Wayne’s verse is hot, but Drake makes it clear that his flow is just as raw: “the young spitta that everybody in rap fear/ a lot of y’all still soundin like last year/ the game needs change, and I’m the m****f****in’ cashier.” The songs on the mixtape only begin to get better, especially with “Ignorant Sh**,” featuring Wayne. With its up-tempo beat, sampled from The Isley Brothers, “Between the Sheets,”
this song is a head banga. These Young Money representatives spit fire over every inch on this track and Drake makes it known that he’s no “Joker.” This is 5:03 minutes of pure ignorance. In “Say What’s Real,” non-believers really get a taste of “Drizzy’s” lyricism as he “says it all on one track” over a Kanye’s “Say You Will” beat. The songs mentioned are just a little snippet of what Drake is really capable of. Songs such as “Uptown,” featuring an incredible line-up from Bun-B to Wayne, prove that Drake is going to be a force on the record charts.
D ! N ! U SOTES ! BY Lonely Road The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
A&E
The All-American Rejects’ single “Dirty Little Secret” off of their second album Move Along (2005) became the anthem for many a teenage girl, their second attempt garnered such popularity that it reached double platinum in just two years. Now with the quality of tracks on their third release When World Comes Down lightning may well strike twice. Characterized by anthems of angst, broken hearts and social commentary. The All-American Rejects, a quartet made up of Tyson Ritter (lead vocals, bass guitar, piano), Nick Wheeler (lead guitar, vocals, key-
So Far Gone Drake Drake’s highly anticipated third mixtape, “So Far Gone,” was released on Friday, Feb. 13. This is his first mixtape while signed with a major record label, Interscope Records. Some might not be familiar with the new artist, who first appeared in 2001 as Jimmy Brooks on the television series, “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” While still filming the show, Drake released his first single, “Replacement Girl,” as an unsigned artist. Featuring his good friend Trey Songz, the song left fans curious for more. Drake is unlike any other artist in the music industry right now. His lyrical ability and swagger gives him a
episode, but after watching an episode with my dad I found it slightly addicting. “True Beauty,” which is executively produced by Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher features 6 woman and four men who are competing to determine who is the most beautiful. They are judged by TV host Vanessa Minnillo, fashion expert Nolé Marin and supermodel, designer Cheryl Tiegs. The only problem is that unbeknownst to the contestants their challenges test their inner beauty as well as their outer beauty. You cannot argue that all the contestants are beautiful people, but some of them seem to think that all they need to get ahead is outer beauty As spring semester begins my TV viewing hours are going to diminish, but thankfully DVR exist to assist a reality TV lover like myself.
Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com
“So Far Gone” is an absolute hit, and a sneak preview of what Drake’s debut album is going to be like. This mixtape is definitely going in the CD disc changer.
14 Citrus College Clarion
Opinions Opinions Editor Julia Kupisiewicz - clarioneic@live.com
February 18, 2009
Our leading lady: Epitome of strength By Irene Davis Clarion Sports Editor For the first time in this country’s history, Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has finally come true: People are judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. The election and inauguration of our first black president has truly been an inspiration and source of empowerment to us all. This historic moment has been long time coming, and we as Americans have finally reached that milestone. I am proud. Although America’s attention has been devoted to President Obama, my focus has been on his wife, Michelle Obama. As the saying goes: “Behind every good strong man, lies a good strong woman.” This is undeniably the case for the new first lady. Finally, America will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African American woman they hardly ever see. Of course Oprah, Tyra Banks and Beyonce are successful in their own right, but prominent success from black female
role models in other fields has been scarce. Not so for Michelle Obama, who graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. For decades, black women have gone unnoticed, unheard, and widely stereotyped for being hot-tempered, never-married, single mothers. These negative stereotypes don’t even take into account the depressing number of black women who are HIV/AIDS positive. The media continues to hold distorted views of black women, but for the next four years, Michelle Obama will silence the negativity and provoke a sense of self assurance and self being for all black women, young and old. Obama has proven that she is a strong, educated black woman who can stand on her own and articulate her views and morals. She has provided a backbone and support system for her husband through their two-year journey to the White House. While doing all that and then some, she is raising two beautiful daughters and playing a significant role in their lives. She is raising her children to be respectful and responsible young women, who still have to make their beds and do other household chores necessary to maintain a healthy, normal life. Obama comes from a strong
McClatchey-Tribune Media Services family background. Her parents instilled in her the concept that education is vital, along with giving back to the community, and never forgetting where she came from. Her educational history is exceptional, She attended Whitney Young High School, Chicago's first magnet high school, where she was on the honor roll for four years, took advanced placement classes,
served as student council treasurer, and was a member of the National Honor Society. I commend and applaud Obama for how she represents herself, for remembering where she has come from, and the things she will do in the future. She has opened the avenue for young girls to be whatever they want. For middle-aged black women, she has erased the ideal
black woman image: light skin, long hair, with big behinds. She has let it be known that a woman can be comfortable in her own skin. She is the epitome of a strong, black woman.
Irene Davis can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
Stimulus plan not the answer, pass the fair tax By Frank Ram Clarion Correspondent
The $787 billion economic stimulus package, which Congress passed last week, is not all that the Obama Administration builds it up to be. The bailout plan that Obama said would have no pork barrel spending is nothing more than just that. Newsmax.com has published a list of wasteful spending that will result from the bailout. A few, among many of these pork barrel plans, include $400 million to research global warming, $650 million for coupons to help consumers convert their TV sets from analog to digital, $75 million to help people quit smoking, $20 billion over the next five years for an expanded food stamp program, and $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. The national deficit is not going to shrink by spending three-fourths of a trillion dollars. But if the economic stimulus plan is not the answer, what is? In his 2008 presidential primary campaign, talk show host Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, helped introduce the nation to the fair tax, an idea that could make this pathetic economy prosper.
Under the fair tax, the personal, estate, person would be determined by the numgift, capital gains, alternative minimum, ber of people living in each household, Social Security, Medicare, self-employ- not by the individual’s income. ment, and corporate taxes would be reIt makes sense that the American peoplaced with a 23 percent sales tax on all ple should be taxed on what we choose goods and services. to spend on goods, not on our income. One could assume that under this apIn 2005, Neal Boortz, host of the talk proach prices would skyrocket, but that radio show “The Neal Boortz Show,” and is not the case. Congressman John Linder (R-GA) co-auThe 22 percent thored “The Fair Tax embedded tax that It makes sense that the Book,” in which they is included in all American people should detail the revolutionary items would be concept. In 2008, they be taxed on what we eliminated. wrote “Fair Tax: The The result would choose to spend, not on Truth,” which targets be only a one perand debunks all its critour income cent increase, and ics. with individuals Obama’s plan is not taking home their entire paycheck, the the change we need. True change we can workers’ purchasing power would actu- believe in will only come by way of the ally rise. fair tax. Corporations, which would no longer Rep. David Dreier (R-26), who reprebe taxed, can reinvest that money into sents the community surrounding Citrus creating more jobs and building more College, is on the record as stating he factories. does not support the fair tax, but Rep. Under the fair tax, companies would Gary Miller (R-42) of Diamond Bar supbe more inclined to set up shop in the tax ports the idea of fair taxation for all free United States, rather than going Americans. abroad to conduct business. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, The plan would be a win-win situation the senators from California, are opposed on the corporate and worker level. to the fair tax. Obama has yet to take an In addition, all valid Social Security official stance on the fair tax. cardholders, who are U.S. residents, H.R. 25, sponsored by Linder, and S would receive a prebate check in the mail 1025, authored by Rep. Saxby Chambliss each month to cover the fair tax on gro- (R-GA), both would institute the fair tax ceries and medicine. and in essence make the 16th AmendThe prebate amount allocated to each ment irrelevant.
It would close the Internal Revenue Service for good, and Americans could then relax every April 15. I implore everyone to call their local representatives and senators and urge them to support H.R. 25 and S. 1025 so that we can have transparency in our tax system, take home our entire pay checks, and shut down the IRS.
Frank Ram can be reached at Ram_Frank23@yahoo.com
February 18, 2009
Editorials
Editorials Editor Julia Kupisiewicz - clarioneic@live.com Citrus College Clarion 15
The clock is ticking on California’s budget debacle
T
ick, tock. Tick, tock. Today marks 105 days since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California lawmakers were called into special session to resolve the $42 billion budget debacle. Why should lawmakers be able to take an entire holiday season off while the rest of us get a few days to share with our families? With the budget upside down, a trip to Idaho for the Special Olympics doesn’t seem so special when Californians are waiting for tax refunds, forced into Friday furloughs and $13 million in education grants are being axed. The irony is these lawmakers not only still have a job to go to every Monday morning (or so), but they are still being paid. If working class Americans did not fulfill my responsibility in my profession, like if the Clarion hit the stands late every issue, I’d expect to be replaced, asked not to contribute or certainly not receive credit for this class. Schwarzenegger states the deficit is partially due to the slow economy and part “self-in-
McClatchey-Tribune Media Services flicted.” For instance, the Los Angeles Times reported that Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego) went to India as a response to an Indian official’s visit to California to learn how other countries handle governmental problems. Ducheny and her husband’s trip took place in November 2008 while the budget began to balloon. The trip included sight-seeing and lodg-
ing at the Mumbai Four Seasons with several other lawmakers. After additional trips to a conference in Maui and a meeting of state officials in Monterey, Mexico, she has racked up $41,000 worth of expenses paid for with campaign contributions within three months. While some lawmakers are on the take, a minority of others are taking the route of political suicide like Assemblymen Anthony Adams, (R-Glendora). Adams
has announced he will support raising taxes as well as permanent cuts to various projects. Recently the John and Ken Show at KFWB AM 640 radio has gone on a “heads on a stick” campaign to “stand firm” on Adams’ no new tax promises. California is going to have to bite the bullet. Raising taxes and cutting costs are some of the ways around the financial chaos our state has fallen into. Trimming the fat should be easier since Proposition 11 passed in November 2008. The proposition redistricts the voting pool. When the next election comes up, the candidate who has been sitting term after term will not have the win secured and will have to campaign. This will bring new leaders to the table and some of them just might be public servants this time around. The current California state legislators who consider themselves public servants need to take a long look in the mirror, or maybe skim through the oath of office they swore to. It’s time to quit the free ride and start serving the public’s best interest. This is their responsibility, right?
A shuttle can miss your stop, but a structure will stand
C
itrus is investing far too much money in parking space reduction projects and not nearly enough time discussing the most appropriate solution: An on-campus parking structure. Last semester, school administration requisitioned the majority of the S1 parking lot for yet another construction project. While new facilities are exciting and beneficial to students, they have made parking on campus even more of a challenge than in previous semesters. Fall 2008 saw a dramatic increase in preferential parking districts surrounding Citrus College. Local residents petitioned the city of Glendora to make it mandatory for any vehicle parked in their neighborhood to display a designated parking pass, and they won. So student drivers searching for parking close to the campus will have to look a lot farther than the homes across the street. What do students have to deal with now? We have limited parking on campus and virtually no close parking around the school. And let’s not forget, enrollment has gone up. Meaning that there are more students attending Citrus College and possibly adding to the number of cars competing for the parking spaces. This semester, the college is offering 350 free limited parking passes and will be providing a shuttle service to entice stu-
Citrus College
Clarion
EDITOR
IN
CHIEF
Julia Kupisiewicz MANAGING EDITOR Emily Rios NEWS EDITOR Dustin Call Life Editor Amanda Goodhue 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 Correspondents Rosalynn M. Garcia, Andrew Vasquez Photographers/Artists Ariel Carmona Jr., Page Designers Julia Kupisiewicz Rosalynn M. Garcia, Frank Ram, Emily Rios, Andrew Vasquez 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.
Citrus Shuttle
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.
Julia Kupisiewicz Citrus College Clarion dents to use the virtually empty annexed lots. Now don’t get us wrong, we love free parking, but it’s not going to help future students or the college itself in the long run. It’s a great effort by the administration and it shows that they care about the struggles of their students, but they are still investing our money in the wrong solution. Of course, the shuttle will only be available for the first four weeks of the Spring 2009 semester. Why the first four weeks? Because the school is counting on many of its students to either drop or fail out of their classes
by this time, thereby decreasing the daily competition for parking. And while we can’t argue against the validity of this reasoning, returning students might recall that despite fewer students attending classes, this did little to ease the task of finding an open spot during the fall 2008 semester. And, of course, we have only secured the annex lots for another two years, in order to cover the projected construction period. Then we are supposed to get some of those parking spaces back, but with an expected surge of enrollment, the increase of preferential parking districts and the parking spots
we have permanently lost, it seems unlikely that the problem will simply disappear with time. With all the Measure G money that the school is investing into these projects, which have reduced on-campus parking, shouldn’t they have also been looking for a more permanent and plausible solution to ease the parking frustrations? Cal Poly Pomona and even Glendale Community College have added parking structures on their campuses and its time that our college follows in suit. Let’s start talking parking structure Citrus College!
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Citrus College Clarion
February 18, 2009
Owls guard Jessica Nieves scans the court for a teammate she can pass the ball to during the Owls’ final game of the season.
Owls guard Bianca Nunez attempts a layup as Vaqueros guard Neyra Valenzuela aggressively tries to stop her from scoring the field goal for the Owls during their home game against the Vaqueros on Feb. 14.
Owls guard Bianca Nunez sails down the court as her opponent, Vaqueros guard Amanda Quesada attempts to block her path as she makes her way to the basket to score another point for Citrus during their last home game against Glendale Community College.
Women!s basketball triumphs in season ending home win Photos by Andrew Vasquez By Ariel Carmona Jr. Clarion Correspondent The women’s basketball team has been on a winning streak, enough to keep them in the running for a playoff spot in the Western State Conference. The Owls (21-10 overall, 7-4 conference) defeated Los Angeles Valley College 101-51 on the road on Feb. 7 and posted home wins over Santa Monica College on Feb.11 and against Glendale on Feb. 14. In a dominant win, 86-56 over Santa Monica, key contributors for the Owls included freshman Bianca Nunez, and sophomores Jessica Nieves, Jazmine Matthews and Terri Washington, all of whom scored in double figures. “I think we have a better chance of making it to the playoffs this year,” Matthews said. “We’re ending our season pretty good,” she said. Matthews’ triple-double performance in which she had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the win over Valley College on Feb. 7 was a career first. “I think we really gelled as a team toward the middle of December, around the time of our second tournament,” she said. The Owls’ most recent home outing was a victory over Glendale. The Citrus women took a 4024 halftime advantage and held on for the 75-50 win. “This season has gone well so far,” said head cmyk
coach Eric Anderson prior to the team’s final two home games of the season. “We had a nice preseason; we did very well.” Anderson is in his seventh year at Citrus and his third season as head coach of the women’s basketball team. “I’m really proud of the girls, and I am really excited about this program,” Anderson said. Citrus won tough games against Antelope Valley and Orange Coast College, and played hard in losses to Pasadena and Mt. San Antonio College, he said. The Owls are clinging to a possible playoff spot pending the outcome of weekend conference games. The Owls close the season on the road Saturday against Bakersfield. “If we win out and take care of business, we will have the best record in the history of the school,” Anderson said. Assistant coach Monica Peters said the coaches face the challenge of developing the team’s bench players. “The sophomores all know what is expected of them,” Peterson said. She cited the development of players, such as transfer point guard Krystyn Jacobs, as one of the keys for the future of the team.
Ariel Carmona Jr. can be reached at ccclarion@yahoo.com
At the sound of the buzzer both Owls forward Shateah West and Vaqueros guard/forward Amanda Quesada fly off of the floor of the court attempting to gain possession of the ball at the tip-off of the Owls’ last home game of the season. cmyk