A&E
Photostory
A first time production for Santa Monica College
Anaheim plays host to popular culture Page 6-7
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Inside: News.......................1-3 Opinion..................4-5 Photo Story............ 6-7 A&E........................8-9 Lifestyle...................10 Sports......................12
the
Corsair
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
www.thecorsaironline.com
Volume C, Issue 24
Students react to death of bin Laden By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor Osama bin Laden, the founder of Al Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks and other acts of mass murder around the world, was killed last Monday, May 2, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. For nearly a decade after the September 11 attacks, bin Laden remained a shadowy figure, evading capture and eluding the authorities pursuing him. However, last Sunday, after months of intelligence gathering by Pakistanis working with the Central Intelligence Agency, a credible lead on bin Laden was established, and ultimately resulted in the covert “Operation Geronimo” that resulted in his assassination. Below are reactions from students of
Jennifer Martinez Corsair Newly elected A.S. President Harrison Wills, 26, overlooks the outline during final meeting before being elected president. The final meeting lasted five hours.
Santa Monica College to the news of bin Laden’s death. “I thought it was a good thing that a mass murderer is gone from this world.” -Sergey
Volkov, 26, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in the 137th Armor for 15 months in Iraq. “The celebrations were good, because
unity is always a positive thing; with the economy and political climate the way that it is right now, we need anything to unite us.” -Andrew Nichols, 27, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served for 8 years with the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. “I don’t know how to feel about it; justice is served in a sense, but does an eye for an eye make everything right? I understand the closure it must bring to the families of victims of 9/11, but I really don’t think anything is different.” -Chris Alves, 21. “They shouldn’t have killed him—it will cause more deaths because Al Qaeda will probably retaliate; but it’s still a good thing.” - Cristian Hotova, 19. “If they kept him, he would have died eventually—by trial, or whatever. But as a Saudi, I can say a fair amount of Saudis
[See Ladin, page 2]
Petrol problems By Sophia Zhorne Staff Writer Scraping the cracks between the seat and door of her 1999 BMW, Jenny Campos, a Santa Monica College student, looks for a few extra coins to give to the gas station attendee at a local gas station. With gas prices rapidly increasing throughout the nation, the United States sits at the top as the world’s leading oil consumer. Furthermore, current prices reflect the highest price Americans have paid for gas since the summer of 2008, when gas hit an alltime high of $4.11 per gallon. According to Bloomberg, Exxon Mobil is the world’s
Amanda Bojorquez Corsair Cal State Dominguez Hills student, Liam Sillence, is found filling up gas at the corner of 14th and Pico Blvd.
largest company by market value; Exxon has recently posted their largest profits in nearly eight years, saying that its first-quarter net income jumped 69 percent to $10.7 billion. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the world’s top three oilproducing countries are Russia, followed by Saudi Arabia, and the United States. A series of attempts have been made by the White House to alleviate the economic impact of rising oil prices, though little positive turnout has come back. The White House and President Obama have been in contact with Saudi Arabia, looking for ways to increase production levels. They have also advocated cutting oil companies’ subsidies, but little progress has been made. “Every morning it seems like gas prices have already risen. $40 used to fill up my tank, and now that’s not nearly enough,” said Danika Dallas, 18, of Santa Monica. “Commuting from Santa Monica to the valley on a weekly basis is becoming harder and harder, and I’m dependent on my car, so I have no other options.” A test conducted by The California Energy Commission on the California retail gasoline prices per gallon, found that on April 18, 2011, the price for a regular gallon of gas was $4.205 and exactly one week
[See Gas, page 2]
Jeff Cote Corsair Speaker Lenny Goldberg during the “What’s Goin’ On?” forum, discussing California’s financial challenges.
What’s goin’ on? By Jonathan Bue Editor-in-Chief A collective gasp escaped the lips of a small audience made up of Santa Monica College professors, students, and community members as State Assemblywoman, Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), described the $41 billion the state owes the K-12 education system. That amount, nearly half the state’s total operating budget, was one of the many budget issues discussed at the “What’s Going on?” program hosted by former state senator and SMC’s Public Policy Institute
Founding Director, Sheila Kuehl, at SMC’s Bundy Campus this past Thursday, April 28. Joining Assemblywoman Brownley as a panelist was Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director of the California Tax Reform Association, who would go over the structural problems of California’s tax system. The majority of the night’s discussions and facts were centered on education, both in light of the State’s current fiscal situation and a possible all-cuts budget scenario. Brownley, who is chair of the State’s Education Committee, explained that deferrals were used as a budget balancing
[See Residents, page 2]
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NEWS
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Residents ask what’s goin’ on? California gas prices keep rising [Residents, from page 1]
strategy to pay for both community college and K-12 systems; reasons why Prop 98 obligations weren’t paid, and why the state essentially owes K-12 such a large sum. Brownley went on to describe how K-12 has taken the largest proportional cuts in the last three years, more than any other part of the budget, and roughly $7 billion, or $1,000 per student. As a result, 110 school districts are in fiscal distress, and have the potential of being in fiscal insolvency, which represent 2 million students out of 6 million. When the talk focused on higher education, Brownley mentioned how 20 to 30 thousand qualified students would be turned away from the UC system, and an additional 10 to 15 thousand qualified students would be turned away from the CSU system on top of the already 30 thousand turned away in the previous year. She went on about how community colleges have suffered a $400 million reduction with a 10 percent increase in fees, resulting in community colleges beings inaccessible to tens of thousands of students across the state. And according to Brownley, if the state were to go into an all-cuts budget scenario,
K-12 would receive an additional $5 to $6 billion in cuts and higher education would receive “catastrophic” reductions. Besides the increase in community college fees from $36 to $66, at least 400,000 transfer students would be turned away, “more students than the CSU system services.” Community colleges would also see the elimination of state funding for campus athletics, winter and summer sessions, and be stripped to essential core courses. Research would be cut for all UC systems except UCLA and UC Berkley, and for the CSU system: “The most thoughtful approach would be to probably close the campus,” said Brownley. Additionally, UC’s and CSU’s would see reductions in courses, student aid, and longer time spent to graduate amongst others. “For the first time, students will be paying more than the state invests,” said Brownley. And besides education, Brownley went down a long list of other cuts in a possible allcuts budget, chief among them: the closure of more parks, scaling back the Department of Motor Vehicles, reducing parole terms for existing parolees from three years to 18 months, an implementation of twoday-per-month furloughs for government employees, and “huge” operational cuts to
the courts. Discussed by Goldberg during the second half of the forum were the problems with term limits and the two-thirds vote, as well as the ideology of the anti-tax. “If we had a normal government, that is to say majority rule in some ordinary form, then we would have oil severance tax, we would’ve had at least temporary if not permanent increase taxes on the wealthy right now; we would’ve had the elimination of these loopholes,” said Goldberg. “There’s easily five-six-seven-eight billion dollars of low hanging fruit in the tax system.” Not all were happy with the overall tone of the event presented by the three panelists, all Democrats. At one point in the night, Sheila Kuehl suggested that cuts to education was a strategy to dumbdown the general public, which met a vocal disapproval from an exasperated Paul T. Fuller, a member of the SMC Associates Board of Directors. “There are no businessmen that are Democrats? I didn’t get that feeling tonight,” said Fuller, who identifies as a Moderate-Republican. “I feel some of it is really tainted in one view as opposed to really trying to solve a problem; there’s more manipulating it to point out blame, so that’s what this.”
bin Laden’s death stirs mixed emotions [Ladin, from page 1] wanted him dead because of his acts in the U.S. and in Saudi Arabia. And of course people would celebrate his death—they deserve to, but I won’t celebrate death. I might feel happy, relieved; but I won’t celebrate death.” -Talal Aljomaih, 20. “I believed it, and I felt happiness. We
were all looking for him, and now that he’s dead, it’s a great thing. It restores a measure of faith in the U.S. government and our intelligence, because now we have a physical return for all that we’ve sacrificed.” -Chuck Melshenker, 26, a veteran of the Marine Corps who served with the 1st battalion, 3rd Marines in
Afghanistan and Iraq. “Who knows what happened? Some people are putting all the blame on one person, but killing one person won’t fix everything. I really don’t feel okay celebrating someone’s death, but personally, I can understand where people were coming from.” -Jillian Long, 21.
[Gas, from page 1] later on April 25, 2011 it was $4.217, marking the eighteenth consecutive week that gas prices have continued to increase. Many delivery companies rely on affordable gas prices to keep their businesses running. Companies that provide delivered foods like Domino’s and Yummy.com are forced to drive on a daily basis. “I work for In-n-Out which does food trucks for events and charities and things like that, and the trucks are huge and they use gas, heat, electric, etc. to operate at events,” said Brenda Diaz, an In-n-Out employee. “So naturally, In-n-Out and other food places like us are going to suffer if the increase in gas prices continues to escalate.” The reason for the sharp increase in gas prices is due to recent instability in the Middle East. They began at a time of year when California’s oil refineries have typically cut their production and perform maintenance, according to SFGate.com. The United States receives gasoline imports of about 160 million barrels of crude oil annually from Saudi Arabia. A government-owned company produces Saudi Arabian oil, and difficulties in the production levels are another factor towards the price of gasoline in the United States.
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May 4, 2011
NEWS
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Drum circle stabbings beef up security By Shannon Culiner Staff Writer With a sack full of mini oranges propped around his right shoulder and a skate board half-buried in the sand nearby, Jay Quion sat on top of his wooden drum, beating it away with the entirety of the drum circle. Amongst Quion was a mass of approximately 600 onlookers and drummers in attendance at the Venice Beach Drum Circle. In addition, a heightened level of security was present. Two police SUV’s remained parked along the perimeter of the drum circle with other officers on foot. Numerous citations were given out to those who had possession of alcohol and for disorderly conduct. Within the past two weeks, there have been two non-fatal stabbings at the Venice Beach Drum Circle, both believed to be with pocketknives. Quion has been a regular of the Venice Beach Drum Circle for nearly a year, attending both Saturdays and Sundays. Though Quion hasn’t witnessed any of the recent stabbings, he certainly can understand how the occurrences become a possibility. “These drum circles can get distracting with people drumming over here and people gathering over there,” said Quion. “These guys you see here today are the good guys. It’s the ones that come towards the evening time, getting intoxicated and out of control.” Quion feels that a stabbing can take place anywhere; it’s just unfortunate it had to occur at the Venice Beach Drum Circle, a gathering that tries to promote a “harmonious outreach.” Venice Beach alone is considered to be one of California’s leading tourist destinations. With its beachfront setting,
Fabian Cooke Corsair Local police officers beef up security on the boardwalk of Venice Beach after recent stabbings at the weekend drum circle.
numerous vendors, body-builders, musicians, athletes, colorful locals, and boardwalk performers, it attracts a multitude of people daily. The Venice Beach Drum Circle is an unorganized, unstructured event that’s been going on for many past years. Locals and tourists gather on the beach to rhythmically bang on drums (or any other noisemaking objects one can get there hands on), dance, or just watch the event take place. “The problem is there’s a small group of people that go into the drum circle and get drunk,” said Commander Andrew Smith, Operations-West Bureau. “Though there’ve only been a couple of stabbing
incidences, even one is one too many for us.” Smith, who is active on organizations such as Police Officer’s Association of Los Angeles, FBI National Academy Associates, International Association of Chiefs of Police, among others, has been with the LAPD since 1993, and was promoted to the rank of Commander on June 28, 2007. According to Smith, along with the heightened security which includes a Violent Crimes Task Force, the Metropolitan Division, Mounted Officers (horseback), and Motorcycle Officers, they’ll be putting out under cover officers around the drum circle and boardwalk area.
The two stabbings are considered isolated incidences and rare. Smith believes there was a dispute or an altercation leading up to the recent stabbings. “Once a stabbing occurs, everyone usually runs away from the scene,” said Smith. “It’s easy to conceal a knife when you’re standing shoulder to shoulder, back to back; or runaway with the crowd.” There are still no suspects related to the drum circle stabbings, but Smith believes they’ll soon find out after the review of several videos they have in their possession from cameras and cell phones. “We want to keep Venice a fun, touristfriendly, family-friendly environment,” said Smith.
SMC professors house burns down
Veteran anxieties addressed
By Hector Mejia Staff Writer
By Nick Lotz Staff Writer
During spring break, Los Angeles Firefighters responded to the two-story residence of Santa Monica College Chemistry Professor Dr. John Harwig, after his Woodland Hills home erupted in flames on Tuesday afternoon, April 12. Dr. Harwig and his family escaped without injuries. Dr. Harwig stood outside his house on the 21900 block of Woodland Crest Drive, while firefighters battled raging flames that originated from the family’s living room. Meanwhile, clouds of black smoke poured out of every window. According to Dr. Jennifer Merlic, Professor of Chemistry, Physical Science Department Chair, and Dr. Harwig’s colleague for twenty years, Dr. Harwig’s family and their three sons were inside their home Tuesday when the fire began. His sons were on their spring break from school. Because of the quick response of the firefighters who responded to the call, a number of Harwig’s pets were rescued: turtles, guinea pigs, and two cats were safely removed from the burning home. Firefighters treated one of the cats with oxygen. Making their safety a priority, the family was unable to retrieve any of their personal belongings. A considerable amount of possessions were lost. However, Dr. Harwig’s home is insured. Although unavailable for an interview, Dr. Harwig mentioned that his family is “still in the process of trying to get settled in temporary housing.” His family is currently residing in a hotel before renting a furnished home for at least a year, said Dr. Merlic.
Andrew Nichols, a student working with Santa Monica College who had spent time in Iraq, led a group discussion on the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, “We try to do it at least twice a semester so that new veterans coming in, or veterans coming back to school, can have a few more tools to get ready to come back to school,” said Nichols. Nichols referred two veterans in attendance to counselor Todd Adamson, who visits the SMC campus on Tuesdays. Adamson, a psychologist who works for the United States Veterans Initiative, or U.S. Vets, the largest non-profit organization in the country providing services for homeless veterans. They have 10 active locations in the United States, with three in California alone. Todd Adamson, a counselor who works for U.S Vets, was present at the meeting to offer clinical insight into PTSD. He works on campus on Tuesdays, assisting any veterans who are having trouble readjusting to life at home or on campus. According to Nichols, one of the reasons veterans have trouble adjusting to student life is the environment in which they are taught. Soldiers in the military are taught in a very regimented, disciplined style. When adjusting to student life, one of the biggest difficulties is overcoming the lack of discipline many of the students can display. Veterans may be unused to others goofing off in the classroom or disrespecting the teacher. At times, this new, chaotic environment
may become overwhelming to some. Student veterans might sit with their backs to the wall so that they can watch other students as they enter the classroom. In addition, students often feel afraid to speak up out of fear of people judging them for their military service. In one case, Adamson recalled, a student felt out of place when her teacher accused those enrolling to fight in the military of engaging in futility. The two veterans in attendance both said they had experience with PTSD. “This is the first time I’ve actually
“This is the first time I’ve actually really addressed it. I never really thought of myself as having PTSD. Then I discovered not everyone has PTSD on a full-blown level.” -Sergey Volkov
really addressed it. I never really thought of myself as having PTSD. Then I discovered not everyone has PTSD on a full-blown “oh crap” level. Some people have it on a more subtle level that effects their subconscious more,” said Sergey Volkov. Volkov served eight years in the military, doing 15 months in Iraq as a tanker. Audrey Simmons said, “Sometimes I see information, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I see it clearly, sometimes I don’t. I have a lot of memory issues, and I’m not sure if it’s just the PTSD or the TBI, because I have a combination of both.” Simmons was in the Navy for
three and a half years. TBI, or Traumatic Brain Injury, is a form of acquired brain injury which occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes. Simmons also reported having been raped while on duty, an uncommon occurrence in an armed force setting, in which one in three women are the victims of sexual assault according to cbsnews.com. “I used to have nightmares of being attacked on the ship,” said Simmons. PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder that occurs after an individual witnesses or experiences a traumatic event that involves the threat of injury or death, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Symptoms of PTSD include a repeated “reliving” of the event, avoidance which includes emotional “numbing” and feelings of detachment, and states of hyper-arousal, which include difficulties concentrating and outbursts of anger. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides treatment for PTSD through local care centers. They also have nearly 200 specialized PTSD treatment programs. “They’ve done more now than they ever have in the history of the U.S government. Unfortunately, demand is so high and resources are so low that they just don’t have the resources to meet all the demand. That’s why organizations like U.S. Vets is so important,” said Nichols. Nichols closed the meeting by referring the veterans in attendance to Adamson for further counseling.
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May 4, 2011
OPINION
Prejudice still alive
theCorsaironline.com
By Nick Lotz Staff Writer The Tennessee Senate recently passed a bill making it illegal to discuss homosexuality in the classroom for grades K-8. People have nicknamed it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, in reference to the law proposed. So what gives? Why is this all right? Why can’t kids know about homosexuality? Because it’s a sin? I thought this country was supposed to be founded on secular ideals and not the whims and fancies of the religious right. Kids from Tennessee are going to look stupid when they talk with people from other states who know about homosexuality. It’s almost like the Tennessee Senate is promoting ignorance. They want people to be unaware of something simply because they disapprove of it. By that logic, we might as well stop teaching about the Holocaust because it was so violent. This way, people won’t start a second one. People should get really indignant about the fact that gay marriage is illegal, and that laws like the “Don’t Say Gay” bill get passed. If Tennessee voted tomorrow to make teaching about African Americans in grades K-8 illegal, people would react immediately, and there would be riots in the streets. The government would intervene and say it’s illegal. Lawmakers would be fired, and there would be massive federal efforts to educate the people of Tennessee. As there should be, because racism is a horrible plague on society. But for some reason, people don’t get angry when homosexuals or a LGBT lifestyle come under fire. How is what’s going on right now any different than the civil rights movement during the 1960’s? It’s exactly the same type of issue—a group of people demanding equal rights. But it doesn’t really provoke people the way race does, because it’s an issue centered in the private sphere. More importantly, people are idiots. They either live their life by guidelines set forth in a book written two thousand years ago by people who didn’t know the earth revolved around the sun;or, they just don’t give a damn. There are so many kids out there who think it’s funny to use the word “gay,” as though it means “stupid,” and some of them are also the types of callous jerks who don’t really care about flagrant violations of human rights. There was another group of people in history who were big on changing children’s education. They too wanted to undermine certain minorities. They were the Nazi party; they created the Hitler Youth to make sure kids would be indoctrinated in a culture ruled by hate from a very early age. So there we go, stereotypical Nazi party references aside, it’s not just an issue of violations against homosexuals in Tennessee, it’s a question of them promoting ignorance on such a mass scale. People should get upset because it’s a stupid bill and it’s designed to make their children stupid. But then again, maybe people shouldn’t be so quick to speak out against the religious right in Tennessee. I mean, since they have God on their side and everything, they’ll be the ones ascending into heaven on judgement day while the rest of us sinners grovel at the feet of Satan, the Prince of Darkness. But hey, if Hell includes free love and birth control, who really wants to go into eternal paradise anyways?
New Santa Monica College policy cracks down on slackers Photo Illustration by George Mikhail Corsair
By Muna Cosic Staff Writer Starting a new semester at Santa Monica College brings one aggravating image to our minds. Students running around, desperately trying to add a class before someone else gets their spot. It turns into a game of “survival of the fittest.” Who can run faster? Who is better at charming a professor for an add code? Who will get to the add list the fastest to write their name down? Who is lucky enough to have their name pulled out of a bowl or hat? SMC is a wonderful school with beautiful landscapes and buildings, so it is no wonder why a lot of students prefer to come here over other community colleges. Yet trying and hoping to add a class before the new semester starts is a guaranteed total disaster. There are students who add classes online then keep them all the way until their payments are due or until the last day before the semester starts, then they drop some of their classes.
Then you have those who check for available classes every day, praying someone will drop a class so they can click the add button with sweat pouring down their faces. It becomes an online game. Students following every move on the SMC website, checking for any class available so they can have more units during the semester. One drops a class; another adds it hastily, while the third watches it happen in seconds before their eyes. According to the SMC Office of Institutional Research, SMC had 35,232 students attending in fall of 2010, 68 percent of which are transfer students. Last year, 1,053 students transferred to University of California schools. For those who don’t transfer or graduate, they come back the next semester. And do what? Some keep studying to do well, while some slack off and add classes they don’t need, wasting away space. The “space wasters” need to be disciplined. They cut off the flow of adding classes and make it hard for others to get the class they need. They barely show up to class, often get a “W” or “F” and leave
an empty seat that could’ve been filled by someone who would have done well in that class. SMC’s transfer rates are always high in comparison to other California community colleges. But the problem that students face is getting the classes they need completed so they can transfer on time. With budget cuts affecting SMC and the unit rate going up to $36, Fall of 2011 will be a blessing for those who are financially set and desperate to get classes right away, but a menace to those who will be turned away. Perhaps, this pay increase will be positive for students who are serious with their education and plan on doing well in the classes they are lucky to get into. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a class you needed half empty, mid semester, when it was unavailable to add in the beginning. We all got the same e-mail from SMC stating that the school is following the “Standards of Student Success” policy. Students must
[See Slackers, page 5]
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
May 4, 2011
OPINION
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California considers getting rid of pensions By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to let Californians vote on some of the most fundamental challenges to our state’s fledgling economic recovery is a politically risky endeavor. On the one hand, it is an equitable measure, because for too long we have left the fate of our state’s coffers in the hands of incompetent politicians. On the other hand, however, leaving these decisions to the voters will reveal the expanding fissures of thought among Californians. Issues like the role and size of government, public policy, taxes, and recently, public employee pensions and retirement. According to a recent Times/USC Dornsfire poll, 68 percent of those polled thought that public employees should contribute more from their salaries towards their retirement. Additionally, 70 percent favored a cap on pensions for both current and future government
SMC rewards hard-working students [Slackers, from page 4] “maintain timely progression and successful academic performance in their classes.” Students who are on academic probation and become “disqualified for academic and/or progress reasons as a result of their Spring 2011 grades will be automatically dropped from all previously enrolled Fall 2011 classes.” The average GPA of SMC students in Fall 2010 was 2.59, according to the SMC Office of Institutional Research, and 22 percent have less than a 2.0 GPA. That’s a higher percentage than the other cumulative GPA ranges and that proves that the slackers not only exist, but are plentiful. Let’s face it, if the school’s highest GPA range in Fall 2010 was less than 2.0, then Spring 2011 cannot be so far off, statistically. If this policy is enforced, Fall 2011 could be the end of the road for a lot of SMC students. This new policy might be the shining light in a dark tunnel of unavailable classes, hogged by students who aren’t even serious about school. If the slackers get kicked out of school, then the academic achievers might get a break from having to run around in the first week of school, playing a game of “Who Will Get the Class First.”
employees, and 52 percent believed that the age of retirement should be raised. All of this must be leaving the public employee’s unions fuming and embarrassed. After all, they did spend millions to get Brown elected, in the hopes (one supposes) that a democratic career politician would vigorously protect their special interests. Brown has proven to be far more evenhanded than opponents previously thought, much to the chagrin of traditionally democratic unions. Frankly, it’s commendable. It’s refreshing to know that our governor is not afraid to make politically risky decisions in the interest of the greater good, which in this case is the economic future of California. To put it bluntly, California’s public pension system is unsustainable. If something isn’t done to correct this obstacle in the way of recovery, California will face yet another budgetary crisis. According to the Sacramento Bee, San Luis Obispo County spends up
to five times as much on pensions as it does on prosecuting criminals, and Stanislaus County’s pension costs are double its $23.5 million general fund budget deficit, to name just two counties facing these painful pension overheads. But for the 80 largest cities and county governments in California, the growing cost of paying government employees’ pensions will create a deficit of $28 billion in unfunded liabilities. The ensuing battle to defend and preserve public sector pensions in light of the numbers (which clearly point to a destructive trend) is disgustingly selfish; Selfish, because in times of fiscal austerity, everyone should be making sacrifices. Some (reasonably) argue that government employees should be required to make bigger sacrifices; if for any reason, than because it’s the tax payer’s dime that pays for the public sector’s salaries, benefits, and eventual retirement, and the tax payers are already paying enough as it is, with very
little guarantee of protecting their own retirement. Indeed, public sector workers provide an array of extremely important services to the state, many of which civilized society depends on. But there really isn’t any other way to say it; the public sector is over bloated, and is obliged to make sacrifices. Asking public sector employees to contribute a little more from their (already generous) salaries towards their retirement is not only reasonable, but also necessary. Asking government employees to work an extra five years of their life, is, well, no big deal. Some people work until the day they die, “owing their souls to the company store.” Cutting pensions should be the first item of business in the gargantuan task of getting California back on the right track. It should be on the negotiating table far before considering laying off teachers, civil servants, eliminating domestic programs, and raising taxes for families and businesses.
A perverted celebration By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor Ask anybody where they remember being on the morning of September 11, 2001, and they’ll likely tell you a story that bares remarkable similarity to the stories of millions of American lives. Ask someone in my age bracket, and they might tell you how at the break of dawn, their mother came rushing into their room to wake them up, telling them, “something has happened; come quickly!” How there was barely enough time to prepare ones’ self for the panic, dread, and disbelief that would ensue. That ineradicable morning is burned in our collective consciousness like a marring scar. It became clear soon after that 9/11 will forever represent one of the indelible events of history that tainted our innocence. In the days that followed, with a relentless stream of media showing the tragedy that ruined countless lives over and over again, we learned of the truly sinister and malicious nature of that day. Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the attacks, added insult to injury, taunting and prodding us in our mourning. He claimed responsibility, and gloated over his perverted glory. On Sunday evening, May 1, nearly ten years since 9/11, word quickly spread of a quite unexpected, and nearly unimaginable progression in the story of The War on Terrorism. Osama bin Laden, the shadowy figure that had become an American household name, elevated to
the status of evil personified, was dead. President Obama was due to make a speech. Delay after delay, Americans turned on their television sets and waiting, eager to hear if the rumor was true, if the vague reports would be confirmed. With everything that’s happened in the years past, Bin Laden slipped through the back doors of our minds, and we forgot. “I was watching T. V. with my girlfriend when I first heard the news,” said Christopher Wells, 21, a Santa Monica College student and Air Force Cadet. “I didn’t believe it. But then a friend called me and said you have to watch this; I still didn’t believe it, but the next day when Al Qaeda confirmed it was bin Laden, that confirmed it. He was dead.” “I knew it was true. I trust Obama so much that I just knew he wouldn’t make a speech on a Sunday night if he weren’t positive,” said Caely Widger, 36, sitting with her two children, Townes, 2, and Kirby, 9 months, at SMC. President Obama explained to the nation that with the help of Pakistani intelligence, “a small team of Americans” had killed bin Laden, and that no Americans were killed. As the president’s speech echoed across the world, we felt a chapter in this terrible saga was finally closed. And though the story of terrorism and war isn’t over, at least we could finally say, in the words of our president, “justice has been done.” “It opens up a lot of questions,” said Trevor Simpson, 23, an SMC student who served with the 1st battalion, 5th Marines in Afghanistan. “What’s next? What does this answer? He was the reason we went
to Afghanistan in the first place, but he sure as hell won’t be the reason we leave.” With the news of bin Laden’s death, we saw the gathering crowds collect outside the White House gates. “U.S.A! U.S.A!” they ecstatically chanted. President Obama was right to hearken back to those dark days of the aftermath of 9/11. “And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet todays achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.” Though relieved by the revelation of bin Laden’s death, many could not bring themselves to celebrate it. “I have mixed emotions seeing people cheer,” said Simpson. “It was a good thing for the world, but I have trouble celebrating the death of anybody; celebrating death of any kind, even for a terrorist,” said Widger. The hardest truth about this horrendous history of violence is that even in death, bin Laden holds a mirror before us. A public celebration for assassination should not have been our way to react, and in doing so, a great deal of our moral compass has been lost. Indeed, the figurehead of worldwide terrorism may be dead, but the war is far from over. Widger, holding her son’s hand, reflected on the end of this story called bin Laden. “He drifted to the back of my mind. But his death, it might make people feel happy, like things are different, but nothing is different.” It’s a perverted reprieve.
Corrections
In last week’s Sports section of the Corsair, a photograph was incorrectly captioned and wrongly credited. It should have read: Santa Monica College Corsair’s Hanna Sacher, 19, returns volley to Ventura College’s Jessica Hinds, during the Western State Conference Championships Women’s Tennis Singles at the Camino Real Park in Ventura, CA, Friday, April 15, 2011. After being defeated in her first set 3-6 against the Ventura’s Jessica Hinds, Hanna Sacher is ready to win her two next sets 6-2;6-0. (Photo: Aurelia Dumont)
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Comic Con X-cites Anaheim (Left) Kids at the convention riffle through classic comics sold during the event.
Photos by Brian White Corsair
Attendee of the Anaheim Comic Con, dressed as Optimus Prime, is overwhelmed by the possible memorabilia to be purchased.
By Ingrid Rosales Contributor Comic-book fans and overall pop culture enthusiasts indulged in all things nerdy this past weekend at the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The three-day convention offered a variety of programs, including sing-alongs, tabletop tournaments (Magic: The Gathering, anyone?), and several meet-andgreets with popular actors, voice actors, artists, and other involved members of the comic book industry. Not to mention the real stars themselves: the superheroes. Attendees paid homage by dressing up as their childhood favorites, purchasing original art from actual mainstream comic book artists and discussing current but complicated story
lines with one another. Several renowned artists were invited to attend, including artist of Marvel’s “Marvel Zombies,” Arthur Suydam. Suydam started his career almost 40 years ago, snagging a job at DC Comics fresh out of high school. Since then, Suydam has contributed to many publications. “There’s more drawing that happens in comics than any other art form,” Suydam said. “These guys are drawing 2000 pictures a month.” While fans and attendees get the chance to meet with their favorite artists, Suydam also pointed out the benefits of conventions to an artist’s point of view: understanding and adapting to the several changes in the publishing industry. That, and the thousands of comics. “I love drawing,” he said. “It’s very relaxing. It’s kind of what attracted me to start drawing in the first place.”
(Top) Comic fans play Marvel Versus Capcom in the midst of many other activities available at the convention. (Right) Greg Nguyen, an artist at the convention, draws in his down time.
(Bottom) Tween Star Wars fan freezes for a passing Storm trooper.
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“How long should I wait after my best friend breaks up with someone before I date their ex? ”
By John Stapleton IV Web Editor I know that, as a male, I’m supposed to sever not ever in a million years. I know I’m supposed to say that once your best breaks up with a girl, that she will forever be forbidden to his closest friends – no matter how hot she gets. Traditionally, I know that dating the ex is taboo, and that Man Code section 19 paragraph B expressly prohibits men from exposing other men’s weaknesses, especially if that weakness broke his heart and every time he sees her it only reopens wounds that no amount of time could completely heal. And as an absolute, I absolutely agree. There are those who would argue that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and that if your best friend did the breaking up, it’s his loss. If your best friend is putting sackfulls of pure gold on the curb to be picked up by the garbage truck, why NOT go rescue it from an unworthy end? But the people that say these things don’t know anything about being a best friend in the first place. Lesson One: Loyalty. There is much to be said for loyalty amongst friends, and forsaking all others for the benefit of your fellow man is exclusively what defines a best friend as “the best.” It doesn’t matter how perfect the girl is when your best friend is still in tatters about losing (or
leaving) her. Girls come and go. Let By Ayla Pound her go. So more will Lifestyle Editor come. The only caveat to To date or not to date the ex. That this kind of absolute is the question, one that I’m sure has adherence to social plagued many a dater. When it comes etiquette to love, however, nothing is really would be black and white. There is no if your best friend and right and wrong, no arrow your dream girl had a pointing you in the right limited relationship, direction besides the Each week we will because then beating of your own be accepting questions you’re not trying to heart. So I guess the for our relationship, and prevent your bestie real question is, how love advice column. Please from experiencing much do you like send your questions to heartbreak. If they this person? Human corsair.website@gmail. weren’t actually a beings are complex com couple – if they had an creatures. We generally “open” relationship or want what we can’t have, admitted that they were just because as we see it, the bed buddies or even if they were grass is usually greener on the dating but it just never developed other side. into anything substantial – well then The friend code on the other hand, there was no breakdown, and no is very simple. You do not date each heartbreak, and certainly no other’s exes. Period, end of breakup. It would then be story. completely up to your best Unless things are very friend to decide how loyal he’s going foggy with this friend of yours, you to be to you. should not even contemplate doing So you can never ever get with the unthinkable. If they dated for less your best friends ex, but just because than three weeks, or if this “best friend” he didn’t take a girl seriously doesn’t is one of 50 of your “best friends,” then mean you can’t. How long should you it comes down to how seriously into wait if he never loved her or doesn’t this person you are. want her or has already replaced her? It’s important to never try and hide Three days. You know, so you can be the relationship, but rather share your sure she’s had a bath. intentions with your friend before
She S
aid. .
things become too fuzzy. When thinking about previous relationships, there is always a part of you that thought they could be the one. When they fail, you realize all of the reasons why they could never have been the one. If you truely believe that this relationship with the ex could last, and see a future, then you need to confront the situation or you may be left wondering “what if?” for the rest of your life. You could then resent your friend for acting as a roadblock on the quest for love. Losing your friendship is one thing. Resenting them could end up being ten times worse, even if its only on a subconcious level. While many romantic relationships come and go, friendships have the potential to endure the ups and downs of the years. Friends are the ones who pick you up when you fall down, even if it is because of a romantic situation. Is this ex worth losing your friendship over? The answer should always be no. So the only thing that remains to do would be to talk to them and use your spidey senses to determine how over this person they are. And while you’re at it, find out why they have become an ex in the first place. You don’t want to get stuck with a clingy mamas boy, when you could have uncovered that truth before the relationship even took off.
Houdini comes to LA By Breanna Balisteri Staff Writer There is a box that exists, with two round holes cut in the top of it barely big enough to fit a man’s foot through. This wooden box with glass in the front can be filled with water. It is unfathomable to imagine anyone getting into such a box with no air and dangling upside down. But long ago, someone did. Known for taking on any challenge and mystifying audiences, Harry Houdini once performed in a Chinese Water Torture Cell similar to the one being described. Each and every time, Houdini was able to escape flawlessly and drenched to the bone. He continuously charmed audiences with his originality and mystifying illusions. The original Water Torture Cell no longer exists. It was destroyed during a 1995 fire at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada, however, a very intricate replica designed by illusion builder John Gaughan can be found at the Skirball Cultural Center’s latest exhibit, Houdini: Art and Magic. Famed magician, escapist, and illusionist, Harry Houdini may have passed away on Halloween of 1926, but his legacy has persisted throughout the years. The Skirball’s exhibit brings to life the mysterious Houdini through memorabilia, rare artifacts, and modern art. “We hope one and all will come to appreciate the impact Jewish magicians made on entertainment history and on American and European culture, lifestyle, and traditions,” said Erin Clancy, the exhibit’s curator. The Hungarian-born, Jewish Houdini, whose original name was Erich Weiss, immigrated to America with his family in 1878. One of the rooms in the Skirball’s exhibit
plays tribute to some of Houdini’s earliest works. Nicknamed ‘Prince Erich of the Air,’ the young Houdini made his entrance into the world of magic while performing for the circus at the age of nine. Houdini frequently dared people to bring him handcuffs to escape from, with the claim that he could escape from any pair of handcuffs, no matter what. He never failed to come through on his claim. Cases of handcuffs that Houdini escaped from are another piece of memorabilia showcased in the exhibit. ‘The Masters of Illusion: Jewish Magicians of the Golden Age’ exhibit, shines a spotlight on beloved magicians who were prevalent from 1875 until 1948. Richard Hatch, a professional magician and magic historian, was one of approximately eighteen advisors for Masters of Illusion. A second edition of the book “The Discovery of Witchcraft,” which was published in 1584 and even used by Shakespeare as a sourcebook for works such as “Macbeth,” is one of the many artifacts that can be found on display. When referring to the book’s importance, Hatch, who was in attendance during a press tour of the exhibit, said the book is one of the oldest published books on magic. Vintage children’s magic sets sit in a glass case within the exhibit, as well as information on renowned Golden-Age magicians such as Jacob Meyer, Robert Houdin, Carl Herrmann and the Bamberg Family. Throughout the exhibits’ stay at the Skirball, there will be special guest appearances by prominent figures in the world of magic. There will even be magicthemed events geared towards the whole family, and even an excursion to the Magic Castle in Hollywood, an exclusive private club dedicated to all things magical.
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Santa Monica takes a Global bite By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor
Krista Bonelli Corsair A crepe from the food truck Crepe’n Around at KCRW’s Global Food event at Santa Monica College’s Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. on Sunday May 1st, 2011.
On Sunday, May 1, KCRW hosted the Global Street Food live stage show at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. With an appetite for international cuisine, friends and supporters of KCRW celebrated the culture and history of international street food and Los Angeles food trucks. The event, made possible by Santa Monica College Associates, and produced by Liz MacDonald, KCRW Executive Producer, and Harriet Ells, Producer of Good Food, began with a live show hosted by Evan Kleiman, KCRW’s Good Food host since 1998. Panelists on the show included Pulitzer Prize winning writer and food critic Jonathan Gold, Managing Editor of OC Weekly Gustavo Arrelano, and critically acclaimed chef Jet Tila. The speakers began the show by describing their first memories of eating street food. Above the speakers, a projected slide show of photographs (submitted by listeners of Good Food) showed mouth-watering foodstuffs from around the globe, gradually bringing about a discussion about the history, culture, and current state of international and local street cuisine. “Two and a half billion people eat street food everyday,” said Kleiman, praising street cuisine as a healthy, convenient, economical, and viscerally
satisfying experience. And with that, the audience went outside for the festivities of the day. Under clear skies and sunny weather, the wafting aromas of six food trucks met visitors as they exited the theater for the outside parking lot. The food trucks at Global Street Food included Let’s Be Frank, Mariscos Jaliscos, India Jones Chow Truck, Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels, Nom Nom Truck, and Crepe’n Around. Meals from the trucks were included with tickets to the event, and everyone in attendance excitedly lined up to sample the dishes each truck had to offer. For the sake of fast service, food options were limited to one or two items, depending on the truck one sampled. Standing by the window of her red transportable kitchen, Sue Moore, co-founder of Let’s Be Frank, an all-natural gourmet hot dog purveyor, offered her signature Devil Sauce to hungry guests. Loaded with spicy peppers, garlic, ginger, and hand-toasted spices, the Devil Sauce deliciously complemented Moore’s hot dogs. “Since we started in May, 2008, we wanted to support small farmers,” said Moore, recounting the company’s humble origins from San Francisco, serving franks outside the Giants’ Stadium. “Today, our meat providers for Let’s Be Frank are seventh generation California farmers, and we take a lot of pride in that.” Another stand out food truck was Marisco Jalisco, the winner
of “Best in Show” at the L.A. Street Food Festival. According to George Nagon of Marisco Jalisco, the item being served was made of shrimp, mixed vegetables, and the “secret recipe.” Eating one of Marisco Jalisco’s tacos on the steps outside The Broad Stage, Larry Mason, 74, explained how he wasn’t a usual street food eater. “It would be great if these trucks could make a store front—it’s not always comfortable to stand in line when you have a bad back,” he said. “It’s definitely tuned towards more of a younger crowd.” According to Moore, the food truck phenomenon was a direct result of the 2008 recession. “It was a way for people with little money to open a business,” she said. “Kogi [BBQ] were the first ones to really figure out how to market this kind of business on Twitter.” Ells, the producer of Good Food, explained that the purpose of the event was to show how the local growth of food trucks in Los Angeles ties in with the larger global phenomenon of street food. “It definitely shows that Los Angeles is becoming more global,” she said. “It’s easier to make [a food truck] than a restaurant. The challenge is figuring out traffic and peoples’ schedules,” she said. “I would think this will continue to grow—it’s always been here in one form or another, and always will be.”
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ALL HANDS ON DECK
Paul Alvarez Contributor Breaking the huddle: The women’s tennis team’s strong bond has kept them together during the tough moments of matches all season long and they feel it will be a key compontent during their playoff run.
The Ojai tournament is a success as SMC’s Katerina Mozolyuk helps the Corsairs bring home first place. By Wayne Neal Staff Writer With the stage set at the 111 th Annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, the top-seeded Santa Monica College Corsairs did not disappoint in singles play, as Katerina Mozolyuk was able to defeat Nakieta Hein of Saddleback to bring home the 2011 Ojai tournament championship. In 1897, William Thatcher announced a statewide tournament, pitting the best of Southern California against the best of Northern
California; many people considered that to be the first Ojai. Since that time The Ojai has produced great tennis stars throughout its years such as Jack Kramer, Arthur Ashe, Billy Jean King, and Pete Sampras. Don Hoffmann who has been a volunteer for the Ojai for the past 12 years said, “For many of the youngsters that come here, this is the final phase of tennis.” This is the first year that Santa Monica has won a singles championship at Ojai. Unfortunately, SMC couldn’t repeat its singles success in doubles play as freshman partners Criss Rodriguez and Krystal Hansard lost in a semifinals match against Reedley College’s Alex McDonald and Nicole Simoni in doubles play.
Despite the loss, they stayed on top edging out Saddleback by one point to win the match 20-19 as a team in the tournament. This is the first time in SMC’s storied history that the Corsairs were able to win the team championship. Some would say there is no bigger honor in collegiate tennis than qualifying for The Ojai, with some even comparing it to qualifying for the NCAA men’s basketball championship. “It’s the Mecca of tennis,” said SMC Head Coach Richard Goldenson. The first two days of the tournament are the qualifying rounds to determine if a player will qualify for The Ojai, and SMC players Jutta Collet, Krystal Hansard, Criss Rodriguez and Katerina Mozolyuk were all invited to the big tournament. Krystal Hansard was the first to take the court on day one of the tournament, a back-to-back singles match, and a doubles match later with partner Criss Rodriguez. Hansard was able to rally from a split set in her first match against opponent Sabrina Emery of Mt. San Antonio and put it away with a 7-5 win in the third set. Her second match was not as exhausting as she took the victory in two sets winning 6-2 and 6-4. “I’m not letting her come back,” Hansard said of her opponent in match two, as she was feeling a little fatigued from the previous match. With Hansard finishing her singles matches for the day it was Mozolyuk and Rodriguez who were up next, both of them handled their opponents, easily advancing to the next round. Rodriguez and Hansard were able to defeat their opponents in doubles play advancing to the next round, but Collet and Mozolyuk couldn’t do the
same as they lost in the round of 16. With SMC off to a great start, they all hoped to keep up the momentum, going into the round of 32, where Mozolyuk had a back-to-back singles match that she handled without sweat, to advance to the qualifying round. Both Rodriguez and Hansard were at the losing end of their singles matches, making their singles tournament short. However, they were able to make up their singles misfortune in doubles, as they were able to advance to the semi-finals. In the end they regrettably lost to Reedley College’s Alex McDonald and Nicole Simoni by a score of 7-5 and 6-3. Although Rodriguez and Hansard lost in the semi-finals, they were able to pick up 5 points for the SMC team overall, which would be a crucial factor later in the tournament. With both doubles teams out of the tournament and 2 of SMC players out for singles, the only SMC athlete left was Mozolyuk, who did not disappoint as she was able to capture the first 2011 Ojai championship in SMC’s history. Mozolyuk had no easy task on her way to a championship, her hardest match came against Grossmont’s Jazmin Ortiz, who gave Mozolyuk all she had but came up short losing in the third set 3-6. “I was trying to pick at her backhand and that wasn’t working,” said Mozolyuk .“I just had to stay in it.” With all of the Ojai events done, the SMC tennis squad was able to edge out Saddleback for the team win overall, 20-19. The Corsairs will play Grossmont College today at Reed Park in a third round match up.
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John Stapleton IV Corsair Members of Charlotte Richards’ ballet company polish their choreography during a final rehearsal for A Feast For the Eyes and Ears, which will debut Saturday May 7, at the Broad Stage at the Performing Arts Center.
SMC presents A Feast for the Eyes and Ears By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor Inside of a small dance studio in Gym 104, Artistic Director and Choreographer Charlotte Richards prepares her 19 member dance company for the upcoming ballet show A Feast For The Eyes and Ears. What begins as a laconic and casual scene of young dancers ambling about and doing impossible stretches in black leotards and ballet shoes, suddenly becomes ignited by the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The dancers plié, poisson, écarté, pirouette, and leap through the air with intensity and beautiful poise. Their faces betray a joyous pleasure in their work, while Richards passionately directs them with the passion of a benevolent dictator. The production of A Feast For The Eyes
and Ears has been a work in progress for eight weeks. Suffering swollen ankles and toes, bloody feet, tears, and a wide range of emotions, Richards and her dancers are making history at Santa Monica College with the first completely en pointe (on ballet shoes) dance production in SMC’s history. Pushing the envelope a measure further, the production also marks the first time that the Music Department and Dance Department have collaborated on a production. For the upcoming show, the SMC orchestra will be under the baton of Conductor James Martin, performing compositions by Bach, Dmitri Shostakovich, Aman Khachaturian, Igor Stravinsky, Frederic Chopin, and Leonard Bernstein. “Ballet is like martial arts,” Richards says. “But you have to look pretty doing
it.” Exemplifying the great strides the dance company has made to put the production together, Jennifer Ramos, 19, has only been en pointe for three months. Richards, explaining how Ramos originally began at the back of the company, has set the pace to where she is now at the front of the stage. “Charlotte’s a great teacher, and she’s molded me in every way as a ballet dancer,” Ramos says. “It’s just really inspiring. It’s made me grow as a dancer, and it makes me look forward to being a professional.” Marie Pellefigue, 21 and from Toulouse, France, says she started training as young as 14. Originally trained in jazz and contemporary tap dancing, Pellefigue came to SMC two years ago and started focusing on modern dance and ballet. “We recently had our first rehearsal
with the orchestra, and it was an amazing experience—it just brings it to another level!” said Pellefigue. As the dancers move through one another with a mixture of grace and frantic motion, Richards is not shy to outwardly brag about their achievements. “They’ve just risen to the occasion—and they’ve surpassed all my expectations,” says Richards. “Over the past two months, we’ve had a few hiccups along the way, and a few huge egos that I’ve had to personally remove. We’ve definitely had our traumas. But we’re a company, which means we’re like a family. It’s not about one person, it’s about the group as a whole.” A Feast For The Eyes and Ears will be playing at The Broad Stage on May 7 (7:30 p.m.) and May 8 (4 p.m.). For more information, please call 310-434-3467 or 310-434-4323.
Phil Ranelin’s jazz quintet graces Edye Second Space By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor Standing between his trombone, a grand piano, a flute, a tenor saxophone, and a drum set, Phil Ranelin, 71, tries his best to answer the hasty questions of students that came to see him perform. “What are the names of your songs?” “What musicians influenced you the most?” “When did you begin playing jazz?” Ranelin, the legendary slide trombonist from Indianapolis, Ind., offers (at best) perfunctory answers. Frankly, it seems he doesn’t want to be rude to a small group of young squares; after all, if they don’t know who Duke and Bird were, how on Earth could they know or appreciate Phil Ranelin? At best, he might be some kind of obscure musical dinosaur, coming out of the woodwork to play a couple of sets at Santa Monica College. But musical dinosaur or not, on Friday, April 29, The Phil Ranelin
Quintet performed at the cozy Edye Second Space theater, to a mostly dull crowd of Music 33 and 37 students, as well as a small group of devoted fans. Performing with Ranelin’s Quintet were Trevor Ware on the bass fiddle, Don Littleton on drums, Dr. Louis Van Taylor on the reeds, and Mahesh Balasooriya on piano. Throughout the performance, each of these considerably talented musicians blended the sounds of Afro-Cuban rhythms, bebop, Motown, and Caribbean music under the umbrella of “spiritual jazz.” “This music has my personality on it,” said Ranelin. But giving credit to those who came before him, the musical fountains from which he draws inspiration from are the avant-garde pioneers Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, and especially John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy. The set began with a piece entitled “Perseverance,” one of Ranelin’s
spiritual hymns. Employing African percussive sounds and a formidable presence from the rhythm section, Taylor and Ranelin explored the boundaries of their instruments (tenor sax and trombone) with an intentional, off-time style. Following “Perseverance” was “Close Encounters of The Best Kind,” an Afro-Cuban tune that gained a handsome share of radio plays in 1997. With Taylor switching to the flute, the piece was truly sublime, and Balasooriya, Ware, and Littleton shined throughout. The Quintet closed the set with “Horace’s Scope,” and a show-stopper called “Jamaican Sunrise,” leading the audience through a world of sounds. Throughout the performance, Ranelin’s trombone playing was exceptional, which is to be expected of a musician of his stature in the worldwide jazz community. As a performer, he retained a certain floral mystique, where at one moment he would wilt and seem
wrapped in tranquility, and at another moment blossom without warning, dancing vigorously to the rhythm. Kimati Ramsey, 19, a Music 33 student present at the show, remarked at how gratifying it was to appreciate jazz from a technical aspect. “It was a great performance,” he said. “The musical knowledge these men have, and the technical skill of their improvisations, was wonderful.” “It was fabulous!” said Marsha Vargas, 51, also a Music 33 student. “I loved the last song, and its Carribean touch. The musicians were so professional; I wanted to get up and dance!” “Jazz, to me, is part of my culture,” said Ranelin. “Tootie Heath once told me that we don’t just play jazz—we are jazz. Jazz was developed out of oppression, and has since spread all over the world. What came out of the black experience has transcended all boundaries. “It’s America’s classical music.”
THIS WEEK AT SMC May 5
For ticketing information on events at the Broad Stage, visit
May 6 “Movimento! Info session on the convergence of Art & Activism”
May 7
“Diana McNeil Lewitsky Master Class”
“Global Film Series: ‘Arnas Children’ & ‘Strangers No More’ ”
Gym 104
H.S.S 165
The Performing Arts Center
The Broad Stage
The Broad Stage
H.S.S 165
10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
7-8:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
“Bernstein, Bach, Ballet “Benefit Concert: SMC “Rocky Young Lecture: Applied Music Program” & More!” William A. Selby”
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Sanchez revives old dance styles at SMC By Naomi Calbucci Staff Writer As the clock neared ten a group of eager students crammed inside the dance room to participate in the special master class led by professional “punking” and “wacking” teacher Anna Sanchez on Thursday, April 28. Anna Sanchez has been teaching dance classes since 1989 and her specialty is punking and wacking. “My brother used to practice his dance moves with me when I was young and he’d throw me and spin me and I just loved it. When I was 15 years old I would sneak in the clubs and practice the dances I learned and I really fell in love with punking when these two professional dancers, Tinker and Arthur, entered a contest and they really brought out the songs and I liked the attitude,” said Sanchez. The style of dance Sanchez teaches originated in LA and was introduced in the mid 1900’s. This style of dance is all about behavior and attitude and “riding the beat.” “It’s all about emotion and using what you got. If you aren’t using your clothes then take it off. I remember when Tinker took his belt off and whipped it around and rolled it through his tongue. It’s a real shocker,” said Sanchez. This type of dance does not have any particular moves that would isolate it from other styles of dance because it incorporates traits from other genres but it does, however, use a lot of arm movement and rolling of the wrists. There is a formula that helps break down the form of punking and wacking. Paul Alvaraz Corsair Punking comes first, which mainly focuses Michale Peterson (center) shows lots of emotion while going through a four count step on gestures such as rapid wrists movements and emotional acting, then posing to create a of the dance called wacking at SMC in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 28th, 2011.
dramatic reaction, followed by wacking which is all about the bigger movements. The trick to perfecting this style of dance is to know many forms of dance to incorporate. SMC dance student Ahreum Cho has taken three semesters of dance classes and was excited to learn this new style. “I’ve been dancing for one year and the class that I am in is a modern and ballet dance class. This is the third master class this semester and it’s very different from the modern and free movement master classes,” said Cho. There is no specific genre of music that goes hand in hand with punking and wacking, but generally hip-hop and other energy filled songs are more befitting. Dancer Libby Marquis is very familiar with the underground style of dance. “I learned this type of dance from watching movies and music videos and from my family. It’s mostly danced to hip-hop and it’s really all about attitude,” said Marquis. There are a lot of transitions and tight, rapid movements that, when mixed with strong facial emotion and attitude, produce what is known as punking and wacking. Aside from this style of dance, Sanchez also teaches locking, a style that is characterized by wrist rolling, control, and precise stops. “I’m a specialty choreographer which means I only choreograph part of the dance. I’ve worked with Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and I choreographed ‘Over My Head’ with Toni Basil,” said Sanchez. Sanchez currently teaches at Evolution Dance Studios twice a month, and is in the process of starting lessons at a nightclub in Hollywood where students can learn a certain style of dance, and then practice it all night on the dance floor.
Silverstein returns with “The Rescue” By Raven Wadley-Wright Staff Writer Canadian underdogs, Silverstein, are back with their fifth studio album Rescue, which won’t leave the eager listener disappointed after hearing the 12-track album. Silverstein has been blowing out speakers since 2000. Within 11 years, their growth in music has been translated in their newest album. Each track offers something different from the breakdowns to intense vocals to hard-core drumming to rhythm guitar, keeping their fans and new listeners captivated. Out of the 12 tracks featured on the album, two songs from Silverstein’s Transitions EP (2010), “Sacrifice” and “Replace You,” made their way onto the album. Multiple songs on the album bring back nostalgic memories of Silverstein circa 2005 with their stand out album Discovering the Waterfront. Tracks like “The Artist” start off fast, pumping adrenaline through the listener’s veins as the intense vocals of Shane Told and counterpart Brendan Murphy shout encouraging lyrics like “we stand and illuminate, we fight through and prevail (we will prevail). We don’t stop where you’d be giving up, we won’t ever fail.” In addition, “The Artist” drops a simple breakdown towards the climax of the track that sparks the interest of wanting to be in a mosh pit in that exact moment as the band continues to carry out the track with a strong ending. Other tracks on the album hold a solid sound and strong foundation. Songs
like “Texas Mickey” featuring Anthony Raneri of Bayside, proves new elements to Silverstein’s sound. The song opens with the unique sound of the rhythm guitar and Told’s vocals screaming with ease. What makes the song amazing are the vocal talents of Raneri, as he appears on the track towards the end with his simple, yet impacting verse. His eloquent vocals bring a mellow sound as Told screams with strength behind it. Tracks like “Intervention” and “Sacrifice” draw in the listeners with the lyrics, the breakdowns, and the power Silverstein delivers without showing signs of weakness. One track that holds personal meaning to front man Shane Told is the last track on the album “In Memory Of”, which is about his cousin who died in 2006. The entire album holds elements of new and old sounds that will bring back hard-core Silverstein fans and create new ones. Rescue is one of the best albums Silverstein has produced and demonstrates their worth in the industry. It’s clear that Silverstein is progressing with their new label Hopeless Records. Rescue just proves that Silverstein can’t be compared to any post hard-core band existing today, because the sound they deliver is the element that makes Silverstein worthy of sticking around, while the new generation of post hardcore bands merely attempt to make their name on the scene. As veterans in the game, they continue to grow in the right direction, one that will earn them the recognition they deserve.