The Daily Titan - September 22, 2011 by Daily Titan

Vol. 90 Issue 13

September 22, 2011

Kelly Thomas protestors confront City Council

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Two Fullerton police officers charged with second-degree murder SEAN VIELE & CHARLOTTE KNIGHT Daily Titan

Charges filed against officers ANIBAL ORTIZ / Daily Titan Acting police Chief Kevin Hamilton said the Fullerton Police Department is currently undergoing an FBI investigation, an internal affairs investigation and a department review at a press conference Wednesday.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas filed charges Wednesday against two of the six Fullerton police officers involved in the beating of a homeless man. The charges came after an 11-weeklong investigation that is still underway. Officer Manuel Anthony Ramos was charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and Cpl. Jay Patrick Cicinelli was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The two officers, along with four others, are accused of beating Kelly Thomas to death July 5 at a Fullerton bus depot. Thomas, who had a history of schizophrenia, died five days after the incident. A press conference was also held at the Fullerton Police Department Wednesday afternoon. Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, public information officer, introduced acting police Chief Kevin Hamilton, and informed they would not be taking questions from the press. Hamilton stated that the Police Department is undergoing an FBI civil rights investigation, an independent internal investigation and a department review being conducted by an outside firm, known as the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review. See CHARGES, page 4

Training future Army officers Hockey ready ROTC program provides scholarships and teaches leadership to those who are willing to serve

JESSICA ESCORSIA Daily Titan

It’s 6 a.m., and while many students may be pressing the snooze button on their alarm clocks, the cadets from the Cal State Fullerton ROTC program are already on

campus and ready to begin an hour of intense physical training. The Fullerton ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Course, is an elective study program that is independent of required college degree curriculum. Students can become part of ROTC program without any

JESSICA ESCORSIA / Daily Titan Cpt. Minerva Rodriguez, a recruiting officer for the Fullerton ROTC program, works in the program’s office in the Engineering Building.

commitment to the U.S. Army as long as they meet the requirements. Upon entering the third year in the program, cadets must contractually commit to either active duty with the Army or a reserves contract with the Army or National Guard. The years of commitment will depend on which type of agreement each individual makes. “The whole focus is to train (college) students to be officers in the Army. Upon completion of their bachelor’s degree from CSUF, they end up getting a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army,” said Cpt. Minerva Rodriguez, recruiting operations officer. Requirements include being a U.S. citizen, meeting medical qualifications and meeting the physical requirements. Students must also be enrolled at a four-year college or university either at CSUF or any of the other four participating schools: Biola University, Vanguard University, Whittier College or Chapman University. Eligibility also states students should have a minimum

2.5 GPA. However, Rodriguez adds that due to the economy and recent budget cuts, which have also affected the amount of scholarships they award, GPA requirements have become more competitive. The first two years in the program, known as MSI and MSII (military science), cadets learn the basics of the Army and military. This includes learning how to salute properly, studying military branches and military ranks, and how to wear the uniform properly. As cadets enter their third and fourth years, they begin an advanced training course in leadership and preparation for officer duties. This program is beneficial to those interested in joining the military because it gives students the opportunity to have the normal college experience, get their bachelor’s degree, earn a minor in military science and enter the Army as an officer. See ROTC, page 2

The club is gearing up for another season that begins against rival USC next week SEAN VIELE Daily Titan

The Cal State Fullerton hockey team is ready to hit the ice next week in what it hopes will be the start of a successful season that will eventually take the Titans to the ACHA regional tournament in February. After the first official practice Tuesday night, the Titans are feeling good about the upcoming 2011-12 campaign. “I’m very optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Brandon Heethuis, goaltender and team captain. “We’re a pretty young team this year. The experienced guys need to step up this year and try to help out the new rookies. Our goal is ultimately to make regionals.” In order to accomplish this, the Titans know they are going to have to play better in their own zone than they did last season, when they often got bottled up defensively and allowed too many shots on goal per

Health services fees may increase Cause is higher demand for mental services SHANNON McPHERSON For the Daily Titan

The Cal State Fullerton mandatory health fee may increase from $90 to $140 due to a greater demand from the Mental Services Department. The fee hike would increase the amount of counseling, staff and psychiatric care available to students. It would also make the department available for after-hour calls for anyone in crisis. “We’re really seeing a great need. We have a higher incidence of thoughts of suicide, depression and relationship issues than the national norm,” said Kathy Spofford, associate director of the Student Health and Counseling Center at CSUF. Roughly 1 percent of students on campus have tried to commit suicide in the past year. That’s 360 students, according to the Healthy Minds 2010 survey. The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) determines priority health issues among student populations. The NCHA identifies students’ risk factors, impact of health and behavior on academic performance and level of self-knowledge about health protection practices and illnesses through surveys and assessments. The most current assessment, completed Contact Us at dtnewsdesk@gmail.com

in 2010, was done by a random sample of 10,000 enrolled students through an email survey. “I think it’s a good idea that they (the health center) want to open it up for (mental services) because that is a large amount of students, even if it’s only 1 percent of everybody that goes here,” said Jewel Peeler, 21, a liberal arts major. According to a study by the NCHA, 94.7 percent of students are depressed due to school-related stresses and 92.1 percent feel exhausted. “If it helps a small portion of people, I think it’s worth it,” Peeler said of the fee increase. The fee works similar to health insurance in that the more people you have paying, the less it costs, Spofford said. CSUF has the largest amount of students among the CSUs. However, not all students believe they should even be required to pay the health fee, let alone be subject to the increase. “I think the people who need to use it should have to pay the fee, not the people who don’t use it,” said Misti Miller, 25, an undecided major. According to the 2010-11 CSU list of fee rates, CSUF along with Cal State Long Beach currently have the lowest fees for health services. See HEALTH, page 5

game. They averaged about 40 shots against per game last year. “We’ve got to lock down the defensive zone,” Heethuis said. “Me being the goalie, I need to help carry the defense and keep the puck out of the back of the net. Every other game we were getting out-shot and we can’t have that this year.” The Titans finished 13-16-0 last season, allowing 150 goals against in 31 games. But on the positive side, the Titans have faith in their current defensive core, a side of the team that should be a strong point this season, Heethuis said. After the defensive woes of seasons past, Heethuis is looking forward to potentially having solid blue liners, an aspect that is very important to the success of a goaltender. Up front, the Titans are hopeful. Despite losing their top scorer from last season, third-year Titan forward Patrick McDevitt believes the team has the potential to be as good offensively as it was last season when it collectively scored 126 goals in the 31 games played. See CLUB, page 10

Cleaning up Huntington Beach

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ROTC: Students enrolled in program said they’re looking forward to the opportunities ahead ...Continued from page 1 “We end up being the supervisors of the enlisted,” Rodriguez said. ROTC schedules consist of Monday, Wednesday and Friday physical training from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. and an optional class and lab Friday afternoon. Fullerton’s ROTC promotes successful academics as well as participation and volunteering within the school and community, Rodriguez said. Besides helping Junior ROTC teams from local high schools, cadets also compete in several community and military-based competitions throughout the year. Rodriguez along with several other cadets took a trip this weekend to San Francisco to participate in Ragnar, a 200-mile relay from San Francisco to Calistoga, Calif. The day and night race took the ROTC team 26 hours to complete. “We try to introduce the physical aspect by being part of not only the Army or military physical fitness but also civilian,” Rodriguez said. Seniors in the ROTC program are also advised to serve as mentors and tutors to lower level cadets. Some cadets also participate in the Ranger challenge each November. According to the Fullerton’s Army ROTC website, this challenge allows schools to compete with one another through physical fitness drills and military tasks, as

well doing a written test that challenges their Army knowledge. David Downey, a senior at Biola University and Ranger challenge captain, is excited about the upcoming challenge and has had no regrets about joining ROTC. “The ROTC program is excellent. It has given me many, many opportunities,” said Downey. Downey will be graduating May 2012 and will begin his contract with the Army as an infantry officer. Of the CSUF ROTC cadets, 90 percent are males, but Maggie Sanchez, a third year at Fullerton College who is cross-enrolled through extended education at CSUF, is enjoying her first month training with the CSUF Rangers. “I’m loving it so far,” said Sanchez. Sanchez originally wanted to be a police officer but after becoming involved with ROTC, she has become interested in military service as a career. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking into the military police,” she said. Some benefits that come with joining ROTC are receiving book stipends, or allowances, monthly cash stipends, full-paid tuition for scholarship recipients, as well as participating in a weekend training exercise at a military base once a semester. Aside from these benefits, cadets will graduate as an officer in the Army.

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Students use iFullerton Features include parking availability and Student Portal access VINCENT LA ROSA Daily Titan

JESSICA ESCORSIA / Daily Titan David Downey, a senior at Biola University, is enrolled in Cal State Fullerton’s ROTC. The program promotes successful academics as well as participation and volunteering within the school and community.

Professor brings outside experience to CSUF in this nation, we needed somebody who was well known nationwide and worldwide to lead our program. We also needed a national leader to build up our image to a higher level and in addition, to attract more industry support, and Steve D’Arcy as endowed chair will make this happen,” said Weili Lu, Ph.D., CSI director. D’Arcy, who has been teaching the groundbreaking new course Finance 562–Enterprise Risk Management for two years

his lectures, not only do you learn the theory, you also combine the theory with practice,” Lu said. “He cares about his students a lot.” D’Arcy’s ability to explain difMARIBEL CASTANEDA ficult concepts has not wavered Daily Titan since Lu’s days as a student. Wendy Wen, an accounting Cal State Fullerton’s Steven G. major and a former student of Mihaylo College of Business and D’Arcy’s Enterprise Risk ManEconomics honored Stephen P. agement class, is proof of that. D’Arcy with the title of Rob“He explains very compliitaille Chair in Risk and Insurcated problems in easy ways so ance. everybody can understand, even Professor D’Arcy, if you don’t have from the University any finance backHe explains very complicated problems ground,” said Wen. of Illinois at Urbain easy ways so everybody can na-Champaign, is As the new enthe first to be given understand, even if you don’t have any finance dowed chair, D’Arcy the Robitaille Chair background. said it would be ideal title. This endowed to add additional Wendy Wen chair position is the courses on risk so stuAccounting Major second for CSUF dents who are interand Mihaylo Colested in pursuing an lege. at CSUF, will start his new posi- advanced designation in the risk D’Arcy’s position was cre- tion in spring 2012, but said he actuary area can take additional ated with $1 million given by has already started his research courses and prepare for that. Frank Robitaille, past president on a paper about the impact of While he was at the Universiof the private insurance agency inflation and deflation on the ty of Illinois he developed online Armstrong Robitaille Riegle and insurance industry. programs in enterprise and fiwith a matched $1 million raised D’Arcy was the former presi- nancial risk management, which by Anil Puri, dean of MCBE, for dent of Casualty Actuary Society is something he said he hopes the college. and chairman of the board of CSUF will be interested in doThe $2 million is put in a that organization. He was also ing because it expands the opbank and the interest is used to former president for American portunity for students to come pay the endowed chair as salary. Risk and Insurance Association on campus. The chair is a teaching and (ARIA). Being accorded the title of research position focused on Lu, who has known D’Arcy Robitaille Chair in Risk and Incontinuing the development of since 1987 when he was her doc- surance in August was an honor CSUF’s insurance and business torate adviser at the University for D’Arcy, who looks forward to programs. D’Arcy will be exam- of Illinois, said she was thrilled further working with CSUF. ining a wide variety of risk and to have D’Arcy on board with “It is a tremendous honor. I insurance issues. the program, not only for his am very impressed with CSUF’s As more research is published, leadership abilities but for his program. First of all it is the largthe program will gain recogni- teaching skills. est insurance program in the West tion from fellow scholars and “He was a wonderful teacher. Coast and it is also an extremely people in the insurance industry. He was selected as one of the innovative program. It is willing “If we were going to improve best faculty of Illinois and won to try new forms of education,” our ranking to become top 10 numerous instructor awards. In D’Arcy said.

Students, faculty praise endowed chair for work, research he has done so far

By delivering campus tools, updates and news directly to cell phones, the Cal State Fullerton mobile application is proving itself useful for students on the go. Created and developed over the course of two years, the iFullerton mobile app launched in its current form at the beginning of the fall semester. The app is available for Apple, Android and Windows 7 mobile operating systems and according to CSUF’s Information Technology Department, it has been downloaded more than 15,000 times across all platforms. iFullerton provides mobile access to many of the features found on the CSUF website and Student Portal by using a combination of web-based and native applications. The hybrid accessibility gives greater freedom to students on the go by displaying student information without connecting to the Fullerton website each time the application is initiated. “One of the challenges (of apps) is to make it work well in a mobile device,” said David Sullivan, the lead programmer and developer of iFullerton. “You don’t want just a bunch of links to web apps.” Keeping student feedback in mind, the app’s developers conceded that iFullerton is in no way a finished product. They will continue to work on updates and additional features for future versions. “The main thing we are trying to get going, that we have a prototype for, is the Titan Online,” said Kenara Ly, senior director of development and application in CSUF’s IT Department. “It would be cool if students could add and drop classes while they are waiting in line somewhere.” Among the array of applications users can run within iFullerton, key features include: a searchable directory of CSUF faculty and staff, campus maps powered by Google and the CSUF course catalog with the ability to display the user’s enrolled classes and their locations on campus. While these features can be of great use to the students, one of the app’s more popular features gives students the ability to view the number of available computers and parking spaces on campus in real time. Initial student reactions to the iFullerton app have been almost wholly positive, garnering four-star review ratings on both iTunes and the Android Market. However, many students have been vocal in their criticism of the app’s lack of student email. “Email is the No. 1 way we communicate with people around campus, so that would be nice to have,” said Kim Haycraft, a philosophy major. Unfortunately, students aren’t likely to see email in the app any time soon, as developers say the email application native to each mobile device is much more functional. However, students are still able to integrate email directly to their phone with the help of Titan Apps online.

ALLAN XU / For the Daily Titan School officials look into ways to improve app.

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September 22, 2011

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ASI scholarships get little to no applicants Some students who apply to scholarships offered by Associated Students Inc. do not turn in complete applications; many others do not apply for the opportunity to get the free money MIKE WHITE Daily Titan

Every semester, Associated Students Inc. offers thousands of dollars in scholarships, but students are not taking advantage of the free money. On July 12, the CSU Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition fees by an additional 12 percent. That meant every student became responsible for an additional $294 to $360 in tuition fees for the fall semester. Statewide budget cuts to education have already reduced class offerings and made it hard for many students to afford higher education. Cuts have been made to every department and some students expressed their feelings very clearly when a spray-painted banner reading “Why Pay More 4 Less” was hung above the financial offices. “That’s an interesting thing,” said Jay Jefferson, ASI executive vice president. “Tuition has gone up, the need for financial assistance has increased, but the participation in applying for scholarships has declined.” Jefferson said there are many scholarships targeting a wide range of students available every semester. These include options for student parents, adult re-entry, student athletes and even 35 free book rental scholarships that cover the costs of

an entire semester of textbooks. “The case where you have only six or eight students applying, you have a 25 percent chance of getting the scholarship,” Jefferson said. “It’s almost like flipping a coin.” The Kyle O’Brien Memorial Scholarship is available to students who participate in on-campus athletics, have campus or community involvement and meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Jefferson said that very recently the O’Brien Scholarship had only five applicants and they offer two each semester. Those students had a 50 percent chance of receiving the $1,000 fund. Associate Athletics Director Julie Bowse said student athletes were not aware of the availability of ASI scholarships. She said as long as the scholarships are NCAA compliant they should work as countable aid and would be very beneficial as very few students are on a full athletics grant. The ASI Scholarship Committee realized students were not taking advantage of these opportunities and is trying to fix the problem. This semester, Yasmin Mata, chair of the Scholarship Committee, and Samantha Meneses, vice chair, have tried to become more aggressive in their marketing strategy by handing out information at events like Discoverfest and the ASI Block Party.

They want to make students aware and inform them that it’s not that hard or time consuming to apply for this money. “A lot of people think it’s impossible to get a scholarship, but it’s not,” said Meneses. “Our lowest GPA for a scholarship is a 2.5, which is reasonable because students are supposed to get C’s or better.” Mata said last semester she went

through more than 60 applications and many of them were incomplete or missing important information. “We get a lot of people that are interested, but they don’t follow through,” said Mata. “Just try it and if you don’t get it the first time, try again another semester. If you want money for school it’s not gonna come to you. You have to go for it.”

ASI offers thousands of dollars in scholarships, but many students do not take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Art professor in top 25 CSUF students admire his talent, personality and approach in the classroom MARIBEL CASTANEDA Daily Titan

Cal State Fullerton art Professor Joseph Biel’s passion for art, his easygoing personality and his commitment to his students are evident by the praises he receives on RateMyProfessors.com. There is no doubt why Biel ranked among the top 25 on the popular professor rating site last May. Biel started working at CSUF in fall 2003 but has been teaching since 1990. For Biel, teaching and art runs in the family. His mother was a piano teacher and his late father was a classical violinist. Biel has shown his artwork in galleries in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, Seattle and museums in San Francisco. He also took up a longterm residency at the 18th Street Arts Complex in Santa Monica from 2003 to 2006. Remaining an artist allows him to be an active teacher in his classroom. “I don’t think I could teach if I wasn’t making work actively somehow. I need to feel like I am connected to what I do just to teach it effectively,” said Biel. Students on RateMyProfessors. com have praised his hands-on approach with each individual, the productive feedback they receive and the quality of his assignments. Josh Reed, 31, a drawing and painting graduate student of Biel’s for the past year and a half, said Biel’s courses have taught him to approach work critically and with an open mind. Students said they appreciate how he treats them with respect. “His biggest strength is his critique classes because he is able to see his opinions as opinions and not as facts. So he really tries to look at what your specific goals are and tries to help you achieve those goals,” said Reed. Biel has been teaching Art 103-

Two-Dimensional Design for years. The course is part of the four courses Bachelor of Fine Arts majors are required to take during freshman year in order to declare their concentration. “There is something kind of exciting about starting with the super basics and watching people get it. It is almost like watching a photograph develop. Every time a photograph comes up in the developer it is almost kind of like magic,” Biel said. Even other professors have noticed Biel’s abilities as a good professor and as an artist. “His talent as an artist, and the fact

His biggest strength is his critique classes because he is able to see his opinions as opinions and not as facts. Josh Reed Graduate Art Student

that he can communicate what you need to be to be an artist and how to develop into personal ability – that makes him deserve a great ranking,” said Joanna Roche, a colleague and art history professor. Despite being on sabbatical this semester, Biel continues to work hard on his artwork. He has two huge projects. One is an enormous wall piece for a collector in New York City, and the other project is a drawing that will take about two years to finish in his LA studio. Biel thrives on his passion for art. “Everybody has things they connect to, whether it is art, music or writing, through which they understand the world and for me, art is like a language. I understand the world best through it,” Biel said.

CHARGES: Ron Thomas said he will do everything he can to see all six officers in court, tried and convicted ...Continued from page 1 “We cannot make a determination as to specifically how long it will take the FBI and the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review to complete their investigations. We do believe the FBI and the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review will be able to complete their respective investigations in a timely manner,” said Hamilton. “Completion of the investigations will allow us to arrive at an appropriate and lawful determination as to the status of the involved officers with the Fullerton Police Department.” The remaining four officers, Officer Joseph Wolfe, Officer Kenton Hampton, Sgt. Kevin Craig and Cpl. James Blatney, will remain on administrative leave, he said. Thomas’ father, Ron Thomas, and other family members were present at the press conference. “I’m looking forward to the FBI investigation for civil rights violations,” said Ron. “I believe the other four can still be brought in on charges based on civil rights violations, so I’m looking forward to that.” Ramos’ arraignment will be moved to Monday. He is being held on $1 million bail. Cicinelli, who is awaiting a pretrial Nov. 4, pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter at his arraignment Wednesday to the following accusations, according to the press release. He

is being held on $25,000 bail. While Goodrich said at the beginning of the press conference there would be no questions afterward, a reporter asked about the manner in which the officers dealt with Thomas. “Is there any comment at all about (Ramos) holding out his fist?” a reporter attempted to ask before Hamilton left the room. “I mean, I don’t know if anyone can answer that question. The (press release) that came out today, there are people here in the town of Fullerton that when they hear of an officer holding up their fist and saying, ‘I’m going to F you up,’ how are they supposed to—” Goodrich said he wouldn’t answer. “I am not answering any questions. I understand your questions, but that is the decision that has been made,” he said. “Of course not,” came a response from the crowd. Criminal charges were not filed against the remaining four officers due to lack of evidence. “The only reason (the remaining officers) weren’t given charges today is because there is not enough evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. That does not mean there is no evidence at all. It just means to convict beyond a reasonable doubt,” Ron said. “I am not done with this at all. Those six were involved. I’ll do everything I can to get those six into court, tried and convicted.” Despite the distrust the city of Fullerton has developed from the case,

Ron said he was quite pleased with how the department responded. “When I had the one on one with Chief (Michael) Sellers, Cpt. Hamilton was in there and I told them, in that closed door, ‘You guys need to do something. You’ve done absolutely nothing ... You haven’t had a press conference or anything.’ The day that Cpt. Hamilton took over, he immediately had a press conference,” Ron said. “So, there was a huge development in the case today, huge ... He’s trying to rebuild the city of Fullerton’s Police Department.” But not everyone feels the same as Ron. Hundreds of Southern California residents came to protest and express their disapproval Tuesday night at the Fullerton City Council meeting. The protesters expressed their concern about how the Council has been handling the death of Thomas, demanding the recall of three Fullerton councilmen. One after the other, supporters of Thomas spoke in front of the Council, directing most of their anger toward Mayor Richard Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Don Bankhead and Councilman Pat Mckinley, whom some want recalled. Every so often after a speaker finished his or her allotted three minutes, Thomas’ supporters, who have dubbed themselves Kelly’s Army, responded with chants. “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd called out.

There was a slight lack of order throughout the night and the Council called a recess between the more than 30 to 40 people who addressed the issue during the public comments session. Fullerton resident James MacLachlan got the public comments started off with a bang, addressing Mayor Jones as “Dick,” to the mayor’s disapproval. “What we want to know, why is the investigation taking so long?” MacLachlan asked the mayor. When Mayor Jones answered that he is not the district attorney, MacLachlan replied, “Well OK, that’s why your name is Dick.” Complaints regarding the lack of action taken by the Fullerton City Council and the alleged corruption of the Fullerton Police Department were the main point of discussion during the public speaking session. CSUF geography Professor Jonathan Taylor has been involved in the Justice for Kelly Thomas movement for the last six weeks. “I had to walk by the site once a week; I was emotionally bothered. The more that speak out the better,” he said regarding why he was involved in the protests. Outside of the meeting, Thomas’ supporters set up a table collecting petition signatures in what they hope will eventually cast Mayor Jones, Pat Mckinley and Don Bankhead out of the Fullerton City Council. Thomas’ father was also at the Tues-

day meeting, supporting the recall. “The only reason that I’m supporting this recall is because of my son,” Ron said. The failure of the Council to take action on the matter is what has prompted Ron to support the recall of the three councilmen, he said. “We have two council members who indeed have spoken out, they’re trying to do something,”

Ron told the council Tuesday. “I support the recall only because, as leaders, I haven’t heard you do anything.” Earlier this month, Fullerton City Clerk Lucinda Williams approved the recall petitions for the three councilmen. For more information on the charges against Officers Ramos and Cicinelli, visit OrangeCountyDA.com.

ANIBAL ORTIZ / Daily Titan Upper left, Melissa Pape, Kelly Thomas’ stepsister. Upper right, Ron Thomas, father. Bottom, left, stepmom Dana Pape stands with others who call themselves Kelly’s Army.

September 22, 2011

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Breakfast with a chance of employment Tech networking event gives students a chance to mingle with professionals in their field DANIELLE EVANS Daily Titan

Cal State Fullerton’s College of Engineering and Computer Science is hosting the first of two fall technology breakfasts this morning. The event, open to the public, is targeted toward four audiences: students, alumni, faculty and the general public. Michael J. Bostic, director of customer advocacy for the Civil Communications Solutions Division of Raytheon Network Centric Systems, will present “Long-Term Evolution Advancing Capabilities in Policing.” Since 2004, ECS events held in the morning have been tradition, allowing attendees to enjoy breakfast and mingle with colleagues, while students network with professionals in their field. The early morning event is catered toward outside audiences, so they are able to attend on their way to work. The general public accounts for a big part of this audience, so the time of the event is key.

CAMILLE TARAZON / Daily Titan Jordan Sidfield, 21, practices a routine with Rebecca Tuscer from the upcoming theater arts production, The Wedding Singer. Sidfield is one of 10 Bachelor of Fine Arts majors in his class.

Performing with the best CSUF has to offer Jordan Sidfield is living the dream as one of the elite Bachelor of Fine Arts majors

Our goal there is JOEY BECERRA primarily for industry Daily Titan folks to go to work afterward. We send out about 2,500 Jordan Sidfield, 21, is not necessarily the tallest actor in his muinvitations to people in the sical theater class, nor is he the area in a 30-mile radius. Hart Roussel Director of Development

“Our goal there is primarily for industry folks to go to work afterward,” said Hart Roussel, director of development for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “We send out about 2,500 invitations to people in the area in a 30-mile radius.” At the breakfast lecture, Bostic will discuss the need for the public safety sector to work together and engage with the industry to help define the future of next-generation, “long-term evolution” technologies for civil communications. Police executives and IT professionals in public safety are demanding these new field capabilities and many companies, like Raytheon, have begun development and research for broadband capabilities in public safety. “Ten years after 9/11, first responders still can’t talk to each other the way they need to. They are trying to bridge the gap between cops, military and firefighters,” Roussel said. Students like Cesar Ramirez, a civil engineering major, feel that technology is developing rapidly in many aspects. “There are less hand calculations. Everything is computerized and we use programs like SAP2000 and AutoCad,” said Ramirez. Susan Barua, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, explains that the decision of who will speak at these events is a thought-out, multi-step process. “The decision is made from discussions with several deans’ affiliates, with high-level managers, from the VP to CEO level. We meet once a semester and discuss happenings of the college and our future plans,” said Barua. “We try to find a balance between computer science and the different disciplines of engineering.” The breakfast lecture will be held at 7:30 a.m. in the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites at 2932 E. Nutwood Ave. in Fullerton, and is free for students.

best dancer. As he performs with the rest of the seniors in his class, practicing for his new role, he briefly seems to lose the choreography. He falls behind the beat of the music for only just a second; his slip is so small that it can only be seen if one is sitting directly next to the stage. Nonchalantly, he regains his rhythm and proceeds to belt out a small singing solo as he traipses

across the stage, enamoring the 9. At 15, he decided to take musiThe first two years of the musijuniors who watch his group per- cal theater seriously. cal theater program whittled 250 form. It was working with his commu- aspiring musical theater students Sidfield’s charisma and supreme nity theater group that connected down to 10 promising B.F.A. juperforming ability have won him Sidfield with CSUF. Andrew Rou- niors. Although the threat of bethe chance to play Robbie Hart in bal, a class of 2009 musical theater ing cut always loomed over him, Cal State Fullerton’s production of graduate, traveled to Santa Cruz Sidfield said, “At times it did feel The Wedding Singer this like we were being fall. subjected, but criticism in the program … Sidfield is a fourthI just know a lot about musical they only do it to help year musical theater theater. I really respect the genre you. For the most part student in CSUF’s though, I felt a lot of highly competitive itself and I want to do it justice. support.” Bachelor of Fine Arts Jordan Sidfield So far, Sidfield’s exin Theatre Arts proBachelor of Fine Arts Major gram. perience onstage at The program only CSUF has been limited admits 10 juniors every year. to direct and choreograph a show to ensemble roles. “This is my first Sidfield describes his experience for All About Theatre. He recom- time playing a character with a full working in the program as “noth- mended that Sidfield visit CSUF arc.” ing but a dream come true. I’ve during his junior year of high Sidfield is set apart from other learned so much.” school. actors because he has a learning Sidfield grew up in Santa Cruz, “I watched a few of the classes disability. When he was 10 years where he worked with the com- and I knew right away, ‘Oh yeah! old, Sidfield was diagnosed with munity theater group All About This is the program that I would Asperger’s Syndrome. As a reTheatre on and off from the age of like to try out for,’” said Sidfield. sult of his disorder, he displays a

HEALTH: Medical fees could rise

WILLIAM CAMARGO / Daily Titan Fee increases would allow the Mental Services Department to increase the amount of counselors and allow the department to take after-hours crisis calls.

...Continued from page 1 Some of the pricier health fees are $680 per year for California Maritime Academy and Humboldt State University at $384 per year. The health center will propose the fee increase to the Student Fee Advisory Committee this fall. The committee will then vote on whether or not it

thinks the fee is worth putting into effect. If the committee agrees to increase student health fees, a referendum will be issued in the spring semester of 2012 and students will take a vote on whether they feel as though the increase is worth it. The increase could possibly go into effect as early as the fall 2012 semester and as late as the spring 2013 semester, Spofford said.

characteristic called “super-focus” where he only focuses intensely on one thing. For Sidfield, that one thing is musical theater. “I just know a lot about musical theater. I really respect the genre itself and I want to do it justice.” In regards to playing Robbie’s love interest, Julia, in the upcoming production, Caitlin Humphreys said, “I am so excited to play his opposite. Jordan does his work, he gets up there and he kills it every time.” Sidfield has definitely worked hard for the production. He learned to play the guitar this summer in preparation for this show. Michaela Martinez, a senior B.F.A. student, describes Sidfield as being the right man for the show. “He just jumps right in every time. He doesn’t have any inhibitions or fears. I know that he’s going to be great in this role,” she

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OPINION

Video games improve coordination, visual attention and spatial skills daughters stronger mental health and better behavior. The Nintendo Wii features family-friendly games like Mario Party, Wii Sports and Wii Fit. Players can Looking back, I cherish the times I spent playing dance and exercise. Families can bond and relax. These video games as a child. Happy memories emerge when games encourage cooperation and are perfect for parreminiscing my days playing Mario Kart with friends. ties. Video games have the potential to be addicting and Video games can foster a child’s curiosity and imagiviolent, but with parental guidance they can exert a nation. Fantasy or futuristic games give children an positive influence on children. Family-friendly games appreciation for the world. I learned about history like Guitar Hero and Wii Sports bring families together and saving the world from evil in Medal of Honor and in a fun environment. Games give children excellent Metroid Prime. A child could become interested in motor skills and can be educational. science-fiction after playing a game like Metroid Prime Children just and decide to read more want to have fun. books in the genre later. Young boys could A comprehensive study Violent games are not recommended spend hours playby Pew Research found for children … But child-friendly ing video games games for moderate amounts of time provide that 65 percent of teens with friends. Ageregularly play video games children with a fun activity that aids cognitive appropriate games in with another person presmoderation can be development and learning. ent. It found those teens beneficial for chilwho play with others show dren and will be remore interest in civics and membered as amazvote more frequently as ing childhood memories. adults. Rather than creating socially isolated teens, soA study by Shawn Green, a University of Roches- cial video game playing can be beneficial by boosting ter professor, in the journal Nature found that video civic involvement and friendships. games improve coordination and visual attention. Parents can easily limit playing time by having the Video game players performed better than non-video system in the living room and making video games a game players in an easy and medium difficulty vision reward. Children can play for 30 minutes after they test, and did drastically better as the test became more finish their homework, for example. The children will difficult. enjoy playing and can be supervised, a benefit to chil“Although video game playing may seem to be rath- dren and parents. er mindless, it is capable of radically altering visual atViolent games are not recommended for children tention processing,” said Green. because of mature content and the allure of long playTeachers can use this to benefit students in school. ing sessions. But child-friendly games for moderate Educational games that teach children to solve prob- amounts of time provide children with a fun activity lems and puzzles can be used to engage the students. that aids cognitive development and learning. ComAnother study by Sarah Coyne, a BYU professor, bined with parental involvement the family will grow shows the benefits of video games on young girls when closer. they play with their parents. The family bonding gave But mostly, video games are just plain fun!

PRO: TIM WORDEN

September 22, 2011

Are video games a bad influence on children? Video games have a negative effect on behavior, health and grades him to shoot at unarmed victims with a wide array of weapons. According to The Independent, Klebold and HarIf there’s one thing my parents have done right, it’s ris made a videotape of them dressed in trench coats that they never raised me with a video game console. shooting school athletes—for a class project. Innocent They already had to regulate my time spent in front lives were lost because such a blatant warning sign of the TV watching Spongebob and on the computer went ignored. The boys were also known to be social misfits, playing solitaire. Having to make sure that I would put my joystick down and get right to my homework which can also potentially be attributed to video would be just another hassle in their lives. However, games. Children who spend more time locked up in my parents were also smart enough to know that at their bedrooms playing video games pull themselves away from healthy activisuch a young age I ties, such as sports or soneeded some adult cializing with friends. supervision regarding While video games are not directly On top of that, Minthese media, no matrelated to poor grades, children who neapolis’ National Inter how innocent they spend more time playing them sacrifice time stitute for Media and may seem. the Family, as reported U n f o r t u n a t e l y, that they need to study and achieve better test and homework scores. by RaiseSmartKid.com, the oblivious parents suggested that kids who who don’t think twice develop addictions to about what can go on video games (and we all behind a closed bedknow those addictions are not very uncommon) have room door may find that they’re helping their chilincreased depression and anxiety levels. Moreover, dren dig a hole deeper than they can climb out of. excessive playing and using the same repetitive hand While some video games promote hand-eye coormotions with a joystick or other control can result in dination, memory skills, multitasking and making carpal tunnel. quick analytical decisions, behavioral results may School performance can also be affected. leave much to be desired. Boxing on Wii Sports may According to TheMedGuru.com, a study found be a fun little workout for little Timmy trying to set that American boys aged 6 to 9 years who were given a personal record, until he gets rowdy with his classaccess to video games were slower to develop math mates on the playground and accidentally chips someand reading skills than boys who were not exposed. one’s tooth. Education.com states that while video games are not But I’d rather see Timmy make an innocent mistake directly related to poor grades, children who spend like that than find that a teenager has shot up his high more time playing them sacrifice time that they need school a la Columbine. A 2003 article from The Into study and achieve better test and homework scores. dependent claimed that the infamous Littleton, Colo. There’s virtually no harm in regulating what chilshooters Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris enjoyed playdren play on their Xbox for a limited amount of time, ing a video game called Doom, licensed to train the but picking up a book and learning something vital to U.S. military in lethal combat, and Harris himself has their education wouldn’t hurt them either. a customized version of the game that would allow

CON: CHARLOTTE KNIGHT

September 22, 2011

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OPINION

Don’t even bother PETER CORNETT Daily Titan

It’s not polite to discuss politics at the dinner table, it’s been said. It certainly isn’t a topic for a first date, and probably not for any subsequent ones for that matter (hint: your date doesn’t care). In fact, the only way political discussions are even slightly tolerable is if they are unburdened by antiquated concepts such as rational thought. Whenever those insufferable political geeks complain about violations of habeas corpus or about the dangers of fractional reserve banking, we simply tune them out. Politics and the research involved are boring, so the obvious solution is to routinely ignore the evidence and simply go with your gut feeling. Why does anyone think the average American cares that, according to the Department of the Treasury, we pay more than $400 billion per year worth of interest on our national debt? Unless they are from ESPN, don’t tell me the numbers. It is self-evident that strippers, football and American Idol are more interesting than correcting imaginary problems such as the U.S.-China trade imbalance. Everything is fine, don’t believe the fairy tales about the so-called

economic downturn. We are in a jobless recovery, haven’t you heard? Less jobs means less work, and let’s face it folks, work sucks. And since the only thing that sucks more than work is school, raise your glass to rising tuition and sweeping class cuts! How does that Pink Floyd song go? “We don’t need no education!” Brothers and sisters, comrades, friends, break free of these annoying things called books and statistics and leave politics to the experts—experts like Treasury Secretary Geithner who claimed only a few months ago there was no danger that the United States would lose our AAA credit rating. I went to school, I can count; we only lost one A. There are still two more left. Thank God we have President Barack Obama to lead us in our time of need. He speaks so well, and he’s handsome! Let’s make sure not to ask him too many tough questions about why he is failing to honor his campaign promises; that might make him uncomfortable. By the way, if you don’t like his mandated health care program, you’re a racist. Obama’s economic policy is brilliant; any idiot can see that the dollar is doing wonderfully, especially since the government is printing more all the time! While on the subject of idiots, have you heard of that Ron

Paul fellow? The tin foil hat-wearing conspiracy theorist wants a balanced budget. Ann Coulter, among others, has called his supporters crazy, and we should definitely trust her judgement; the brilliant lady went on Fox News after the Fukushima power plant meltdown in Japan and advanced the argument that “radiation is good for you.” What a straightshooting genius. The mainstream Republican Party, bless their God-fearing souls, has rejected Paul and the rest of these so-called constitutionalists, and for good reason. These extremists have been demanding a return to a 200-year-old document that guarantees freedom of speech, the press, assembly, religion, the right to a fair trial and other ancient concepts we are in the process of revising. This is the 21st century. If the American people want to embrace tyranny, why should a fading piece of parchment stop us? It’s a free country, after all. The United States is a nation that values diversity of thought; each of us are free to invent our own ideologies at random. In the year 2011, we Americans will learn to feed our families on a diet consisting entirely of hope and change. But you say you want facts? Lame. That’s so 1990.

America: Always consuming GILLIAN HADLAND Daily Titan

In high school, I had an art history teacher who spent the entire class time ranting about our “consumerist society” and why we shouldn’t “conform” to what our government wants us to be. He whined about how living in the early 1900s would have been so much better, because it was a time when our culture was untainted by objects and the obsession of ownership. Thanks, Mr. Kadri, driver of a popular sports car, but here’s a bit of a history lesson: Industrialization led to the rise of monopolies of production. This new era brought Standard Oil, U.S. Steel and the rise of the new white middle class. In a time when Victorianism was once the dominant culture, the new Communication Revolution moved in. New establishments such as movie houses and amusement parks changed the era’s values and interests. A culture of consumption is born! Popular culture arises, leading a tidal wave of new ways of talking, spending, loving and living. This mass culture created a mob-like mentality. People were accustomed to living in a world where order, balance and restraint were the respected cultural standards. Now everything switched to the opposite side. Culture was now for amusement, to release sensations and emotions. Victorian youth had once felt that pleasure was evil, and that domesticity and virtue ruled their lives. With this new way of consuming and liberation from their moral constraints, America was transformed to the 20th century. People could buy what they wanted, spend what they wanted and live their lives with the freedom to do what they wanted. So it’s ironic that so many people out there believe that

consumerism is this horrible idea planted by corporations and the government to get us to buy more. Yes, many of us are guilty of abusing the privilege of consumerism. AssociatedContent.com makes a great point about the abuse, stating that consumerism is leading to negativity because “more people are being killed for their sneakers and more kids are seeing value not in education, but in the latest electronic toy. Consumerism is driving more and more people to buy, buy, buy without enjoying the pleasures of life that come to us naturally.” In the beginning of consumerist culture, the youth were excited about their freedom to buy whatever they wanted, but they were also excited about their freedom to create a new lifestyle. They consumed, but gave back by creating as well. Tyler Durden, of Fight Club, once said, “The things you own end up owning you.” Our society has become spoiled in the ways of consumerism, never appreciating what we have. It’s become too easy and ready to order. We aren’t being creative in our uses of it. When consumerism was beginning, people were anxious to let go of their old Victorian views and try something new. Since we have never had to fight for consumerism and never had any other kind of life before it, we’re just beginning to lose ourselves in objects. Just buying for the sake of buying. So without the Communication Revolution, we never would have made certain discoveries, come up with inventions or had the building blocks to move our country up and forward. So for those of you who are still blogging about how consumerism is “the man’s way of keeping us down,” I suggest you log out of Facebook, put down your Mac laptop and spend a night outside. Pioneer style. I mean, that’s what you want, isn’t it?

Courtesy of MCT

You are the follower! BRANDON COLLINS For the Daily Titan

For those of us who study history, the lessons of the Roman Colosseum should be very easy to recall. One of the purposes of the large amphitheater was to create blood-sport to keep the masses entertained and therefore placated. We’re a society that in its own way abhors the idea of a coliseum, and yet we still fall victim to the same political ploy of distraction that the Roman emperors used; we don’t realize how similar to the Roman masses we’ve become. In a very American fashion, we’ve modernized the Colosseum to be a bloodless circus that anyone and everyone can watch. We’ve expunged the violence and replaced it with a healthy dose of degradation. It’s easy to remember one of the more memorable chants used for a modern coliseum, as it tends to be the same name repeated over and over: “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” The idea that the Colosseum can be compared to shows like Jerry Springer may seem far-fetched to some, but it’s obvious if you look at the effects that it has. Jerry Springer takes the most ridiculous, disgusting and reprehensible topics and peddles them like cheap jewelry to the masses. It’s the McDonald’s of entertainment. Jerry Springer brings fights, strippers, cheating, drugs and stupidity to your television while you sit on your cushioned couch and lord your supposed superiority over the squabbling morons on TV. According to the Internet Movie Database, the Jerry Springer show started in 1991. There’s a reason the Jerry Springer show has been around for over 20 years; people eat it up. The entertainment factor is based on the under-culture of American society. It takes the moments that middle class and poor Americans don’t see and shoves them into the forefront of our consciousness. It gives the viewer a sense of su-

periority and achievement for just being better than the trash portrayed regularly on TV. That very sense of superiority is the danger in shows like Jerry Springer. When you watch Springer, it’s easy to compare yourself to the bottom 1 percent, the dregs of society, and to see how good your life is rather than attempting to better yourself. That comparison, that moment of contentedness, is the destruction of the American Dream. You’ll never want to climb to the top if you feel that you’ve already hit the ceiling. Jerry Springer plays off of the demand for brain-numbing television. Jerry Springer, in fact, became two shows when Steve Wilkos, the former security head for the series, created his own talk show in 2007. Even worse, the 2010-11 season for The Steve Wilkos Show posted a dramatic increase in viewership, giving the show its highest total viewer numbers in the show’s history. It’s a clear trend that shows like Jerry Springer and The Steve Wilkos Show will keep popping up, because there will always be demand for low-grade entertainment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of mindless, garbage television. The demand for shows with high entertainment value but no substance seems to be growing faster than the national deficit. Every day it seems that some new reality show pops up with no inherent values, except to show how far the American standard for entertainment has fallen. It’s a sad commentary on what the American Dream has become, rather than what it was and should be. Next time you cut on your TV and you see the barbarism portrayed by The Steve Wilkos Show or the idiocy prevalent in Jersey Shore, remember: There are better things you could be doing. Read a book, ride a bike, get laid for God’s sake. Just don’t get forced into the most mediocre category of society: the masses.

Please contact us at dtopinion@gmail.com if you have a topic you’d like covered in the opinion section.

A technological drug JUSTIN SHANNON Daily Titan

Every time I walk into a Barnes and Noble there’s a crowd of students who appear to be studying. However, upon taking a closer look, most of the students are listening to their iPods, checking their Facebook or texting faster than I thought humanly possible. There’s rarely a minute that passes without someone shuffling through songs, sending a smiley face or providing another hit on a social networking site. Our addiction to technology is creating socially inept people who can’t put their gadgets down, endangering current and future generations’ abilities to effectively communicate and function. Recent research compares the addiction to technology with the addiction to drugs. We experience some of the same physical withdrawals and highs in both addictions. In an article from WebMD.com, Dr. Edward Hallowell, author of CrazyBusy: Overbooked, Overstretched and About to Snap!, discusses the cons of a technologically advanced generation. “There’s something very irresistible about an unopened message. You do get a dopamine squirt from accessing your messages. The mail used to come once a day. Now it comes every second,” wrote Howell. Technology provides short experiences of exhilaration. There’s an inevitable addiction that occurs rapidly and consumes people’s time and money, just like a drug. Howell continues to discuss the dangers of technology, bringing to light the idea of multitasking in a technological age. “Multitasking can cause the brain to overheat, like a car engine. The brain needs periods to recover, not just sleeping at night, but during the day, it needs periods of rest and recovery. It simply can’t run straight out all day long at peak performance.”

We are unable to concentrate because we constantly include an electronic device in any activity we take part in. We’re unable to do something without simultaneously listening to music or checking our text messages. An article for National Public Radio titled “Think You’re Multitasking, Think Again” discusses technology and the myths of multitasking. The article states, “As technology allows people to do more tasks at the same time, the myth that we can multitask has never been stronger. But researchers say it’s still a myth—and they have the data to prove it. Humans, they say, don’t do lots of things simultaneously. Instead, we switch our attention from task to task extremely quickly.” This constant transitioning of thoughts within our brains never fully allows us to concentrate on the task we’re trying to perform. We are spreading ourselves thin by not solely focusing on what’s in front of us. Imagine if Picasso had a pair of headphones on while painting, or if Thomas Jefferson was checking his Twitter while writing the Declaration of Independence. There’s a reason why an astonishing amount of amazing things were accomplished in centuries past. There were little to no distractions. Instead of becoming addicted to technology, people were addicted to their crafts, goals and ambitions. Currently, the most concerning demographic impacted by this addiction to technology involves children. According to the The New York Times, 36.1 percent of children ages 10 to 11 own a cell phone. In a period of life when the brain is rapidly developing, constant access to technology can cause numerous problems. When a child who still hasn’t learned to multiply knows how to send out text messages and reply to emails, it’s concerning. Kids who barely get by in school are consumed with technologies that not

only distract them from their future goals, but also take away critical moments of their social development. An article in The Daily Mail, a UKbased newspaper, states, “We could be raising a hedonistic generation who live only in the thrill of the computergenerated moment, and are in distinct danger of detaching themselves from what the rest of us would consider the real world.”

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DETOUR

September 22, 2011

Nerd alert at Fullerton’s Mulberry St. ANIBAL ORTIZ Daily Titan

Black and white photographs lined the walls of the dim-lit Italian restaurant, Mulberry St., in downtown Fullerton. Two tables remained set up. Silverware, a pair of wine glasses and folded napkins were neatly placed over the white tablecloth. The remaining tables at Mulberry St. Ristorante were all covered with giant white sheets of paper. A server dressed in a white button-up shirt and black slacks moved quickly to place a glass of Jim Beam on the table. Behind him, another server dropped two bottles of Newcastle on the neighboring table. The crowd moved in slowly; about 20 people sat and joked in the compact room, patiently waiting for the show to begin. Small talk could be heard from the handful of passersby and bar regulars as they lounged on their stools. Fifteen minutes past 11 p.m. and Jesse La Tour welcomed everyone to Nerdy Thursdays. The variety show, a combination of comedy, music and friendships, served as an escape from a “culture of sameness,” said La Tour, a co-host of the show. “When do you see a PowerPoint presentation at a bar?” La Tour said. “Some people may want to think while at the bar.” In his presentation, La Tour brought awareness to several Mexican murals and how some of the murals have been painted over. “The shows usually consist of comedic PowerPoints,” La Tour, who works as a part-time English professor at Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College, said.

Most Nerdy Thursdays are themed, according to La Tour. The group comes up with themes such as “Thorsday,” created to coincide with the theater release of the movie Thor and oftentimes are accompanied by visuals such as videos or PowerPoints that fit the theme. At the time of the rapture prophecy, a video titled The Raptor is Coming was created by La Tour and his co-host at the time, Brian Lucett, who is now in San Francisco. The night consisted of two major themes: a European rave theme and a back-to-school theme, said “Quizmaster” Mando. Mando incorporated the themes and began the night by calling for three volunteers. Three men quickly jumped out of their chairs and onto the stage. Side by side, the three men used their hands to clap in place of a game show buzzer as a silent film played on the projection screen to their left. The first contestant quickly answered “Albert Einstein” to the first question. Marison Campbell, a red-haired woman in her 20s, peered through her glasses and watched the trio from the back of the room with her husband. “Every person they’ve brought has seemed to enjoy the event,” she said. “We used to go to bed at 9 p.m., but we started coming out and we adjusted,” Campbell, who lives just blocks away, said. Campbell likes Nerdy Thursdays because it’s original and she found it interesting to see local people do “amazing things.” “But some people hesitate to go up and joke,” she added.

DANIEL ZAMILPA Daily Titan

ANIBAL ORTIZ / Daily Titan Patrons of Mulberry St. Ristorante’s “Nerdy Thursdays” events watched the film Solemn Hour by Mike Spies, a dark comedy exploring the streets of Fullerton. Mulberry St. Ristorante hosts “Nerdy Thursdays,” providing attendees a place to discuss all things nerdy.

Darker than a normal stage, the microphones were placed near a step leading toward a slightly elevated level. “It’s a great open mic in town. There’s always a very friendly audience,” said Jon Lyons, a bartender at Mulberry St. Co-host Mike Spies and his friend wrote poetry a year and a half before and proceeded to do more comedy. “It’s an outlet through art, music, poetry – this show encompasses all that,” said Spies, who performed several times during the night. One of the videos of the night featured a black and white dramatic comedy depicting him walking

around Fullerton and playing a game of chess against death, which is represented by a fire pit. “It was something nerdy,” Spies said. “The darkness and beauty of Fullerton.” Spies liked the simplicity of the event. “It’s a group of friends and people that enjoy making people laugh almost to the point of tears,” he said. “Nothing in between.” La Tour also tried to find numerous ways to help his community. “This is my culture,” La Tour said. “I want to contribute, this is one thing I thought of.” The sound of techno beats echo-

ing through the small Italian restaurant helped encompass the European rave scene as it began to clear out. “It’s the first time we’ve had this kind of music,” Lyons said as he looked around. “Local small bands usually take the stage and play live pieces,” Spies said. After leaving the bar, two men thanked Lyons for the drinks. Lyons wished them a good night, calling them by name as he went back to polishing his glasses. Nerdy Thursday is scheduled for 11 p.m. every Thursday at Mulberry St. Ristorante in downtown Fullerton.

Costumed crusaders infiltrate movie theaters LUKE CHERNEY Daily Titan

Comic book movies have inundated our popular culture for the better part of the decade. Even casual viewers who have never had an interest in costumed crusaders are familiar with comic heroes like Superman and Batman. Film adaptations have helped to attract people who wouldn’t think to pick up a comic book. Because of great storytelling and direction, new fans are introduced to old heroes like Captain America, who made his latest silver-screen appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger. The film’s creators decided to center the story around the long mythology surrounding the hero. Captain America made his first paperback appearance in 1941, where, just like in the movie, he was shown punching Hitler in the face after the scrawny Steve Rogers received the experimental super soldier formula. However, the movies do well when they appease true fans by remaining loyal to the original source material. This is something to think about

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Comic book movies like Paramount Pictures’ Captain America: The First Avenger have infiltrated popular cinema, part of a growing trend of adapted comic book and graphic novel movies.

when one realizes how much studios are betting on these movies to work and ultimately turn profitable. Big summer movies are called tent poles because they hold up the studios to make their costly, sometimes dangerously expensive films.

‘Footloose’ gets reworked

Studios let it ride on these summer popcorn flicks because they are money-making monsters. Considering that Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is the third highest-grossing movie of all time, at $533 million according to the

Internet Movie Database, and all three of the Spider Man movies fall between the top 21 box office spots, it’s no wonder studios feel they can lean on the material. Some feel the amount of alreadyavailable resources, over 70 years of

comic books as well as an increasing fan base, has led to the proliferation of the genre. “They already have a built-in fan base from the comics,” said Christian Montanez, 22, a business major. Gilbert Beltran, a marketing major, agreed when he said, “They’re popular because of the fact that they’re an easy thing for business models just because they have such a niche community already reading the comic books. They can build off of that. They already have the story there.” Comic book movies would go unnoticed had it not been for multi-faceted characters and riveting plots. Montanez said in the end it was all about “the story. It wasn’t just a bunch of explosions. The characters, they’re compelling, they’re not one-dimensional.” With the recent string of Marvel movies building to a climax in The Avengers, slated for a 2012 release date; Christopher Nolan’s final Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises; a Spider Man reboot; and a Superman film in the works, it looks like comic book films are here to stay.

There’s a stigma with a certain category of film that needs to be cleared up. Some call them copies or a complete lack of originality. They have been called names, poked fun at and completely boycotted altogether by die-hard fans. But really, film remakes are anything but. They’re an homage to films that have made an impact on a generation. Remakes are a way to rekindle a beloved film and add a new shade to the original storyline. There have been a good amount of film remakes that have had some positive feedback throughout the years. Films such as Freaky Friday (2003), King Kong (2005) and Scarface (1983) have all gone on to act almost as originals for younger generations since the original films were released in years prior. The more adolescent crowd is not being deprived of anything, as some critics may believe. Elements such as who directs the film, who stars in it, the budget, the re-adaptation of the script and plot are what determine the quality of a film. The fact that a film is a remake should not automatically give the film a bad rating, but some people definitely use this clouded way of thinking in regards to remakes. A film that is soon set to premiere in theaters is Paramount Picture’s Footloose, starring Julianne Hough, Kenny Wormald and directed by Craig Brewer. The film, which was originally made in 1984, tells the story of Ren McCormack (Wormald, originally played by Kevin Bacon) who moves from Boston to the small town of Beaumont where dancing and rock ‘n’ roll music has been banned. After being asked why they decided to be a part of the remake of this film, both Hough and Brewer had similar responses of being so impacted by the film as a child having a strong, inner connection to the film as artists. Hough went on to comment, “I have to tell you … when I first found out they were doing a remake of an iconic movie like Footloose, which is really close to my heart … I grew up watching this movie and … I thought the same thing, like, ugh, remakes, they suck, you know? Nobody ever does them justice ... but then when I did find out that Craig Brewer was attached … there’s nobody that could have done it justice the way that he has.” Almost in the same sense, Brewer said, “I was the kid who didn’t hang out with the popular kids, was always singing, dancing and acting in the drama room, so when I watched (this film), I wanted to be like Kevin Bacon.” Brewer also said that because of his strong attachment to the film, being able to consult and work with the writer of the 1984 version, Dean Pitchford, was almost like a dream come true for him. Both Brewer and Hough also encouraged to go watch Footloose with an open mind and not have the mind preset that because it’s a remake, it’s going to suck. Having both stayed true to the original film and tweaked a couple points that make better sense for today’s audience, the film is a combination that is sure to please both lovers of the original and younger audiences today, especially teenagers who have never seen it.

September 22, 2011

Crossword Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle FOR RELEASE JULY 2, 2011

Edited by Rich Norrisbrought and Joyce Lewis to you by mctcampus.com

ACROSS 1 Extraterrestrial factor in creating much of Earth’s carbon-14 11 ’90s TV toon therapist 15 “The Defense Never Rests” coauthor 16 You may bid on it 17 Circulation aid 18 Five-time Wimbledon winner 19 American Fur Company founder 20 Firenze field 21 “__ to Canaan”: Carole King hit 24 Harris trickster 27 Sin tax, e.g. 29 Take-charge type 30 __ Genevieve: Missouri county or its seat 31 __-ovovegetarian 32 Cry of delight 34 Low life? 36 Remote drivers? 40 Attached, as some decals 42 Certain elephant 43 Dander 46 Pro __ 47 Miss Hungary of 1936, familiarly 48 Where Massenet’s “Don Quichotte” premiered 51 Grate 52 Obscured 53 Edge 55 Desert antelope 56 Insolvent bailout beneficiary 61 Michelle Phillips was one in the ’60s 62 Man in the street 63 Hot times in 48Across 64 Coconut-flavored cocktail

view our online

Classifieds, visit

DailyTitan.com

1600

Miscellaneous

sla ye r.c om ww w. je su sth ev am pi re : NL 89 Z FR EE Do wn lo ad Co de

DOWN 1 Ozonethreatening compound 2 Word of support 3 Half of dodici 4 Black garnets

7/2/11

By Barry C. Silk

5 Spoonbill’s cousin 6 “No way!” 7 Inflexibility 8 Served in a creamy cheese sauce 9 Word of support 10 Lexicon abbr. 11 Word from the Turkish for “roasted meat” 12 Subj. of Cold War tests 13 Asphalt trap 14 Fallopian tube traveler 20 Bolívar’s birthplace 21 Coach of Nadia and Mary Lou 22 Physical, e.g. 23 Danish shoe brand 25 Martin’s partner 26 Iran’s Mohammad Shah __ Pahlavi 28 Dried out, with “up” 32 Busybody 33 1962 chart topper whose title subject “doesn’t do what everybody else does”

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

35 “Never Wave at __”: 1952 film 37 “__ With a ‘Z’”: 1972 TV special 38 Miss 39 Breeze 41 Crew members 43 Arrival announcement 44 Find very funny 45 Catalytic protein

Horoscopes

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Sudoku

Sudoku brought to you by dailysudoku.com

5 1 4 7 6 3

7 5 3 6 8 2

3 9 8 2 4 7

2 3 1 5 9 7 8 4 6 5 7 4 3 8 6 2 9 1 Daily Sudoku: Mon 12-Sep-2011

7 4 2 9 1

3 8

2 7 5

7 6 6 8 4 3 1

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) It’s not a good time for romance, but be nice anyway. A practical partner guides. Draw three things you want. Dream big. Then play big and go for it.

4 3 9 1 5 8

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) There’s nothing you can’t endure by using your mind and your muscle, with a dash of intuition. Common sense wins over hardheadedness, so be willing to step aside rather than push.

2 6 7 5 3 1

How To Play: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9: and each set of boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

1 4 2 8 9 6

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) As Bob Marley would say, “We don’t need no more trouble. What we need is love.” Whenever you’re confronted or worried today, focus on what you’re passionate about.

Daily Sudoku: Mon 12-Sep-2011

9 7 6 3 2 5

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Rediscover your sense of humor over the next few days, as you assume more responsibility. Accept well-earned acknowledgment, and enjoy some philosophical reading or discussion.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) New doors appear in unusual places. These doors may very well open by themselves, but you have to show up to trigger the sensor. Ask for what you want. Say “yes.”

3 8

8 2 5 9 1 4

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Consider new opportunities where once there were none. Focus on what’s real (or at least on what you believe to be real). Set your old fears down for a while.

3 7 6 6 8 4

6 8 1 4 7 9

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Don’t start until you’re ready (but don’t keep folks waiting, either). Review the steps to take. Spend time with friends, but keep to the budget. Creative writing flows.

3 1

very hard

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) If you focus on the limitations, you’ll be limited. Listen through all the white noise for a solution that serves you well. Do your share of the work, and call for reinforcements.

6 8 9 2 7

3 6 8 7 4 2 9 1 5

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Even if someone questions your judgment, it doesn’t mean they’re right. Respectfully separate out the gold, and take notes. Make your own choices, and keep your promises.

1 5 9 7

http://www.dailysudoku.com/

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Ask your friends for tips on how to save money, and reap a bounty of creative ideas. Review your budget to apply the best ones. An antique plays a part.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Stick to the rules and routine, especially this morning. Handling old tasks provides clarity, peace of mind and relief. Harmony and happiness grow with great music.

Daily Sudoku: Mon 12-Sep-2011

Aries (March 21-April 19) Write down what you want and the logical steps to get it. Come up with a tagline, and words that clearly express the heart of your concept. Let your brilliance out of the box.

7/2/11

47 Group of signs 49 Gulf state 50 47-Down member 54 Block brand 56 Reheat, in a way 57 Duct opening? 58 Grammy-winning Steely Dan album 59 Doze 60 Mauna __

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SPORTS

September 22, 2011

CLUB: Hockey looks to build on impressive season ...Continued from page 1 “It’s never good when you lose your top scorer, but we have a couple kids who have the potential to be just as good,” said McDevitt. “We’ve got a bunch of guys who are returning and everyone is just one year better.” “When the chemistry clicks, there’s going to be a lot of teams that are going to have a hard time stopping us,” he said. Last season’s top goal scorer for the Titans was senior forward Chris Houlihan, who netted 25 goals and 35 points in 30 games. Losing that point production might hurt, but the Titans remain confident in their offensive presence. Although Heethuis said the team is young, the Titans are growing into a tight-knit group. Anyone who has played a team sport knows that camaraderie is key to holding a team together and creating chemistry; the Titans know this as well. “It takes up a lot of your time playing on this team, even when you’re not playing hockey,” McDevitt said. “Just last night we had 14 or 15 guys go out to dinner (after practice).” The Titans have been training the whole summer for the upcoming season at Head Coach Nick Moran’s gym, Primal Justice Training Center in Irvine, working on off-ice conditioning. “(Coach Moran) was nice enough to let us all go in there and use it whenever we want, so that’s definitely different from seasons past where we’ve never had anything like that,

where we really did any real off-ice conditioning,” said Titan forward Anthony Webb, who is also the team president. With the fast, high-intensity sport that hockey is, McDevitt believes the off-ice training will help the Titans to get through a long season. The long season begins Saturday, Oct. 1 at Anaheim Ice, where they will face off against USC to kick things off. “We’ve been gearing up for this for three months,” McDevitt said of the game against USC next week. “It’s basically Christmas. This is what you get excited for as a hockey player.”

CAMILLE TARAZON / Daily Titan Senior midfielder Caitlin Mellano takes a throw-in during a match this season. She is joined on the team by younger sister Lauren.

Sisters on and off the pitch CLARK PAGADUAN Daily Titan

Daily Titan file photo

Aztecs Drop Titans in Five Volleyball’s Pink Night The San Diego State Aztecs were too much to handle for the Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball team Tuesday as the Titans fell in five sets in San Diego. The loss dropped CSUF to 5-7, including two five-set losses. The Titans won the first set 25-20 before dropping the second and third sets 14-25 and 19-25, respectively. After CSUF posted a 25-18 win in the fourth set, the Aztecs won the final set 8-15. The Titans fell to 0-18 all time at SDSU. Sophomore Bre Moreland led the Titans with a matchhigh 16 kills while adding 10 digs. CSUF junior Kayla Neto posted a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs. Johnna Fouch led the Aztecs with 51 assists and 15 digs. Summer Nash added 10 kills and 13 digs for SDSU. The Aztecs landed 57 kills to outpace Fullerton’s 50 and also served 11 aces. Paije Pearson had four of the aces while Fouch added three. Neto posted the Titans’ only two aces. SDSU also had 12 blocks to CSUF’s nine. The match wrapped up the Titan’s non-conference schedule until late November. CSUF will face Cal Poly SLO and UC Santa Barbara this weekend in Titan Gym to begin its defense of the Big West Conference Title.

The defending Big West champion Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball team is hosting Pink Night Saturday against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Any fan who wears pink will be allowed to watch the match for free. The CSUF Pink Ribbon Club will be in attendance, passing out information about breast cancer awareness and pink ribbons. The Pink Ribbon Club can also be seen at CSUF women’s soccer games as well this season. Friday the Titans will take on the Cal Poly SLO Mustangs, and all fans under 12 will be allowed in for free. After the match, the players and coaches will be signing posters and taking pictures with all fans in attendance. The Titans are looking to make a return trip to the NCAA tournament this year, and this is the start of their Big West season.

Brief by Patrick Corbet

Brief by Elliot Cook

In every family, a story is playing itself out. For the Mellano sisters, it’s the joy of playing a game they both love, soccer, side by side. Senior midfielder and team captain, Caitlin, 22, and sophomore defender, Lauren, 19, have been gracing the soccer field together almost their entire lives. Their father, Bob Mellano, who played baseball at Cal State Fullerton for two seasons in the ‘80s, began their soccer careers at a very young age by placing them in peewee soccer at age 4. From then on, both of them played soccer in AYSO, club teams, high school and now for the Titans. Caitlin, who is a little over two years older than Lauren, credits their father for their strong love of the game. “We grew up in a very athletic family; he raised us all to be very athletic,” said Caitlin. “Each of us in our family were playing at least two sports, he would coach a majority of them. We were always very active.” The sisters, who are from Fullerton, attended high school at nearby Troy where they both garnered numerous player accolades. They played there together for two years before Caitlin graduated and joined the CSUF team in 2008. Lauren reunited with her old-

er sister in 2010 when she joined the Titans. Since then, the two have spent almost all their time in each other’s company. “Twenty-four seven, we’re always together. We just do everything together,” said Lauren. Caitlin added, “The only time we’re not together is in class because we’re in different classes. Literally, we come here together, leave together, eat dinner together and watch the same shows together. Everything is together pretty much.” Now several games into the current season, the sisters are looking to build on momentum from last season as the team pursues a Big West conference title. Caitlin, who finished tied for fifth in the Big West last year with five assists, is five helpers (she has seven career total) shy of breaking into the school’s top 10 list. Lauren, who scored two goals last season, is working to earn herself a steady starting position. Though they spend plenty of time together, the sisters have drastically different personalities that form an interesting dynamic. Lauren’s easygoing nature sometimes conflicts with Caitlin’s structured and ordered personality. It’s a combination that created lasting childhood memories. “It drives me crazy. Thank goodness we don’t share rooms anymore. Because when we did share, we drew

a line across the floor and she would antagonize me,” Caitlin said, laughing. Even on the field, Caitlin doesn’t hesitate to put on her big sister hat. Head Coach Demian Brown is witness to the Mellano sister love. “It’s nice having the sisters. The type of camaraderie they have encourages a better relationship within the program. One of the funniest things about it is when they get on each other. With Caitlin being the captain, her responsibility is to keep everybody accountable. With the fact that her younger sister is on the team, it doesn’t change how she captains her. That’s always nice to see.” With Caitlin graduating this year, this is the last season the Mellano sisters will be playing soccer together for the Titans. Lauren admits that she will miss playing with her sister and is appreciative of the bond they share on the field. “It’s definitely going to be sad. I’ve been playing with her forever. I really like playing with her. If I need help with anything, she’s always there. Just playing with her, there’s a connection. I just know what she’s going to do and she knows what I’m going to do,” Lauren said. Caitlyn shared the same sentiment. “It’s definitely unique to play with your sister for multiple years. Not too many people get that opportunity. There’s no disadvantage,” Caitlin said.