Tuesday April 19, 2016 by Daily Titan

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Tuesday April 19, 2016

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Trouble in paradise unfolds for Titans

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Homeless past drives student’s desire to give

Women’s golf stays in seventh after day two of tournament VICTOR GALLEGOS Daily Titan The Cal State Fullerton women’s golf team continued its lackluster play Monday, shooting a combined 32-over par in the second round of the Big West Conference Championships at the Kapalua Bay Golf Course. Although it is a marginal improvement over the 36-over par score they recorded a day earlier, the Titans once again struggled on the front nine holes of Kapalua Bay. The team combined to shoot 19-over par on the front nine. In comparison, it shot a 13-over par in the back nine. Martina Edberg, who tied for third overall in the tournament with a score of 2-over par after the first round, found it difficult to replicate her form from the previous day, as she shot a 7-over par 79, double bogeying holes eight and 10. Edberg finished the second round tied for sixth overall with a 9-over par score, 6 shots behind first-place Kassidy Teare of Long Beach State. Felicia Medalla bounced back from her 12-over par score of the first round as she compiled a team-best 5-over par for the Titans and 7 strokes better than her previous day. Medalla tied for 25th after two rounds of tournament play with a mediocre 17-over par score. Brittany Farrell also improved her score, shooting a 7-over par, five strokes better than her previous day’s 12over par. She is currently tied for 27th overall with a 19-over par score through the first two days. Pauline Welker continued to struggle, shooting a 13over par. Her round was mirrored by two straight double bogeys to begin the front nine and she was never able to recover from her slow start. Similarly, Brittney Sok started her round with two double bogeys in the first three holes, leading Sok to a 14-over par score for the day and a sluggish 26-over par total score through two rounds. The Titans will enter the final round alone in seventh place at 68-over par, 29 strokes behind leader Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Despite the chances for a first place finish being well beyond reach, the Titans will look to close out the tournament on a high note on Wednesday.

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George Parker, 24, and his family were homeless for five years. They moved back and forth between living inside of their car and hotel rooms. During his first year in college, Parker’s mother was diagnosised with stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver.

Perseverance pays off for CSUF grad student IMAN LATHAN Daily Titan After his screaming alarm clock sounds around 4:15 a.m., George Parker,

and Compton, before finally arriving at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, just in time for his 11:30 a.m. class. George and his family were homeless from his junior year of high school until his junior year of college. The family of four would go back and forth between living in and out of their car and hotels.

Having recently obtained his bachelor’s degree in psychology from CSUDH, George embarked on his graduate journey at Cal State Fullerton in spring 2015, where he is currently pursuing his master’s degree. The price of George’s education has been much more than monetary. At just 24 years old, he has witnessed his fair share of adversity,

persevering through financial shortcomings and family issues. After first receiving an acceptance letter to CSUDH, then a letter of denial due to an issue with his transcripts, then another acceptance letter, then he was removed from on-campus housing and forced to commute. SEE POVERTY

Costume designers play crucial role Students work to bring characters to life with wardrobe FRANK LARA RISCO For the Daily Titan When a show starts, the actors take center stage, but they are not the only artists present. Costume designers have a starring role in the form of the artistic creations the performers wear onto the stage. Michelle Kincaid, a graduate student of costume design, and Kaylynn Sutton, a senior majoring in design and technical production, spend many days and long hours in the costume shop at Cal State Fullerton designing attire and assisting theater casts and crews. “I’m always in here, but I love what I do, so I don’t mind,” Kincaid said. Kincaid and Sutton share a

Panel to discuss religious complexities

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18, packs his bags and ensures his mind is ready for the day’s battle. With a few bucks at the ready for lunch and transit, he heads out, sometimes from his family’s car, hotel rooms or friends’ homes to the bus stop. Stepping onto the bus at 5 a.m., his daily journey would involve a six-hour trek through Pomona, downtown Los Angeles, South Central

Three CSUF professors and one lecturer will converse about being people of faith in a secular society 3 Wednesday

love of design and an ambition to help fellow designers. “When I’m not working on a show, I’m in here helping other people on their shows. So we all help each other work toward the final product of getting your show up and running,” Sutton said. Sutton, who was the costume designer for CSUF’s production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” noted the responsibilities of a costume designer. “You’re responsible for everything from what they wear on their body to jewelry, to hats, to shoes, to even socks and stockings. Pretty much we put everything on the actor except for their own undergarments,” Sutton said. Just as actors are responsible for knowing their lines, costume designers do research to be sure their designs properly convey the intent of the material and the director’s vision. SEE COSTUMES

YUNUEN BONAPARTE / DAILY TITAN

Michelle Kincaid, a costume design graduate student, works behind the scenes of the theatre and dance department productions, creating costumes that match different styles and eras.

More funding is needed for the disabled

Opinion

Assistive technology has made great strides in helping the impaired, but lack of resources is restricting 5 progress

CSUF aims to surpass last season’s win total

Sports

Cal State Fullerton softball looks to defend home field with a nonconference game against the University of 8 San Diego VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

NEWS

PAGE 2 APRIL 19, 2016 TUESDAY

DTBRIEFS Southwest addresses Complaint

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Active Minds, an organization at Cal State Fullerton, aims to educate the community about alternative support for mental health patients and to eradicate the stigmas associated with mental illness. Puppies will be brought to CSUF before finals to help students alleviate their stress.

FOR THE RECORD It is Daily Titan policy to correct factual errors printed in the publication. Corrections will be published on the subsequent issue after an error is discovered and will appear on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections will also be made to the online version of the article. Please contact Editor-in-Chief Rudy Chinchilla at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

Puppies to help reduce finals stress Active Minds receives $500 grant to host event before finals DESIREE HALEY Daily Titan

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Cal State Fullerton’s Active Minds organization aims to relieve the student body’s stress in the two weeks leading up to semester finals. Active Minds, known for its work in eliminating social stigmas surrounding mental illness, received a $500 grant to fund its “Calm Before the Storm” event. The group educates the community on other alternatives to “break the silence” and offer support to those suffering with mental health issues. “Calm Before the Storm” will include arts and craft tables — including adult coloring books for color therapy — paint stations, puzzles, a bubble station, free bubble wrap and puppies for students to pet.

According to research from the University of Missouri-Columbia, petting puppies helps with stress. When humans and dogs interact, a hormonal change takes place. Preliminary results from the study show that a few minutes of stroking a dog prompts a release of “feel good” hormones in humans, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. Active Minds plans to bring in dogs from nearby shelters, which serves the double purpose of getting dogs out of their cages and getting people out of their study groups. As a result, the dogs get attention and the students get relief. Joshua Gibson, who has been a member of Active Minds for two years, said the event is a way to “get your mind off of finals and recenter yourself before they start.” “If you let that stress build up beforehand, you won’t be able to handle finals as well,” he said. “We try to give people different outlets

of how to manage that.” Each Mind Matters, the group providing the grant alongside a “Lime Green Ribbon Partnership,” describes itself as “California’s mental health movement.” The organization is a “collaboration of millions of individuals and thousands of organizations working to advance mental health,” according to the Each Mind Matters website. While Active Minds normally uses money from its own chapter fund, with help from ASI and the Health Center, the group now has a little more leeway to make this event better than before, said Active Minds President Eddie Lopez. This year will be the first in which the group can afford to rent canopies for the event, Lopez said. “That was the first grant we applied for and we got (it),” Lopez said. This semester’s “Calm Before the Storm” will be held Thursday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the central quad.

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OC surfer extends aid to Ecuador Laguna Beach native and former pro surfer Jon Rose will take a team to Ecuador to supply clean water for areas devastated by Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, according to the OC Register. Rose, who in 2009 founded the nonprofit organization Waves for Water, said on Monday that the death toll could top 1,000 in Ecuador as responders assess the situation. According to Ecuadorian National Emergency Management Officer Ricardo Peñaherrera, lack of water is one of the biggest problems in an emergency. His organization has helped bring clean water to “about a dozen countries” including Haiti, Chile and Afghanistan since its inception.

Study links fast food to phthalates

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Southwest Airlines said Monday that they regretted removing a UC Berkeley student from a flight at Los Angeles International Airport on April 9 but that under federal regulations had no alternative, according to ABC News. An Arab-speaking passenger overheard the student, Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, speaking in Arabic during a phone conversation and notified a Southwest employee, who escorted him from the plane before takeoff. Makhzoomi used the phrase “inshallah,” which means “god willing.” He has not filed a direct complaint to the airline and has not responded to the several attempts to reach him. He did tell the Associated Press that all he wants is an apology from the airline.

A new study from the Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) found that drive-thru fast food could increase exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates, according to CNN. Researchers studied fast-food consumption and the relationship to the level of phthalates in urine, which correlated dramatically, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to a report by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exposure to high levels of phthalates such as DEHP and DiNP found in the fast food “could lead to adverse reproductive outcomes in women.” - DAISY ORTIZ

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NEWS

PAGE 3 TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2016

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Shirts will be hung in Cal State Fullerton’s quad Wednesday, April 20, to bring awareness for sexual assault victims and survivors. People are encouraged to write their own stories as well as letters of support on shirts provided at the event.

Shirts to highlight sexual violence Shirts hung in the quad will display sexual assault stories MONSE RODRIGUEZ Daily Titan Shirts will be hung on a clothesline in the quad Wednesday to raise awareness about sexual assault and its effect on society. “The Clothesline Project: Bearing Witness to Survivors of Sexual Violence” will feature hanging shirts of survivors and victims as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and participants are encouraged to write letters of support, share someone else’s experience with permission or express how a sexual assault has affected them. The project began in 1990 as a way to visually address the staggering number of sexual assaults against women. The idea of a clothesline stemmed from the stereotype of laundry being a woman’s job in the days when women often conversed in their

backyards while hanging out clothes to dry, according to clotheslineproject.org. Alyssa Raquel Avila, violence prevention educator and victim advocate from the WoMen’s & Adult Reentry Center, said that sexual assault is physical and emotional abuse, and is not about sex, but rather about control and the power to hurt others. This event offers survivors a safe space to share their experience, Avila said. “This project has been a way for people to take that power and control back by sharing their story on their own terms,” Avila said. There is always silence around the issue of sexual violence, but the clothesline allows for that silence to be broken in healing, processing information and feeling empowered in sharing their experience, she said. Avila also described sexual violence as a community crime because it affects the people who know the survivor, as well. “It’s a ripple effect that happens,” Avila said. A person who knows a survivor of sexual violence can be

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“The Clothesline Project: Bearing Witness to Survivors of Sexual Violence” began in 1990 so that people could visually experience the large number of sexual assaults against women.

affected, in that he or she desires justice for the survivor or has been through the process of the assault vicariously through their friends or family’s experience, Avila said. Community Service Programs (CSP) is a nonprofit organization that helps bring

The Clothesline Project to other campuses. The event at Cal State Fullerton is aimed at spreading awareness and helping to prevent sexual assault. Avila said it is important to show support to sexual violence survivors in a visible way by reiterating, “We

believe you and we are here for you and we will support you.” Avila also said supportive events like these send a message to the community as well. “These things (sexual assaults) are not OK and we are not going to stand for it,”

she said. Along with Avila and CSP, the CSUF student group Consent is Key will also be there to help people find resources and to help viewers process information and the confessions being displayed.

Faith to be addressed at religious panel Theologians will discuss experiences in a secular society MICAH AUGIMERI-LEE Daily Titan A conversational panel featuring one lecturer and three Cal State Fullerton professors of different faiths and academic disciplines will address the experience of being religious in a secular society. “Religious Complexities:

A Conversation About Religion in California,” was spurred by the San Bernardino attacks in December 2015, said Jason Sexton, lecturer in the honors program and general education faculty coordinator. Sexton is representing the Christian faith on the panel. “The idea was that in light of San Bernadino, could we do an event … that would be meaningfully reflecting on how to talk about religion in a secular society which hasn’t always known how to talk about religion?”

Sexton said. Adam Tahir, honors student and president of Pakistan Student Association, played a big role in organizing the event and will be moderating the panelists’ conversation by providing talking points, Sexton said. “We wanted a dialogue where different academics from different faiths sit down and talk about their religion and how similar they are,” Tahir said. “In a way to promote diversity on our campus and in our

society, we were thinking that this was a conversation that needed to happen, so we wanted to take the lead on it.” The three other panelists are Sawssan Ahmed, assistant professor of psychology, representing Islam; Nawang Phuntsog, associate professor of elementary and bilingual education, representing Buddhism and Scott Spitzer, associate professor of political science, representing Judaism. “As people of faith who disagree about a number of

things, we want to encourage our students — we want to cultivate understanding and respect that fits with the mutual dignity that we have for each other,” Sexton said. Sexton said he is excited about developing interfaith friendships and cultivating awareness. The panelists will also take questions from the audience during the conversation. “The audience feels a part of the conversation and they are able to express their views in it,” Tahir said.

The event was coordinated and sponsored by the Pakistani Student Association as part of Asian Pacific Islander month by the Office of Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers. Other sponsors include the Muslim Student Association, Hillel of Orange County, APARC and CSUF InterVarsity. Refreshments will be provided as well as complimentary pizza courtesy of APARC. The panel will take place Wednesday in room 203 of the Pollak Library.

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FEATURES

PAGE 4 APRIL 19, 2016 TUESDAY

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George Parker, 24, CSUF graduate student, commuted six hours a day by bus during his first semester at Cal State Dominguez Hills. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from CSUDH, he enrolled in Cal State Fullerton’s graduate program for higher education. He hopes to one day become the president of CSUF.

Poverty: Hardships motivate student CONTINUED FROM

George’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver two weeks after his second semester at CSUDH started. The doctors were unsure of how much time she had left to live. “Her potential demise really shook the fabric of reality for me, because I didn’t understand what was happening,” George said. Since his mother could no longer work due to her illness, another source of income was cut, further affecting the family. “Our parents can’t help us pay for anything, so we rely solely on ourselves and the government,” said Jazzmyne Parker, George’s sister and a third-year student at Cal Poly Pomona. During George’s second semester, however, he got a car and secured a spot in on-campus housing. He had

a place to stay, but his family did not. “I experienced a lot of guilt toward that,” he said. George questioned whether he should move out of the dorms and give his family the extra money in order to take care of them. George decided to stay on campus. Even school counselors and academic advisers suggested that he simply drop out of school, he said. Yet George understood that a degree would be his ticket out of poverty. “If I can just get this degree, I’m gonna be alright,” George said. Visits with his family consisted of pulling his car next to theirs and sleeping in the vehicle beside the one they rested their heads in. Recalling an instance where his family wanted him to stay the night at a hotel they had rented out

for the week, he described a subsequent breakdown: “Before I left, I remember I just cried and cried and cried in my car for an hour just because I couldn’t believe this was happening. My mom was legitimately dying and my family was homeless and there was nothing I could do,” he said. His home life, despite his determination to attend college, affected George’s grades. He withdrew from two classes and was put on academic probation during his second semester. “That feeling of perpetual hopelessness, it really breaks you down,” George said. “No matter how strong I wanted to be, I couldn’t.” George eventually grew close to a group of friends on campus that served as positive influences in his life. They pushed him to be academically sound

and to stay in school. One in particular, Kyle Hinson, played a pivotal role in helping George get off of academic probation. “I was really considering dropping out my second semester of my second year, but (Hinson) was just like, ‘Just finish this semester with me, then we will figure it out.’ He really helped me,” George said. From there, George never looked back. “I’ve been blessed to have the ability to develop very good friendships,” he said. “I credit that to most of my success in life.” George balanced working multiple jobs, the uncertainty of his mother’s health and his family’s overall stability throughout college. Then in March 2013, after his mother was placed on permanent disability and his father secured work at a temp agency, his

family was finally able to afford housing after five years of homelessness. “Me and him didn’t grow up in the best of households,” Jazzmyne said. “Even through all of that, he still persevered.” George obtained his bachelor’s degree within five years. After finishing at CSUDH, he moved back home with his parents and younger sister, where his mother, whose health has stabilized, wakes him up in the morning. “The reality that I came to accept is that she’ll never get better, but as long as she’s on top of it, she can’t get worse,” George said. Today, George is set to graduate with his master’s degree in spring 2017 and aspires to one day become the president of CSUF. Having worked with a number of schools in the inner city of South Central Los Angeles from 2013

to May 2015, George has a heart for making a difference, according to the CSUF Diversity Initiatives and Resource Center website. George was on the Executive Board for the Male Success Alliance at CSUDH, where he was “responsible for student engagement” and helping students reach their goals and academic potential, according to the same website. “We still struggle every day at home, but he still pushes through,” Jazzmyne said. “He pushes me to be better than I am.” George said he will not forget the role that relationships with people played during his struggles. He aspires to simply make a difference and offer that same sort of assistance to others. “I want to pay it forward and give back,” he said.

Costumes: Designers collaborate to put on shows CONTINUED FROM

Kincaid, the lead costume designer for “Into The Woods,” looked up the specific time periods connected to each of the characters. She also watched a 1980s recorded version of the play, as well as the recent cinematic adaptation. For Kincaid, research is crucial to the design process. “(If) I didn’t have research, I would be nowhere,” she said. Sutton said that she drew from various sources, such as books, the internet and field research, for her work on “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” “A huge part of designing is researching, and if you’re invested in it then it makes

that not an arduous process, but an exciting process,” Sutton said. Dressing the actors so that they fit into any given production is made possible not only through research, but through collaboration between different artists. Sutton said that she and the director of “Merry Wives of Windsor” were “on the same page,” and that it’s part of a costume designer’s job to give costumes a look that is cohesive with the other aspects of the play. The scenic and costume design needed to look as though it came from one artist, even though multiple artists work on productions together, Sutton said. Kincaid said the final outcome of collaboration is the

synergy of elements in the show. “It’s not just about the costumes,” Kincaid said. “It’s about the show, and with the other elements, when they come together, it’s art.” Collaboration not only aids the production, but also helps in the formation of a costume designer. “Watching it come to life onstage is the best part for me,” Kincaid said. “I feel like I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into what I do.” Sutton finds costume design creatively rewarding. She said that costume design is a fulfilling way for her to satisfy her drive to create. Though the costume designer may not be lauded

by the audience in the same way that actors are, Kincaid said the experience of designing for a production is a reward in itself. “I’m super stoked all the time when I get asked to do something,” Kincaid said. “I’m humbled and I’m grateful for just the experience alone.” As production comes to a close, Sutton recalls the melancholy that comes with having to see her artistry and the work of others put away. The satisfaction of having been a part of a new design experience, however, outweighs the sadness of the curtain closing on a show. “I think the magic of theater is that if I keep involved, I will get this experience over and over again,” Sutton said.

NOLAN MOTIS / DAILY TITAN

Kaylynn Sutton, a design and technical production major, designed costumes for CSUF’s production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

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OPINION Assistive technology can come in handy PAGE 5 TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2016

Funding for R & D toward helping the disabled is lacking CODY GION Daily Titan Breakthroughs in assistive technology (AT) offer a highly promising future for people dealing with disabilities, but a lack of funding is quickly diminishing the opportunity for those who need it. There needs to be a greater initiative to support these organizations to provide handicapped individuals a chance to lead better lives. Ian Burkhart, a 24-year-old quadriplegic, was the first person in the world to control his arm via assistive technological equipment, which is any software or piece of technology that is used to help a person improve his or her functional capabilities, according to the Assistive Technology Industry Association, a nonprofit organization of manufacturers for people with disabilities. At the age of 19, Burkhart was involved in an accident after sea diving in North Carolina, resulting in a broken neck that left him paralyzed. After Burkhart dealt with four years of paralysis, a team from Ohio State University asked him to be part of a test that involved planting a microchip in his brain that dealt with motor movement. He accepted. “It takes data directly from the brain, in this case Ian’s

brain, by an array that’s implanted in his brain and it decodes that and takes those signals and uses them to stimulate Ian’s own forearm to cause his muscles to contract and move in the way that he wants them to,” said Nick Annetta of the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, to NBC. AT has come a long way but has yet to reach its full potential. The groundbreaking achievement to allow a disabled person to gain or regain control of his or her limbs could be the beginning of a new era in assisting the disabled. “I thought it was really crazy that we were able to move my hand originally, and now to be able to do all the different tasks that we can do, it’s mind-blowing,” Burkhart said. The clinical trial has been cut short since the funding is set to expire by the end of the year, which effectively cuts Burkhart’s time with the miracle tech short. Since it is now possible for disabled patients to move arms with supportive technology, the only limiting factor is time and money. Research and tests regarding AT should be federally funded, instead of being funded by private donors and individual states, in order for researchers and the public to gain as much information as possible to develop permanent solutions to assist those who need them. At the University of Pittsburgh, Jan Scheuermann, a quadriplegic suffering from

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Innovations in assistive technology have helped many disabled individuals regain motor functions. However, failure to properly fund production has stifled the industry, abandoning some who seek help.

spinocerebellar degeneration, was the first patient to test the newly developed mind-controlled arm in 2014. She was able to bring a chocolate bar to her mouth by controlling the robot arm with her mind. “Our project has shown that we can interpret signals from neurons with a simple computer algorithm to generate

sophisticated, fluid movements that allow the user to interact with the environment,” said Jennifer Collinger, Ph.D., senior investigator and research scientist for the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, to Tech Times. These technological advancements are not only meant for those with severe defects, but for

anyone with varying levels of physical disability. AT has already been in use for a variety of patients. Their efforts could result to permanent solutions in the future that will be more easily acquired. Vocal recognition programs, screen readers and screen enlargement applications are examples of

computer technology being used to better assist people with mobility and sensory disabilities. AT continually achieves previously unaccomplished feats, but advancements are being pushed back because of finances. Funding and reinforcement should be sought to bring more hope to those who are suffering.

Letter to the Editor “Earth Week: How we can all make a difference” FROM KRISTIE MIDDLETON, SENIOR FOOD POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES Over the last decade, phrases like “go green” and “reduce your carbon footprint” have become firmly embedded in our lexicon, just as Earth Day has become an annual celebration. As an environmental advocate, this couldn’t make me happier. I’ve been inspired to see people switch to efficient light bulbs, recycle and use canvas shopping bags instead of paper or plastic. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they recycle on a regular basis compared to a quarter of Americans in the 1990s. Yet, while more people have come to recognize the carbon footprint cost associated with everyday behaviors like driving cars, a leading cause of environmental degradation has remained largely hidden: factory farming. According to the United Nations, animal agribusiness plays a prominent role in climate change. Wherever factory farms operate, there is sure to be environmental degradation. Untreated manure from hog farms run off into our rivers, streams and other waterways, killing fish and causing algal blooms. When this waste inevitably reaches our oceans, this creates what scientists call “dead zones” — areas of the ocean where all life dies off or moves away due to a lack of oxygen. The damage done to our planet by animal agribusiness is well-documented and ever-increasing;

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as our population grows, so too does our demand for meat. The good news is that more and more people are connecting what we put on our plates with our impact on the planet. The result is that we as a nation are enjoying more meat-free meals as a way to help ourselves and the planet that sustains us. Since its revival in 2003, Meatless Monday has mushroomed. The idea is simple: enjoy a holiday from meat one day a week. It’s a simple solution with many benefits. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, “If every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetables and grains … the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of U.S. roads.” A Carnegie Mellon University study found that we’d each do more good for the planet if we ate meat-free just one day a week than we would if we ate exclusively local foods. There are even more compelling reasons: farm animals, like the dogs and cats we consider members of our families, are individuals with personalities, needs and the capacity to suffer. Yet on industrial factory farms, they’re often treated like mere units on a production line with little consideration for their suffering. And, of course, eating more plant-based foods and

fewer animal-based foods is good for our health, too. The American Heart Association recommends “substituting some of the meat in your diet with vegetables” as a simple way to reduce risk of heart disease (America’s No. 1 killer). Even former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has touted the virtues of meatless eating, pointing to fitness celebrity and vegetarian Bill Pearl, who, according to him, is, “one of the greatest bodybuilders ever.” Equally exciting is the new world of food you’ll begin to explore when you enjoy more meatless meals. From exotic fare like Indian and Ethiopian dishes to familiar favorites like spaghetti with marinara and vegetables or bean burritos, there’s no shortage of options. Perhaps the easiest and tastiest way to improve our diet is by practicing the three Rs: “reducing” or “replacing” consumption of animal products and “refining” our diets by choosing products from sources using higher animal welfare standards. Small changes multiplied by millions make a big difference. Each of us, by pledging this Earth Day to participate in Meatless Monday, can make a tremendous difference for the world and its inhabitants all year long.

OPINION

PAGE 6 APRIL 19, 2016 TUESDAY

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HOROSCOPE

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ARIES

(Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)

It appears as if the cosmic weather is settling down, but don’t get your hopes up for a permanent shift of energy. You could run into a wall later this evening if you overestimate your stamina. A patient and methodical approach serves you best.

LEO

(Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)

You might not understand what people are trying to tell you today. And, if they are judging you too harshly, you probably won’t even hear a word they say. Examining tough issues now is the key to evolving into a better you.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)

You’re ready to race ahead today, even if you’re stuck in the starting gate. You may attempt to make the most of your precious time, but your patience has run out. Although you are eager to start living your adventure right now, you must be gentle with yourself.

TAURUS

(Apr. 20 - May 20)

You are all set to reveal your innermost desires today, but you have a tough time putting your feelings into words. Sharing it with a close friend may be the catalyst to allowing you to let go with a clear conscience.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23 - Sep. 22)

Pinpointing the source of the apparent negativity can be difficult now if someone seems to be working against you. Luckily, this uncomfortable situation won’t last long and you should be able to resolve the problem without turning it into a major crisis.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)

You can overcome your self-imposed limitations by ignoring the facts for a while today. However, your current resistance stems from childhood fears that continue to impede your progress. Take your journey a one step at a time until you know exactly where to go.

GEMINI

(May 21 - Jul. 20)

Your thoughts don’t matter more than what is in your heart today. Nevertheless, you may surprise yourself with how much you long to hear those magical words of acknowledgment from someone special.

LIBRA

(Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)

You may be happily surprised by a close friend’s response when you express your feelings today. But there’s no need to accommodate people by saying what you believe they want to hear; just share what’s in your heart exactly as you feel it.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)

Containing your enthusiasm is a challenge these days since you truly believe anything is possible. In fact, you’re so excitable now that you might not be able to focus on the work in front of you. Channeling your energy into a positive sets a good example.

CANCER

(Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)

You continue to single-mindedly concentrate on your career and are driven to figure out the purpose of your life. However, you’re much easier for others to get along with today if you’re in touch with your imagination because your fantasies are an important source of your happiness.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

You’re hoping to propel your life in a new direction today. You may choose to focus your feelings on a single person or one particular situation as you obsess about a specific goal.

PISCES

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20)

Finding the right starting point today can be tricky, making your day somewhat complicated to manage. It seems as if you’re blowing around on the whimsical breezes of your imagination and you can’t ground your thoughts. Practice being quiet. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

SPORTS

PAGE 8 APRIL 19, 2016 TUESDAY

PATRICK DO / DAILY TITAN STOCK PHOTO

Cal State Fullerton’s freshman infielder Hank Lo Forte completes the out at second in the Titans’ final game against the UC Davis Aggies on Sunday. The Titans dominated throughout the weekend, taking the three-game series sweep over the Aggies to improve their overall record to 21-13.

Baseball hits the road for Bakersfield Titans to compete in nonconference game against Roadrunners RYAN PORTER Daily Titan After its sweep of the UC Davis Aggies, the Cal State Fullerton baseball team is preparing for a single road game at Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday. The Titans (21-13 overall, 7-2 Big West) go into the contest ranked No. 43 in the NCAA RPI rating.

Last year against Bakersfield, the Titans were routed 14-1 at Hardt Field. Josh Vargas recorded three hits in four at-bats and Tyler Stieb went one-for-four with the only RBI of the day. The Titans burned through six pitchers in the blowout. Connor Seabold started on the mound, but gave up four hits and four runs until he was replaced by Maxwell Gibbs in the second inning. Thus far in the 2016 season, the Titans trail UC Santa Barbara (24-7 overall, 5-1 Big West) for first place in the Big West standings and

are one game ahead of Hawaii (17-17 overall, 6-3 Big West). Tanner Pinkston, who was listed as the Big West Conference Field Player of the Week on Monday, is the first Titan baseball player to earn a Big West field player award this season. The senior infielder boasts a .320 batting average, with 41 hits, two home runs and 24 RBIs. He ranks third on the team in on-base percentage with .403 and leads the team in runs scored with 29. Besides freshman catcher

Jake Pavletich, who has a perfect 1.000 batting average with one hit on one atbat, Dalton Blaser leads the Titans with a .345 batting average and .447 on-base percentage. The senior outfielder struts a solid 38 hits on 110 at-bats. He has scored more runs than he has strikeouts with 13 and 10, respectively. Junior shortstop Timmy Richards follows in the offensive standings, as he sports a .271 average and .365 on-base percentage. In addition, he has 32 hits on 118 at-bats and leads

the team in home runs with five. Among starting pitchers, Seabold (4-2) has a team-leading 1.97 ERA. He has given up just 10 runs, all earned, in 45.2 innings pitched. In six starts and nine appearances, the righty has given up just 31 hits and five walks. Freshman Colton Eastman is next among starters with a 2.41 ERA. He has given up 39 hits and 14 earned runs in a team-leading 52.1 innings pitched. In the other dugout, Bakersfield bats a solid .264 as

a team led by Dustin Frailey, who has batted an excellent .407 in 113 at-bats and a team-leading 46 hits. Although Bakersfield’s bats are worthy of notice, its pitching is lackluster, featuring a 6.12 ERA amongst total pitchers. Andrew Hansen, who leads the team in starts, also has a team-leading 5.09 ERA for its regular starters. In search for their fourth consecutive win, the Titans travel to Cal State Bakersfield for a single away game against the Roadrunners at Hardt Field on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

PATRICK DO / DAILY TITAN STOCK PHOTO

Junior catcher Alexis Gonzalez leads the red hot Titans with seven home runs and 35 RBIs. Fullerton remains a perfect 9-0 in conference play this season.

CSUF to host mid-week contest against Toreros

Softball in search of 10th straight win in San Diego matchup AARON VALDEZ Daily Titan

Looking to stay undefeated in the month of April, the Cal State Fullerton softball team will host the University of San Diego Toreros in a nonconference matchup Tuesday. Taking a well-deserved break from Big West play, the Titans go into Tuesday’s contest riding a huge wave of momentum as they are currently on a nine-game winning streak. Fullerton’s impressive 9-0 conference record places it atop the Big West Conference standings, far above Cal State Northridge (25-19 overall, 5-4 Big West), which resides in second place. The Titans’ most recent outing came in a three-game series sweep over the UC Davis Aggies this past weekend. Formidable pitching from Titan aces Desiree Ybarra and FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @DTSPORTSDESK

Sydney Golden helped silence the UC Davis offense, allowing just four runs throughout the entire series, the Titans scoring 19. The pitching staff for Fullerton has been on a tear the entire season, as it boasts a 2.12 ERA overall and an even better 1.05 ERA in conference, which leads the Big West. The Titans also own a conference-leading 47 strikeouts. The Titans’ offense has played consistently through the course of the season as they don a .309 batting average and an on-base percentage of .392. They have also accumulated a staggering amount of RBIs and home runs with 194 and 19, respectively. Players to watch out for during Tuesday’s game against the Toreros include CSUF’s senior infielder Missy Taukeiaho, who owns an impressive batting average of .389 and has logged in 29 RBIs. Taukeiaho’s teammate Alexis Gonzalez has followed suit, as she goes into the game with a .371 average at the plate and a team-leading 35 RBIs. The Toreros have struggled

this season as they have a subpar 16-25 overall record and 3-9 record in conference play. However, they are coming off a solid 2-1 series win over the Loyola Marymount University Lions, which should give them a slight confidence boost in the contest against the Titans. San Diego currently boasts a respectable .291 batting average and a .349 on-base percentage. The Toreros have tallied 158 RBIs, but have allowed their opponents to record a total of 181. Despite their decent offensive showings, the Toreros have experienced many troubles on the defensive end as the pitching rotation owns an abysmal 4.34 ERA. Junior right-hander Megan Sabbatini has been San Diego’s best option in the circle, with a 3.39 ERA. Before they head out to the University of Hawaii for a conference series against the Rainbow Wahine, the Titans look to extend their winning streak to 10 games as they take on San Diego on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Anderson Family Field.

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM/SPORTS