Daily Titan - April 27, 2009 by Daily Titan

INSIDE: SPORTS

Titans shut out 49ers in softball series finale, page 10

Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 42

FEATURES: Flicks from CSUF students debut at Newport Film Festival, page 6 OPINION: Health in a Handbasket, Walking for a cause, page 7

Daily Titan

Monday April 27, 2009

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Police search for suspect in rape near campus Fullerton police are asking the public’s help in locating the suspect who sexually assaulted a 19-year-old college student as she was jogging in Craig Regional Park Monday, April 20, evening. Sgt. Mike MacDonald said the woman was jogging near the ball diamonds at the park, 3300 N. State College Blvd., at about 8 p.m. when a car began following her. At one point the man driving the car got out and chased the woman, catching her and then throwing her to the ground, where he raped her. The woman said after the assault, the man got back into his car and drove off. A friend of the young woman who had planned to join her in jogging found the victim and took her for medical treatment. She did not require hospitalization. MacDonald said the woman described her assailant as black, with a very light complexion, 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds, with short hair. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a white T-shirt and gray sweatpants. The victim said the suspect was driving a 2007 black Honda Civic two-door. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the suspect or his car is asked to contact Detective Ron Bair at the Fullerton Police Department at (714) 738-6762.

Theatre students nationally recognized Cal State Fullerton took home both national titles at the 41st annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, the first time in the history of the Irene Ryan Scholarship auditions that a single university won both awards. Graduate students Meredith Hinckley of Santa Ana (with acting partner Paul Collins of Santa Ana) and Adam Navarro of Costa Mesa (with partner Courtney Howe of Rancho Santa Margarita) from CSUF’s Department of Theatre and Dance received the two $2,500 fellowships. The awards recognize their work in campus productions of “The Night of the Iguana” and “As You Like It.”

Professor attends autism conference A handful of speakers, including CSUF Assistant Professor Suzanne Robinson, attended the “Autism Inclusion and Evidence-Based Practice” conference held in Brea April 24 and 25. The goal of this conference was to discuss the best practices for dealing with individuals who have autism. Dunnick Karge, the conference chair, has said that “Studies show that autism afflicts one in 150 children in the United States and is four times more likely to occur in boys.”

WEATHER

TODAY

TOMorrow

High: 68 Low: 52

High: 66 Low: 51

Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

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Titans stampede Elephant races follow traditional ‘Day of the Titan,’ first started May 11, 1962 at the ‘Dumbo Downs’ By Rochelle Cadiz

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Among clusters of fervent crowds at Welcome to Cal State Fullerton Day, was the Student Life Programs’ sponsored elephant races Saturday in the Quad. The day, which was devoted to all things CSUF was intended to provide prospective students exposure to the campus community and everything it has to offer through panels, workshops and open networking. Tables sponsored by various campus organizations circled around the Quad in front of McCarthy Hall and continued on the Titan Walk, leading to the Titan Student Union. Groups of students, friends and parents traveled around campus taking their first tours of the university. Prior to summer orientation for incoming freshmen, the welcome day was also a time for current students to show off their Titan pride. “Today is a time for incoming students and their parents to find out ways to stay invested in the campus. We’re one of the most recognizable schools in the nation.” said Aisha Brent, sophomore business administration major. A campus rich in history, the first elephant races date back to May 11, 1962, then known as the Day of the Titan, according to the CSUF Web site. Then named Orange County State College, the first race attracted 10,000 onlookers to a nearby spot known as “Dumbo Downs,” which was an isolated area standing near the current Titan Student

Union. Thus, the Titan mascot became an elephant. Although Saturday’s elephant races did not include the actual elephants of the historic 1962 race, students and spectators were excited nonetheless to show off their school pride. Participants were asked to create four-wheeled, human-powered elephants no bigger than five feet in height, width and length. “We made our elephant out of foil, a wagon and a pool noodle,” said Frank Sanchez, a freshman Radio-TV-Film major. Viewers couldn’t help but beam with smiles as student teams charged down alongside McCarthy Hall, pushing the miniature makeshift animals. The water polo club team consisted of Bailey Caulum, Kayleigh Atwater and Kelsey Camara. The team lost but finished with animated smiles on their faces. “I saw the races last year. It was cool to watch, so we said, ‘why not, let’s join,’” said Atwater, a junior child and adolescent studies major. The elephant they proudly made in less than two hours was made after they gathered the materials at Home Depot. The top three teams were awarded with certificates recognizing their contribution to the festivities. An award also went to the team with the most creative elephant. Although the race lasted only minutes, it created a lasting impression for participants and spectators. “It was fun making the elephant, and it will be just as fun taking it apart,” said Kelsey Camara, a freshman business major.

Photo By Lauren Worsley/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Britney Sepulveda, Mercedes Hansen and Jennifer Hart of the Equestrian Team combined with Matthew Nelms, Jeffery O’Brien and Eric Lichtenstein of the Rugby Team win the Elephant Races Saturday, April 25.

Water ‘scarce, limited resource’ in So. California

Photo by Jeremiah Dobruck Jim Thebaut, a documentary film-maker, accepts the Distinguished Communicator Award for his film ‘The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?’

Documentary focuses on the condition of the Southwest water supply By Jeremiah Dobruck

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

As part of Communications Week, Thursday night’s expert panel took a look at how precarious Southern California’s water supply is and explained how a major shift is needed if Los Angeles and Orange County residents want to stay hydrated. Attendees got a look at pieces of the documentary “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?” by Jim Thebaut, before delving into questions about local and worldwide water issues. Being declared an “official Titan,” Thebaut received Cal State Fullerton’s Distinguished Communicator Award last Thursday for his work educating the public through his “Running Dry” films, documenting water problems throughout the world. “Every 15 seconds a child dies from lack of water or water-related illnesses,” Thebaut said. Every year, communications faculty vote on an individual to receive the award. Anthony Fellow, Communications chair and a director for the

Photo Courtesy of MCT A plan to carry more water along the California Aqueduct, shown at the Bethany Reservoir in Alameda County, Calif., in 2003, is under scrutiny for how it may affect farms and the environment.

MWD, said that this year the vote was unanimous for Thebaut largely because of his international humanitarian work including a documentary on South Africa’s water challenges. Fellow also said he hopes to get the Communications Department involved in Africa, and possibly have a study abroad trip there available in the future. “He’s trying to improve the planet, save the planet I should say – save humanity,” Fellow said. Thebaut received the elephantshaped award after returning from Africa Wednesday, and directly after parts of his documentaries were screened for Titans in a Communications Week event. “(Water) is becoming a very sacred and limited resource,” Thebaut said. His documentary detailed the strains being put on the Southwest’s water supply by perennial drought, an aging infrastructure and unconscientious use. “People love their lawns,” said Timothy Brick, panelist and chair

“You don’t recover from a drought of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of South- with 82 percent of normal,” Brick ern California. “We’re using water said. Thebaut said water reserves are extravagantly.” well below half. By extravaAquifers, where ungantly, Brick derground water is means the 140 stored, are also begallons of water ing depleted. a day per person This does not Americans use, even address the which dwarfs aging infrastrucother nations ture and aqueduct, like Australia which carries water and Great Britfrom the Sacramenain, as reported – Anthony Fellow, to Delta to Southby Thebaut’s ern California. documentary. Communications A major earthPortions of chair quake would not the documentary screened that help the problem. night reported It could increase that every source water problems for of water Southern California uses is Southern California for years, Felunder great duress. low said. According to the documentary, Thebaut’s documentary reported the Colorado River has become that levies vital for getting water to overly stressed, and precipitation the millions of residents in Southhas been on a steady decline. Even ern California would not withstand though rainfall has been up this year, a 100-year storm or major earthit is only 82 percent of normal. quake.

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He’s trying to improve the planet, save the planet I should say – save humanity.

“

DTSHORTHAND

In response to that, Brick said the MWD wants to ask citizens to use 10 percent less water and pay 20 percent more. That decision became official Tuesday when the MWD board voted to reduce the amount of water that local agencies get, and bump up the price this year and possibly next year as well. “We’ve reached the end of an era of cheap water in the Southwest,” Brick said. The MWD distributes imported water to local agencies, which governs how almost 19 million people get drinking water throughout Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties, and is lobbying for longterm solutions everywhere from local government to Washington, according to the MWD Web site. The bright side, however, is that Southern California is making progress. Fellow said Los Angeles is using the same amount of water as in 1980, even with its expansion, and Brick said Orange County is a leader in reusing water – something he believes is a vital part of the solution. “Irvine is a model for all of California,” Brick said citing landscaping that is not water intensive, construction regulations and tiered rate structures that increase charges for citizens who overuse water. Thebaut said he believes a major shift is needed to support the Southwest’s water needs, but he’s optimistic it can happen. By individual conservation, adoption of California-friendly landscaping as opposed to oversized lawns, governmental regulations and planning out urban development, he believes there can be a major shift, but it has to be embraced by the next generation. “What was interesting to me is that we use so many gallons of water,” Cesar Gonzalez, a communications major in attendance, said. Gonzalez took the simple recommendations of the panel seriously: Turning off the water while brushing teeth and taking shorter showers. These simple steps are as key as major infrastructure and legal changes, according to the panel. “We’re not going to hell in a hand basket if we’re smart,” Thebaut said.

Page Two

April 27, 2009

IN OTHER NEWS

Swine flu health emergency declared

Iraqi government claims U.S. raid violated agreement

WASHINGTON (MCT) – Warning the worst is yet to come, U.S. officials Sunday declared the rapid spread of swine flu to be a public health emergency, and freed up 12.5 million doses of antiviral medication to help fight the disease, which has now infected 20 people in five states. The move comes as state and local authorities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the international health community step up public awareness, testing and surveillance in an effort to stop the disease before it becomes a global epidemic. On Sunday, four more cases were confirmed in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. In Mexico, where the outbreak originated, nearly 90 people have died and thousands of others have become ill from swine flu in the last several weeks. The World Health Organization said the new swine flu strain has “pandemic potential.” A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges, people have little or no immunity to it and there’s no vaccine for it. No deaths have been reported in the United States, but officials confirmed Sunday that eight students at a New York City high school tested positive for the disease after dozens had complained of flu-like symptoms. Some of the students had recently returned from a spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico. The school has been closed as a precaution. Authorities have confirmed seven more cases in California, two in Kansas and Texas and one in Ohio. More cases are expected in the coming days.

BAGHDAD (MCT) – An early morning U.S. raid that left two Iraqis dead was launched without Iraq’s permission, a serious violation of the rules that are supposed to govern American military conduct here, the Iraqi government said Sunday. Six Iraqis were arrested in the raid, which was carried out before dawn Sunday by a U.S. Army unit in the Iraqi city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad. Two other Iraqis, a man and his sister-in-law, were shot and killed. The U.S. military confirmed the raid, but said in a written statement the operation was “fully coordinated and approved by the Iraqi government.” The six people who were arrested and the man who was killed are suspected terrorists, the American statement said. The woman who died was shot accidentally, the military added. The Iraqi complaint threatens to add to the strains between the Shiite Muslim-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the United States. U.S. officials complain that al-Maliki isn’t doing enough to reconcile with Iraq’s Sunnis, whom many blame for the upsurge in violence.

NATIONAL

Officials say campus safe after shooting, despite late alerts HAMPTON, Va. (MCT) – Believing there was little danger of further violence, Hampton University officials waited nearly two hours to alert students after three people – including the shooter – were shot early Sunday morning in the lobby of an on-campus dormitory. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. Sunday when a former student walked onto campus and shot the 62-year-old night manager of Harkness Hall, as well as a 43-year-old pizza delivery driver, said Hampton, Va., police spokeswoman Paula Ensley. He was carrying three weapons, according to HU President William Harvey. The first alert – sent by text message, e-mail and an automated message to dorm phones – was sent out at 3 a.m., Harvey said. No current students were injured in the shooting, police said. The former student, an 18-year-old from the Richmond, Va., area who voluntarily withdrew from the school in November 2008, then turned the gun on himself, Ensley said. The man was living in New York, where his mother also lives, said Harvey. His father is a Richmond resident and his brother lives in Norfolk, Va., said Harvey.

STATE Judge seals murdered girl’s autopsy details, ensuring fair trial STOCKTON (MCT) – A San Joaquin County judge on Friday agreed to seal the details of an autopsy on the body of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu of Tracy. Superior Court Judge Linda Lofthus, in response to a request by the District Attorney’s Office, said releasing the report could cause public outrage and make a fair trial it impossible for the woman charged with raping and killing Sandra. It also would be “an invasion of the Cantu family’s privacy rights,” Lofthus added. The ruling came during Melissa Chantel Huckaby’s second courtroom appearance since being charged with kidnapping, raping and slaying Sandra, whose body was found earlier this month in a suitcase floating in an irrigation pond. The girl had been missing for 10 days, and had last been seen skipping through the trailer park where she lived with her mother, Maria Chavez. Huckaby, 28, was a neighbor of Sandra and her family at the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park, and her daughter frequently played with Sandra.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan. Please contact executive editor Jessica Terrell at 714-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

Daily Titan Editorial

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Jessica Terrell Michal Olszewski Austen Montero Luis Delgadillo Jesica Eastman Eui-jo Marquez Sean Belk Christine Amarantus Muey Saephanh Christee Lemons Brittney Lange Crysania Salcido Skyler Blair Brittny Ulate Amy Dempsey Daniel Suzuki Isa Ghani Ricardo Chavira

“As we continue to look for cas- actions to minimize the impact on es, I expect that we’re going to find people’s health.” them. We’ve ramped up our surveilA “pandemic severity index,” delance around the country to try and veloped by the CDC, ranks flu outunderstand better what is the scope, breaks in terms of expected deaths what is the magnitude of this out- and is modeled after the hurricane break,” said Dr. Richard Besser, the warning system the National Weathacting director of the CDC. er Service uses. President Barack Obama is getThe mildest flu strains, those exting regular briefings and updates pected to kill fewer than 90,000 on the outbreak and the steps being Americans, would be known as Cattaken to address the problem. egory 1 outbreaks. The most severe, Homeland Security Secretary Ja- a Category 5 flu epidemic, could net Napolitano is heading the fed- kill more than 1.8 million U.S. resieral effort dents. to deal with S u n ABOUT SWINE FLU: the outday’s health A respiratory disease of pigs, swine emergency break, but numerous influenza infections occur most com- declaration other defrees up fedmonly among humans who are in close eral, state, partments, including proximity to pigs. However, the disease and local reHealth and also can spread from person to per- sources for Human Serdisease preson. Highly contagious, swine flu has vention. vices and Agriculture, The move the same symptoms as regular human are also inallows agenflu, including fever, cough, sore throat, cies to convolved. headache, chills and fatigue. The viduct diagrus spreadnostic tests, ing throughout the U.S. appears to if necessary, on young children. It be the same strain that has infected also OK’s the release of 12.5 milMexico, but health officials are un- lion courses of antiviral medications sure why the U.S. outbreaks haven’t Tamiflu and Relenza from the nabeen as severe. tion’s strategic stockpiles. To date, all U.S. flu victims have The drugs will go to states in recovered, and only one has been need, with priority given to those hospitalized. with confirmed cases. That could change, however, since Travelers entering the United infectious diseases, and the flu vi- States from infected locations will rus in particular, are unpredictable, be subject to “passive surveillance,” Besser said. in which they’ll be asked questions “Given the reports out of Mexico, about their health. Those with symptoms will be isoI would expect that over time, we’re going to see more severe disease in lated, given protective equipment this country,” Besser warned. “We and could be subject to further testdo think that this will continue to ing, Napolitano said. spread, but we are taking aggressive Although the State Department

PATERSON, N.J. (MCT) – In attract attention, tourists and money America’s newest national park-to- to an old mill city struggling to rebe, a rainbow gleaming in the mists cover from decades of decline. of a breathtaking waterfall vies for The National Park Service deattention with glittering piles of dis- murred, concluding in 2006 that carded beer cans. the Paterson site “does not appear Paterson Great Falls National His- to have particularly unique resources torical Park, created by President Ba- unlike those already represented in rack Obama’s signature March 30, is the national park system or protected not Yosemite. Or the Grand Canyon. and interpreted by other public and Or the Everglades. private entities.” It is a 35-acre confluence of naBut Pascrell and his congressioture and history on the Passaic River nal allies, including House Speaker tucked into a tumbledown former Nancy Pelosi (whose chief of staff, industrial area that surrounds the John Lawrence, is a Paterson native), East Coast’s second-largest waterfall. persisted, and the park was included In the 1790s, Alexander Hamilton in an omnibus lands bill that passed hoped to make the falls the engine of last month. the United States’ nascent manufacSo it probably was inevitable that turing industry. In critics immedithe 19th and early ately dubbed Pa20th centuries, the terson Great Falls falls powered faca “pork park.” tories that made Nevertherevolvers, locomoless, on a recent tives and silk. Wednesday, conIn recent times, gressmen, senathough, the bigtors, National gest thing to hit – Javiel Velez, Park Service offithe falls was an cials and commuPatterson native unlucky victim nity leaders gathwho got tossed off ered under white the footbridge in an episode of “The tents in a light rain to celebrate. And Sopranos.” in a post-ceremony meeting, they beFor years, local officials, especially gan the laborious process of gathering former Paterson mayor and now land records and working out details Rep. William Pascrell Jr., fought to that will allow the Department of the put the “national park” stamp on the Interior to officially proclaim the site falls and surrounding area as a way to a national park.

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A lot of people can come here who don’t have a chance to go to Yellowstone or someplace.

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photo courtesy of mct Newly christened Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, N.J.

“We’re not talking about Yellowstone,” Pascrell said. “But in its way, it’s just as significant as Yellowstone. This is where the Industrial Revolution started. “For a city that is trying to crawl back up to what it once was, this is so critical.” Pascrell envisions an amphitheater, restaurants, an interpretive center and a link to the nearby downtown. “We don’t want to put purple ropes around this place,” he said. “We want people to come down here and spend money. That’s part of what this is all about.” The first visitors already are trickling in, drawn by the news that a national park is coming to New Jersey’s third-largest city. And nearby Libby’s hot dog stand (“Texas weiners since 1936”) is doing a booming business. “I was surprised to see it in the

city; I thought it would be more like wilderness,” Rhonda Knudson, of Bordentown, said as she and her husband, Garrett, and two children stood on the pedestrian bridge below the falls. Javiel Velez, a laid-off warehouse supervisor who has lived in Paterson all his 31 years, said he hoped the park would mean “a lot more money and security” for the area. He said the local waterfall would be a good standin for bigger, more-distant falls. “A lot of people can come here who don’t have a chance to go to Yellowstone or someplace,” he said. “It’s just a shame there’s so much garbage around.” Despite efforts to clean up for the celebration, debris still bobs in the river’s eddies and clings to the greening shrubbery among the factory ruins.

Plane lost in ‘44 resurfaces

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hasn’t issued an official travel advisory for Mexico, that could change. “Right now, we don’t think the facts warrant a more active testing or screening of passengers coming in from Mexico,” Napolitano said. “But again, this is a changing dynamic that we may increase or decrease that as the facts change over the next 24, 48, 72 hours.” She urged travelers to check the Department of State Web site for updates. While the source of the virus is unclear, Besser said it doesn’t look as if bio-terrorism was a factor in the outbreak. “There’s nothing that we have seen in our work that would suggest anything but a naturally occurring event,” Besser said. He added the swine flu strain is like other new flu strains that have emerged. “It’s an assortment – it’s got genetic components from a number of sources, including human, swine and avian sources. And that’s something that you see with new strains,” Besser said. Health officials are urging people who have developed flu-like symptoms after traveling to areas where the disease has emerged to contact their doctors to determine what testing and treatment is appropriate. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano urged all citizens to help curb the spread of the disease. “The government can’t solve this alone,” she said Sunday. “We need everybody in the United States to take some responsibility here. If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands, take all of those reasonable measures; that will help us mitigate, contain how many people actually get sick in our country.”

Newest national park

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INTERNATIONAL

photo Courtesy of MCT Paul Ehorn helps haul a WWII-era naval dive bomber onto land from Lake Michigan at Waukegan Harbor on Friday in Waukegan, Ill. A group of undersea treasure hunters and Great Lakes salvage experts have retrieved the plane 65 years after it fell off a training aircraft carrier.

CHICAGO (MCT) – The salvage workers had lifted the World War IIera dive bomber through 315 feet of water in Lake Michigan the day before. They hauled it underwater to Waukegan Harbor in darkness. By the time it saw daylight Friday – the first time in more than six decades – a couple hundred people, including children and war veterans, circled the harbor. A chugging, diesel-powered crane lifted it skyward by inches as the salvage men worked slowly to make sure the wings broke the surface of the water and not the other way around. Friday morning, the SBD-5 Dauntless identified by Navy Bureau No. 36291 touched down on a blue tarpaulin alongside Waukegan Harbor. As America rushed to train naval pilots to fight in World War II, thousands of them learned the tricky art of landing at sea on Lake Michigan, where a pair of passenger liners had been turned into aircraft carriers. A handful of pilots died, and more than 100 planes were lost to the lake. About 40 have been recovered, restored and placed in Naval collections, avia-

tion museums and airport terminals. The plane, which after restoration will be displayed in The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, was found in a review of naval accident documentation and sonar scanning offshore. A remotely operated submersible photographed it and fitted it with a sling and an inflatable balloon to carry it up. A&T Recovery diving engineer Keith Pearson dove into the freezing water and met it about 100 feet down, a shadow in the infinite blue surroundings. The plane was lost Nov. 24, 1944, as Ensign Joseph Lokites, a pilot with 380 flight hours, tried his third of about six required landings on the USS Wolverine. “It just crashed. I guess it ran out of gas or something. I took over from another pilot,” Lokites, 86, said in a phone interview from his Des Moines, Iowa, home. He landed in frigid water, and the right wing dipped under, but he was still able to jump out. “It’s not cold when you’re fighting for life or death,” he said, chuckling.

NEWS

April 27, 2009

Passengers still try to board planes with banned items Despite seven years of keeping prohibited items out of the sky, officials at the TSA are still having a difficult time getting passengers to comply with regulations FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (MCT) – The drill has been the same for the past seven years: Don’t pack guns, fireworks or hunting knives in carry-on bags. Same goes for switchblades, box cutters and power drills. Ditto for meat cleavers, ice picks and chain saws. Yet the Transportation Safety Administration routinely intercepts such prohibited items. Most items

are deemed dangerous because they can be used as weapons or, in the case of flammable liquids, to make bombs. Why do so many people still pack such prohibited stuff, even though the TSA has been scrutinizing passengers and their belongings since February 2002? “Unfortunately, people fail to focus on what they pack,” said Sari Koshetz, the agency’s spokeswoman.

“It’s obviously still a serious phenomenon.” In many cases, passengers try to “artfully conceal” items, she said. One woman tried to sneak a small python through a checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in May 2008 by hiding it in her bra. “She claimed its case was broken and she thought that was the way to carry it,” Koshetz said. “The airline

denied her from boarding.” If that wasn’t weird enough, security officers found two bloody alligator heads stuffed into checked baggage last August. In a separate incident, they found two frozen alligator heads in a bag in January. Although not exactly dangerous, the heads were flagged because “anything that comes up suspicious looking will be further investigated,” Koshetz said. At Palm Beach International Airport, security officers last year found several human heads packed into a cooler. It turned out they were being transported by a research company, which had a legal permit, officials said. Security officers at that airport also have found baby sharks squeezed into bottles, and chain saws. The TSA intercepted more than 6.5 million items nationwide last year, meaning, on average, 21 of every 100 passengers tried to carry a Transportation Safety Adminstration officer David Allen checks luggage at Fort prohibited item past security. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, April 15. That included 902 guns, of which 18 were intercepted in Fort Lauder- the revenue benefits state projects, mail them home. dale, 13 in Miami and one in West Koshetz said. How many dangerous items get Palm Beach. Sandy Blank, a Palm Beach fre- past the TSA agents? Very few, KoIf passengers fail to declare a fire- quent flier, said until recently the shetz said. arm, they will be TSA would occa“There is covert testing at every questioned and possionally stop him checkpoint and at every lane across sibly arrested. for carrying cans the country every day,” she said. Since January of deodorant or She added the agency’s ultimate 2007, the Broward bottles of after- mission is to look for “improvised Sheriff’s Office has shave. explosive devices,” the greatest threat arrested 84 people Then he to aviation. “For national security at Fort Lauderdalelearned to take reasons,” she wouldn’t say how many Hollywood Intersmaller quantities have been found. national Airport for and put it in a Steve Landes, of Boynton Beach, carrying guns and small plastic bag, president of the South Florida Airconcealed weapons, as the TSA rec- line Commuters Association, admits – Steve landes, ommends. including five so far he has been stopped for trying to this year. “They confis- take bottled water past the checkPresident, South Florida The Palm Beach Airline Commuters cated things until point. Sheriff’s Office has Association I wised up,” he But he understands the TSA’s made 12 gun arrests said. concerns. in the same period, In most in“People are gamblers,” he said. including two this year. stances, passengers “voluntarily “They always try to break the rules. “Anyone with a firearm goes to jail abandon” items at checkpoints. But when it comes to security, they unless they have a concealed weapon However, they can give them to a don’t realize this is a matter of life permit,” said Lt. Thomas Neighbors, friend, take back to their car or even and death.” who is based at Palm Beach International Airport. More commonly, security officers intercept sharp objects. For instance, they found 13,731 knives in Miami, 10,831 knives in Fort Lauderdale and 4,134 knives in West Palm Beach. That’s not to mention razors, baseball bats and walking canes that convert to swords. In all, 19,623 prohibited items were intercepted in Fort Lauderdale, 19,067 in Miami and 13,133 in West Palm Beach last year. The TSA hires a company called SAIC, based in San Diego, to dispose of the prohibited items on a nationwide basis. Most is treated as hazardous material and destroyed. Some is resold, allowed under state law as along as

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They always try to break the rules. But when it comes to security, they don’t realize this is a matter of life and death.

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PHOTOS COURTESY MCT Top: The Transportation Safety Adminstration’s Richard Pryor demonstrates how a walking cane could contain a sword at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, April 15. Right: The Transportation Safety Adminstration still intercepts thousands of dangerous items at checkpoints, the TSA displayed some of the items, including knifes and box cutters.

do nothing fight global warming.com

NEWS

April 27, 2009

Abstinence-only sex education comes under scrutiny CHICAGO (MCT) – The birds the center for sex education lessons and the bees may be universal, but taught by experts and tailored to the what schoolchildren learn about students’ age group in addition to, their sexuality is not. And it may or instead of, lessons at school. All topics are taught, but not to all age again be up for debate. This spring, Congress will con- groups. Eighth-graders from Gurrie sider whether to curtail its support of abstinence-only lessons. That, Middle School in La Grange settled coupled with a recent uptick in U.S. down this month for a lesson in the teen pregnancies and new research risks and responsibilities of sex. Physician David Bedney walked that suggests abstinence-only programs are not as effective as more them through the subject – eliciting sweeping programs at changing be- giggles and groans of “ew, gross!” – havior, may augur a shift in what during a two-hour class at the Hinsdale center. schools teach about sex. He covered the science of reproThe federal investment in abstinence-only education spiked 74 per- duction, adolescent development cent under President George Bush to and some pregnancy myths: Yes, girls can conceive even if they have total $176 million annually. President Barack Obama, mean- intercourse only one time; no, early while, has said he supports adding withdrawal does not constitute safe other forms of contraception to the sex; and please, if you think you lessons as part of an “age-appropri- might become sexually active, seek ate, medically accurate program” to the advice of your parents or teachreduce teen pregnancies. Congress ers, not a peer who “saw something cut $14 million from abstinence on MTV.” Bedney then delivered his central education programs last month. The tenor of the discussions con- message: “I’m not here to tell you cerns Valerie Huber, executive direc- what to do. I’m here to give you intor of the National Abstinence Edu- formation. I’m here to tell you, medically speaking, there is only one way cation Association. “If federal funding for abstinence to avoid pregnancy, and that’s abstinence. There are education were forms of contrato go away ... the ception that may breadth of the apreduce the risk, proach will be but that’s differhindered,” Huber ent.” said. “We’re hoping Regardless of that’s not the case, what Congress but so many comdecides on fundmunities and states ing, Superintenare in an economic dent Jay Sabatino downturn.” of Community Abstinence-only – Kathleen Burke, High School advocates contend that, just as adults CEO, Robert Crown District 117 in Lake Villa exdrill teens not to Center for Health Education pects abstinence drink and drive, will continue as educators should the backbone of teach them to avoid sex ed classes, out risk by maintaining celibacy until marriage. Those who of practicality more than politics. favor a more comprehensive ap- Preventing teen pregnancies isn’t as proach say leaving out other forms simple as teaching about birth conof contraception doesn’t jibe with trol, he said. “There’s always a balancing act, but you’ve got to start reality. Nearly two-thirds of high school from someplace,” Sabatino said. Still, seniors said they have had sexual in- school officials try to make their poltercourse, and 22 percent said they icies reflect the standards of the local had been with at least four partners, community. Many said neighbors the Centers for Disease Control and and parents offer a more immediate Prevention reported last year. Mean- barometer of what’s acceptable than while, a federal report in 2007 found policymakers in Washington. that abstinence programs had little In Gurnee, Woodland School effect on changing teen behavior, District 50 board member Terry and teen pregnancies climbed for the Hall last month questioned the qualsecond year. ity of the district’s abstinence-based “We have junior high school prin- instruction in response to a parent cipals calling us because they have complaint. The north suburban disfive kids who are pregnant. They trict adopted the program two years care deeply about students, but they ago, and other board members caudon’t know what to do,” said Kath- tioned against changing course. leen Burke, chief executive officer of “I approved the curriculum that the Robert Crown Center for Health was best for our community,” said Education. board member Carla Little, a viroloThe nonprofit center teaches gist and mother of four. “As politics 120,000 students annually at lo- change, we would still filter that cations in Hinsdale, Chicago and through what’s best for this comAurora. Schools bring students to munity.”

“

We have junior high school principals calling us because they have five kids who are pregnant.

Gurrie Middle School 8th grader Katie Mota, 14, front, and her classmates listen to a sex education lecture at the Robert Crown Center in Hinsdale, Ill. April 8.

Photo courtesy MCT

“

FEATURES

April 27, 2009

Nonprofit group provides medical care for the needy By Brittany Kunza

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

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Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras and the central hub of the activities of the Global Medical Brigade’s effort in Central America to spread sustainable health care to populations with little or no access to medical care. The Global Medical Brigade (GMB) links over 50 universities and volunteer organizations together as apart of Global Brigades, Inc., which is the world’s largest nonprofit, student-led international relief organization, according to GlobalBrigades.org. Cal State Fullerton’s chapter of GMB is in its third year and is preparing for its second week-long trip to Honduras, which is scheduled for August 2009. One of the returners is Fullerton’s GMB president, Colleen Reyes, majoring in psychology and criminal justice, who described some of the students’ response to the impoverished villages as an eye-opening experience. “Some of the girls just started crying because they couldn’t imagine people living that way,” she said. After landing in Honduras, students are shuttled by bus to a hacienda where they are housed for the duration of the trip. According to Reyes, the home formerly belonged to the president of Honduras. “It’s in the middle of nowhere,” Reyes said. “You stay in a room with a bunch of bunk beds, and the food is amazing, everything is cooked with clean water.” About 100 students from various universities are housed together. Each morning everyone eats breakfast, packs up medication and travels out to surrounding villages. Students also work side by side with doctors and help provide hundreds of villagers with much-needed medical care. “Every day was a different village,” Reyes said as she recalled one of her most vivid memories of a village four hours outside of the Tegucigalpa. “The people there needed the most help,” she said. “No shoes, no access to medical care. Not a lot of people can afford water and even if they could, it was probably contaminated with parasites.” The parasite-laden water problem only elevates the village’s dire condition. Cattle and horse fecal matter contaminate the river that people use as a water source. After witnessing this extreme poverty, “some of the students started taking off clothes and shoes, their lunch and gave them to the people,” Reyes said. She also left a lot of her own clothing behind. “(The villagers) were really nice and grateful that we

were there,” Reyes said. In the GMB general meetings, Reyes discusses upcoming fundraisers such as a coffee sale, restaurant promotion and “Hoops for Honduras,” a basketball tournament. All money raised goes to purchase medication to treat diseases that are spread by the widespread presence of parasites. Students participating in the trip have an extra $100 added to their fees, which go toward medication. Students are encouraged to raise as much extra money as possible. If cost is the main barrier that prevents students from following their passion to help others, donations may make the cost burden much lighter. Because GMB is a nonprofit organization, corporations receive tax-deductions for donations, making them more willing to give. Mandy Morales, senior Biology major, was able to cover the entire cost of her trip through individual donations and a restaurant fundraiser, in which the owner agreed to donate half of the proceeds from Morales’ group’s dining expense to GMB in addition to donating raffle items to give away at the dinner. “In one day I made 800-bucks for the trip,” Morales said. “It was easy, (restaurant) food fundraisers are probably the best way to go, bake-sales are harder.” If money is not the biggest issue, but safety concerns are hindering students from making the trip, GMB members who went on last year’s trip try to ease those worries. “The thing you should fear most is falling into a dirty river,” said Alian Aquino, senior physics major and GMB member. “I never felt unsafe at all.” GMB seeks to increase their participants’ safety and utility by running a clinic entirely for the police in the capitol, free of charge. “They keep an eye out for us because we provide them with free medical care,” Aquino said. “We got pulled over once after leaving Tegucigalpa, but once they realized who they were pulling over they were like, ‘I’m sorry! Thank you,’ and let us go.” The students who participated last year expressed no regret. They got to be involved with the doctors and experience an entirely new culture. “It is a slower way of life and they are not so concerned with materialistic shit,” Aquino said. Although the program is catered to pre-medical students, it is open to any interested students for $1200 for one week, including the $250 deposit due as soon as possible to reserve a spot. Reyes recommends those who are interested to preview the tasks and accommodations on YouTube under Global Medical Brigades, and attend a general meeting, which are held Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center conference room.

FEATURES

April 27, 2009

By Lauren Wenz/For the Daily Titan Orange County Museum of Art is one of six venues used for the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival.

Student filmmakers show their skills at film festival features@dailytitan.com

With a camera in hand, a story to tell and less than $50, he got his foot through the professional film industry door. When student filmmaker Sean Willis was given a class assignment, he felt compelled to share a short story with his peers about the socioeconomic irony of the “American Dream.” Unknowingly, his film became a showcased piece for hundreds, including industry professionals, at Orange County’s grandest film event of the year – Newport Beach Film Festival. “It’s really cool to get something out there for people to see,” said Willis, writer and director for “Just Breathe.” Willis and six other CSUF filmmakers were selected to showcase their work Sunday at Orange County Museum of Arts for the Collegiate Showcase’s CSUF Shorts at the 10th annual festival. CSUF films include Jacob Brookfield’s “A Plain Pic-

ture,” Thomas Cho’s “Suicide Gesture,” Aaron Scott’s love triangle’s mistress, who fails to capture the heart of a “Quantum Jobless,” Tommy Dinh’s “The Pound,” Javier boyfriend she is helping cheat. Inspired by witnessing relationships around him, DesDescalzo’s “Dear Zach,” Peter Hebri’s “A Mountain of calzo said he wanted to portray the “a love story that was One” and Willis’ “Just Breathe.” “College filmmakers themselves love (the festival). reverse” by telling the story of the “other woman.” Descalzo and other filmmakers participated in a quesThey get a free chance to show their work to top people tion and answer session in the industry,” Phillip with the audience to Woo, director of Collegive insight about their giate Showcase, said. films. The after-screenFor Descalzo, a firsting session is a festival time festival guest and aspect that is dissimilar featured filmmaker, the to watching a film in a event has sparked his theater setting. pursuance as a profes– Javier Descalzo, normal “It’s not a typical sional filmmaker. Director and producer of “Dear Zach” Sunday movie. You “It’s a great opportucan actually talk to the nity to show my work 258300A01 initially, and it’s also another great opportunity to get filmmakers. You have that interaction between filmmakmy name out there and to network,” Descalzo said. The ers and audience,” Woo said prior to the event. Through the showcase, Willis had the opportunity 26-year-old spent eight weeks directing, producing, editto challenge his audience to reflect on their beliefs and ing and screenwriting the film. Descalzo’s “Dear Zach” focuses on the viewpoint of a opinions through his film.

“

It’s a great opportunity to show my work initially, and it’s also another great opportunity to get my name out there and to network.

“

By stacey wang

Daily Titan Staff Writer

In “Just Breathe,” a hardworking American family feels betrayed by the government as they struggle to find a heart transplant for their son outside of the U.S. “While the United States is in numerous conflicts with Mexico at the moment, from a drug war to issues on immigration, the story brings to the surface the conflicts and battles that are submerged within our society amongst ourselves, our government and those that come here in search of the ‘American Dream,’” Willis said. For the Collegiate Showcase, all types of films from colleges and universities throughout Orange County such as UCLA, USC and Loyola Marymount University were exhibited during the weekend. Newport Beach Film Festival presents independent and studio films from around the world that span classical and contemporary filmmaking. Along with networking opportunities, the festival also offers workshops such as film composition and screenwriting to help individuals in the film industry develop their careers. The event, showcased over 400 films throughout Newport Beach.

My name is Peter, and in eight years I’ll be an alcoholic. I’ll start drinking in middle school, just at parties. But my parents won’t start talking to me about it until high school. And by then, I’ll already be in some trouble. The thing is, my parents won’t even see it coming.

START TALKING BEFORE THEY START DRINKING Kids who drink before age 15 are 5 times more likely to have alcohol problems when they’re adults. To learn more, go to www.stopalcoholabuse.gov or call 1.800.729.6686

OPINION

April 27, 2009

Titan Editorial Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960

Health in a Handbasket

“Because good health doesn’t just happen on accident” By Brittany Kunza

Daily Titan Columnist

The hundredth cometh Exercising isn’t always without purpose In the long haul of a four-year term, the media has made a big deal about the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s presidency. The first three and a half months were laid out as a measuring stick for the success, failure and what is to be expected by the rest of Obama’s term. And as the 100th day comes Wednesday, Obama has made many dramatic changes that have steered the country in a better direction. The highlights have included closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, sending more troops to Afghanistan, an exit strategy for Iraq being put in place, reversing the ban on stem cell research, the $787 million stimulus package and the early restructuring of America’s car manufacturers. Not bad for an opening act. While the entire population of the country may not agree with the decisions that have been made, something had to be done to reverse the fortunes of the United States. The global economic crisis, aswell as America’s negative worldwide image, put the country on thin ice and Obama took action, something the previous administration seemingly had no interest

Letters to the Editor:

in doing. Rather than focus on the problems at hand, the previous regime instead shifted focus on problems that did not affect America directly, and the result furthered the internal creation of many American problems. There are still many steps Obama needs to take in order to bring the country to the next level, but it has been refreshing to see the president stick with the many of the promises he has made. He will have to continue down this path if America is to have any hope in weathering the storm that has emerged. Perhaps it isn’t fair so much has been placed on Obama’s shoulders, but he has taken every pound that America has put on his back and continually works to put this country back on top. The biggest task is not to do it all himself, but to have Congress and the rest of the world buy into what he envisions for America, and it seems he is on track to do this. Only three months in, it looks like America has gotten the leader it needed and the public is left with the only thing it could have asked for in this dark time – hope.

Any feedback, positive or negative, is encouraged, as we strive to keep an open dialogue with our readership. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Direct all comments, questions or concerns along with your full name and major to the Daily Titan Opinion Desk at opinion@dailytitan.com.

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students or guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board. Only the editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board.

Different causes and fundraisers often include walking and running events that make donating a workout This weekend I did my cardio in a new way, that besides tripping over a boulder and scraping my shin, was exciting and for a good cause. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Pacific South Coast Chapter held its 22nd annual Walk MS last Saturday at the UC, Irvine campus to raise money to fund research in hopes of finding a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain, spinal chord and optic nerves) by the immune cell’s malfunction leading them to attack the myelin sheath, according to the National MS Society. The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that coats parts of neurons and allows for the propagation of signals. This means that MS results in the body’s inability to send normal nerve impulses originating or returning to the central nervous system and affects sufferers in different ways, from numbness to paralysis. Many participants at the MS walk sported shirts with pictures or names of loved ones they were walking to support. Cal State Fullerton 2008 post baccalaureate graduate Thomas Joseph Buretta, walked Saturday in his sixth MS walk in support of Barb Hoke, a recently retired CSUF staff member with 18 years of dedication to the Health Professions Advising Office, and who also suffers from MS. “Being at work and with the students has really kept her motivated, and in return we (students) get motivated,” said Buretta of Hoke’s positive impact on pre-health profession students. Waking up in the early morning hours on a Saturday was not very pleasant, but upon arriving the walkers, volunteers, vendors (giving away lots of free things) and Walk MS staff had energy and smiles that were entirely contagious. Although they were handing out free protein bars by the handful, I am banking on the fact that the energy and enthusiasm were generated from gathering together for a good cause. “With the amount of people, it has been a great turnout,” said Beth Clark, a MS Walk coordinator. “People want to come and enjoy the community feel.” With almost 3,500 participants adding to that friendly community feel, walkers and those in wheelchairs battling MS – and the one jogger who tripped over a huge boulder, me – made their way through the meandering paths of UCI with the festivities continuing alongside the walkers. There were guys playing guitars, snacks midway through and people cheering around each turn and pointing signs as if the huge crowd ahead was not big enough indication of which way we should go. Regardless, their enthusiasm made my two-mile jog more fun than ever. With this, I am suggesting that the Student Rec Center commission has the Titan Tusk Force cheer as we run on the treadmills. I think I could probably get a mid-seven minute mile with this kind of encouragement and lower my overall

body fat percentage a few points. Because the likelihood of this happening is little to none, sticking to charitable events might be our best bet. While it is free to walk, participants are encouraged to exercise their philanthropic side and donate as much as they would like, or can raise. The estimated money raised just for Saturday’s event was around $390,000, with an overall sum of about $1.2 million from the recent races and overall goal of $2.2 from the races to come, according to Clark. As college students, we don’t often make correlations between ourselves and severe debilitating diseases, but the fact is any one of us could be future sufferers of MS or some other chronic autoimmune or other type of disease. For instance, MS affects about 400,000 people in just the United States, and 200 more generally between the ages of 20 and 50 are diagnosed with it each week, according to NationalMSSociety. org. The disease may start out with minor implications on the body, but can elevate to very severe debilitating stages, depending on the indi-

vidual’s exhibited progression of MS. On the other hand, we may not all get affected but we can help, have a great time and workout while doing it. Other local fundraising events include: The March of Dimes March for Babies May 3 in Loma Linda (see marchforbabies.org for more information), a more intensive three-day/50 mile MS Challenge Walk from Carlsbad to San Diego September 11-13 (see challengecas.nationalmssociety.org for more info) or Cal State Fullerton’s Dodge Stigma dodgeball event supporting mental health programs Friday from 2 - 5 p.m. Contact PHUN@fullerton.edu or call (714) 278-2852 for more info. Workouts do not have to be tedious and mundane. Be creative, there are many ways to have fun and get some good physical activity. You could start your own event to promote a good cause or even motivate friends at the gym with encouragement. Staying healthy is a lifestyle choice, and to endure it for a lifetime, it is essential to have fun doing it.

SPORTS

April 27, 2009

Titans fly through Lister Classic By Mario aguirre

Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

Though some could argue that Cal State Fullerton track and field has not exactly lit up the competition with jaw-dropping results, members of the team suggest that they’re preparing themselves to peak just as the season winds down. Friday and Saturday’s events were just one example. The Titans had a good outing as they headed to Cal State Northridge and Cal State Los Angeles Friday and Saturday to partake in the Lister Classic. CSUF’s Jameena Hunt collected three first-place finishes in the women’s shot put with 47- 3 1/2 inches, discus with 145-6 inches and hammer throw with 153-10 inches. Hunt’s performance stood out in the absence of Ciara Short, who sat out the weekend competition. Head Coach John Elders said he made the decision to rest Short, who has earned personal records in the 200 and 400-meter dash this year, before the Big West Championships get underway in less than three weeks.

Short broke the school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.68 April 19, at the Mt. SAC Relays. “This is kind of a low-key weekend for us, so some of our athletes are resting today,” Elders said. “So we didn’t have our whole group here. But despite that, what you hope from a meet like this is to get some good performances, get people some confidence to go into these last few weeks before the conference championships. And hopefully we can peak and have a great conference championship. I think we accomplished that today.” Bryan Luther, one of Fullerton’s top sprinters, also sat out the weekend. Among those who also made the most of their opportunity were sprinter Chazz Evans and Bonnie Sorensen, who competed in jumps. Evans, a junior, clocked a personal record of 25.00 to finish second in the second section of the women’s 200-meter dash. Her break-through helped qualify Evans for the Big West Championships, according to Elders. Evans said she was motivated to do better in the 200-meter dash after

finishing fifth with a 12.33 time in the 100-meter dash. “It was OK,” Evans said. “It (the 100-meter dash) wasn’t as great as I wanted it to be. And then in the 200 it was good.” Evans did better in the 200-meter dash, during which the winds were the highest of the four sections in that competition. “The track is pretty good,” Evans added. “The wind helped a lot going in our favor. It was going in the right direction – it only helps you. If it was going the opposite direction, it would have been horrible.” Jesse Owens Track at Cal State L.A. is known for its good wind conditions for competitions such as jumps, throws and sprints. Sorensen, a sophomore, took first in the women’s high jump at 5-feet6 inches. Teammate Sandy Gonzalez tied for second in that same competition, jumping to 5-2 1/4 inches. “Amazing,” Sorensen said in response to how she felt with her performance. “There was a 45-minute wait (to compete) because the pole vault went really long, but still managed to pull through. It was a good day.” Alison Stamos took first place

Think Different. Think Simon.

sports@dailytitan.com

None of you had probably ever heard of Jeremy Tyler until last week. He is a junior at San Diego High School and has a dream of playing in the National Basketball Association. So what makes him so special? He is not your normal 17-yearold high school student. At 6-feet-11 he towers over his peers. On top of that, Tyler has recently announced that he is dropping out of high school to play professionally in Europe. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he is skipping his senior year of high school to go play in a league full of men twice his age. He has an NBA body and his competitive fire is apparent. He is a man among boys and he scores mostly on dunks.

“

By simon liang

Daily Titan Sports Columnist

He is not LeBron James, the last Tyler has already gained national attention because he is one of the sure-fire high school superstar who is currently doing great things in the top players in the class of 2010. I watched a nationally televised league. His offensive game is raw and his game between him and future USC fundamentals on the defensive end Trojan Renardo Sidney. Although Tyler held his own in are sub par. Of course, with the right coachthe paint, you could see the immaturity from his constant heckling of ing, he can definitely fix those deficiencies. the officials. Who knows what is going to hapGranted his team lost by 39 pen once he is in points, but he had no right to be One thing is for sure, Europe? Just look at a drama queen in Brandon Jena game that scouts this might become a nings, one of the were scrutinizing. disturbing trend of kids top prospects in We might fordropping out of school the class of 2008. get that he is 17, He decided to but this guy wants because they think they go overseas imto play in Europe are better than everyone mediately after and succeed in else. high school. the NBA? Although he is First of all, he has to drop that attitude if he is go- still a projected lottery pick, he has ing to make a living playing basket- only averaged 5.5 points a game, and there have been questions about how ball. I see where he is coming from. He he improved. If Tyler opted to stay here, and wants to get better because he feels the opposition here is not on his with a loaded Louisville team, he could have gotten more exposure level. Tyler committed to go to Louis- and raised his draft stock. Tyler stated, “It was boring and I ville, but feels that one year there will not benefit him in the long run, and wasn’t getting better.” OK, the competition was not the professional experience overseas good enough for him, so why not will pay dividends. I guess he is helping college bas- transfer to basketball powers like ketball by not “pretending” to go to Mater Dei or Oak Hill? Those teams play top tier squads school for one year and then bounce on a nightly basis with players who to the NBA.

in the women’s pole vault at 11-8 inches and Andrew Sullivan tied for first in the men’s pole vault at 15-8 inches. Amanda Robles, who finished fourth in the women’s 3000-meter run, clocked a personal best at 10:33.56. Ashley Millett also got a personal best in that competition as she finished in 10:44.36. “I think our team is doing really well,” Evans said. “People are getting frustrated because we’re not getting the times we want to, but it’s supposed to be that way so we could peak toward the end. So, for the most part, everyone’s running fast for the time of the year that it is right now.” Jonathan Golden finished third in the men’s triple jump at 13.90 meter. The Lister Classic, named after Cal State LA alumnus Tommy “Tiny” Lister, drew approximately 500 people throughout the two-day event. Lister, who was a shot put national champion in Division II in 1982, is most famous for his role as “Deebo” in the “Friday” and “Friday After Next” movies.

are sure to become future NBA stars. Why not wait? There are many lingering questions. One thing is for sure, this might become a disturbing trend of kids dropping out of school because they think they are better than everyone else. Nothing is guaranteed. Tyler might play five minutes a game overseas and never have the chance to improve. He might not even get off the bench. It is all at the coach’s discretion. Yes, athletes in other sports and children actors are working at a young age. Professional basketball is a different animal. Tyler is going to battle against guys who will beat him up physically and have no remorse. He will have target on his back, especially if he goes in thinking he is superior. The main reason for this bizarre decision was to better prepare himself for the NBA. How was the old way not the best way? By cheating the system, Tyler is certainly a trailblazer in his own right. Don’t get me wrong. I hope he succeeds, but he is way in over his head.

UPCOMING GAMES BASEBALL 04/29/09 vs. USC 05/01/09 vs. UCSB 05/02/09

vs. UCSB

GOODWIN FIELD

6:00 PM

GOODWIN FIELD

7:00 PM

GOODWIN FIELD

6:00 PM

05/03/09 vs. UCSB GOODWIN FIELD 1:00 PM SOFTBALL 05/02/09 vs. CSU Northridge ANDERSON FIELD 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 05/03/09 vs. CSU Northridge ANDERSON FIELD 12:00 PM TRACK AND FIELD 05/02/09 PAYTON JORDAN INVITATIONAL Palo Alto, Calif. STEVE SCOTT INVITATIONAL Irvine, Calif. 05/03/09 PAYTON JORDAN INVITATIONAL Palo Alto, Calif.

IN OTHER NEWS BASEBALL

Titans sweep UC Davis with two shut outs Gary Brown had four hits to lead a 21-hit attack and Daniel Renken pitched 5 2/3 innings of no-hit ball on his way to his first victory in five weeks Friday afternoon as No. 10-ranked Cal State Fullerton cruised to a 13-1 Big West Conference victory at UC Davis. Renken (5-2), who allowed five hits in 8 innings for his first win since March 19. Colin O’Connell pitched a scoreless ninth. All 11 Titans who came to the plate had at least one hit. Renken faced only one man over the minimum through the first five innings. He didn’t allow a base runner until walking Daniel Cepin to lead off the fourth. In the sixth, Renken walked two and gave up his first hit when Kelly beat out a grounder to short. But he preserved the shutout by striking out cleanup hitter Jared Thompson. Saturday Brown’s second home run of the year broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, and Tyler Pill tossed his second complete-game shutout, as CSUF beat UC Davis 3-0 in a Big West Conference baseball game at Dobbins Stadium Saturday afternoon. Pill (7-1) used just 104 pitches and held UC Davis to just four hits in earning his seventh win of the season. The Titans collected three of their four total hits off Davis starter, and losing pitcher Scott Chew (1-5), but Brown’s two-out, sixth-inning shot down the left field line proved to be the game-winner, spoiling Chew’s efforts. Fullerton tacked on a pair of

ninth inning insurance runs against Scott Lyman with a scoring ground out and an RBI-single. Sunday Brown and Colon homered and freshmen Noe and Nick Ramirez combined on a six-hitter Sunday afternoon as Cal State Fullerton shut out UC Davis for the second day in a row with a 6-0 Big West Conference victory. Noe (5-1) went the first eight innings and allowed four hits while walking one and striking out seven. Nick pitched the ninth inning as Fullerton won its sixth game in succession to improve to 29-11 overall and 9-6 in the Big West. UC Davis, which managed only one run and 15 hits in getting swept in the three-game series, fell to 7-31 and 1-11 in the Big West. Jeremy McChesney fell to 1-6. Brown hit his second home run in two days and his third of the season to put the Titans ahead, 1-0, in the first inning. Colon hit his second home run of the series and fifth of the year to make it 2-0 in the third. Khris Davis doubled home Jared Clark with two out in the sixth. Clark had been hit by a pitch. Jeff Newman manufactured a run in the seventh with a single. The Titans scored twice more in the ninth. Joey Siddons had a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and Colon followed with an RBI hit Fullerton hosts USC in a nonconference game Wednesday night and then hosts a three-game series with UC Santa Barbara at Goodwin Field, where the Titans are only 10-7 this season. Story courtesy of Titan Media Relations

You don’t have to be an NFL star like Reggie Bush to be a player! Just Get up and play an hour a day! It’s a great way to be healthy, have fun, and avoid a lazy penalty. Being healthy and staying active is important. Visit smallstep. gov to learn about fun ways to get an hour of exercise a day!

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Aries (March 21 - April 19) You’ll get one of those pieces of toast today with a really big hole in it, and the jam will squish out the bottom. That’s it though, for today’s excitement. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Today you will irritate people. In fact, you’ll irritate yourself. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Good day to bring your entrenching tool with you. You never know... Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Late in the day today you will notice that people seem to be staring at your nose. Don’t worry. It’s probably nothing. Leo (July 23 - August 22) Too much “musk” in that cologne - don’t try it. Or if you do, bring along a few carrots for the moose. Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Today will be a complete waste of time. You will at least learn to spell “equaminity”...er...”equanimbity”...no...hmmm. You will learn to spell a word like that, today. Libra (September 23 - October 22) You know that how you dress will inevitably send a message to those around you. In this case, your message is “Help! Help!” Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) A person wearing a frilly pink tutu will appear, uninvited, at your next potluck event. He will become quite ornery, when you ask him to leave. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) You look rediculous in that. Go and change. Capricorn (December 22 - January 20) It will turn out that someone you spend a great deal of time with is actually one of the last remaining Sinanthropus (Peking man), rather than an actual Cro-Magnon. This will explain things you’d been wondering about. Aquarius (January 21 - February 18) You will have a trifle too much punch at a party this week, and will amuse the other guests by flopping around on the floor an making “Ark! Ark!” sounds. But who cares? If they want to be stuffy, let ‘em, I say. Pisces (February 19 - March 20) You’ve been finding that the best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray. Or is that awry? Awiggly? It’s something along those lines. Anyway, the thing to do is to fire your mice.

SUDOKU

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.

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SPORTS

April 27, 2009

Titans save 49er series with 2-0 shut out win

After dropping the series and losing both games Saturday, the Titans fight back giving up only three hits to The Beach Sunday By mario aguirre

Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

By john fajardo/For the Daily Titan The Titans celebrate after their shut out victory of the Long Beach State 49ers. Although the Titans dropped the series to the 49ers they are holding strong in second place in the Big West Conference.

Beaten and battered through two games against host Long Beach State, the Cal State Fullerton softball team showed resilience as they avoided what could have been their first sweep of the season with a 2-0 Big West Conference victory yesterday at the 49er Softball Complex. The Titans were paced by Lauren Lupinetti’s home run in the second inning and Samanatha Dollarhide’s single, which scored Courtney Martinez, to help put an end to Fullerton’s only conference losing skid this

Photos By brittni torres-moten/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Left: First baseman K.C. Craddick gets set in ready position Saturday at the 49er Softball Complex. Above: Whitney Kroh checks back on the action after safely scoring a run Saturday afternoon.

season. Martinez and Dollarhide each went 2-for-3 at the plate as the Titans regained sole possession of second place with conference play winding down in less than two weeks. CSUF secured a much-needed win yesterday to prevent their only losing streak in conference play, which came at the hands of the 49er team that played poised in Saturday’s doubleheader. Long Beach took a 3-2 win in the first game by scoring the winning run on a bases-loaded walk. Then, in the encore, the 49ers handed the Titans a disheartening blow with four runs in the sixth inning to take a 6-4 victory en route to claiming a 2-0 advantage in the weekend series. But the Titans made adjustments to make sure they wouldn’t endure a sweep. “We jumped on the first pitch,” Titan Head Coach Michelle Gromacki said. “We also had discipline on the bats.” It helped as Fullerton came out early and jumped to a 1-0 lead on Lupinetti’s solo home run to left field in the top of the second inning. “I think it was a big factor in why (Sunday) happened,” Lupinetti said. “You know, I’m not trying just to take credit like ‘Oh, I hit a home run and got fired up.’ But I think it was a really good pace-setter to the rest of the game and how our energy was and our attitudes.” But there were a couple of rough spots, particularly hitless innings for the Titans in the first, third and fourth. Fullerton also blew two scoring opportunities, in the fifth, with bases loaded, and sixth innings, thanks in large part to Long Beach State’s Brooke Turner, who recorded nine strikeouts in a complete game victory. “It didn’t (really matter at the

end), but I wasn’t happy about that. We did talk about that,” Gromacki said of the two blown scoring opportunities. “We’ve had that happen in the past, but I wasn’t very happy about it. I don’t feel our team was satisfied. We were up every inning. We were really trying to score those runs in.” It eventually happened in the fifth inning when Turner, who allowed six hits yesterday, gave up three straight hits to give Fullerton with some momentum. The Titans opened with singles by Martinez and Kadie Baldwin to help set-up their next run. Dollarhide singled to score in Martinez, who reached home plate just barely as Long Beach’s catcher fumbled a ball thrown to her. Titan pitcher Ari Cervantes recorded four strikeouts and went the distance in a complete game win. Fullerton didn’t have an overwhelmingly offensive effort, but it would suffice as the Titans celebrating the 49ers’ senior night on their home field. “Long Beach has a ton of veterans. It’s like playing at another level,” Martinez said. “And (Sunday) we came out like we were that firstplace team when we walked in here (Saturday). We know things that we had to control, and now we have second place in control. We put that pressure on Long Beach whether we were young or not, like, we just put it out there. I’m definitely satisfied with (Sunday) – definitely turning the corner for us. So it looks good for the next two weekends.” Now, the Titans will return to Anderson Field as they host Cal State Northridge Saturday in their final home stand before the Titans prepare for the NCAA Regionals to get underway May 15. Fullerton concludes the season with a three game assignment at UC Santa Barbara May 8-9.

By john Fajardo/For the Daily Titan Catcher Lauren Lupinetti hits a solo home run Sunday at the 49er Softball Complex in the Titans’ 2-0 victory over Long Beach State. Lupinetti’s third home run of the season so far gave the Titans the jump they needed to shut down an aggressive 49er offense.

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