December 4, 2013

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L E N D A L ECC O M M U N I T YCCOLLEGE OLLEGE GGLENDALE OMMUNITY

Volume 102, Number 6

El Vaquero Newspaper www.elvaq.com

L E N D A L ECC O M M U N I T YCCOLLEGE OLLEGE GGLENDALE OMMUNITY

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L E N D A L ECC O M M U N I T YCCOLLEGE OLLEGE GGLENDALE OMMUNITY

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L E N D A L ECC O M M U N I T YCC OLLEGE GG LENDALE OMMUNITY OLLEGE

Photo by Brayan Cecenas

ANOTHER YEAR: The Glendale Women’s cross country team showcases a CCCAA sports banner and second place medals marking its eighth

straight appearance in the State Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23. Star sophomore Elizabeth Nelson, bottom left, placed third overall in her last race to earn an All-American and All-Western State Conference title.

Set Designers Bring Performing Arts to Life

By Alexander Davis EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he seats are empty, the spotlights are off, the stage is barren, but for Guido Girardi, this is the real show.

As the production manager for the Performing Arts Department on campus, Girardi is responsible for the design and construction of sets for plays.

For Girardi, the performance takes place in a small warehouse behind the stage.

The smell of fresh sawdust pervades as members of the stage crew busily scan blueprints and operate power tools.The piles of plywood that surround them are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that Girardi

and his staff will piece together to bring a play to life.

One of the biggest challenges for Girardi and his staff is building in a confined space. Their work often spills out of the cramped warehouse and onto the stage. The set needs to provide enough space for the actors to navigate, but must be easy to store to leave room for other departments that use the stage.

For one particularly large set. Girardi designed a way for the pieces of the set to fold in and out, almost like bleacher seats.

“Our biggest challenges are time and space,” said Girardi.

“We work in a small space and only have a limited time…

w w w.elvaq script,” .com said Girardi. “We need

everyone needs to be on task.”

For ecological and economic reasons, most of the wood and general supplies are recycled from previous sets.

“I might be sifting through a pile of wood and find something that we used 10 years ago,” said Girardi.

The neatly arranged tool shed behind the stage features drills, saws and everything necessary to build a set.

However, these tools have slowly accumulated through the years. When Girardi first started on campus, there were only three drills and one saw.

Construction, however, is only part of the detailed process of set design.

“It all starts with reading the

to experience it and get a feel for it before we cut a single piece of wood.”

After getting familiar with the script, Girardi meets with the director to get a grasp of his or her vision and specific concepts for the play. “Figuring out the themes of the play is a huge component of what we do.”

The construction of the set is a group effort. The stage crew does the heavy lifting, but everyone, including actors, pitches in. Everything is built from the ground up, starting with the foundation and framework.

Next the crew makes the set [SeeSet Design, page 8]

EL VAQ ONLINE www.elvaq.com

55% For the online feature “Xbox One vs. PS4,” exclusive slideshows and more visit www.elvaq.com

December 4, 2013

State Headed for Water 50%Shortages and Restrictions

By Agnessa Kasumyan

EL VAQUERO MANAGING EDITOR

W

ith water flowing freely through the taps for continous disposal, it is difficult to imagine the life-sustaining fluid as anything but an unlimited resource.

However, as the state’s key water sources dry up, the reality of water being a limited resource is becoming all too real.

On Nov. 12, experts on water conservation solutions gathered in Los Angeles for the Forum on Water Crisis in Southern California.

The forum screened “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry,” a film directed and produced by the event’s moderator Jim Thebaut. Narrated by Emmy-award winner Jane Seymour, the documentary chronicles how a combination of low precipitation levels, increased populations, and both urban and agricultural growth will surpass water availability from key water sources, including the Colorado River.

Keynote speaker Davis Nahai, a former chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and a senior adviser to the Clinton Climate Initiative, said Southern California’s access to water from the Colorado River will eventually be capped due to a scarcity of the valuable liquid.

“Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink,” Nahai said, opening his speech with a quote from Samuel T. Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. “We actually don’t have ‘water, water everywhere.’ We

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[See Drought, page 3]

IN THIS ISSUE News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lifestyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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NEWS

El Vaquero

ASGCC Spring 2014 Election Results

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Result List Furnished Courtesy of ASGCC

El Vaquero Staffers Receive Scholarships

Charles Eastman

FACULTY ADVISER Michael Moreau mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000 ext.5214 ADVERTISING Jeff Smith jsmith@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext.5493 Send Letters to the Editor El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. To submit an idea or an article, e-mail the editor at elvaquero.editor@gmail.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

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Letters may be reproduced in full or in part and represent only the point of view of the writer, not the opinion of El Vaquero or Glendale Community College and its district. All letters must include the full name, address and phone number of the writer. You will be contacted before publication. El Vaquero is a First Amendment publication.

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Photo by Michael Moreau

JOURNALISM AWARDS: Representive from the L.A. Press club, Fernando Del Rio, awards scholarships to members of the El Vaquero staff on Tuesday.

(Pictured from left) Anna Del Rio, Jonathan Williams, Sal Polcino, Fernando Del Rio, Agnessa Kasmuyan and Kathy Bakowicz.

By El Vaquero Staff

F

our members of the El Vaquero staff were honored with scholarships from the Los Angeles Press Club Foundation Tuesday with checks presented by the foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board member Fernando del Rio, a retired longtime producer, writer and

broadcast personality for KCAL (channel 9) and KRTH radio.

Receiving awards were El Vaquero editor-in-chief Sal Polcino, photographer Kathy Bakowicz, managing editor Agnessa Kasumyan and sports editor Jonathan Williams.

Del Rioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife Anna, a retired television producer, was also in attendance. The staff of El

Vaquero has garnished a record number of awards this year from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California College Media

Association, and has also forged an alliance with the Glendale News-Press, in which staff members have published several articles and photographs.

What do you think Send a letter to the editor at: elvaquero.editor@gmail.com

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NEWS

Aliens Invade Campus with Cameras and Crew

By Agnessa Kasumyan

EL VAQUERO MANAGING EDITOR

C

ampus life seemed a little alien on Nov. 23 as nearly 100 cast and crew members prepared to film an episode of “The Neighbors,” an ABC television series about a family who moves to a gated community only to discover that it is inhabited by beings from another planet.

SB 243 was transformed into a film set as lights, cameras, and around 40 production workers huddled around actors Jamie Gertz (Debbie Weaver), Lenny Venito (Marty Weaver), and Brian Huskey (Professor Clint Vance) while they rehearsed a scene from episode 14 of season two.

Assistant director Adam Martin said that though no information regarding the episode’s plot can be revealed, as it is based on previously unaired episodes, it is titled “Man, Actually” after the 2003 film “Love, Actually.”

Though the cast and crew of the show occupied the campus for 12 hours, arriving as early as 5 a.m. to begin preparations for

the shoot, camera operator Buddy Fries says they only shot three minutes of the entire episode.

Fries said setting up usually takes longer than the actual shooting. The campus provided additional security guards, though Martin said they were not really worried about student interference.

“People are curious, but they are not overly attentive,” he said.

“It’s obviously different if you have Brad Pitt on set; then you have to fight people off.”

Contacted about two weeks prior to filming, it took a week to arrange what areas could be used for filming. However, the school typically tries to accommodate production crews because it is a way to generate revenue for the college. Vice president of administrative services Ron Nakasone said the school was paid nearly $10,000 for the 12hour shoot.

Nakasone said that more TV shows and movies are beginning to film on campus, with at least one shoot taking place every month. Last semester, television

Photo by Kathy Bakowicz

LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION: The film crew from the network TV show “The Neighbors” packs up its gear after filming at GCC on Nov. 23. The crew arrived as early as 5 a.m. and remained on campus for nearly 12 hours.

host Conan O’Brien filmed a segment of “Conan” on campus featuring the Women’s Athletic team.

“They’re happy with the service they get,” Nakasone said. “We have a staff dedicated

to making sure everything runs smoothly and so we are getting repeat customers who want to come back and film again.”

Martin said it is possible that another episode of “The

Neighbors” may be shot at the college. “Man, Actually” will be aired in January.

Agnessa Kasumyan can be reached at agnessakas@gmail.com

Southern California’s Water Sources Are Drying Up [Drought, from page 1] have a scarcity of water everywhere.”

Facing its worst drought in a century, the Colorado River’s water shortage will affect 30 million people. The river and its reservoirs provide water for the entire American Southwest, which includes six other states in addition to California; however, American Rivers, a non-profit organization that seeks to protect and restore rivers in the United States, named the Colorado River as the most endangered of all the nation’s watercourses.

It listed outdated management and overuse as primary threats to the river’s security. In other words, the river’s water supply cannot meet growing consumer demands, especially as populations continue to increase.

The city of Las Vegas is already beginning to experience the consequences of the sins of water exploitation.. In August, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Southern Nevada Water

Authority, the greater Las Vegas Valley’s water provider, called for federal disaster relief as a result of the Colorado River’s decreasing water levels.

The city of Glendale will also be impacted by the water crisis, as the city’s primary water provider, the Metropolitan River District, is heavily reliant on the Colorado River Aqueduct.

Aneta Badelian, a business account representative for Glendale Water and Power, said that, in total, all of Glendale used an average of 26,000 acres of water between 2011 and 2012. As the crisis advances, however, the city will implement stricter water restrictions.

As a result of past state drought issues, Atineh Haroutunian, a public benefits coordinator for the GWP, said Glendale city council enacted phases one and two of the city’s water conservation ordination between 2008 and 2009. Phase one, a voluntary conservation effort, and phase two, which required mandatory water conservation, resulted in

an 18 percent consumption drop.

During phase two, community members were only allowed to water their landscapes three times a week.

At the forum, Nahai advised localizing water resources. Sixty percent of Glendale’s water is imported through the MRD; however, Haroutunian said relying on groundwater would be an effective way of limiting water restrictions, as the city’s water regulations are based on the MRD. At GCC, small but effective measures have been taken to conserve water. Vice president of administrative services Ron Nakasone says that all urinals in male restrooms have been switched to waterless urinals, while new constructions projects implement water-conserving products, such as low-flush toilets, within the buildings’ infrastructure.

For many, wasting water comes easily. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American

family uses 300 gallons of water a day, with toilet usage taking up the most amount of the liquid.

Floyd Wicks, a water supply consultant and one of the forum’s panelists, said that many people do not fix toilet leaks, particularly in apartments where the residents do not pay the water bill and so do not feel the financial strain of leakages.

Letting water run unnecessarily is also a major source of water waste.

“A lot of people just don’t think about turning the faucet off when they’re washing dishes or rinsing,” said Wicks. “A lot of people will let their hose run

while they’re washing a car.”

In regard to saving water, Thebaut suggested living within environmental means and using more practical strategies, such collecting water through rainwater harvesting or desert gardening, or cultivating self-sustaining plants, such as cacti, that do not require additional irrigation resources.

“We have to implement major conservation,” he said. “We live in a desert in Southern California and we need to begin to recognize that we are a desert.”

Agnessa Kasumyan can be reached at agnessakas@gmail.com

For More: online stories, more photos, slide shows and breaking news. To join online forums, discussion boards, comment on articles, and add events to the calendar go to

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FEATURE

GCC Hiking Trails A Hidden Adventure

By Alexander Davis EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he climb is treacherous.

The trails disappear into thick brush if a wrong turn is taken. At the top, the hustle and bustle of campus is drowned out by the roar of the Glendale Freeway.

The hiking trails beyond campus are not easy to climb, but they provide access to a wildlife preserve only minutes away from the student parking lot.

The main trail reaches branches out into smaller trails as the hill becomes steeper. Some trails end abruptly, while others lead to pipelines that connect to fire hydrants below the hill.

Small lizards dart in and out of bushes while larger animals stir restlessly, hidden away in their nests. Skunks, bobcats and larger animals have been seen,

but during the day they are only heard, expressing distress about the human intrusion.

Near the top, the view of campus is dwarfed by the Glendale and Los Angeles skylines. The Griffith Park hills cast a massive shadow over Atwater to the southwest. To the southeast, the skyscrapers downtown Los Angeles peek over the hills further down the Glendale Freeway.

For more than 35 years, retired professor Ron Harlan scaled the hills to research local plant and animal life. He had made it his mission to protect the habitat while giving students an opportunity to explore and research.

Every semester, Harlan would take biology students on a hike to familiarize them with native plants. The idea of the hike is to get students out of the

Jonathan Williams can be reached at haxial.jonathan@gmail.com

Photo by Manvel Kapukchyan

SECRET HIKING TRAILS: High above campus, where wildlife abounds, hiking trails provide access to a wildlife preserve with sweeping views of the nearby mountains, GCC and downtown Glendale.

classroom and give them first hand knowledge.

“These hikes give students an opportunity to learn something,” said Harlan. “They are able to tell me about a plant by just looking at it.”

Although he is retired, Harlan is still involved in protecting the preserve.

Before he ever took a class hiking with him, Harlan helped design and build some of the trails. In 1991 he also helped halt construction of a parking lot, after he saw construction crews had leveled oak trees.

“They never bothered to do an environmental impact report,” said Harlan. “I wondered how anyone could have approved this project.”

The college once owned more

property even further up in the hills, but the land was sold when California State Route 2 was built. Despite the close proximity to the freeway and the campus, wildlife still thrives in the hills.

“We see a lot of lizards and snakes,” said Harlan. “Mammals are usually nocturnal, but we do see a lot of deer.”

Lunch tables can be found in a few places throughout the trails.

This attracts more students who can enjoy a view of campus and the Glendale skyline.

Since there is no one to regularly clean the area, hikers should.be responsible and carry their trash out of the area.

Alexander Davis can be reached at davis.alex60@yahoo.com

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FEATURE

Vaqueros Star Linebacker Tackles Life

By Jonathan Williams EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

V

aqueros’ most valuable player Noche Nowfer’s demeanor is warrior-like when he laces up his cleats and steps onto the football field. He is swift and agile for his size.

Nwofer was at an all-time low when football saved his life.

Unfortunately, it could not save the life of his close friend Isaac Ramirez.

“He and his whole family were in gangs, but when he was with me he was never into it,” said Nwofer.

Nwofer’s life changed forever when Ramirez, who Nwofer called his brother, was shot and killed in Willowbrook on the night of Nwofer’s 21st birthday.

Crammed between Lynwood and Compton, there have been 71 homicides in Willowbrook in the last five years. Nwofer has since moved to Glendale, where there were 17 killings in the same time period.

“When he[Ramirez] got killed, it woke me up,” Nwofer said.

Ramirez, running from an assailant, was shot in the head and right arm. He was pronounced dead at the scene after authorities had arrived. So far, there is no information or progress that has been made on the case.

“That was my rock bottom during that time. Everything that could of happened that year did happen,” said Nowfer. “It all happened at once.”

Nwofer, now 23, said many of his friends were in gangs and the devastation had caused him to head down a dark path.

Since Ramirez’s death, Nwofer has dedicated his football career to the friend he called his brother.

“That’s kind of the reason why I’m here,” said Nwofer.

At the time Nwofer decided to attend Glendale College; he wouldn’t let the same path that took the life of Ramirez take that of his close friend Michael Alarcon.

Alarcon, 23, rolled his truck five times during what should of been the happiest time of his life shortly after he accepted a full scholarship to Minnesota State.

The accident caused devastating injuries to Alarcon. He fractured his spine and lost the use of his left ear. Nwofer wanted to be there for his Alarcon, but was too afraid to admit his friend had almost died.

“Many drastic things happened in our lives, said Alarcon. “ We lost everything and that’s when he came to my door and said we should play football again, and now we’re here.”

After these tragic events, Nwofer’s grades improved and his priorities were on the right track.

Nwofer went All-California Interscholastic Federation as a football star at Artesia High School.

A Lakewood native, Nwofer’s entire family is Nigerian. His cousin, Uche Nwofor, has just been selected to the Nigerian national soccer team. He said it has been hard to keep in contact with his huge family, much of which is overseas. He is one of the few family members born in America.

Off the field Nwofer is well

spoken, calm and cool. His sense of humor shines through his bright smile and the diamond-like earings he wears even when the joke is on him.

“On my 23rd birthday my locker was wrapped up in tape, “said Nwofer. “ When I tried to unlock it, [it] was strapped up to the gate and as soon as I got to the middle of it there was lotion everywhere.”

Nwofer chuckled and said “there’s a hundred other things, but we’ll just keep it at that.”

Nwofer loves any kind of music, claiming he is “unbiased.” He constantly has his headphones on when he trots through campus and jokes with his football buddies Noche Nwofer in Plaza Vaquero.

When it comes to food, Nwofer personality only reflects his exclaimed his strong inclination humble attitude.

“I think he has one of the best for Mexican. work ethics on the team,” Eberhart “I have a burrito in my bag said. right now, ready to go,” he said.

When an opportunity arose Nwofer is majoring in law but to attend a division two school, isn’t quite sure if he wants to do Nwofer elected to stay at Glendale that long term. He transfered to because of his teammates. Not Glendale from Chaffey to play knowing the decision has kept football but was ineligible his first him up some nights season because he did not have “They respect me out here and transferable units. show me real love.

I wanted to pay Nwofer stands tall at 6 feet 2 them back with a championship,” and 225 pounds. He plays defense for a Vaqueros team that was third Nwofer said.

Nwofer’s effort was in the conference. unmatched.

This season marked Linebackers coach Alan Eberhart works with Nowfer the best since 2007 and the hiring of head coach John Rome. whenever they practice.

“If I have to say one word Despite an amazing effort, GCC to describe Noche, it would fell short in a loss to Pierce on be humble,” Eberhart said. “He’s the road 41-16 in their last game got all the characteristics and all in the 2013-2014 fall season.

It marked the last time Nwofer the wants.”

Eberhart said that Nwofer’s would put on a Vaquero uniform.

Photo by Jonathan Williams

Glendale was not elected to a bowl game, although Nwofer received an All-American nod for this year’s perfect defensive season.

“He’s All-American material,” Eberhart said.

Nowfer said he was going to take a couple of weeks off to “get his mind right” to decide on his future.

“I hope my kids are the same way: to not just be an athlete but the best athlete and to do what it takes to be the best in life.”

Nwofer also joined the boxing club at Glendale to apply it to an even bigger dream, mixed martial arts. Nwofer smiled and said it would be something to do when he gets bored and needs an adrenaline fix.

Jonathan Williams can be reached at haxial.jonathan@gmail.com

Campus Comments Which is better PS4 or Xbox One? Fernando Alonso 19

Jacob Wassdorp 18

Sevag Ashjian 18

George Moran 19

Pharmacy Technician

Journalism

Graphic Design

Photography

“Iwould choose the PS4 because I’m thinking of switching consoles and it’s a cheaper option.”

“The PS4.

I grew up playing the PlayStation, and I’m used to characters and controls of it.”

“I had both the PS3 and Xbox 360. I liked the PS3 more, so I’d choose the PS4.”

“The Xbox One has more games that appeal to me, so for now, I’d choose that.” ­­— Photographed and compiled by Jonathan Caballeros

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

International Stud : Festival M FEAT

usicians and Brazilian dancers in exotic costumes performed Thursday during the International Student Day event, which is celebrated worldwide.

The International Student Association provided guests with free pastries from Portos bakery and drinks. The Korean club displayed various cultural books during the event, some with recipes of the national cuisine.

Grammy nominated Spanish guitarist Luis Viega performed a stunning version of Malaguena.

Korean student June Kim and Kaha Fernandez from Dubai, performed a song, accompanied by music department students. Traditional Japanese Taiko drummers (below) also performed.

Mariachi Trio Ella’s (left) Latin Grammy nominated musicians performed at the festival as well.

GCC dance department students and international students from Korea, Germany and Mexico joined together in a dance performance, which featured a mix of salsa, hip-hop and bachata. Sambarinas, Brazilian dancers in exotic costumes (right), ended the festival inviting the audience to dance with them.

The International Student Association is the biggest club on campus, with more than 600 members.

“Our mission is to enrich the experience of the international student in America in all aspects,” said Haycinthe de Cuba, president of the ISA.

Araks Terteryan Photos by Kathy Bakowicz Story by

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URES

dent Day

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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Holiday Movie Choices Abound, Dude

By Alexander Duncan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

N

ow that everyone has had their fill of turkey and pumpkin pie, it’s time to leap into the Christmas season. Here are some promising films to see during the holiday season.

Opening December 6: “Out of the Furnace,” directed

by Scott Cooper and starring Christian Bale as Russell.

Russell’s brother, Rodney (Casey Affleck), after serving as a soldier in Iraq becomes involved in a vicious crime ring and one day goes missing. The police are slow in their progress to find him and Russell goes through dangerous lengths to be reunited with his brother again.

“Inside Llewyn Davis” directed by Joel and Ethan Coen is based on the life of Dave Van Ronk’s life, a ‘60s folk musician in Greenwich village. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Llewyn Davis and others stars such as Justin

Timberlake, Carey Mulligan and John Goodman. The inimitable Coen brothers hope to sweep the Oscars again.

Opening December 13: “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” directed by Peter Jackson is bound to be a box office smash. Set in Middle Earth, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is set on a quest with Gandalf the Grey to take back the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor that was conquered long ago by the dragon Smaug.

“American Hustle,” directed

by David O. Russell. The film takes place in the 1980s where Christian Bale plays a con man during the FBI’s Abscam investigation. Bradley Cooper plays an FBI agent caught in the middle of the Jersey mob.

With Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence.

“Saving Mr. Banks” follows Walt Disney’s (Tom Hanks) 20-year struggle to obtain the rights of “Mary Poppins” from

its creator P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson). Travers’ hesitance springs from her unsuccessful relationship with her father, played by Colin Farrell. Also with Paul Giamatti and Jason Schwartzman. Directed by John Lee Hancock.

Opening December 18: “Her,” directed by Spike Jonze stars Joaquin Phoenix as an introverted greeting card writer who falls in love with the voice of his computer’s operating system, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). “Her” also includes Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde.

Opening December 20: In “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” Will Ferrell returns as the arrogant, conceited and of course, hilarious news anchor, Ron Burgundy, with his 2004 cast: Steve Carell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd and David Koechner. The news team takes New York by storm with a 24hour newscast, a new boss and

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL: Will Ferrell is back as the bumbling Ron Burgundy in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” opening Dec. 20.

possible love interest, played

by Meagan Good. Directed by Adam Mckay and written by Will Ferrell and Mckay.

Opening December 25: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” starring and directed

by Ben Stiller. It is the tale of an ordinary man whose life is immersed in his vivid fantasies of heroism and romance. One day his career, along with his coworker Cheryl’s, played by Kristen Wiig, is jeopardized and Mitty plunges into a real-life

journey across the world.

“The Wolf of Wall Street,” is the life story of corrupt banker Jordan Belfort, played

by Leonardo DiCaprio, whose story made headlines in the 1990s. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jordan Belfort and Terence Winter, the film also includes Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler and Matthew McConaughey.

Alexandra Duncan can be reached at alexandran.duncan@gmail.com

Set Designer Turns Ideas Into Reality [Set Design, from page 1] work well with the lighting and sound, constantly keeping the audience in mind.

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” said stagehand Sean Carlos. “An idea on paper is transformed into something you can touch and walk through.”

Carlos, like many others involved in theater arts, started out wanting to be an actor. When he put in work in set construction, he found his true calling and focused on working with stage crews. Now he assists Girardi in whatever needs to be built.

The cast of people working behind the scenes has helped build a strong reputation for the

GCC Theatre Arts Department.

The most recent set was built for the comedy “A Flea in Her Ear.” With many scenes involving characters quickly entering and exiting the stage though working doors, the set had to be planned to a tee.

“It was definitely a challenge,” said Girardi. “But like I said, that’s why you have to read the script.”

For Dina Dominguez, it all began as a mistake. She accidentally signed up for the theater arts program in high school.

After 13 years of designing sets, it turned out to be a career.

Alexander Davis can be reached at davis.alex60@yahoo.com

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT/SPORTS

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Jazz Guitar Ensemble Swings Mainstage Auditorium o

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Photo by Manvel Kapukchyan

JAZZ GUITAR ENSEMBLE: Music instructor Byron Delto, from left, directs guitarists

Edvin Hakopian, Garni Barsegian, Alex Araujo, Matt Pluger and Juan Salinas while they perform

arrangements of jazz standards and fusion in the GCC auditorium on Nov. 23. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble shared the bill on the main stage of the auditorium. More photos on page 12.

Lady Vaqueros Basketball Shootout

By Jonathan Williams EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

T

he sounds of swishes, squeaking sneakers, and screaming coaches resounded through the Vaquero gym Nov. 22 through 24 in the annual Vaquero Shootout.

Eight teams participated in the double elimination tournament that included some of the best the conference could offer.

The Lady Vaqs looked to take game one on Friday night only to have the Fullerton Hornets provide a massive buzzkill.

Glendale lost a heartbreaker 60 to 55 to drop game one. In the final seconds, the Lady Vaqs had the ball down by three after a costly turnover by Fullerton with about 43 seconds remaining in the fourth.

Lady Vaq Samantha Pyros took a pass deep in the painted area with her back to the basket.

She backed down her defender, their bodies crashing back and forth. Pyros took her defender baseline with a spin move to lay the ball up into the basket after she got fouled. Her basket and foul call were dismissed as the line ref called a travel. Shouts of “bad call, ref!” from the stands bounced from one side of the gym to the other. This put Glendale in a must foul situation and

crushed all hopes of a comeback.

Head coach Carrie Miller ordered her team into the locker room for a pep talk to talk to them. The meeting was quick.

Miller had this to say about the questionable call.

“No,”said Miller. “I think she kept her foot, but I will watch the film and double check on it.”

Day two of the tournament had a very different outcome.

Fueled by the controversy of the previous night, the Lady Vaqs came out of the gates strong.

“The biggest thing I wanted to see from my team is to play together,” said Miller. “Yesterday there were a lot of I’s and Me’s.”

Glendale was much more polished this time around. In game one on day two, Glendale only made one three pointer compared to the 12 in game two. Guard Mary Karapetyan contributed 22 points in just 24 minutes on Saturday. Forward Gabriela Beltran was off to a strong start with 12 points until she went down with a knee injury.

Beltran was the leading scorer in game one with 17 points.

Game three pitted the Lady Vaqs against Irvine Valley in a battle for second best in the tournament on Sunday.

GCC was held to 28 percent shooting as they were burned 76 to 61 by the Lasers and dropped

Photo by Kathy Bakowicz

DRIBBLE DRIVE: Freshman guard Selin Gomez takes a Fullerton defender to the rim at the Vaquero Shootout in Verdugo gym on Nov. 22 through 24. Glendale dropped two of three games in the tournament. their record to 3-3 in overall.

Lady Vaquero Elise Mejia led Glendale in scoring with 18 points, two assists and two rebounds. Guards Mary Karapetyan and Selin Gomez followed right behind her scoring

10 points apiece.

Beltran may have been affected by the knee injury suffered in game two. She shot a mere one for seven and scored just seven points in the loss by the Lady Vaqs.

Glendale hopes to rebound at the Chaffey Tournament Friday through Sunday.

Jonathan Williams can be reached at haxial.jonathan@gmail.com

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Vaqueros Thunder Past Olympians

By Jonathan Williams EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

The Vaqueros fought their way atop Mount Olympus and the conference in 75-52 rout of San Diego Mesa on Nov. 27.

The Olympians arrived late to warm ups due to the holiday traffic plague sweeping Southern California’s highways the night before Thanksgiving.

When Mesa finally arrived, there was 20 minute delay Referee John Paul Guerrero had to leave the Verdugo gym because he made a promise to have Thanksgiving dinner with this daughter. A new offcial had to be found and, an hour after the initial game time, the whistle sounded and the jump ball was tossed.

Early in the ball game, Glendale star forward Gor Plavchyan and Olympian forward Darreon Tolliver battled all night for position down low to the point where the refs told them to take it easy.

Eventually, in the second half things got a little too physical.

Plavchyan and Tolliver went up for a rebound and grasped the ball.

Elbows flew and bodies collided until the refs had to step in as the play was broken up. Each of the players was given a warning until

the jump ball.

Plavchyan got back at Tolliver on the basketball court, putting up huge numbers of 17 points and six rebounds. Forward Emmett Duvall followed suit to lead the team in scoring with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

The Vaqueros wing players got into the mix with 38 points and six three pointers.

“I thought our ball movement was much better in the second half,” said head coach Brian Beauchemin. “I thought in the first half we broke it off early on some things.”

Glendale shot the ball at a mere 26 percent from three-point land in the first half compared to the 49 percent in the second.

On defense, the Vaqs dominated the second half and held San Diego Mesa to 18 points and 28 percent field goal shooting. Coach Beauchemin told his team at halftime to hold the Olympians to under 20 points in the second half.

“We held them to 19,” Beauchemin said after the game.

Beauchemin also said that the coaches were a little frustrated with some of the shots Glendale put up in the game rather than finding a more open shot. The Vaqueros are off to their best start in two seasons and ranked 22nd in

the state, according to the Massey ratings poll.

“I think our parts all mesh. We got a shooting guy, we got another guy that can do somethings at the other end,” said Beauchemin. “Our point guards are very valuable to us, they break things down and our two big guys are pretty legit.”

GCC’s next challenge will come at the Antelope Valley tournament against San Bernardino on Dec. 4 through 6.

With Thanksgiving a few hours ahead of him, Beauchemin said how he was going to spend his holiday with a laugh.

“I’m going over to my daughters house and these people are going to pester the hell out of me but we are going to have a really good time.”

Photo by Kathy Bakowicz Jonathan Williams can be reached at haxial.jonathan@gmail.com

CROSS OVER: Vaquero guard Jalen Etienne, left, drives past San Diego Mesa guard Vincent Petties-Wilson, right, on Nov. 27 in the Verdugo Gym.

Vaquero Sports Summaries Results Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Nov. 23 — State Championships

women — finished second

men — finished thirteenth Women’s Volleyball: Nov. 20 — lost to Santa Monica 3-2 Women’s Basketball: Nov. 15-16 — Sequoias Tournament beat Hancock, lost to Sequoias Nov. 22-24 — Vaquero Shootout lost to Fullerton and Irvine Valley, beat West L.A.

Women’s Soccer: Nov. 15 — tied Bakersfield 0-0 Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez Men’s Soccer: Nov. 15 — lost to Citrus 7-0

Football: Nov. 16 — lost to Pierce 41-16 Men’s Basketball: Nov. 14 — beat Santa Barbara 105-52 Nov. 16 — beat Pierce 88-79 Nov. 22 — beat SD Southwestern 74-65 Nov. 27 — beat SD Mesa 75-52

Upcoming Events Men’s Basketball: Friday-Saturday — Antelope Valley Tournament TBA Dec. 13 — at Cerritos College TBA Dec. 18-21 — Vaquero Classic TBA

Photo by Kathy Bakowicz

HIGH FLYING: Glendale forward Gor Plavchyan, middle right, battles

the San Diego Mesa defenders under the basket on Nov. 22. Playchyan gets one of his seven baskets on this play.

Kristine Tuzon can be reached at ktuzon342@student.glendale.edu

Women’s Basketball: Friday-Sunday — Chaffey Tournament TBA Dec. 13-15 — San Diego Tournament TBA

For more information see: For more information visit: http://www.glendale.edu/athletics/ www.glendale.edu/athletics

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

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Calendar Campus Events EVENTS

DATES

MUSIC

D.S.P.S. Gala Night — Disabled Students Programs and Services will be hosting a gala on Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in SN 104.

The event is in honor of students, families, staff and counselors of D.S.P.S. The event will feature food and beverages, social dancing and performances from students of Dance 150. Free for all and dress attire is requested. For more information, call (818) 2401000, ext. 5805.

Final Exams — Exams start Wednesday and run though Dec. 18. For the complete schedule visit www.glendale.edu/index. aspx?page=2594.

Piano Recital — The performances features students from the advanced piano classes. Admission is free for all and will be on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Auditorium Room 211. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5622.

Swap Meet — The swap meet is at the upper campus parking lot Dec. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free and open to the public. For more information, call (818) 2401000, ext. 5805.

Holiday Ceramics Sale — Ceramics including stoneware, porcelain, raku, majolica and more will be sold Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. in SC 212. For information, call (818) 240-1000 ext. 3059.

Pizza Sale — A pizza fundraiser for scholarships will be hosted by Extended Opportunity Programs and Services program today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Soap Opera Star — Actor Matthew Ashford (“Days of Our Lives”) is a guest speaker for SGI Buddhist Club on Monday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in AA 108.

Winter Break — The campus is closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1. .

Winter Intersession — A limited number of classes start on Jan. 6 and run through Feb. 14.

TUTORING Math Discovery Center — The newly remodeled facility offers increased computer access and drop-in tutoring for math. Must be currently enrolled in a math course. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AS 103.

For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5362.

Learning Center — Tutors are available in a variety of subjects.

Referral from an instructor, counselor or librarian required. Computers are available. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AD 232. For more information visit www.glendale.edu/index.aspx?page=154 or. call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5333

College Choir, chamber singers and opera vignettes — The performances are directed by Jayne Campbell. The groups will perform classic and holiday choral works and opera excerpts on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Admission is $7 for general admission and $5 for students.

For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5660.

GCC Orchestra — The performance is conducted by Beth Pflueger and will be featuring GCC student vocalists and instrumentalists. The event is on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for students.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.glendalearts.org or at the door. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5829.

Guitar Recital — The performance features classical and jazz guitar students performing along with the GCC Jazz Guitar Ensemble. The event is on Monday

at 7:30 p.m. in Auditorium Room 211. Admission is free for all. For more information, call 818-2401000, ext. 5622.

Chamber Music Recital — The performance at the Glendale Public Library features ensembles from the chamber music class.

The event is on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at 222 E. Harvard St. Admission is free. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5622.

DANCE Faculty/Alumni Dance Concert — Dancers are GCC students with choreography by faculty, alumni, students and guests. The performances are on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., Dec. 14 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the auditorium.

HEALTH Flu Shots — Flu shots are available for credit students and staff.

Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Health Center. The shots are $15 cash.

Nicotine Anonymous — The fianl Nicotine Anonymous Group meeting sponsored by the GCC Alcohol/Drug Studies Program is held on Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in CR 231. For more information contact Jessica Gillo-

oly at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5471.

Nutritional Counseling — Nutritional counseling is available in the Health Center Tuesday through Friday until Dec. 13.

Walk in to make an appointment or for more information call (818) 551-5189.

PLANETARIUM Afternoon with the Stars — Students and staff can attend a free lunchtime program highlighting the planetarium’s features. “What can I see in the sky tonight?” will be presented on Monday from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in CS 257. For more information visit www.glendale.edu/planetarium or call (818) 240-1000, ext.

5275.

MEETINGS Board of Trustees Meeting — The final meeting of the year is on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. in Kreider Hall.

For more information visit: www. glendale.edu/boardoftrustees.

MOVIES Friday Flix: — A screening of “Animation Extravaganza” this Friday. Mike Petros will facilitate a discussion after the films. Snacks and drinks are encouraged.

Free at 12:30 p.m. in SG 334.

Around Town THEATER The following venues are featuring adaptations of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

Glendale Centre Theatre — The Glendale Centre Theatre’s production will run through Dec. 24. TV actor Daniel Roebuck (“Lost”) stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge. The theater is located at 324 N. Orange St. For ticket prices and times visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com or call (818) 244-TKTS.

Sierra Madre Playhouse— This production will run through Dec. 23 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre. The play will be infused with carols and dancing. Ticket prices start at $28.

For showtimes and tickets, visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

A Noise Within— Geof Elliot’s adaptation will run from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22. The production will be performed at A Noise Within located on 3352 E. Foothill Blvd Pasadena. For prices and schedule information, visit www.anoisewithin.org/play/achristmas-carol-2/

PARADE Montrose — The 37th annual Montrose Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m.

GCC is a sponsor of the holiday event. The parade begins at Honolulu & Rosemont avenues and runs east to Verdugo Road.

The center of the parade and the entire Montrose area is the intersection of Honolulu Ave & Ocean View Blvd.

COMEDY The Ice House — Charlie Murphy performs standup comedy

tonight at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m and tickets are $20. On Sunday, Alonzo Bodden will perform a standup routine with Bill Santiago at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $12.50. Both shows are for ages 18 and up and require a two drink minimum per person. For more schedule information and tickets, visit www.icehousecomedy.com/shows.cfm

EXHIBITIONS “David Hockney: Seven Yorkshire Landscape Videos” — LACMA. This project features a film created with 18 cameras

The film is displayed in a multiscreen grid. Runs through January 2014. Ticket prices and hours vary. North Piazza, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For information, visit www.lacma.org or call (323) 857-6000.

Art Exhibitions — PMCA. Exhibitions include “Sam Francis: Five Decades of Abstract Expressionism,” “Ignite! The Art of Sustainability,” and “Somewhere in Between: Los Angeles.” 490 E. Union St., Pasadena.

Runs through January 2014. Visit www.pmcaonline.org or call (626) 568-3665.

Compiled by Eric Bourse

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

www.elvaq.com

LIFESTYLE

Jazz Ensembles Heat it Up

Photos by Manvel Kapukchyan

THE VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE: Saxman Joseph Mehrabians (top) screams out a solo during a performance by the GCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble (bottom) on Nov. 23 in the auditorium,directed by Clare Delto. The Jazz Guitar ensemble also performed their unique arrangements for five guitars, directed by Byron Delto.