May 18, 2007 by El Vaquero Newspaper

El Vaquero Glendale College

Photo by Patrick Padilla The Griffith Park fire on May 8 consumed an estimated 817 acres of land. Students and faculty voice their concerns. See story, pages 10-11. www.elvaq.com Volume 91 Number 6 FRIDAY May 18, 2007

In This Issue News.................2-11

Protest

Pe単a

Student Art Show

Students rally

Art gallery exhibits the best student work.

Calendar.............18

ing gas prices.

Club raises funds for undocumented students.

Opinion................19

Page 3

Page 5

Features..........12-13

against increas-

Entertainment......15

Photo by Richard Kontas

Photo by Ismael Reyes

Page 15

Friday, May 18, 2007

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NEWS

Campus Angered Over Wave of Hit-and-Runs California Vehicle Code Section 20002 defines a hit and run as the “driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in ollege faculty, staff and stu- damage to any property, includdents have recently found ing vehicles and persons and flees their cars vandalized and dam- the scene.” aged in hit-and-run incidents that “What is frustrating is that the have become a widely reported mirror was put back on the car so problem on campus. that when I opened the door it fell Since the beginning of the year off,” added Liddiard. “There was there have been 268 reported hit- no note left on the car and there and-run incidents in Glendale, were no witnesses to the inciincluding three on campus. dent.” One month ago Rob LiddiHit and runs can either be a ard, the language lab supervisor, misdemeanor or a felony. If there found his car’s driver’s side mir- are no injuries involved to the ror torn off and skid marks on the parties then it is a misdemeanor. side of the car. An injury to the victim is classi“I had parked my car on the fied as a felony hit and run. fire access road between the two “If you are involved in a traffic entrances to the construction site collision with anything, whether it and left plenty of room on each be a fire hydrant, a car, or a buildside of the driveways, but found ing, you have to somehow attempt my car wrecked,” said Liddiard. the best way you can to contact “It was obvious a construction the responsible party for the vetruck hit my car because of the hicle or item,” said Glendale Pomarks on my car,” he added. lice Officer William Frommling.

By Sose Frankyan

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

El Vaquero Glendale Community College

editor in chief

Olga Ramaz staff members

Graig Agop Kara Aranas Vida Djaghouri Richard Kontas Lenin Lau Rachel Mills Ismael Reyes faculty adviser

Michael Moreau mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 551-5214

Susan Aksu Tamara Baskin Sose Frankyan Vartanoosh Kiourktzian Anita K. Marto Diana Petras Jennifer Tinoco advertising

Jeff Smith jsmith@glendale.edu

design adviser

Charles Eastman 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 olga_ramaz@elvaq.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349. Send Letters to the Editor

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. Letters must be signed and typed and include the full name and address of the writer. El Vaquero is a First Amendment publication.

EL VAQUERO

1500 N. Verdugo Rd. Glendale, CA 91208 (818) 240-1000 ext. 5349 Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

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Photo Courtesy of Nonia Zargarian

A Student’s car is seriously damaged and moved from where it was originally parked in a hit-an-run incident.

“If you look around and don’t see that something will happen to my with retribution but “simply some anybody, then leave a note with car,” added Mikaelyan. student making a poor decision.” your name and contact number so According to college police caOne month ago, student Nonia they can contact you.” det Sevan Sarkisyan, “the frustrat- Zargarian found her car about 15 According to campus police ing thing about hit and runs are feet away from where she had Captain Nidal Kobaissi, “The that most of it goes unreported and originally parked it before attendmost common hit and runs on we never even find out about it.” ing class. campus happen in the parking In another incident, Trudi “I returned to my car after class lots.” Abram, on the faculty of Visual and found two Glendale police A similar incident happened and Performing Arts, discovered officers near my car,” she said. “I with Henan Joof, the outreach her car intentionally keyed on the thought I was getting a ticket, but coordinator at the Student Out- driver’s side. then realized that the left side of reach Services. After work my car was completely deon April 10, he found his stroyed and shriveled up,” new car rear-ended and said Zargarian. scratched. “It took over three “I had left enough space weeks for the body shop for the car behind me and I to fix my car, and luckily am sure it was not done on my insurance paid the cost purpose, but it is the prinof the damage, which was ciple of taking responsibil$9,500,” she added. ity for one’s own actions,” Kobaissi suggests that ‑— Nidal Kobaissi said Joof. anyone involved in a hit Campus Police Captain Accidents happen and and-run incident, and it according to Joof, a fordoes not necessarily have mer student president who to be a severe accident, feels a sense of community and “It is very disheartening to should leave a note with contact family on campus, “if I had hit come and find your car vandal- information for the owner of the someone’s car I would have left ized in some way, particularly damaged vehicle. a note saying I am sorry with my when it is very special to you,” “It is a lot easier to deal with it contact information, because I re- said Abram. that way then flee the scene and spect other people’s property.” The car had a new custom paint have a witness report to the police “It is very upsetting to find out job and redoing the paint job and have the police come after that things of such nature hap- will cost Abram approximately you,” said Kobaissi. “It is also the pen on this campus,” said stu- $3,000. The incident happened moral thing to do,” he added. dent Lusine Mikaelyan. “I park before spring break and Abram Sose Frankyan can be reached at my car in Lot B, but always fear thinks that it had nothing to do Sose_Frankyan@elvaq.com

“The most common hit and runs on campus happen in the parking lots.”

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Friday, May 18, 2007

NEWS

Students Demonstrate Against High Gas Prices By Vida Djaghouri

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

rofessor J.C. Moore’s Sociology 101 students took their frustrations to the streets May 7 in a protest against rising gas prices at the Mobil station across the street from campus. “Bush got his oil war. Why are we paying more?” chanted about 30 Glendale students who were, along with Moore, positioned at all four corners of the Mountain Avenue and Verdugo Street intersection, holding up banners and waving signs, while passing cars honked in support. Moore, who had never arranged such a protest at Glendale College before, said it was not a class assignment, but that the protest was something the students chose to do themselves, using the class as a catalyst to do so. “I’m losing my voice but I don’t care!” shouted student Gerardo Chicas, across the intersection. “We got no money!” According to Chicas, the sociology student, the protest centered around awareness. “We’re just trying to get a message out there and make a difference and let people know this isn’t going to stop.” Thestudents planned it all themselves. They arranged the date and time (during one of their class sessions), made banners,

Photo by Richard Kontas

GCC Professor J.C. Moore facilitated her Sociology 101 class exercise in protesting against high gas prices.

Fatima Castaneda (left) and Yajira Cervantes participate in the May 7 protest, actively encouraging passing cars to honk in support.

and proceeded to demonstrate “man-made social change,” a topic covered in the course. “These kids are intellectuals and they have class conscious-

The students were learning of Max Weber, one of the foundabout corporate power in class ers of modern sociology. “Max when the issue arose. Weber said that religion, politics, “Someone started discussing and economics go hand in hand, gas prices and how it’s affecting said Moore.” everyone and one person said, ‘we All the students from Moore’s should do a protest against high Sociology 101 course attended gas prices,’” said Oralia Di Nico- the protest, although several were la, a full-time nursing student and hesitant at first. a single mother of two children “I think it’s successful because from the sociology class. students that were not very exAccordcited about ing to Moore doing it did and her stuget into it dents, the and they did skyrocketing learn somegas prices thing,” said and the proDi Nicola. test were “We still not solely have the an economipower. We —Students at the Mobil cal issue, but still could station protest rather a pomake a diflitical one. ference and Many of the I think a lot banners and chants were directed of times people lose that because toward President Bush “because we get so busy and so involved Bush has friends in Saudi Ara- with our own little worlds. And if bia… The Iraqi war is his war and two or three people that were not his war is an oil war. We cannot aware of it learned it, then it was depend on oil anymore. We have a success.” to find alternate fuels.” Moore said that such overlapping issues are typical and they Vida Djaghouri can be reached at demonstrate some of the theories Vida__Djaghouri@elvaq.com

ness,” said Moore. “They are going to be the supreme outstanding leaders of this country and that’s why this country has hope. I believe in these kids.”

“Bush got his oil war. Why are we paying more?”

Photo by Richard Kontas

The Mobil station at the corner of Mountain Street and Verdugo Road was the sight of a Sociology 101 class protest over the high price of gasoline and the Bush administration policies.

Friday, May 18, 2007

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NEWS

Off Campus Classes Prove Beneficial to Students By Diana Petras

EL VAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

tudents and professors in about 15 classes meet at offcampus locations because of lack of facilities available at GCC. According to Vice President of Instructional Services Dawn Lindsay, the allocation of classes to an off-site location like Glendale High School is a way for the college to meet the needs of the students in the community. “There are times when we have a demand for more classes than we have classrooms available,” she said. “In wanting to meet the goals of the students, we have to look at outside locations. So we use the classrooms because they are already developed with teaching tools. It’s more of a convenience for students.” Students may have noticed that several classes are located at Glendale High instead of GCC. They are all alloted classes that have been set off campus to make up for the needed classroom space. “They are all in the bungalows next to the main parking lot,” said Lindsay. “They’re really nice classrooms and we prefer to have the classes within the proximity of each other,” she said. “We [the school] pay an administration to stay on the campus so it is easier for them to manage and make sure that everything is alright” Yet, from a student perspective, some students may be hesitant about registering for a class set off-campus like Sharon Obsatz’s Tuesday Journalism 102 class at Glendale High. She said that students may not want to take her class or any other allocated class because “there’s a stigma [mainly among recent high school graduates] about ‘I just came out of high school and I don’t want to go back to a high school.’ ” “[However], students choose if they want to take the class placed off campus,” said Lindsay. “They are not high school classes. It’s an image we have to overcome. We have to do better campaigning on what classes are available where and why.” “Those classes are really designed for the students’ convenience and our growth [as a school],” she said. “We want everyone to be involved and those classes are open to anyone who

wants to take the class.” For Obsatz’s journalism course, she said she has a total of 13 students. “My class is small,” she said. “[The students] are dedicated, which is good, but it is definitely challenging.” Although, according to several students in her class, there are no negative aspects in taking a class off-site. Environmental Science student Brittney Reid said that was pretty reluctant about taking a class located at a high school. “I needed the class and I didn’t know it was here,” she said. “I figured that I could drop it if it didn’t work out,” she said. “I live in Atwater Village and I work at Silver Lake. There’s no parking frenzy for me after work and I’m not stressed when I walk into class because of parking. I would have to say it’s better because it’s so much quicker for me to come here [at Glendale High] than to GCC.” “I just found out that the class was at Glendale High [when the semester started],” said Broadcast Journalism student Allan Markatian. “I live about a block away from here [Glendale high] and it

Photo by Anita K. Marto

Several GCC classes are being held off-site at Glendale High School due to lack of facilities. Many students find the location convenient.

Photo by Anita K. Marto

GCC EnglishTeacher Kristen Jones interacts with students during her class in the Glendale High School bungalows. Students, from left, are Camila Cleere, Julio Rodriguez, Kathlyn Wolgast and Elen Pirijanyan.

was a convenience for me. There aren’t any negatives [about going to an allocated classroom] for me.”

Journalism student Edgar Karapetyan lives in Sunland and said that the parking is better. “I don’t have to leave my house earlier

and [the class’s location] has been a positive for me,” he said. “There are no cons. It’s great. It’s not too crowded, it’s like high school.”

However, Media Arts student Jeff Davis said that “you don’t even realize you’re at a high school unless you have to use the restroom. Then you see all the school stuff written all over the walls.” “I didn’t even know the class was off campus until I signed up for it,” said Davis. “I like it [the class] off campus, the parking is better and it’s closer to home. I could walk here.” Although, opting to sign up for a class that was set aside to a site off campus is the student’s choice. If they do not realize that the class is not located on campus, Lindsay said that “it could be an issue that they don’t know how to read the schedule. It happens to everyone.” “There are plenty of benefits,” she said. “It’s finding what’s more convenient for the student. It’s really about choices and choosing whether they want classes on campus or go off-site.”

Diana Petras can be reached at Diana_Petras@elvaq.com

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Friday, May 18, 2007

NEWS

Students Organize to Raise Scholarship Funds any financial assistance which then makes it difficult for them to EL VAQUERO EDITOR IN CHIEF complete their educational goals. However, Perkins believes that there is a bigger problem facing dorned with colorful papel these students. picado (tissue paper ban“It’s not just the scholarships,” ners) and miniature piñatas, Plaza said Perkins, explaining how Vaquero lent itself to an evening “empty” it would be to just foof Latin American music, food cus on monetarily enabling these and friendship on May 12 in an students to get degrees when they effort to raise book scholarship are not going to be able to use funds for undocumented students them for jobs. at the spring Peña, event sponAn estimated $1,300 was gensored by the Association of Latin erated at the Peña. American A porStudents tion of the (ALAS), funds will “Education should be in conjuncbe used to accessible for everyone, tion with host a conVoces del ference on regardless if they are Mañana. campus, “In the happening undocumented.” past Peña on June 1 has supin Kreider — Rosario Ibañez ported a Hall, in Guest number of support of other eduthe pascational causes, like schools in sage of the Development, Relief Nicaragua and other places,” said and Education for Alien Minors Greg Perkins, an Extended Op- Act (DREAM Act). portunity Program and Services According to the National (EOPS) counselor and adviser Immigration Law Center, the for Voces del Mañana. “I think DREAM Act addresses the situathat ALAS and professor [Car- tion faced by young people who los] Ugalde decided that there is were brought to the U.S. years a strong need right here [on cam- ago as undocumented immigrant pus] where we have so many stu- children who have since grown dents that are struggling…trying up, stayed in school and kept out to get an education but they are of trouble. denied financial aid benefits.” Passage of the DREAM Act The students that Perkins is re- would allow for these students to ferring to are the AB-540 students obtain a legal status in this coun(undocumented students). Their try. legal status in this country makes Yazmin Moreno, co-president it impossible for them to receive of Voces del Mañana, expressed

By Olga Ramaz

Two folkloric dancers from the group “Tierra Blanca” perform for Peña guests on May 12.

her gratitude with ALAS for taking an interest in the club’s cause. Guest Rosario Ibañez shared Moreno’s sentiment and said that ALAS’ interest in Voces del Mañana’s cause was “perfect.” “Promoting education is the best thing one can do,” she said. “Education should be accessible for everyone, regardless if they are undocumented.” According to Moreno, ALAS approached Voces del Mañana with the idea of organizing a Peña in benefit of AB-540 students. Both clubs divided the workload needed to make the event a success. “[Holding a Peña] is extremely important, not only because financially we get to help each other, it’s important because it shows that two clubs can come together and work on an event,” said Moreno. “People can learn from each other and set the example to better the Glendale College community.” Guests at the Peña were treated to an assortment of Latin flavors. From food and music, to hand crafted jewelry, people were given an opportunity to take in a dash of Photo by Ismael Reyes Latin American culA variety of Latin American dishes which included, chicken in mole, rice, horchata and ture. agua de jamaica, was served at the Peña which was sponsored by ALAS. Ibañez’ husband,

Photo by Ismael Reyes

People who attended the Peña took the time to purchase a variety of Latin American jewelry, art and clothing.

Vladimir, has been attending Peña’s since his childhood, but this was the first time he attended an ALAS sponsored Peña. “It was very well organized [and you have to] give credit to the people that made the Peña possible,” he said. According to Ugalde, professor of Latin American Studies and adviser for ALAS, said that the credit for the success of the Peña goes to those in attendance and ALAS members, past and present, who continue to doing a “great job” supporting and organizing the event. Before the evenings end, Ugalde presented Elisa Felix, ALAS president, and member Cindy

Sanchez with the Arnulfo Garcia Scholarship and the Teresa del Rio Scholarship, respectively, for their display of “wonderful leadership among their peers.” Ugalde believes that Peña was a success and reiterates the importance of supporting noble causes. He said, “we are not going to change the world with only ALAS, but we can do something inside the college to help our undocumented brothers and sisters continue their education without the stupid obstacles of borders, and the stupid ethics of this government.” Olga Ramaz can be reached at Olga_Ramaz@elvaq.com

Friday, May 18, 2007

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NEWS

Campus Activities, Programs Benefit From Fees By Sose Frankyan

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

tudent services fees help fund many activities and programs around campus, some of which may not be readily visible to the campus community. Each session, including full semesters and winters and summers, students pay a voluntary $12.50 fee for student services. Out of these fees, the Associated Students of Glendale Community Colleges administers a budget this year of $264,798. According to Dean of Student Affairs Paul Schlossman, the student services fee is “like a student activities fee that students pay.” At first thought, some students don’t see the value in it. “At first I wanted to waive the fee since I assumed that I do not benefit from it, but in the long run the benefits are valuable,” said student Gayane Panosyan. “I did not want to give up the scholarship opportunities.” Some of the services offered to the students in return for their

student services fee include, ASGCC-sponsored scholarships, use of computer labs, use of the math and science centers, and participation in all varsity athletics (for both women and men). “The fee makes up a large part of the operating budget for the ASGCC, the official student government organization, each year,” said Schlossman. The services fee amount is decided by the Board of Trustees, but it is ASGCC that allocates the money to variety of activities and groups on campus. The ASGCC uses the budget to help pay for intercollegiate awards, maintenance of the Baja field studies facility, El Vaquero, the Associated Student Newsletter, the Forensics Program, the health services office, campus relations, the music department, national field studies, scholarships and loans, student government, the theater department, transfer center, dance production, cheer squad, and many more programs. According to student trustee and ASGCC president David

Arakelyan, “Last year the Associated Student Legislature decided to donate $2.50 for the next two years from the student services fee to the parking structure construction project. The goal is to help keep the parking fees down.” From the remaining $10, $5 goes to the ASGCC budget and $5 goes to the college general fund. “I find the services provided by the ASGCC very helpful, especially the scholarship program and the Learning Center and do not understand why somebody would waive their rights to such beneficial services,” said student Linda Perez. Waiver petitions are available through the business office at the bookstore to those students who wish to waive the fee. Students may fill out a waiver form, said Schlossman, but if they did so “they would not be eligible for the services.” Non-credit students along with students who have waived the fee are excluded from participation in most of the programs and activities provided by the ASGCC.

Many of these activities include all varsity athletics, public address systems, personal check cashing, use of the tutorial center, student government assemblies, and intercollegiate awards. “We provided a big chunk of that budget to the athletic programs to help them pay for various competitions, meals for their trips and so on,” said Arakelyan. In addition, ASGGC allocates approximately $25,000 every semester to various clubs. There are over 50 clubs this semester on campus and many of the clubs apply for funding for different projects for their clubs each semester. “Maybe some people think they could do without the fee and decide not to pay the fee and they don’t really care, but there is a lot of proof that states that student life makes the student experience an extraordinary one,” said Arakelyan. “It really gives a nice addition to student life.” “I like to be involved with different clubs and activities and can’t see myself not being part  of different organizations,” said

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student Armine Hakopian. The good thing about the fee is that “it is the same price regardless of residency status,” said Schlossman. AB540 (undocumented students) and international students pay the same amount for student services fee as do California residents unlike tuition fees, which are higher for non-residents. “As an undocumented student I cannot receive any financial aid from school, but I participate in clubs such as Voces del Manana, which offers scholarships for AB540 student and I get these benefits with only paying $12.50 in student services fee,” said an AB540 students who wished to remain unidentified. According to Arakelyan, “We have been very successful keeping students involved on campus.” Sose Frankyan can be reached at Sose_Frankyan@elvaq.com

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Friday, May 18, 2007

NEWS

Students Struggle With Burden of Financial Debt By Kara Aranas

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

ebt is one of the biggest problems college students face today, and paying for a community college is no exception. Just because a junior college is cheaper than a university does not mean that financial problems do not become an issue. Debt can get in the way of a student’s education and may cause problems for their future if no solution is found. Students stumble across this obstacle in community colleges and at times feel that they find no relief from it. One incident happened to Armen Sarkisyan, a business major, when he registered for his classes. He had signed up for a math class, which he needed in order to transfer, and was unable to pay within the seven days required in order to be enrolled. As a result of not being able to pay his fees on time, he was dropped from the class and was not able to enroll again by the time he could afford it because it was full.

“I was frustrated but what could I do?” said Sarkisyan. “I just had to wait until the following semester to take the class again.” Sieyouneh Ziraky, a returning student who is currently working on her bachelor’s degree who faced a similar problem said, “I think it is completely unfair because students like myself who are unable to pay for classes on time should still be able to get in by the time school is in session.” Ziraky suggested that there should be a “grace period” granted for those who cannot pay their tuition on time. “If I’m not able to pay [the tuition], it becomes a hassle to wait for the next semester the class is offered and it extends the amount of time I would have to spend [at GCC] and delay my transfer.” Unknown to most students, there are remedies to their problem. College students do not always have the means to pay for the classes essential to their education and at times need some type of payment plan established to help them. It is inconvenient for those already enrolled to have a class dropped because the amount

Photo by Richard Kontas

Shauna Murray pays her fees to Sandra Fleischer, part-time tuition office employee, at the fee drop window.

due cannot be paid on time. Luckily, there is a solution. A payment plan is made avail-

able to all students that cannot pay ation. She added that if a student by the tuition deadline. Director came to them and explained the of Financial Aid, Pat Hurley ex- predicament, then they would try plained, “The college contracts to help them out. a program called FACTS that Amir Nour, District Accounallows students to pay their fees tant for Glendale College tried to over the semester.” She explained clarify how the admission tries that it is an online payment option to work with students who are liwhere students can pay their dues able. in installments. The information “For each individual basis we for this plan can be found online try to see what the problem is,” on the college’s home page. said Nour. According to Nour, the Another school tries option when not to turn facing a probany student lem is to talk away and that to the Dean it tries to help of Admisthem through sions, Shathe individual ron Combs. difficulties When asked they experiwhat the colence. lege does to He added help students that it is the — Amir Nour who are unsame with GCC District Accountant able to pay all students, for their tuincluding inition, she externational plained that there is a certain students. Even though Combs amount of money that a student mentioned that there was a cerneeds to owe before he/she is tain amount needed before they stopped from being enrolled in a stopped a student from registerclass. “I don’t think I want that ing, Nour said that there is no amount published,” said Combs. established limit and again reitAlthough she did not want to re- erated that the school tries not to veal the amount, she claims that “turn students away.” situations such as the ones previously mentioned do not usually Kara Aranas can be reached at occur because the school tries to Kara_Aranas@elvaq.com accommodate each student’s situ-

“For each individual basis we try to see what the problem is; we try not to turn students away”

Friday, May 18, 2007

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NEWS

Recycling Exists on Campus Despite Unmarked Bins By Jennifer Tinoco

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

lthough recycling is not visible on campus, an outside contractor, the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) collects GCC trash and later recycles it at its site. Everything from bottles and cans to paper and plastic is in fact recycled by MRF. But many here on campus are not aware of what is being done with our trash since there are no recycling bins available for students and faculty members. Dan Padilla, Manager for Maintenance and Facilities, explained that there has been some form of recycling done on campus before. “There were bins next to the trash cans for bottles and cans in most places but people kept throwing trash in them instead. This method just did not work,”

said Padilla. Maintenance decided to get rid of the bins since it was a lot harder on the custodians to separate the trash. Some custodians, however, are not aware if anything is being recycled at all. A janitor who preferred to remain anonymous said that she has no idea if the school is recycling. “I feel bad throwing away all these bags filled with recyclables because of the environmental issues,” she said. “I am not notified to separate the trash and I really do not know if there is any recycling going on.” Communications major Jessica Bourse, 19, said “ I feel evil throwing away my water bottles here at school. But you really can’t help it since there aren’t any special bins for [recycling] on campus.” Special bins for paper were also located inside the offices and computer rooms but some faculty members did not feel

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Photo by Ismael Reyes

The absence of recycling bins on campus leave GCC students with no other choice but to throw away recyclables into regular trash cans.

comfortable with student workers going into their offices to collect the paper. That idea was also

terminated. But Director of Facilities Lew Lewis said, “ever since governor Wilson proposed the AB 79 bill five years ago, Padilla was right on top of it. We were five years ahead of schedule with our recycling program here.” MRF has been collecting our trash since the bill passed in early 2002. The company uses single stream technology at their own facilities to automatically sort out paper, plastic, cans and glass from the school’s trash. GCC does not get reimbursement for recyclables, MRF deals with it so they get the state refund. Although it costs about 24 percent more in dumping fees for MRF to dispose the college’s trash it helps maintenance workers, who don’t have to take the extra time to separate recyclables and aren’t exposed to possibly hazardous materials. “It is hard and dangerous work to sort out recyclables because you have to dig through piles of bacteria-filled trash and broken glass,” explained Padilla. State law requires the facility here at GCC to recycle a minimum of 50 percent, “but we recycle a little more than 65 percent, including paper usage and furniture,” said Padilla. Web sites have made a huge difference on paper usage. For example, the college Web site makes it easier for students to view the information they need and print out only what is impor-

tant to them. Therefore paper usage is reduced. GCC also uses Property Reutilization, a method in which chairs, tables and other furniture is reused. And the state seems to really like this, according to Padilla. “We also use the latest lawn mowers that cut the grass so fine that we end up throwing away less grass,” said Padilla. “The artificial turf on Sartoris Field also saves more energy since we do not have to worry about mowing it.” The California Intergrated Waste Management Board is in partnership with GCC to help manage an estimated 88 million tons of waste each year by reducing and regulating the handling, processing and disposal of solid waste. Another energy-saving feature on campus is waterless urinals, which “save a lot of water; one flush takes up about a gallon and half of water,” said Lewis. Griselda Calito, 18, a Criminal Psychology major, was another student who said “I am not aware of any recycling methods here at school and sometimes I feel like we should be doing something about it.” “Now that I’m aware of how the recycling method works here, I definitely feel less guilty about throwing away my empty soda cans,” said Bourse. Jennifer Tinoco can be reached at Jennifer_Tinoco@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Friday, May 18, 2007

NEWS

Changes in Bus Routes Looks to Benefit Community, Students By Lenin Lau

EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

he changes proposed by the Glendale Traffic and Transportation Division to the Beeline will increase bus transportation to Glendale College and provide bus transportation from south Glendale to the College. The proposed changes, approved by the Division of Traffic and Transportation, will be brought before the Glendale City Council for final approval on June 1. The new routes include changes to Route 3, elimination of bus Route 7 and the addition of two new bus lines. Under the new proposal, Route 3, which originates at the Glendale Galleria and ends at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, would start at the Glendale Metrolink Station and travel north on Brand

Boulevard to Broadway, and end at Glendale College. The new route 3 would allow students who live south of Broadway Boulevard and live on the Glendale-Atwater border to get to school without having to take an additional bus ride. Also, Route 7 would be eliminated and replaced by the new Route 9. The new route would begin at the Glendale Galleria on Central Avenue. It would then circle southbound around the galleria to Pacific Boulevard, then travel north past Glenoaks Boulevard, where it would resume the path originally donned by Route 7. In addition to these changes, an entirely new bus route will be added: Route 8. Route 8 will begin at Glendale Avenue and San Fernando Road and continue straight up toward Verdugo Road via Glendale Avenue. This route will stop at the college but will continue up to

north Glendale before returning back the same route. “I think its a good idea that the Beeline will change,” said Glendale Student Paul Levera, “because many students have to take more than one bus to get to school and this can be a hassle. These improvements are not without a price. If the new proposal were to be approved, the Beeline fare would increase from 25 cents to 50 cents in order to offset the costs incurred by the addition of these new routes. “Every five years we look at our transit system,” said Jano Baghdanian,Traffic and Transportation Administrator of Glendale, “and we look at our service levels and try to increase efficiency.”

Lenin Lau can be reached at Lenin_Lau@elvaq.com

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Students Take Time to Enjoy Lighter Side of College Life Photography by Graig Agop

Graphic design major Michael Allisen, 17, left, and history major Ian Jankowski, 20, race fiercely to the end of the obstacle course on May 17.

Voces del Mañana club member, Francisco Guzman, 22, manhandles Japanese club member and computer science major Levon Solakian, 19, during the semifinal sumo match at Plaza Vaquero on May 15.

Friday, May 18, 2007

www.elvaq.com 11

NEWS

Fire

Ignites Reactions on Campus

Students on campus expressed disbelief at the sight of writhing flames and churning smoke as Los Angeles’ largest fire in more than three decades, ripped through Griffith Park on May 8.

“I

t’s like watching fireworks,” said Tina Juarez, as helicopters and planes doused the sizzling mountainside. Michael Giron of Atwater shook his head when he recalled discovering the blaze. “I stepped out, “Giron said, “and there was just a huge mushroom cloud of thick, brown smoke.” Onlookers and cell phone photographers, in awe of the fiery elements, paused on the Verdugo Road footbridge to capture the glowing devastation. “The ashes got in my hair,” said student Michael Serot. “It made my eyes tear up, and red.” Classrooms were no sanctuary for people sensitive to the drizzling ash and drifting smoke. “When we opened the classroom door, ashes came in,” said psychology student Serine Uguryan, rubbing her eyes. “It was more of an inconvenience rather than a health problem.” Meanwhile, the home of GCC professor and Griffith Park historian Michael Eberts was under the flight path of helicopters refilling at the Silverlake Reservoir. “It was like a flying bucket brigade,” Eberts said. “The firefighters fought a little war on behalf of the park and the neighborhood. They were great.” Peter Deranja, 22, of Los Feliz, chronicled the encroaching conflagration in his Student Development current events project. “There were firemen in our backyard,” Deranja said. “When the electricity went out, we really got scared. Then we were evacuated.” Campus police cadet Mike Arakian said that the school has an emergency plan that maps safe evacuation routes in case a fire comes close to campus, but conditions were not extreme enough to cancel classes that day.

“The station was flooded with phone calls all day, mainly asking about traffic conditions,” said Arakian. Closures on Interstates 5 and 134 and streets bordering the park delayed traffic throughout the week, which meant lengthy drive times and late arrivals for those traveling through the area. “The bus route I take from Hollywood to come to Glendale College was changed due to the closeness of the flames to where I live,” said student Gary Roberts. Inessa Babalyan, 23, left from Reseda hours before class on the day of the fire because she was uncertain about conditions. “I debated not coming,” Babalyan said, “but there was a quiz.” Concern for the fire was unanimous. “I’m worried about the animals living in the forest, people’s health and people with asthma,” said student Rebecca Wong, 22. “It’s just not good.” Brittany Reid, 27, saw the flaming trees and brush from her office across the Los Angeles River. A frequent hiker, Reid said she and her boyfriend were upset by the destruction. “We really love the park,” Reid said. “It’s a nice place for people without spending money. It’s sad to see it like this.” Kristina Otto, 18, a native of Big Bear, echoed Reid’s sentiment. “I love these mountains,” Otto said. “They remind me of home.” Still, the colossal inferno bypassed the attention of some. Edvin Karimi was in the music lab since the early morning and didn’t go outside until evening. “I wasn’t aware of any fire,” said Karimi. “What fire?” The last smoldering tree stump in the park was extinguished Sunday after an estimated 817 acres were charred, according to the Griffith Park Recreation Center office. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the source of the fire is under investigation and no suspects are in custody.

Story by Tony Alfieri, Robert Nigoghossian and Julio Rodriguez

Photos by Patrick Padilla, Special to El Vaquero

Cover: a cul-de-sac on Vaselic Street, Los Feliz. The Griffith Park fire is seen dangerously close to the Los Feliz Diner, top left. Aircraft drop water and flame retardants on the brush fire, bottom right and left. The fire rims the hillside bordering the 5 Freeway, right, near the zoo and golf course.

Friday, May 18, 2007

www.elvaq.com

FEATURE

Cafeteria Opens Healthy New Food Option By Tamara Baskin

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

fter the sudden closing of Subway in the fall, students were left with one less option for food on campus. That is until the spring opening a new sandwich stand, which promises to be a healthier food alternative for students. According to Larry Serot, Vice President of Administrative Services, the college decided to choose a new alternative after Subway Corporation began demanding renovations that the school could not afford. Some of the renovations included changing the look of the overall stand. Because of such demands, GCC opted to discontinue working with the franchise. The new alternative, according to culinary arts instructor Nancy Jordan, is a joint venture by a number of staff and faculty members, including the cafeteria staff. Serot, and Andrew Feldman, the department chairperson of the culinary arts department, were inspired to open the stand after visiting a few popular upscale healthy food restaurants.

“I visited different sandwich places around the area and found that people like the idea of having quick and healthy food as an option,” said Feldman. The new alternative, which is located in the downstairs cafeteria in the place of the former Subway stand, allows students to make their own customized sandwiches. According to Jordan, the ingredients used at the stand are very healthy. The combinations include choices of breads which are, wheat, sourdough and white. Along with choices for breads, the menu also includes choices for meats which are turkey and chicken. Cheeses and other toppings are available to be mixed and matched. Not only does the sandwich stand include cold cuts as part of their menu, but a salad of the day and soup of the day are also featured as menu choices. Although the sandwich stand has only been open this semester, food stand worker Ani Vadgaryan said that it already doing well. “We see a good amount of students a day, although I feel that low enrollment and parking this semester has had an effect on the amount of students that eat on

Photo by Anita K. Marto

A food service worker creates a turkey sandwich for a customer at the new cafeteria sandwich shop.

campus,” said Vadgaryan. “Probably if we didn’t have that problem, then we would have even more customers.” According to Jordan, although

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the food stand receives a large culinary arts students to complete number of customers, she does their program with classes held feel that better publicity could in the cafeteria that will focus on eventually bring in even more real-life food service production, customers. producing various food selec“It is being received very well tions.” said Jordan. “Everyone by the students and faculty on will benefit from a program modcampus. We are looking to in- el such as this.” crease the signage to bring more At this time, the sandwich stand attention to that area,” said Jor- is not receiving any separate dan. funding from Not only the school, “I visited different does the stand and all revprovide stuenue goes to sandwich places around the cafeteria. dents with a variety of Future plans the area and found that are to some choices, but they are also day allow people like the idea of affordable. “a monetary Menu items benefit for the range from $2 having quick and healthy cafeteria as to $6. well, narrowAlong with ing down our food as an option.” providing the profit and loss student body margin,” said — Andrew Feldman and faculty Jordan. Culinary Arts with healthier For now food options, those that future plans may allow culinary are involved in the developarts students the opportunity to ment of the food stand have display their talents. plans to continue to expand the Although at this time the menu to broaden its appeal. sandwich stand is being run by Jordan said suggestions from the cafeteria staff under the di- students and staff are welrection of Jordan, there are plans comed. She can be reached via in the next two to three years to email at njordan@glendale.edu. involve culinary arts students to work the stand. Tamara Baskin can be reached at Tamara_Baskin@elvaq.com “It is our [future] vision for the

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Friday, May 18, 2007

FEATURE

Alumnus Finds Niche in Special Collections By Tony Alfieri

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

ifelong Glendale resident George Ellison, 60, received a sudden surplus of spare time when his parents sold the family appliance parts business. “The [new] owners didn’t want me around,” he said. “It was a blessing in disguise.” Free to indulge his curiosity about the origins of his hometown, Ellison became an assistant to then librarian Barbara R. Boyd at the Glendale Central Library’s Special Collections Room. He earned his Library Assistant certificate from GCC and for the past 25 years, he has overseen and archived materials on subjects ranging from local history to California missions to Abraham Lincoln and to a subject that Ellison never imagined he would become an expert on: cats. The library houses one of the world’s largest collections of all things feline. Largely, through donations from the now-defunct Jewel City Cat Club, the collection includes

information on breeding and lineage, cat-themed art and antiques, even tarot cards to foresee a furry one’s future. “A lot of people feel good about the collection and like to come here and commune,” says Nora Goldsmith, the Library Access Services Administrator at the Glendale Public Library. “It’s an outstanding collection.” Ellison gently opened the deeply varnished and ornate lattice cabinets that line the Special Collections Room’s reading den to reveal the crème of the cat collection. Here one can browse rare periodicals, books as big as ones head, and others as small as ones palm. Perfectly arranged between finely crafted ceramics and rows of guilded volumes are a set of pulp detective books with cats as the protagonist. The latter, Ellison admits, are not his favorite. “I like animals,” he explained, “but I’m not one of those ‘cat people’.” If Ellison had only one subject to collect and preserve, it would be memorabilia from the Pacific Electric Railway system that carved through Los Angeles and

its vicinity. Ellison recalls the brightly colored trains, the original names of local schools and hospitals, and reminisces about natural landmarks long since replaced by strip malls and asphalt. “George is the most knowledgeable person here when it comes to Glendale history,” said Patricia Zeider, Senior Library Supervisor. “He’s the go-to guy.” If there’s a substance gap, Ellison has been known to donate personal items to the collection, including early photographs of Glendale College. Ellison cannot remember the last time someone asked to view one of his glossy classics or many of the other treasures tucked away in the Special Collections Room that also contains a set of discontinued GCC yearbooks. Usage has decreased in recent years, especially with the cat collection. Daily visits by researchers have dropped to weekly visits, said Ellison, as he dusted off his favorite book of cat engravings, which dates back to 1897. Ellison attributes the drop to a rise in

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George Ellison has become an expert on cats, one of the many subjects found in the Special Collections Room at the Glendale Central Library.

Internet use, not necessarily lack of interest. The dwindling numbers does not mean less work for Ellison. Thousands of items wait to be organized and archived. Towers of musty digests and dormant media dwarf Ellison’s lanky frame as he shuffles through the maze-like storage area behind the reading room. Ellison hunches over a dozen boxes of “cat-alogs” stacked

neatly on the floor, then stops to reflect: “Sometimes I wonder, ‘Why I am doing this? How did I ever wind up here?’” Despite the endless undertaking – he also volunteers as an archivist for First United Methodist Church in Glendale – Ellison is firm about setting aside one day a week purely for personal time because, he believes that, “you have to live in the present.”

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Friday, May 18, 2007

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Friday, May 18, 2007

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

‘Show Us Your Best’ Presents Array of Student Works By Olga Ramaz

EL VAQUERO EDITOR IN CHIEF

rom photography and ceramics, to drawings and paintings, only the best student art work is on display in “Show Us Your Best,” the aptly titled student art show which runs through June 7 at the Glendale College Art Gallery. According to Gallery Director Roger Dickes, students on campus were given the opportunity to “self jury” their own bodies of work by submitting what they felt was their best artistic endeavour. “I’m very excited about this show,” said Dickes. “There are incredibly strong works [on display] here.” Photography and ceramic works are strongly represented, leading the way in submissions. Enrique Lopez’ ceramic piece titled “Warrior of Cosmic Knowledge,” depicts an Aztec warrior, boldly outlined in black paint and contrasted on a bright red background. The process in creating the piece, according to Lopez, was tedious, but well worth it. “It feels good to have people admire your work,” he said.

Ceramics instructor Rob Kipler shares in Lopez’ sentiment and believes that “it is worth for students to see their work on display at the gallery.” “[When you take the artwork], put in on a pedestal, and then put a spotlight on it...what better feeling than that?,” he added. Kipler was among one of the many instructors within the art department that encouraged their students to submit works for the art show. A total of 91 pieces comprise the current exhibition. At the artists reception, held on May 17, Superintendent/President Audre Levy was at hand to not only view the art, but to purchase some of the artworks in an effort to decorate her office. “I should be displaying student work so that people can see what we [the campus] have to offer,” she said. “I’m always looking at ways to market the college.” The pieces that appealed the most to Levy were those that contained words, and that were abstract in nature. She hopes to adorn her office walls with a blend of photography pieces and drawings. Although space in the gallery is limited, Dickes and the gallery

Photo by Ismael Reyes

Students in Trudi Abram’s art history class stopped by the artists reception on May 17 to analyze some of the pieces on display.

staff made an effort to accommodate all of the pieces that were submitted. Working odd hours to make the show possible, the gallery staff sorted through the art and placed them in their corresponding spots. “I have to give props to my

student workers,” said Dickes. “They worked really hard to set up the show and they ended up doing a great job.” Although the current exhibition just opened, Dickes is already thinking ahead to the next student art show, scheduled for the fall semester. The goal for the next student show is to spawn a collaboration between the Gallery Committee, as well as the individual art departments. Names of students will be submitted to the gallery and from there, the Gallery Committee will select the “scholarship level” students by allowing them to submit

artwork and/or create exclusive pieces for that particular exhibition. Dickes believes that this format enables the students to face the “prospect” of having their pieces displayed in a more intimate showcase. “Show Us Your Best” runs through June 7. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information on the Glendale College Art Gallery, visit www.glendale.edu/artgallery Olga Ramaz can be reached at Olga_Ramaz@elvaq.com

Photo by Ismael Reyes

President/Superintendent Audre Levy admires a couple of photography pieces during the artists reception on May 17.

Friday, May 18, 2007

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Golf Returns to Campus After Long Hiatus By Susan Aksu

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

fter a 22-year hiatus due to budget cuts that forced the men’s team to be eliminated in 1985, the GCC golf program is reemerging with an experienced coaching staff for the men’s and first-ever women’s team and a lot of enthusiasm on campus. The golf program is being reinstated after a proposal was made by GCC alumni Mike Haney, during his Athletic Hall of Fame induction speech in 2006. Haney played golf for GCC in 1970 and 1971 and was later an All-American for USC after transferring. Thanks to the fund-raising efforts of Haney and a committee from the Glendale College Foundation including board member and alumni Dave Greenbaum, the Vaquero Golf Club has successfully raised funds to help the team with some of its equipment costs and course fees. The men’s golf team and firstever women’s team is in the process of forming, with the help of coaches Kirt Kohlmeier and Greg Osbourne, both of whom attended Glendale Community College. Kohlmeier, who also teaches physical education at Toll Middle School, will be coaching the women’s team, which will begin practicing in mid-August and will compete in the Western State Conference in the fall. “Golf develops character, self esteem and prepares you for the rest of your life,” according to Kohlmeier, who hopes to develop his team into Division 1 golfers. Kohlmeier says because of the advantages it could have for their futures young women should be involved in sports as much as they can. “[Sports] can be such a great equalizer in society. It gives them an advantage over girls who don’t play sports,” said Kohlmeier. Aside from teaching physical education at Toll and taking on the coaching role for GCC, he had also coached Hoover High School’s basketball and softball teams for 20 years. However, his love of golf took him to work in Indiana as a golf instructor at Hoosier Links Golf Course. “Glendale has some of the top golf courses in the United States; the world is wide open to the students,” said Kohlmeier.

Courtesy of Kirt Kohlmeier

New GCC golf coach Kirt Kohlmeier looks forward to coaching the women’s team to success.

After transferring to Cal Lutheran University from GCC, where he played football and golf for the Vaqueros, Osbourne was an All-American at Cal Lu as well as being named team MVP. Osbourne will be coaching with the assistance of Oscar nominated actor James Caan, also a frequent golfer, whom he works with on NBC’s television show Las Vegas. Together they hope to recruit and have a successful men’s golf season and look forward to working with students in advance and intercollegiate golf classes, weight room training and visual aids through computer simulation. “You have to work out mentally and physically. It’s a tough league and we need to be competitive,” said Osbourne. The golf teams will practice at the Oakmont Country Club, DeBell Golf Course, Industry Hills and Scholl Canyon as well as other local courses. Osbourne, a 20-year PGA of America member and golf instructor at DeBell Golf Course, is looking forward to working with the college in building a solid golf program that will save students and their parent’s money for college when they are ready to transfer. “My main goal is to work with them for two years and get them

ready to transfer to a four-year school on a scholarship and possibly save their parents another $80,000,” said Osbourne. Kohlmeier and Osbourne have been visiting local high school teams to promote the golf program and have talked to many student-athletes about attending GCC. They are also encouraging current GCC students who have an interest in golf to be a part of the program as well. “GCC is a great place to get undergraduate work done and to play a sport,” said Kohlmeier. He added that many of the high school golfers he has spoken to have already decided to attend four-year schools, but are not go-

Photo by Graig Agop

Greg Osbourne will be coaching the reinstated Vaqueros men’s golf team.

ing to continue to play golf. Competitive golfers have many scholarships available to them and he feels that students interested in golf should take advantage of them and go forward with their golf skills at GCC. Kohlmeier said he feels fortunate to be hired as the women’s golf coach in college with a great sports program. “I want to bring a league championship to the college their first year,” Kohlmeier said about the women’s team. “The more [golfers], the merrier.” Uniformity is an important factor in building team confidence, according to Osbourne. The team will be provided with new

uniforms. They’re going to be a sharp looking representation of a Glendale College team,” said Osbourne. “You can’t play in the Masters unless you’re dressed to play in the Masters.” He feels that the majority of the teams that win are the most unified because they feel a sense of pride for their school and team. Students who are interested in being a part of the golf teams should contact Kohlmeier for the women’s team by email at coachkohlmeier@sbcglobal.net or Osbourne for men’s at osbournego@ hotmail.com. Susan Aksu can be reached at Susan_Aksu@elvaq.com

Golf Program Information: * For information on the mens team, contact: Kirk Kohlmeier at kohlmeier@sbcglobal.net * For information on the womens team, contact: Greg Osbourne at osbournego@hotmail.com *For information on Vaquero sports visit www.glendale.edu/athletics

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Friday, May 18, 2007

SPORTS

Updates • Scores • Highlights MEN’S TENNIS Dylan Kim ended his remarkable career as a Vaquero Saturday by winning the state championship in singles at Cabrillo College in Aptos. Kim became the first state tennis champion in school history by beating Francis Yoshimoto from College of the Desert 63, 6-1 in the finals. Kim ended his Glendale career with a record of 30-1, his only loss coming when he defaulted in the semifinals of the Ojai Invitational last month because of leg cramps. He also advanced

to the state tourney in doubles with partner Norik Otuzbiryan and they made it to the semifinals before falling to Santa Barbara’s John Sappabon and Mattias Newman 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

TRACK & FIELD Freshman Tove Berg continued to re-write the Vaquero record books Saturday at the Southern California regional finals at U.C. San Diego. Berg, who had previously qualified for the state meet May 18-19 in San Mateo in the 10,000 meters, broke the school record in the 5000 meters

Saturday with a winning time of 17:06.79. Berg set the previous mark of 17:12.43 at the Azusa Pacific Invitational on April 13. Berg has set new school records this year in the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs. Lili Hernandez was also a double qualifier with a second place finish in the 3000meter steeplechase in 11:29.78. and a fifth place finish in the 5000 meters in 18:30.80. Desiree Ruiz qualified for the state finals by finishing fifth in the 3000-meter steeplechase in a personal best time of 11:57.78. Non-qualifiers included Brenda Santana, who finished seventh in the 3000- me-

ter steeplechase in 12:13.12 and Desiree Ruiz, who finished 10th in the 5,000 meters in a personal best time of 19:09.35. The top six finishers in each event qualified for the state finals. For the men, Chris Lopez finished eighth in the 10,000 meters in the Southern California prelims May 5 in San Diego to qualify for state as did the as did the 4 x 400 relay team of Troy Huizenga, Ricky Davis, Cecil Menifield and Chris Marshall that finished third Saturday in 3:15.52. Nonqualifiers included Chris Lopez in the 5,000 meters with a seventh

place in the 5,000 meters in 15:20.5, Michael Flowers finished eighth in the 3000meter steeplechase in 9:48.28 and the 4 x 100 team of Lucas Williams, Davis, Marshall and Huizenga in 43.5 to finish ninth. Alonzo Menifield finished seventh in the javelin with a throw of 171-feet and James Poet finished seventh in the hammer throw with a throw of 148-feet. Alex Leon Sports Information Director can be reached at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5764 aleon@glendale.edu

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Calendar On Campus exhibition Annual Student Art Exhibition — GCC students showcase their works in the annual student art show which runs in the College Art Gallery through June 7. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information contact the gallery director Roger Dickes at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5663.

decathlon Academic Decathlon— Support student organizations as they do battle in the Academic Decathlon today, starting at 5 p.m., in the Verdugo Gym.

academic news Student Elections — The AS-

GCC elections will take place Wednesday and Thursday in Plaza Vaquero. For more information contact Carolina Yernazian at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5601. Summer Registration — Open registration for the summer intersession continues through June 14. University Representatives — Representatives from Cal State Northridge will be in the Transfer Center from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday. Baja Field Studies — Applications for the summer 2007 classes in Baja are now available in AA 1B, the counseling office and from the class instructors. Go to www.glendale.edu/baja for more information. Classes fill early. Scholarships are also available. Memorial Day — The campus

will be closed on May 28 in observance of Memorial Day.

music Glendale College Communnity Orchestra— Conducted by Theodore Stern, the Glendale College Community Orchestra will perform several pieces from De Falla, Mussorgsky, Hovhaness and Debussy. The performance will take place in the auditorium on Sunday, starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5621. Concert Singers Spring Performance— Led by Peter Green, students will showcase their vocal talents on Sunday, in performance held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, located at 1020 N. Brand Blvd. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. Admis-

sion is $10 for general admission and $7 for students and seniors. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5621.

lectures “The Secret of Naked Mollusks”— A part of the Science Lecture Series, Angel Valdes will be the speaker for “The Secret of Naked Mollusks,” presented on Tuesday at noon in Santa Barbara, room 243. Valdes is the curator of malacology at the L.A. County Natural History Museum. “Orator/Competitor/Entertainer”— Members of the award-winning GCC Speech and Debate Team will demonstrate their skills during their presentation of “Orator/Competitor/Entertainer,” on Thursday. This presentation is a part of the Humanities/Social Science

Lecture Series. The lecture will take place at noon at Kreider Hall. Admission is free.The Speech and Debate Team has collected several awards in categories such as interpretation of literature and persuasive and informative speeches.

dance Dance Performance 2007— Directed by Lynn McMurrey and featuring GCC student dancers and choreographers, Dance Performance 2007 will be presented from May 29 through the 31 in the Dance Theatre located in the Sierra Nevada Gym. The performance gets underway at 8 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Children under five are not admitted.

Around Town theater “Romeo and Juliet” — A Noise Within presents Shakespeare’s classic tale of romance and death, “Romeo and Juliet,” through May 25. Tickets range from $26 to $58. A Noise Within is located at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. To make reservations call (818) 240-0910, ext. 1. For additional information, visit www.anoisewithin.org “No Time for Sergeants” – Glendale Center Theatre presents a comedy about a hillbilly joining the United States Air Force. The play ends tomorrow. Tickets are range from $18.50 to $21. The Glendale Centre Theatre is located on 324 N. Orange St. For box office information call (818) 244-8481.

exhibitions “Some Assembly Required: Contemporary Prefabricated Houses” – Pacific Desgin Center, located at 8687 Melrose Ave., Design Plaza G102, West Hollywood, presents “Some As-

sembly Required: Contemporary Prefabricated Houses,” which runs until Sunday. This exhibition features the work of several of today’s leading designers of modular dwellings and explores the considerable range in contemporary prefab construction, from houses that individual owners assemble from a kit of parts, to those that arrive fully intact. For more information on this exhibition: (310) 289-5223.

exhibition presents three decades of painting and printmaking by celebrated Los Angeles artist, Ruth Weisberg, Dean of the Roski School of Fine Arts at USC. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $7 seniors and fulltime students and children two through 12 pay $5. For more information call (310) 440-4500. Or visit www.skirball.org.

“First Freedoms: The Los Angeles Times and the Right to a Free Press, 1881–2006” – is being held now through June 2 at 8p.m. at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. The event will commemmerate 125 years of The Los Angeles Times and will display the first issue. The Huntington Library is located on 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more info call (626) 405-2141.

“A Tribute to Benny Goodman” – The Glendale Brand Library presents “A Tribute to Benny Goodman will be held at the Glendale Brand LibraryArt Galleries on May 19 at 2 p.m. with jazz scene journalist John Tumpak. The Brand Library is at 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale, for more information call (818) 548-2051.

“Ruth Weisberg Unfurled” – The Skirball, located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, presents “Ruth Weisberg Unfurled” through July 29. The

music

Macy Gray – Macy Gray will be performing at the Key Club on May 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $25. The Key Club is at 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. For more info call (310) 274-5800. The Chariot – The Chariot will

be headlining at the Troubadour on May 27 with performances by Misery Signals, the Human Abstract and I Hate Sally. Doors open at 7 p.m, with tickets costing $12 in advance. The Troubadour is located at 9801 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.

film “A Prairie Home Companion” – Based on Garrison Keillor’s real life radio institution, “A Prairie Home Companion” imagines the St. Paul based show as if it is their final broadcast. With an eccentric cast of country singers, bawdy cowboys and delusional detectives, including Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Lindsay Lohan, Tommy Lee Jones and Lily Tomlin, this film take radio to a new level. The film will be screened on Tuesday at the Glendale Central Library, located at 222 N. Harvard St., at 2 p.m. in the library auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information call (818) 548-2030.

book reading “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys” – Tom Dolby and Melissa De La Cruz will be reading from their book followed by a book signing session at the Book Soup on May 23 at 7 p.m. The Book Soup is at 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. For info call (310) 659-3110.

dance “An Evening of Balanchine” – The Los Angeles Ballet’s Summer Season, “An Evening of Balanchine,” will showcase three very different masterpieces from the greatest choreographer of the 20th Century. Come and experience the beauty of “Serendade,” “Apollo,” and “Rubies” on May 26 at the Alex Theatre. The Alex Theatre is located at216 N.Brand Blvd. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and ticket prices range from $35 to $95. To purchase tickets call (818) 243-2539.

www.elvaq.com

Friday, May 18, 2007

OPINION

Gun Control Laws Are a Joke in the United States By Vartanoosh Kiourktzian

EL VAQUERO ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

uns do not kill people, people who are allowed to buy guns without permits kill people. The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech University, got me thinking about gun control in this country. Countries such as Japan and France have extremely strict gun laws. In Japan, a country of 127 million people, there were only 53 shootings reported in 2006. In the U.S. there were 29,569 shooting-related deaths last year. In France, private ownership of handguns is banned and it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon. However, in the U.S. it is a right, and with a quick background check, any citizen of age can purchase a gun. In California, traveling with a gun is legal. Anyone over the age of 18 can keep a gun in their car as long is it is unloaded and stored in a locked container, but of course there is no way of monitoring this. At any moment, anyone can pull a gun out of the car and kill someone, hence the high number of drive-by shootings occurring just in the Los Angeles area. In fact, California does not require a permit to purchase rifles and shotguns nor does it require a registration of the firearms, much like the rest of the country. In Virginia, where student Cho Seung-Hui shot and killed

32 people at Virginia Tech University, there is no license, registration or permit required to purchase a handgun. No permits aside, even those declared mentally unstable like Seung-Hui are able to purchase firearms. Seung-Hui was declared mentally ill in 2005 and was ordered to outpatient treatment where his doctor said that he was a danger to himself and those around him. How did he somehow manage to buy weapons? According to Virginia state law, Seung-Hui should have been denied when he went to purchase a weapon due to his mental instability but, it never came up when he was buying guns. This is frightening because anyone declared unstable can purchase a weapon as long as it does not show up on their record. How is it possible that information like this cannot appear on ones record? This is information that can stop someone from purchasing a deadly weapon that they may use to harm themselves or others. It is clear that the second amendment is being taken advantage of. Yes, this country allows the right to bear arms, but to what extent? The second amendment was written in the 1700s when people feared the British coming into their homes and taking their land and/or money. Is that really still a fear? Of course there is the inevitable

Photo courtesy of NBC News

Cho Seung-Hui, a troubled Virgina Tech student who killed 32 people, expressed his rage in a video.

fear that someone can break into our home in the dead of night in an attempt to rob us, and by all means one should be allowed to have a gun. But to allow ownership without a permit or registration is downright regressive. The country is fighting a war in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect the safety of their citizens, but what about passing gun control laws to protect American citizens?

Not only are gun regulations sub-par, but purchasing bullets

posed family oriented stores like Wal-Mart sell ammunition like pieces of candy. Gun control laws in this country are appalling and it is unfortunate that even a 32-person massacre still has not awakened the country. I guess the second amendment is more important to some people than the safety of American citizens.

“Even supposed family oriented stores like Wal-Mart sell ammunition like they would sell pieces of candy.” does not require a permit either. Therefore, anyone can purchase ammunition without showing a permit to own a gun. Even sup-

Vartanoosh Kiourktzian can be reached at Vartanoosh_Kiourktzian@elvaq.com

Campus Comments What do you think of gun control? Gary Hackett 31 MARKETING

Andrey Seas 21 UNDECIDED

“I take a liberal view, access to guns and weapons should be more limited.”

“I think gun control is important, but I don’t know how effective it is.”

John Craven EMERITUS INSTRUCTOR

“I was raised in England so I think it’s a good idea to have people regulate guns. I don’t see people holding on to guns increasing safety for the country.”

Lissette Delgado 18 CRIMINAL JUSTICE “I think we need more laws for gun control, especially after Virginia Tech. Eighteen year olds shouldn’t be able to buy guns.”

— Compiled by Vartanoosh Kiourktzian and photographed by Anita K. Marto

Friday, May 18, 2007

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

New Construction Site: Clock Is Ticking! A

lthough there are currently two major construction projects on campus, the Allied Health and Sciences building and the new parking structure with an elevator tower and pedestrian bridge, the big question on everyone’s mind is, “When can we use the parking structure?” Director of Business Services, Bill Taylor said, “the current agreement with the contractor is to have ‘provisional occupancy’ of the structure on August 6.” This means that the college will be able to park vehicles on the lower levels on that date. The structure will be partially opened at the start of the fall semester. The City of Glendale has agreed to allow limited access via right hand turns both in and out of the structure until a new traffic light is installed on Mountain Street. There will be a considerable amount of construction on Mountain Street to Cardiac Hill sucks! accommodate parking entry. Work will begin on both the north side of the street and east of the new entrance road, this week. Major construction will begin June 1, limiting traffic to one lane in each direction. The road work is anticipated to last less than 60 days. The new Allied Health and Sciences building is nearing completion as well, though there have been some delays. “The furniture and equipment have been ordered,” said Taylor, and “they are expected in June.” There will be some Nursing and EMT classes held in the building during the second summer session and full occupancy is expected by the start of fall classes. Dave Jones, a math instructor on campus said that the new building is “looking good. I like the design. It will be a welcome addition to the campus.”

— Photography and Story by Richard Kontas The elevator tower and bridge will make life much easier for both students and faculty and it will also be a welcome replacement for the aptly named “cardiac hill” staircase.

The new Allied Health and Sciences building will be open for limited Nursing and EMT classes this summer and full occupancy in the fall.

Rental equipment vendors, Jim Finnie, left, and Paul Ortega assemble scaffolding to be used on the new parking structure construction site.