El Vaquero Sept. 12, 2015

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EL VAQUERO G L E N D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E C A M P U S N E W S PA P E R

September 23 , 2015

Volume 106 | Number 1

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VISIT US @ EL VAQ

NEWS

FEATURES

SPORTS

Construction on new building falls behind schedule.

Welcome to fall semester! ASGCC throws beach themed party.

Vaqueros lose two in a row, including a heartbreaker at home.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

EL VAQUERO EDITOR IN CHIEF Anahit Kardzhyan NEWS EDITOR Elie Georges STAFF Irene Abramian Shaira Arias Monica Astacio Sean Jordan Evelina Klchyan Jack Morello Danielle Nail Ekaterina Nikitina Aidan Rutten Melody Shahsavarani Yu Sugita Nancy Villalobos Steven Workman PRODUCTION MANAGER

Sal Polcino NEWSROOM MANAGER

Eric Bourse BROADCAST DIRECTOR

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NEWS

Board of Trustees Welcomes New Professors By Elie Georges

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he Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15 in Kreider Hall at 5 p.m. granting academic advancement ranks, approving resolutions and discussing updates. After the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, four faculty members were awarded the title of professor. In addition, eight were granted the title associate professor, two assistant professor, and 11 adjunct assistant professor. “I think that it is wonderful for faculty to have the opportunity to advance in rank based on their commitment to serving students and contributions to GCC,” said Career Center counselor Denise Leong-Brattain on advancing to associate professor. The board then took action on

eight resolutions. The first seven involved transferring money from the Unrestricted General Fund to the Restricted General, Capital Construction, Self-Insurance and Cafeteria Funds. The eighth resolution was to compensate trustees on their absences. All of the eight resolutions were approved. Among the subjects discussed by the board was accreditation. When an institution is accredited, it complies with a set of standards that give the institution its credibility. In other words, as long as GCC is accredited, the units transferred from Glendale College to other schools count. On Aug. 28, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office found the current accrediting agency no longer operates in the interest of its member institutions. The Accrediting Commission

for Community and Junior Colleges is the agency that evaluates accreditation for community colleges in the state. ACCJC placed City College of San Francisco on “show cause” in July 2013. A “show cause” is the most severe sanction the commission imposes after finding a college failing to meet its recommended standards. CCSF is currently accredited, but only for a two-year restoration status. The commission has been sanctioning community colleges in an inconsistent manner and has been unresponsive to the Chancellor’s Office recommendations. The credibility of ACCJC has been questioned ever since the City College issue. GCC is due for an accreditation visit in October 2016. Trustee Ann Ransford shared her feedback after attending the

California Community College Trustees Board of Directors meeting two weekends ago with the board. Ransford spoke about the possible formation of an accreditation commission, or joining ACCJC with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which accredits four-year institutions. “If you have more than two [BA programs] you are automatically accredited through the senior college and university commision,” said Ransford. Ransford also said that the report by CCCT “clearly states that constituency should continue to work in a cooperative and productive manner with ACCJC.” The next Board of Trustees meeting will be on Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. in Kreider Hall. Elie Georges can be reached at eliealexgeorges@gmail.com

Anashen Navasartian DESIGN ADVISER Charles Eastman faculty adviserS Michael Moreau mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000 ext. 5214 Richard Chang rchang@glendale.edu 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. Send an idea or article to the editor at elvaquero.editor@gmail.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349. Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

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.

Photo by Ekaterina Nikitina

BLOOD DRIVE: Robin Khaloian smiles while giving blood at the Student Center on Sept. 9. Blood drives will continue throughout the semester.

On the Cover:

IN THIS ISSUE

News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

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ASGCC members Mariam Keuork, Astghik, Elin Mikaelian, Raffi Terteryan, Izabella Sahakyan and Emin Azarian pose at the Welcome Back Beach Party in Plaza Vaquero on Sept. 10.

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Photo by Ekaterina Nikitina

Lifestyles.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Opinion. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14


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NEWS

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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Sierra Vista Construction Crawls Toward the Finish Line By Melody Shahsavarani

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aculty members and students are anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the Lab/College Services Building, now known as Sierra Vista, a structure that has taken over two years to complete. The original completion date was set for Dec. 10, but now students and staff can expect to occupy the building starting this summer. The building consists of three floors, 16 classrooms, lowflush toilets and urinals that use reclaimed water, and $3 million worth of furniture and equipment. “We have met with Mallcraft, [the general contractors], and they have estimated an April completion date,” said Ron Nakasone, executive vice president of ad-

ministrative services. “We’re a little disappointed in the date.” During the recent meeting with Mallcraft, Glendale College expressed its concerns with scheduling. The project fell behind about two months due to “unforeseen conditions” shared by Terry Ferkol, construction administrator. Those setbacks included hitting groundwater, which was not found during test drills done by GCC prior to Mallcraft’s arrival. Also complications with bedrock being too hard to drill or too deep affected the timeline. “That resulted in spending an extra $1.3 million to deal with this contingency,” said Nelson Oliveira, director of facilities and construction facilities. Fortunately, the state has fully reimbursed

this setback. Mallcraft has already implemented an increase in labor hours and Saturday shifts. They have agreed to add four superintendents on site, one for each floor and another to focus on the exterior. Each employee works six days a week. Completion status on the entire Sierra Vista building stands at 75.4 percent, while the first floor is 80 percent, second floor 75 percent, third floor 30, and roofing 25 percent. The first floor will be occupied by the journalism department, Disabled Students Programs and Services, and a center with two large lounges for collaborative learning. The culinary program, with

Photo by Scott Stalnaker

14 classrooms, will occupy the assessment to registration. second floor, that includes a patio. The Sierra Vista building “The third floor will be the is expected to cross the longone stop center,” said Shoji awaited finish line in spring 2016. Takeshima, project architect. The center will contain the main Melody Shahsavarani can be reached at services students seek, from melody.shah1@gmail.com

Energy Conservation Project: Preventative Maintenance By Elie Georges

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ollowing the success of its first phase, Glendale College is ready to save bigger bucks by moving to Phase II of Energy Conservation and Modernization. The three-phase, $7 million preventive maintenance project was approved by the Board of Trustees in August 2013 and has saved the college over a quarter million dollars. In December 2012, after conducting a facilities survey, the energy services firm, McKinstry, developed an approach that will reduce future capital expenditures as well as maintenance costs. Each phase would improve the learning environment and modernize facilities. The improvements included changing the lighting in the library. One student expressed her content. “I have been at GCC for over three years, and the library always felt like it was not well-lit. I noticed that the lighting has improved, so now I like to spend more time at the library,” said PJ Iddhibhakdibongse, an ASL major. Starting the fall semester, the cubicles in the library’s first floor were removed to allow more natural lighting. “I see a lot more productivity happening, and I think it’s better for us to be able to see,” said Librarian Susie Chin.

The library is also going through other changes. The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is being replaced by a better one. Dean of Library and Learning Supportive Services Eric Hanson spoke about how the temperature control system would provide a better environment for students at the library. “Currently the library’s HVAC system is being reworked through this program with the facilities. When the project is complete, students will find a more comfortable library because the temperature will be more steady throughout the library at all times,” said Hanson.

Measure G bonds (25 percent), On-Bill Financing (5 percent), GWP Rebate (3 percent), and SoCal Gas Co. Rebate (2 percent). The estimated savings of Phase I, which includes upper campus renovations, were at $165,165. However, the total actual savings surpassed that number by an additional estimate of $74,572 over the course of two years to reach a savings of $239,737 per year. This earned GCC a Board of Governors honorable mention for energy and sustainability in September 2014. In addition to statewide recognitions that set Glendale College as a leader in energy sustainability among the community colleges.

Graphic by Yu Sugita

For Phase I, the total program cost was $2.8 funded as such: GCC scheduled maintenance (34 percent), Prop 39 (31 percent),

“We have been singled out as a college that used the money most successfully because we are an example of leverage. There’s vir-

Photo by Ekaterina Nikitina

SIERRA VISTA: Construction committee, Nelson Oliveira, Khurt Geisse, Terry Ferkol and Shoji Takeshma, discuss layouts.

tually no college [in California] that utilized the leverage that we did,” said Director of Facilities Nelson Oliveira. After the end of Phase I, Newcomb Anderson McCormick (NAM), an energy engineering and consulting company that served as a third-party reviewer, verified the improvements and their impact on GCC; which gave the green light to the start of Phase II. Now that Glendale College is ready to start Phase II, an estimated savings of $84,118 is anticipated. The changes will be concentrated on the lower campus and will primarily include lighting and temperature control. “Students should be in an en-

vironment that is comfortable and that is what we are trying to assist so they excel, because learning outcomes are the first priority we have,” said Oliveira. “Improving the infrastructure is improving the learning outcomes.” The funding for the second phase will also be provided by scheduled maintenance, Prop 39, and rebates. Measure G bonds will not be used until the initiation of Phase III. “It’s like investing $1, and then getting $3 back,” said Oliveira referring to funding.

Elie Georges can be reached at eliealexgeorges@gmail.com


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Wednesday, Septeber 23, 2015

NEWS

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Faculty Gather to Kick Off Year with Institute Day By Anahit Kardzhyan

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new academic year is in session and with it comes more money, faculty and opportunity for growth. Glendale College hosted its annual Faculty Institute Day on Sept. 11 from noon to 4:30 p.m. To kick things off, the staff gathered in the student center for a luncheon to mingle with their peers and honor Ramona BarrioSotillo, division chair of student services and recipient of the William L. Parker Award for long and exceptional service to GCC. A presentation about the different aspects of the institution followed in the auditorium. The itinerary included several welcome back speeches. Board of Trustees President Tony Tartaglia told the crowd that he is looking forward to the upcoming year. “I’m excited that we’re actually going to talk and argue about money that we have, instead of money that we don’t,” Tartaglia said. “I think it’s an excellent opportunity for us to come to a common ground.” Student Trustee and President of Associated Students of Glendale Community College, Christine Ovasapyan, expressed her gratitude for the faculty and staff who help students succeed and have a memorable experience.

“All [they] do for us … gives us everything we need to make our lives so much more successful than what it already is. We are proud to have a close relationship with faculty and to provide our students with the best possible educational experience that there is, both inside and outside the classroom,” Ovasapyan said. “We do recognize and appreciate the valuable contribution you make towards the education of our students and thank you for your dedication,” added Saodat Aziskhanova, President of California Schools Employment Association. Aziskhanova introduced Zohara Kaye, Guild President, who informed the new faculty about the association. “At its core, the guild achieves social justice through collective action, so workers are given a voice and marketing power,” Zohara said. She, too, is excited because they have “the best budget we’ve had in years,” she said. Academic Senate President Andy Young then took the stage to explain how the Academic Senate works. The senate prides itself on being the body that represents the faculty in any and all academic and professional matters, he said. Young strongly encouraged the new faculty to get involved in the governance committee.

Michael Ritterbrown, vice president of instructional services, then joined him to officially introduce each of the 14 new faculty members. President David Viar assured that they “are the best of the best. You do have a great group of new faculty members who are joining with those that have come before and keep that great history and tradition of this college alive in the community as we move forward.” The new faculty members are: April Bey, drawing and 2-D design instructor; Mark Bowen, physics and astronomy instructor; Catherine Dudley, nursing instructor; John Fuhrmann, mathematics instructor; Julie Gamberg, English instructor; Emily Haraldson, art history instructor; Christopher Herwerth, mechanical engineering instructor: Tiffany Ingle, non-credit ESL instructor; Suzanne Lavertu, mathematics instructor; Adina Lerner, emergency technology and instruction librarian; Vlasta Lyles, human biology and human anatomy instructor; Sarah Mechaneau, French instructor; Nicholas Smith, speech instructor; and Tobin Sparfeld, music instructor. Viar said it is “one of the best parts of the job as superintendent/ president … having the opportunity to be the person who, in the end,

says these are the individuals that I want to join with the outstanding faculty and staff here at GCC to let us make our vision a reality.” After the warm welcome, Lisa Brooks, executive director of the Glendale College Foundation, and Pat Crouch, foundation board president, took the stage. “The foundation’s mission is simple,” Brooks said. “To raise funds that help strengthen Glendale Community College’s facilities, programs and students and to help build public awareness of the college in the community.” Haraldson, art history instructor, won the exceptional adjunct faculty award. The distinguished faculty award went to Joseph Beeman, associate professor of biology. Each of the winners, who also took home a $1,000 grant — to be used at the awardees’ discretion for any educational purpose that promotes the intellectual growth of their students — were selected by their peers. The foundation raises funds to provide such grants and make improvements when necessary, through special events and fundraisers. This money also comes from unrestricted donations, like the President’s circle, which has grown from a handful of people to over 50 members. “We’ve been working hard to increase the profitability,” Brooks said. “This past year, we hit a record of $101,687. The more we raise, the more we can give away.” The GCC Foundation was able to give out a record number of grants since its inception in 2010. These include: the theater/ auditorium production and communication system, a music classroom sound technology upgrade, an Academic Senate fund to grant faculty programs that enhance student learning, study abroad scholarships for up to 12 students, a GCC classical concert series, an athletic resource room study area with laptops, library space redesign, an entrepreneurship program, an architectural students exhibit, new kinesiology equipment and technology, organic chemistry equipment for research projects, the visiting artist lecture series and a grant for the athletic department. The grants have totaled $121,000 so far. “We’re just at the beginning,” Brooks said. “There’s more to come.”

Viar said he appreciated the opportunity to gather everyone together and hear from leaders of the various constituency groups at GCC and acknowledged the leaders for working so well together. “We really do have the best group of leaders of our constituencies that you will find anywhere else,” Viar said. “We agree on working in a civil, straightforward, transparent way to help us achieve our vision of being the greater Los Angeles region’s premier community college.” He hopes to reach the goal of having a 2 percent growth in the 2015-16 school year (approximately 300 full-time equivalent students) and a 2 percent growth in the 2016-17 school year (approximately 306 full-time equivalent students) by implementing a strategic plan that is ongoing. There are four key areas, however, that need to be addressed in order to achieve the college’s goals. The touchpoints for growth at GCC include: public awareness; adjustments in the application, admission, enrollment and registration processes; program/ course offerings and schedule; and retention, persistence and goal completion. “We have to be a little bit practical in the operation of the organization and I think it’s important for all of us together to understand the basis for why we talk about growth,” Viar said. “Our mission is about serving people. The more people that we can serve, the happier we are as educators and leaders of our institution.” There are approximately 764 full-time and part-time faculty members and Viar said he believes that they are the key part of moving forward. “By serving people because you care … we can have the right mix to help us move to premier expenditure patterns that allow us to achieve our education goals of our own,” Viar concluded. After a brief intermission, the faculty filed back into the auditorium for a video that summarized the support services available to help students succeed. A reception wrapped up the day’s events.

Anahit Kardzhyan can be reached at anahit.elvaq@gmail.com


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OPINION

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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Solitary Confinement: Rehabilitation or Torture? By Irene Abramian

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o design a torture chamber, an architect might begin with a small, windowless room. To ensure complete isolation, he fits this small room with a steel door. He then mandates that subjects be held inside the chamber for more than 22 hours a day for several days, weeks or months. For juveniles held in isolated lockdown, this is not an imaginary blueprint created by a hypothetical architect. This is reality. Solitary confinement violates each person’s constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment. It brings with it irreversible trauma, especially for malleable adolescents. With a wealth of information demonstrating the harmful effects of solitary confinement and an international community advocating for the end of its practice, a progressive state like California should follow suit. In 2011, a review of a facility in the California Division of Juvenile Justice found that 16 out of 93 juveniles housed in

isolation were held for a total of 78 days and were allotted a daily average of 74 minutes outside their cells. This statistic is not isolated. In a report titled “Growing Up Locked Down,” Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union interviewed 127 juvenile inmates across the nation and found similar reportings. According to the report, solitary confinement lasts anywhere from days to months and often prevents juveniles from access to physical exercise, education, mental health care services and contact with loved ones. “There was no window at all...I couldn’t see a clock...the only way I really associated any kind of time—I broke down time: morning, afternoon, evening...[I wanted to] feel like I was part of the human race—not like some animal,” said an inmate in the report. Stuart Grassian, a psychiatrist and former faculty member at Harvard Medical School, published a study in the Washington University Journal of Law & Policy demonstrating

a correlation between solitary confinement and the occurrence of mental illness. Isolation results in impaired cognitive ability and severe psychological distress, he said. “[The] harm caused by such confinement may result in prolonged or permanent psychiatric disability.” According to HRW and ACLU, these effects are amplified with juveniles. Inmates documented in “Growing up Locked Down” reported frequent struggles with thoughts of suicide and self-harm, hallucinations and feelings of depression and severe anxiety. “The hardest thing about isolation is that you are trapped in such a small room by yourself... You get depressed and wonder if it is even worth living...I want[ed] to kill myself,” said Paul K., an inmate interviewed by HRW and ACLU. The overwhelming findings demonstrating the harmful effects of isolation have raised eyebrows in the international community. In 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture Juan Méndez called for an end to all solitary confinement.

In his address, he condemned isolated lockdown as inhumane and torturous. These recognitions are slowly gaining traction in California. In the case of Ashker vs. Brown, which reached a settlement on Sept. 1, thousands of prisoners will be released from solitary confinement on the grounds of constitutional rights violations. Some of the inmates who will be released have been in isolation for more than 30 years. Much more is left to be done, particularly in the case of juveniles. Currently moving through the Assembly is Senate Bill 124, introduced by Sen. Mark Leno, D-Calif., on Jan. 16. The bill will set clearly defined parameters and stop the misuse of solitary confinement for juveniles. It will prevent the use of isolation on a person who is a danger to himself or others as a result of mental illness. In all other cases, solitary confinement may only be used once all other alternatives have been exhausted. When it is

deemed that solitary isolation is the best solution, it needs to be thoroughly documented and its use must be limited to a maximum of four hours. These regulations will make solitary confinement less destructive for juveniles. Incarceration is sometimes a necessity but prisoners should still be afforded basic rights and dignity. The continued overuse of solitary confinement on juveniles makes imprisonment arguably obsolete by negating its role of rehabilitation and traumatizing prisoners in ways that make them unable to rectify past mistakes. Senate Bill 124 sets clear standards that hold prisons accountable in delivering results that are beneficial for prisoners, taxpayers and society at large. If the bill fails to make it onto the desk of Governor Brown, imprisonment will continue to remain a losing game.

Irene Abramian can be reached at ireneabramian@gmail.com

El Vaquero is always looking for interesting story ideas. Do you know of anyone on campus with a compelling life story? Are you involved with an innovative campus program that the whole campus should know about? Do you have ideas for improving the campus experience? Have you witnessed a possible news story that we may not know about? Please contact us at: elvaquero.editor@gmail.com or (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349


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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

FEATURES

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Workshops and Seminars Offer Overview of Addiction By Irene Abramian

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he Annual Health Summit organized jointly by the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program and the Alcohol and Drug Studies Club of Glendale College was held Sept. 10 in the auditorium. Themed “Holistic Treatment: Merging Mental, Medical Health, Substance Dependence Treatment,” this year’s summit was the third in its series and consisted of a keynote speech by Darryl S. Inaba followed by four workshops led by substance abuse professionals. Inaba, professor of pharmacology at the UCSF Medical Center and director of clinical and behavioral health services at the Addiction Recovery Center in Oregon, focused his keynote speech on viewing substance abuse as multi-dimensional by addressing all facets of addiction. He walked audience members through landmark moments in his career including his role as one of the original founders of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic, a free clinic in San Francisco that opened its doors on June 7, 1967, with a mission to provide free healthcare to a stigmatized portion of the community. His lecture presented an overarching theme of understanding addiction as an individualized experience that is painted by a combination of

biological and circumstantial factors. With this as his filter, Inaba has been a leading figure in creating culturally tailored treatment plans, particularly in Asian and African American communities. He is now working in pharmacogenomics, a field studying the relationship between genetic makeup and drug response, where he is advocating for specialized treatment plans based on a patient’s DNA. Inaba’s presentation effectively married the science of addiction with the human experience, particularly for Kyle Armstrong, a student in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program, who drew parallels between his own experience. “I like the idea of relating on the level of the person (who is addicted). Even in my experience, when I was in treatment...a lot of my counselors looked like me... and I felt way more comfortable discussing personal things with them. So, I like that idea,” he said. Upon the conclusion of Inaba’s lecture, Program Director of the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program Benjamin C. Salazar Jr. took the stage to award the keynote speaker with a plaque thanking him for his presentation. A brief intermission was followed by four workshops covering topics including detoxification, patient confidentiality, effects of

Photo by Soraya Mattei Keynote speaker: Darryl S. Inaba autographs a notebook for President of the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program Jiselle Mendoza at the auditorium on Sept. 10.

addiction on the teenage brain and information about certification programs in California. The summit lasted four hours and drew in about 65 participants. A goal of the seminar was to provide attendees with information to bridge the gap between the classroom and the field by “[educating] students on topics they might only get exposed to once they are in the profession,” said Jiselle Mendoza, president of the Alcohol and Drug Studies Club. This goal was met for Sharyn

McCreedy, another student in the program, who was was attending the lecture to complement her training. “In this course, you get introduced to a lot of facets of the disease of addiction...but to have a way to put it all together to see how it functions takes a while,” she said. The seminar was able to fuel this process by creating an umbrella to house both practice and theory. Much of the success of the summit is dependent on budget availability.

“We were very grateful to have received a generous donation a couple of semesters ago, which is why we were able to make this summit more extensive in speakers,” said Mendoza. Funding permitting, the department aims to continue the yearly tradition for future cohorts of students.

Irene Abramian can be reached at ireneabramian@gmail.com

Apple Unveils the New iPhone 6s and 6s Plus By Melody Shahsavarani

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nother year, another Apple product announcement. On Sept. 9 in San Francisco, Apple unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Tim Cook, current CEO of Apple Inc., said at the keynote, “The only thing that’s changed is everything.” The new iPhone is available in four colors: silver, gold, rose gold and space gray. The 6s has kept the same 4.7 inch screen size, alongside the 6s Plus which retains its 5.5 inch display. The external surface has stayed the same, but it is the inside that has become the game changer. The newest features include: 3-D touch, higher quality camera, alongside a new action

in the camera called “live photos.” 3-D touch (Force Touch) gives shortcuts to apps and actions done often on the phone. For example, holding down on the camera app drops down multiple options accessible instantly. Such as taking a selfie or immediately recording a video. Another feature is that links in text messages can be accessed with a gentle touch and a Safari preview will appear rather than switching to the Safari app. Simply update a status on Facebook by holding down on the app and the option appears. Apple has enhanced its renowned smartphone camera (iSight) with 12-megapixels, an increase from the previous 8-megapixels. Apple announced that the autofocus is faster and

more accurate. There is now a flash in the front facing camera, which they call “retina flash screen.” HD videos for the first time ever now include 4K video. 4K video recording produces a higher degree of detail in every frame. With “resolution that’s four times higher than HD video, you can zoom in on those 8 million pixels while shooting or playing your 4K videos,” as stated on Apple’s website. It’s the greatest quality the iPhone has ever seen. Live photos allows you to take a normal photo as always, but there’s now a default option that records 1.5 seconds on each side of the photo, providing an animated capture moment when you tap on a photo that’s been snapped with this function. With

3-D touch, live photos can have sound as well to go into live photo mode. There will be a new circular icon when accessing the camera app, just tap this button and it’s “live.” Payment plans are usually 24 monthly installments within each carrier. Apple announced their own payment plan method, “iPhone Upgrade Program,” which allows users to upgrade to the new version of the smartphone every year. It will be an unlocked phone and it will include AppleCare+. Every iPhone you purchase, whether it’s sold by Apple or another retailer, comes with a 1-year limited warranty called AppleCare. This coverage comes at no additional charge and is automatically activated the day you

purchase the phone. The free version of AppleCare offers a 1-year limited warranty against defects, and 90 days complimentary phone support. People who buy the new 6S or 6S Plus will have to invest $129 in AppleCare+ support, a $30 increase from iPhone 6 and earlier models. The 6S plan starts at $27, while the Plus starts at $31. “Any iPhone you want is pretty affordable,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing. Pre-orders for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus started Sept. 12, and will be available in stores on Sept. 25.

Melody Shahsavarani can be reached at melody.shah1@gmail.com


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FEATURES

Wednesday,September 23, 2015

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Roots & Fruits Smoothie Bar Comes to Campus By Monica Astacio

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hia seeds, strawberries, wheatgrass and avocado. These are just some ingredients customers will find in the smoothies at the new Roots & Fruits juice bar, located next to the deli on the first floor of the Sierra Madre building. The juice bar’s loud yellow walls and fruity decor will instantly catch one’s eye. These smoothies are a more nutritious option to give hungry college students a boost of energy to get them through the next class. The man behind the juice, Rick Garay, partnered with Chef Nancy Jordan and decided that there needs to more nutritious on-the-go snacks available for students on campus. With this in mind, they began to create recipes in early spring 2015. Garay said it was a long process of “trial and error.” “There is a lot of nice feedback on the smoothies. Students love it!” food service worker Yolanda Zuno said. The most popular flavor, strawberry fields, is a delicious blend of cranberry juice, banana, orange sherbert, and avocados. Although one might think avocado seems like an ingredient usually left out of a smoothie, its creaminess helped tie it all together. All of these flavors form a deliciously filling beverage. Another popular flavor is the mango-chia smoothie

which consists of coconut milk, chia seeds, mango, agave syrup and lime juice. Some other unexpected ingredients found in Roots & Fruits’ smoothies are flax seeds, wheat germ, turmeric, and even garlic. Customers are even able to customize their own drinks based on what’s available. Student Sharis Sarkissian often goes to the cafeteria deli for sandwiches and decided to try the juice bar because it looked interesting. “It’s good, it has little coconut chunks,” Sarkissian raved about her tropical getaway smoothie. Transfer counselor Kevin Meza is a regular at Roots & Fruits and visits three times a week. Meza is very excited about having a healthier alternative to the less nutritious snacks that are offered around campus. His go-to flavor is the green monster because it has less sugar. One of the things that sets Roots & Fruits apart from all other eateries on campus is that it offers stamp cards to students. When you buy nine drinks you get the 10th one free. This promotion has allured even more students to try the juice bar. “The goal is to be bigger than what we are,” Garay said. With all the bold flavors in the smoothies, Garay and others hope Roots & Fruits will have a future as bright as its decor. Roots & Fruits is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monica Astacio can be reached at m.astacio55@gmail.com

Photo by Ekaterina Nikitina SMOOTHIE BAR: Kristina Hunter enjoys a cold drink at the new Roots & Fruits addition to the campus cafeteria.

A Candid Conversation with the New Student President By Evelina Klchyan

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hristine Ovasapyan, president of the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC) and Student Trustee, sat down with El Vaquero on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to talk about her interests, achievements and future goals. She describes herself as a passionate person, which contributes to her day-today success. El Vaquero: Where were you born? Christine Ovasapyan: I was actually born in Burbank and I grew up in Glendale all my life. EV: What was the happiest day in your childhood?

CO: That is a tough one. I can not pinpoint anything because I feel like as a child, everyone is just happy. EV: If you could meet one of the movie stars or heroes, who would that be? CO: Probably, Angelina Jolie. Just so I can pick her brain on all the different things she is doing. She is such a great role model. So I feel like that would be incredible to get to just understand what she does and why she does everything. EV: What activities do you like? CO: I am a very big eater. I love food. So, in my free time I am usually on Yelp finding a new place to eat and then going there. But right now, I am always busy

with school, so it is hard to find that free time to do more activities, but it is OK. EV: What were you doing before studying and working at Glendale Community College? CO: I graduated from Glendale High School. I was always involved in the Associated Student Body. I was in clubs and sports. I played basketball for my high school. EV: What’s your major? CO: My first choice is political economy, and my second choice is comparative literature. EV: When and where are you going to transfer? CO: I am applying this fall to transfer in a year. It is a difficult

Christine Ovasapyan

Photo by Greg Parks

[See ASGCC, page 10]


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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Tasty Tacos & Campus Clubs Welcome Back Bash By Nancy Villalobos

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each ball decorations were bobbing and swaying in the air as if dancing along to the beat of the DJ as were some of the students. Drinks were on ice in the pool, and the smell of churros and tacos permeated the air as the enthusiastic members of the ASGCC frolicked on the grass with water guns. Even a shaved ice truck was on hand compliments of Kona Ice. Free tacos were the big draw to the “Welcome Back Beach Bash” hosted by the Associated Students of Glendale Community College on Thursday, September 10. The event took place in Plaza Vaquero to boost student awareness and involvement with student government and campus activities. The ASGCC members were hard at work early on a hot summer afternoon in an effort to entice their fellow members of the student body to come out and enjoy some camaraderie, free food and a raffle. Vice President of Campus Activities

Ilona Evelina Martachian credited Representative of Campus Activities Jenna Nance with this semester’s event design work. Other representatives on hand were President of Alpha Gamma Sigma Danial Golforoush, Vice President of Administration Elin Mikaelian, and Senators of Campus Activities Patrick From left to right: Ilon a Eveli H Damadian and Emin Azarian to see ovhannisyan, Emin Azariann, Jea Mn artachian, Hovsep na Nance that everything ran smoothly. Students that “liked”the ASGCC Facebook page while attending the event were entered into a raffle for three prizes. This semester’s raffle winners were Sam Park of a $25 gift card to Coffee Bean, Mane Ajaryan won a $50 gift card to the campus bookstore, and Hannah Boynton won a fall parking pass valued at $75. Student body member Clinton Roberts said, “I appreciate the free food” as he walked away with tacos and a cold drink in hand. To keep up with current ASGCC activities please “like” their page on Face book, Associated Students of GCC. Roberts Clinton

Club Rush By Soraya Mattei

Photo by Nan

y Nancy Photo b

s

Sam Park celebrates his raffle win. Photo by Ekaterina Nik

itina

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o Villalob

Nancy Villalobos can be reached at nmv530@gmail.com

Patrick Damadian

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cy Villalobo

Photo by Nancy Villalobos

laza Vaquero was lined with booths staffed by representatives of the 50-plus clubs currently active at Glendale Christine Ovasapyan College from Sept. 14-18. Most clubs reported a decent turnout, though the heavy rain on Tuesday definitely affected recruitment. Big names on campus such as the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society and the V.O.I.C.E.S. club had an even bigger presence at club rush, with fully staffed tables and promotional materials. The Food and Fitness Club, newcomers to the college, had brightly colored signs, snacks and enthusiastic members promoting the club. This club’s mission on campus, according to VP Joey Vargas, is to “raise awareness on food & fitness related issues that affect the student body and surrounding area.” With a focus on education, the club plans to host hikes, food drives and nutrition seminars for the GCC community. The Feminist Club, despite being in its second semester, also made its debut this week. “We got started late last semester and didn’t get to participate,” member Luz Martinez said. The club aims to be “a platform for activism and discussion,” according to club president Ani Gasparyan. Other clubs, such as the Astronomy and Space Exploration Club, the Photography Club and the Film Collective aim to engage students and encourage more involvement in the many activities happening on campus. Soraya Matteican be reached at soramattei@gmail.com

bos

Photo by Nancy Villalo

www.elvaq.com

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

PERSPECTIVE

www .elvaq.com

Multi-Level Marketing...Business Opportunity or Scam? By Jack Morello

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s a young adult or someone with minimal business experience, it would be pretty cool to make over $1,000 a week working with a “financial management” firm or a company that “connects people to life insurance.” What if at this company or firm, the work was actually very minimal, just calling some contacts and reading from a script and getting them to commit to a financial plan or insurance policy? If that sounded a little shady then you already know this business is not meant for you. I was recently approached by a MultiLevel Marketing or MLM. As a community college student with little to no experience in business, I was a fitting prospect for them. I was doing homework in my room when I got a call from a lady who told me to dress for success and stop by their office the following day. I tried asking questions about what this business was and what exactly they do, but she told me that it would be explained when I got there. I didn’t even get the company name, just the address. The only questions she had asked me were if I could speak any other languages and what major I was studying. And the only information she gave me about the business-- other than the address-- was that my friend had recommended me for the job.

When I texted my friend to see what the deal was, he too had no answers for me. He said that it was “kind of confusing,” but that it was well worth it. He seemed convinced that he was going to make a lot of money soon. When I arrived at the business complex in Woodland Hills, I noticed the offices required a key to get in and the waiting room had no sign-in list, desk attendant, or organizational system that a legitimate business would normally have. A few guys in suits greeted my friend and I with vigor. We went into a room with just me, my friend and a field director named Wayne. Wayne and my friend were all smiles, the mood was so upbeat, it actually made me giddy. Wayne then proceeded to break down their multi-level marketing business scheme. At the top there was a field director who makes a large commission of sales from associates. The associates then make a moderate amount of commission from sales made by the trainees at the bottom of the pyramid. I had a hard time keeping up with all of the moving parts of his presentation, but it was at this point that I was able to sniff out something odd. Wayne told me he had no college education, yet if he was up against someone who had a degree from Harvard, he would be able to make more business. He

also claimed that he was currently in a position where he could not show up to work and still make over $80K a month. Wayne continued to indulge me with stories about how he and his wife and their two kids used to be poor. How he could not keep up with housing and car payments, but now they take four vacations a year. In order for me to participate, I would have to study what they were doing at this company for a while and start calling “warm” contacts(people that I know) and try to get them to sign up with the company that essentially provides financial management or life insurance. I would also have to study from a packet, then pay $300 for a “certification test” to be able to sell this type of business. At this point, I knew that this business was not for me. There was something that didn’t resonate well with me about the ethics of this operation. My dad had told me in the past, “if something seems too good to be true, it’s probably because it is.” It wasn’t only that, however, the next step after the private talk with Wayne, was a training session. It was like a pseudo-business meeting where everyone was encouraged to be loud and upbeat before it even started. The “training” was more of a lecture given by another field director who had apparently attended--and later dropped out of--

Pepperdine’s School of Law. She started working at this company to pay off her school loan and is currently financially stable. The presenter of the meeting gave us a breakdown on the type of business plan they had. It was much too simple to be information a real businessman needed to know. Some disturbing things were said like “the financial side of things can’t be understood right now, but you will understand more as you go along.” Why would I learn as I go along if I’m supposed to be asking my family members and close friends to sign up for this financial service? It was like they were giving background on the types of pitches that are given to potential customers. Near the end of the presentation, she said that the idea of creating a legacy “is very effective on immigrants.” At this point, it was hard to differentiate whether these people were more about helping Americans manage their money or exploit them for their money. The presenter went as far as convincing all of their trainees that this service can promise a positive return on the customer’s money with no risk of downside, by investing in “fixed index” stocks. The last step of the plan we learned about is “creating a legacy.” “Do any of you guys have a picture of your great grandfather or your great great grandfather?”

she asked. “No? Well if he left you $5 million would you have his picture up in the house?” While it was an interesting question, I was starting to feel brainwashed. I felt almost like a real businessman. But that is how this company wanted me to feel- upbeat, motivated and ready to make them some money. Wayne then gathered all of his sales associates and trainees into his office and gave us a pep talk. “The more time you put in, the more money you will get...it’s about putting in the work!” Wayne targeted those who were doing this gig as their second job, which was basically everyone in the room. He told us that out in the real world, we work hard to pay our bills; but in this office-we work on our dreams. I declined to join, even though I don’t have a job and would like to have the extra money. I felt that asking family and friends to buy a possibly phony financial plan was not going to be something that defined me. I would have to be a pretty good manipulator to succeed in this industry. My life is just beginning and the first step in the training meeting was “building a strong foundation,” but not everything is about money, and I want to build my foundation on something other than deception.

Jack Morello can be reached at morellobaseball@gmail.com

New ASGCC President Brings Charm,Vitality to Student Government [ASGCC, from page 7] process. I actually started my application, and it is just a blank. I am applying to many schools, as many as I can apply to. I want to keep my options open. I do not want to stick to one school, because I do not know what the future holds for me. I want to be able to have my options open so that I can see what I can choose from. EV: What made you want to run for President of ASGCC ? CO: I was heavily involved in ASB in high school ... even in middle school. It is always something I was drawn to. I am very outspoken and I like to get involved and get my hands dirty. It came natural to me, and I am really grateful for that because I

have had the best experience possible. Joining ASGCC was probably one of the great decisions that I have made in my life. EV: What have you learned or hope to learn from ASGCC? CO: I have learned that it is OK to let others lead. You have to be able to learn from others and have that open forum to discuss things, and have an opinion and disagree. I have learned that it is OK to not always agree on everything. But I have also learned what it is like to be with a group of diverse people who have a passion for community and passion for students. That is why we are here every day doing what we do. EV: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least? CO: I like that we ended up being a family. It is like lifelong friend-

ships. We have meetings every Tuesdays at 7 a.m. Walking here at 7 a.m. is like a breath of fresh air. What do I like least? I cannot really pinpoint anything because I live, breathe, eat and sleep at ASGCC, so I have not had any encounters where I can say there is anything I do not like as much as I do. Everything is great. Obviously, you hate some blocks on the road, but this organization is one of the best experiences ever. EV: Who has the greatest influence on you that makes you work harder? CO: I would say two people in life. One would be our previous adviser, Tzoler Oukayan. I was able to work with her when I was in ASGCC last fall. That woman showed me what it is like to have passion and have motivation and

work hard and to believe in yourself and others. I am so thankful for her because she guided me in a direction where I am proud to be. She gives me that reason to really keep going. Another person would be my mom. My mom is my number one role model. I am so thankful to have a mom who stands up for what she believes in and understands what it is like to work with a group of diverse people. EV: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? CO: I do not know. I do not know what I am doing even tomorrow, unless it is in my calendar. But I have so many things that I want to accomplish in my life. EV: If you had the opportunity to live any other time, when would that be?

CO: I think the time I am living in now is great. I am happy with where I am. EV: What is one word you would use to describe yourself? CO: I would say passionate. I do not like to do things if I do not have interest in them. I get bored easily. So for me to have a passion it is my life. I think that it has led me to a lot of places and it has helped me to really understand and it has helped my work ethic progress. Read the full interview online at www.elvaq.com.

Evelina Klchyan can be reached at eklchyan@gmail.com


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

THE ARTS

www.elvaq.com

11

Photos by Ekaterina Nikitina

NO LIMITS: From frogs to elephants — The Pasadena 3-D Print Show exhibits the many items to be manufactyred using its cutting edge technology. In China, 3-D printers are producing houses and may soon create artificial human organs and eventually replace bones and even spinal cords.

3-D Printing Could be the ‘Next Generation’ By Aidan Rutten

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ot that long ago, printing physical objects was considered science fiction — a faraway dream. Consider the 1960s TV show “Star Trek” where the crew of the SS Enterprise used a machine called the replicator, which could theoretically produce anything, literally, from physical objects to medicine or food. The “replicator” theoretically existed in the 24th century. But today, anything from works of art to spare car parts to medical equipment can be printed cheaply and with little to no skill from the comfort of one’s own home. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the “3-D Printshow” set up shop at the Pasadena Conference Center to showcase various 3-D printing companies and what they have to offer. Some focused on design, some on industrial manufacturing, and some on medical equipment. The list goes on and as more technologically-apt minds continue to experiment and invent, it

becomes apparent that no avenue will be left unexplored when it comes to the potential applications for this technology. Raise3D is a company that manufactures 3-D printers as well as the software needed to create with the printer. When it comes to manufacturing product parts, 3-D printers may eventually overtake machining and other methods as the most efficient way to produce these items. Edward Feng of Raise3D said, “As far as manufacturing goes, on a small scale, it is actually cheaper to use 3-D printing. But (the technology) is developing so fast that who knows where it will be a few years down the line.” As of now, smaller objects can take anywhere from two to six hours to print, with larger objects taking far longer. The level of detail must also be taken into consideration when predicting print time. It is clear among the 3-D printing community that the potential for this technology and the fulfillment of that potential are growing exponentially. One booth at the event was

showcasing a yet-to-be FDA approved CPAP mask. These are respiratory masks which are often prescribed to people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. The company, Metamason, has developed an algorithm which scans an individual’s head, provides an accurate digital representation of his or her facial topography, and then, using a 3-D printer, constructs a respiratory mask ergonomically designed to fit on that individual’s face. Charles Bohlen of Metamason said, “Mass produced CPAP masks only come in three sizes: small, medium and large. A lot of the time, people find these masks extremely uncomfortable, and also don’t wear them tight enough. There’s about a 50 percent quit rate with the masks, leading people to seek out other forms of treatment like surgery, which can be risky.” Bohlen also revealed that 3-D printing is already affecting our daily lives on a large scale, and most, understandably, have not noticed. “A huge percentage of hearing aids are 3-D printed and Invisi-

line braces are probably the most successful,” he said. As amazing as some of the practical applications of this technology are, there is a growing shadow of concern developing alongside the 3-D printing industry. Everyone was excited to explain their usage of this technology and the incredible things they were doing with it, but when asked about potential misuse, they all appeared stumped. “I don’t know. There [are] no regulations,” said Vivian Chu of Tinkerine, a 3-D printing company with a strong focus on education. “Once you have a printer, no one can control what you make with it, like guns.” People already find it frightening to think we may soon be living in a reality in which anyone is able to download and print out a firearm, or other weapons and dangerous items or materials for that matter. In his article “The Next Big Gun Debate: 3-D Printed Firearms,” published by The National Interest, Dr. Damien Van Puyvelde, associate director for research at the National Security Studies

Institute at the University of Texas at El Paso, said, “The advent of 3-D printed firearms is shattering the foundations of government gun control — the dissemination of printed guns will force public institutions and citizens to adapt, whether they like it or not ... The ability to print guns at home, based on blueprints that are available online and the use of increasingly affordable and reliable 3-D printers, directly challenges this state of affairs.” To experts and college students alike, rules, regulations and guidelines struggle to keep up with this progressing technology. It is clear that a balance must be established with 3-D printing to prevent misuse while extrapolating the achievements. The benefits are truly magnificent, however, and it is difficult to argue with such affordable manufacturing costs, the ease and efficiency of such technology, and limits put in place and only breakable by the human imagination.

Aidan Rutten can be reached at aidanrutten@gmail.com

Kormákur’s ‘Everest’ Takes You to the Mountaintop By Shaira Arias

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ou feel as though you are there—like the cold breeze is cutting your face, as though your life is inches away from ending if you took one wrong step on the monstrous beast that is Mount Everest. From the man that brought you thrillers “Contraband” and “2 Guns,” Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur leaves nothing to the imagination in his new

IMAX 3-D film, “Everest.” The thrilling drama is the retelling of the devastating events that took place May 1996 when two expedition groups attempt to summit Mount Everest but are hit with a blizzard that changes everything. Eight of the climbers traveling are killed during the storm and some are fatally injured. What seems as a suicide mission to some , the challenge of climbing Mount Everest is one that mankind yearns. The film

begins with giving an inside look at the two expedition teams, one being led by Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Scott Fisher and the other by Jason Clarke who plays Rob Hall. Even though they are considered two different expedition teams, during the nights when a blizzard hits, they are brought together as one as the climbers help each other out to survive on the mountain. “The Imitation Games” leading lady Keira Knightley , who

plays Jen Arnold, the wife of Rob Hall, does an incredible job bringing a sense of reality and human touch to the movie. Knightly musters life to the screen by allowing you to feel every emotion she expresses as a supportive wife bearing a child. Once the two expedition teams set out on their journey, we are able to see the different hardships and predicaments they face on the mountain. “Everest” provides great in-

sight into the personal lives of the characters. It allows its viewers to connect emotionally with the climbers by providing the reasons why they choose to embark on their journey. Kormákur captivates the audience with his cinematography by filming in locations like Iceland , the Italian Alps and Nepal. He undoubtedly brings you to the top of the world with his scenery.

[See Everest, page 12]


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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

ARTS

www.elvaq.com

Water Works as Art in New Gallery Exhibit By Shaira Arias

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uring an afternoon when art met education, the GCC Art Gallery along with the Porch Gallery Ojai and Venice Institute of Contemporary Art, welcomed the internationally juried exhibition “Water Works 2” by holding a panel discussion and artist reception on Sept.12. “Water Works 2” is an exhibit that sheds light on countless water issues in our environment through the medium of art. The panel discussion was followed by an artist reception, where GCC students and guests were able to socialize with the artists and discuss their artwork. Art Gallery Director Caryl St. Ama spoke of the importance of the work. “I think most of the pieces are more metaphorical so it makes students think about the message instead of having it kind of slapped in the head,” she said. From charcoal graffiti to plastic bags woven in crochet, “Water Works 2” is an educationally impactful and visually inspiring exhibit. The exhibit showcases work from local artists such as Catherine Ruane, Ann Phong, MB Boissonnault and more. A collaborative piece done by women all over the U.S. and countries as far as Brazil, “Something In The Water” by Wendy

Photos by Sal Polcino

WATERWORKS: Artists discuss their work at the art gallery on Sept. 12.

SOMETHING IN THE WATER: This multi-colored crocgeted piece by the artist known as Osher represents toxins in women’s breasts.

Osher, portrays how polluted water affect women’s breasts. Through the use of plastic bags woven in multi- colored crochet, Osher represents the different toxins that settle in a woman’s breast and are passed down to newborns through breast milk. Osher’s piece is an eye-opener to an alarming and global issue. Otis College of Arts and Design’s graduate, Ruane, has been pursuing her craft for over 35 years. Her painting, “River”, is a charcoal graffiti that references how we treat water and live in

sor, Ann Phong, believes we can make a favorable change to our environment by joining groups and organizations whose driving force is to clean our oceans. As an immigrant from Vietnam yet long time resident in of the US, professor Phong draws inspiration from her love and respect towards the ocean by using loose brush stroke to create her painting, “There Was Clean Water.” “Most of my work focuses on the ocean because I crossed the ocean from Vietnam to come to

an environment where all living things rely on the consumption of water to survive. “The water consumption is not just about humans, it is about the whole life system that depends on a healthy riparian life,” Ruane said. During the discussion the artist touched on the importance of raising awareness on environmental issues through art. “Water Works 2” gives prominence to the important role water plays on our lives and on earth. Cal Poly Pomona art profes-

[Everest, from page 11] In an interview with Variety magazine, Kormákur said, “The more that we make the Marvel studio films fantastic for what they are, the more we need to contradict that and make films that feel real.” By showcasing the amazing scenery, Kormákur allows his audience to re-live the day of the devastating event. “Everest” leaves you cold from the thought that there are those willing to place their lives in danger just to climb a mountain with the only reason, “because I can” or “because it’s there.” The risk that humans take in attempting to reach the top of Mount Everest is one that only the fearless can attempt and you shouldn’t miss in seeing. Coming in the top five this week and grossing $7.6 million, “Everest” is most definitely a must-see film this year. PG-13. COLD AIR: Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Jason Clarke star in “Everest.”

Photo courtesy Universal Pictures

Shaira Arias can be reached at sarias131@student.glendale.edu

America, so the ocean means a lot to me,” Phong said. “But recently when I go to the beach area I see we humans pollute it in many ways.” Even though we all understand to some degree the importance water has on our daily lives, it’s even more important to reflect and analyze the impact we have on it as well. Water Works 2 runs through Oct.1 at the GCC Art Gallery. Shaira Arias can be reached at sarias131@student.glendale.edu

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F O OT B A L L Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Saturday

Vaqueros - 35 E.L.A. - 31

Vaqueros - 30 Mt. San Jacinto - 43

Vaqueros - 14 San Bernadino - 31

@ L.A. Pierce 7 p.m.

Vaqueros Get Back to Fundamentals By Sean Jordan

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fter winning the first game of the season on the road, the Vaqueros dropped two in a row and are now looking forward to getting out of the losing column. The first home game of the Vaqs season did not go as planned as the Vaqs lost to Mt. San Jacinto 43-30 at Sartoris Field on Saturday, Sept. 12. Head coach John Rome and his team, now at 1-2, look forward to their next chance to bring it back into the win column especially after a disappointing home game. “You’re always disappointed when you don’t play well. When you don’t play a complete football game, you make mistakes,” Rome said. Highlighting the home game

on Sept. 12, defensively the Vaqueros showed promise in the first half. Clinton Hewitt, Mohamed Inoussa and Sylvester Robinson all recorded sacks on the Eagles quarterback, Jake Newton. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the onslaught Newton delivered through the air, throwing a total of 387 yards with four touchdowns. “We just didn’t make plays,” Rome said. “We got to a position to make tackles and we didn’t. We got to a position to make blocks and we didn’t. It’s a very fundamental game, and I don’t think we did either particularly very well. We’re going to have to go back to fundamentals.” After the first Vaquero score in the second quarter, the point after kick was blocked by C.J. Parker and returned 98 yards for a defensive PAT giving the

Eagles a 9-6 lead. From there the Vaqueros were fighting an uphill battle, especially when Mt. San Jacinto scored a touchdown with 11.6 seconds before the end of the first half, leading the Vaqs 16-6. Vaqueros’ quarterback, Grant Kraemer, struggled all night, only completing 15 of 33 passes for 174 yards, including two TDs to wide receiver Tru Jarvis. Unfortunately, he also threw two interceptions for the night, got sacked five times, and was tackled for a safety. It wasn’t all grim throughout the night. The special teams unit showed they weren’t giving up as Kev’n Farmer returned a total of 71 yards, and Daemon Thompson carried for 60 yards. They gave hope to the team with their electrifying returns. It seemed the running game

also had signs of life in the fourth quarter as Robert Jones was working double duty running for 37 yards in five attempts, scoring one TD; and if that wasn’t enough he racked up 50 receiving yards for the night. Running back Darius Jones added to the mix as well, running for 26 yards in nine attempts and scoring one TD. Both scores led to the Vaqs trailing the Eagles 37-30. “Being as one I feel like we din’t play as a team,” running back, Robert Jones, said after the game. “The leaders just got to step up and be more for our younger players. I feel like our linemen could have blocked a little better, but I can’t put it all on them because it’s a team effort.” After an interception that led to a rushing TD from the Eagles, the final score for the night was

43-30 Mt. San Jacinto. The Vaqs went back to fundamentals and tried to stay positive while they focused on winning their next game against San Bernardino Valley at San Bernardino. Sadly, that didn’t happen as the Vaqs lost their following away game 31-14 to San Bernardino. The Vaqs will face Los Angeles Pierce College at home on Saturday. Hopefully, after two disappointing losses they can come back and win one for the home crowd. “We’re just going to try and live in the moment, and right now the moment isn’t very comfortable, but we’ll get there,” Rome said.

Sean Jordan can be reached at sjordan2012@gmail.com

Photos by Sean Jordan NOT QUITE ENOUGH: Running back Travis Custis (#8) trudges through the defense of Mt. San Jacinto at Sartoris Field, pushing the Vaqs closer to the goal line on Saturday, Sept. 12. Custis racked up 26 yards in 5 attempts with an average of 5.2 yards per carry, the longest being a 12 yard run. Despite the effort of the run game, the Vaqs couldn’t get the win at home.


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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Stengel Field Lost a Piece of Local History By Jack Morello

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he complex at Stengel Field, home to Glendale College has completed the initial part of a reconstruction plan. The demolition and construction took place this summer, mainly to replace the old building that held the bleachers up. Right now if one walks across the Verdugo bridge parking lot, they’ll find a more open setting, with two more minimal metal bleachers surrounding the backstop of the playing field. There were rumors that a new clubhouse was going to be constructed. As of now, everything from the dugouts to the bleachers are more open, separated by a new fence and tarp. Clean asphalt has replaced a lot of the hulking green stadium type seating. The new set-up leaves a lot of ground open behind the dugouts, whereas the old stadium provided additional seating above the dugouts. The Vaquero baseball team has just started fall ball games, it will be interesting to see how it affects the fans’ viewing pleasure. Chris Cicuto, head coach of the Vaquero baseball team, spoke

about the future of the Stengel field grandstand and how he felt about the current state of the ballpark. “It was very emotional for me to see the demolition of the stands,” said Cicuto. “I have always thought Stengel Field was a beautiful place to play ball. I played there as a 13-yearold during the summers. I played college baseball there and it’s been my home for the past 15 years as a coach.” The time coach Cicuto has spent on this field has rewarded him in many ways. Cicuto led the Vaqs to numerous conference titles, picking up another just last year. The grandstand that held these banners had not been in good shape. “Over the past five years it has been in extreme decline,” Cicuto said, “We have lost the clubhouse and offices and section by section were deemed unsafe until last years two rows were the only place a game could be watched.” The work that was done over the summer replaced the stadium with bleachers, much bigger dugouts and a tarp backstop instead of the old-style brick backstop. Cicuto said he felt a little sad

when seeing the new set up, but that it “passed quickly because I knew it was the best thing for the fans, players and community.” Not only are coaches Cicuto and Phil Torres of Crescenta Valley High School looking forward to the improvements, but so are Glendale Unified School District administrators and the city of Glendale. During the demolition, the water fountains were destroyed and have yet to be replaced, an oversight by city employees which Cicuto anticipates they will be fixing soon. Cicuto also mentioned that there is a long term plan that would require the community’s involvement. Glendale College and local high schools plan to raise $4 to 6 million for a new grandstand with locker rooms, showers, and offices for GCC and CVHS. Until then, baseball players and fanatics will have to be patient until the big reveal of the new and improved Stengel Field.

Photos by Sal Polcino Jack Morello can be reached at morellobaseball@gmail.com

STENGEL FIELD MAKEOVER: The historic clubhouse and stadium have been replaced with metal bleachers and open space.

Lady Vaqueros Say Improvement is on the Horizon By Soraya Mattei

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he Lady Vaqueros fell to LA Harbor this Friday at Sartoris Field, their second loss in a row. The Seahawks opened up the scoring early in the first half. At the eight minute mark, center forward Casandra Reyes knocked one into the net. The Vaqueros seemed to have trouble shaking off the Seahawks’ attackers, and remained in a defensive position for most of the first half. Tensions began to rise at the end of the first half, when Seahawks midfielder Daniela Martin took Vaqueros forward Elizabeth Segoviano down hard. Segoviano shook it off, but a few minutes later, the Seahawks’ physical style of play wound up again. When Vaqueros goalie Courtney Campbell dove for the ball, Chelsea Ruiz of LAHC ran her over, causing an immediate reaction from Campbell. She insisted

Photo by Soraya Mattei

GET YOUR KICKS: Forward Jackelyn Alarcon crosses the ball at Sartoris Field on Sept. 18. Despite her effort, the Lady Vaqs lost the game 1-0.

on staying in the game, and the first half ended at 0-1. The second half continued much like the first, with the Seahawks on the offensive. The Vaqueros put up a solid defense, only giving the Seahawks a handful of scoring opportunities. Aside from one major attack by Elizabeth Segoviano that was thwarted at the last minute, the Vaqueros mostly defended. The game ended 0-1, with the Vaqueros coaching staff visibly frustrated. After the game, reserve goalkeeper Crystal Rivera shared her thoughts regarding the performance of the mostly-freshman team. “We’ve been working together all summer, but this is only our third game together. We will only get better,” said Rivera. Midfielder Paula Cabrera appeared to feel the same way. “We played a good game and we connected really well, but

we can do more. We can push harder,” Cabrera said. Campbell also commented on the team’s progress. “We’ve been together for six weeks, so we’re a team already compared to a lot of our competition,” Campbell said. Their current record is 0-2-1, after tying their season opener with College of the Desert on September 4th and dropping one against Oxnard College four days later. Next. the Lady Vaqueros face Pasadena City College of the South Coast Conference for the first time in the team’s history. Pasadena finished seven points ahead of Glendale in the final standings last year. They face off against the Lancers in an away game at 3 p.m. on Sept. 22..

Soraya Mattei can be reached at soramattei@gmail.com


www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

15

Calendar On Campus events

mation visit: www.glendale.edu/ boardoftrustees.

Manufacturing Day — The GCC Manufacturing Department and the GCC Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Club will have an open house on October 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in AT 229. Visitors will be given a tour to the robotics lab, where student projects will be displayed, as well as the machine shop. The club will sell hot dogs and drinks to raise funds to attend the SHPE National Conference in Baltimore.

Lecture

Swap Meet — The next swap meet is on October 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the upper campus parking lot. Free and open to the public. Parking costs $2. For more information, call (818) 2401000, ext. 5805.

MEETINGS Board of Trustees Meeting — The second meeting of the fall semester is on October 20 at 5 p.m. in Kreider Hall. For more infor-

Cultural Diversity — The Cultural Diversity Series presents “Human Bottleneck: Perception of Race” on Thursday. Speaker is anthology professor Andre Yefremian. The lecture will be held in 12:20 to 1:30 p.m in Kreider Hall. Free admissin. For more information visit www.glendale.edu/culturaldiversity. Domestic Violence Lecture— Dickran Tevrizian presnets “Domestic Violence & the Law” on October 8 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in SR 112.

WORKSHOPS Learning Center — The Learning Center presents “Keys to College Success 2” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m and “Avoiding Vague Language” from 2 to 3 p.m. today. “APA Documentation” from

11 a.m. to noon and “Quotation Integration” from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday. “Outlining and Essay Structure” from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday. All workshops are in AD 232. Career Center — The Career Center presents “Undecided/ Undeclared Major” and “Effective Resume” on Thursday. Both workshops are at 2 p.m. in SR 221. Register online at MyGCC.

ART GALLERY Gallery — The Porch Gallery Ojai and The Venice Institute of Contemporary Art presents “Water Works II.” The exhibition features artwork by artists from around the world. The works focus on various issues related to water. The exhibit runs through October 1 at the GCC Library Art Gallery. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. For more information call 818240-1000, ext. 5663.

LOT CLOSURES Parking — Lot 31 will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdayand 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. The parking garage will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

PERFORMANCE Concert Series — Pianist and composer Byran Pezzone will perform on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the GCC Auditorium. Admission is free and open to all. The concert series is funded by a grant from the Glendale College Foundation.

MOVIES Friday Flix — A screening of the 1953 acclaimed drama “Tokyo Story” will be shown Friday. The film is directed by Yasujirô Ozuand and stars Chishû Ryû and Setsuko Hara. “Tokyo Story” follows an old couple who go to

Tokyo to visit their adult children and grandchildren. The 1955 heist thriller “Rififi” will be screened on October 2. The Jules Dassin directed-film stars Jean Servais and Carl Möhner. The film-noir follows Tony, who just left prison after five years. Not long after his release, his friends get him to join their plans to perofrm a jewlery heist. Mike Petros will facilitate a discussion after the film. Snacks and drinks are encouraged. Free at 12:30 p.m. in SG 334.

PLANETARIUM Afternoon with the Stars — Students and staff can attend a free lunchtime program highlighting the planetarium’s features. “Mars, Land of the Martians!” will be presented Thursday and a student showcase will be presented on October 1 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in CS 257. For information visit www.glendale.edu/planetarium or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5275.

Around Town THEATER Glendale Centre Theatre — An adaptation of Frank Loesser’s musical “Guys and Dolls,” runs through October 10. Showings are Fridays at 8 p.m. with matinees at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 324 N. Orange St. General admission tickets are $32. For more information visit www. glendalecentretheatre.com or call (818) 244-TKTS.

MUSIC Glendale Noon Concerts — The First Baptist Church of Glendale features classical concerts on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Calico Winds is featured October 7 at 12:10 p.m. The group will play compositions from Malcolm Arnold, Willson Osborne and Carl Nielson. Free and open to the public. Located

on 209 N. Louise St. in Glendale. For more information call (818) 242-2113.

EXHIBITIONS Photographic Exhibit — “ Between Modernism and Tradition: British Works on Paper, 1914-1948” is on display through Monday at the Huntington Library. “Magna Carta: Law and Legend, 12152015” runs through October 12. “Funny Business: Humor in British Drawings from Hogarth to Rowlandson” runs through November 30. “American Made: Selections from The Huntington’s Early American Art Collections” is also on display. Admission is $20 for adults and $12 for students. Prices higher on weekends. Visit the library at 1151 Oxford Road in San Marino. Pasadena Art Exhibitions — “Someday is Now: The Art of

Corita Kent” continues through November 1 at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. “Alexandra Grant and Steve Roden: “These Carnations Defy Language” is also on display through November 1. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors. For details visit www.pmcaonline.org or call (626) 568-3665. Community Labyrinth — “Water Finds a Way” is a labyrinth made from recycled and organgic materials. A community gathering will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the labyrinth. The installation runs through November 18 and is located at the Glendale Civic Center courtyard. Forest Lawn — “Leading Ladies – From Fantasy to Reality” begins Friday at the Forest Lawn Museum. ‘Leading Ladies’ is an exhibit that explores the world of female heroines. The event is

free admission and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Forest Lawn is located on 1712 S. Glendale Avenue. For more information visit www.forestlawn.com or call (800) 2043131.

EVENTS Montrose Harvest Market — The Farmer’s Market takes place every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 2300 block of Honolulu Avenue. For information visit www.shopmontrose.com. YA Authors — The Once Upon a Time Bookstore presents “Fall Fiction Frenzy” on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. The event will feature booksignings and a panel discussion from authors Livia Blackburne, Bethany Crandell, Stephanie Diaz, Nicole Maggi and Romina Russell. The bookstore is located 2207 Honolulu

Ave in Montrose. For more information visit www.shoponceuponatime.com Film Festival — The Glendale International Film Festival begins Thursday with the documentary “Vintage Glorious Glendale” at 8 p.m. at the Alex Theatre. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday at the Alex Theatre and MGN Five Star Cinema. Admission for the documentary is $10. For more information and showtimes visit www.www.alextheatre.org and www.mgnfivestarcinema.com. Book Talk — Author Maral Boyadjian and her sister Salpi Ghazarian, the director of the Institute of Armenian Studies at USC, will discuss Boyadjian’s latest novel “As the Poppies Bloomed” on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Library. Admission is free. 222 E. Harvard Street. Compiled by Eric Bourse

GET YOUR EVENT LISTED • Email details to Elvaqed@gmail.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible. on the calendar page • For details call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349. Deadline is Oct. 2 for the Oct. 7 issue.


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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

LIFESTYLE

www.elvaq.com

Volunteers are Needed

Photos by Nancy Villalobos GET INVOLVED: Eddie Motta (above) encourages student volunteerism. Patrick Damadian, Ilona Evelina Martachian, Emin Azarian, Jenna Nance and Hovsep Hovhannisyan (below) celebrate Consitution Day at Plaza Vaquero.

By Nancy Villalobos

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he Center for Student Involvement hosted its biannual Volunteer Faire on Sept17, creating opportunities for students to get involved with reputable organizations. Volunteering promotes a strong sense of community, provides rewarding experiences, valuable knowledge and the development skills that can be an asset to a budding career. Organizations on hand ranged from medical facilities and outreach programs to the Los Angeles Zoo. Meet Each Need With Dignity, or MEND, encourages students to volunteer during the holiday season to create christmas baskets by donating a toy for children ages 10 to 14 or signing up on their website www.

mendpoverty.com to create a volunteer profile. Eddie Motta, a second year student majoring in Psychology has done a variety of volunteer work with several organizations including missionary work and understands the value of being service minded and the impact it can have on the lives of those in need. “Volunteering has changed me as a human. It’s had a positive impact on my outlook on life and my fellow man,” Motta said. For more information on getting involved contact the Center for Student Involvement at 818-240-1000 ext. 5580 or email CSI@glendale.edu.

Nancy Villalobos can be reached at nmv530@gmail.com


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