EL VAQUERO
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G L E N D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R September 14, 2016
Volume 108 | Number 1
New Faculty New Year, New Members By Diane Roxas
A
t the end of spring, the college said goodbye to 12 retiring staff members, but this semester GCC welcomes 25 new faces. This fall brings in a high number of new hires, most of whom have taught here as adjunct instructors. (English as a Second Language) campus. She has worked for several years at GCC as an adjunct instructor. She is currently involved in meetings of the Glendale Community College District Regional Consortium, which is made up of educators and community partners committed to improving the adult education experience in the Glendale district. ESL classes help students utilize the English language in their daily life, work, and other academic classes. Her goal is for the students “to master the student learning outcomes, and accomplish their own personal goals.” Geri Ulrey is an instructor of media arts. She is teaching motion picture production and digital video editing this fall in GCC. She has a master’s degree
production. She chose to teach because some of the people that had the greatest impact on her life had been her teachers, and teaching
allows her to “constantly grow herself.” “One of the most fundamental parts of being a human being is our need to tell stories,” she said. This allows her to connect to her students easily and translate her love for the arts to the courses she teach. time instructor from the business division. He is currently teaching a variety of computer courses, such as Java Programming, and Cybersecurity. He got his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona, where he was also a teaching
He aims for a more active and hands-on learning environment. And also, encourage his students to “not just see the material in terms of theory but understand their application. “ Karen Swett joins the Language Arts Division as a speech instructor. She is teaching public speaking will teach intercultural studies, as well as gender and communication classes. She graduated from Cal State degree in communication studies. She is also a part of the Cultural Diversity Committee because she wants to help different cultural groups see that “they share more values than they know.” [See Faculty, page 6]
Photo by Sal Polcino
COMING SOON: Students pass in front of the Sierra Vista building, now scheduled for completion on Jan. 10, 2017.
Sierra Vista Nears Completion By Morgan Stephens
T
he Sierra Vista building resumed construction with a new contractor after setbacks concerning quality and timeliness that have turned it a three-year project. Construction began Sept. original completion date set for Dec. 10, 2015. The project faced complications due to numerous impediments including failure to
pass inspection. The current tentative completion date is set for Jan. 10, 2017.
and quality control specialist they are being implemented by the takeover contractor.” Replacements for the original
prior installed materials are being removed and replaced Oliveira, director of facilities and construction. “Our district team, facilities management, design, inspectors of record, project manager, and quality assurance
appointed contractor and Vertex Construction, the company set to replace the defective heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, among other projects. [See Building, page 3]
Football Season Is Underway With Vaqueros off to a Rocky Start By Steven Montoya
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he Glendale Vaqueros duked it out on the gridiron against the Golden West
defensive stand-down, where both teams refused to be shoved around. But eventually one team was going to slip up and that was Glendale. Golden West
Sartoris Field Saturday. After a tough 60 Vaqs on the losing end. Here’s how it began: Glendale players received the ball from the north side of the Unfortunately, the plays were poorly executed and resulted into a three and out. However, Golden West failed to execute in the very beginning as well.
Photo by Tina Fernestam
KICKOFF: The Vaqueros took the field on a sunny Saturday afternoon, amped up for their first home game.
best receiver line up outside of the numbers, run a go route, burn all the defensive backs and catch a touchdown, but it doesn’t always happen that easily. For both teams the At one point the game seemed to qualify a
quarter was winding down to a close, the opponent was matriculating the ball down the Rustlers came out on the attack. They left their conservative plays on the sideline and went for a deep strike down the left sideline. Glendale’s cornerback was beat and he knew it, so he did the only thing he could, which was hold the Rustler’s receiver back from catching the ball. Golden West lined up with three receiv-
[See Football, page 10]
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EL V
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Remembering a Tragic Day in History
EDITOR IN CHIEF Melody Shahsavarani SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Tina Fernestam STAFF Steven Montoya Diane Roxas Sheron Page Morgan Stephens Breanna Hamilton Elena Jacobson Stalin Ruiz PRODUCTION TEAM Sal Polcino Jayne Pojawa STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Tina Fernestam FACULTy ADVISER Michael Moreau mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 551-5214 ADVERTISING Jeff Smith jsmith@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext. 5493 Send Letters to the Editor
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Photo by NormanB
GROUND ZERO: A view from the south pool of the National 9/11 Memorial built on the site of the fallen Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York.
By El Vaquero Staff
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ered to half-mast on campus and across the nation to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, where 2,731 people were killed and nearly 6,000 injured as the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington. D.C. It was the worst attack on American soil since the Japanese
bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which killed 2,335 military personnel and 68 civilians. For those who may be too young to remember, here is a timeline of the horrendous events of the day. passenger planes crashed into north tower of the trade center. About 15 minutes later another plane crashed into the north tower. All passengers and crew along with the hijackers were killed instantly. At 9:47 a.m. a third airliner
Obituary: Beloved Art History Professor Has Passed
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IN THIS ISSUE
News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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he college mourns the loss of longtime art history Professor Leonard DeGrassi, who died Sept. 2. A service will be held Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City. Viewing will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by mass at 11 a.m. His daughter, Maria Colosimo, requests RSVPs at (818) 956-5860. El Vaquero will run a longer remembrance in the next issue.
Photo by Greg Parks
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Professor Emeritus Leonard DeGrassi
crashed into the Pentagon killing 125 people, including 60 civilians. At 10:07 aboard the famous Flight 93, passengers managed to reach friends and family who contacted authorities. The terrorists then deliberately crashed into aboard. Twenty minutes later, the north tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, eventually bringing down the south tower, causing more lives lost and billions of dollars in damage. The city was
devastated. and good Samaritans lost their lives or were injured. Now 15 years later, the horrors have continued as many who inhaled the toxic dust released by the debris are succumbing to cancer and chronic lung disease. Americans and their allies will never forget.
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
NEWS
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Renovations Improve Quality of Student Experience By Sal Polcino
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teachers and students to reach
or already completed.
ment.
students.
Photo by Sal Polcino
SANDBOX LAB: Touch screen monitors, interactive whiteboards and 3D printers populate the new lab in the San Rafael building. All students are welcome.
around campus. “These grants are totally for
grant.
[See Renovation, page 4]
Sierra Vista Building [from Building, page 1]
are presently spread throughout the campus.
Culinary Arts:
Program relieved to find facility
T used to hold 24 students can
damages to date.
status stood at 75.4 percent.
“More nearly three years. of the delays. Enrollment for and an area to house all of the
Morgan Stephens can be reached at morganstephens6@gmail.com
students
are
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
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NEWS
New Renovations Enhance Campus Life [from Renovations, page 3] and windows were added so that group tutoring sessions can be monitored from outside the room. Learning Center Coordinator Shant Shahoian said the renovaoptions. Shahoian pointed out “Students used to complain about the bad carpeting and low lighting, especially at night,” said Shahoian. “The new LED lights and soft seating will allow students to be comfortable through long tutoring sessions.” Funding for the Learning Center remodeling also came from a Title III HSI STEM Gateway Grant. The Learning Center is open from 8:00 a.m to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The campus library has implemented renovations with more to come. Eric Hanson, dean of library and learning support services, said the library has completely repainted and recarpeted the collaborative open space of the library and the computer
workstation area they now call the Library Commons. “These areas have also been updated with brand new furniture that allow students to plug in electric devices without leaving their seats,” said Hanson. “There are more comfortable, café-style seats next to the windows and two buffet/booth tables that seat up to six students comfortably.” The study rooms on the third carpeted, and equipped with dryerase white boards to replace the old chalkboards. According to Hanson in the year to come, they hope to renovate the reference desk area, the lounge space under the library which will become a silent study space incorporating a variety of seating options from open tables, to carrels and study pods. Kreider Hall in SR138 has received a complete facelift with and LED ceiling lights. The stage curtains are due by the end of September. Division Chair of Social Sciences Michael Dulay said the
27-year-old classroom was due for an upgrade. “Michael Ritterbrown [Vice President of Instructional Services] and I have been talking about bringing the campus into the 21st century for a while now,” said Dulay. “He and the former Vice President, Dr. Mary Mirch, have been extremely supportive.” Dulay spoke with hundreds of students about what changes they would like to see in Kreider Hall. “What most students wanted were larger writing spaces, but mostly they wanted charging stations for plugging in their computers to take notes,” Dulay said. According to Dulay, the seating with extra-large writing desks would have cost $190,000, and they had to compromise for a size slightly larger than the existing fold-out desks, but the seats now have the coveted charging stations. “We spent more to update the electrical,” Dulay said. “You can’t see the work that was put into it.” The concrete below the
Photo by Sal Polcino
LEARNING CENTER: Students study in a brighter open space facility.
New ASGCC President Is Man with a Plan
trenched to run new wiring and avoid possible shortages in the old electrical system. The Kreider Hall project was paid for by a college maintenance fund, an instructional equipment fund, and the lighting and electrical were paid by a state energy conservation fund. All of the above departments have more changes coming soon.
Photo by Sal Polcino
KREIDER HALL: New seats are a long-anticipated improvement to the campus’ main lecture hall.
Sal Polcino can be reached at elvaqed@gmail.com
Photo courtesy of Emin Azarian
EMIN AZARIAN: Has ambitious plans for the future.
By Sheron Page
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min Azarian, 27, newly elected president of the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC), lives by the quote “life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to experience.” He began his journey at GCC two years ago as a political in honing leadership skills and getting involved with student government. He believes he has found greater purpose with a foundation of leading. After serving as senator and vice president of activities, Azarian became aware that anyone can lead, but it takes a disciplined leader to bring ideas of change and perspective. “I wanted to be a part of history, change and embark on new opportunities,” he said. With an 872-719 victory, Azarian plans to remarket and rebrand the purpose of student government. He wants students to understand why they are voting. “I want to create better
programs for students, more opportunities internally,” Azarian said. He wants to change the bookstore, and develop more programs preparing students for transfer. In his second semester in voting process. Instead of pencil and paper, voting will shift to a digital ballot online. When he’s not in class or serving as president, Azarian is out serving his community. He plays soccer, reads books and spends time with family and friends. He is applying to three of his favorite universities: UCLA, USC and Pepperdine. He plans to pursue his master’s in political science. While he embraces this new journey, he is geared up and ready for all challenges and changes. He is excited and hopes that everyone will join forces with him by sharing questions and concerns that can better conditions of the student body. Sheron Page be reached at Sheronepage@gmail.com
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FEATURES
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
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Personal Account: Viewing 9-11 From Behind Bars By Sal Polcino
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veryone remembers where he or she was on
grandparents may remember what was happening on Dec. 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed likely remember where they were when President Kennedy was assassinated or when Neil Armstrong took that step onto the moon. For those of us old enough to remember Sept. 11. 2001, there are millions of stories. I was in the King County jail in Kent, Wash, just south of Seattle. I had been detained on an FTA , failure to appear warrant, after missing a court date about some minor charge that I can’t even remember, but when you don’t show up for your court date it creates a whole new set of problems. So I had to stay in stir until the next available court date which, in this case, was two weeks away. There I sat in a 6 by12 foot concrete room with a small, reinforced window that looked out over the common space from the second tier. The stainless steel seatless toilet and the scratchedup sheet of metal bolted to the wall in lieu of a mirror gave my room a suicidal kind of charm. I climbed from my bunk on that particular morning, stretched, brushed my teeth in the trickle of water from the sink (also stainless steel, completing the industrial-death décor) and peeked out through the six-inch glass at a small corner of the TV screen, which was mounted on the wall below me and above the I couldn’t hear what was happening, but I saw over and over again the image of an
explosion and the twin towers toppling from various viewpoints. I assumed it was a trailer for
room but I couldn’t really follow the story. Generally the wait
I remained cowardly mute, but unharmed. Happily the guards solved the problem by turning on another TV over by the showers that was tuned to the game show, leaving those of us with brains to ourselves. However, on this September morning we didn’t care who looked at us while we watched and cried and yelled at the TV screen. When the second tower
How could this happen. For once, having an inquisitive mind paid off for a few of us. A concerned guard allowed our group to stay with the trustees while the other inmates were hustled back to their cells to await the lunch break. I remember it as a long and exhausting day even though I hardly left my chair. Sleeping that night was impossible. I lay awake, anxiously awaiting more of the story — like putting down a good book too soon or watching an exciting action movie and turning it off in the middle of the best scene. Morning could not come soon enough. When the breakfast buzzer
seemed long, but this day it was CGI and I lay back in my bunk an eternity. I had to know what contemplating the springs above was happening. my head until a buzzer sounded, Finally we were buzzed out indicating that my cell was now unlocked and I could proceed get a good seat. When I arrived to stand in line for my delicious there was an argument already in breakfast. progress between two inmates, As I descended the stairs one a trustee who had been tightly pressed amid the other following the story the entire charming upstairs neighbors, I saw more than the usual number of inmates gathering around the TV, eschewing their powdered eggs and cold unbuttered toast. My fugue state as I zombie-walked attention drifted down to the TV area. The to the screen and news was on at an inaudible I began to realize level and the guards were that something of no longer paying attention. I great import had guess they had followed the happened. events at home for the last I too exited twelve hours and were already the queue and well-informed. They sternly meandered over told the few of us interested Photo Illustration by Sal Polcino in the news to get our trays of to the common area beneath the WORSE THAN JAIL: Terror attacks are worse than incarceration. pre-prepared goop, eat it, and newscast to a spot return to our cells. where I could hear what was morning. collapsed, and the dust and There would be no mercy going on. Even the guards who “Turn that [expletive deleted] shrapnel coming down the street today. Sept. 12 would be just normally would have shooed us off,” the non-trustee said. “Put on another day in the life of noback into the line were riveted to ‘Price is Right.’ We watch ‘Price patron, some of my cohorts good, court appointment-misser the awful scene unfolding before is Right’ this time of day.” To actually jumped out of their like me. The TV would go back us. my amazement the crowd agreed chairs. It was like a scene out of Impossible, I thought. This with this imbecile. I’m thinking, the movie “Independence Day,” down and I would have to wait can’t be real. But it was more ”This is the worst attack on this when aliens were destroying for two weeks to even read about than real. It seemed like some country since Pearl Harbor and New York. it in the newspaper. I would go sort of hyper-reality as the more these people want to watch Bob News of the attack on the back to three-hots-and-a-cot for civilized of my roommates, the Barker make people guess the Pentagon came in later but the remainder of my stay at the screws and I remained glued to price of a toaster?” there was less coverage. The King County Luxury Suites and the spot. I even noticed a tear The argument continued, government put a lid on the press only imagine what those on the running down a cheek or two. distracting my ability to process quickly. Matters of National Soon we were herded off to the news. I was getting a bit Security and all that. Hush hush. our respective luxury suites to miffed but I wasn’t going to walk Still- we got the gist. Then the await the next out time, which up to the biggest guy in the room third plane that went down over would be in another two hours and hit him in the throat like the Western Pennsylvania hit the Sal Polcino can be reached at or so. I could hear a bit from my age-old prison advice says to do. news. Jesus, are you kidding me? elvaqed@gmail.com
State Ballot Measures Propose Sweeping Changes By Morgan Stephens
M
easures regarding hot button issues such as gun control, legalization of marijuana and repealing the death penalty will be on the Nov. 8 ballot, which will be topped by the presidential and senatorial choices. A poll released Tuesday by USC Dornsife and the Los Angeles Times revealed 58 percent of California voters ranging in age, race, gender and income were in favor of legalizing the personal use of marijuana. Proposition 62, 63 and 64 will be three of 18 initiatives on the ballot. Proposition 62, Repeal of the Death Penalty, will give individuals found guilty of murder life imprisonment without
possibility of parole. This applies subsequently to individuals currently serving death sentences. “The proposition would save taxpayer money by replacing said an argument in favor of the referendum, according to Ballotpedia. Proposition 62 states, if passed, those found guilty of murder and sentenced to life without parole will be required to work in prison with 60 percent of their wages paid to the victims’ families. Proposition 62 could reduce state and county costs of murder trials, legal challenges to death sentences and prisons by $150 million annually. argue that it keeps the worst
of criminals protected while diminishing the victims rights and the death penalty system should be mended, not destroyed. Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban, would prohibit the sale and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines, like the recently debated AR-15. It also requires individuals to pass a background check and obtain authorization from the California Department of Justice to purchase ammunition. Commissioned by Gavin Newsom, California lieutenant governor, Proposition 63 raised Aug. 16, over nine times what the opposition raised. Large capacity ammunition magazines have become a popular
choice for shooters in recent tragedies such as Sandy Hook Elementary, Pulse nightclub in the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colo. A large-capacity ammunition “detachable” and “10 rounds or more” Palmer Bailey, Guns Direct gun shop manager said. “Proposition 63 turns millions of law abiding California citizens into criminals,” Bailey said in opposition to the bill calling it “complete and utter nonsense.” He encouraged legislatures and law enforcement to “enforce the laws already on the books.” Proposition 64, the California Marijuana Legalization Initiative, will legalize recreational use of marijuana and hemp under state law for adults. It will enact a 15 percent sales tax with exemptions
for medical marijuana. This law allows persons 21 years and older to legally possess, consume and purchase up to one ounce of marijuana or eight grams of marijuana concentrate. Provisions relating to rights of employers, driving under business locations are still intact. Consuming marijuana in public will still be illegal. Psychology major, Rebecca Marnette will vote yes on Proposition 64. “I’m all for it. I absolutely believe it does less harm than alcohol does,” she said. To register to vote, go to registertovote.ca.gov
Morgan Stephens can be reached at morganstephens6@gmail.com
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
Glendale Community College Welcomes New Faculty Members [Faculty, from page 1]
Karen Swett continued from page 1. Her teaching philosophy is to “make connections and learn by doing.” She wants to make sure that her students are connected to the material, to each other, and to her. She also encourages them to do what they are learning about.
Sandy Somo
started this fall as an instructor in the social science division, teaching sociology. . Somo obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in sociology at San Diego State University. During an internship program while working on her master’s, San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association trained her to teach, specifically at a community college. She aims for her students to “exercise their sociological imagination—in and out of the classroom, understand social inequalities and their impacts on life chances, and empower them to be change agents in their own lives.”
Thye Peng Ngo
is a new addition to our health sciences division. He teaches medical -surgical nursing this fall. He has an associate’s and master’s degree in nursing. He is also a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner. He uses the Socratic Method in teaching to increase critical thinking and clinical reasoning. “You answer the question, but at the same time you question the answer,” he said. Visual learning is also big in his classes. He uses concept maps to present a bird’s-eye view of his topics. He encourages his students to “learn as much as they can, [and] be a sponge.”
Kevin Mack
joins the history department as a full-time instructor. He is teaching U.S. history classes this semester. He earned his bachelor’s degree for journalism and history in Chicago, but got a master’s degree in history from UC Irvine. He wants students to understand that “history is just studying people like us.” Mack believes that “by teaching empathy, and being able to understand why people made decisions the way they did, they can learn from past mistakes and improve present society.” His goal is for students “to be active in their community, and to be able to use the tools I gave them to affect social change.”
Corey Jamieson started as an adjunct in-
structor at GCC. This is his first semester as a full-time chemistry instructor.. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in physics. Jamieson obtained his doctorate in physical chemistry at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. He also worked as a research scientist but found out that teaching is his passion. When asked how will he encourage students to take up chemistry, he said that, “chemistry pervades every aspect of life, and it can explain so many fundamental aspects of your daily life.” He strives for his students “to be open-minded freethinkers.”
Richard Neufeld
is a new addition to the math division. He teaches calculus and statistics this semester. He graduated from UC Irvine with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Neufeld continued his education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he earned a master’s degree. He strives to “provide a welcoming environment where students can ask questions rather than be intimidated.” He also encourages collaboration and working in groups to make the job easier for the students. Overall, his goal is to “make students appreciate the subject.”
Maria Hernandez Rios
is our new Spanish instructor. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in public administration major in finance at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. She also has a master’s degree in Spanish and literature from Cal State Northridge. When asked what challenges her the most when teaching, she said, “Teaching is always looking for an improvement. I try to challenge myself all the time because if I learn more I could provide a better education to my students.” Her goals is for the students to learn not just the grammar, but the cultural aspects as well.
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Jayson Helgeson is a new addition to
the music instructors this fall. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, with master’s degree in music education from USC. Helgeson worked in the music industry before he decided to teach. His greatest influences are John Williams for classical guitar, and Eddie Van Halen for electric guitar. His goal is to make his students “feel like they have enough resources, or find other resources, to continue to learn on their own.”
Richard McColl
is currently heading the ceramics department. He started out as an adjunct instructor at GCC in 2006. He has a master’s degree in ceramic arts from Cal State Long Beach. He also studied with contemporary master, Ralph Bacerra, at the Otis Parsons School of Art. He went through different kinds of medium, such as painting, sculpting and photography, before he found his passion for clay. When asked what his goal is for his students, he said, “I want them to have a passion for it. I want them to be excited with it. I want them to share it and to find there’s a lot more than technique.”
Kyla Hansen
joins the visual and performing arts division as an instructor. She teaches 3D design and sculpture fundamentals this fall. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and fine arts. She earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Claremont Graduate University. Hansen is also a professional artist and has showcased her work throughout the greater Los Angeles area. She teaches her students to communicate through materials. She aims for a collaborative classroom environment through the hands-on projects, inclass critique, and digital lectures. She strives for her students to see the world differently and to understand how things are made.
Mary Jane Biancheri
is a fulltime instructor for child development. She has been an adjunct instructor at GCC since 2011. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in elementary and early childhood education. She has always been passionate about working with She aims for the learning environment to be comfortable enough that “the students who aren’t comfortable speaking up, are finding a place in the class to have a voice.” Her goal is for her students to be “able to look at people and see different perspectives.”
Nancy Medina
is a full-time academic and career counselor this fall. She obtained her associate’s degree in general studies at GCC. She graduated UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in political economy of industrial societies, and a master’s degree in counseling from Cal State Northridge. When asked how does she reach out to her students, she said she asks them, “As a child we’re asked, ‘what do you want to do?’ No boundaries, no limits. Put yourself back into that timeframe of no limits, no boundaries. And be able to really search within yourself, what is it that you can spend hours and not feel like it’s work?”
Molly Mercer is working as a full-time
career counselor this fall. She has been with GCC student services since 2014. Mercer has been the adviser for Alpha Gamma Sigma, a campus club which does community service activities and fundraisers for scholarships. She graduated from Cal State Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in counseling. She strives to be open to students and let them know that they can come to her. The goal is for students “to do something in a career they’re passionate about.” See the complete list of new faculty online at www.elvaq.com. Story continues on page 8.
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT
www.elvaq.com
Bastille’s ‘Wild World’ Released in New Album you love, and you want other people to share that experience,” Smith said. “We are in a lucky position where some people will
By Melody Shahsavarani
F
ive years ago, a 25-yearold South Londoner sat and created songs in his bedroom, then added three members to join him as a band. They created two cleverly eccentric mixtapes and Dan Smith (lead singer), Chris “Woody” Wood (drums), Will Farquarson (guitar) and Kyle Simmons (keyboards) became Bastille. Bastille hit the music scene with their mixtapes, “Other People’s Heartache Part I, II,” which featured an array of covers and mashups, but the twist of instrumental and vocal shifts they would embed would separate the band from the label of just another band posting covers. In 2013, Bastille released their debut album “Bad Blood,” selling over 4 million copies to date. The opening track “Pompeii” catapulted them to unexpected fame worldwide. Now with two Grammy nominations, a best-selling album, multiple hit singles, and a record number of sold-out shows, their long awaited sophomore album “Wild World” released Friday, was the topic of discussion with the band last week. The 14-track album (19 on the deluxe edition) was almost a three-year project. “The process of this album was kinda ongoing from the very beginning, it meant there wasn’t need to start this now,’ ” Smith said. “We just kept writing after didn’t want that process to stop, so there’s a couple of songs on this album that date back a couple of years.” For them, “Wild World” became an anchor through all the “mad unexpected success over the past few years.” In September of last year, the band shared a track “Hangin’ ” on social media, with expectations of more teasers for a new album, the band let it go. “The track was for the fans, scratching the edge on what’s yet to come,” Wood explained.
New Faculty [Faculty,
Naomi Sato is the vocational campus. She has worked for several years at GCC as an adjunct instructor. She is currently involved with the District Regional Consortium, which is made up of educators and community partners committed to improving adult education experience at both the main ESL classes help students utilize the English language in their daily life, work and other classes. Her goal is for the students “to master the student learning outcomes, and accomplish their own personal goals.” Rebecca Robins joins the
Photo courtesy of Capitol Records
BRITISH INVASION: Bastille will play two nights at the Troubadour,
Oct. 9 and 10.“
But why now and not then? “We put ‘Hangin’ out just because we made so much music for this album and we were just excited,” said Smith. We were three quarters of the way making the album. It really just came from us, before the year was out, [we wanted] to make sure that we put something from this new album out there.” Six continents and nearly 500 shows in the books, Bastille felt they needed to rejoice at the end of last year and self-edit, frame everything together, “go back to stability and normality for a moment.” Traveling around the world “Wild World,” lyrically and instrumentally. The album also represents a map for the band, as each track paints that special moment and place where it was penned and created. For example, the track “Four Walls,” which was inspired by one of Smith’s favorite novels “In Cold Blood,” the guitar solo was recorded in Germany on a tour bus, park outside the venue in 2014. “Snakes” and “Winter of Youth,” both were born in a little studio Bastille rented when in Buenos Aires for the Lollapalooza Festival. “As a band it’s nice to almost look back at the record and thread back through,” Smith said. single from the album, “Good business division as an accounting and managerial accounting this fall. She has a bachelor’s degree in public accounting from Benjamin Franklin University and a master’s degree in business administration and management from Frostburg State University in Maryland. “We forget what we really enjoy, what we dreamed about or thought about as kids…and I think we always need to keep that element alive,” Robins said. Vadym Mykhaylov joins the health sciences division as a fulltime instructor. He is teaching nursing fundamentals and medical-surgical nursing this fall. Mykhaylov joined GCC as an adjunct instructor two years ago. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in public health nursing. Mykhaylov is also a licensed
Grief,” in June. The track still holds true to any Bastille song, but it starts off differently, opening a quote from the 1985 fantasy movie “Weird Science.” “So, what would you little “We felt would be really good to open the album with, it’s light hearted and a nudge towards how long it’s taken to get this album out,” the 30-year-old frontman said. Every track in “Wild World” the band embeds cinematic quotes, which comes as a shift from the days of including covers or mashups. “There’s just something interesting for me about setting dialogue and quotes to music and about, it’s sorta what we did back with the mixtapes, about taking things that exist in culture and reframing and re-contextualizing them and turning them into something else entirely” he said. The album features notable dialogue, which gets listeners to think and question contextually. Smith joyously exclaimed he loves to hear stories of fans discovering new things when listening to their songs, for example many fans were introduced the show “Twin Peaks” with the 2013 track “Laura Palmer.” “I hope with our album that there’s a quite a lot to unpack and little things to discover. We’re just and I think the big part is that you want to eulogize about the stuff family nurse practitioner. One thing he wants his students to remember is that, “we need to treat people as a whole, you don’t just treat a single disease.” Margaret Richer is the new Program Coordinator for College Readiness ESL. She has been with GCC for 22 years as an adjunct instructor. She graduated from Cal State Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in linguistics. She strives to create a studentfocused environment in her classes, where students can enhance what they already know. Her goal is to help students transition into colleges and universities. “I want them to realize that here, there is a lot of opportunity,” Richer said. Joanna Parypinski joins the English department as a full-time
something interesting to them.” Besides the release of “Wild World,” Bastille will debut a 45-minute documentary Sept. 14 titled “Help Me Chase These Seconds.” They teamed up with their on-the-road, since “day zero” videographer, Tom Middleton, for this special project. Without realizing once known as just footage, it became an idea to peek through the world of Bastille. “He basically saw us literally from the bottom and what we’ve become. There’s so much footage, from such as the shittiest pub, playing to no one, and it would be shame to have this stuff and sit on it,” Simmons said. “For anyone that gives a f-k, it’s probably quite interesting insight what life is like with us. So hard to boil down three years in 45 minutes, but Tom cleverly shows for us how mad it is to playing tiny pubs and suddenly being on like Ellen and the Grammys,” Smith said. “Also it’s about trying to make an album while on the road and the pressures of that. Shows the challenges of being
nervous about it, and just having fun.” But what’s going through the minds of the four Londoners who never even expected making it to a second album? “We’ve played all these songs in rehearsals loads as well, and it’s songs we’re really fond of playing. So I’m excited to just get it out in the world. It’s felt like the longest Christmas Eve ever, it’s always been ‘album coming Wood said. “It hasn’t seem that real, and just Tuesday, we were each given became overwhelmingly excited, which for me is quite mellow, I’m not the most excited,” Farquarson said. “It’s quite a milestone to get to your second album, a lot of bands don’t get the opportunity getting signed, so having two albums out is surreal.” Coming from a whirlwind time of a record selling debut album, a sophomore album can be a tough act to sell. “Wild World” executes everything needed to be a success, it resonates lyrically and instrumentally from eclectic strings, guitar riffs, and just all around mesmerizing vocals. Melody Shahsavarani can be reached at melody.shah1@gmail.com
Three Rapid Fire Questions With Bastille Q: If you could describe “Wild World” in one word what would it be? Dan: Mixtape. Woody: Varied. Will: Hours. Kyle: I don’t know. Nice. Q: If you could choose the next single off the album, which would it be? Dan: “Send Them Off!” Woody: “Lethargy” Will: “Lethargy” Kyle: “Fake It,” even though it’s already been taken, I would still choose it. Q: If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why? Dan: Frank Ocean because amazing. Woody: Damian Marley. Will: Daniel Craig. Kyle: Kanye, just to see, just to look. Will: He’ll do the video for “Famous,” but with you and Daniel Craig.
instructor. She teaches writing workshop classes. She has been with the college for two years as an adjunct instructor. Parypinski has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in creative writing. She also writes horror novels and she wrote. Her goal in class is for her students “to have an appreciation for reading and writing.” Dr. Anthony Culpepper is the new executive vice president of administrative services. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s in business administration. He has built a successful career in the corporate world before he started teaching as an adjunct instructor at Pepperdine University. He then went back to school and received a doctorate in organizational
leadership. Dr. Culpepper intends to provide a strong educational environment where the students feel safe and inspired. He is working with different departments to continue the maintenance and upgrades of facilities to energize students in their learning. The new head coach of women’s basketball, is Joel Weiss; Samantha Garagliano, speech instructor; Mary Elizabeth Barrett, Disabled Student Programs and Services counselor; Sandra Romero, math instructor and accounting instructor, Araik Margaryan.
Diane Roxas can be reached at droxas817@student.glendale.edu
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
FEATURES
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Doctor’s House Leads with Suffragette Exhibit By Elena Jacobson
A museum.
Elena Jacobsoncan be reached at laneyjacobson520@gmail.com
Art Exhibit Feature Fiber and Elasticity By Breanna Hamilton
Alex Theater Celebrates 91 Years By Steven Montoya
T
Photo by Steven Montoya
Americana.
businesses. Breanna Hamilton be reached at bhamill3707@gmail.com
8pm
Steven Montoya be reached at s.montoya.sm62@gmail.com
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S P O R TS Football
Men’s Soccer
Sept. 10 @ Southwestern L 27-14
Sept. 13 vs. Cyprus W 3-1
Women’s Soccer Sept. 9 @ El Camino Tie 0-0
Cross Country Sept. 10 Fresno Invitational Men 2nd - Women 2nd
Mens Soccer off to a Great Start With Four in the Win Column
Photo by Tina Fernestam
Photo by Tina Fernestam
GoiNG ForWarD: Jesus Rosas runs past two opponents before scoring the winning goal. The Vaqueros are now at 4-2.
CElEbratioN: The Vaqs went on to win 1-0 against L.A. Harbor College on Sept. 6.
END rUN: Quarterback Mark Powell gets by defenders on Sept. 3.
Football Season Opens [Football, from page 1]
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Photos by Tina Fernestam
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Steven Montoya be reached at s.montoya.sm62@gmail.com
DEFENSE: game at Sartoris Field on Sept. 3. Golden West shut out the Vaqs 33-0.
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
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SPOTLIGHT on campus LECTURES Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Prevention and Awareness Lecture — Peace Over Violence and the Glendale Community College Police Department present a program designed to help students deal with issues of rape and inappropriate sexual behavior, particularily in the dating context. GCC Auditorium Thursday 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. Free admisssion.
MISCELLANEOUS Volunteer Faire — sponsored by the GCC Multicultural and
Community Engagement Center. zations will be on campus to give students the opportunity to sign up for volunteer opportunities and service learning hours. Plaza Vaquero. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. GCC Concert Series — The 2016-2017 Concert Series begins with Vicki Ray, a Grammynominated pianist, on Friday at 8 p.m. in the mainstage auditorium. This event is free and open to the public. Los Angeles Writers Reading Series — Author and Antioch University professor Bernadette Murphy. She will give a reading from her acclaimed memoir,
“Harley and Me: Embracing Risk on the Road to a More Authentic Life.� Student Center. 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 26. Free admission.
Artist Reception — A reception for artist Tina Linville and her work featured in the “Elastic Fringe� art exhibition. Art Gallery. Saturday 4 to 6 p.m. Free admission.
ART GALLERY Gallery — The GCC Art Gallery presents “Elastic Fringe� an evolving sculpture project by Tina Linville, in the GCC Art Gallery. Hours are Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. through Sept. 23. Free admission. The gallery is located in the Library Building. www. glendale.edu/artgallery. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5663.
WATCHING THE SKIES: New programs for campus community.
PLANETARIUM Afternoon with the Stars — Students and staff can attend a free lunchtime program highlighting the planetarium’s features in CS 257 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Astro Fim Festival — Students and staff can attend a free lunchtime movie in the planetarium CS 257 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays. “Lunar XPRIZE: Back to the Moon for Good� will
screen Friday. Other ongoing planetarium events for the campus community include “Astro Q & A� on Mondays and “Starlit Rest and Recharge� on Tuesdays.
TECH WEEK Tech Week — GCC is a host for Glendale Tech Week events Friday. “The Night Sky� Planetarium show with Jennifer Krestow and Barbara Falkowski; “Innovations in Engineering at GCC and Robotics Tour� with Chris Herwerth and Armen Toorian; “Hands on Experimental Learning� with Brett Miketta and Rory Schlueter; and architecture students will be displaying their work. For times and locations go to glendaletechweek.com
ARTS AND CRAFTS: Reception for artist Tina Linville on Saturday. Photo by Sal Polcino.
Photo illustration by Sal Polcino.
around town COMEDY Stand up — GCC alumni and comedian Graig Agop joins Maria Bamford, Jimmy Pardo, Greg Fitzsimmons, Kate Walsh, Eleanor Kerrigan, Orny Adams and Aiko Tanaka for “STFU,� an evening of stand up at the Viper Room on Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. $12 early bird tickets available for a limited time. The Viper Room is located at 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
MUSEUMS Pasadena Museum of California Art — Two shows, “In the Land of Sunshine: Imaging the California Coast Culture,� and “Lloyd Hamrol/Joan Perlman: “a sky in the palm of a hand� will debut on Sept. 25. The museum is located 490 E Union St. in Pasa-
dena. Tickets are $7 or $5 for students. Open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and noon to 8 p.m. every third Wednesday. For information visit www.pmcaonline.org. Descanso Gardens — The garden features a large botanical collection. The garden is located 1418 Descanso Drive in La Caùada Flintridge. Tickets are $9 or $6 for students. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info visit www. descansogardens.org. The Broad — The museum contains a large contemporary artwork collection and free admission. The noted Cindy Sherman photography exhibition ends on Oct. 2. The museum is located 221 S. Grand Ave. in Los Angeles. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to
List your event on
8 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information visit www.thebroad. org.
ART Art Opening — Century Books presents Zoltan Tokes as part of their Century Arts and Culture Project. There will also be live jazz with the Green Street Trio. Century Books is located at 1039 E. Green Street in Pasadena. The event is at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Pasadena Art Night — Enjoy a free evening of art, music and entertainment as Pasadena’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions swing open their doors. Begin the journey at any one of the 18 participating cultural institutions, where free shuttles will be waiting to transport visitors to the next destination. Oct. 21
SPOTLIGHT t t
from 6 to10 p.m. http://www.artnightpasadena.org/
EVENTS Los Angeles Green Festival — Join the Green Festival Marketplace by exploring over 250 exhibitors, learning from over 50 inspirational speakers, indulging in some delicious vegan food and learning all you need to know to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Friday through Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Kids 16 and under are free. Seniors (62+), military and student’s receive a discount at the door. Students are free on Friday. Sierra Club, Green America and Global Exchange members receive free admission.Ride the Metro to the LA Expo, snap a picture, and post on social media tagging Green Festival for free entry. For more
information visit www.greenfestivals.org Dinofest — Get access to worldrenowned paleontologists and dinosaur experts giving you a rare, behind-the-scenes look at fossil specimens from collections, dinosaur pop culture, and so much more! Throughout the museum get hands on with activities, meet paleontology experts, shop for dino-inspired gear, and take an world of dinosaurs. Sept. 24 and 25, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Natural History Museum. Purchase your tickets online in advance and receive a limited edition dinosaur pin. Tickets are $9 with a valid student ID, regular admission is $12. For more information visit http://www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/dino-fest Compiled by Jane Pojawa
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Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
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LIFESTYLE
Cleaning Up the River Scholars Lend a Hand
DIGGIN’ IT: Scholars club members Issa Al Hadeed and Patrick Haroutunian volunteer to restore L.A. River plant life at the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk on Saturday.
Photos by Elena Jacobson
A HELPING HAND: Glendale College Professor Laura Englund-Krusee clearing branches to save the existing plants near the river.
By Elena Jacobson
C
utbacks have caused most of the maintenance of the Los Angeles river to become a job for volunteers, shifts every month at the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk. The City of Glendale Community Services and Parks Department organized a volunteer work day along the river to clean up and make the area healthy again. While the area is already technically a park it doesn’t look like one, so the city put together the work day to make the look match the name. This past Saturday volunteers started at 8 a.m. clearing branches and invasive, non-native plants that can strangle existing plants. They continued to also clean and take care of the bicycle path that runs along the river. “It’s perfect for scout groups, clubs, and church groups,” Jeff Weinstein, a supervisor of the project said. “A lot of people want to give back to the community.” Weinstein also said that there were about 25 students who came and helped, from different schools, including some from GCC’s own
Scholars Program. Issa Al Hadeed, the community service director for the Scholars Program, said there are four service projects they do year-round, the Riverwalk being one for the last two years. Patrick Haroutunian, a volunteer from the Scholars program, said his favorite part of working there is “being outdoors and the overall feeling of cleaning the place, helping other plants and the bike trail.” The cleanup is no short-term project. They are currently in phase is building a bridge from the river to Saturday of every month excluding holidays. It is located at 300 Paula Ave. with the next one being held on Oct. 8, with exception of Oct. 1 in observance of Rosh Hashana. Snacks, water and work gloves are provided, but volunteers are urged to bring their own. Volunteers are asked to sign a waiver before working.
Elena Jacobsoncan be reached at laneyjacobson520@gmail.com