Nov. 9, 2011

El Va uero l e n d a l eCC o m m u n i t yCC ollege GG lendale ommunity ollege

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Volume 98, Number 5

students to build irrigation in honduras. . . .

1,3

medicinal herb hike in glendale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“autobahn”

at gcc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gcc lacks school spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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November 9, 2011

Cafeteria and Culinary Arts Plan to Team Up

By Isiah Reyes

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

here are plans to renovate the cafeteria so that culinary arts students can be utilized to produce more dining options on campus, but with the current state of the cafeteria and its budget, it doesn’t look like it will be happening any time soon.

Nancy Jordan, food services manager, said that she wants the culinary arts and the food service department to work together.

“In doing so, that automatically helps us produce more dining options for the customer base here, and it will be a real enhancement to this department,” said Jordan.

Andrew Feldman, Department Chair of Culinary Arts and Nutrition, agreed.

“I think it would be a great thing,” said Feldman. “[Culinary arts] students get an opportunity to be able to practice their craft. Every other successful culinary program at California community colleges has students working in a food service environment on campus. Glendale should be same.”

Feldman added that it would provide better experiences for the students involved.

For the past three years, there have been meetings between planners, architects, and people from the college to make renovations in the cafeteria to ensure that classes can be held there. The current setup is not well equipped.

[See Cafeteria, page 2]

IN THIS ISSUE News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 Opinion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Arts/Entertainment.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Photo by Eric Bourse

IT’S EASY AS 1,2,3: The Lady Vaqueros cross country team decimated the competition by winning first place at the SoCal Regional Championship meet on Friday at Cucamonga-Gusti Park in Ontario. From left to right: Karen Rosas came in first place in 17:54. Alyssa Selve came in second finishing in 18:00. Angela Martinez came in third place with a time of 18:01. Read the full story on page 11.

Rotaract Club, Global Water Brigade Unite for Volunteer Project

By Lillian Wu

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale College’s Rotaract Club plans to build irrigation systems that will provide access to clean water for local communities during spring break in Honduras as part of the Global Water Brigades.

The Water Brigade focuses on Honduras, Panama and Ghana. It allows schools and community organizations to select a country they would like to help. For one week in the winter, spring or summer, students can help implement water systems and educate communities about water sanitation.

“I think the opportunity for students to go visit another culture and to see how fortunate we are here in terms

of the resources that we have sewage. I can only imagine Honduras is one of those counand how we take for granted,” how unhealthy it is,” Cortés tries that is still underdeveloped said Richard Cortés, counselor said. “Abject poverty is ramat the academic and transfer pant in Central America, and [See Irrigation, page 3] counseling center. “It will be a rich educational experience for students.”

According to the Global Water Brigade website, 4.5 people of six people in rural Honduras do not have continual access to clean water.

Cortés said he has visited his parent’s home country of Honduras every five years.

While on the way to visit his grandfather’s grave at Colonia Lopez Arellano in 2009, Cortés remembers viewing the surrounding towns.

Photo by Tex Wells “The towns reeked of sewage and there were just shacks HEADED TO HONDURAS: GCC Academic and Trasnfer Counseland makeshift homes. It was or Richard Cortes, far left, and four members of the Rotoract Club display people breathing in the raw their new banner in a San Rafael classroom on Thursday.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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NEWS

El Vaquero Cafeteria Hungers for Change, Stability [Cafeteria, from page 1]

EDITOR IN CHIEF Jessica Bourse COPY EDITOR Agnes Constante STAFF WRITERS

Eric Bourse Vanessa Duffy

John Ferrara Alex Gonzalez Marlon Miranda Isiah Reyes

Verzhine Nikoghosyan

Angel Silva Derek Stowe Lillian Wu

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Ian Cervantes Roger Lai

Shaun Kelly Tex Wells

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jane Pojawa

DESIGN ADVISER Charles Eastman 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 El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. To submit an idea or an article, e-mail the editor at elvaquero.editor@gmail.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

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“With some small renovations, it could be a workable class space and one of the responsibilities of the class would be to provide food for the campus,” said Feldman.

Other renovations in the cafeteria would include improving the flow of the upstairs service line and also some minor changes in the kitchen area. The plan is designed to offer a more customer-friendly flow by going back to the traditional cafeteria line where people would enter at one end and then walk through to where the hot items are, and the servers would be serving food right there and then.

Currently, customers funnel in through one side, then wait for the person in front of them to pay, and then they wait for their number to be called out.

Jordan hopes for the renovations to begin in December.

“The cafeteria experience is important because it makes things go a lot faster,” said Jordan.

“They don’t have to stand there and wait for a hot item to be made for them. [After the renovation], it will be there in steam tables and all the staff has to do is serve it to them.”

The plans also include a selfserve beverage area.

One change has already been made to modernize the cafeteria.

A computerized register system has been installed, which prints out the order. The order then goes to the cook line, doing away with the need of writing the order down on paper and putting it up on the magnetic board for the

chef to see. The register system also accepts credit cards from ATM debit, Visa and Mastercard.

Last year was the first year there was a slight increase in the amount the college had to subsidize in the cafeteria budget.

As a result, the prices for the cafeteria food have climbed a little since last semester. The menu has not changed much due to the budget situation.

“I try to keep the pricing down and the quality up,” said Jordan.

“I could go ahead and lower the pricing, but then the quality of the food is going to go down because I’m going to be purchasing a lower quality product.”

Jordan added that market food costs and her payroll costs make it hard to keep the price of cafeteria food down. To make matters worse for the cafeteria, three employees have recently retired and their positions have not been filled because the college cannot afford to replace them.

There has been a reduction in the allocated student worker hours and, as a result, there are not as many student workers available for the cafeteria. The current cafeteria staff is made up of nine paid employees. In addition, there are 28 student workers who assist in with catering across the campus.

One of the main items these student workers serve is soup.

There are about seven to eight gallons of soup served daily in the upstairs grill.

“The consumers love our soup, I would say four days out of the week we sell out of it,” said Jordan.

“We want to increase the volume

Photo by Angel Contreras

SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Viridiana al Cazar stopped by for a quick lunch at the cafeteria and is served by Gladiss Rodriguez at the cash register. of soup because there is such demand for it.”

Student Stephen Chon said, “During school days, the cafeteria is my first choice when it comes to eating on or near campus.”

Due to having a smaller staff and fewer student workers, Jordan had to temporarily close down the Milky Way cafe. Casa Ortega also has reduced hours of operation for the same reasons.

She said that if she could get a few more student workers and at least one person to replace one of three employees that retired, then she would re-open it.

Jordan has plans to re-open the Milky Way cafe with an added fresh-fruit juice and smoothie bar.

“I constantly try to steer it toward a healthier menu,” said Jordan.

big

The menu also caters to vegetarians.

The vegetarian omelet is made of baby spinach, green bell pepper, onion, sliced mushroom and provolone cheese, which is served for breakfast. The veggie burger for lunch is made of a whole grain vegetarian burger served on a sesame seed bun with mayonnaise, topped with lettuce, tomato and dill pickle.

For now, the cafeteria will try to overcome the existing economic hurdle.

The cafeteria is located in the Sierra Madre building. Breakfast is served in the upstairs grill from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I’ve got a idea” Great! El Vaq wants to know about it... e-mail it to us at:

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Isiah Reyes can be reached at haisikin@gmail.com

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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FEATURES

Volunteers Prepare to Build Irrigation Systems [Irrigation, from page 1] and is plagued by corruption.”

In Honduras, the average income is $250 per month. Cortés, who is also the club adviser for the Rotaract Club, said he sees kids begging for money when at the airport and feels sad to see them there.

After hearing about his brother’s rewarding experience with the Global Water Brigade in Honduras, Cortés decided he wanted to involve GCC in some way and introduced it to the Rotaract Club.

Although Cortes has family ties to the country, Honduras was selected because it is closer to Los Angeles than the other countries and because it has the greatest need for access to clean water.

This is the first year of installing the Global Water Brigades chapter at GCC. He decided to link it with the Rotaract Club until it can become established.

The plan is for the club to drive from its lodgings to a remote community in need of fresh water located in the Departments of Francísco Morazán, El Paraíso or El Cantón. In Honduras, states are called departments instead.

Each day on the trip will be different. The students will meet the teams on the first day and begin training. On the third through fifth day, they will put their training to use and start digging trenches, putting together the PVC pipes, and building the dams and water systems for the communities. The sixth day will be spent visiting communities and educating them on water sanitation and hygiene.

Tammy Park, president of the Rotaract Club, said the trip is open to everyone at GCC and outside of GCC as well. One does not need to be a GCC student.

Additionally, skills of all types are needed for the trip. Leadership, communication and building skills are just a few.

“I want that sense of belonging here,” Park said. “I want people to feel like they have a bigger purpose and are a part of this group.

We need every individual here.”

Park, an accounting major, said

she wanted to be involved with tiple units can be placed horizonThe cost for the volunteering people who wanted to share ideas tally or vertically. The structure trip is $750 in fees and will cover about relevant issues in the world. will be 3 feet in diameter and 10 lodging, transportation to and She hopes those who attend the feet in height. Each unit could from the airport, three meals per trip will gain new perspectives collect about 2,000 gallons of wa- day, and services such as the Inand learning experiences. ter, which is about 400 five-gallon ternet. Cortés said a humanitarian “It’s still nice for people to gain Arrowhead bottles. organization called Fly for Good that wisdom through the experiCurrently, there are 10 stu- will help lower the round trip airences they have fare to about $500. and knowledge They will leave the and different perU.S. on April 7 and spectives of the return on April 14. world,” Park said.

Students would “We all live difneed to start a perstudents. ferently and to sonal account to understand and be save money. They They need to be a part of different will also need to parts of the world, pay a non-refundI think it develops able deposit of to . This is not your overall in $250 that is due in character.”

December and will a vacation; this is Another stugo toward the cost dent, Ronald Herof the trip. work. nandez, said he There is no fiwanted to join the nancial aid avail — Richard Cortés, Academic Counselor Global Water Briable. All of the gades because of money for the trip his humanitarian will be raised by path. During the summer, Her- dents along with three faculty and the Rotaract Club and the particinandez spent two weeks design- staff members who are interested. pants through fundraising events ing a water conservation system A minimum of 15 people is need- and individual donations. It is that would help the communities ed to make the trip possible. possible that Rotary International harvest rainwater, which he presented to the Rotaract Club.

“They are situated in a geographical region where they have a lot of natural resources,” said Hernandez, an architecture major. “But I feel that they lack the technology to benefit from the environment that they are in. By going there, I would like to introduce a system that would make their lives better, and they can learn and maybe spread that knowledge.”

Before the structure can be built through their organization, he said board members or architects and engineers must approve his designs and structure. Hernandez is also president of the American Society of Engineers and Architects at the college.

The components that make the structure are found worldwide, so he could contact the distributor in Honduras or another country and purchase from the supplier there.

Depending on the needs of the community, a single unit or mul-

“

All we need are committed and passionate

work

prepared

humanitarian

elvaq.com

”

will match grants.

For students concerned about safety, Cortés said the area is safe.

Water Brigades have established locations in the area and check for political discord. Volunteers will not be working in cities where criminal activities take place.

There are nine programs in the Global Brigade, which include architecture, business, dental, environment, law, medical, microfinance, public health and water.

In 2010, more than 4,000 volunteers helped in the Water Brigade.

“All we need are committed and passionate students,” Cortés said. “They need to be prepared to work. This is not a vacation; this is humanitarian work.”

Other clubs are welcomed to join them in their efforts.

Anyone interested in joining the Global Water Brigade or Rotaract Club can contact Richard Cortés at rcortes@glendale.edu or Tammy Park at parktammy@ ymail.com. The club meets every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in SR 115.

Lillian Wu can be reached at lwu415@student.glendale.edu

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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FEATURES

Keshishian: Cornerstone of Armenian Community

By Verzhine Nikoghosyan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

H

is virtue is generosity and his purpose is helping people.

When he enters the room, it fills with his contagious cheerfulness.

He has been called ever-casual, perpetual master of ceremonies, compassionate, true, warm and wise by people who know him.

“Helping others accomplish what they need motivates me. If I can do 1 percent, I’ll do my best,” said Osheen Keshishian, student personnel worker and associate professor of Armenian.

Keshishian has been working at Glendale College for 26 years, bringing his expertise to help students and counsel them.

Since 1985, he has been teaching Armenian and later was hired as a staff member for Extended Opportunity Program and Services.

He moved to U.S. in 1956 and graduated from Cal State L.A. where he received bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and American Studies. He received his master’s of education degree from the University of La Verne.

He was the editor of the Los Angeles-based semi-weekly Nor Or, and was also on the editorial staff of the Glendale College newspaper El Vaquero.

In 1970, Keshishian founded the Armenian Observer, an English language weekly newspaper, still in publication under his supervision.

The Armenian Observer was a trustworthy and unbiased messenger of the Armenian diaspora news in Armenia during Soviet times.

“Osheen is a person of peace in the office. He just likes bringing people together, he is like a father figure for us with all his life experience and wisdom” said Elmira Nazaryan, EOPS/CARE interim director, counselor and associate professor, who has known Keshishian since 1998.

He enters the room talking and smiling, clears the papers from his chair, sits down and starts talking about his meeting with the former U.S. president, Ronald Reagan; former president of Armenia, Levon Ter Petrosyan; and Pulitzer Prize winner Armenian-American writer William Saroyan. The wave of his memories is abundant and endless.

His life is and has always been a constant chain of extraordinary events. Among all the events of his life, moving the ashes of William Saroyan to Armenia was a momentum for him. They had been good friends, so when he was asked to take some of the

ashes of Saroyan to Armenia, generation to generation.”

Keshishian was honored.

“If I was a doctor I would “There were 50,000 people at join Doctors Without Borders to the funeral in Armenia when we go help poor and sick people as arrived. That was a big honor helping others has given meaning and cornerstone in my life,” said to my life,” said Keshishian.

Keshishian.

He helps students to understand Out of all of his life the culture of the college when experiences, helping people find they come without any experience their way has given a meaning to and no background in U.S. his life. education, since “If I am born some of them are again, I want to first generation work in EOPS immigrants, said again,” said Nazaryan.

Keshishian. “We He is not help so many a doctor but students, and he prescribes people need students the assistance and right paperwork directions in life.” and the right Most of these directions to students don’t take. They don’t speak English forget him. Even Photo by Ian Cervantes and some of them when he is not don’t even have a high school in college, he meets students who education. They surely know they don’t forget their experience with are in the right place when they Keshishian. come here. After graduating the “He is just amazing,” said college they refer their children, Rosette Aghekian, EOPS their friends and family members counselor and professor. ‘He to Keshishian. brightens my day. I could always “One of the parents recently count on him to be positive and came to EOPS bringing her child realistic. I just hope he works here to see Osheen so that he can help until he is 120. Students love him him too,” said Nazaryan. “The so much.” level of trust they have with By the end of the day his input Osheen is incredible. It goes from in people’s life help them grow

High Tech Specialist Now Interim Manager of Disabled Students

By Tex Wells

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

ina Andersen-Wahlberg, who was named last summer interim manager of the Disabled Students Programs and Services department, has brought to the position a rich academic and professional background.

Succeededing Associate Dean Joy Cook who retired after 20 years, Andersen-Wahlberg was the college’s lead high tech specialist for 17 years before receiving the promotion.

Born in Denver, Colo. and raised in upstate New York, she received bachelor’s degrees in English and French, at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa before going on to earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy at USC. “My training was a combination of things,” said Andersen-

Wahlberg. She is a credentialed occupational therapist with more than one set of professional skills who was torn between working in a spinal cord injury unit and becoming a physical therapist.

Her background also includes a stint in an accounting office, a tour of duty in a burn unit and a considerably lengthy period as occupational therapist in a locked psychiatric ward for adolescents.

She was encouraged to apply for several grant training programs while completing her studies at USC, which enabled her to acquire invaluable experience that included teaching students at Santa Monica City College how to use assistive technology.

One of her internships led to another grant training opportunity in which her primary responsibility was training occupational [See Anderson-Wahlberg, page 5]

and returning like a boomerang enriches his life. While he doesn’t like focusing on hardships, the only challenge for him is injustice.

“To be truthful I am really concerned about justice in the world. I think you have to be just and honest in all your endeavors.

People should not be wrongly judged or rightly praised more than they deserve, this has to be balanced,” said Keshishian.

His efforts to be truthful to what he believes are recognized and appreciated. In future he seeks to continue writing about Armenian literature and publishing his works, but he is also a part of EOPS and will always be.

“If I retire I want the new workers to have the same feelings, the same compassion that we have and I hope they do slightly better than we do.”

Verzhine Nikoghosyan can be reached at VNIKOGH308@student.glendale.edu

Classifieds Free Pregnancy Tests

Are Available

• V isit or call the Asian Pacific Health Care Venture – a community health center.

• F amily Planning Services (STD Testing, Birth Control Methods, etc.), • E mergency Contraception Pill (ECP), and • F ree Pregnancy Tests (walk-ins available) APHCV 1530 Hillhurst Ave., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 644-3888 www.aphcv.org CHANCE MEETING: To the female GCC student I met at St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop on 10/4/11.

I have really exciting news!

Photo by Tex Wells

ADMINISTRATIVE ASCENSION:

Tina Andersen-Wahlberg signs one of the many documents that crosses her desk during the work day. She assumed the office of Program Manager, Disabled Students Programs and Services on July 1, just prior to the beginning of what may be the last summer session as a result of cuts in the state budget.

Please Call Me: (213) 999-0571 To place an ad in the El Vaquero, contact Jeff Smith, the advertising manager, at jsmith@glendale.edu

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

5

FEATURES

Disabled Students Programs and Services Gets New Interim Manager [Anderson-Wahlberg, from page 4]

therapy interns. She ran that program at the behest of one of her USC professors. At the same time, she taught a couple of classes at USC. Later on, she would lead a different grant training program with an emphasis on assistive technology for people with disabilities. That was a step that put her on the path to GCC and a full-time, permanent position.

“What sealed it for me,” she said, “was the opportunity to serve in the community college setting where we have students with many types of challenges relating to their disabilities.” She had spent more than three years in the field when she received a call from Joy Cook, who asked her if she knew anyone who would be interested in a high-tech specialist position. “I would,” replied the young high-tech specialist and, as the old saying goes, “the rest is history.”

Ellen Oppenberg, another USC alumna and the then-director of the Instructional Assistance

Center, would work side-by-side with Andersen-Wahlberg. They shared a common vision for their students. Oppenberg, now GCC’s Workability Job Placement Coordinator, says, “Tina is a high-tech guru.”

In addition to authoring and collaborating on texts, AndersenWahlberg has mastered such assistive technology programs as Kurzwiel, Zoom Text, Jaws for Windows and Dragon Dictate.

She has also been instrumental in the placement of five Kurzwiel 3000 programs in the Learning Center for students at large.

The high technology leader also brings a level of dedication to students that warrants notice.

Rozik Avanesian, an adjunct faculty member and Senior Instructional Computer Lab Technician who has worked closely with Andersen-Wahblerg for more than a decade and a half, said, “Tina does her best to provide the students the very best services. The college made the right decision by selecting her to manage disabled students.”

GCC has more than 1,000 students with varying levels of disabilities. Some of them are working toward degrees, some are enrolled for job retraining and others have come voluntarily for personal enrichment and lifelong learning oportunities.

Andersen-Wahlberg points with pride toward the high technology advances in the employment of assistive technology that have come on her watch. Some of the projects closest to her heart are adaptive physical education classes, adaptive computer classes and study skills classes. However, she remains modest when discussing her most memorable or noteworthy achievements during her tenure in the High Tech Center. She said she is most proud of having been a member of a team that wrote curriculum which will help disabled students reach their educational goals.

“Tina knows what she’s doing,” Oppenberg said.

Tex Wells can be reached at mrtexwells2003@yahoo.com

Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez

PLAZA VAQUERO BLUES: Chris Caplan, performing in Plaza

Vaquero, is also a member of the GCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble. The ensemble will perform with the Saturday Jazz Band in a concert on Nov. 19. Led by directors Craig Kupka and Clare Delto, instrumental and vocal arrangements of jazz and popular tunes will be showcased in the auditorium from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $7 general, $5 for students and seniors.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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FEATURES

Artificial Intelligence: Robots Coming Soon

By Angel Silva

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he year is 2011. Why are there no robots among us?

That was the question that part-time faculty member and self-proclaimed geek Stephen Weese answered via a robotics lecture titled “Where’s My Robot Companion?” on Oct. 25.

“There’s something about computers and humanity that is very compelling to me,” he said.

“We [ask questions like] ‘can a computer relate to a human being and on what level and how? Can we do this, and will it happen before I die?’”

Weese discussed the technological advances currently available in the field of artificial intelligence, and how those developments are leading up to the prospect of computerized companions in the near future.

“Basically, [AI is] a computer or a machine simulating a human thought and actions, and being able to do things intelligently like a human being,” said Weese.

“Which is funny because humans often do things unintelligently.”

Machines and computers are currently used to solve technical problems and doing things that bore or disinterest humans, like cleaning or repetitive tasks.

However, having computers and robots similar to C-3PO from “Star Wars” that emulate humans is still problematic.

“For computers to be able to function like a human being, they have to be able to sense like us,” said Weese. “Getting a robot to perceive the world like we do is very difficult.”

The main senses computerized

robots need to have to exhibit human qualities are touch, sight and hearing, depending on what kind of task they’re built for. Also, they must be able to respond to humans in some way.

“If we make it like a human being, then we do want it to talk, because that’s our primary way of communicating,” he said.

Weese said simple tasks, such as picking up a glass of wine, would have multiple steps that are easy for humans but would be rather complicated for a robot to emulate.

He proposed the example of drinking from a wine glass. A robot would have to identify the coordinates of the glass in three dimensions (something humans do automatically), extend its arm and pick up the glass with enough force to lift it without smashing it. Actually drinking it and placing it back down would require programming multiple steps as well.

“Do you know how hard that is?” said Weese.

Aside from programming mechanical knowledge, computers need to be able to reason and make inferences. A car-driving robot, for example, would need to be able to make split-second decisions if unforeseen circumstances arise, such as boxes falling from a car.

More complex tasks, like getting a sandwich from a shop, would require a large amount of commands and programming to deal with the circumstances and actions involved with the task.

“We humans work in such a general way. We don’t need too specific pieces of information to identify things,” he said. “It’s

worse than a baby, because even a by seven, and the location of the baby human has built-in instincts largest Muslim population in the to recognize objects. We have to world. teach [a robot] everything.”

He asked Siri, “Do you love Weese performed a demo using me?” and received a response of a friend’s “How can iPhone 4S I tell?” of Siri, a After personal the demo, assistant We e s e application discussed t h a t expert recognizes systems, the human which are voice and ­—Stephen Weese, self-proclaimed geek programs performs that excel commands in a certain and answer questions based on area. what was said, as an example “It’s kind of funny how of how far AI has gotten in the humans are really good at doing past few years in terms of voice general stuff but really specific recognition. things, computers are better than He asked Siri to execute we are – in most cases anyway,” several commands, such as said Weese. asking the phone to send him Expert systems are systems a text saying “I hate you,” find that can do one thing over and the location of a theater where over, and do it well. Such a the movie “Paranormal Activity computer can excel at things such 3” was playing, and asking it as chess and trivia, like a human directions from GCC to Chicago. expert.

The audience asked Siri what the Notable examples of expert age of the Earth was, 22 divided programs are Deep Blue, a chess

“Humans

often do things

unintelligently.”

playing computer that defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997, and Watson, a computer system that plays Jeopardy! and defeated champions Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings in an exhibition match on Feb. 14 this year.

He then showed clips of integrated AI systems, including a Japanese robotic maid, a prototype of a self-driving car, and a female companion that responded to touch and voice that even reacting to inappropriate groping and physical abuse.

Weese concluded by saying that robot companions are around the corner, but that the costs are prohibitive.

“It’s a question of when,” he said.

However evolved robots get, humans will remain exceptional beings.

“As human beings, we really are amazing!” said Weese. “I can’t stress it enough, it’s so crazy the stuff that we do — and looking at AI makes you realize it Angel Silva can be reached at asilva827@student.glendale.edu

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

7

FEATURES

Herb Walk Takes Hikers to New Heights

By John Ferrara

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

O

n a clear Saturday morning in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, a Chumash medicine woman leads a group of soccer moms and weekend warriors in prayer, chanting what sounds like “yamaquideh,” a Chumash word meaning “burrowing owl.”

Six long braids sway across her torso as she sings and dances to the song of her ancestors. She speaks with her hands almost more than her mouth, and her earrings, made from great horned owl talons, tell her story better than she does.

She encourages the hikers to “see through the dark,” much like the burrowing owl.

“Do not be half there like everything else we do,” said Chumash healer Cecilia Garcia, urging them to leave behind their city lifestyles for a few hours and participate in the experience.

About 30 people gathered to be led on a medicinal plant hike through Deukmejian Wilderness Park by Garcia, and USC professor, Jim Adams on Oct. 29.

This was only the second medicinal plant hike the two have led through Deukmejian Park since the 2009 station wildfire, the largest ever recorded in Los Angeles County.

“It looked like a lunar landscape,” said Glendale parks department senior administrative analyst Marc Stirdivant, referring to the park after the fire.

Stirdivant has been working for the parks department for almost five years. He retired from his career as associate director on

“Frasier” to pursue his passion in environmental work, according to his wife Jeanette Stirdivant, who is division chair of student services here at Glendale College.

Almost as soon as the hike began, it came to a halt. Only a few yards into the trail laid the California Jimson Weed plant.

“It’s a muscle relaxer, and you all need muscle relaxing,” joked Garcia.

The plant is characterized by its white flowers, spiked seed pods, and leaves bearing the aroma of peanut butter. Garcia recommends making a sun tea which is used not for drinking, but for soaking feet in. Chewing on a small portion of its leaf is another way to relax, however the taste is unpleasant.

This plant also contains a powerful hallucinogenic in its seeds, which are potentially very dangerous and have caused deaths due to overdose.

One of the most impressive stops along the trail is the McFall Oak. This 300-year-old sprawling tree was named after former assistant city manager Bob McFall, who demanded firefighters preserve the Oak during the Station Fire. Acorns from this tree can be collected seasonally.

The park boasts a lush variety of sage plants, including California sage brush, white sage and black sage. Each has multiple uses and health benefits, from relieving pain and anxiety, to soothing arthritic ailments. Many hikers picked a few stalks to take home for their own personal use.

“Normally we don’t allow people to pick things, but I

think today’s a special day,” said Stirdivant.

One of the most versatile plants studied on the hike was the Yucca. This plant dominates the Southern California landscape and can be used for shampoo, food, and is even a natural source of needle and thread due to its sharp points and fibrous material.

The plant can be cooked by baking or frying the stem.

“It tastes like a beautiful potato,” said Adams.

It may come as a surprise that free, naturally growing tobacco can also be found along the trails.

California tree tobacco originates from Argentina, and contains twice the amount of nicotine as cigarette tobacco.

However, the plant also has more toxins than regular tobacco and smoking it is not recommended.

Garcia uses the California tree tobacco for its natural infection fighting compounds, by packing the leaves over wounds and covering it in animal fat.

The trail becomes exponentially beautiful as it treks deeper into the San Gabriels and about a mile in, the sights and sounds from one of the park’s several streams feels as relaxing and medicinal as the plant life.

Near the end of the trail, hikers were pleased to discover a plant they all recognized: grape vines.

Left over from past generations of people who once cultivated the grapes in the region, the vines line the edges of the pathways.

Adams found and plucked a small bunch of grapes and passed it around the group.

The hike adjourned around 1 p.m. and the hikers were invited

Photo by John Ferrara

FOLLOWING TRADITION: USC professor Jim Adams teaches hikers about the medicinal herbs in their own backyards.

to meet up with Adams and Garcia back at the parking lot where they were selling copies of their book “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West: Cultural and Scientific Basis for their Use” and telling their personal stories.

Adams’ ancestors migrated from England to America in 1635. They headed west towards Oregon and due to a shortage of doctors along the frontier, survived through the healings of the American Indians.

“I follow this tradition,” said Adams.

Garcia’s Chumash healing techniques were handed down to her by her grandparents. Fear of persecution caused Garcia’s family to hide within their Mexican ancestry. However

behind closed doors, her family still practiced the healings of the Chumash Indians.

Garcia partnered with Adams in 1998 when he sought to learn the healing techniques of the American Indian. They have been working together ever since.

The Glendale parks department is suffering from many cutbacks, and is currently accepting volunteers for trail maintenance and safety programs.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Marc Stirdivant through his work number (818) 550-4405 or email him at mstirdivant@ci.glendale.ca.us.

John Ferrara can be reached at jferrar977@student.glendale.edu

Campus Comments What is your opinion of President Obama’s decision to reduce student loan payments to 10 percent of the student’s income and to reduce interest rates by one-half of 1 percent?

Raymond Chan 20 Nursing “I think it will be good because that way students will not stress out on how they are going to repay their student loans.”

Heather Cook 26 Nursing “It’s going to help people down the road and I think you need to pay back your loans. If you take out that [student] loan you need to pay it back.”

Randel Mancilla 18

Supasuda Prasertphong 20

Sociology

Undecided

“This is definitely something good, something positive that President Obama has done and I, myself, am not a supporter of President Obama.”

“I believe that it’s honest because it reduces the [installment] payments for students so they can study more.”

­­—Compiled by Tex Wells

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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OPINION

Religion’s Role on Campus — ­ What Is It?

By Verzhine Nikoghosyan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he presence of religion in colleges has always been a controversial issue. Despite the different views on this topic, religion is still in universities and colleges, be it private or public.

Because of this ongoing presence on campuses we can be sure that students need it.

Religion is present in our social lives, in education, politics, and in everyday choices. We need to understand its place in the community and our lives. Many view religion as unimportant but for many others it has meaning and depth.

Steve Parker, instructor of sociology in the Social Science Division said, “It is my view that religious clubs and places of worship serve a valuable function on college campuses, GCC included.”

According to a seven-yearstudy held by UCLA named “Spirituality in Higher Education: Students’ Search for Meaning and

Purpose,” results show that while can do a great deal to help students’ attendance to worship students cope with issues and services decreases during their challenges that arise in both the sophomore years, they become academic and personal realms more spiritual. of their lives,” said Parker.

In colleges they get more “Participation in any type of exposure to different cultures, normative organization that is hence becoming more spiritual. strongly based on the sharing Students tend to look for answers of values can help one through to “big questions” starting a the facilitation of supportive curious spiritual quest.

As Paul M a y e r , = mc2 associate professor “Coexist” photoillustration by Angel Silva of English as a second language and former advisor of relationships and networks.” the Christians in Action student Many students agree that club said, “Any religion stresses religion in college campuses are that there can be some wrong beneficial and necessary. choice out there, and through the Marc Anthony Perales, 18, a study of the Bible, or the Torah or business major, thinks that these the Quran one is able to discern clubs are also important for better what is right or wrong.” raising awareness about different While making life changing religions and cultures. decisions, religion can direct “It would be great to see students like a compass. different religions on campus. I “In my view, religious clubs think it would help a lot of adults

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to come together, people would see them and not be judgmental of what they do or what they wear because they can have a better understanding of what they believe in,” said Perales.

Another student, Ajmin Sarian, 18, a biology major, thinks that religious clubs can help students.

“I think they are beneficial because in religious c l u b s students who have similar interests and cultural background come together and share their ideas, make new friends. They can direct and help each other to achieve their goals.”

Students see the need of understanding other cultures in order to coexist better and not be judgemental. Judging is the easiest way to go but understanding the difference can be a challenge. By understanding different religions, it can help students to make more

informative choices in life.

Parker also agrees with this and states that while sociologists have been studying the impact of religious involvement, they came to understand that religious groups can be a supportive place for the members to develop meaningful relations.

“The creation of bonds with others in a religious club may often help to insulate a student from distractions (drinking, using drugs, cheating, dropping out). Having a stake in a group, and having peers who count on one’s participation in that group, may, in many cases, give students direction and mutual support.”

At the same time Mayer thinks that religion in campus can be dangerous too. People may attach their political agenda to religious clubs and it can become a terrible mix. This is why students need faculty advisers who can help prevent this.

Mayer also thinks that religious clubs at Glendale College do not [See Religion, page 9]

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Cars and Dialogue Ride Side By Side in ’Autobahn’

By Angel Silva

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

N

eil LaBute’s “Autobahn,” a play cycle focusing on the nature of conversations inside of a car, opened at Glendale College on Oct. 26 at the Auditorium.

First written in 2003, “Autobahn” is unlike any of LaBute’s other works. It’s a collection of seven short plays — four monologues and three conversations. The cast is a motley crew ranging from a timid man who can’t seem to muster the will to break up with his insecure girlfriend, a driving instructor and a high school student on a secret road trip, and more.

The play starts without visuals, but rather a synthesized, ambient piece that sounds like it came out of an 1980s space program documentary — taking viewers to another world. And in a sense it’s appropriate — for “Autobahn” takes the audience to an oft unseen world, that of the privacy of a car seat conversation.

“Autobahn” explores the certain openness that comes from a long drive, the fact that people can speak their mind and not easily escape the conversation.

A somewhat timid man (Guillerme Zaidan) and a clingy girlfriend afraid of abandonment (Ashley Regan) are the focus of “Bench Seat.” Awkward conversations and even more awkward kissing sessions fill what was supposed to be a breakup scene (and the man almost succeeds thrice). As the scene goes along, the man learns that

his girlfriend has had a past filled with abandonment and that she copes with it in a unsettling way.

“Merge” touches on the confusing reiteration of a traveling businesswoman’s trip (Sara Tokumoto) and her worrisome husband (Peter von Sholly).

The scene starts out innocently enough — a husband frets over a vague incident with two men (or as she likes to say, “all the men”) that happened to his wife on a business trip. As the scene carries on, the inconsistencies in the wife’s retellings and her language give way to the notion that maybe there’s something more than what she’s saying. Just maybe.

Perhaps the creepiest of all of the scenes, “Road Trip,” takes place on a highway in the middle of rural America — or for all intents and purposes, the middle of nowhere. A driving instructor with closeted anger problems (Zaidan) and a cute, tomboyish yet innocent high school sophomore (Micha Jones) are on their way to a secluded cabin for the weekend, at the instructor’s suggestion. There really is no need to say more; the true nature of the trip becomes apparent as the scene carries on.

The beginnings of each scene are vague, forcing the audience to pay attention to what the characters say. Then, as the backstory pieces together and the situation becomes clear, the hidden message reveals itself — that his wife doesn’t really like him, that she’s a bad parent, that something bad and traumatizing will happen to her upon reaching

Opinion [Religion, from page 8] help students as much as they should and the reason is because Glendale College doesn’t have a big population of students living on campus. There also is a shortage of students who know about those clubs.

As religion changes the ways it copes with the new waves of secularization, it is still there and needed.

As Parker said, “... while more folks than ever are willing to claim secular beliefs or identify as “atheist” or “agnostic,” our society is still a religious one.

I don’t see much evidence that campus religious clubs will suffer any negative trends specifically from secularization.”

Religion is everywhere we look. It can be ignored or it can be understood. While ignoring is also a choice, it limits the knowledge.

On the other hand people need to understand each other better, this is why learning and appreciating other cultures and religions is always beneficial for personal and for the community growth.

Verzhine Nikoghosyan can be reached at VNIKOGH308@student.glendale.edu

their destination.

The actors bring life into each of their roles, keeping the audience engaged despite the physical restrictions that come with acting inside the awkward comforts of a wire-frame car.

Regan’s retelling of her past (and Zaidan’s quiet horror) in “Bench Seat,” Alexis Crisanto’s anger and frustration in “All Apologies,” Tokomuto’s addled and murky retellings in “Merge,” and Jones’ innocence in “Road Trip” were among the better portrayals in “Autobahn.”

Most of the stage is dark (especially during “Bench Seat”) with a screen behind the car providing the background scenery for each scene. Backgrounds usually contain various roads, but a couple are different — a city skyline and a neighborhood block. During transitions, the screen comes to life as actors drag each other offstage, storm off, tango their way in and more.

Like “The Shape of Things,” music is only played during transitions. Most of it sounds like synths from the 1980s and 1990s mixed with dashes of dubstep and a hint of house and techno. Background ambiance is played during each play, ranging from light rainfall to crickets

Photo by Angel Silva

CANDID CONVERSATION: A daughter (Phoebe Minette) talks and

smokes while her mother (Ashley Regan) listens in remote horror. “Autobahn” explores the concept of frankness of conversations inside a car, where speaker and listener must communicate for the duration of the ride.

to tire on gravel.

The main focus of “Autobahn” is on what the actors are saying, rather what they’re doing. If action is your thing, you might want to steer clear of this one.

For a firsthand look at the way humans treat each other when alone in a car, “Autobahn” should put you in the driver’s seat.

“Autobahn” will run Nov. 10

to 12 at 8 p.m. and on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. General admission is $10.

Student and senior admission is $8. Groups of 10 or more pay $6 each.

Adult themes and language are present in the production.

Audience discretion is advised.

Angel Silva can be reached at asilva827@student.glendale.edu

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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‘Rum Diary’ Leaves Audiences Sober

By Eric Bourse

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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n spite of its title, most audience members of “The Rum Diary” will turn to caffeine as their drug of choice after two mediocre hours of liquor-drenched antics of alcoholic journalists.

The movie is directed by Bruce Robinson (“Jennifer Eight,” 1992) who also wrote the screenplay, which is an adaptation of the novel written by Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson was credited with creating gonzo journalism, a type of reporting that makes the writer as a central part of the story.

The novel was a fictionalized account of Thompson’s time as a journalist in Puerto Rico during the early 1960s.

The film stars Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides,” 2011) as Thompson’s stand-in, Paul Kemp, an unsuccessful author from New York, who flies to Puerto Rico to land a job at the dying newspaper, The San Juan Star.

This is the second time Depp has starred in a Thompson movie.

In 1998, he portrayed Raoul Duke in the Terry Gilliam’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and actually became close friends with Thompson.

Luckily for Kemp, he is the only person who applied for a job there and gets hired by the editor, Edward Lotterman, played

by Richard Jenkins (“Hall Pass,” 2011), immediately. However, despite Kemp’s ambitions to write hard-hitting and engaging stories, he is assigned only to write fluff articles about bowling tourists and horoscopes.

The feeble story gets a little thicker when Kemp meets a corrupt yet likeable land developer, Sanderson, played

by Aaron Eckhart (“Battle: Los Angeles,” 2011). Kemp is offered a huge payoff to write favorable

articles that will aid Sanderson in landing a massive resort development deal.

Kemp immediately falls in love with Sanderson’s fiancée, Chenault, played by Amber Heard (“Drive Angry,” 2011) and thus begins the film’s shallow romance plot line. There is very little in the movie’s story that shows why these two characters are drawn to each other besides “love at first sight.”

With his fixation on Chenault and witnessing how the locals are getting the short end of the stick on Sanderson’s business practices, Kemp has second thoughts but realizes he is already in over his head.

The acting is solid ,including Michael Rispoli (“Kick Ass,” 2010) and Giovanni Ribisi (“Avatar,” 2009) who play Kemp’s journalist sidekicks and fellow alcoholics, Bob Sala and Moberg.

Ribisi’s performance as Moberg is especially noteworthy as his character is in a constant and belligerent altered state of mind.

There are some great moments in the film, such as the thrilling scene when Kemp and Sala run for their lives from angry locals with homicidal intentions. The explosive arguments between Lotterman and Moberg are hilarious and the scene in which Sala and Kemp take LSD is entertaining as well.

However, there are simply not enough of these compelling scenes. If there is one thing the film has plenty of, it’s alcohol.

Maybe if the characters decided to put their glasses down for a few seconds, they might have done more interesting things.

The biggest problems with the film are Robinson’s directing and screenplay. The direction is bland and uninspired and the film’s plot is disjointed and moves at a snail’s pace at times. When

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the film begins picking up some steam in the last 30 minutes or so, it ends with a disappointing whimper.

Although the film drags on in parts, “The Rum Diary” suffers from a case of “not enough.”

There isn’t enough comedy, romance, thrills or drama to justify the price of admission.

“Diary” is by no means the worst film of 2011, but it is easily one of the more forgetful ones of the year.

The film is rated R for language, drug use and sexual content and runs for 120 minutes.

 Eric Bourse can be reached at ebourse741@student.glendale.edu

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

11

SPORTS

Rain Can’t Stop Lady Vaqs, New SoCal Champs

By Eric Bourse

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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he Lady Vaqueros were unfazed by frosty winds and pouring rain as the team won first place in the Southern California Cross Country Championships at Guasti Regional Park in Ontario on Friday.

The Lady Vaqs came in first place with 27 points, while Orange Coast took second with 100 points and L.A. Trade Tech took third place with 101 points.

“They absolutely dominated,” said Head Coach Eddie Lopez.

“After the first 400 meters, our team took over.”

Four Lady Vaqs filled the top 10 and filled the top three as well.

Karen Rosas finished the 3-mile race in first place with a time of 17:54. Alyssa Selve finished second place with a time of 18:00.6. Angela Martinez came in third place with a time of 18:01.

“Our top three were great,” said Lopez. “I’ve never had a

team with runners finishing in first, second and third place.

Karen even went the wrong way for a brief moment but she ran so fast it didn’t matter.”

Grace Graham-Zamudio finished in 18:25 to take ninth place. Nohemi Martinez came in 12th place with a time of 18:37.

Laura Pluemer finished in 14th place with a time of 18:39.

The men’s team came in fourth place with 157 points. San Bernardino Valley finished in first place with 68 points. L.A. Trade Tech took second place with 75 points and San Diego Mesa took third with 122 points. Daniel Herrera of Cerritos College finished in first place with a time of 19:58.

Mizrael Mendez, the top runner for Vaqueros, finished in eighth place with a time of 20:37.

Isaac Diosdado finished in 23rd place with a time of 20:59. Alec Nelson came in 33rd place with a time of 21:10 and Jesus Gutierrez came in 42nd place with a time of 21:19.

“I had a bad race,” said Mendez, 18. “I run well on flat courses like the one today but I didn’t have it in me today. I was chasing the runners in the lead but they got away from me.”

The rainy weather proved to be an obstacle as well as a welcome challenge.

“I thought running in the rain was fun,” said Nelson, 18.

“There were a lot of guys slipping because of the mud in the first mile. I loved it.”

“The weather got really crazy,” said Rosas, 20, sociology. “When it seemed like it was going to stop, it got worse.”

The next challenges for the Vaqueros are the state championships in Fresno.

“The women’s team has to stay healthy and continue their preparation and they are going to try to break the team’s total time record,” said Lopez. “The men’s team is going to be facing tough competition but they are up to the challenge.”

“Today’s loss for the men’s

Photo by Eric Bourse

QUICKSILVER WINNERS: The Lady Vaqueros dominated the Cross Country Championships on Friday. Nohemi Martinez, top row from left to right, Grace Graham-Zamudio, Cecilia Nicolas, Laura Pluemer. From bottom left to right, Karen Rosas, Alyssa Selve, Angela Martinez.

team was a wake up call for us,” said Nelson. “We are going to bounce back from it and be ready for the championship race.”

The State Championships will

take place in Woodward Park in Fresno at 10 a.m. on Nov. 19.

Eric Bourse can be reached at ebourse741@student.glendale.edu

Lopez, Motivation Drives Student Aerobics

By Isiah Reyes

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit, but in Eddie Lopez’s running aerobics class, the greatest of these is spirit.

Lopez teaches three running aerobics classes and is also the coach of Glendale College’s cross country team and track and field for both men and women. He said his running classes have a strong sense of team unity and there is a lot of friendship between students.

“I train them like I do my cross country team,” said Lopez, who is starting his 7th year as head coach for track and field. He was assistant coach for 18 years prior to that.

The purpose of the class is to work toward getting into better shape. It is an introduction to running aerobics as a lifetime activity. There is no prerequisite and all students come from different walks of life.

One of the runners in Lopez’s class is David Karapetyan, a

history major, who has enjoyed running and playing soccer since he was 4.

He is nicknamed the “Terminator” because he destroys his competition on the track.

This is the third time he has taken the class, which he attends Mondays through Thursdays.

He said it improves his physical conditioning and relieves stress.

“It’s too easy for me on a treadmill,” said Karapetyan. “I’m trying to get better and maybe join the track team.”

Lopez encourages his best runners to try out for track and field. But others in the class are just looking for a good workout.

Karapetyan said he likes the running class because sometimes they run in courses that are offcampus.

One of the courses is called the church loop, which has the class run a two mile course off to a church and back. Lopez said he has to watch out for cars and dogs along the way and said that safety is very important.

Another runner in the class is Peter Karamanani. He has been

taking the class for a year and a half and also takes the class Mondays through Thursdays. He wants to stay healthy and plans to join the military, so he takes this class to stay fit. Although running has its physical benefits, Karamanani said that running helps more in a psychological sense.

“If you’re running up a hill, your body just thinks about quitting a million times,” said Karamanani. “It really takes a lot of willpower to keep at it and not give up.”

Karamanani has smoked for five years and quit about a month ago.

“Around my first semester coming here, I would be partying all night, smoking, drinking 40 [ounce bottles of beer], eating hamburgers, and the next day coming out here and running like an animal,” said Karamanani.

“But I’m older now. I’ve mellowed out.”

He said that taking this class is motivation to stay off cigarettes and live a healthier lifestyle.

All the runners realize there

Photo By Isiah Reyes

OFF AND RUNNING: Students in Eddie Lopez’s running aerobics class run the Indian run, which improves endurance and team unity. are no shortcuts to any place worth going, and Lopez gives his class an analogy to drive the point home.

“Our bodies are like credit cards,” said Lopez. “We either pay now or we pay later. Some of our bodies have higher interest and we have to work harder to burn it off. If you wait later you have to pay more interest.”

Claudia Alvarez, one of the athletic trainers, runs and participates with the class.

She was on GCC’s inaugural

women’s soccer team and also on the women’s basketball team. She has a bachelor’s in kinesiology from Cal State Northridge and she played on their soccer team.

“Coach [Lopez] does a good job with supporting everybody and having everybody work together,” Alvarez said. “It’s hard to run by yourself, but when you’re with other people who keep pace with you, it is very helpful.”

[See Lopez, page 12]

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SPORTS / OPINION

Come On, Where’s The School Spirit?

By Marlon Miranda

EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

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ans don’t win games the players do. But who do the players lean on in the closing moments in the decisive seconds of a game? Who do they depend on for motivation during a tough stretch? It isn’t called home field advantage for nothing.

Imagine the disappointment

of the home team as they get booed when they have the ball, or the shock of hearing the visiting school’s chant! This happens in most sporting events in Glendale.

Stands are filled with fans of the opposing school and the Vaquero faithful are nowhere to be found.

Grant Lee, psychology major, has attended GCC for two years.

However he has never attended a game or a rally. He loves

sports, just never got into it on a community level.

“It’s not like a university; it is just a community college,” said Lee “I might be more inclined to support my school team. I just don’t see the point of it in a community college.”

Where is the pride?

When student’s graduates from Glendale, their diploma will have GCC written on it. If they

are not ashamed of where they got their education, then why be ashamed of supporting that same school team?

Community college might be just a mean to an end to some students a two year stop before transferring to a university. Why not enjoy it for all the school has to offer?

There is nothing more thrilling than being apart of an electrifying

crowd when hundreds of voices turn to one and chant for a mutual advantage, cheer with every success and groan with every misstep. Fans get to watch the transformation of a player into a star and a team into a powerhouse.

It’s like watching a reality show, but with more action.

[See Spirit, page 13]

Lopez’s Running Aerobics Class Motivates Students [Lopez, from page 11] She added that the class gets her adrenaline going and that it’s a good way to burn calories.

Another runner in the class is Jessica Kaugl, a business major.

This is her second semester taking the class and she attends it on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

She joined because she felt she wasn’t pushing herself hard enough. Now that the class has improved her running form and helped her lose weight, it has made her enjoy the experience even more.

“As it’s helped me get into better shape, I’ve made healthier choices in other aspects of my life,” said Kaugl. “I’ve noticed I’m eating better and trying to live altogether healthier because I’m noticing the results of the running class.”

One aspect all the runners agree on is the fact that the class improves teamwork and encourages camaraderie.

“We all encourage each other, and we each have our own kind of goals to challenge ourselves to,” said Kaugl. “I pick out a few people who run a little bit faster than I do and then I challenge myself to try and keep up with them.”

One of the runs in the class that improves team unity is called the Indian run. The runners line up in a single-file line and then begin running around the track. The person at the end of the line has to sprint to the front, and then the next last person does the same.

This keeps going for three laps.

They take a break, and then do it again for another four laps.

“The Indian run stops the good runners from showing off

and teaches them discipline,” said Lopez. “And the slower runners feel they’re a part of the group, so they both meet in the middle.”

As the runners run around the field, Lopez follows and shouts out words of encouragement to his group.

“He’s really encouraging to the beginners and a little bit harder on the faster people,” Kaugl said.

The runners are graded by class participation and attendance.

There is also the Cooper’s Test once a month. The mile and a half run tests a runner’s fitness based on how fast they run, from very poor being the worst category to superior being the best category.

The guidelines for the categories change based on the person’s age and sex.

If a male is between the ages of 13 and 19 and has completed the Cooper’s Test in around 16 minutes, he would end up with a very poor ranking. In contrast, if a woman older than 60 years completed the run around 16 minutes, she would end up with a superior ranking because of her age group.

Aside from the training and tests, the students in the class have to write a paper about the different stretches they do before each run and explain why they do them. They also have homework, which is to walk at least 30 minutes a day outside of class.

Lopez said that his students are very honest about that.

Most of the runners like the different terrain and weather conditions that come along with running in the courses that are off campus, something that cannot be found indoors.

“It’s not an easy class; it’s not like being in a fitness center,”

said Lopez. “I make them work here. But I also realize that they all have their limits, so we have to put it together. It works out well.”

Some of the students have marked their calendar for the 5 kilometer Turkey Trot, a fundraiser that benefits the Dana

Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. It will be held on Nov. 24.

The runners who partake in it most likely would not have dreamed of running in this type of competition had it not been for

this class. To many, this class is life-changing.

“I love it,” said Kaugl. “It’s one of my favorite classes.”

Isiah Reyes can be reached at haisikin@gmail.com

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

13

SPORTS

Vaq Offense Comes Alive As Defense Dies

By Marlon Miranda EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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resh off their first victory of the season, the Vaqueros came into Saturday’s game against Santa Monica College hoping for their first home victory of the season. But in the final minute of the game a disappointed squad gave up the game-winning touchdown and lost to SMC 47-41.

The Vaqs hurt themselves in the first 18 minutes of the game as they turned over the ball four times, but even with those turnovers GCC still managed to score 20 points in the first half — a season high.

The Vaqueros offense fired on all cylinders as they ran for a combined 248 yards and passed for 177 yards. Joseph Wiggan ran for 117-yards and scored two touchdowns. His longest run was a 24-yard scramble. Five out of the six touchdowns Glendale scored were by running it in.

“We (GCC) have the best offensive line hands down,” said Wiggan. “They create holes and make it easy for us to get yards.”

The game was a high scoring affair in which neither team held the lead for long. They kept trading punches until the closing minutes of the game.

The Vaqueros scored to tie the game with four minutes left in the game. SMC came right back and

scored with 49 seconds left.

Vaquero running back Omar Barrera-Sanchez wore out the SMC defense, breaking tackles and gaining yards on every attempt. He averaged almost 6-yards per carry. As unstoppable as he seemed at times, it wasn’t enough to win the game.

“Playing behind this great offensive line makes my job easy,” said Barrera-Sanchez.

“As good as we played I wished the outcome would have been different.”

Head coach John Rome is the team’s inspirational leader; he has never lost hope in the team. Rome knows that his team’s record doesn’t indicate its talent. After the game Rome was in near tears as he reminded the players how proud he was of them.

“I wouldn’t want to trade these players for anybody else, they played their hearts out for me every game. Our record does not indicate how good these players are,” said Rome.

The sentiment was shared by the entire team, realizing that there is only one game left in the season. With more than 12 sophomores on the team there will be a lot of new faces on the team next season.

“A lot of sophomores are ending their careers as Vaqueros.

It is bitter sweet since our record doesn’t reflect all the hard work

School Spirit [Spirit, from page 12] During GCC sporting events, some parents show up, maybe a girlfriend or two. But no fans of the game or of the school.

How can the Vaqueros enjoy their home field advantage when the opposing school brings more people, louder people and people who have a love for their school?

Nathan Serrano, a nursing student has a love for sports. He tries to attend as many home games as possible; he has been humiliated multiple times while attending games.

“It’s embarrassing to be like a lone wolf out there. You scream as loud as you got, and others feel like it’s not cool to cheer. My single voice is drowned out by

a herd of voices from the other team. I tried bringing friends but no one seems to be into it,” said Serrano.

Lack of school spirit is hurting GCC, without a fan base teams won’t be afraid to play in Glendale. There are no rally monkeys in the stand or upside down hats. Where is the tradition?

The beauty and pageantry of collegiate sports is a traditional right of passage most don’t ever get to feel. Student’s should show a passion and represent their school, their future Alma mater.

Once a Vaquero, always a Vaquero!

we have put in,” said Wiggan.

The Vaqueros ended the night by scoring a season high of 41 points, their last game of the season is against Southwest College on Nov. 12 at Glendale.

The Vaqueros hope to end the season with a win and send the sophomores out with a lasting memory.

“Every player has been great and they have all been outstanding. From Hunter to the O-line to our special teams and our defense. We will end the season in a good note,” said Rome.

The next game is at 7 p.m. against L.A. Southwest College at Sartoris Field.

Marlon Miranda can be reached at MMIRAND721@student.glendale.edu

Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez

THREADING THE NEEDLE: Vaquero running back Omar BarreraSanchez finds a hole during Saturday’s game against Santa Monica.

Vaquero Sports Summaries Scores Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Oct. 25 — WSC Finals at San Luis Obispo women — finished first men — finished first Friday — So. Cal. Championships at Ontario women — finished first men — finished fourth Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 28 — beat Santa Monica 3-2 Nov. 2 — beat West L.A. 3-0 Friday — lost to Pirece College 3-0 Football: Oct. 29 — beat Santa Barbara 38-17 Saturday — lost to Santa Monica 47-41

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 25 — lost to Pierce College 5-0 Oct. 28 — lost to Canyons 5-0 Nov. 1 — Santa Monica 4-0 Friday — lost to Bakersfield 2-0 Women’s Golf: Oct. 30/31 — won Western State Title at Ventura Men’s Soccer: Oct. 25 — lost to Santa Barbara 5-4 Oct. 28 — lost to Mission College 7-3 Nov. 1 — beat Moorpark College 3-1 Friday — lost to Canyons 2-1

Upcoming Events Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Nov. 19 — State Championships at Fresno 10 a.m.

Women’s Golf: Monday/Tuesday State Championships at Visalia 8 a.m.

Women’s Volleyball: Today vs. Citrus College 7 p.m.

Friday at Bakersfield 7 p.m.

Nov. 17 vs. Canyons 7 p.m.

Football: Saturday vs. L.A Southwest 7 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: Friday vs. L.A. Valley College 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer: Friday vs. Oxnard College 5 p.m.

For more information see: http://www.glendale.edu/athletics/ Marlon Miranda can be reached at MMIRAND721@student.glendale.edu

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Calendar On Campus EVENTS ASGCC Spring 2012 Elections — Be a part of student government. Sign up to run for various positions today through Nov. 18 in SC 201. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 3033.

Dinner program, sponsored by the Leo Club. Nov. 16 from noon to 2 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Troy Davis and his band will perform. Nov. 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

International Education Week — Food sale and information booth. Sponsored by the International Student Association. Tuesday and Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Jazz Concerts — Saturday Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble led by directors Craig Kupka and Clare Delto. Nov. 19 at 8 p.m.

Then on Nov. 20 the Jazz Big Band led by Kupka performs at 4 p.m. Auditorium Mainstage Theatre. Tickets $7 general, $5 for students and seniors. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext.

5829.

Candidates Forum — Prospective new student government representitives will hold a question and answer forum on Nov. 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Soccer Tournament — Sponsored by VOICES. Nov. 19 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sartoris Field.

For more information call (818) 388-3497.

Spring 2012 Voting — Polls will be open on both Nov. 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Swap Meet — Upper campus parking lot. Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5805.

Photo Contest — View and vote for the funniest photos. Today through Tuesday outside the Student Center. Sponsored by the Leo Club.

Armenian Culture Day — Featuring dancing, music, barbecue, and both educational and historical displays. Organized by the Armenian Students Association.

Thursday in Plaza Vaquero from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Occupy: a Teach-In” — Guest speakers, information, with questions and answers regarding the Occupy movement. Speakers to include Gordon Alexandre and Richard Kamei. Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in SC 212.

ASGCC Info Booth — Student government members will be reaching out to the night students.

Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

MEETINGS Board of Trustees Meeting — Nov. 21 in Kreider Hall. 5 p.m.

HOLIDAYS Veterans Day — No classes, campus will be closed Friday.

Thanksgiving — No classes, campus closed. Nov. 24 to 26.

JOBS Employment — Recruiters from Charter Communications will be in Plaza Vaquero. Monday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information contact the Student Employment Services Office in the San Rafael Building or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5403.

LECTURES

Occupy L.A. at GCC — Guest speakers, information, and World music will be featured. Thursday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

“Vampire 101: How to Be a Vampire” — A lecture for fans of the vampire genre. Speaker is GCC English instructor Jessica Groper. Free. Thursday in Kreider Hall. 12:20 to 1:20 p.m.

Open Chess Festival — Featuring 15 minute games. Open to all students, staff and faculty. Sponsored by the Advanced Chess Club. Nov. 15 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in SC 212.

Science Lecture Series — “Data Transformation” The speaker is Case Bradford, a technologist at JPL. Free. Nov. 22 in CS 177 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m.

Taco Sale — A fundraiser for the Food for Thought Thanksgiving

MUSIC Free Concert — GCC professor

READINGS Writers Showcase — Student writers will bereading their own work. Sponsored by the Literary Society of GCC. Free. Nov. 17 from 5 to 6 p.m. in AD 211.

THEATER “Autobahn” — A collection of one-act plays written by Neil LaBute and directed by Jeanette Farr. Contains subject matter not suitable for children. Auditorium Studio Theatre. 8 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations recommended. Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets $10 general admission, $8 students and seniors. For more information or reservations call (818)240-1000, ext. 5612.

Auditions — For the Theatre Arts department spring production of “Godspell,” music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Cast members must enroll in theatre arts workshops. Nov. 16 and 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Auditorium Lobby For more information (818) 2401000, ext. 5618.

HEALTH Meditation — No experience necessary. Instructor will be Jeanne Townsend. Flex credit availableMeets every Wednesday through Nov. 16 in AD 243 from 12:20 to 1:20 p.m.

Flu Shots — Are available in the Health Center while supplies last. Students $15, employees $20; cash only. Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mental Health Counseling — Available for students. Free. For information visit the Health Center in the San Rafael Building.

PLANETARIUM “Black Holes and Quasars” — A lunchtime program to highlight the planetarium’s features. Today and Nov 16 from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

On Nov. 23 and 30 “Life on Other Worlds?” Free. For more information, visit www.glendale.edu/ planetarium or call (818) 2401000, ext. 5275.

“Spontaneous Fantasia” — A real-time animation created live for the full-dome digital theater

by J. Walt, a programmer, artist and composer. Friday and Dec. 3 at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets $15.

No late arrivals will be admitted.

“MLA Requirements” — Learn about stylistic requirements mandated by the Modern Language Association. Free. Nov. 17 from 12:20 to 1:20 p.m. in AD 238.

“How to Recognize and Correct Run-ons” — Learn to recognize situations in which run-on sentences commonly occur; receive practice exercises. Nov. 18 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in AD 238.

“Powerful Lead-in’s, Graceful Exits: Introductions and Conclusions” — How to write creative lures and titles for your essays and how to write meaningful conclusions. Free. Nov. 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. in AD 238.

CLUBS

“Logical Fallacies” — Learn how to identify and avoid nine common logical fallacies. Recommended for English 101 and above. Free. Nov. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. in AD 238

IOC Awards — The Most Outstanding Club Award will be presented to the GCC club with the most impact on campus. Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in SM 248.

“Using Concrete and Specific Details” — Determine how to bring more specificity and color to your writing. Free. Dec. 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. in AD 238.

TRANSFER

MOVIES

UC Application Workshop — Today from 4 to 5 p.m. in SF 108 Sponsored by the Transfer Center For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5442.

“Dirt! The Movie” — Film screening and discussion of the 2009 documentary about the connection that floods, climate change, and war have with the way we are treating dirt. Free.

Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. On Nov. 17: “No Impact Man: The Documentary” A 2009 film about a man and his reluctant family who decide to live a no-impact lifestyle for one year. Discussion follows. Sponsored by The Environmental Club. Free. Nov. 17 from 6 to 8pm in CR 137.

UCLA and CSULA — Counselors will be on campus to answer questions. Sponsored by EOPS Club. Thursday from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in CR 137.

WORKSHOPS “Researching Careers” — Acquaints students with career exploration and the research resources available. Career Center, San Rafael Building. Thursday at 3 p.m. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5407.

“Finding the Main Idea” — Sharpen your reading comprehension skills. Free. Monday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and Dec. 2 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in AD 238. Register online at www.glendale.edu/learningcenter.

Friday Flix: — A screening of “Annie Hall,” this Friday. A 1977 comedy directed by and starring Woody Allen. On Nov. 18 “Airplane!,” a 1980 comedy starring Leslie Nielsen. On Dec. 9 “Raising Arizona” a 1987 comedy directed by the Coen Brothers. Mike Petros will facilitate a discussion after the films. Free at 12:30 p.m. in SG 334.

Compiled by Richard Kontas

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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VAQUERO VIEWS

Power Soccer Teams Return for the 2011 Glendale Invitational

Photos by Richard Kontas

POWER SOCCER RETURNS: GCC hosted the 2011 Glendale Invitational Tournament on Saturday and Sunday at the Verdugo Gym. Teams came from Santa Barbara, Hollister and two teams from Arizona, to compete against the two Glendale teams. Shown above, top photo, Glendale Rough Rider Benny Aviles no. 13, manuevers the ball against the Hollister Free Wheelers. Rough Rider Kyle Ornelas, left, lower photo, works to get past Free Wheeler Chad Bojorquez no. 22, during Sunday’s playoff game number two.

The tournament winner was the Santa Barbara Rolling Gouchos, followed by the Arizona Heat Elite in second, Hollister in third, the Glendale Rough Riders finished fourth, Arizona Desert Outlaws fifth followed by the Glendale Wild Wheelers in sixth. The tournament is both sanctioned and officiated by the United States Power Soccer Association. For more information on the Glendale teams visit http://www.facebook.com/search and enter “Glendale Power Soccer.”

Since one of the major challenges faced by both the Rough Riders and Wild Wheelers is raising funds to continue competing, all donations are welcome. Donations of any amount can be made payable to either team or both (specify) and sent to Glendale Community College, Attn: Laura Matsumoto, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA. 91208.