Oct 16, 2013

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

Volume 102, Number 3

El Vaquero Newspaper www.elvaq.com

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

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

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

Photo by Jakey Galdamez

JUGGLING SKILLS: Student Clarke Surrey performs for the audience of ASGCC’s Talent Show showcasing his juggling skills on Thursday. Surrey placed second in the competition. For more talent show photos see back page.

SWAT Trains in Los RobleswBefore Demolition w w.elvaq .com

By Araks Terteryan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Glendale Police Department’s SWAT team (Special Weapons and Tactical) conducted a training exercise in entry maneuvers at the GCC campus on Oct. 9.

The training took place at the Los Robles building, which has been demolished to make room for the new three-story College Lab/Services building.

“It was a very good opportunity for our team to get real life experience,” said Sgt. Hess of Glendale Police Department.

Campus police have a longstanding relationship with the Glendale police.

Photo by Jonathan Williams

PROTECT AND SERVE: The Glendale city SWAT team held training excersises in the Los Robles building on Oct. 9.

“They provide us with mutual aid response, a cooperative relationship, they

come to assist us if we need their help,” GCC Police Chief Gary Montecuollo said. “If they need

help, we would do the same for them, but unfortunately the campus police department doesn’t have as many officers.”

Montecuollo said the school was happy to accommodate the local SWAT team.

“I was the former commander of the Glendale SWAT team when I worked with the Glendale Police Department, so I called them and asked if they would like to help us to destroy one of our buildings,” Montecuollo said.

The Los Robles building was leveled on Monday. See center spread and www.elvaq. com for more exclusive photos.

Araks Terteryan can be reached at terteryanaraks@gmail.com

EL VAQ ONLINE www.elvaq.com

55% For the story and online slideshow of the Los Robles building demolition visit: www.elvaq.com

October 16, 2013

Limited Winter Session 50% Returns to End Drought

By Alexander Davis EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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or the past three years, January and early February have left the campus resembling a ghost town rather than a learning institute.

To the delight of many students and local businesses, a winter session will be held for the first time since 2010.

The winter class schedule will be posted online Monday. The classes will run from Jan. 6 through Feb. 13 with priority registration starting Nov. 12. Students will be allowed to take up to five units this winter, which should come as a relief to those who hope to transfer sooner to a fouryear university.

The absence of a full winter schedule has been felt by nearly everyone on the Glendale campus and its surrounding areas. Though transferring out in two years was once expected of students, now it is almost unheard of.

“I already gave up on transferring out in two years,” freshman Luis Davila said.

“It’s a relief to know that at least I can speed things up by taking winter classes.”

Without winter session, frustrated students have had to wait until spring to get the classes they need. Students with low priority are often forced to become parttime students or take classes elsewhere.

Administrators point to a lack of funding for the absence of inter-session classes.

“The state only funds us for classes up to a certain point,” said Ron Nakasone, vice president of administrative services.

“If we had offered some these classes

45%

[See Winter, page 4]

IN THIS ISSUE News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lifestyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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NEWS

El Vaquero El Vaquero and the Insider Magazine EDITOR IN CHIEF Sal Polcino

Win 11 Awards at Journalism Competition

MANAGING EDITOR Agnessa Kasumyan SPORTS EDITOR Jonathan Williams STAFF WRITERS Alexandra Duncan Aidan Rutten Ksenia Rabinovich Monica Tecson-Lopez Alexander Davis Araks Terteryan STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kathy Bakowicz Seneyda Rodriguez PRODUCTION MANAGER

Richard Kontas

NEWSROOM MANAGER

Jane Pojawa

DESIGN ADVISER

Charles Eastman

FACULTY ADVISER Michael Moreau mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000 ext.5214

Photo by Michael Moreau

THE PROUD WINNERS: The El Vaquero staff shows off their awards at the JACC SoCal Conference in Fullerton on Saturday. The Glendale College newspaper and the Insider magazine won a total of 11 awards at the annual competition.

E

l Vaquero brought home General Excellence awards for college newspaper and for online journalism at

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.

GENERAL EXCELLENCE: El

Vaquero won the General Excellence Award for both the newspaper and for its online edition.

Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

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

EL VAQUERO

1500 N. Verdugo Road Glendale, CA 91208 (818) 240-1000 ext. 5349

elvaqed@gmail.com First copy free Additional copies $.25

the Journalism Association for Community College’s SoCal competition for student journalists and photojournalists.

The conference was held last weekend at Cal State Fullerton.

E d i t o r in-Chief Sal Polcino was awarded a first place in the mail-in news category from last semester’s March 6 issue on the gun show ban protest at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.

Staff writers Alexander Davis and Alexandra Duncan received second-place awards for the news

and feature contests, respectively, while managing editor Agnessa Kasumyan took an honorable mention for her news story.

Staff photographer Kathy Bakowicz took third place in the bring-in photo contest and received honorable mention for an on-the-spot sports photo.

Former editorin-chief Eric Bourse recieved two honorable mentions, one for copyediting and another for on the spot sports story category.

Staff writer Leah Arzu won fourth place for her Magazine

Opinion Article published in The Insider magazine El Vaquero and The Insider came away with a total of 11 awards and will be competing again next spring at JACC’s State conference in Burbank. For more info visit: www.jacconline.com.

Student Government Discusses Plans for New Building

By Monica Tecson-Lopez EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

In its biweekly meeting, the ASGCC discussed several matters including secondary effects of the construction of the new College Services/Lab Building.

When the new building is complete, vacated spaces left by the departments moving into the building will be allocated to those in need of space and to other projects yet to be named.

Another item on the agenda

was the installation of filtered reusable water bottle fountains on campus, which the environmental club wants to provide to the student body. There will be small stations where students can refill their water bottles to help our environment to stay plastic free.

During the discussion, the student government also talked about the effects of the student- learning outcome. Some professors give out short exams to their students at the beginning and end of every class to see if

students are improving. This is to show that GCC is in keeping up with state standards.

Senator of Organization Hailey Carlson reported that a sink on the first floor of the San Gabriel building is deteriorating and may cause safety hazards for students and faculty who are in wheelchairs.

Another matter discussed was the Inter-Organizational Council Olympics to be held Oct. 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero where there will be a

cash prize of $150 for the club that wins, as well as a trophy.

ASGCC also said that 500 scholarships are given every year and the majority of them are awarded in the spring. To apply for the scholarships, you must have a 2.5 GPA and submit your application today.

For more information on scholarships call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5591.

Monica Tecson-Lopez can be reached at tecsonlopez.monica@gmail.com

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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NEWS

Local and State Bonds Will Fund Construction

By Alexandra Duncan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

C

onstruction for the new Lab/ College Services Building has begun but the official groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. at the construction site below the parking structure.

The plan for the building was originally developed in 2004 under President John Davitt, who retired in 2008. According to Jim Spencer, campus architect for 20 years, the project was conceived from a 2002 master plan to update the school’s population capacity. In 2003, planning began for a one-stop center, the creation of more classrooms and the replacement of the temporary classrooms.

“Gradually, we realized that there’s only so much land — so we decided to merge the two [projects] together,” Spencer said.

Ron Nakasone, Vice President of Administrative Services said, “Everything in one place, sort of a one-stop shop.”

According to Spencer, the school toured one-stop centers around the state, going as far as San Diego to get a better idea of what other campuses had done.

Nakasone said the entire project, including construction and architecture, will cost $50 million. The construction alone will cost $39 million.

The project is being funded by two sources. The first is Measure G, a $98 million bond approved by the community in March 2002 that is allocated to repair and

create new classrooms. Some of the money from Measure G has already been spent on the health science building and the parking structure. The second is a state bond allocated by a vote of the electorate for funding education statewide under the name of Proposition 1D. Glendale was awarded $33.5 million from the Prop 1D bond in 2006; however, when the economy crashed in 2008, the project was postponed. GCC finally got approval for its share of bond money from the state in July 2012. Eighty-six percent of the project will be funded by Proposition 1D and 14 percent will be funded by Measure G. Nelson Oliveira, Director of Facilities said, “The steps for establishing or choosing a construction company was a long process. We had to contact a law office and an architect to put together a bid package that established what the school wants and needs. We had to ask questions like ‘have you done a $30 million building before?’ or ‘do you have your LEED certificate?’” A LEED certificate or a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate is a suite of rating systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods.

The project’s original cost was $64 million, however, due to the economic dip in 2008, bids for construction were lowered over the years. The construction bids ranged from $34.68 million to

Photo by Sal Polcino

OUT WITH THE OLD: Bulldozers from building contractor Mallcraft Inc. demolish the Los Robles building on Monday. Construction officially begins with a ground-breaking ceremony next Monday.

$36.9 million and there were 13 bidders, according to Oliveira.

The winning bidder for the project was Mallcraft Inc. “It took 10 years from inception to actual construction,” said Spencer. “It was painful because of the long delay, but the delay worked in our favor because the bid cost was low.”

Extra fees or “soft costs” aiding in the construction project include: testing and inspection of the building, architectural/ engineering oversight, construction management, contingency, equipment and furniture. The building will include additional labs and

classrooms, a culinary arts department, a newsroom for El Vaquero, student services, admissions and records, financial aid, EOPS, counseling and the Bursar’s Office. A bursar is a financial administrator.

Regarding the construction noise, Oliveira said GCC is trying to mitigate any inconvenience that it might cause students.

“Classes impacted severely by noise were given soundproof boards for their windows. It’ll be noisy for about four months,” Oliveira said.

What will go into the vacated spaces of the San Rafael, Camino Real, San Gabriel, Aviation Arts,

John A. Davitt Administration and Sierra Madre buildings once construction is completed has not yet been decided. The campus development committee is in charge of overseeing the replacement of the classrooms in these buildings.

The after-effect that these buildings have on the campus is known as the secondary effect and the estimated cost to remodel these buildings is approximately $2.5 million. The secondary effect will most likely be funded

by Measure G as well.

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

Campus Comments Will you be attending winter classes?

Harold Ramirez 19

Karina Aguilar 25

Brian Maya 19

Andrew Pirijanian 19

Biology

Communications

Electrical Energy

Criminal Justice

“I will be attending in winter to get my courses done faster, so I don’t have to waste my time here.”

“It depends.

They might not have the classes I need. If they do, I might take one class.”

“I’ll most likely be on vacation in Mexico during winter session, so I can’t.”

“Probably not, because I’m looking to get a job or internship this winter. ”

­­— Photographed and compiled by Jonathan Caballeros

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FEATURES

Faculty Jazz Quintet Swings to the Beat on the Main Stage

Photo by Raul Martinez

FACULTY RECITAL: The Faculty Jazz Quintet performs “Fly Me to the Moon” on Thursday in the auditorium. Clare Delto sings, Cathlene Pineda on piano, Byron Delto on guitar, Chris Coulter on bass and Chris Rios on drums.

Opinion: iOS 7 Irritates iPhone Users with Buggy Performance

By Alexandra Duncan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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he latest iPhone operating system has Apple customers going bananas.

This bubbly, bright and colorful update, iOS 7, has left users confused, annoyed and even angry. While some are fearful of updating their phones from the current system, others are impartial to it.

The minimalist icons and thin, simplistic font of the update has given some users a fresh start while other users are left squinting and scrambling to read the time of day. Meanwhile, some users are even complaining

that the 7’s bright color scheme brings to mind a toddler’s play phone. The blindingly bright white background is also leaving eyes tired and sore, especially when using the phone in the dark.

Once updated, the phone’s battery life will be shorter compared to the spare juice iOS 6 left customers with even after hours of watching cat videos and playing Angry Birds.

The update also has new parallax and zooming functions, which give the phone a threedimensional look. According to CNET, a website that reviews technology, this feature is actually causing motion sickness and vertigo in some users. The

parallax function allows the background to move with each angle when the phone is tilted.

“I like it,” says Avareik Davoudian, student and iOS 7 user. “It’s something new and different.”

The update also comes with an all new control center, accessible with a single upward swipe. However, its sensitive toggle can sometimes be a major annoyance when scrolling up in an application.

The update has gone even further with upward swiping when closing applications. Rather than double clicking and waiting for your apps to start shivering, users can now close applications

with a single up swipe.

Lucy Garibian, a long-time Apple user said, “It’s confusing but it’s basically the same. You just have to get used to it.”

The iOS 7 camera and photo arrangement has also drastically changed. The square option on the camera is a useless addition to the redesigned camera; however the extra filters that were added save consumers the trip of going to an additional app solely used for camera filters. Also, thanks to the update, photos can now be organized by year into super collages.

One fallback leaving iOS 6 lovers in fear is going past the point of no return. Once iOS 7 is

updated — there is no going back.

There are still a lot of bugs to be worked out on the update and the uproar and complaints on every social network has proven how change can scare people.

This is the constant cycle of technology. Users enjoyed the comfort and familiarity that came with the iOS 6, however when it was first updated, its flawed mapping and navigation system were the center of controversy.

Apple has refused to comment to El Vaquero on the alleged bugs in the new system.

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

Winter Session Returns to GCC With 150 to 200 Classes [Winter, from page 1] during winter, the school would not be making any money.”

Some classes such as nursing have still been offered after the intersession was curtailed.

Decreased funding has forced many schools to make cutbacks.

Nonetheless, last November, California voters passed Proposition 30, partially alleviating financial stress to public schools. The increased funding has allowed GCC to add

between 150 and 200 additional classes in January and February.

“Most of us are trying to get out of community college and move on,” sophomore Susie Fuentes said. “More classes for the winter will help a lot of us move on and finish the classes we need to transfer.”

The three-year suspension of winter courses has affected more than just students.

Businesses that surround campus rely on students to stay afloat. A number of businesses

have gone under over the last year.

The convenience store Orange Stop on Cañada Boulevard shut its doors as did Wrap Express on Verdugo Road. The signs, tables and chairs are still there, but their emptiness is a cold reminder that without students around, they could not thrive. Other factors can contribute to a failed business such as a bad location or poor management.

“Business slows down a lot when the semester ends,”

Mohammed Yahhia of Kurry & Kabab said. “If there is a winter, more students will come.”

In an isolated part of Glendale, the GCC campus is a lifeline for the area. Miles away from downtown Glendale and other busy areas, the campus provides for the local economy. The only other real source of business for the restaurants located across from campus is Verdugo Park.

“I go to the skate park a lot, but I notice when the school is closed, it’s dead around here,”

freshman Mike Forbes said.

Nakasone said about 10 percent of the full curriculum will be available for winter.

Intersession classes are planned to continue to be offered in 2015 and and beyond.

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

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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OPINION

STEM Classes Will Now Address Climate Change

By Agnessa Kasumyan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

W

ith the alarming effects of climate change becoming more and more apparent, instructors are aiming to learn how to better explain the science behind the planet’s long-term changes in weather patterns and the effects these changes will have on both nature and society.

This semester, geography professor Darren Leaver is leading a series of STEM Courseware Initiative discussions to describe the causes and effects of climate change to campus instructors, aiming to prepare them for when they discuss the topic with their students.

“The real focus is to learn how to teach about climate change,” Leaver said.

Last semester, the school led a similar program focused on the conflict between religion

and science. Leaver said it was about getting instructors to feel “confident and comfortable” when addressing subjects like religion, science and climate change, whereas they “shied away” in the past.

English instructor Emily Fernandez said she attends the meetings because she is interested in issues surrounding climate change and wants to gain as many resources as she can for students in her English 104 class, which is specifically focused on that topic.

Having attended three of the meetings, she has gained a better understanding about the “specifics regarding the science of climate change.”

Although natural cycles contribute to the planet’s changing climate patterns, human impacts have done a significant amount of damage. The burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas, for example, has increased the pace of the planet’s

changes in weather and climate.

With scientific evidence to back up climate change and the human population’s huge role in this phenomenon, people should no longer deny human influence with a clear conscience.

According to a study published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), average global surface temperatures have risen at a rate of 0.15 degree Fahrenheit since 1901, with most of the warming having taken place during the past two decades. Atmospheric greenhouse gases, including water vapor and carbon dioxide, trap “outgoing energy” from the Earth’s surface, absorbing and retaining heat, according to policyalmanac. org.

The EPA further states that if greenhouse gases continue to be exploited, the acidity level of the oceans will increase.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that “the

warming of the climate system is according to reporter Paul Thornton. unequivocal,” which is evident due Leaver said that the government to increases in the global average has reacted very slowly to climate air and ocean temperatures, the change, with states that are heavily melting of polar ice caps, and rising invested in the oil industry more sea levels. For example, according likely to be “apprehensive to to the IPCC, global average sea change” and perceive regulations levels increased at a rate of 1.8 as the government intervening in percent every year between 1961 the economy. Luckily, however, and 2003. he said the state Additionally, of California average arctic “Climate change is tends to be more temperatures progressive and have doubled here. It’s going to be conscious of the over the last 100 environment, here for hundreds which influences years.

Leaver said other states to if not thousands that, in addition follow in its to rising sea example. of years. There is levels and the “We see it glaciers that all the time that no stopping it, but people are just have “continued to melt [in the] overall resistant what we can do is to change,” he last fifteen 15 years,” climate said.

“Other minimize what the people don’t change can be seen in natural want to face the impacts will be.” patterns and fact that maybe migrations the planet’s —Darren Leaver of certain future is going species.

For to be a little example, there are certain species different than what we see today. of butterflies that break out of their It’s an uncomfortable thought – cocoons before spring and certain maybe we get more heat waves, animals migrate north earlier than maybe we get more extreme cold usual. spells, maybe we get more floods, Though climate change cannot more droughts, and some of those be stopped, its effects can be in the same location. People are minimized. Leaver says that one uncomfortable with dealing with of the biggest fallacies is that if that reality.” we begin changing our habits to Another issue Leaver says has reduce our carbon footprint, we’re accelerated climate change is the going to stop climate change. fact that formerly poor countries “Climate change is here,” have heavily increased industrial Leaver said. “It’s going to be here production in an attempt to equalize for hundreds if not thousands of their standards of living to that of years. There is no stopping it, Americans; however, doing so has but what we can do is minimize caused an increase in the burning what the impacts will be. Every of fossil fuels and exploitation of little thing we do [not only as resources. individuals, but as a planet] will Americans consume more mean that the worst case scenario resources on a per capita basis is a little bit less.” than most populations. Though According to the Pew Research Americans comprise about 5 Center, the United States and percent of the world population, China release the largest amount they consume 24 percent of the of greenhouse gases; however, world’s energy, according to a 2008 only 40 percent of Americans and Washington State University report.

30 percent of Chinese believe Though attendees of the STEM that climate poses a threat to their dsicussion on climate change are nations. In the United States, 57 currently only professors Leaver percent of Democrats believe would like to encourage more climate change in induced by students to participate in the humans whereas only 19 percent of meetings and fill up a classroom of Republicans are likely to claim that about 65 seats. The meetings will human activity has had an impact. continue on Oct. 23, Nov. 6, 13, 20, The Los Angeles Times, and Dec. 4 in LB 222. however, no longer accepts letters from readers who deny human Agnessa Kasumyan can be reached at agnessakas@gmail.com impact on the environment,

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AYING GOODBYE TO THE LOS ROBLES BUILDING: Three bulldozers attacked Los Robles, completely demolishing the building Monday afternoon to make a way for the new College Services/Lab buil-

Adios Lo

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ding. Mallcraft Inc. tore down the entire structure in less than two hours. The Los Robles building was home to the culinary arts department, which has been temporarily relocated to the upper level of the cafeteria.

os Robles

Photos by Kathy Bakowicz and Sal Polcino

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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Review

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Cuarón’s ‘Gravity’ Defies Expectations

By Alexandra Duncan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

“G

ravity,” the sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is visually stunning.

Cuarón not only delivers a truly realistic (from what we can tell) experience from an astronaut’s point of view, but he also delivers an inspiring plot line with substance. The script was cowritten by his son, Jonas Cuarón.

“Gravity” begins with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, played

by George Clooney (“The Descendants,” 2011) and medical engineer Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock (“The Heat,” 2013) on a routine mission repairing a broken satellite.

Stone’s first-time voyage into deep space leaves her nauseous while expert Kowalski floats and bobs skillfully throughout the various layers of the vessel.

Intel from Mission Control informs Stone and Kowalski that a Russian satellite has just exploded and is sending debris hurtling their way. However, it

is too late to return to safety and Stone is sent hurtling into pitch black and terrifying silence while the satellite is violently shattered in the distance. Kowalski, the most charming astronaut we’ve ever come across, reassures her and acts as Stone’s crutch in an environment where a fiveminute spacewalk can leave one without oxygen. Only through her six months of space training and Kowalski’s advice and years of space travel (not to mention sheer luck) can Stone be able to possibly survive the silent void of space and defy gravity.

Bullock accomplishes an amazing solo performance as the audience follows her desperation, panic and despair in this unrelentingly suspenseful survival flick. Clooney not only brings a lightness to the film but also a charm that adds balance to Bullock’s overflowing and intense but justified emotions. We are shown Stone’s perspective as we root for her survival.

“Gravity” travels to a new frontier when it comes to survival

GRAVITY: Alfonso Cuarón’s amazing 3D vision of outer space comes to life in “Gravity.” George Clooney and Sandra Bullock give electrifying performances in a nail-biting space adventure.

films. It shows us just how terrifying space can be, especially when one is lost, spinning out of

control and losing all hope.

Aspiring astronauts might think twice about their future careers after watching “Gravity” especially when Murphy’s Law sets in for astronauts Stone and Kowalski.

At one point in the film, Stone is spiralling out of control after being hit by debris and we are shown the wide expanse of space. We glimpse the pure terror mirrored in her panicked eyes as she is caught utterly defenseless and exposed to the elements — the audience can’t help but feel afraid as well.

Steven Price’s score for the film builds up the bloodpumping suspense along with the ear-shattering echoes of Stone’s quickening heartbeat and overhyperventilation.

Cuarón’s blend of animation and visual effects manages to create awe-inspiring images of the massive curvature of the earth and the never-ending expanse of space. It is no wonder that it took Cuarón nearly five years to create the film especially when it come to the advanced digital filming that went into the movie. It is a breakthrough in film technology and animation comparable to James Cameron’s “Avatar.”

Seeing this film in 3D or IMAX

3D is highly recommended. The 3D immerses you into Cuarón’s world and strikes you with space debris. “Gravity” is not just realistic — it is a virtual reality.

We feel the struggle of Bullock’s character as her thickly gloved hand reaches at us for some tangible object to save her from floating away.

Cuarón has achieved an intimacy with the audience through 3D that makes the film such a breakthrough. Rather than tacking on cheap lastminute effects, he has deeply incorporated 3D into the film.

“Gravity” runs for 90 minutes and is rated PG-13. 5 out of 5 stars.

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

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

New Theater Changes the Movie-Going Experience

By Agnessa Kasumyan

EL VAQUERO MANAGING EDITOR

W

ith the Americana, Bloomingdales, and the newly renovated Galleria lining the streets of Glendale, it is difficult not to notice that the city is developing into an increasingly metropolitan and urbanized area.

MGN Five Star Cinema, which replaced the Mann 10 Theater complex on Maryland, is part of the city’s growth trend.

After nearly $10 million in renovations since MGN’s purchase of the site in 2011, the theater finally held its grand opening on Oct. 3, attracting Hollywood actors and producers alike, including Academy Award winner Jon Voight, also known for being the father of actress Angelina Jolie. City officials, including mayor Dave Weaver, councilmember Ara Najarian, city manager Scott Ochoa, and former mayor Frank Quintero were also present.

Walking into the venue on its grand opening night, one would come across a Charlie Chaplin impersonator smiling at passerby with his signature mustache and droopy eyes, a Marilyn Monroe look-alike catching guests’ eyes with the actress’s infamous sultry look, and a living statue of a golden Oscar.

Guests were entertained with an assortment of performers, including samba dancers, a live snake dance, as well as music and a live band.

Upon entering the theater, moviegoers might assume they have entered a hotel lobby. Upstairs, customers will find themselves in the Red Lounge, which includes a full service bar, just before entering the auditoriums. With leather reclining chairs and an indoor dining service, the theater provides an encounter with film different from the traditional cinematic experience. Considering audiences’ growing reliance on Blu-ray and wide-screen TVs,

the change may be necessary in keeping cinema alive.

“There have been a lot of changes,” Voight said. “But we’re still sitting in a seat and watching a screen. It’s wonderful when people get together and go to the theater.

It’s a different experience to laugh with 1,000 other people.”

Voight, impressed with the industry’s advancements in technology, including improvements in sound, as well as Five Star Cinema’s modern design, said the theater is “going to be a success.” The theater itself uses a state-of- the-art Dolby sound system.

Mayor Weaver says the theater will help the city’s economy and be a “great addition to the city.”

Similar to the Americana, he says it will encourage non-residents of Glendale who visit the city to spend their sales tax dollars here, especially with shops like Bloomingdales in the vicinity.

James Ganiere, president of Rio Vista Universal, a television and film production company, said that Five Star Cinema is “a marriage between entertainment and food.”

Omar Miller (“Beastly,” 2011), also present at the opening, said the menu is much “better” since his first dining experience at the theater. He said that when you’re already paying close to $20 for a ticket, you want “practical food” like sandwiches as opposed to “salmon fillets,” though the theater’s restaurant, Frame 128, also offers gourmet dishes.

Though it was difficult to picture how an indoor dining service within a movie auditorium could work without disrupting moviegoers, Five Star Cinema’s waiters were in and out quickly and efficiently, their servince welcoming. The comfort of the plush seats also allows viewers to enjoy screenings without their legs getting cramped up, which can make up for any lackluster movie viewings.

Agnessa Kasumyan can be reached at agnessakas@gmail.com

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Have you seen our magazine Online Exclusives at: glendalecollegeinsider.com

Photo by Inessa Kasumyan

FIVE-STAR ENTERTAINMENT: Samba dancers performed for assembled guests, including local dignitaries, during MGN Five Star Cinema’s grand opening on North Maryland Ave.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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SPORTS

Elizabeth Nelson Runs Like the Wind

By Jonathan Williams EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

S

he runs cross country for a GCC team that is second in the state and has won the Western State Conference Athlete of the Week award two weeks in a row.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Nelson, 19, sure is ahead of the pack.

Nelson stands 5 foot 5, with her blond hair up in ponytail and a ribbon blowing in the wind. She seemed ready, in uniform, to get up and run.

“I need to be patient and just keep working hard,” Nelson said with some of her books in hand.

Nelson said she hopes to “transfer” on and pursue a scholarship after this track season. She enjoys her astronomy and sociology classes, but still isn’t sure what her major will be.

Nelson is in her second year on the Lady Vaqueros cross country team. She is the sophomore captain and, besides nabbing the athlete of the week award twice, she was nominated for the California Community College Athletic Association’s Athlete of the Month.

“It’s so unexpected,” said Nelson with one hand over the other on her lap. “My life isn’t that interesting.”

Nelson blew away the

competition at the the Golden West Invitational on Sept. 27, finishing first with a time of 18:28, nearly a full minute in front of the pack in the individual competition.

At the Mustang Challenge on Sept. 21 she bested the competition by 36 seconds to take first.

Nelson has some large shoes to fill. GCC alumni Grace GrahamZamudio took the team to a state title in 2011 and made the All Western State Conference team.

Nelson didn’t lack humility while talking about Zamudio.

“She was an amazing person to run with.”

Men’s cross country captain Jorge Serrano ran with Zamudio and Nelson last year.

“You could see it in her eyes,” he said. “She’s focused,” Serrano said about Nelson.

Serrano and Nelson are both in their second year. They not only run together, but they are good friends.

“Our relationship transcends that of teammates,” he said. “We respect each other’s ability.”

Both the men’s and women’s teams are ranked in the top five in California. Glendale is the only school in the state to accomplish that. The Lady Vaqs team is ranked a close second behind

Orange Coast.

Family is a recurring theme in the cross country department.

Nelson’s older brother, Alec Nelson, attends Humboldt State and runs cross country. A GCC alumni, he competed here for two seasons. Her half sister ran for the Lady Vaqueros and now lives in North Carolina. Her father, Jeff, is also a GCC alumni and ran cross country as well.

“Our family is pretty close,” Nelson said.

Nelson’s mother Kathryn attended College of the Canyons, a rival of the Lady Vaqueros, and is now one of the assistant cross country coaches at GCC. Coach Nelson admits she can be tough on her daughter.

“My biggest flaw is I cannot take the coach hat off when I need to,” she said. “The balance is tough.”

Nelson said they still enjoy watching TV together, and watch cross country at home. She said she really doesn’t have any time do anything else.

“She works harder than almost everybody,” said Coach Nelson.

Head Coach Eddie Lopez is close to the Nelson family.

Nelson’s father and Lopez’s younger brother, Joe, ran together at GCC in 1981.

“We’ve known each other for years,” Coach Nelson said.

She was recruited by Lopez after her stint at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita.

Nelson was emphatic that she receives the same treatment as her peers, sometimes even tougher.

This causes them to butt heads from time to time.

“I can’t favor her,” Coach Nelson said. Her mom has to be the toughest on her, the younger Nelson said.

That toughness seems to be working. Lady Vaqueros cross country has won state titles in 2007, 2009, and 2011. In Western State Conference competition, GCC has captured a conference title every year since 2005.

Watch Nelson go for it all at the WSC finals later this month.

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

Vaquero Sports Summaries Results Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Oct. 4 — WSC Preview

women — finished first

men — finished first Saturday — Vanguard Invitational women — finished sixth men — finished fourth Football: Oct. 5 — lost to Santa Monica 44-28 Women’s Golf: Oct. 9 — at Citrus College placed fifth Monday — Santa Barbara City College WSC placed fifth

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 4 — beat West L.A. 3-0 Oct. 8 — lost to Antelope Valley 3-0 Friday — lost to Canyons 3-0 Tuesday — L.A. Valley Men’s Soccer: Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez Oct. 4 — lost to Moorpark 3-2 Oct. 8 — lost to Oxnard 5-0 Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 4 — lost to Bakersfield 3-0 Oct. 9 — lost to Antelope Valley 3-0 Friday — beat West L.A. 3-0

Upcoming Events

Photo by Bryan Ramos

SUPER STAMINA: Lizzy Nelson, 423, leads GCC at the Vangaurd Invita-

tional on Saturday, in Costa Mesa. Nelson and the Lady Vaqueros placed sixth overall. The men finished fourth overall.

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Oct. 25 — WSC finals at Oxnard 3 p.m.

Women’s Golf: Kristine Tuzon can be reached at ktuzon342@student.glendale.edu Monday — WSC at Brookside 10:30 a.m

Women’s Volleyball: Friday — vs. Canyons 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 — vs. Santa Monica 7 p.m.

Football: Saturday at West L.A. 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 vs. L.A. Southwest 1 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: Friday — at Santa Monica 4 p.m.

Tuesday — at Bakersfield 4 p.m.

Oct. 25 — vs. Citrus 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer: Friday — at Canyons 4 p.m.

Tuesday — vs. Allan Hancock 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 — vs. Mission 5 p.m.

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

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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Calendar On Campus EVENTS

CLUBS

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

I.O.C. Meeting — The third meeting for club repesentatives will be on Monday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in SC 212.

Construction Starts — Groundbreaking ceremony for the new College Services/Lab Building will be held on Monday at 4 p.m. at Lot A. Archives Presentation — Carlos Ugalde, GCC emeritus professor of Latin American Studies and former adviser to the Association of Latin American Students, will present “Volume I of the Archives of the Latin American Studies and ALAS 1980-2013” to the GCC Library. The presentation will be held Tuesday at 12:20 p.m at the Student Center.

ASGCC Fall Sports Rally — Vaquero team accomplishments and upcoming events will be highlighted. Oct. 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Harvest Hoedown — The GCC Parent Education Association will host an event with rides, petting zoo, stage shows, carnival games, train ride, costume parade, pumpkin patch, food, and crafts. Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at the Life Skills Parking Lot (Lot B). For more information, email events@gcpea.org.

Pumpkin Pie Sale — Pumpkin pies will be sold by the slice.

Sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Studies Club. Oct. 31 from 10 am to 2 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Fall-O-Ween Event — Celebrate the holiday and season with music, food and more. Sponsored by ASGCC. Oct. 31 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Fall Harvest — Various clubs will host fundraisers from Oct. 28 through Oct. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Plaza Vaquero.

FINANCIAL FAFSA Workshops — Get help filling out federal financial aid applications. Free. Tomorrow and Tuesday at 3 p.m. in SF 107, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m., Oct. 25 at 9 a.m., and Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. in SF 108. For more information call (818) 2401000, ext. 5384.

Federal Entrance Loan Counseling Workshop — Learn how to apply for federal loans. Advance sign up is required at the Financial Aid Office in the San Fernando complex. Oct. 24 at 12:30 p.m. in SF 105, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. in SF 107, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. in SF 108 and Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. in SF 104. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5916.

Free Money — Scholarships are available for students who have a 2.5 GPA and 12 completed units.

More than 500 scholarships totaling $300,000 are available. The deadline to apply is today. For more information visit: www. glendale.edu/scholarships or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5591.

LECTURES Science Lecture Series — “Collective Action and Stationary Bandits: Mathematical Models in Honor of Mancur Olson.” The speaker is Mike Allen, GCC math professor. Free on Tuesday from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in CS 177.

HAVE YOUR CAMPUS EVENT LISTED ON THE CALENDAR PAGE

Los Angeles Writers Reading Series — Speaker is Craig Clevenger, reading from his book “Dermaphoria.” Clevenger is a neo-noir author whose previous book was the novel, “The Contortionist’s Handbook.” A question and answer session will follow.

Free and open to the public. Oct. 24 in SC 212 at 12:20 p.m.

Cultural Diversity Lecture Series — “Consumer Culture: We Need to be Educated Consumers.” The speaker is Hollie Martin, an English instructor. Free on Oct. 24 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in Krieder Hall.L

DRILL Great California Shakeout — The annual earthquake drill is Thursday at 10:17 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On” at that time.

The AlertU emergency text notification system will be tested at the time of the drill. Sign up for AlertU by texting GCC to 253788 and reply “Y.”

MOVIES Friday Flix: — Students and staff can attend a screening of the 2000 comedy-drama “O Brother Where Art Thou?,” directed by the Cohen Brothers and starring George Clooney and John Turturro. Free on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in SG 334. Then on Oct. 25, Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic sci-fi horror film “Alien” will be shown. The film stars Sigourney Weaver and John Hurt. Students are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks.

A discussion facilitated by instructor Mike Petros follows both screenings.

TUTORING Learning Center — Tutors are

available in a variety of subjects.

Referral from an instructor, counselor or librarian is required.

Computers are available. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AD 232. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5333.

Math Discovery Center — The remodeled facility offers increased computer access and drop-in tutoring for all levels of math. Students must be be currently enrolled in a math course.

Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AS 103. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5362.

PLANETARIUM Afternoon with the Stars — Students and staff can attend a free lunchtime program highlighting the planetarium’s features. “SagA*: Our Supermassive Black Hole” will be presented on Monday and Oct. 28 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in CS 257. For information visit www.glendale.edu/ planetarium or call (818) 2401000, ext. 5275.

ART GALLERY “Lazy Susan 3: Go Figure” — The exhibit showcases work by

by Judie Bamber, F. Scott Hess, Gegam Kacherian, Jim Morphesis, Eloy Torrez and Mahara T. Sinclaire exhibition curator and GCC art instructor The exhibit runs through tomorrow. Free.

For gallery hours call (818) 2401000, ext. 5663.

MEETINGS Board of Trustees Meeting — The second board meeting of the semester will be held Monday at 5 p.m. in Kreider Hall.R

KOPS

WORKSHOPS Introductions and Conclusions— How to write creative lures and titles for your essays and how to write meaningful conclusions. Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in AD 232.

HEALTH Flu Shots — Flu shots are available for credit students and employees Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $15 cash.

Meditation — Guided by insight meditation facilitator JoAnna Harper with no prior experience needed. Free. Oct. 23 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m. in AD 223.

Nicotine Anonymous — Nicotine Anonymous Group meetings sponsored by GCC Alcohol/Drug Studies Program are every Monday through Dec. 9 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in CR 231. For information contact Jessica Gillooly at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5471.

Mental Health Counseling — Free and available to all students.

For information or to schedule a appointment visit the Health Center in the San Rafael Building. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nutritional Counseling — Free.

For information or to schedule a appointment visit the Health Center in the San Rafael Building.

PARKING Closure — Lot 31 will be closed Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.

The Civic Auditorium parking structure will be closed from noon to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 25.

• Email the event details to elvaqed@gmail.com.

• Call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349 and leave a message on our 24/7 event hotline, we’ll get right back to you.

• The deadline for the Oct. 30 issue is Oct 24.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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LIFESTYLE

Students Strut Their Stuff

Photo by Jakey Galdamez

Photo by Monica Tecson-Lopez

GCC’s GOT TALENT: “Prince Chrono,” top, performs at ASGCC’s Talent Show last Thursday. Kevin “Jan” Raagas, left, and MyoungGuk “Googi” Park dance to the hip-hop rhythm during the competition.