Sept. 14, 2011

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

www.elvaq.com

Volume 98, Number 1

campus receives accreditation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

professor michael lao dies at 61 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

fall sports preview ....................

8

cross country races to the top. . . . . . . . . . . .

13

September 14, 2011

Bookstore to be Outsourced to Corporate Management

By Vanessa Duffy

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Glendale College Bookstore is going corporate.

The college bookstore is one of the few in the country that is still independently owned and operated by the student government. Other campuses have either completely or partially outsourced to third-party management.

The Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC) has administrated the bookstore throughout the history of the college but now it too is considering outsourcing management.

The student government is self supporting and cannot depend on the college for financial assistance.

Therefore, in an effort to maintain a physical bookstore on campus, the college issued a request for proposal for bookstore management services.

The three contenders are: Follett, which has contracts with more than 900 college stores; a Barnes and Nobles college bookstore subsidiary, with more than 600 stores; and Validis, with more than 250 stores.

“We have broad goals,” said Paul Schlossman, dean of student affairs. “We want better deals and better options for students and faculty, and to preserve [See Bookstore page 3]

IN THIS ISSUE Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 Center Spread.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Entertainment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Photo by Tex Wells

DEDICATION: Glendale Community College Board of Trustees President Anita Quinonez-Gabrielian,at right, prepares to cut the ribbon at the open

house and dedication of the college’s Garfield Campus expansion on August 22; Looking on (left to right) are immediate past board president Anthony Tartaglia, trustees Ann H. Ransford and Armine G. Hacopian. Partially obscured is GCC President Dawn Lindsay. Several elected officials, including Congtressman Adam Schiff, sent representatives to the festive grand opening.

Campus Commemorates 9-11 Anniversary A DECADE OF TURMOIL: In honor of the victims of the four coordinated al-Qaeda attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001, the student government (ASGCC) under the leadership of Andrea Megerdichian, ASGCC Vice President of Campus Activities, organized a memorial Sept. 8. Students and faculty placed flowers on the grass in Plaza Vaquero to pay respect to the memory of the 2,977 victims of the terrorist attacks. Small flags continued the patriotic theme.

Photo by Ian Cervantes

2

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

EULOGY / LETTER

El Vaquero Hospitality and Tourism Management editor in chief Jessica Bourse COPY EDITOR Agnes Constante STAFF WRITERS

Eric Bourse Ashley Carey Vanessa Duffy John Ferrara Alex Gonzales Marlon Miranda Virginia Nikoghosyan Isiah Reyes 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. 1427 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.

Department Chair Passes Unexpectedly Michael Lao, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department Chair, died suddenly in his sleep of a heart attack while visiting family and friends in the Philippines on Aug. 16. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife and fellow instructor, Faye Lao, who wrote the following eulogy for his memorial service.

Dear brother, sisters, family and friends.

To every one of us, Michael meant something special in our lives. To me, he was a teacher, husband, a friend, a mentor, and a role model of generosity and kindness.

It was through his eyes in the early years of our marriage that I understood the power of giving of yourself to help others, and how nourishing giving for the sake of giving and spreading help and joy to others could be for the spirit.

To you he’s a brother, an uncle, a friend, or father figure.

But what we share in common is that we all received Mike’s infinite generosity of heart, hospitality and care. Mike would always have a nice encouraging word to say to anybody he met, and always sought to be a mentor and teacher of life’s lessons. To

Letters may be reproduced in full or in part and represent only the point of view of the writer, not the opinion of El Vaquero or Glendale Community College and its district. Letters must be signed and typed and include the full name and address of the writer.

El Vaquero is a First Amendment publication.

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

Send E-mail to: elvaquero.editor@gmail.com First copy free Additional copies $.25

FULL OF LIFE: Michael Lao, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Chair, was an inspiration to live life to the fullest. to make a maximum impact on everything he did for others.

There is so much more that can be said about Mike that would take days, weeks to speak about. So many funny stories of his huge appetite for life, food and fun. He could outlast 20-year-old students on day field trips — like the Energizer bunny that can do two field trips, three meetings, eat four meals in one day, and still have energy and room for shopping and coffee at night.

No one who has ever met Mike and seen his enthusiasm for life can ever forget how infected they are by his funloving, bright spirit and his famous appetite. He could kill

half a dozen lobsters and more food in one sitting than anyone I know. He could peel crab shells faster than anyone I know, and he could drink the hottest noodle bowl without second degree burns. And he never got fat!

Mike was a teacher of life to all he met. A friend to those who were unemployed, misguided, confused, or beaten by life.

Always encouraging those who had lost faith in themselves and in life, he would know how to heal and renew hope for them when they were lost and discouraged. He found jobs for countless students, helped family members succeed at their jobs, [See Lao, page 3]

Diversity Requires Dialogue, Not Tolerance Dear Editor,

Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

his students, Mike was their dad away from home—someone who taught not only business skills but life lessons in how to be a decent and generous, giving human being.

In recent years, nothing inspired Mike more than to wake up in the morning knowing that he could contribute to growing a hospitality program at school and watch the program and his students’ lives and careers thrive under his guidance.

Mike had so much to give, so much that he wanted to do for others, that he never stopped moving, never stopped thinking of new projects. He was always in a hurry, because I believe that as a spirit, he knew his time was short on this earth and that he better appreciate every moment of it to compress his work and play into one of his favorite mottos, “work hard, play hard.”

Mike used to always say “Life is short—be happy, don’t sweat the little stuff. Be grateful and be content.” Though I never wanted to believe he was hinting at feeling ready to move on. I would say to Mike that mom lived to almost 80, dad to over 90. Surely he had many decades left to work hard and play hard.

But he meant what he said — he was on borrowed time and made sure that every minute counted

I want to thank the El Vaquero and Ashley Carey for the story about the GCC Gay-Straight Alliance in the June 8 edition.

I have a couple of thoughts I’d like to share about the article, the mission of the GSA and tolerance.

It is vital to reinforce that the struggle for any group’s rights is a struggle for human rights. If we do not accept and respect the diversity and experience of the human race then we promote fear, abuse, violence and exclusion.

The GSA exists to initiate dialogue among the straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, allied and, even, homophobic communities.

It is through dialogue that

understanding and respect are established. In this regard I find the use of the word “tolerance” to being correct and unproductive.

Speaking for myself, I do not want to be tolerated. I do not want to censor anyone’s opinion.

It goes without saying that I do not want anyone to suffer violence but isn’t dialogue a key to averting violence?

Homophobia and many forms of racism, sexism, etc exist all around us. We must engage these attitudes to challenge these attitudes. The push for tolerance and the resulting silence will help no one.

An important part of the GSA mission here at GCC is to raise awareness and support through our allies. Many people

on this campus, if not in the LGBTQQ community, have LGBTQQ brothers, sisters, cousins, children, parents, friends, students, colleagues, etc.

These people are our allies and it is of the utmost importance to give our allies the courage to speak up when they encounter homophobia or any other type of fear and hatred.

It is only the larger voice of humanity speaking out that will significantly impact the struggle for human rights. Regardless of one’s political, social or religious views the world IS an unbelievably diverse place and I celebrate that diversity and choose to give voice to that diversity.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely, Mark Gens Co-advisor, GCC GSA Instructional Lab Tech, Studio Arts

?

What do you think

Send a letter to the editor at: editor@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

3

NEWS / OBITUARY

Bookstore to be Outsourced to Contractor [Bookstore, from page 1] bookstore employee jobs and most importantly to remain profitable.”

The proposals from the three bookstore management services went above and beyond the college’s initial expectations. These companies have enormous buying power and the technological expertise to revolutionize the school’s bookstore.

Services will include textbook rental programs (average savings of 50 percent over the cost of a new textbook), increased availability of used textbooks, digital textbooks, E-reader software applications with Blackboard integration and much more.

“I hardly go into the bookstore unless it’s for scantrons,” said GCC sophomore Sarah Acosta, 20, psychology major. “I’ve been buying my textbooks online since I started college but I would definitely prefer renting books on

campus for convenience.”

All proposals have agreed to re-hire the eight existing full-time employees.

“Initially, the news was hard to swallow,” said Anjali Stanislaus, GCC bookstore manager of 18 years. “Many of us have been here for a long time and for us this is a home away from home.

We enjoy our jobs but are looking forward to the challenge.”

The college will gain annual commission from sales. The percentages vary but profitability is expected.

“We’ve had a net loss of about $150,000 within the last four years,” said Aram Gambourian, vice president of finance for ASGCC. “If we keep this up, the bookstore will close within four years.”

Profits from the bookstore go toward paying off the student center building, which has a remaining balance of $300,000 according to Gambourian.

“New legislation, such as the higher education opportunity act,

Michael Lao Remembered [Lao, from page 2] inspired countless more to have focus and a sense of direction and purpose in life. And he did it all with a smile, and a promise of more gifts to come from him— with few thoughts for his own rewards.

I will never forget all of his lessons to me as a husband. Be kind, loving, generous, patient, giving and forgiving. Always live for the moment and enjoy the day. Always be grateful for the day and for what tomorrow brings. And never hold a grudge.

Mike is looking at us with great amusement, love and care.

He is happy. He is exactly where he wants to be right now. He left this earth on his own terms— happy, peaceful, accomplished, and leaving a legacy of love to

all he has touched.

He has a message for all of us. Be happy. Be true to yourself. Embrace today.

And above all, embrace your future without fear. You never know what pleasant surprises it may bring you.

And we have a message for Mike. Be in pure joy and light. Be the bright spirit you always are. Enjoy your return to the Source, from where you came. Return to the Source of your Grace and your bright light on this earth. The Source, our God of infinite love, joy, wisdom, and abundance. We love you.

You are always in our hearts.

See obituary, page 7

Photo by Shaun Kelly

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: The campus bookstore is about to be privatized. Three proposals are being

considered, all of which will re-hire the current employees. The staff, from left to right, Tammi Hall, Anjali Stanislaus, Habuk Bayer, Ani Goobarian, Pat Bradley, Steph Snyder and David Harrison.

require the integration of textbook disclosure information with class registration and schedules,” said Schlossman. The budget restraints have made it difficult to meet these expectations.

All of the bookstore management companies will integrate thier version of

Peoplesoft to the website. Since the companies already have this software, it will be cost neutral to the college. This will allow students to create a booklist when registering for classes. Students will have the option to purchase the books from the site and have them mailed to their home, or

to pick it up on campus at the beginning of the semester.

“This is the best alternative we have and I have no regrets on switching management,” said Gambourian.

Vanessa Duffy can be reached at vduffy399@student.glendale.edu

Thomas Kuh, Retired Police Instructor, Succumbs to Cancer

By Isiah Reyes

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

homas Kuh, a former administration of justice instructor at Glendale College, died on June 26 at the age of 56 from cancer.

Kuh was a Burbank native but spent most of his childhood in Virginia. After graduating from McLean High School in 1973, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Oklahoma.

When he was discharged from the military, he moved back to California in 1981. This is when he joined the Glendale Police Department.

“Tom was a wonderful human being, a great police sergeant and a loving father,” said Alan Frazier, associate professor of

administration of justice at Glendale College.

Kuh retired from the police department after 25 years and was awarded the Medal of Valor for Heroism, the department’s highest award.

“He especially distinguished himself during an active shooting incident,” said Frazier. “In 2008, he served as the initial field supervisor and actually engaged the shooter with an AR-15 rifle.”

Kuh was an active member and past commander of the American Legion Post 377, a non-profit veteran’s organization.

Since his retirement, he was a highly regarded instructor.

“He was a big sports guy, so it was fun to have this older person to look up to and watch games

with at his house and he would quiz me on trivia sometimes,” said former Glendale College student Brandon Hensley, who has known Kuh and his family since he was a child.

“As a permanent memory, I’ll always think of him as a strong guy with a year-round tan, blond hair and his signature mustache,” Hensley said.

The interment ceremony was held Aug. 5 at the Riverside National Cemetery.

Kuh is survived by his children Taylor and Ian and his former wife Ann.

Isiah Reyes can be reached at haisikin@gmail.com

WANTED : WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Letters to the editor...

4

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

NEWS

School’s Accredidation Warning Recently Lifted

By Vanessa Duffy

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Glendale College accreditation warning is currently lifted but the school must still address four important issues in six months or it will lose educational credibility and student’s credits may not be transferable.

The four final issues to resolve include: strengthening program review and resource allocation processes, which will ensure the timeliness of reports; develop student learning outcome (SLO) assessments; ensure safety of technology (overheating servers); and revise the retirement funding plan for long-term employees.

“None of these issues are internal operations,” said Jill Lewis, GCC’s accreditation liaison officer. “It’s housekeeping that we need to take care of and I believe we have a grip on it.”

“Housekeeping” isn’t as easy as it may sound. It took several school committees and a unanimous effort on behalf of the departments and staff to really get this ball rolling.

“It’s really scary to be the first

college president when there is a sanction,” said Dawn Lindsay, superintendent of the school. She credits a lot of her reassurance to the “incredible” faculty who she says pretty much started focusing on these issues the minute the accreditation commission left the campus.

According to Lewis and Lindsay, the main reason for initially losing accreditation was because the school’s cycle wasn’t finished by the time the commission visited.

“We created a year-long cycle for the school but there were still three months left by the time [the commission] came in April,” said Lindsay. Therefore, the school had to prove that it was indeed on track.

“The commission will let a CEO talk at a conference for only five minutes,” said Lewis. “[Lindsay] flew out to San Francisco to do that and must have really made an impression.”

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges first visited the campus in 2004 where it determined what areas needed improvement. Since then, the school has reduced the

number of the commission’s recommendations from 10 to four.

When the commission met again in June, it took action to remove the warning and reaffirm accreditation due to the school’s rapid response to previous recommendations.

“I’m so glad because otherwise I would have transferred to a different school,” said freshman Ashley Perez, health science major. “I want my diploma to mean something and I don’t want to be blown off by potential universities or jobs.”

Students would not only face hardships in transferring to a university from an unaccredited school but there would also be financial disadvantages. Schools that are not accredited are not eligible for financial aid or federal funding, such as grants and the Board of Governors fee waiver.

The commission reviews regional campus reports every six years but new standards were created in 2002.

“Now we needed to show evidence [of meeting standards] where before we could just say ‘yeah we did it’,” said Lindsay. “The commission gave [the

Photo by Jane Pojawa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Andrew “Guiding Young Cloud” Morales of-

fers a traditional Tongva blessing at the San Gabriel Mission to mark the 240th year since its founding on Sept. 8, 1771. Los Angeles is 10 years younger: founded on Sept. 4, 1781. Los Angeles’ cultural history was celebrated with various festivities throughout the weekend of Sept. 2 to 4.

Morales is active in the preservation of Tonva heritage and is a docent at the mission.

school] the option to stick the old standard (a more vague explanation of meeting standards) or convert to the new one. They opted for what they were familiar with which was just postponing the pain.”

Although the decision to report to the old standards was not hers, Lindsay has been working with the school’s institutional planning coordinating committee. The group meets twice a week to plan and discuss how to meet the final recommendations.

The college’s prospective strategies must be reported by March 15, 2012 or the commission will terminate accreditation.

Lewis said the school is diligently working to reconcile the final issues despite lack of specificity in the recommendations.

“We are moving forward like a freight train on student learning outcomes,” said Lewis. “We sent Sarah McLemore (English Division) as a SLO representative to the academy at the Western Association of Schools and College (WASC). There couldn’t have been a better representative; she is the energizer bunny of the school.”

“I’m drawn to student learning outcomes and assessment and program review because I see these issues as opportunities which are vitally connected to teaching, learning and curriculum development,” said McLemore. “The WASC assessment academy has helped me develop ideas and best practices which can help GCC develop reasonable and sustainable means of assessing student learning.”

With this knowledge, the college produced a number of workshops for the faculty on program review and student learning

outcomes, according to Lewis. “[The faculty] went in with nothing and came out with a complete timeline which will go in our report.”

Student learning outcomes are important to the commission because it wants to understand what the instructors expect their students to walk away with.

“The commission wants an analysis of how [the school] will modify SLO at a course level, program level and on an institutional level,” said Lewis.

With regard to GCC’s infamous technical issues, the school hired a new associate vice president for information technologies, Wayne Keller.

“We are giving high priority to the overheating servers,” said Keller. “The primary reason for this issue is that there are only two 15-year-old air conditioners cooling this huge server room.”

Keller admits that his biggest challenge is working with department’s budget. “I’m evaluating every expense and looking at how to renegotiate or cancel contracts, and enhancing our equipment. I’ll be doing a lot of allocating,” he said.

The most difficult recommendation to fulfill is the retirement funding for long-term employees according to Lewis.

“The commission doesn’t specify how they want us to improve this,” said Lewis.

The comission will hold a conference in San Francisco in October, which Lewis plans to attend, to go more in depth on each recommendation to help schools meet the proficiency level.

Vanessa Duffy can be reached at vduffy399@student.glendale.edu

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

5

FEATURES

Alexandre Receives Parker Award

By Angel Silva

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

H

istory professor Gordon Alexandre received the Dr. William L. Parker Award on Sept. 2 in the student center for his work as chief negotiator and two-time president of the Faculty Guild.

“My service to the college has been as the leader of the teacher’s union for 20 years,” said Alexandre.

Academic state senate president Michael Scott presented the award to Alexandre at a faculty luncheon.

“He’s an outstanding leader— an individual who was able to bring groups together,” said Scott. “We couldn’t have asked for a better person to lead us.”

According to Governance Office Coordinator Frankie Strong, the Parker Award is given to staff members who provide outstanding service to the campus. Awardees have their names engraved on a plaque in

the administration building.

Alexandre was hired in 1984.

He became involved in the union in 1987, and in 1988 he joined the negotiations team.

“I’m not getting the award for being a good boy,” said Alexandre. “I’m getting it for being in a position that’s often a pain in the neck to others.”

Alexandre became chief negotiator for the guild in 1989 and served from 1989 to 1995, 2000 to 2007, and 2010 to 2011.

He also served as guild president from 1995 to 1996 and 2007 to 2009.

During those years, a number of issues arose between the Board of Trustees and the guild—some larger than others.

According to Alexandre, one of the larger arguments with the board occurred approximately two to three years ago with the previous college president, Audre Levy.

“The board refused to listen for a long time to the faculty over not offering her an additional

fourth year of employment,” said Alexandre.

Eventually, the board decided to side with the faculty after issues arising with Levy’s methods of administration. The board ended up having to buy Levy out for over $300,000, said Alexandre.

“It was a big mistake on the board’s part,” said Alexandre. “It came from not listening to the guild and the senate.”

This past summer session was another significant issue between the board and the guild, where according to Alexandre, the board refused to ratify an agreement over classes.

The board and faculty held an indecisive meeting on May 16 to discuss whether or not to offer classes over the summer.

A board meeting was held on May 20 where they ratified an agreement offering 200 summer courses and reducing faculty pay to 60 percent of their regular pay, an agreement that Alexandre states was forced upon the faculty.

“The way they handled

summer school in 2011 was very amateurish and unprofessional,” said Alexandre.

Clashes between the board and faculty have caused tension between the two parties, said Alexandre.

“I hope that the relationship between the guild and the board improves,” said Alexandre. “The board has to realize that they don’t know everything and that the faculty knows a lot more than they do.”

However, the current relationship between staff and administration is positive.

“I say the guild has a pretty decent relationship with (college president) Dawn Lindsay and hope that it continues to develop,” said Alexandre.

Over the years, Alexandre has found that trust and respect are

key in any form of negotiation.

“If you respect the other side, and trust the other side, you can generally work through your disagreements,” said Alexandre.

“That building that trust and respect is key to having a good relationship.”

The Parker award was first awarded in 1993 to philosophy professor William L. Parker, and has been awarded annually since.

A committee of former Parker Award recipients select a faculty member to receive the award based on the person in question’s services and contributions to the campus.

Political Science professor John Queen was last year’s recipient of the Parker Award.

Angel Silva can be reached at ASILVA827@student.glendale.edu

‘Gateways to Glendale’ Puts Campus on T.V.

By Eric Bourse

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

F

or the past 11 years, Glendale College has provided members of the community with an engaging way to learn about events and affairs on the campus without ever having to leave home.

“Gateways to Glendale College” is a public television program, produced by Scott Stalnaker, which airs on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at noon on Charter Cable Channel 15.

Segments from the show have also been available on Youtube for the past three years.

The program was the creation of current GCC Board of Trustees member Ann Ransford, who proposed the idea for the program while she was serving as director of communications, marketing and foundation.

Ransford’s purpose for the show was to keep the public informed of activities on campus and to attract possible students to enroll in the college.

“Gateways” features a wide range of topics in every episode.

“It is an objective to mix things up so that our viewers see different types of shows and never get

bored,” said Stalnaker.

One of Stalnaker’s favorite moments of “Gateways” was from a 2009 episode. In the segment, goats were used to clear brush surrounding the college to prevent fires in an environmentally friendly way.

“Another one of my favorite shows was when we had our music department chairperson, Dr. Peter Green visit our television studio to talk about the music department.”

At the end of the interview, Green revealed his passion for motorcycles.

“I also ride, so naturally, we inserted a short but adventurous video of him riding that I taped with a helmet-cam,” said Stalnaker.

Andra Verstraete, director of student employment, was the program’s host for five years.

“I loved getting to know all of the programs and events on campus. It was a lot of fun,” said Verstraete.

One of Verstraete’s favorite moments from the show was a cooking segment in which she and a chef prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Another highlight for her was interviewing the coach of [See Gateways, page 6]

6

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

Board Discusses Budget, Honors Professors

By Lillian Wu

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Board of Trustees adopted the proposed budget of the Glendale Community District for the 2011-2012 year and honored Don Nakamoto and Chris Cicuto for their contributions to the college.

The board adopted the proposed budget for the academic year during the meeting. Ron Nakasone, executive vice president of administrative services, presented the budget at a public hearing at the Aug. 22 board meeting.

GCC normally has a total budget of $88 million, which includes the reserve. The budget for the college last year was $87.7 million. This year, it is $82.7 million.

“Our budget used to go up every year, and then it took a big dip,” Nakasone said.

He said that GCC starts every year with a 5 percent reserve.

There is about $4 million set aside plus $500,000 in a contingency reserve. The contingency reserve is used for emergencies.

GCC is still $2 million below budget.

Tuition for fall 2011 increased from $26 per unit to $36 per unit.

Enrollment at GCC is down this year from 20,056 students to 16,780. Nakasone gave some

reasons as to why the there were fewer students. The first was block scheduling, which was implemented for the first time this year. The cancellation of the second summer session was another reason. Winter 2011 courses were also reduced.

Additionally, enrollment at the Garfield campus was down. The construction of Garfield Campus, PeopleSoft and the reduction of lifelong learning classes contributed to fewer students.

GCC is also proposing to have a limited winter 2012 session.

Programs that are year round such as nursing, athletics and the fire academy will continue.

Overall, the college has $5.2 million less revenue than last year. To balance the budget, Nakasone said the college is not filling critical positions, offered a retirement incentive, cut winter session and reduced summer session.

Nakasone said a 5 percent pay cut is still in negotiation.

“One of the things we have heard is the guild wanted to protect the adjuncts,” Nakasone said.

The board of trustees met at the Garfield Campus Community Room on Aug. 22 for a public hearing about the proposed budget and attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of the renovated campus.

Public Television Program [Gateways, from page 5] GCC’s golf team, Greg Osbourne, and assistant coach and actor James Caan. At the end of the segment, Osbourne taught Verstraete how to swing a golf club.

“In an episode about the dance department, I participated in ballet and jazz dance classes and performed in a live number with the students.”

Verstraete recently stepped down as the program’s host due to an increasingly busy schedule.

Sharis Aghoorian, 24, biology major, thinks that a program about the college is beneficial to students.

“Watching a program about club activities, music performances, interviews with administrators, and conferences would be very interesting to watch,” said

Aghoorian.

Students in media arts classes can receive credit as well as experience by participating in the production of the program.

“When a student is interested in TV, I’m very happy to take them aboard and show them the ropes,” said Stalnaker.

Aspiring student film makers can also submit their short films to Stalnaker and their work might be featured on the program.

“Gateways to Glendale College” can be seen on Charter Cable Channel 15 in the Greater Los Angeles Area on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. The highlights from the program can be seen on http:// www.youtube.com/user/ScottStalnaker.

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

Paul Schlossman, dean of student affairs, gave a special presentation about privatizing the Glendale College Bookstore.

The Associated Students of Glendale Community College has owned and operated the bookstore, which is one of two in the college system that is still independent. Half of all colleges in the nation have used privately owned companies. Because of this, Schlossman said that it is harder for ASGCC to operate as an independent bookstore.

The board was also approached

by Chang Lee, chairman of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, and WAM Development Group to build a college dormitory for Korean and international GCC students. The dorm would cost $30 million and would be funded by the developer.

The letter of intent for the proposed dorms is still being discussed. The board has until mid-October to decide whether or not to sign the letter.

Concerns about student conduct and safety for the GCC Childcare Center were raised if

the dorm is built. Questions arose about how the college does not have a 24-hour system security and how the students will eat during the weekends.

Superintendent/President Dawn Lindsay said the developer made it clear that he wanted to work with a panel of students, faculty and the community.

“It’s an opportunity, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the right opportunity for Glendale College and that’s what we have to present to the board to make a decision with,” Lindsay said.

“But we can’t do that unless we know what all the questions are.”

Jan Swinton, associate dean of workforce development, gave a special presentation to honor Nakamoto for providing grants and connecting people to jobs.

The board passed a resolution for the honor. Nakamoto is the executive director of the Verdugo Workforce Investment Board.

The board, along with delegates for Assemblyman Mike Gatto, Rep. Adam Schiff and State Sen. Carol Liu, presented Nakamoto with plaques and

certificates.

“I am a little speechless,” Nakamoto said. “I feel that getting all these awards I should be retiring or something. But thank you, I am just shocked. It is a great honor.”

Schlossman also gave a presentation which recognized GCC head baseball coach Chris Cicuto for coaching the men’s baseball team to numerous championships.

“The most impressive thing I think beyond finishing first in Southern California is out of 21 sophomores, 18 have transferred on,” Cicuto said.

President Anita Gabrielian presented Cicuto with a baseball signed by the board of trustees.

Michael Scott, president of the academic senate, presented 14 adjunct and full-time faculty members for an advancement in academic rank. The candidates applied for the rank and all were approved by the academic senate.

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

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

7

FEATURES

Michael Lao Passes: Instructor With Compassion Transformed Many Lives

By Derek Stowe

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

See related eulogy pages 2-3

M

ichael Lao, department chair and instructor for the hospitality and tourism management program, died while traveling in the Philippines this summer. He was 61.

Faye, his wife of 23 years, said he passed away in his sleep of heart failure in his Manila hotel room on Aug. 16. He was 11 days into the three-week business and leisure vacation.

“I’m sure he’s really happy off in the beyond since he has no more classes to plan,” she said.

Faye, 45, who was at their home in Diamond Bar when she got word, caught the next flight out and conducted services and a cremation ceremony with family and friends in Manila.

He had just returned to the city from a beach resort town with his older brother Johnny and some friends where they had stopped for fried chicken at one of his favorite restaurants: Savory Chicken. He used to eat this style of chicken over 40 years ago, Faye said.

Lao was a connoisseur of every kind of exotic food. “If it moved slower than him, it was fair game,” she said.

Faye said he would not want people to be sad over his departure. “As a spirit, he lived his life and left this earth on his own terms and in the way that he wanted.”

One of his frequent sayings was, “Life is short, be happy, enjoy yourself.” Instead of a wake, there will be a party to honor him on Oct. 9, which would have been his 62nd birthday. All who knew him are invited to attend.

Lao, the youngest of six siblings, is survived by brothers Peter, Johnny, Robin, and sister Vicky. His brother Freddy passed at 50 of cancer.

His father lived to 92 and his mother to 78.

Lao began teaching at GCC in 2001. He was a successminded professional with a master’s degree in hotel and

restaurant administration from Cornell and bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Philippines, where he was born and raised by his Chinese parents.

He had over 30 years of experience in the hotel and food service industry as owner of two Jack-in-the-Box restaurants, and director of international and domestic franchise operations for 52 Tony Roma’s restaurants.

He quickly became known as a very dedicated instructor who cared deeply about his students, his fellow faculty, and the Glendale College Foundation.

L a o exerted a powerful influence over the hospitality and tourism department and believed in reaching out to the community for help in providing exposure and employment to GCC alumni.

He had just been awarded a Foundation grant to do a lecture series designed to bring together his students and successful businesses in the community, said executive director Lisa Brooks.

Andra Verstraete of the job placement center said Lao was extremely innovative with ideas for the hospitality internship program, ultimately running an extremely successful program where students had wonderful experiences in the industry.

The hospitality department’s 11 classes include internships and courses that cover event planning, banquets, and hotel and restaurant personnel operations. A glance at fall semester’s schedule shows Lao as the teacher of five different courses plus one class at Garfield.

Vestraete was shocked and saddened by the news of his death, “He shared with me how excited he was about his trip this summer,” she said.

Since then, condolences began pouring into Faye’s email address by the dozens.

“Professor Lao had a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” wrote Garfield student Cindy Chang in an e-mail. “It was obvious that he enjoyed sharing his knowledge about the [hospitality] business.” “[Lao] opened my mind to a whole new world and gave me the confidence to pursue what I love to do: hospitality and culinary arts,” wrote Derek Flores, a former credit student.

“He was very patient and gave examples of behind-thescenes [conduct] to teach the things that can make or break you [in the industry],” wrote Garfield student Michael Devries.

For example, as manager, never fire someone whose father is an important —Faye Lao person, or a waitress who is sleeping with your boss, said Faye. Otherwise, expect to be fired next.

Faye and Lao were married on Dec. 11, 1988.

With his demanding schedule, they never started a family of their own other than their “adopted” students in the hospitality department and at various schools. However, they have had a string of cats in their lives, with their current four cats: Lucy Goose, Pumpkin Bumpkin, Bengal Spice-Girl, and Yoda Gouda, the “foster cat.”

Their backyard reflects their love of fruit trees including figs, lemons, peaches, guavas and nectarines.

He would always come in bearing fruit to the college, said Faye.

Lao gave generously of his time to the underprivileged. Not only did he teach free courses at the Garfield campus but he would also even buy hotel room nights for homeless people to provide them a shower, a square meal, and a fresh start.

“He lived his life in service and giving to others,” said

“As a spirit, he lived his life and left this

earth on his own terms and in the way that he wanted. ”

GRATITUDE, GIVING AND COMPASSION: Michael Lao, right, with Anthony “Genio” Villena, left, on a field trip to the Gavina Bakery.

Arlene Fung Lapin, former Garfield student.

Her most lasting impression of Lao was the help he gave the young people at Homeboy Industries.

“It is because of his vision that I was encouraged to help a homie of my son’s. I was successful in helping him find a job. He is doing well and we are proud of him. Mr. Lao’s introduction to Homeboy Industries inspired my goal with this young man. Mr. Lao’s positive energy and motivation will be missed.”

Lao’s passing marks the end of an era.

Student worker and department assistant Susie Keyvanian, who was by his side for the past year-and-a-half, held the department together in his absence by making sure no classes were cancelled.

Five instructors came to the rescue to teach his heavy course-load including Faye Lao, now teaching the introduction, personnel management and internship course.

Internships are the most vital component of the program because they smooth the link between theoretical study and actual implementation of management skills in a local establishment.

Lao taught Keyvanian how to teach others by preparing her emotionally and psychologically. He gave her the confidence and know-how to teach her fellow students about how to succeed in the

hospitality industry.

Keyvanian said Lao’s motto is a play on acronyms: “We go to GCC but we live by GGC: gratitude, giving and contentment.”

She explained the three rules.

“Be grateful for what you have because so many others are not so fortunate; make sure to give back [either monetarily or instructionally] to whomever or wherever you learned from, such as your school, organization, or mentor; be happy with where you are — try to see the good in any situation — for example, if you’re unemployed, go volunteer somewhere and God will reward you in time with a job [that pays].”

“It’s all about planting that seed,” said Faye. “The seed that students are often too impatient to watch grow.”

In other words, approach life with a winning attitude, take the right actions, and believe in miracles but be patient.

What Lao truly shall be remembered for are the many lives he had a stake in changing for the better.

The Michael Lao memorial birthday celebration will be held on Oct. 9 at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena.

A formal announcement with further details will be released shortly

by Faye.

Derek Stowe can be reached at derekgem@yahoo.com

8

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

SPORTS

CROSS COUNTRY GCC’s cross country team has a history of successful years and records for both men and women and last season was no exception.

The women’s teams have won the California State Title from 2006 to 2009 and last year won second in the Western State Conference, sixth in Southern California and fifth in state. In addition, they have won 12 WSC titles in the last 21 years.

The men’s team won third in 2009’s state meet and in Southern California, and won the WSC title - their 16th one in 25 years.

This year’s team, however, may upstage those previous feats.

Returning this season on the women’s team are Cecilia Nicolas, Noemi Martinez and team captain Karen Rosas. Rosas ran track last season and won state championships in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs and is the favorite to win the state individual title.

Newcomers include: Geena Person, who made it to state in the 1600 in high school; Charlene Quintanilla, who was the city champion in the 3200 track last year; and Grace Zamundo, one of the top runners in Santa Clarita.

The men’s team has Jesus Gutierrez, Alexander Nelson and Nicholas Marquez returning this season. One of the top high school runners in Division 1, Mizrael Mendez joins the team this season.

“On paper, this is probably the best team ever that I’ve coached,” said coach Eddie Lopez in a Glendale News-Press article.

One reason that Lopez is hopeful for its team is their attitude and maturity. According to Lopez, internal rivalries was one of the issues causing disunity among team members.

For example, previous teams would race each other while in practice, resulting in sub-par performances during the actual competitions.

But this year, things took a turn for the better.

“We’re very deep and they really work well together,” said Lopez.

“They’re getting along and they’re very easy to coach.”

And according to Lopez, less conflict means less time spent enforcing rules and more time training.

“We (coaches) don’t have to repeat ourselves very much,” said Lopez.

“I don’t waste time telling the team what to do and they don’t waste time listening to the same thing over and over.”

This team’s discipline and talent has Lopez optimistic this season.

“We have more talent now, and the team chemistry is a lot better,” said Lopez. “If you get along better, you train better.”

“We’ve been blessed with a great work ethic,” said Mena. “They give you 100 percent - it makes it easy for us to work.”

MEN’S SOCCER Last season, the GCC men’s soccer team had one international player, Yuto Hisamura, from Japan.

This time, there are nine.

Joe Agoston’s team is looking a lot more global this year.

“All of a sudden, we have international students (in the team),” said Agoston. “They just came to GCC out of the blue.”

While Hisamura is returning for another season, the other six international students are all freshmen: Zaid Jamal A. Abu Abd and Hassan M. Dawodieh, from Indonesia; Pablo F. Alvarez and Mattheus Campos, from Brazil; Mikael E. Anderson, Anton J. Forsberg, and Victor E. Olsson from Sweden; and Christian Lopez, from Spain.

Also returning for the season are Jakob Boghossian and Rafael Reyes.

According to Agoston, the sudden influx of international students has boosted team performance. “(The foreign students) have a higher understanding of the game than the regular students,” said Agoston. “They’ve been a big help in terms of quality.”

However, having a multicultural team doesn’t guarantee victory, as seen at the home loss 3-1 against San Bernandino College on Sept. 2.

“We’ve given up too many goals. Obviously our defense needs to be much tighter,” said Agoston.

Agoston expects the season to be a good one.

“I hope we’ll be competitive for the season conference,” said Agoston.

“Hopefully we gel and come together as a team.”

FOOTBALL

Fall

Football coach John Rome’s team has had a rough start to the season, losing first to Pasadena City College 49-28 and to Golden West 34-7.

“Our offensive line was a bright spot (in Pasadena’s game),” said Rome.

“Defensively, we made a lot of mistakes.”

“We struggled last week against Golden West. (They’re) a good football team and we made quite a few offensive mistakes, things that we had not done in the first game,” said Rome. “We regressed a little bit offensively.”

But to Rome, these losses are a method to improve for future games.

And according to Rome, each game brings a new improvement to the team.

“I thought from a positive standpoint our defense got a little better, our defense played better and better. We got more confidence. Something that they had not exhibited game one,” said Rome. “We’re a work in progress.”

Key players for both games included sophomore Paul Lindsey, freshmen Anthony Carter and Helio Guerra.

“Our tight end Paul Lindsey did a very good job on improvement on his blocking, and our other tight end Anthony Carter did a very good job,” said Rome. “They caught the ball well, they blocked well.”

However, Rome knows that there’s room for improvement despite the players’ growth.

“We’re by far ways not a complete product. Both our offensive line and our defensive line have to take significant steps to improve,” said Rome.

“Our receivers need to grow.”

One improvement with this year’s batch is their dedication, said Rome.

“Attendance rates for practice during the summer class was 100 percent,” said Rome. “ They’re a very dedicated group.”

That dedication will help turn the tides on the season, said Rome.

“I keep seeing flashes of things that can make us good - it’s just going to take a while. That’s just the nature of the game,” said Rome. “I don’t know when that breakthrough will happen and when that breakthrough happens I don’t know if it’ll stay or how long it will last. We’re young and we have to get better and we have to take one step at a time.”

WOMEN’S SOCCER Women’s soccer coach Jorge Mena is dealing with a whole new experience this year.

The Lady Vaqs have 19 players this year — 15 of which are freshmen.

“It’s a very young team, which is good and bad,” said Mena. “It’s harder because of that transition from high school, but with that I’ll say that I’ve been blessed with the group. They’re willing to work.”

According to Mena, some new players come from Santee, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other far-off high schools, and some of them have to take multiple buses to campus.

“We have practice at 6:30 a.m., so we have some of the girls taking the bus really early,” said Mena. “You have girls taking the bus at 5 a.m. or 4:30 a.m., just to make it to practice.”

“We’ve been blessed with a great work ethic,” said Mena. “They give you 100 percent, they show up to practice, so it makes it easy for us to work.”

Mena is optimistic about the new team, despite having a rough start to the season losing to L.A. Compton College 3-1 on Sept. 2 and to L.A. Harbor College 5-0 on Sept. 6.

“We got a wake-up call in the first half (of Compton’s game) ,” said Mena.

“It’s a very strong team, but that transition from high school to college takes some time. It may take five games, it may take a year - it’s a process.”

The Lady Vaqs won their game against West Los Angeles, 3-0.

“We got caught up and started getting disorganized, but bottom line, we took care of business,” said Mena.

According to Mena, the important thing is that this year’s team learns to play at the college level.

“I just want everyone to have that college experience, one game after the other,” said Mena. “We’re trying to carry this year, one game at a time.”

S

WOMEN’S VOLL

Women’s volleyball coach Yvette in a league with College of the Cany time playing volleyball competitivel “(Those are) three of the top team However, this season’s team is de “I definitely think our record wi least break even during the off-seaso Returning this season are Yesenia include Laila Souktani and Angela G “Souktani runs offense. She has and is a great leader,” said Ybarra. “G The team’s strength lies in defens “I believe defense can win games working on it.”

This season, Ybarra is focusing o “We’re making sure that fundam said Ybarra.

Injuries and illness interrupted th that affected their performance at V at Victor Valley College and Orange “Even though things get difficul “They really work hard as a unit. Th find a way to come back into the gam A key difference in this season’s t “This team is very positive,” said season.”

In the end it will be the girls who “As a coach I think I have a dyn great makeup of girls who have pote

WOMEN’S GOL

Last year, the women’s golf team’s the Year and the California Individu This year’s team has large shoes t The Lady Vaqs won first at the W match won since the golf program South Tournament to Palomar Coll Freshman Vicanda Ma shot 76 on Sillawanna shot 78, sophomore Han GCC finished second to Paloma Sillawanna ranked third among ind with Lee, who scored 148 ranking fo The Lady Vaqs finished second Conference at Santa Barbara Golf C Hernandez shot 84.

Women’s golf coach Greg Osbou “If you predicted six months ago in a Glendale News-Press article. ”O

www.elvaq.com

S

por ts

LEYBALL

Preview

e Ybarra is no stranger to difficult seasons. Competing yons, Citrus, and Bakersfield, GCC often has a difficult ly. ms in our conference,” said Ybarra. etermined to perform better than before. ill be better than before,” said Ybarra. “I’d like us to at on.” a Ortega, Racquel Venezuela and Sara Kert. Newcomers Gainard. great hands, beautiful hands, runs offense really well Gainard is a good hitter and adds a lot to the front row.” se, said Ybarra. s. We’re great on defense,” said Ybarra. “Offense? We’re

on improving the core essentials. mentals, theory basics and defense are done every day,”

he team’s momentum during the past weeks — an issue Victor Valley, according to Ybarra. However, the losses e Coast College haven’t phased the team. lt, they see it as a way to learn the game,” said Ybarra.

They don’t get discouraged when they fall behind, they me.” team is their motivation, said Ybarra.

Ybarra. “Their perseverance is a lot different from last

Photo by Richard Kontas

CHARGE AHEAD!: Vaquero running back Timothy Broughton finds the hole against Pasadena on Sept. 3.

o make the team work, said Ybarra. namic group of young ladies,” said Ybarra. “We have a ential.”

LF

’s ace in the hole was Tammy Panich, who was the Western State Conference Player of ual State Champion and who won GCC’s first state golf title in campus history. to fill, and the team’s past games have been a good place to start.

Western State Conference at Olivia Links by 315 on Aug. 29 — the first conference was restarted in 2008. GCC finished second at Buena Ventura Golf Course’s North lege, 607 to 620. n Aug. 29, tying with Palomar’s Natasha Wiebe for low medalist. Freshman Pattraporn nnah Lee 79, freshman Thanawan Sriratchaya 82 and freshman Malia Nesbit 92. ar again Friday and Saturday at the College of the Desert Tournament 607 to 600. dividual scores with a score of 147. Sillawanna made the all-tournament team along ourth among individuals. Sriratchaya shot 149, Ma 155. for a third time, this time to College of the Canyons, on Monday’s Western State Course 325 to 321. Sillawanna shot 76, Lee 81, and both Ma and sophomore Diana

urne seemed content with the progress this season’s team had made so far. that we would be where we are at this point of the season, I’d be happy,” said Osbourne Our main goal is to get to the regional, and I think we have the talent to win conference.”

Photo by Bryan Ramos

ANOTHER DOMINATING SEASON: Lady Vaqueros on their way to another outstanding finish, at the Fullerton Invitational on Sept. 3.

Story by Angel Silva

9

10

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

PrettyCity Hosts Event at Local Salon Chihuahua Cary Grant, and gift bags were reserved for the first 100 registered guests. ore than 100 women eager The swag bag of beauty to try new beauty products goodies was much better and services crowded Glendale’s than expected, with full-sized A La Mode Hair Salon for an “Oh products instead of samples, La La” beauty bash sponsored by and geared more towards skin PrettyCity.com on Aug.16. treatments than make-up. My “We all have a full roster of bag included Softlips pure acai clients,” explained Lilit, a blonde berry organic lip conditioner stylist wearing the requisite black (.07 oz), Nelsons’ Pure & Clear cocktail dress worn by all of A La Purifying Cleansing Wash (4.2 Mode’s beauty technicians and oz) formulated for the relief of an incredible pair of red high- acne, pimples and blemishes, heeled gravity-defying sandals which is dermatologically tested, with bows on the toes, “but this fragrance and paraben-free, and event has brought in a bunch of the Brand New Day Treatment people who might not have had us Masque from One Love Organics on their radar.” which can be used straight from A La Mode Hair Salon is a the package as an exfoliating chic, modern beauty salon on the scrub or mixed with natural upper floor of an office building ingredients like honey or yogurt on West Glenoaks Boulevard. as a treatment mask.

It offers a P r e t t y C i t y. wide range com, “an of services o n l i n e Women can from hair to resource for body wraps. more all things The promised beauty,” “evening of was founded when they pampering”

by Carolyn was just that – in about how Brundage attendees could 2001 with the choose from belief that, they a variety of “Women can complimentary —Carolyn Brundage achieve more s e r v i c e s when they including feel great make-up applications, eyebrow about how they look and being or lip waxing and hair styling. your prettiest self is something to Appetizers and wine greeted be proud of.” But it isn’t all about the guests, as did nattily dressed looks.

By Jane Pojawa

EL VAQUERO PRODUCTION MANAGER

M

“ achieve feel great look”

WELCOME TO PRETTY CITY: Stylists Maria, from left; Lilit; Jasmine, Lilit’s assistant; Alina Sarkissian,

owner of Glendale’s A La Mode Hair Salon; Suzy; Arsineh and Monique, salon manager and Alina’s assistant welcome new clients to their VIPretty event.

Some consumer reports estimate that American women spend about $15 billion dollars annually on beauty and wellness products. “Beauty at any cost: The Consequences of America’s Beauty Obsession on Women and Girls,” a 2008 publication of the YWCA, reports a nearly 20 percent discrepancy in pay scale between women who are deemed unattractive and very attractive.

PrettyCity aims to help women get their money’s worth by avoiding rip-offs: rude service, treatments that don’t work, products that don’t measure up to their advertising.

They offer VIPretty events like the one at A La Mode to introduce women to local salons and stylists and coupons and freebies on the PrettyCity. com website to promote new products.

“We only represent the best spas, and LOOKING GOOD: El Vaquero editor-in-chief Jessica Bourse gets a lesson in evening make-up salons medspas,” from Arsineh. A La Mode has two make up artists on staff. Diana, not pictured, is also available for special occasion cosmetics. said Audrey

Caan. Medspas offer medicalaesthetic services ranging from chemical peels and botox to breast augmentation and facelifts.

Caan is a whirlwind of activity, pouring wine, greeting guests and scheduling complimentary salon services. “Our clients expect quality,” she continued.

Caan brings an extensive background in marketing in the entertainment industry to her role as PrettyCity’s Los Angeles account executive. Salons like A La Mode can use PrettyCity’s services to attract a targeted clientele, while computer-savvy clients enjoy a comprehensive database of the country’s top spas, salons, and medspas and includes editorial reviews, reader reviews for both services and products plus service discounts, coupons, free samples, beauty trend stories and more. Registration is free.

In other words, the internet has opened up an entirely new era of try-before-you-buy shopping opportunities. Salons can market themselves to clients, who might never have been reached through their brick-and-mortar location or print advertising, and consumers have access to products they never would have found at their drugstore or cosmetics counter.

Bad news travels faster than ever before, but so do positive reviews and recommendations. Salon services are not traditionally thought of as part of the global marketplace, but this is changing

as more working women turn to their computers to make informed decisions as consumers.

Back at the “Oh La La” beauty bash, Lilit, whose company Charmed Hair specializes in bridal styling, has deftly snipped some long layers into my hair and is demonstrating the use of a flat iron for curling. “Like Farrah Fawcett, but updated,” she laughs. “Do you like it?” I do, although I’m doubtful that this is something that I should try without a spotter.

Two chairs over, Jessica Bourse, El Vaquero’s editor-inchief, is receiving a make-up lesson in dramatic eyeshadow.

The effect is pleasing, but more for a special occasion than daily grooming, and that’s really the point. Makeovers are supposed to get you to try something new, not to reinforce what you’re already doing. These demonstrations show what’s possible on a little lift for an evening out.

Jane Pojawa can be reached at JPOJAWA857@student.glendale.edu

www. elvaq. com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

11

FEATURES

Campus Publishes National Literary Journal but if he is unsure about the submission, he will send it to one EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER or two poetry readers to read for o go beyond. That is what content. He will re-read it, and if Bart Edelman, the editor of he likes it, he will send the writer Eclipse for 22 years and professor an acceptance letter.

“Sometimes I will even bring of English, and a team of editors have done with Eclipse: a Literary some of the poetry into the Journal. The national journal creative writing class,” Edelman publishes poetry, plays and short said. “Especially if I am not sure stories written by students and about something, maybe I will professional writers from across bring in two or three and let them look.” the country.

Michael Ritterbrown, division In the 1980s, the journal was called The Bridge. After a few chair and professor of English, years, the English department has been a fiction editor for “as chair, Veloris Lang, asked long as there has been Eclipse.” “[Edelman] and I discussed Edelman if he would like to be the editor. Edelman had just starting a literary journal, a started to teach creative writing national journal for the school,” Ritterbrown said. “When we classes and volunteered to do it.

“It started out very innocently began, there were several of with no idea that it would turn us: Chris McCarthy, Ruth into something like this,” he said. McKernan, myself and Steve Edelman wanted the journal Taylor. Eventually, the others drifted away, to be completely and I became different from Well, as someone the fiction The Bridge and editor.” thought that who has studied Ten fullEclipse would and all my life, time be a good name. a d j u n c t “ ‘Eclipse’ f a c u l t y has different I value its place and this members meanings. One, kind of so to be a from the of course, is the E n g l i s h eclipse of the part of the journal, I feel department, sun, so I kind , who have of liked the it’s an shown an powerful image —Michael Ritterbrown interest in of that. But fiction, are also the verb, to eclipse something, means to go selected as fiction readers. Their job is to read through each fiction beyond,” he said.

“It would have either been that submission and send it to the or the Glendale College Review, next reader to read. If two or but I didn’t think that was as three people really like the story, then it will be sent to Edelman or interesting as Eclipse.”

The first edition of Eclipse was Ritterbrown.

Eclipse receives 4,000 to published in June 1990. Edelman 5,000 submissions every year described it as “a small stapled and publishes only 1 percent of book just published for Glendale the poems and fiction that are College students.”

When Eclipse became received, with 2 percent at the a national journal in 2000, most. Student writers have a higher rate of publication with 20 numerous changes were made.

“We decided we wanted the percent.

“There are different criteria for college to have a greater sphere of influence and we decided that students than for outside writers,” we wanted to have our student Edelman said. “Students have a writers published side-by side better chance of getting in because with other writers, even some we don’t receive anywhere writers they might study in their near as many submissions from students. Outside submissions, classes,” Edelman said.

Eclipse is funded through the we receive thousands.”

Students also have a higher Glendale College Foundation, the Associated Students of Glendale chance of being published Community College and every year whereas professional writers can only be published in private donations.

Edelman is also the poetry subsequent years. For example, if editor for the journal. He reads a writer is published in this year’s all of the poetry submissions, volume, then Eclipse will not

By Lillian Wu

T

“

writing art

honor ”

include their work until 2013.

“The discussions happen early on about the aesthetics of the journal,” Ritterbrown said.

“There is no particular genre. It’s a matter of reading the stories and discussing its merits. I think it’s really obvious when you read an exceptional story. The question is whether the exceptional story will be included in the literature.”

There are some journals that will do a theme-based issue such as culture or nature, but there is no theme for Eclipse. Unlike other publications, Eclipse accepts submissions throughout the year.

Ritterbrown mentioned the benefits of publishing in Eclipse is the same as any other journal.

“This is the form by which literature gains exposure,” Ritterbrown said. “Short stories and poems are not widely distributed, especially today.

This is the way one gains that exposure. The benefit is that you reach an audience of like-minded individuals who love literature and value its place in society.”

Both Ritterbrown and Edelman have taught many of the students who were published in Eclipse and have seen the growth of their students’ writing abilities. Many have transferred to other colleges or universities and continued with graduate school. Edelman said that there are many former students who are now teaching and writing for publications such as the L.A. Times.

“One student in particular was in my English 101 class and will graduate with a master’s of fine arts in poetry,” Ritterbrown said.

“It’s very exciting to see them progress.”

Arin Keshishian, an editorial assistant for the journal and a 2010 graduate of GCC, had his poem “Ludwig” published in the fall 2009 issue. He had never been published before and wrote the poem during Edelman’s creative writing course in the summer.

Here is a verse: “Cranked for tune / in clockwise motion, / gradual circle / completes eternity.”

“The poem is about playing the drums and the feeling of playing the drums and about how it is intertwined with life,” Keshishian said. “I wanted to have the feeling of drumming and life together.”

Keshishian is a transfer student at UCLA where he is majoring in English with a minor in French. He has worked on Eclipse for seven years and said

GOING BEYOND: The Eclipse features fiction and poetry from students

and professionals alike.

the experience has exposed him to modern and contemporary literature.

Additionally, the editors of Eclipse have always enjoyed their time as part of the journal.

“Well, as someone who has studied writing all my life, I value its place and this kind of art so to be a part of the journal, I feel it’s an honor,” Ritterbrown said.

Edelman said that “working with student writers, working with writers from all over the country, trying to get Glendale College’s name out there, publicizing the work that we do, [and] especially showcasing the student writers” have been the best aspects of editing Eclipse.

Anyone who is interested in a copy of Eclipse can purchase it at the bookstore or at Edelman’s office in LB216.

Eclipse contributors will give a reading of selected poems and short stories from Eclipse at the Ruskin Art Club, 800 S. Plymouth Blvd., Los Angeles on Nov 13 at 2 p.m.

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

Classifieds Free Pregnancy Tests

Are Available

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

• Family Planning Services (STD Testing, Birth Control Methods, etc.), • Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP), and • Free Pregnancy Tests (walk-ins available) APHCV 1530 Hillhurst Ave., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 644-3888 www.aphcv.org

To place an ad in the El Vaquero, contact Jeff Smith, the advertising manager, at jsmith@glendale.edu

12

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Chili Peppers Back from 5-Year Hiatus

By Isiah Reyes

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

A

fter a five-year gap between studio albums, fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers don’t have to wait any longer to jump right into the band’s newest release, “I’m with You,” available now in retail music stores and online.

Prior to the album’s release on Aug. 29, many fans were eager to know if the band would maintain its essence and style, considering long-time guitarist John Frusciante was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer. Will Klinghoffer be a breath of fresh air and rejuvenate the band? Or will he alienate the hardcore fan base?

It’s evident early on that Klinghoffer is a capable guitarist, but he still has ways to go to becoming as memorable as Frusciante, whose riffs and solos in past albums were memorable.

Now, the most memorable parts are the bass. Bassist Michael “Flea” Balzary has always played exceptionally well on all the albums he’s been on and he is clearly the driving force on “I’m With You.” You can bet he wrote the first two songs “Anarchy of Roses” and “Factory of Faith” since they showcase very funky,

addicting bass lines.

The RHCP is known for being funky in the first place, but on the latter half of this album, the band deviates a little by incorporating piano into the mix. The piano parts add a whole other dimension to the songs and aren’t there just for bells and whistles.

The best use of piano would have to be in the breakdown section of “Police Station,” which also happens to have the best lyrics on the album.

The lyrics to “Police Station” tell a story and give the listener something to relate to, which cannot be said about the other songs. Most of the lyrics are a bunch of lines that are there just so they can rhyme. Some of it is clever, but at times, it is really forced. It is most notable in the song “Look Around,” where lead singer Anthony Kiedis comes up with the word “skindow” just so it can rhyme with “window.”

Kiedis’s vocals on the album are really good, probably the best out of all the albums he’s been on.

But his vocals should be turned down a bit to show off Klinghoffer’s backing vocals, which are actually better than his guitar playing. His backing vocals stand out the most in the song

“Did I Let You Know.”

In the song “Did I Let You Know,” there’s a trumpet solo that comes out of nowhere. It was a welcomed surprise. Besides a handful of other instances, there aren’t many surprises. The song structure on almost every song is predictable (verse-chorus form) and all the choruses are typically pop and catchy, which is boring and expected. They had chances to take a different approach, maybe being a little more progressive and intense by adding a drum solo breakdown or an extended guitar solo towards the end of a song. But ultimately, they played it safe.

Most of “I’m with You” is radio-friendly and accessible to casual fans. Seasoned fans will most likely be expecting an album full of songs that heavily reference California and heroin (this is what the band is infamous for), but luckily that’s not the case.

It’s sufficient to say that “I’m with You” has some decent yet forgettable songs, but also a few great ones.

The track list ordering has the album starting off strong with the funk and punk, then it hits its stride in the middle with the

I’M WITH YOU: ...most of the way. Not the Chili Pepper’s best album, but still enjoyable to listen to.

lead single “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” then it gets classy with a trio of piano songs but sadly falls short with the two filler songs at the end.

Stand-out tracks include: “Factory of Faith” for its rhythm and energy; “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” for its power-pop to funk-style nod to classic Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Police

Station,” for its emotional use of piano and story-driven lyrics.

Overall, “I’m with You” is not suggested for those searching for complexity and experimentation, but it is a worthy purchase for someone looking for a record that’s easy and fun to groove to.

Isiah Reyes can be reached at haisikin@gmail.com

Auditions Held for ‘Autobahn,’ ‘Shape of Things’

By Virginia Nikoghosyan EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he lobby of the auditorium was filled with excitement and tension while students were waiting for their turns to be auditioned for the theatre department’s upcoming productions of Neil LeBute’s “Autobahn” and “The Shape of Things” directed by Jeanette Farr.

Farr held the auditions on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. She is set to direct the upcoming plays beginning Oct. 19 in the auditorium studio theatre.

“It’s such a highlight,” said Farr. “Personally, it’s rewarding to see students grow and blossom from the initial audition, where everyone is nervous, on through achieving to the opening night performance. You can see a level of confidence and accomplishment. That’s why we teach, to pass along the tradition.”

It was hard not to notice how students will perform variety of excited and nervous everyone roles which will give them an was before the audition. The experience on the stage time.

Alexus Crisanto, theatre arts room was full of students major, who practicing their has been part monologues of the plays alone and with last year learnt friends. They helped me to be to be always were here prepared to from different more to o v e r c o m e countries challenges. and different myself One of his backgrounds, challenges has following their and to be more been trying dreams. to be a new As Ryan character and Rogers, theater trying to find arts major, said —Alexus Crisanto connection “This is a start to be that of a journey.

You never know what will happen character. Joining the plays but this is where the expedition helped him not only to move starts.” forward towards his career goals Anyone was welcomed to be but to express himself. auditioned and students from “Acting helped me to be more different majors joined this open to express myself and to be quest. After the audition, the more articulate,” said Crisanto.

“Acting

open express

articulate”

The experience was not only rewarding for the local but also for foreign students, who were able to get involved in a play by overcoming all their difficulties, like language and foreign culture.

Guilhermi Arrudo, theater arts major, is an international student from Brazil, who wants to be an actor. “This all seems surreal.

You see the advertisements and hear about it but now it’s true it’s happening. I still can’t believe it.”

Hayarpi Tahmasian, zoology and stage management, is also an international student. She also had many difficulties while going through auditions but those challenges were nothing compared to what she might gain.

“It’s challenging and I like being challenged. If you can’t speak English this helps you if you don’t have enough confidence you get it and you find a lot of friends, you understand their

feelings. You know what they are going though.” This opportunity gives her confidence to express and simply be herself.

Tahmasian said she knows how challenging this can be but it’s a one of a kind opportunity for her which she readily takes.

She believes that just because it doesn’t happen at first it doesn’t mean its not going to happen at all.

“You just need to believe in yourself and need to try harder because life doesn’t give you that many chances, you need to take whatever opportunity you can.”

For more information on the theatre arts program, call 818240-1000, ext. 5618. The website for the theater arts department can be visited at http://www. glendale.edu/theatre. The prices will be $10 for the general public and $8 for students.

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

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

13

SPORTS

Football off to Slow Start This Season

By Marlon Miranda

EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

D

efense changes while results stay the same.

After getting dismantled by the PCC Lancers 49-28 in their season opener, Los Vaqueros traveled to Costa Mesa on Saturday to face the Golden West College Rustlers. Costly turnovers and a stagnant offense led to a 34-7 defeat.

GCC had three fumbles, none more costly than the one in the

opening drive of the game. The fumble set up the Rustlers first score and set the tone for the rest of the game. Coach John Rome was disappointed by the team’s performance and lack of ball control.

“Our ball security is absolutely horrible. We can’t fumble the ball in the first play of the game.

It kills any chance to gain any momentum,” said Rome.

The Vaqueros dug themselves into a deep hole in the first quarter as they gave up 20 points to start

the game. The Rustlers scored on their first three possessions. Rome felt that regardless of the score, the defense has improved.

“They started off slow. As the game progressed, I saw them getting progressively better and gaining more confidence,” said Rome.

The standout on defense was Matt Lopez, who led the team with four solo tackles and assisted in three others. Rome shuffled some players and changed the game plan after their first game.

Lady Vaqueros Cross Country Dominate Fresno Invitational

By Eric Bourse

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

O

n Saturday, the Lady Vaqueros dominated the competition to win first place at the Fresno Invitational while the men’s team took second place.

Six Lady Vaqs filled the top 10 in the 3.1 mile race in Woodward Park. Karen Rosas finished first overall with a time of 18:33.

Alyssa Seleve came in second in 18:43. Angela Martinez finished fourth in 19:01.

Laura Pluemer came in seventh with a time of 19:18. Nohemi Martinez finished eighth in 19:23 and Grace Graham-Zamudio came in ninth place with a time of 21:56.

The men’s team finished in second place overall with 61 points. American River College came in first with 28 points.

The top runner for the Vaqueros was Mizrael Mendez, who finished in sixth place, in 21:17. Jesus Gutierrez came in eighth place with a time of 21:31 and Alec Nelson came in 13th place in 21:42.

On Sept. 3, the Vaqueros competed in its season opener at the Fullerton Invitational in Carbon Canyon Regional Park.

Competitors included schools from all divisions including four-year colleges and other community colleges.

The Lady Vaqueros came in third place overall with 73 points.

Long Beach State finished with 61 points for second place and Loyola Marymount finished first

with 39 points.

The top runner for the Lady Vaqs was Rosas, who came in second place overall with a time of 22:08. Selve came in seventh with a time of 22:44. Martinez came in 15th overall with a time of 23:17.

“The women ran excellent,” said head coach Eddie Lopez.

Despite the Lady Vaq’s success, its coach still sees room for improvement.

“The time differential between our first and last runner wasn’t good. We should have a gap of under a minute.”

“I’m proud of the girls,” said Rosas, 20, sociology major. “We worked hard over the summer.

Some are just freshmen and have a good chance at state competition.”

This race was not only a team victory, but personal redemption as well. “I did this race last year and it didn’t go well, but this year I paced myself and followed Alyssa,” said Rosas. “The uneven grass hurt my calf but I had to keep going. When I thought about the pain I was getting passed in the race so I stopped thinking about it.”

Four out of the top seven runners included present and former Lady Vaqs. Rosa Del Toro finished first for Long Beach State with a time of 22:03. Nina Moore finished fourth at a time of 22:25 also for Long Beach State.

“This doesn’t come as a surprise. Our runners who move on continue to run well,” said Lopez.

Del Toro was the State Champion for the 1500 meter race in spring. Moore won the 2009 state championships.

The men’s team came in sixth place overall with 136 points.

Long Beach State came in first with a score of 25.

Mendez was the top runner for men’s team who came in 13th with a time of 25:58. Gutierrez came in 23rd in 26:21. Nelson finished 33rd with a time of 26:40.

“We ran well today. We have a young team who showed a lot of effort going against tough competition from older and more experienced teams,” said Lopez.

“I thought we had a good performance and the team bonded. We didn’t really know the course but we held on and didn’t give up,” said Mendez, 18.

With last season’s success, the expectations for both teams are high. “Our first goal is to win our conference, then Southern California, then state,” said assistant coach Bryan Ramos.

“We want to repeat as conference champions and be in the top three in the state.”

The next meet will be the Orange Coast Classic on Saturday at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa at 10 a.m. On Sept. 23 the Vaqueros will run the Golden West Invitational at Central Park in Huntington Beach at 10 a.m.

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

Joseph Wiggan led the Vaqs in rushing with 45 yards. His longest run was a 13 yard dash.

The Vaqueros found minimal success in rushing and depended heavily on short passes. Part of the reason the team couldn’t air it out was the lack of time qaurterback Kevin Hunter had in the pocket.

The second half started just like the opening tip, as the Rustlers scored 14 unanswered points. Golden West shut down the Vaqueros until the fourth quarter, when Hunter threw a 4-yard pass to Lawren Phillips in the final two minutes.

After being rushed out of the pocket and sacked four times, Hunter’s frustration grew.

“We couldn’t do anything.

We punted six times. We need to move people around and it all starts with the offensive line. We got to go back and practice and need to get better in everything,” said Hunter.

Hunter completed 14 passes

for 101 yards and a touchdown.

His longest completion was a 17yard pass to Matt Volland.

The team had no problem scoring in their season opener but regressed in its second game.

Despite the heavy blitzing, the game did not wreck havoc on Glendale’s confidence.

Rome is staying optimistic about the season. He feels that the team is young and raw, and as long as the players keep improving, the team should have it all together by the time the conference begins.

“We can go 0-4 and still go to a bowl game by winning our conference. The only thing that matters is our conference,” said Rome.

The Vaqueros next game is on Saturday against East Los Angeles City College at Glendale.

The team will be looking for its first victory on their home opener.

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

Women’s Soccer Team Striving to Succeed

By Alex Gonzales

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he outlook for Glendale’s women’s soccer team this season comes with high hopes and a lot of potential.

With only four players returning from last season, and 16 freshmen, Coach Jorge Mena is ecstatic with the group of girls he has for this year and for the future.

Of course with a young team comes new challenges and different work habits. Mena’s approach to the game and the way they practice is nothing but business.

“These girls are hard workers.

We will have practice at 6 a.m.

and these girls we be here at 5:30 a.m. getting prepped and warming up.”

For being young and inexperience, the group is mature and will know what to do when they face adversity The Vaqueros had their first game last Friday against Los Angeles Compton College. They fell short 3-1 but with the loss, Mena said he likes the way his team played.

“We played two completely different games last week,” said Mena “In the first half it was slow but in the second half it was completely different.”

[See Soccer, page 14]

coming soon! www.

elvaq

.com

14

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Panthers Hunted to Extinction by Vaqueros

By John Ferrara

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he GCC men’s soccer team won its first game of the season at home on Friday, 1-0, against the Chaffey College Panthers.

“One to nothing is beautiful,” said coach Joe Agoston following the win.

For many of the Vaqueros, this is their first season of collegelevel soccer.

Of the 23 Glendale players, only two, goalkeeper Hakob Boghossian and injured Yuto Hisamura, are returning from last year’s team.

Coming into the match, the Vaqs were on a two game slide, losing their season opener to San Bernardino Valley College 3-0, followed by a crushing defeat to Los Angeles Harbor College 7-1.

Before Friday’s win, the Vaqs seemed more poised and confident than in their previous games. There was no big pregame speech, or any antics. Instead, the player were coolly focused Several near goals for both sides made for an exciting 20 minutes of solid defense in the first half. But then the Vaqueros

got sloppy.

Both teams played a physical match, resulting in several yellow cards and warnings. In the final minutes of the first half, Panthers coach Ben Cooper was warned of being ejected from the game by a referee, after expressing distaste for multiple calls.

At halftime, the score remained 0-0.

“You guys look much better than Tuesday night,” said Agoston, during his halftime speech, referring to the Vaqueros’ 7-1 loss.

The second half began much like the first, with teams trading goal attempts.

Glendale’s goalkeeper Boghossian, kept the Vaqs in the game with several impressive saves.

Then with 30 minutes to go in the second half, GCC’s co-captain David Adamyan found the back of the net for the first time this season, giving the Vaqueros a 1-0 lead.

With the clock ticking closer and closer to Glendale’s first win of the season, tension started to build, resulting in an exchange of words, followed by a brief shoving match between opponents.

Women’s Soccer, con’t.

[Soccer, from page 13] The Vaquero’s allowed three goals in the first half but was able to turn it around in the second.

The defense picked up not allowing Compton College to score and the Vaquero’s were able to score before the end of the game.

“We had some goals get taken away from us in the second half, if that wouldn’t [have happened] we could have came out with a win,” Mena said.

For most of the ladies on the team, it was their first college game. This year’s schedule includes two conference games against Santa Monica College, where there are several interna-

Coming Soon!

tional players, which may be an obstacle. Not only are the Vaquero’s playing teams around Southern California but also from different countries. Meaning the level of competition increases that much more on the college level.

With the way the team finished the second half, Mena hopes that it doesn’t take more than three to four games to get the tempo of the game.

The Lady Vaquero’s will play a conference game against Citrus College on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

Alex Gonzales can be reached at agonzal251@student.glendale.edu

www.elvaq.com

For most of the second half, Chaffey controlled posession of the ball, however Glendale managed to hold the Panthers scoreless, dishing them their first loss of the season.

“Finally,” co-captain Christian Lopez said with great relief as the team entered the locker room.

“You guys deserve it,” said Agoston, when giving his post game speech. This was the Vaqueros first game of the season where they didn’t surrender a goal.

Agoston chalked the win up to his players displaying team effort, discipline, and staying with the tactics.

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

Photo by Richard Kontas

UNLUCKY 13: Christian Lopez maneuvers the ball away from San Bernardino Valley College on Sept. 2. Despite a valiant effort, the Vaqs lost 3-0.

Vaquero Sports Summaries Scores

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Sept. 3 — Fullerton Invitational women — finished third men — finished sixth Saturday — Fresno Invitational women — finished first men — finished second Women’s Volleyball: Aug. 26 — lost to PCC 3-0 beat Santa Barbara 3-2 Sept. 2 — beat Mt. Sac 3-1

lost to Riverside 3-0 Friday — lost to Orange Coast 3-0 Women’s Soccer: Sept. 2 — lost to Compton College 3-1 Sept. 6 — lost to Harbor College 5-0

Friday — beat West Los Angeles 3-1 Women’s Golf: Aug. 29 — won WSC match at South Coast Tourney Saturday — finished 2nd at the Desert Tourney in Palm Springs Monday — finished 2nd at the WSC Santa Barbara Tourney Football: Sept. 3 — lost to Pasadena 49-28 Saturday — lost to Golden West 34-7 Men’s Soccer: Sept. 2 — lost to San Bernandino 3-0 Sept. 6 — lost to L.A Harbor College 7-1 Sept. 9 — beat Chaffey 1-0

Upcoming Events Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Saturday — Orange Coast Classic at Costa Mesa 10 a.m.

Sept. 23 — Golden West Invitational at Huntington Beach 10 a.m.

Women’s Volleyball: Friday & Saturday — San Diego Mesa Tourney Sept. 21 at Antelope Valley 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. Imperial Valley 6 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: Friday at Allan Hancock College 4 p.m.

Saturday at Cuesta College 11 a.m.

Sept. 23 at Oxnard College 4 p.m.

Sept. 27 — WSC Round No. 1 at Citrus 7 p.m.

Women’s Golf: Monday at Bakersfield 10 a.m.

Sept. 26 at San Dimas Canyon 10 a.m.

Football: Saturday vs. East L.A City College 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. Allen Hancock College 6 p.m.

Men’s Soccer: Friday at Santiago Canyon 4 p.m.

Tuesday at Irvine Valley 3 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Orange Coast 3 p.m.

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

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

15

Calendar On Campus events Club Rush — Join the growing number of GCC student clubs and organizations that focus on a multitude of interests. Existing clubs are recruiting members and students are also encouraged to start new ones. Today through Sept. 22 in Plaza Vaquero. Booths open all day. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 3126.

U.S. Constitution Day — Free copies of the U.S. Constitution are offered and a voter registration table. Sponsored by ASGCC. Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

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

Transfer Fair — Representatives will provide information to students about the opportunities

available at their campuses. More than 40 universities will be on hand.Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5442.

Student Services Fair — Booths featuring a variety of services available to GCC students.

Sponsored by ASGCC - Campus Activities. Sept. 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero. For more information call (818) 2401000, ext. 3033.

PLANETARIUM “Evening with the Stars” — This planetarium show will introduce the stars, constellations and planets Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

No late arrivals. For more information, visit www.glendale.edu/ planetarium or call (818) 2401000, ext. 5275. Note: These will

be Evening of the Stars only performances this semester.

WORKSHOPS “Effective Resume” — Focuses on essential resume-writing principles, formats and content.

Today at 11 a.m. and Monday at 2 p.m. Free. Career Center, 2nd floor, San Rafael Building. For more information call (818) 2401000, ext. 5407.

“Fragments” — Learn about different kinds of sentence fragments and how to correct each; work on practice exercises. AD 238. Monday from 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. and Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Free. Students are encouraged to register for the workshop online.

For more information, visit www. glendale.edu/learningcenter or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5341.

“Using Concrete and Specific Details” — Bring more speci-

ficity and color to your writing.

Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

“MLA Requirements” — Learn about stylistic requirements mandated by the Modern Language Association. Sept. 21 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

“How to Recognize and Correct Run-ons” — Recognize situations in which run-on sentences commonly occur and receive practice exercises. Sept. 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

“Structure in Formal Essays: The Thesis, Topic Sentences, and Transitions” — How to construct a strong thesis, clear topic sentences, and appropriate transitions. Sept. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

“Proofreading Techniques” — Presents techniques for proofreading.Sept. 26 from 7 to 8 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

“Outlining” — Write a clear outline from your brainstorming notes. Sept. 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

MOVIES Friday Flix: — A film screening of “The Gold Rush,” a 1925 silent film comedy written, produced, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. Mike Petros will facilitate a discussion after the film. Free to all. SG 334. Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m.

art gallery “Proximetric” — Art Gallery.

A solo art exhibition by teacher, writer and conceptual artist Ginger Wolfe-Suarez. Her multimedia work includes spatial interventions, sculpture, theory and criticism. Opening reception Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Exhibition runs through Nov. 12. Free. Gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m.

Around Town events GCC Scholars Fundraising — BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.

Pick up a flyer at SM 256, present it at BJ’s and 15 percent of your food sales goes to support the Scholars Program. Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. only. 101 N. Brand Blvd. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5146.

“PUNCH: Prints by David John Attyah; UTOPIA: Constructions by Mark Gens” — Opening reception is Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. at 101 N. Brand Blvd. Exhibit is ongoing at 100 N. Brand Blvd. in the lobby windows facing Broadway Street.

For more information visit: www. gateprojects.org.

“Armenian Independence Day” — Verdugo Park. The 20th annual festival features live music, kids’ activities, ethnic cuisine, artisans market and much more, fun for the whole family. Free. Sunday

from noon to 7 p.m. 1621 Canada Blvd. For more information, visit www.armeniadiaspora.com.

“Red Hen at the Armory Center for the Arts” — Armory Center. Red Hen Press presents a poetry reading featuring GCC English professor Bart Edelman, Ron Koertge, Doug Kearney and Charles Harper Webb. Wine and cheese will be served. Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

For more information visit: www. armoryarts.org.

COMEDY Carlos Alazraqui — The Ice House Comedy Club. Stand up by Officer James Garcia of “Reno 911” fame. 54 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena.

General admission $17.50. Two shows only on Friday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.icehousecomedy.com or call (626) 577-1894.

FILM “The Penalty” — Alex Theatre.

Lon Chaney’s 1920 psychological thriller returns, also his costume and props will be on display. One show only Sunday at 2 p.m. 216 N. Brand Blvd. For more information, visit www.alextheatre.org or call (818) 243-2539.

exhibitions “George Herms: Xenophilia” — Pacific Design Center. L.A. assembledge artist Herms covers the topic “Love of the Unknown” and features work by 20 additional artists. Free. Runs through Oct. 2. 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. For more information, visit www.moca.org or call (310) 289-5223.

“Asco: Elite of the Obscure, A Retrospective, 1972–1987” — LACMA. The first retrospective to present the wide-ranging work of the Chicano performance and conceptual art group Asco. Runs

through Dec. 4. Ticket prices and hours vary. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information call (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org.

E. Union St., Pasadena. For information, visit www.pmcaonline. org or call (626) 568-3665.

“In Focus: The Sky” — The Getty Center. A photography exhibit featuring Robert Adams, Andre Kertesz, Gustave Le Gray and John Divola, spanning from 1857 to current. Runs through Dec. 4.

Museum hours vary. Admission is free and parking is $10 per vehicle. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.getty.edu or call (310) 440-7300.

“The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse” — Bootleg Theater. Bauhaus’ David J presents his take on the saga of the Black Dahlia.

Thursday’s through Saturday’s until Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 general, $18 students and seniors. 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information visit www.bootlegtheater.org.

“Alex Kritselis: Above the Fold”— Pasadena Museum of California Art. Exploring how the media shapes people’s perceptions of significant events, L.A. multi-media artist Alex Kritselis creates a vast landscape from the issues of the L.A. Times that he collected in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.

Sunday through Jan. 8. Museum hours and ticket prices vary. 490

theater

MUSIC “Kewa Ensemble in Concert” — Glendale noon concerts presents Kewa Ensemble. They will perform strings works by George Gershwin, Hans Werner Henze and Hugo Wolf. Free in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St. Sept. 21 at 12:10-12:40 p.m. For information call (818) 242-2113.

Compiled by Richard Kontas

16

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

Suzanna Sargsyan:

New ASGCC President

By John Ferrara

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he first time Suzanna Sargsyan saw GCC students campaigning for student government, she knew she wanted to be a part of the Associated Students.

Sargsyan, or “Suzy” to those who know her, is a 19-year-old business administration major in her second year at Glendale College.

This June, Sargsyan was sworn in as the new ASGCC president, as well as the student trustee on the board of trustees.

“It’s been a very exciting experience, definitely a lot of work, but it’s fun, so it takes the stress away,” said Sargsyan when asked about her new role as president.

A former student body president at Hoover High School, A S G C C senator of activities, and student ambassador of Student Outreach Services (SOS), Sargsyan has dedicated the past few years of her life to serving her fellow students.

“She’s definitely not the kind of person that can sit home and be bored,” said Sargsyan’s sister Anna.

In the midst of a California budget crisis, the student government is dealing with the task of balancing budget cuts with the welfare of students.

The possible privatization of the GCC bookstore, and rising costs of Beeline fees are some of the first issues on Sargsyan’s agenda.

Although she was skeptical at first, after doing research, Sargsyan now believes that “it’s a really good idea” to privatize the bookstore. With proposals from several book companies including Barnes & Noble, the price of books is likely to decrease if the book store becomes privately run.

Fighting the cost of Beeline fares

was discussed at the ASGCC legislature meeting on Sept. 6. The fees may increase from 25 to 75 cents, which will affect many students who take the Beeline to school everyday.

“I want students to know we’re here for them,” said Sargsyan.

On Sept. 2, Sargsyan introduced herself to the members of the GCC faculty who packed the auditorium for Faculty Institute Day. “I definitely see myself working here in the future,” she said, drawing joyful laughter from the crowd.

She went on to express her passion for the education system telling the faculty, “We’re here to serve the students.”

At the end of her speech she left them with one last word of advice: “Take advantage of the time you have with the students, because you all make a in Photo by Shaun Kelly difference their lives.”

Many of the GCC faculty members have become role models to Sargsyan during her time at school, including her former employer Alen Andriassian.

Manager of Outreach and Assessment, and former ASGCC president, Andriassian feels that Sargsyan is the the perfect person to be AS president.

“She has a good heart,” said Andriassian.

He recalls meeting her when she was still a student at Hoover High School, where she took initiative to make sure he had a table set up for his GCC booth.

Any student’s who would like their voices to be heard, should feel free to contact Sargsyan at (818) 240-1000 ext.

5602, aspres@glendale.edu, or visit her office in room SC 211.

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