March 30, 2011

El Vaquero March 30, 2011

Glendale College

Controversial and Convenient Does Facebook Own You? Story on page 14.

Photoillustration by Ian Cervantes

2

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Equal Space for Candidates El Vaquero Glendale Community College

The staff and news reported by the El Vaquero is well done and in good taste. I have one issue to take up with you and that is the almost one-half page photo of Vartan Gharpetian and his family on the back page of the El Vaquero. He is currently running for our board of trustees and this possibly can be construed as an endorsement by El Vaquero of his candidacy. I believe that a newspaper is supposed to be neutral in such matters and offer equal time (In

editor in chief

Jane Pojawa

COPY EDITOR

Agnes Constante STAFF WRITERS

Michelle Bowles Alex Campos Toni Davis Christine Gillette Vaughn Lawrence Adriana Orellana Derek Stowe Erica White

Nik Brkic Ashley Carey Vanessa Duffy Kate Krantz Marlon Miranda Luis Rodriguez Shearson Unda Lillian Wu

Dear Editor,

Mario Camino Ian Cervantes Michael Girod Shaun Kelly Peter Moyes Tex Wells

EL VAQUERO

First things first, the website www.elvaq.com is really not functional at all, but that could be my browser. Haven’t tested it with another computer.

I wanted to make a complaint about the smoking policy on our campus. I read an article on the Vaq about the poor policy the on-campus police are not enforcing. I don’t know why they don’t or why they can’t, but isn’t it California state law that you are not allowed to smoke within 20 feet of any public building? In this case, any building on campus?

Also, why does the school’s dining area sell food at a higher price than the vending machines right next door?

Another thing, the library should be operated until classes are over: sometimes you need a quiet place to study but they close too early. Maybe popular consensus disagrees.

But besides that, the library seriously needs to monitor the computers they let students use, the ones that are meant for research and “schoolrelated” material.

Send E-mail to: Editor@elvaq.com

On the Cover:

Production Manager

Jane Pojawa

design adviser

Charles Eastman

faculty adviser

advertising

Michael Moreau Jeff Smith

mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 551-5214

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 editor@elvaq.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

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.

1500 N. Verdugo Road Glendale, CA 91208 (818) 240-1000 ext. 5349 Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

First copy free Additional copies $.25

IN THIS ISSUE

March 30, 2011 Volume 97

News

Number 3

.........................................

Features

....................................

this case an almost one-half page photo and article) for the other two candidates running for the board of trustees. I would appreciate that in your next issue that you provide equal consideration for Tony Tartaglia and Vahe Peroomian.

Thank you, Abraham Barakat Senior Accounting Clerk Glendale Community College

Suggestion​s and Complaints, Mostly Complaints

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dear Editor,

2-6

7-14

Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-19 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-22 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

The last time I patrolled that area I saw some on Facebook, others playing browser-based games, and the couple of other users who seemed to be doing research. Then again anyone can alt+tab out or minimize their screen ( I am not a lurker)!

Another problem, where is the unstated rule that gives students the right to yell and discuss aloud to their heart’s content in the library whenever they enter those study rooms for two to four students? It’s seriously annoying, maybe GCC should let student workers work at the library monitoring those rooms and computer usage every half hour. That way they can work the hours the library is open and still not affect their 15-hour week limits.

Well, that’s what has been bugging me lately and just wanted to let you guys know. Maybe others agree that this deserves some “journalistic investigation.”

And maybe change up those cartoonist you have working for El Vaq. The political humor works best with less clutter and keep it simple. That’s all.

–Joshua Campos

Fiorella Diaz Cortez has been on Facebook since 2007 and was unaware of the terms and conditions that affect the users of this popular form of social media. See story on page 14.

WANTED: Letter s to the editor…

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

Contact editor@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

3

NEWS

Police Arrest Two Students for Burglaries

By Adriana Orellana EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he City of Glendale Police Department, with the help of the GCC School Police, arrested two GCC students at gunpoint on March 16 for three burglaries in parking Lot B. Misak Israelyan and Arman Israelyan were arrested in Parking Lot 33 when someone in Lot 34 reported two men suspiciously looking around at a few vehicles.

The officer in Lot 34 requested the assistance of a GCC police officer. The police officer in Lot 33 called in a Code 3, which means the use of lights and sirens.

The burglaries reported on the two men occurred on March 15, in the evening hours because students reported their stolen items between 9:30 and 10 p.m.

“The burglars had seemed to be targeting high-end vehicles, such as Escalades and Tahoes, punching the locks out with tools and breaking the windows,” said Erin Kurasz, police captain at GCC. Among the stolen items were money, wallets and sunglasses.

“When the students were arrested they [had] in their possession items that were identified by the robbed students as theirs,” said Kurasz.

“Since their arrest, there

haven’t been more vehicle burglaries reported.”

A report was also sent to the dean of student services regarding the two students, one who was a current student and the other a former student.

The students were taken to the Glendale police station.

“People need to close windows and not leave any items visible in their cars,” said Blanca Collazo, GCC police officer.

“Any small opening in a window allows burglars to open up a car.”

Another incident that the GCC police responded to a reckless driving incident on March 15 involving another GCC student.

The student, Linette Keshavarzi, was parked in a red-zone and blocking an area in a parking lot.

A GCC police officer was writing her a ticket and Keshavarzi ran to her car and attempted to drive away, even after the officer told her that he was issuing her a ticket.

She sped off, almost hitting two people with her car. She was stopped and when the officer asked her for her license and registration, and she was only able to provide an expired insurance card and had left her driver’s license at home.

Keshavarzi provided a false name and birth date.

SMASH AND GRAB: Misak Israelyan and Arman Israelyan were arrested in conjunction with a string of car burglaries that occurred in campus parking lots.

She was brought to the Glendale police station and booked for felony for false impersonation.

A Garfield campus officer and a cadet arrested a juvenile,

who was on parole and out of class, for possession of alcohol and marijuana. The juvenile resisted and had to be cuffed onto a paramedic’s bed for testing.

He was booked at the Glendale

police jail and was later taken to the Central Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles.

Adriana Orellana can be reached at adriana_orellana@elvaq.com

Board Discusses Elections and Advocacy

By Lillian Wu

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Board of Trustees held its regular board meeting on March 21 at Kreider Hall to discuss the upcoming Glendale and community college district elections, budget concerns and new software for human resources at Glendale Community College.

President of the board of trustees Anthony Tartaglia reminded everyone about the Glendale Municipal Election on April 5. Tartaglia is running for re-election for the GCC Board of Trustees.

“I encourage any and all to go out and vote. Let your voice be heard,” he said.

Additionally, the board of trustees voted for eight of the

12 nominated candidates for the 2011 California Community College Trustees Board of Directors election. The eight candidates represent community college districts from northern and southern California and will serve three years on the board.

Incumbents Laura Casas Frier, Foothill-DeAnza Community College District (CCD); Mary Figueroa, Riverside CCD; and Paul J. Gomez, Chaffey CCD were among the candidates selected.

On April 4, several accreditation representatives will visit GCC and meet with administrators who will give them information about the improvements at the college.

The report will go to the commissioners in June who will

determine and report the status to GCC. “I think we have done very, very, very well,” Vice President of Instructional Services Mary Mirch said. “I know everybody has worked very hard.”

Ron Nakasone, executive vice president of administrative services, said that student fees will be raised from $26 per unit to $36 per unit for fall 2011.

Tartaglia agreed with Vahé Peroomian, member of the board of trustees, that students need to know about the status of summer school.

Ramona Barrio-Sotillo, the guild representative to the board, said the Glendale College Guild is working with the college.

“We are discussing summer school with the district and

looking at options in regard to whether or not GCC could have summer school,” she said.

Because the issue is currently in negotiations, more information could not be given at the dais.

“We have discussed an April 15 timeline because students need to plan and quite frankly so do the faculty and the staff and the administration,” Superintendent/ President Dawn Lindsay said.

The board ratified two agreements between the GCC District and the California School Employee Association and with the Guild about the early retirement incentive for 2010 – 2011. GCC District has worked with the Public Agency Retirement System to develop an incentive for faculty. To see the first year savings of $1 million,

a minimum of 18 people must participate by June 15.

“This is an integral piece in our attempts to balance our budget,” Tartaglia said.

Additionally, an agreement for a four-day work week for summer 2011 and the 2011 – 2012 Classified Employees Work Calendar was ratified. The fourday work week will run from June 13 through Aug. 26.

Lindsay said that she was amazed at the student government and students.

“I cannot believe the advocacy and the lobbying and the legislative push our students have been taking. The voice of the student is what is going to make the difference.”

[See Advocacy, page 4]

4

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

NEWS

Board of Trustees Plan Strategy for Elections [Advocacy, from page 3] Lindsay and Janet Shamilian, student trustee, announced the “Hands Across California” event in which thousands of people join hands across the state of California to raise awareness about the importance of community colleges. Administrators, faculty, staff and students are asked to participate in the event on April 17.

Ken Kragen, who created “Hands Across America” 25 years ago, is helping with the event. The exact route has not been finalized, but GCC is included in the path.

Currently, 58 colleges plan to participate including Pasadena City College and Los Angeles Valley College.

Shamilian updated the board about members of Associated Students of Glendale Community College who attended the March 14 trip to Sacramento.

ASGCC collected nearly 500 letters from students and made 30 copies of each letter, which were hand-delivered to district representatives including State Sen. Carol Liu and Assemblyman Mike Gatto.

The board also discussed an

agreement with NEOGOV, Inc. about purchasing a new human resources software package that will help with online recruitment.

The software will reduce the staff paperwork in the human resources department, which is already understaffed. It will allow hiring committees to work online and see reports about employees.

Although the existing software system iRecruitment can recruit online, it has not been functioning correctly since May 2010.

The information technology department and an outside consultant were brought in to fix the problems. GCC is recruiting for associate vice president of information technology by pencil and paper rather than online.

Vicki Nicholson, associate vice president of human resources, researched this product for over a year. Because iRecruitment, which was purchased from Oracle, cost a lot for enhancements, Nicholson said there are “no plans to enhance this product beyond what is delivered at this point.”

The first year cost for NEOGOV is $32,000 and the second year will be $25,000.

However, Lindsay said that GCC

Photo by Tex Wells

MORE INFORMATION: Dawn Lindsay, Glendale Community College President and Superintendent, imparts

a pertinent piece of information to Board of Trustees President Anthony P. Tartaglia prior to the start of the board of trustees meeting.

must look for sources of funding in the third year. Funds from Equal Employment Opportunity will help finance this. EEO is an annual grant of $15,000 to $16,000 a year from staff diversity funds.

Instructor of chemistry Sevada Chamras gave a special presentation and explained how

Spectrum Chemical, a scientific equipment company, donated $102,243 in supplies that he selected for GCC. When Chamras researched why the company was donating, some sources told him they were relocating while others said they were trying to get rid of supplies that do not sell quickly.

Chamras said he expects the fifth shipment soon. The chemistry department received “the lion’s share” of the donation such as glassware, precision equipment and balances. Other departments

that benefited were facilities, health center, ceramics, biology, physics, child development and welding.

The meeting closed in honor of the citizens of Japan and those who lost their lives in the earthquake and tsunami.

The next board of trustees meeting will be on April 18 at 8 a.m. in the Student Center.

Lillian Wu can be reached at Lillian_Wu@elvaq.com

Glendale Votes On Education, Council

By Toni Davis

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale’s Municipal Election will be on Tuesday, April 5.

The election center is now located at the Glendale Police Department Community Room, 131 N. Isabel St., and district polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The community will be voting for the different candidates: one of the six candidates running for Glendale City Council; one of the three running for Glendale City College Board of Trustees and one of the eight running for Glendale Unified School District Governing Board.

The community will also be

voting for Measure S. If Measure S is approved by voters, it will give the district the authority to borrow up to $270 million in general bonds for educational spending.

Residents in the school district are currently paying for Measure K, which was passed in 1997.

If Measure S is approved, both measures would have a combined tax rate. A 55 percent majority vote is required for approval.

For more information on the election, candidates, or to view a sample ballot visit http://www. glendalevotes.org or call (818) 548-4000.

Toni Davis can be reached at Toni_Davis@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

5

NEWS

Candidates Vie for Voters in Municipal Elections Candidates for Glendale City Council: Rafi Manoukian

Mike Mohill

Chahe Keuroghelian

“During my tenure on the Council, significant progress has been made in hillside protection, advances in police and fire services, infrastructure improvements, and positive advances in downtown development. This is a critical time for Glendale with serious decisions to make regarding our City budget.”

No personal statement on sample ballot.

No personal statement on sample ballot.

No personal statement on sample ballot.

Dave Weaver

Rafi Manoukian r

Retired Business Man

CPA

Small Business Ownerr

Mike Mohill

Garen Mailyan

“Four years ago, I was elected to the City Council in an historic election. Together, our campaign enjoyed victories in 30 out of 50 precincts. When I joined the City Council, mansionization in our neighborhoods was rampant, our Design Review process was inaccessible and chaotic, and our single-family neighborhoods were being rezoned tacitly by means of variances. Your support allowed me to directly innovate much needed change in our city.”

“Glendale went through ethnic succession like so many other American cities. This change was often painful and left many people emotionally wounded. There is an ethnic-cultural conflict in the city between Anglo natives and Armenian immigrants. There is a need for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation based on something all of us, despite our differences, share – the grace of Jesus Christ. Regular reconciliation meetings will be part of my tenure as a councilman.”

John Drayman

Garen Mailyan

Councilman / Civil Engineer

Dave Weaver Incumbent

John Drayman

Chahe Keuroghelian

Security Officer

Glendale Community College Board of Trustees Governing Board Members for Glendale Unified School District Tony Tartaglia Vartan Gharpetian Vahe Peroomian Incumbent

Incumbent

“I am a long time resident of Glendale and an active member of our community. I currently serve as the CEO of a professional Real estate brokerage firm in Glendale. I have served 4 years, including one as Chair, on the City of Glendale Design Review Board Commission. I also serve as the vice president of D&M Educational foundation, Foundation Board Member of Glendale Adventist Medical Center, and a member of our local PTA.”

“...When Board President, in collaboration with his co-trustees, he utilized excellent leadership skills in hiring the current Superintendent/President and launching the Verdugo Power Academy, a hallmark of success as a collaborative vocational education effort in our City. During his presidency, GCC was the only California college to receive accreditation commendation for Leadership and Governance. He is an advocate of increasing student graduation/ transfer rates, lowering textbook costs, partnerships with comm nity organizations, and online education.”

“During my tenure, we instituted the first, real, fiscal reserve policy at GCC…5%, started televising the Board meetings, and helped create the Verdugo Power Academy…which has graduated three classes, has a hiring record of over 80% and brought in over $1.0 million in needed revenue to the college. However, one of our best accomplishments during this period is the hiring of Dr. Dawn Lindsay as our Superintendent/President. But there is much more to be done. We need to finish the new addition to our Garfield Campus, make sure our accreditation is maintained, and manage a multi-year budget crisis because of the State’s fisca problems.”

Vartan Gharpetian

Vahe Peroomian

Tony Tartaglia

Entrepreneur

Mary W. Boger, Todd Hunt, Nayiri Nahabedian, Dan Cabrera, Ingrid Gunnell, Jennifer Freemon,

Incumbent Businessman Incumbent Retired Teacher Classroom Teacher Educator

Glendale Unified School District Supports Measure S Measure S may be the best chance that the Glendale school district has of preserving funding, and they are calling on voter support. According to a prepared statement, thirteen years ago, over 74 percent of local voters approved Measure K to fund school improvements.

The projects were completed six years ahead of schedule, saving taxpayers millions, including leveraging $180 million in state matching funds.

Measure K was intended only to fund the first phase of upgrades and many needs remain.

Measure S will provide local funding to complete the nextphase of upgrades.

Importantly, Measure S offers the potential to free up millions in local funding to protect core academic programs, retain qualified teachers and maintain smaller class sizes.

Taxpayer protections and fiscal accountability are mandatory: Tax rates would not increase beyond what we paid in 2009-2010 All funds would stay local for our schools. Independent citizen oversight and annual audits ensure the funds are spent properly No funds may be used for administrator salaries For more information, visit www.

Yes4S.com.

For more information: http://www.glendalevotes.org/

6

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

NEWS

College Addresses Accreditation Issues

By Ashley Carey

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

tudents can rest easy regarding the safety of their credits.

After years of accreditation issues, and one warning status later, it seems that GCC is back on track.

Back in 2004, the college was visited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The visiting team from this Western-U.S. based commission left the college with a list1 of 10 recommendations.

These would ensure continued accreditation by the governmentofficiated committee.

The recommendations covered things like addressing technology needs, completing

timely employee evaluations, and developing a comprehensive Educational Master Plan for the school.

The ACCJC team visited again in 2007 to create a focused midterm report2 on the issues.

This updated report addressed the college’s specific goals to meet each recommendation before the 2010 deadline. However, due to legislative, administrative, and financial chaos on campus, the college simply lacked the resources to fix the issues. The report reflected that fact, and GCC was given another chance.

In May of 2010, the ACCJC sent a new team to GCC to draft a Final Evaluation Team Report3.

This report presented a list of nine new recommendations. Some

were revised versions of previous recommendations, like employee evaluations (which were still incomplete.)

Others, like measures preventing overheating of campus Internet servers, were entirely new.

One month later, the ACCJC issued a letter of action4. The team deemed GCC’s progress not up to par, and left the college with an “On Warning” accreditation status.

The warning made much of the students and faculty uneasy. Accreditation is vital for any legitimate college. Only accredited schools are eligible for federal funding, and only students of accredited schools are eligible for federal financial aid.

Accreditation also puts a

high value on the credits earned at a college. Credits from nonaccredited institutions generally do not transfer to those that are properly accredited.

March 15, 2011, marked the due date for GCC’s own followup report5 regarding compliance with ACCJC recommendations.

On Monday, the ACCJC team will return to investigate and verify the claims in our follow-up report.

The team will meet with small groups of GCC administrators directly involved with the four specific accreditation issues, and form their own report.

“We believe we are in contention with the recommendations,” said Jill Lewis, Manager of Accreditation & Program Review at GCC. The initial warning status was no surprise to the school, Lewis said. This marks the first time that GCC has touted full compliance with ACCJC recommendations.

Once the visiting team submits their report on Monday to the ACCJC for executive review, GCC will receive no news until

the end of June, or perhaps even early July. Then, perhaps finally, our accreditation will be safe and free of warnings.

(1) The complete list of recommendations from the 2004 report is available on the GCC website at http://www.glendale. edu/index.aspx?page=1278.

(2) The complete 2007 focused midterm report can be found at http://www.glendale.edu/index. aspx?page=1279.

(3) The May 2010 Final Evaluation Team Report can be found at http://www.glendale. edu/Modules/ShowDocument. aspx?documentid=7430.

(4) The June 2010 ACCJC Action Letter can be found at http://www.glendale.edu/ Modules/ShowDocument. aspx?documentid=7431.

(5) The March 2011 GCC follow-up report can be found at http://www.glendale.edu/ Modules/ShowDocument. aspx?documentid=9840.

Ashley Carey can be reached at Ashley_Carey@elvaq.com

Student Government Joins March 4 March

By Michelle Bowles EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

R

Graphic by Ashley Carey

epresentatives from the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC) traveled to Sacramento to demonstrate in the March 4 March for higher education on March 14.

There were 20,000 people at the march. These students, faculty and even concerned citizens joined together from campuses all over the state. They all marched together across the State Capitol to protect California schools.

The members of the ASGCC that attended the rally were Janet Shamilian, Pedro Kim, Ani Tatintsyan, Anahit Grigoryan, Suzy Sargsyan, Tryra Quinones, Hayarripi Nersisyan, and Nerses Aposhian.

The dedicated team representing GCC met at the school at 3:30 a.m., then flew to Sacramento and gathered at the state capitol. These students are doing what they can to put a stop

to the dramatic budget cuts that are affecting the higher education programs of California.

“We’re doing everything in our power to defend our school,” ASGCC President, Janet Shamilian said.

The event was an important opportunity for students to stand up for what they believe.

They came together and rallied, protested and even talked to legislators about how the budget cuts are affecting their lives.

March 4 March was a crucial event for all 2.9 million students in California colleges. The ASGCC went to this event understanding that the month of March is an essential time in the state’s budget cycle. Many decisions still must be made, signatures are still needed and ballots are still pending. Basically, the budget is still being negotiated. The Gov. is attempting to get a measure on the June ballot to extend taxes that will benefit the schools in California.

[See March, page 7]

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

7

FEATURES

Riding the Bus Has its Ups and Downs

By Vaughn Lawrence EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

Y

our cell phone violently interrupts the pleasant, nearly unnoticeable sounds of morning. Suddenly, you don’t hear birds chirping or feel the warm rays of sun running across your unsuspecting face.

All you hear is the nagging jack hammer that is your alarm. You look at your phone as it dances as if it were a freshly caught fish attempting to find its way back into the body of water it calls home. You grab the phone as it wriggles through your fingers and check the time.

The alarm has been going off for 15 minutes: not so alarming after all. After throwing on whatever clothes look the least foolish and going through an abridged morning schedule with machine-like efficiency, you make your way out the door.

Walking is too slow, and you find yourself going from brisk jog to a full sprint. You arrive at your regular bus stop only to be left in agony. You watch with wide eyes as your bus sputters away.

You missed the bus.

Students at GCC who take the bus have to deal with situations like this. They miss buses and are late for class, but through all of the inconveniences of relying on a bus, they manage to find positive aspects.

Away from the sea of cars that populates the campus parking lot and the lots adjacent to the school, one can find these students who wait at bus stops located near the school.

Students who take the bus to school get a social experience, save money, and endure struggles that differ from finding a premium parking spot.

Riding the bus can be like a love-hate relationship.

Student Casey Avina hates the bus. “[Taking] the bus sucks,” Avina said.

Avina takes the bus whenever she has to go to or leave school,

and in that sense she is a typical bus rider. To get from her home to GCC, Avina has to take three different buses.

She has had difficulties with riding the bus, such as losing patience and becoming frustrated when she misses the bus or when it comes late.

Avina is not the only student who has been inconvenienced by riding the bus. Many frequent bus riders have stories to tell about the hassles they have had.

Lance Cohill is another GCC student who has had trouble with the bus.

“I missed two classes last week because the bus just drove past me,” said Cohill.

Andrew Estrada also knows what it is like to miss classes because he was not able to get on his bus.

“One time it didn’t show up,” said Estrada.

Aside from buses occasionally passing by riders, those who ride the bus also have to wake up early and plan ahead of time.

Tuevo Bodtcher said that to catch his bus, “I wake up super early.” Bodtcher wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready for school.

No matter how students get to GCC, there are certain problems.

When driving, the parking spots fill up fast. When riding a bicycle or similar transportation methods, there is an endurance factor.

Riding the bus has unique problems because if a rider misses the bus, the only way to alleviate the situation is to wait for the next bus.

Even though bus riders cope with certain difficulties there is a positive side to taking this form of transportation.

Students who take the bus save money.

“I probably save $100 to $200 a month,” said Bodtcher.

Riding the Metro costs $1.50, and the Beeline only costs a quarter. Full-time students can purchase Metro monthly bus passes for $36, and Beeline monthly passes are available for $12.

www.elvaq.com

Joseph Siasat rides the Beeline to and from school. He said that he does not mind paying for it because it costs a quarter.

“I save a lot of money,” said Siasat.

Marcos Cuateco who rides the bus every Monday and Wednesday said that he saves “probably around $10 a week.”

Along with saving money, riding the bus is its own social experience.

“Some people might get the stigma that only poor people ride the bus, but people from all walks of life take the bus,” said Cuateco.

Cuateco said that people ride the bus for different reasons: some because they do not have a car, some have damaged vehicles, and others want to save money.

“You meet a lot of interesting

people,” said Cuateco.

Bodtcher said that bus riders can meet people in a way they could not when driving in a car or while using any other form of transport. A bus is filled with strangers, and after taking the bus everyday at the same time it is natural to meet up with the same people.

Meeting people while riding the bus is a positive aspect of the experience, and riders are not opposed to it.

“It’s exciting because different things happen,” said Estrada.

Adding to the upside of riding the bus, riders do not have to deal with the stresses of driving.

There is no road rage involved.

The buses themselves run on natural gas, which is clean and more environmentally friendly than driving an automobile.

Also, some buses come every 15 minutes, and both the Beeline and Metro have websites that provide bus schedules, allowing riders to plan their trips in advance.

If walking to the bus stop is takes too long, students can also ride their bicycles to the stop and then place it onto the bicycle rack that the buses offer.

Most students will never ride the bus to and from school, but despite a few pitfalls the bus is an overall positive experience for those who do ride it regularly.

Students can actually benefit from riding the bus, while having a better time than they may have expected.

“It’s just you, your backpack, and a bus” said Bodtcher.

Vaughn Lawrence can be reached at Vaughn_Lawrence@elvaq.com

Student Protest [March, from page 6] California is known for having the largest higher education system in the world. The state also prides itself in being the most affordable system of higher education in the United States, according to Nanette Asimov of the Article Collections of Sacramento.

These qualities were exactly what the protesters at March 4 March were fighting to keep.

Everyone in California is feeling the consequences of the $26.2 billion budget gap.

In order to help close the loose ends, Gov. Jerry Brown is being forced to cut $1.4 billion from higher education programs.

If this is successful, students may face the loss of their winter and summer sessions.

They may lose out on the opportunity to join any sports teams. The demand for classes will increase. The chances of getting the classes needed to transfer or graduate will become even more difficult that they already are.

In order to stop this from happening, a series of events must first take place. First, two Republicans from the state senate and two votes from the Republican member of the state of California must vote in favor of putting the tax extensions on

the June Ballot.

Shamilian, who is also a student member of the Board of Trustees, said that members of the student government landed in Sacramento with a plan. At last year’s March 4 March she saw that the majority of students and protestors spent their time outside of the capitol, chanting and marching.

This year ASGCC decided to spend their time talking directly with the Republican legislators, trying to convince them to vote in favor of putting the tax extensions on the June ballot.

Before they faced them, they launched a letter writing campaign. They set up a booth when they arrived at the capitol.

They asked everyone at the rally to write a letter explaining how the budget cuts have been affecting them personally.

“The stack was huge as well as heavy, and the project was difficult but it was worth it. We surprised everyone,” Shamilian said.

At the end of the campaign they had a total of 500 letters.

The ASGCC members made 30 copies of each letter and sorted them according to zip codes.

Once completed, they handed over the large stack of letters to the legislator of the zip code they worked for. This way the legislators were personally

confronted with students from their own district.

“We just want the tax extensions on the ballot. We just want the choice to vote for what we are after,” Nerses Aposhian, representative at large for ASGCC, said.

If this is successful then the residents of California will have an opportunity to vote on tax extensions that the ASGCC supports. The extensions will release some of the pressure from the budget cuts on the school systems.

In the end, after all of this is accomplished everything will lay in the hands of California residents.

After the rally the students began to realize that they were not getting any direct answers.

When they left the march, nine Republicans were still undecided. They did not leave discouraged, but with hope.

“It was a great experience to go to the capitol and be able to speak with the legislators.

It gave us an opportunity to see their point of view and reasoning for why they are doing what they are doing,” Aposhian said.

Michelle Bowles can be reached at Michelle_Bowles@elvaq.com

8

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

‘Green’ Construction Subject of Lecture

By Vaughn Lawrence EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

light breezes and sunny days are commonplace in Southern California.

Both the wind and sun produce energy that can be harvested and converted into electricity. This energy is called green energy.

GCC held a green lecture on Wednesday, March 16 detailing different methods of how individuals and schools can go green.

Larry Eisenberg, the executive director for facailities planning and development for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), gave the lecture at GCC. Going green is not a process that involves planting greenery or painting the school accordingly.

It is the movement that involves harnessing forms of energy from the sun and wind as opposed to burning fossil fuels or coal.

“If we do it green we are going to save the world,” said Eisenberg.

The main point of the lecture was that schools such as GCC and those in the LACCD should move toward going “off the grid” by using renewable energy sources.

Going off the grid refers to the power grid, and there are options that Eisenberg presented that allow schools to stop receiving energy from external sources.

The necessary components to achieving that goal are making use of energy sources and energy storage.

The majority of energy sources currently used to generate power are called dirty energy sources.

The burning of fossil fuels and

coal releases pollutants into the environment, making them dirty.

Nuclear energy is another form of energy that produces toxic waste so it is also considered dirty energy. It is a great way to produce mass amounts of power, but Eisenberg said that nuclear power has two main drawbacks.

The first is “what do you do with the waste?” and “the other basic issue is safety,” said Eisenberg.

Another pitfall of nuclear energy is that “all known uranium sources in the world will last 60 more years at the present rate of consumption,” said Eisenberg.

That is not a lot of time, but perhaps enough to find an alternative.

Eisenberg said that “here in Los Angeles, 50 percent of our power comes from coal.”

The amount of renewable energy sources only account for 8 percent of power nationwide.

Eisenberg discussed options that could easily be available to GCC. The main renewable energy sources that could most easily come to GCC are solar panels (also called photovoltaic panels), and wind turbines.

There is also a new type of turbine that Eisenberg referred to as the Wind Jet. He said the Wind Jet trumps all other renewable energy sources.

Unlike normal wind turbines that start turning at 17 mph, and have to be stopped at 50 mph to avoid catastrophic failure, the Wind Jet becomes more stable as its speed increases.

Eisenberg explained that photovoltaic panels are the same as solar panels, and they convert energy from the sun into useable electricity.

Have you seen our magazine?

Online Exclusives

gccinsider.com

Photovoltaic panels could easily be installed on the roofs of GCC’s buildings or be used to create shade in our school parking lot.

Along with the photovoltaic panels, Eisenberg showed examples of how small wind turbines can be used at GCC. GCC, both the main campus and Garfield, use about three megawatts of power per year. A megawatt is 1 million watts. A light bulb only requires 60 watts of energy to be turned on; this puts the amount of three megawatts in better perspective.

The Wind Jet can produce nine megawatts of power, or enough power to sustain three GCCs. If GCC had a Wind Jet not only would it be off the grid, but it could sell all of the remaining power the jet will have produced.

Seeing as there are various methods of producing green energy, the step after production would naturally be storage.

Storing energy at a school allows the school to use power without it having to travel at all.

Power is not directly created at GCC, and power is not directly

created in our homes. If it was, there would be no need for power lines.

Power that runs through those lines is inevitably lost throughout its travels.

“About 55 percent of the power that we generate is lost,” said Eisenberg.

Eisenberg said that the energy storage process was the easiest aspect of going green, and getting off the grid. He showed pictures of a nitrogen storage cell in his presentation explaining how it could be used for energy storage.

“This is not rocket science, this is not Martian technology,” said Eisenberg.

He also spoke about simple ways that energy could be conserved.

“The number one best thing to do to save energy is adding insulation,” said Eisenberg.

Other ways of conserving energy include having a system to monitor how energy is used, and installing occupancy sensors in rooms.

Occupancy sensors can determine whether or not there are people in a specific room. If there

are people in the room, the lights come on. If no one is around, the lights go off. Eisenberg said that the technology has been improving to be able to better sense whether there are actually people around the sensor.

Eisenberg jokingly said, “if you are dead, yes you can hide in the room.”

This discussion of going green leads to the question, why aren’t schools taking these steps towards energy independence?

“The most prevalent reason is fear… [and] when you have something new and different it makes people crazy,” said Eisenberg.

If GCC wants to move toward going green Eisenberg presented options that will allow that to become reality.

To find the information that Eisenberg gave in his lecture, and information about how LACCD is going green, visit laccdbuildsgreen.org.

Vaughn Lawrence can be reached at Vaughn_Lawrence@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

9

FEATURES

Scholars Take on Water Project for Charity

By Lillian Wu

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

haris Harootun knows that she cannot change everything in the world. But if she can change a little, then that would mean a lot to her.

As vice president of community service for Alpha Gamma Sigma at Glendale Community College, she finds organizations that the academic honor society could join.

“I’m always researching volunteer opportunities and community service events for our members,” Harootun said.

“I think about issues and serious things that are happening around the world and I Google about it to see how I can get myself involved and help out with other people.”

Harootun was searching for new organizations online when the Water Project appeared in the search. She did more research about them and felt that it was important to bring awareness about this issue because many people do not know that other countries lack clean water.

The Water Project is a nonprofit organization that builds wells in countries such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda and India. Donors are updated about the building progress and are sent pictures, global positioning coordinates and a community report of the final product.

Depending on the location, it costs an average of $4,500 to $6,500 to build a well, which will last for 10 years. The costs include the construction of the well and long-term monitoring. Donations will also fund the well pumps, drill bits, fuel, crew’s wages and repairing rigs.

The Water Project fundraiser will last until May 28. AGS posted fliers around the GCC campus that listed various ways that GCC can help. Three steps are listed, but it is actually one challenge.

The first is to avoid drinking any type of beverage other than water. The Water Project suggests tap or filtered water as the drink of choice because bottled water is too expensive and wasteful.

The money that would have gone toward purchasing soda, juice, milk or bottled water is then donated to the Water Project.

The Water Project uses the proceeds from the donation to build wells in villages that do not have clean or safe water.

Henan Joof, advisor to AGS and outreach coordinator at GCC, said the AGS cabinet agreed to participate in this worthwhile event after a few brainstorming sessions. At first, the fundraiser was going to be an AGS event for the club, but then Harootun realized that extending the fundraiser to the GCC campus allows students and faculty to become aware of the water issues in other countries.

Out of many organizations available to help, this was the one that drew her attention. Harootun, a business administration major, has been thinking about this concern since the beginning of college and would like to work for a non-profit or open her own non-profit.

“I am really passionate about bringing awareness and about serious issues that are happening around the world,” Harootun said. “Yes, we need to help with the issues here locally, but also around the world because there is a lot happening.

“I feel that as generations go on, we will become more aware of environmental and social issues.

Our generation is the start of it.

We are going to be more aware of how precious our environment is and how we can’t be so wasteful and so naïve about consuming.”

According to the Water Project’s website, 1 billion people suffer from not having access to clean drinking water. The website also states that 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.

“We could go now and pay a dollar for a bottle of water maybe even more,” Harootun said. “It’s so bizarre to me. How can we be so comfortable here while people have to walk miles just to get water… not even clean water?”

Other students also realize the impact of the lack of clean water.

Bianca Saleebyan, newsletter editor for AGS, said the importance of fresh water consumption is something that is easily overlooked because it is such an automatic and natural thing.

“In recent weeks, the Los Angeles Times has published several articles about the threat of pollution to the L.A. River, the Pacific Ocean and our freshwater supply,” Saleebyan said. “Just reading those articles and taking into account how much we are

taking for granted by polluting our water supply when others don’t have any inspired me to participate in the Water Project.”

Some students will not participate in the challenges listed on the flier. Saleebyan said she does not drink soda, coffee or tea on a regular basis. With some occasional exceptions, she prefers to drink water.

“Since I really do not spend much money on beverages, I feel it would be more beneficial to make a flat $20 or $30 donation rather than participating as the fliers advertise,” Saleebyan said.

Saleebyan said that Harootun and Isaac Pedraza, secretary for AGS, will track the members’ participation in the Water Project.

AGS has set a goal of $200.

“I’m not sure exactly how many people are participating or who they are, but I do know we have already achieved over half our target amount in AGS,” Saleebyan said.

“Naturally, it would be wonderful if we go over our projected amount of donations to further serve the organization and help provide water to more people,” Saleebyan said.

Additionally, Harootun said she will ask members for their opinions at the end of the fundraiser.

“To be honest, I’m pretty sure that a lot of people aren’t going to do the challenge,” Harootun said.

“But the fact is, they saw [the flier] and they were interested in it.”

Harootun said she set up the entire fundraiser through the Water Project website. “They are a really good organization. You can tell they really want people to raise money.

“The important thing that I tell AGS members is that $10 can give one person clean water for 10 years.”

Students can help with the Water Project in various ways by donating, researching the issue on the website and spreading the word. “This is an individual event for people to do on their own time. This is just something you do for yourself,” Harootun said.

“The greater effect to those participating or who hear about the challenge is education,” Joof said. “We need more people to be aware of the difficulties villagers face in accessing potable water.

They will also see how easy it is for them to make a contribution

Photoillustration by Ian Cervantes

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE AND NOT A DROP TO DRINK: Sharis Harootun, vice president of community service for Alpha

Gamma Sigma challenges the campus community to donate to the Water Project, an organization that builds wells in Africa. AGS is accepting donations for the Water Project until May 28.

and make a difference.”

Students can donate cash or write checks to the Water Project and send them to the student outreach services office located in the Sierra Madre Building 266.

Although the official deadline for AGS members is April 5, members will accept donations from March 22 until May 28.

Harootun and AGS members have been actively involved in the Glendale community and the Los Angeles area. Last year, they adopted Venice Beach to do beach cleanup because it is considered one of the dirtiest beaches in California.

AGS also volunteers with the Los Angeles Food Bank and the University of Southern California Friends and Neighbors Service Day. They also volunteer with PATH Achieve in Glendale, which is an organization that helps people find a house or a job.

For more information about the Water Project, please visit http:// thewaterproject.org/community/ profile/sharis-harootun or e-mail Sharis at gccagsvpcommservice@ gmail.com.

Lillian Wu can be reached at Lillian_Wu@elvaq.com

elvaq.com

10

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

Student Shaken by Japanese Disaster

By Ashley Carey

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

K

enta Yamashita was at home in Pasadena when the March 11 earthquake hit Japan. But he felt the whole thing.

Yamashita, an aviation major at GCC, was in a Skype video call with his family in Tokyo that Thursday n i g h t .

He was meeting his newborn nephew for the first time when the image on the screen started to shake. He began to panic as his memory flashed back to a terrifying day just one week after his eighth birthday Yamashita moved to the United States six years ago. But in January of 1995, he and his family

lived in Osaka. On January 17, 1995, a 6.8 earthquake devastated Hanshin, the area between Osaka and Kobe. Yamashita was only a child, but the destruction that resulted left a permanent mark.

“I experienced a huge earthquake, and right after that I saw the burning homes and buildings,” he said. “I was too young.”

Yamashita knew the Kobe area well. Seeing such a familiar place in ruins was nothing short of traumatizing.

The television footage left him with a panic disorder that he still deals with Kenta Yamashita today.

Though he was safe in California on the night of March 10, Yamashita felt the shaking in his own body. He cried out for his family to cut the gas line, to

Photo by Kenta Yamashita

HELP JAPAN: International students Shiho Mochizuki and Miyu Sasaki collect donations at Plaza Vaquero on March 17, six days after the Sendai earthquake and tsunami.

take shelter. His mother yelled back for him to finish cooking his pasta. He was more afraid than they were.

Yamashita’s mother, sister and nephew evacuated to Nagasaki on March 15 to stay with his grandparents. His father remained in Tokyo to continue working.

“Most people in Tokyo can’t leave,” he said. The Japanese culture puts great emphasis on hard work. After the disaster, many people just wanted to go back to work.

Yamashita’s friend Mikiko lives in Sendai, where the earthquake and tsunami hit the hardest. She was waiting for her friends at a train station when the ground began to shake. Unable to stand, she crouched to the ground.

“I can die like this,” she thought.

The earthquake continued for two minutes.

When it was finally over, she walked home in high heels that left blisters. The tsunami that followed the quake had begun destroying her city. She passed a bus stop in ruins, and saw a road collapse. An hour later, she

arrived home in the dark. The power was out everywhere.

“I feel so guilty because I have plenty of food and water,” she wrote on her blog. “My situation is much better than other people’s.”

Mikiko and her family remain safe in their well-designed home.

“Strict safety codes saved many lives,” Yamashita said about Japanese architecture. But he’s worried that aftershocks may weaken the buildings.

Yamashita frequently checked in with family and friends in the region. Despite his six years in America, his internal sense of time reset itself 16 hours ahead to Japanese time.

After the nuclear reactor coolant systems in Fukushima failed, the towers began to leak nuclear fuel. Yamashita stayed awake for days, constantly checking updated reports of Tokyo’s radiation levels.

“Japan should be in a state of emergency,” Yamashita said six days after the earthquake. At the time, it was still unsure whether the nuclear situation would

elevate. “The radiation leak is small for now, but it could get worse.”

Since then, power has been delivered to the Fukushima plant, and the cooling systems are functional again. Radiation levels rose and then dropped considerably. Still, as of March 24, the leak continues.

A group of Japanese students at GCC began collecting donations on campus the Monday following the disaster. So far, the students have raised more than $1,000 to be sent to the Japanese embassy.

Donations will greatly assist Japan in rebuilding its cities.

The maturity and diligence of the Japanese people have already proven to be a significant advantage in their recovery.

“We have a lot of experience with huge earthquakes,” Yamashita said. “I am pretty sure we can take care of this.”

More photos online at www.elvaq.com Ashley Carey can be reached at Ashley_Carey@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

11

OPINION

Skyrocketing Gas Prices Take Toll on Students

By Marlon Miranda EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

as prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, forcing students to reconsider their spending habits and spring break plans.

Students will feel a heavier burden during every day activities like going to work and school, thinking twice before driving to their local mall or fast food restaurants.

Local gas prices are now more than $4 a gallon, causing students with a tight budget to get even more creative when it comes to their finances.

“I remember when putting $40 of gas meant something, now it doesn’t even last me a week,” said Marlene Garcia, 19, nursing student.

Garcia attends GCC five times a week, usually spending all of Monday and Thursday on campus. Garcia lives in Burbank and because of the price hike, she has cut back on her outings.

“I used to drive home during free time, but sadly now I can’t afford it. [I’d] rather be [on] campus than spend gas on going home,” said Garcia Is there no cure? Respite? No remedy in sight, the prices are bad now but it seems as though they will only get worse as they year progresses. The problems in Libya can only add to the

problem.

The Chicago Sun Times reported gas prices will hit $5 before the summer and $7 before the end of the year.

Prices have seen a steady increase over the course of the year. The Los Angeles gas price chart reported that gas has risen 87 cents in the last 11 months.

Prices that were high in October, are now considered a bargain.

When Arco gasoline hit $3.87 on March it caused an uproar.

Lines formed around the block.

They were even mentioned in the L.A. Times and Pasadena StarNews as the best bargain in town.

Transportation is a key element in every person’s daily routine, be it public transportation or driving.

We rely on it every day.

Walking and biking are options that only work locally: you really can’t walk or bike to go a club or restaurant.

With students spending more of their budget on gas it has left them spending less money elsewhere.

“I stopped going out on the weekends. If I do go out I try and carpool with as many friends as I can. I had to cancel the road trip I was planning to have during break,” said Edward Ruano, 19, journalism major.

In some extreme cases students have lost their jobs due to the rise in gas prices. Student Mario Lopez was forced to quit

his pizza delivery job when the prices kept rising but his wages stayed the same.

“Working for Papa John’s was bad enough, I barely made ends meet. I drive about 28 miles a day at work. I had to quit my job, I was spending more money filling my tank than making going to work,” said Lopez.

The problem of gas prices is one that can’t be solved. Not every student can afford a hybrid or electric car.

Students who live far from campus seem to have the most trouble adjusting to the new prices.

There is nothing a student can do but endure the prices by subtracting income from other areas of their spending.

“I fill my tank whenever I need gas, I don’t like the prices but I just have to put up with it.

Driving 46 miles a week is not cheap,” said Nicole Rubio, 20, health science major.

Rubio lives in Glendale so driving back and forth hasn’t hurt her wallet as much.

The best way to put up with the increase in gas prices is to pay attention to the gas station signs.

Don’t settle for $4.17 a gallon when you can drive an extra mile and find it cheaper.

Photo by Tex Wells Marlon Miranda can be reached at Marlon_Miranda@elvaq.com

GOING UP: With the price of gas rising steadily, students are cutting back on travel, entertainment and even basic transportation.

Japan Disaster Provides a Humbling Example

By Marlon Miranda EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

C

ompassion needs to be redefined, when most are struggling to grasp trivial things.

Real disasters are occurring, tragic events that will change the lives of the people in Japan for centuries to come. Live life for today, tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Imagine walking down the street in the middle of the afternoon, maybe heading for a lunch break or just dropping off your child at school. The earth starts shaking, earth moves in a 9.0 richter magnitude; you run for cover and brace yourself for five long minutes as the Earth’s axis shifts about 6.5 inches. After the scare, you gather yourself and

try to regain composure. Eight minutes later you look up and see a 77-foot wave coming straight at you. But that isn’t the end of the tragedy, it’s just the beginning.

The earthquake that caused the tsunami is now the reason behind a nuclear meltdown. This isn’t the start of a Hollywood movie but the tragedy that continues to unfold in Japan.

What would you do, if this happened to you?

“Life is what happens to you, when your busy making other plans,” said John Lennon. When students are angry about gas prices and frustrated with the lack of availability of an iPad. Think of the pain and sadness and fear that has stricken Japan.

The 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami on March 11 laid waste

to Japan’s northeastern coast killing thousands of people and triggering at a nuclear power plant. Tens of thousands of people living near the plant were evacuated. Others further away were told to remain indoors and warned to especially avoid going out in the rain.

Californians get startled from our small earthquakes, but Japan’s aftershocks have been higher than those earthquakes.

Japan’s government said the cost of the natural disasters that devastated Japan’s northeast could reach $309 billion, which would make it the world’s most expensive natural disaster on record.

Even for the third wealthiest country in the world, this is a tab that can’t easily be paid.

Making matters worse is the fact that Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the U.S. have begun restricting food imports from Japan as elevated radiation levels were found outside the evacuation radius around the damaged Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant.

This is a tragedy that should be mourned and not taken lightly. Americans seem to be desensitized and treat wars and death like a video game. There is no restart button in life, real problems cannot be overlooked or shrugged off.

If the Japanese government’s projection proves correct, it will top the losses from Hurricane Katrina. The 2005 “megastorm” that ravaged New Orleans and the surrounding region cost to $125

billion according to the Insurance Information Institution.

Nippon Hoso Kyokao a Japan Broadcasting Corporation NHK reported that as of March 22, the official death toll was raised to more than 9,500 with more than 16,000 missing. The final toll is expected to reach nearly omit 20,000.

Searching for family members has been difficult with multiple aftershocks at an average of 6.0 magnitude. Imagine the pain of not knowing if a family member is dead or just missing.

It’s enough to turn a reasonable person insane. Amidst the natural disaster and economic burden the real issue is all the lost souls who are missing or dead. Broken [See Japan, page 16]

12

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

L.A. Fashion Week Celebrated by Project Ethos

Photos by Ian Cervantes ON THE CATWALK: Sarah E. DeBlank, above, of the indie rock band Robotanists, on stage singing at the Avalon in Hollywood for Project Ethos’ event for Fashion Week L.A. The Robotanists opened the fashion show by performing songs from their new album “Plans in Progress.” Backstage at the Avalon, below left, clockwise, models show off designs by Kymaro Cardi, of Cardiwrap By Kymaro. Melina Perez, second from left, is an 18-year-old model and student at College of the Canyons in Valencia. Perez is wearing a Fall 2011 design by Melissa Velia inspired by the movies “Nightmare before Christmas” and the “Black Swan.” A runway model, far left, wears a houndstooth dress from Seth Aaron Henderson’s fall collection. Designer Alicia Wood, of MsWood, designed the Geta (Chinese/Japanese traditional footwear) ballerina-inspired shoes. See related story, page 15.

13

14

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

OPINION

Big Brother or Facebook? It’s Hard to Differentiate

By Agnes Constante EL VAQUERO COPY EDITOR

Cover Story

I

n his 1949 novel “1984,” George Orwell coined the popular slogan, “Big Brother is watching you.” In the fictional world he created, everyone was put under surveillance and heavily scrutinized.

Although this dystopia was meant to exist 27 years ago, technology has made Orwell’s 1984 world a reality of 2011.

“Big Brother” keeps his eye over the world today, and we’re all being watched.

With the advent of Facebook in 2004, it has become hundreds of times easier to keep track of virtually everyone’s activities and whereabouts.

Because every move made in cyberspace is tracked, and since that’s where many spend a considerable amount of time, Big Brother knows more about who we are than we probably realize.

It’s not just that all of your friends, and maybe even people who aren’t your friends, have access to every wall post you share, status update you post, photo you upload, message you send, and even instant message you fire away: it’s that Mark Zuckerberg owns EVERYTHING you do via Facebook.

Yep, all that stuff posted does NOT belong to the individual who transmits the content online.

When a user signs up for Facebook there’s a point in the process where the person has to get past a CAPTCHA. (This is a security measure that involves

typing a display of distorted letters into a field to confirm that a person is creating an account.

It is implemented to prevent the automated creation of multiple accounts.)

Immediately underneath the CAPTCHA is the sign up button, and underneath that is a teeny little sentence that reads, “By clicking Sign Up, you are indicating that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.”

Although there are surely people who have taken the time to read Facebook’s terms and privacy policy, the lengthy jargon probably deters a greater number from understanding exactly what it is they’ve signed up for.

Well, of the seemingly countless lines of terms and conditions, there are two sections that state Facebook essentially owns whatever you do on Facebook, both of which come from its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (which was previously called “Terms and Conditions”): “For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (“IP content”), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (“IP License”). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with

others, and they have not deleted it.”

What this verbose chunk of text means is that Facebook can do essentially anything it wishes with your intellectual property — your expression of thoughts and ideas through writing, photos, and videos — posted on the social networking site. And if the company makes money off of your writing, photos, or videos, you don’t get compensated for it.

In the FAQ section of this social networking utility, it is stated that users retain copyright to their content. But what does that really matter when Facebook is allowed to make money off of your intellectual property without giving you part of the profit?

Basically, Facebook holds just as much copyright to your content as you do.

Fortunately, there’s a way to terminate Facebook’s license to your content.

Well, sort of.

The previously cited text states that Facebook’s license to your intellectual property “ends when you delete your IP content or your account.”

Unfortunately, if your content somehow remains on the account of another user, whether that user was tagged in a photo or if the user saved your content and uploaded it into his or her account, Facebook still has the right to use the content the same way as if it were still on your account.

Another way that Facebook may circumvent users’ absolute right to control over their content is stated in another wordy section in its Statement of Rights and

Responsibilities: “When you delete IP content, it is deleted in a manner similar to emptying the recycle bin on a computer. However, you understand that removed content may persist in backup copies for a reasonable period of time (but will not be available to others).”

When a recycle bin on a computer is emptied, files aren’t completely erased in that instant.

In fact, they can actually be recovered, depending on how long ago the files have been deleted. (Files can be retrieved if attempted in a timely manner, before the computer saves something new to the partition of the hard drive that has been cleared.)

What does the company mean by “a reasonable period of time?”

Does that mean that everything put on Facebook remains floating around in cyberspace indefinitely?

Who exactly are the “others” that deleted content won’t be available to? Other users? What does the company get to do with the “backup copies” of content?

There doesn’t appear to be any clear definition of these references in Facebook’s terms.

If that’s not enough to worry about, there’s also the fact that the social networking utility tracks down the browser you use, the pages you visit, your location, and your IP address. Since IP addresses are unique to specific locations, it’s easy to figure out where a person lives, works or goes to school.

There’s also Places, a feature Facebook launched in August 2010 that allows users to announce

their exact location, who they’re with, and what they’re doing on their walls.

It’s probably a fun thing to do since many people publicize their whereabouts and activities. But for those who use this feature, it’s important to keep in mind that by doing so, a multibillion-dollar company has recorded your location, and potentially your activity and companions with you at that time.

At the moment, the information you put up is used in a couple of ways.

Your “likes” on Facebook are used so companies can more specifically target their advertisements.

By default, your Facebook profile is made available to public search engines so that anyone who types your name into Google or Bing may stumble across your page.

Also, before using an app or playing a game, it is necessary to grant the third party hosting the app or game to access your basic information, including your “name, profile picture, gender, networks, user ID, list of friends, and any other information I’ve shared with everyone.” In January, Facebook extended the scope of information to which these third parties can request access, including your address and phone number.

Anything put up online is subject to scrutiny.

When the Patriot Act passed in 2001, the government gained the legal authority to increase [See Facebook, page 15]

Campus Comments How Do You Feel About Social Media?

Ana Tan 20

Kevin Flores 20

Ani Chobanyan 19

Steve Zadoorian 24

Clinical Science

Philosophy

Biology

Undecided

“It’s good for networking and fiding opportunities, especially for our age.”

“I feel that in some ways, it’s progressive but also regressive in the ways that we communicate.”

“I’m against it.”

“It’s okay. It’s useful and I can keep in touch with friends from GCC and other colleges.”

­­—Compiled by Kate Krantz and photographed by Vaughn Lawrence

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

15

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Project Ethos Showcases New Designers

By Adriana Orellana EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

See Related Photos Pages 12-13

P

roject Ethos started off Los Angeles Fashion Week on March 12 at the Avalon Hollywood nightclub. It featured an exciting array of eight fabulous emerging designers including Seth Aaron Henderson, the winner of Project Runway season seven, and musical performances

by Yolanda Be Cool and The Robotanists.

The theme of the night was “Carpe Diem” (seize the day). Audience members and designers mingled at the Honey Lounge inside of Avalon, and ate delicious green tea, lemon, and red velvet-flavored cupcakes from Tasty Cups.

The fun, hip and eclectic night started off with indie rock band The Robotanists performing a couple of songs off its new record, “Plans in Progress.”

Project Ethos allowed the young and talented designers to show their creativity to the Angelino audience of about 2,000.

Designers included Melissa Velia, Kristi Moon (Age of Aquarius), Dominique Ansari, Reneta Jhunjhnuwala (Reneta J), Ermelinda Manos, Cardiwrap

by Kymaro, Frederick’s of Hollywood Swimwear, and Seth Aaron Henderson.

Project Ethos, which came together in 2005, aims at being the distinctive spirit of a culture

or an era, closing the gap between indie and mainstream for emerging artists.

The Frederick’s of Hollywood swimwear collection featured various two-piece swimsuit designs in red, black, blue and white, and were decorated with rhinestones and jewelry. The swimsuit collection was racy and provocative, a characteristic of the style of Frederick’s of Hollywood.

The Age of Aquarius collection, designed by Kristi Moon, featured eco-friendly casual sportswear clothing. Moon used biodegradable, sustainable, and organic fabrics for all of her garments.

“My designs are influenced by the ’70s as well as American sportswear designers,” said Moon. “And since I am a humanitarian, I want to make a difference in helping reduce my carbon footprint so that is why I use low impact dyes.”

The Age of Aquarius collection featured a more modern version of ’70s clothing.

It can be worn during the day and easily transition to evening wear, with hip button-up jackets and pantsuits in colors like blue, black, and purple. Moon said the main thing that L.A. Fashion Week needs is the support of sponsors and to create a bigger buzz so that more people become aware of it.

Dominique Ansari’s collection was filled with statement pieces in rich colors

Opinion [Facebook, from page 14] surveillance measures for national security reasons.

Among a number of things, it allows authorities to wiretap phone calls and electronic communications.

Guess what kind of communication Facebook is.

Big Brother knows so much about us and it’s really unnerving. Credit card transactions can reveal where you prefer to shop, phone bills show the people you

text and call most frequently, and customer service hotlines sometimes monitor phone calls for ‘quality assurance purposes.’

If you have a Facebook profile, what does it reveal about you? In addition to the fact that whatever is on there doesn’t belong to you, Big Brother can see everything because he’s still watching.

Agnes Constante can be reached at Agnes_Constante@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Photo by Ian Cervantes

HOUNDSTOOTH IS BACK: Seth Aaron Henderson, the winner of Project Runway Season Seven, debuts his ready-to-wear line at Project Ethos’ Los Angeles Fashion Week Event at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood.

like red, gray, white, turquoise, and black. It was aimed toward the young, beautiful, and bold women of today. The designs in the collection included oneshoulder dresses and jumpsuits that emphasize the beauty of a woman’s body in a delicate and classy way, while still looking very sophisticated.

“My inspiration for this collection is the warm weather of Los Angeles, and I want women to feel sexy and classy at the same time, all while being comfortable,” said Ansari.

The Cardi Wrap by Kymaro collection showed multifunctional styles of cardigans, shawls, scarves, and wraps that can transform into another style with a simple bow, bangle bracelets, or brooch.

The Cardi Wraps, made of viscose, a material which has a silky appearance and feel, are lightweight and manageable.

The material drapes onto each woman’s body and showcases her figure. The Cardi Wraps, which are available in seven colors, were shown twisted, tossed, knotted, and wrapped.

A very cute and feminine collection was that of Ermelinda Manos, which showed soft colors throughout the short and ruffled dresses, accented by belts and embroidery. The dresses were fresh and light with breezy material and textures.

The Reneta J collection was

fashionable, hip, and feminine.

It featured dresses, flowy shirts over black leggings, provocative shorts and skirts that emphasized the models’ bodies. Jhunjhnuwala aims to make every woman feel beautiful all over again, bring out her inner goddess and transform her into a fashion forward, trendy woman.

“I want women to be sexy, versatile, and have a variety of clothing for different women,” said Jhunjhnuwala.

Melissa Velia’s collection showcase started with a model/ ballerina dressed in an outfit from the collection. She wore ballet shoes, dancing on point across the runway. The audience knew at that moment that the collection would be different and distinctive. The outfits included long and dramatic dresses in black and burgundy with accents like ruffles and brooches. There were also combinations of shorter and tighter skirts with ruffled black shirts. Velia said she believes that for L.A. Fashion Week to compare with New York Fashion Week, the media has to promote it more, but it has come a long way.

“For me, fashion is an art, and I modeled this collection after Black Swan and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” said Velia.

For the finale of the show, Henderson debuted his readyto-wear line, which included basic colors of black and white

with pops of red. His collection captivated the audience because of the elegance of the designs.

The modern version was directed to the young audience.

“I was very inspired by a mixture all types of music for this collection, including ’30s, ’50s, Euro pop, Manson, and by the eras of the ’30s through ’50s,” said Henderson. “I also want to create all the new trends that have never been set.”

Henderson’s collection featured various hound’s tooth garments with red, black, and white. The collection was very elegant with waist-high dressy pants, tight knee- and calflength dresses, and structured blouses. It included tilted hats and gloves, very appropriate for the eras which inspired him. It was very chic, sophisticated and appropriate for a business outing.

Vitaminwater Zero, the official sponsor of the event, held the “Flavor Fashionista Challenge.”

This required designers to create an outfit inspired by the vitaminwater zero flavor they were given within a $200 budget.

The winner, Jhunjhnuwala, received a prize valued up to $3,000 for her vibrant outfit.

The night ended with an upbeat and danceable performance

by Yolanda Be Cool, who also performed their famous hit, “We Speak No Americano.”

Adriana Orellana can be reached at adriana_orellana@elvaq.com

16

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Former Dance Student to Host Benefit

By Jane Pojawa

EL VAQUERO PRODUCTION MANAGER

R

yan Olaes, once a star of Glendale’s dance department, is the exception to the rule: an art major who actually works as an artist. In this case, as a professional dancer.

As dancer and chanteuse Gia Ryan, Olaes has been entertaining adoring fans at the Palms nightclub for a couple of years, since leaving Glendale to pursue a career in entertainment.

As a headliner at Club Illusions on Friday nights, Gia’s performance brings to mind a young Madonna with higher kicks. But the glamorous onstage persona belies what Ryan’s friends knew all along: under that sequined gown beats a heart of gold.

When Ryan saw the devastation wrought by the earthquake and tsunami, he knew he had to help.

“There were so many international students in the dance department at Glendale,” Ryan said. “I had a lot of Japanese friends – too many to ignore. The rationing is really hitting people hard and I want to help.”

Thus, the “Japan Disaster Relief Entertainment Fundraiser”

was born. Ryan is planning three events for April, the first scheduled for April 4 at the Palms.

He is pulling largely from the West Hollywood community to provide entertainment for the variety show.

“We have everything from comedians to dancers to guitarists, and we’re still getting volunteers.”

All types of entertainers are welcome to share their talent as are tech crew members and general support volunteers. Items and services, such as memorabilia and music lessons, are also being solicited for the silent auction.

The other events are tentatively scheduled for April 16 at The Other Door, and a yet-to-be-announced date at the Roxbury Park Community Center.

Ryan is no stranger to fundraising. He started with the AIDS Walk in high school, and now volunteers with the foster care program in West Hollywood.

“My parents became very active in the foster care program,” said Ryan. “I have a caregiver’s certificate from the state, but I learned the most through handson experience.” The Olaes family has welcomed an additional six children into their home through

foster care.

“You’re never too broke or too busy to give something back to the community or to help others whose problems are worse than yours,” said Ryan.

“Without the program [at GCC], I would not have taken dance seriously,” said Ryan. Now those skills are being used not just to earn a living, but to benefit others. “I don’t know how much money we’re going to raise, but I do know that it’s more than I could give by myself,” said Ryan.

The charity picked to receive any funds that are raised is Lady Gaga’s “We Pray for Japan” campaign.

“Lady Gaga has been a huge supporter of the GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender] community, and we want to support that,” said Ryan.

The primary final recipient is Japan’s Red Cross. All of the participants will also receive a “We Pray for Japan” wristband, to keep the public’s attention on Japan’s ongoing crisis.

The benefit at the Palms will begin around 7:30 p.m. on Monday and then turn into a club at about 10 p.m., with another show around midnight. This event is for people 21 and older, as it is being held at a bar, with an expected $10 donation at the

Photo by Graig Agop

DANCING FOR DISASTER RELIEF: Entertainer Gia Ryan will be hosting a variety show to provide disaster relief for Japan.

door.Doors open at 6 p.m.

The Palms 8572 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA. 90069 To volunteer, make a contribution, or for information:

http://tinyurl.com/4n84akn or call (310) 652-6188.

Jane Pojawa can be reached at Jane_Pojawa@elvaq.com

Opinion [Japan, from page 11] homes created by deceased or missing loved ones. Buildings and homes can be replaced, but the pain of losing a loved one is forever engraved in the hearts of all mankind.

Tsunami survivors are continuing to arrive at shelters and rescue centers in northern Japan having fled areas around the Fukushima Danchi nuclear plant. But food and fuel supplies are running out, and as the freezing weather continues to set in, the situation is becoming a lot worse.

According to the BCC, many of the causalities being submitted to the Ishinomaki hospital are no longer tsunami

victims but those suffering from hunger and cold.

Children in nurseries and shelters are given bottled water in fear of the radiation, which has already been detected in Tokyo’s tap water 150 miles away. The worst is far from over; the recovery is going to be a true test in merit and spirit of the people of Japan.

Pray to whatever deity you believe in and know that this is a situation far greater than the human mind can comprehend.

It will take years and perhaps six full centuries to get Japan back to where it once was.

Marlon Miranda can be reached at Marlon_Miranda@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Rise Against Offers ‘Endgame’ Punk Album

By Alex Campos

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

I

n this day when Rebecca Black can become a music star by using a computerized voice and pointing out that Saturday and Sunday come after Friday, it is refreshing to hear a band with actual instruments, singing about actual events that are taking place in this world.

Enter Rise Against, a politicalpunk rock band from Chicago.

Every member of this band is a vegetarian and a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. All the band members except the drummer abstain from drugs and alcohol. In the band’s sixth studio album, “Endgame,” the listener is challenged with a number of questions to reflect on.

This band’s political background makes the members more than just musicians. They are spokesmen for an angry generation of teenagers. On the band’s website, there is a counter showing how much money the U.S. has spent on the war in Iraq.

One of the band’s most famous songs, “Ready to Fall,” was released in 2006 with two music videos. The first was made for TV, the other made for only the strongstomached. This second version is available online (watch with caution) and contains a number of sickening images, such as a man clubbing a seal over the head and two garbage truck drivers picking up a dog and throwing it into a trash compacter. Watching this music video can make a person hate mankind.

“Endgame” is Rise Against’s second album with its current lineup of singer/rhythm guitarist Tim McIlrath, bassist Joe Principe, drummer Brandon Barns, and lead guitarist Zach Blair.

“Endgame” is full of songs about recent worldwide events, such as the Gulf Coast oil spill.

The first single, “Help Is on the Way,” concerns the oil spill and is accompanied by a music video about Hurricane Katrina. This song repeats the line “Help is on the way/they said, they said”

www.

in the chorus, until the last part of the song where they scream, “They never came.”

According to McIlrath, the second single, “Architects” is about how this generation needs a social architect like Martin Luther King Jr. to pave the way for future generations.

Toward the end of “Make it Stop (Septembers Children),” the names and ages of Tyler Clementi, Billy Lucas, Harrison Chase Brown, Cody J Barker, and Seth Walsh can be heard faintly in the background. All of these people committed suicide in September 2010 after bullying related to homosexuality. Most famous was Tyler Clementi, the student from Rutgers University who took his life after his roommate filmed him having sex with another man and posted the film on the Internet. This song is about how this bullying has to stop.

The other 10 songs on this album follow this same political mold. From a musician’s standpoint, Rise Against is not legendary by any means of the world. Though they are all very good technically, none of the band members are comparable to musical greats like Freddy Mercury, Jimi Hendrix or Keith Moon. The band’s strong point is how well they fit together. This is the perfect band to “car band” or rock out to air instruments in the car with three friends.

The one problem with Rise Against and “Endgame” is the negative light in which they portray humans. Sure, humans aren’t the most innocent animals in the world. But listening to Rise Against for an hour can make the listener absolutely hate mankind.

Other than the negativity, Rise Against’s newest album “Endgame” is an awesome album with a number of potential hit songs that can become battle cries for this generation.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars.

 Alex Campos can be reached at Alex_Campos@elvaq.com

elvaq. com

TODAY IS NOT FRIDAY: Rise Against’s second album, “Endgame,” offers enjoyable neo-punk music with relevant social commentary.

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

WATCH A NEW TV PILOT & GET PAID TO GIVE US YOUR OPINION

40% Off We offer a great selection of basic, premium and deluxe beds including a stand -up. We also offer mystic and airbrush tanning.

Elcid Tanning 321 E. Alameda Ave. Burbank, CA 91502 818-843-1722 www.elcidtanning.com

Need a Tan? Special $19.99 for one month unlimited basic bed tanning with this ad.

(Regular price $50) We carry a wide selection of the hottest new lotions and guarantee the lowest prices!

We are located on the corner of Glenoaks and Alameda.

$70.00 PAID ON THE SPOT!!!

Elcid Tanning 321 E. Alameda Ave. Burbank, CA 91502

Location: North Hollywood/ Valley Village area

818) 843-1722 www.elcidtanning.com

Brenda’s Recruiting Service, INC. (818) 759-8021

$19.99/ monthly special Ask about

40% off!

Free Pregnancy Tests Are Available • Visit 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

18

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

o o

Film

review

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

‘Mars Needs Moms’ Like a Hole in the Head

By Christine Gillette EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

I

t’s hard to say which is worse: the fact that Disney spent more than $175 million on “Mars Needs Moms” and made only $7 million on opening weekend or that Disney just released a sexist movie. For the sake of the children viewers of the film, I’ll side with the latter.

At first the storyline seems heart-warming and sweet. A young boy named Milo hops on a spacecraft to try and rescue his mom after Martians abduct her. She’s abducted because the mothers of Mars no longer understand how to tend to children since they are the ones in power.

Instead they take mothers from Earth who seem to know how to control their children and take their memories. They then insert

the mothers’ memories inside “Nannybots,” robots the mothers of Mars created to raise the girls of Mars. Once they extract the memories, the mother from Earth loses her memories.

Sad, right?

What is sadder is the stereotypical idea of what a mother is supposed to do here on Earth and the message director Simon Wells and Disney is telling young girls across the world.

When Milo, played by Seth Green (“Old Dogs,” 2009), first lands on Mars he tries to describe to other Martians what a mom is.

He describes her as the one who washes his clothes, feeds him, and vacuums the house. It’s almost as if Disney has a flashback of the 1950s stereotypical housewife and tries to recreate that in an animated film.

Once on Mars, Milo meets his

fellow earthling friend Gribble, voiced by Dan Fogler (“Love Happens,” 2009), who explains to Milo that “Nannybots” are built because Martians are terrible at mothering but good at building robots. Since they lost the ability to love and nurture, they import that EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY: Alien kids need more discipline, and Earth moms know how one missing chip to dish it out in this misogynistic new movie from Disney. into the robots to sustain the Martian race.

The family angle of the film didn’t even attempt to make this Is this meant to suggest is evident, but the underlying movie scientifically correct. The that mothers cannot take message is just too obvious: only thing that protects the human on raising a family while Women who are in power, characters are helmets and they maintaining a successful whether in politics or business, hopped around Mars’ surface in will lose their maternal instincts, human street clothes. working life? which is an argument that fuels The sci-fi aspect is OK. It’s a the feminism fire. Does Disney movie for kids that has good 3-D really want little girls to grow up effects, and children won’t write believing that we should be living reviews about the bad science in a patriarchal society? behind the film.

Let’s not forget the male Producer of the film, Robert Martians! They are depicted Zemeckis, is an acclaimed as affection-starved who are professional in the entertainment abandoned at birth and left to industry. He won an Academy live on the garbage level of their Award for directing “Forrest civilization.

Gump,” directed the “Back to Besides the horrendous the Future” film series and the message that this movie delivers, movie “Contact,” and the list there are some holes in the goes on. Unfortunately, Zemeckis storyline. must be doing some major thumb Mars is controlled by an old twiddling right now.

Disney has already shut totalitarian voiced by Mindy Sterling (“Austin Powers: The down his digital film studio Spy Who Shagged Me” 1999), Image Movers Digital, and who thinks she can sustain order then terminated production of and discipline by protecting his version of the 1968 Beatles herself and her fellow Martians cartoon “Yellow Submarine” from feelings, like the love after the disappointing opening and nurturing that a mother is weekend of this film.

For those planning on supposed to provide.

If they program the robots babysitting this weekend and with the memories from mothers want to go take the little one to of Earth, like Milo’s mom, voiced see “Mars Needs Moms,” you’d

by Joan Cusack (“My Sister’s be better off saving your money Keeper,” 2009), wouldn’t they by just popping in “Back to the also have memories that showed Future.”

“Mars Needs Moms,” is rated them to be loving and caring as PG for sci-fi action sequences and well?

Milo’s mom is a stern mother peril. The run time is 88 minutes. who proves able to negotiate with Overall: 2 out of 5 stars Milo on things, such as finishing his broccoli so he could watch a show he really wants to see on pay-per-view.

It also seems that the married Christine Gillette can be reached at Christine_Gillette@elvaq.com writers, Simon and Wendy Wells,



www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

19

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

‘Suckerpunch’ a Weak Threat to Action Genre

By Erica White

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

uckerpunch delivers a limp wristed attack in the actionadventure genre.

Written by Steve Shibuya and Zack Snyder and directed by Snyder (300 and The Watchmen), it is Snyder’s first attempt, and hopefully his last, with an original screenplay.

Emily Browning (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) donning platinum blonde pigtails, stars as Baby Doll, a damaged and timid 20-yearold orphan (yes, a 20-year old orphan). She is committed to an asylum by her predictably cruel step-father. The era is sometime during the 1950’s when stepfathers could supposedly commit legally adult step-children without court-ordered psych evaluations, but that is never discussed.

The asylum is not what it seems. It is a brothel run by a man-scara wearing orderly named Blue, played by Oscar Isaac (Guerrilla) and Russian therapist Dr. Vera Gorski, portrayed by Carla Gugino (Spy Kids).

While in captivity, Babydoll, learns that she can escape into a fantasy world she evokes by dancing. Her moves not only act as a portal to a virtual reality, they also hypnotize and captivate all males who dare to look.

Confused yet? Wait, it gets better.

The audience is never privy to Baby Doll’s performances, but

e

l v a

q

.com

throughout the movie, constant references are made to her abilities. With each adventure sequence, Baby Doll returns to the real world sweating, panting and relieved. For all the audience knows she could be jerking or doing a mean robot.

When Blue discovers what he has in Baby Doll, he decides he will save her for the High Roller played by the dashingly handsome Jon Hamm (Mad Men.) Baby Doll has only five days to devise an escape plan before she looses it all to the High Roller.

With the knowledge of this new power, Baby Doll assembles a crew of stunningly attractive mental patients to help her find the tools to escape. Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Amber (Jamie Ji-Lynn Chung), and Rocket (Jena Malone) join Baby Doll on her quest for freedom.

The rouge crew is guided

by Scott Glenn (The Silence of the Lambs) as the Wise Man. After describing the missions at hand, he doles out dated clichés such as, “don’t write a check with your mouth your ass can’t cash,” before sending them off to battle dragons, samurais, and steampunk Nazi soldiers. Fortune cookies are more astute than this inept Shaman.

The movie drags on for two mind-numbing, ear-deafening hours. There is little dialog. With only a 100 lines split among the entire cast, the film relies heavily

GCC Student

I’M GONNA GET YOU SUCKA: Even steampunk bondage Barbies can’t save this incomprehensible mess. on CGI fight scenes. The action scenes, along with the soundtrack, are the film’s saving grace. After a while, even the fighting becomes redundant. There are plenty of shots with the heroine kneeling forward, weapon ready, over vanquished opponents, slowmotion jumping kicks and of course slow-motion-walkingwith-hair-blowing-wildly-in-thewind-scenes.

Snyder’s attempt at a feminist femme-fatale action movie falls flat and is reminisce of failures such as “Showgirls” or “Striptease,” but with machine guns.

In Baby Doll’s imagination, the girls are powerful, no-holdsbarred warriors. In reality, they are fragile; falling apart under suspicious glances they’re often

reminded of how weak they are. Because after all they’re just girls, right? Perhaps it was Snyder’s intention to make the characters so delicate in reality and firm in the fantasy world, in order to highlight the stark contrast. But he only succeeds at telling the women in the audience that the only way to find an escape from problems, fears and male oppression is by using their imagination.

Much like in Snyder’s previous films, The Watchmen and 300, women are second-class objects.

The girls are constantly being assaulted or fending off potential rapists. Not to worry, though. The movie is rated PG-13, so there is minimal blood. The attempted rapes are always foiled, but there is plenty of violence (actual and

implied) toward women.

Visually, the movie is stunning.

However the lack of a sensible plot and character development is just disappointing.

Suckerpunch is all carbs and no fiber - you could’ve had a V8.

The movie is chock-full of eye candy, with Browning pouting and whispering as a drab Sailor Moon knock-off. The soundtrack makes it bearable and somewhat easier to swallow. Remember, somewhat. This movie is highly recommended for those who are into visually compelling soft-core torture porn.

Overall, two stars.

 Erica White can be reached at Erica_White@elvaq.com

Activities Schedule April 2011

Monday

Korean BBQ Sale

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plaza Vaquero

K.S.A.

Tuesday

BBQ Fundraiser

noon to 1 p.m

Plaza Vaquero

GCC Tom’s Club

Tuesday

DJ Mix Off

12:30 to 1:30 p.m

Plaza Vaquero

ASGCC

April 6

Armenian Coffee Culture Event

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Plaza Vaquero

Scholar’s Program

April 19

Spring Carnival

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Plaza Vaquero

GCC Leo Club

April 20

International Idol

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SC212, a,b,c

ISA

April 21

Armenian Genocide 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Commemoration

Plaza Vaquero

ASA

April 22-23

Fast for Darfur

SC212, a,b, c

CSI Office

noon to 6 p.m.

For more information contact the Student Activities Office at (818) 240-1000, ext. 3033

20

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Vaqueros Place Second in Golf Invitational

By Derek Stowe

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale’s second annual men’s golf invitational provided an opportunity for all eight members of the team to participate in one competition.

Glendale placed second out of four teams at Alhambra Golf Course on March 16.

The four team scores (based on the best five players) were: Ventura (343), Glendale (358), Citrus (365) and El Camino (374). This competition was not a high pressure round because it was not a WSC all-conference match-up.

However, it was a perfect day for golf in Alhambra — sunny and cool.

Head coach Greg Osbourne, who won the All-American Classic and several other local PGA events in 2003, said his PGA member friend who runs Alhambra Golf Course gave GCC a great deal for playing there: $10 per player. The normal rate is between $35 and $65 per player.

Normally, GCC can only afford to send six golfers to play, so the two lowest-ranking players have to stay home.

“Osbourne has done a great job with Glendale over the past couple of years,” said winning head coach Bob E. Smith of Ventura.

The top four Vaquero scorers were the 2-under-par Aaron Fernandez with a 69, Brennan Amirkhizi (71), Michael Timpson (71), and Chris Ramirez (72).

The prize for best-scoring golfer was a $40 gift certificate redeemable at the Alhambra Golf Course golf shop.

Two guest players tied for first place with the low score of 66: Andrew Bennett of Ventura and Etsuy Fukaya of Citrus. Bennett went on to win the money in a sudden death play-off where the first one to shoot a better hole wins.

“First, you have to find a student who can make it through two years of academics. Second, you have to find a gentleman who can play well,” said Bennett’s coach, Smith, who has been coaching Ventura golf teams for six years.

Smith was rated USA’s No. 2 amateur in 1967 by Golf Digest. On the PGA tour, he ranked among the top 60 money winners for 10 of his 15 years.

Then, after touring Europe and Japan, he played six years on the senior tour, ending up No. 192 on the lifetime earnings list with $382,785 of total winnings.

It’s just that kind of lucrative career that this GCC Invitational’s No. 1 Vaquero, Aaron Fernandez, could imagine.

“Ultimately, I am going to go pro and when I do, and all of my friends do. I just want to send a warning out to Tiger Woods: We are coming,” he said.

Fernandez surprised everyone as top finisher because his twin brother Danny, who is younger by five minutes, had been shooting better all season.

“It feels good to be No. 1 today,” said Aaron. “I’ve been shooting well and trying to be patient, and it finally paid off. I pretty much made every putt that I had to today.”

The invitational was bittersweet for top-ranked sophomore Amirkhizi, who tied with No. 2 Vaq performer Timpson.

“Even par, 71, was very disappointing,” said Amirkhizi.

“I should be shooting 65 or 66.”

A score of 65 would have been enough to win the invitational and the money.

“This last week has been tough with school. I’ve just got to work on the game more — focus more,” he said.

Missed putts and bad luck were the cause of Amirkhizi’s lessthan-perfect showing. Because this was not a qualifying round, his score only bruised his ego, not his No. 1 ranking on the team.

Vaqueros and guest players alike appeared to enjoy the day — that is, except for two or three golfers who lost their cool after a missed putt or tee-off and cursed out loud or threw a club.

The bottom four Vaquero scorers were Phillip Gonzales with a 75, Danny Fernandez (76), Vincent Lam (76) and Jin Park (77).

The Vaqueros had a qualifying round in San Dimas on a rainy March 21 to determine who would travel and play Monday (March 28) at the WSC tournament San Dimas Golf Course.

Danny Fernandez and Jin Park finished last and would have to stay home.

The results of the allconference tournament in San Dimas Monday were: College of the Canyons (350), Citrus (367), Glendale (373), Allen Hancock (373), Ventura (380), and

Photo by Derek Stowe

THE MEN’S GOLF TEAM: After a long day at Alhambra Golf Course, Aaron Fernandez, from left Jin Park, Phillip Gonzales, Michael Timpson, Chris Ramirez, Danny Fernandez, Vincent Lam, Brennan Amirkhizi, and Head Coach Greg Osbourne take a breather before the journey home.

Bakersfield (382). Glendale took third in the tie-breaker based on how well the individuals did rank by rank.

Individual Vaquero scores were: Timpson (71), Amirkhizi (73), Lam (73), Gonzales (77), Aaron Fernandez (79), and Ramirez (81).

For those who wish to attend the upcoming seventeam tournament at Glendale’s Oakmont Country Club, spectators are welcome, provided they dress appropriately.

Oakmont has a strict dress code: “reasonably fashionable” golf attire is required: no jeans,

t-shirts, shirts without collar or sleeves, shorts higher than four inches above the knee, cargo shorts or cargo pants.

Tee-off for this Glendale College WSC tournament is April 18 at 11 a.m.

Derek Stowe can be reached at derek_stowe@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2010

21

SPORTS

L.A. Baseball Season Ready to Take Off

By Alex Campos

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

W

ith spring training finally over and baseball fans geared up for opening day, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the two Los Angeles Major League Baseball teams, the Dodgers and the Angels.

The Dodgers hope to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season. After a long season of struggles from key players, a number of injuries and an ongoing divorce procedure by the owners, the Dodgers look ready to compete in 2011.

The expensive divorce proceeding between owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie, pretty much kept the Dodgers from making any big moves in free agency. Instead of going after superstar players, they made sure to keep most of their team intact. They made a few nice signings, such as second baseman Juan Uribe, starting pitcher Jon Garland and relief pitcher Matt Guerrier.

For the Dodgers to improve from last year, they need bounceback seasons from centerfielder

Matt Kemp, right fielder Andre Ethier, shortstop Rafeal Furcal and closer Jonathon Broxton.

Kemp had been dubbed one of the top outfielders in the game prior to last season, where he regressed in all offensive categories except for home runs.

His defense, which won him a Gold Glove the year before, also regressed greatly.

Ethier was absolutely dominant until he broke his pinky in a game against the San Diego Padres in May. When he came back, he was not the same player.

When Furcal is on the field, he has the ability to take over a game. The problem with him has always been his health. Last year, he only appeared in 97 of the teams 162 games. If he can stay healthy this season, he should put up absolutely huge numbers.

Broxton was the biggest disappointment on the team. He was virtually unhittable for the first part of the season. After completely blowing a game against the New York Yankees, Broxton was never the same. He lost his closer job towards the end of the season and heard boo’s from Dodger fans.

Last year, the Dodgers finished 80-82, which put them in fourth in the National League West.

The Angels also finished last year at 80-82, giving them third place in the American League West. They were having a pretty good season until May 29.

With a big win against their division rival Seattle Mariners, that game was one of the high points for the Angels.

First baseman Kendry Morales had just hit his 11th home run of the season, a game winning grand slam in the 10th inning. In celebration, Morales jumped in the air, only to fall down. He was carted off the field and diagnosed with a broken ankle, which still hasn’t healed.

Since that game, the Angels were a completely different ball club.

The Angels off season did not go the way it was supposed to. The prize of free agency, left fielder Carl Crawford, was supposed to be a lock to end up in an Angel uniform. He signed with Boston.

They regrouped and sought after third baseman Adrian Beltre.

He signed with Texas.

Possibly out of desperation, the Angels traded outfielder Juan Rivera and catcher Mike Napoli to Toronto for outfielder Vernon Wells. While many people view this as a bad trade with Wells’ expensive contract, Angel fans remain optimistic that he can be a great player for the Angels.

If the Angels can stay healthy, there is plenty of reason for optimism. They have two talented young players expected to see time in the Major Leagues this year, catcher Hank Conger and first baseman/outfielder Mike Trout. If they can live up to their potential, this season could see a very dangerous Angel team.

GCC outfielder/pitcher Juan Sanchez is a Dodger fan. His favorite players are Ethier and pitcher Hong Chi Kuo. “I like Ethier because he’s one of those guys that had to work hard to get to where he’s at. He had a rough time growing up, his parents divorced when he was young. His father was basically his coach for the most part. That’s something I can relate to.

“And I like Kuo because he’s not afraid to challenge hitters.

He goes right after them. That’s

the same mentality I have as a pitcher. It’s basically telling the hitter ‘Here it is now try to hit it’.”

GCC pitcher J.P Cohn is a huge fan of Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw, and sees this as a big year for Kershaw.

“Many people believe this is [Kershaw’s] year to establish himself as an ace pitcher in the pros,” he said. “The last few years he has been the number two or three pitcher on the team, but this year he’s starting opening day against the Giants. He has a good fastball and one of the best sliders in baseball today.”

GCC pitcher Nick Woodward said that Angels pitcher Trevor Bell is a guy he looks up to.

“Bell is a cool guy,” he said.

“He’s a pitcher on the Angels who went to Crescenta Valley High.

A few of the dudes on the team played with or against him in high school.”

The Dodgers open the season on Thursday at home against the World Champion San Francisco Giants.

The Angels first game is Thursday at Kansas City.

Alex Campos can be reached at Alex_Campos@elvaq.com

Glendale College Is Here to Health You Up

By Nik Brkic

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale Community College offers many ways to help students and faculty lead a healthy life.

The Culinary Arts and Nutrition department and the Physical Education department are of the the most integral departments regarding general wellness.

One class that is a great beginner’s class on nutrition is Culinary Arts 125 (Culin 125).

This class gives an overview of the many aspects of nutrition including problems of today, the nutritive processes of the body and dietary planning.

Nutrition and Dietary Program Coordinator Sona Donayan said, “This class is a great way to increase your knowledge of nutrition. You learn how what you eat affects your life now and later.”

There are two classes that the college offers that can help

further ones career in the health field. The first is Culin 114 (Nutrtion and Menu Planning) where students learn to make menus and critique menus for hotels and restaurants.

The second course is Culin 118 (Dietary Health Care) where students learn the function of a health care facility dietary department. Prof Donayan added that in the course students learn how to “comply with federal regulation.”

A new course promises to be the most exciting of them all.

This course, Culin 150 (Healthy Cuisine for Kids), was created with grant money provided by the state. This is the first of three entry level courses.

Glendale is working in partnership with Fresno City College, UC Davis and San Jose State University (SJSU) to train those who wish to work in the child nutrition field at different levels.

After students finish the entry level courses, they can go to UC

Davis or SJSU to take high level courses.

“This program will create a career ladder for child nutrition,” Donayan said. Previously there were no requirements for those working in child nutrition. This creates a system to have properly trained workers in schools.

Another excellent, healthylife option the college offers is the use of the Lifestyle Fitness Center and Weight Room next to the Verdugo gym. The only requirement to using the fitness center and weight room is that the student be enrolled in one of

four different physical education classes.

“Whether your goal is to lose weight or train for a sport, the gym can help you,” said Lee Balkin, assistant coach for track and field.

The gym also offers assistance in creating a training program or giving tips to workout a certain part of the body. “We have first rate fitness trainers,” said Balkin.

The coaches from the sports teams come to the gym and give guidance to students concerning their workout.

The two rooms in the fitness

center and weight room have many different machines to keep students in shape. The cardio room has treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes to get the heart rate up. The “super-circuit” has different weight training machines that will help with resistance exercises.

Those that are interested can find the classes in the course catalog under Culinary Arts for Nutrition and Physical Education.

Nik Brkic can be reached at nik_brkic@elvaq.com

For More

online stories, more photos, slide shows and breaking news.

To join online forums, discussion boards, comment on articles, and add events to the calendar

go to www.elvaq.com

22

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Vaqs Edge Past Santa Barbara Vaqueros

By Nik Brkic

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale’s men’s tennis team beat the winless Santa Barbara City College team 6-3 on March 22 at Glendale.

The Glendale team was in a very good mood entering this match. The players were joking around with each other pre-match.

Coach Bob McKay was also optimistic before the match started.

“They (Santa Barbara) are missing their No. 1 player. They are going to be in trouble.”

This would prove to be true.

Glendale was able to take a commanding lead by winning four out of the six singles matches. The four singles players who won were: Alex Sarkissian (6-1, 6-0), Trevor Campbell (6-1, 6-2), Grayson Frazier (7-5, 6-2) and Dro Mahmoudi (6-2, 7-5).

Frazier’s match against John Rosenkvist was very close in the first set. Rosenkvist did not have one style of play throughout. This gave Frazier trouble in finding a weakness. He kept getting his hits consistently deep in the court and let Rosenkvist hit unforced errors.

This allowed Frazier to take a late service break.

Mahmoudi’s match was another entertaining one to watch.

He used a mixutre of moon-balls and hard forehands to throw off his opponent. Mahmoudi hustled

to get every ball back. His match would make Brad Gilbert proud.

The match was sealed with two victories from the pairs of Sarkissian/Campbell (8-2) and Frazier/Mike Astorian (8-3).

Stephan Mamann did not have the best tennis day losing both his singles and doubles matches.

“It was a tough day at the office,” Mamann said.

He attempted to throw off his opponent by grunting noisily after each shot and yelling “Vamos” like professional tennis player Rafael Nadal. This did not work but there he said that he is eager to play the rest of the season.

“I am excited for the Ojai tournament because they are letting number three singles players in,” Mamann said. “Alex (Sarkissian) is definitely going to win it.”

Coach McKay said, “Ojai is going to be good for these players. That is where the scouts go to watch our players.”

McKay said that Alex Sarkissian is considering playing for Loyola Marymount University or Pepperdine University next year. McKay also said that freshman Trevor Campbell has a good chance to play Division 1 tennis in the future.

Nik Brkic can be reached at nik_brkic@elvaq.com

Photo by Mike Girod

BAM!: Vaquero Grayson Fraizer looks for a consistent weakness in Santa Barbara City College opponent John Rosenkvist‘s performance.

Vaquero Sports Summaries Scores Women’s Tennis: March 15 — lost to Pima College 7-2 March 17 — beat Rio Hondo 6-3 March 22 — lost to Santa Barbara 6-3

Men’s Tennis: March 15 — beat Pima College 9-0 March 22— beat Santa Barbara 6-3 Saturday — lost to Middlebury College 7-2

Women’s Basketball: Feb. 9 — lost to Citrus College 69-31 Feb. 12 — lost to West L.A. College 59-53 Feb. 16 — lost to College of the Canyons 106-38

Softball: March 17 — vs. Satna Monica (W 11-0) (W 8-0) Thursday — vs. Valley College (W 7-4) (L 11-7)

Baseball: Thursday — beat Mission College 7-2 Saturday — lost to Citrus 16-3

Upcoming Events Women’s Tennis: Thursday at Ventura College 2 p.m.

Tuesday at Allen Hancock 2 p.m.

Baseball: Saturday at Valley College 1 p.m.

Tuesday at College of the Canyons 2 p.m.

Photo by Mike Girod

HIT OR MISS: Glendale’s Trevor Campbell finished (6-1, 6-2) in singles against Santa Barbara last Tuesday.

Men’s Golf: Monday — Tournament at Cypress Ridge Golf

Course 10 a.m.

April 11 — Tournament at Santa Maria

Country Club

Men’s Tennis: Thursday vs. Ventura College 2 p.m.

Tuesday at College of the Desert 2 p.m.

April 7 at Bakersfield 2 p.m.

Softball: Thursday vs. College of the Canyons 1/3 p.m.

April 7 vs. Bakersfield 1/3 p.m.

April 12 at Santa Monica 2:30 p.m.

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

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

19

Calendar On Campus RALLY California Comm. Colleges — Help bring awareness to the local community about GCC. Rally be at the corner of Mountain St. and Verdugo Rd. Banners and posters will be provided. Meet at 5 p.m. in front of SM267 (next to the upstairs cafe). Sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement and the Student Activities Office.

Thursday, May 4 and 5. For more information, call (818) 240-1000, ext. 3033.

EVENTS Spring Carnival — Fun, games, food and a pie toss. A GCC Leo Club fundraiser for the L A Aids Walk. Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

Campus Clean Up — Join with ASGCC members on a campus wide clean up. Thursday in Plaza Vaquero from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. .

Pizza Sale — Buy a slice only or combo with drink. An EOPS Club event. Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Outside the AD building.???????????????????????

Car Wash — To benefit the L A Aids Walk. Sponsored by the Leo Club. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Lot F.

is GCC geography professor and sustainability coordinator Mike Reed. Thursday in CS177 at 12:20 p.m.

Cinco De Mayo — Celebrate the holiday. ASGCC presents a dance show and other festivities.

May 5 in Plaza Vaquero from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

“Pongo in Peril: Orangutans and Rainforests in Borneo” — Speaker will be Biruté Galdikas, considered the world’s foremost authority on the orangutan. Free.

Seating is limited to the first 350 people. May 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. A book signing will follow the lecture at 8:30 p.m.

CAREERS Technology Career Fair — Learn about majors in various GCC Technology division categories. Plaza Vaquero on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5918.

FINANCIAL Financial Aid Fair — Financial aid information and prizes will be available for students. May 10 in Plaza Vaquero from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5916

LECTURES Humanities/Social Science Lecture Series — “State of the Earth: A Planetary Check-Up.” Speaker

MUSIC Faculty Recital — The first in the Spring semester series of concerts and events from the Music Department. Free. Thursday at 12:20 p.m. Auditorium Stage Invitational High School Choral Festival — Choirs from local high schools join the GCC choirs.

Coordinated by Jayne Campbell.

Free. Tuesday at 7 p.m. on the Auditorium Stage.

SERVICES Evening Child Care — Services

are available for 2 to 5 year olds.

Free or low cost. Monday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. Offered by the GCC Child Development Center. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext.

5665 or 3340.

WORKSHOPS ORKSHOPS

“Effective Resume” — Focuses on the essential resume writing principles, formats and content. Thursday in the San Rafael Building, Career Center at 4 p.m.

For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5407.

CINEMA Faculty/Student Film Club — The discussion will be on “House of Sand and Fog” directed by Vadim Perelman. Thursday in SG139 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

“Blood Diamond” — Enjoy a movie and refreshments, donations appreciated. To benefit Funds for Darfur. May 5 in SC212 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Friday Flix: — A screening of the 2001 film “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence” on Friday. Then

on May 6: “The Princess Bride” from 1987. Films are free at 12:30 p.m. in SG 334. Discussions led by instructor Mike Petros after the screeenings.

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

by J. Walt, a programmer, artist and composer. May 7 at 5:30 and 7 p.m. No late arrivals. Tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information call (818) 2401000, ext. 5275.

ART GALLERY “Becoming Animal” — The group exhibition featuring Sonja Gerdes and Fette Sans, Ethan Greenbaum, Candace Lin, Bas Louter, Josh Mannis and Natascha Snellman. Runs through Friday. Noon to 6 p.m. For more information visit www.glendale. edu/artgallery or call (818) 2401000, ext. 5815.

Around Town FILM “168 Film Festival” — Alex Theatre. See 70 short films by award-winning filmmakers that were challenged to make a film in one week (168 hours) based on a Bible verse. 216 N. Brand Blvd.

All day event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Tickets prices vary. For more information call (818) 243-2539 or visit www. alextheatre.org.

MUSIC “Spring Break Live at City Walk” — Universal Studios.

Starts Friday featuring KIIS FM’s Wango Tango Breakout Star Competition and runs through April 23. Performers, show times, and ticket prices vary. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City.

For more information visit www. citywalkhollywood.com or call (800) - UNIVERSAL.

visit www.fbcglendale.net.

exhibitions

“Japan Disaster Relief Entertainment Fundraiser” — Palms Bar. Variety acts perform to support Lady Gaga’s “We Pray for Japan” campaign. 21 and over.

Monday from 7:30 p.m., turns into a club at 10 p.m. then a second show starts at midnight. Donation $10. 8572 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood. For more information call (310) 652-6188.

“Through the Colonial Lens: Photographs of 19th and 20th Century India” — Pacific Asia Museum. This exhibition features more than 70 images. Runs through Sept. 4. Ticket prices and hours vary. 46 N. Robles Ave., Pasadena. For more information call (626) 449-2742 or visit www. pacificasiamuseum.org.

Vio-fonik — Glendale Noon Concerts Presents works by Handel, Ravel and Scorzo performed by Vio-fonik. Free in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St. Runs from 12:10 until 12:40 p.m. today. For more information call (818) 242-2113 or

“Born to Endless Night: Paintings, Drawings, and Prints by William Blake Selected by John Frame” — Huntington Library.

The exhibition provides a window into the world that inspires Frame in his art making process.

Runs through June 20. Ticket prices vary. 1151 Oxford Road,

San Marino. For more information call (626) 405-2141 or visit c www.huntington.org.

“Vija Celmins: Television & Disaster 1964–1966” — LACMA presents a selection of the artist’s work in paintings and sculptures.

Runs through June 5 . Ticket prices and hours vary. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information call (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org.

“Brush & Shutter: Early Photography in China” — The Getty Center. The photographs range from 1859 to unique glass slides from 1911. Runs through May 1.

Museum hours vary. Free. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. For more information call (310) 440-7300 or visit www. getty.edu.

“Tomorrow Today: A Juried Student Exhibition from Pasadena City College”— Pasadena Museum of California Art; Project Room. Features work by current art and design students at PCC. 490 E. Union St., Pasadena.

Runs through April 24. Museum hours vary. For more information call (626) 568-3665 or visit www. pmcaonline.org.

WELLNESS Free Health Clinic — Open Tuesdays 5:30 to 8 p.m. or until capacity is reached. 134 N. Kenwood St., third floor, room 330.

No job or sports-related physicals. For more information call (818) 243-2105, ext. 202 or visit www.glendaleclinic.org.

Compiled by Richard Kontas

24

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

Officer on Duty

Photo by Tex Wells

TOUCHING BASES: Police Capt. Erin Kurasz keeps in touch with other officers in the field via radio while overlooking a busy campus area during the lunch hour. The 12-year veteran was the first female officer hired by Glendale Community College.