What is Geocaching? page 10 LAVOZDEANZA.COM
Philosophy professor talks about new book Samantha Robertson LA VOZ
Can a 14-year-old boy contemplate such deep topics as the meaning of life, criteria for morality or the chicken-or-the-egg debate? Absolutely, said Jack Bowen, author of “Dream Weaver: One Boy’s Journey Through the Landscape of Reality,” who spoke about his debut novel to a group of six at the California Historical Center Thursday afternoon. The book, released in March 2006 and already a top 500 book on Amazon.com, delineates the strange experiences of Ian Pinkle, who creates a “dream world” where rocks talk and friends carry special binoculars that see the thoughts of people and animals. Through Ian’s adventures and dilemmas, readers are meant to develop their own answers about philosophical questions relevant in today’s world, Bowen said. The De Anza philosophy teacher explained that children are the best philosophers because they are wide eyed, curious and constantly asking questions of adults. The sense of awe is beaten out of us as we grow older, he added, with standardized tests and grades replacing queries and curiosity. “I always tell my students that the only dumb question is one that can be answered on the green sheet,” he said. Yet growing up in San Diego, Bowen didn’t have too many questions. Raised in what he characterized as a very closed-minded community, everyone was Republican and everything was black and white, he said.
see DREAM WEAVER, page 2
Students seek ‘interfaith’ room Dan Sealana LA VOZ
Despite all the facilities and programs that De Anza College has to offer, some students feel that the campus is missing one thing: a place to pray and meditate. Scott McDonough, the Secretary of De Anza’s World Peace Buddhist club, is one of the major supporters of designating an interfaith meditation room on campus. McDonough, who has been a practicing Buddhist for 30 years, says the idea of building an interfaith room on campus stemmed from a conversation he had with a member of the Muslim Student Association after De Anza’s Day of Rememberance in February. According to the group’s Web site, the room would be designated for “an indoor, centrally
see INTERFAITH, page 2
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Funky cars on campus page 9
THE VOICE OF DE ANZA COLLEGE
De Anza staff member Kathy Tran dies at 37
Nate Green LA VOZ
Kathy Tran, who worked at Print Services, died of a flu at Stanford Hospital on April 7. Last year, she had been diagnosed with cancer. Friends say she was extremely caring, selfless and a fast learner. “Everyone loved her. She was a wonderful person,” said Lily Liang, a coworker. After becoming a full-time De Anza College employee in 1996, she quickly rose through the ranks and soon ran the print office. While working at De Anza, she married and had two children. Friends say she was always helpful and volunteered her time and services selflessly, assisting visitors at the Print Services. Additionally, she donated clothing to refugees studying at De Anza and sent money back to her family in Vietnam. “We are really going to miss her,” said Jose Menendez, director of the Print Services. The print shop staff plans to compile individually written thoughts of Tran and create a book to present to her children. Tran is survived by her husband Wayne Nguyen, two children Keenan and Ryan, her mother and three sisters. A Buddhist service was held for Tran on April 13. Memorials may be dropped Courtesy of the Print Center and the Tran family off at the Print Services on the De Anza campus. Kathy Tran wearing an ao dai, or traditional Vietnamese dress.
Student senate endorses bond Robert Balicki LA VOZ
The DASB Senate voted on March 22 to endorse Measure C, the proposed $490 million bond. If approved by at least 55 percent of voters this June, the bond measure will fund the construction of new buildings, a renovation and maintenance of existing buildings, new equipment, and other projects.
“In the long run, it will provide more value to ... businesses in our district,” said Ken Amornnopawong, a senator who voted for endorsement. Some senators were concerned with the bond’s cost, which will be passed on to homeowners in the form of a new property tax. “I was worried about rent, since I’m not rich or anything,” said Shrey Prasad, who voted against endorsement.
“It would increase taxes, so rent would go up,” he said. Not all senators agreed. Amornnopawong said the property tax increase would be “insignificant,” because it would be based upon the appraised value of the a home instead of the market value. For many homes, appraised value is significantly less than the market value, because the state
see BOND, page 2
San Jose Sharks are hungry to advance in Stanley Cup playoffs
APRIL 24, 2006
Interview: humanities professor questions coffee culture Robert Balicki LA VOZ
La Voz spoke with Salamander Breiter, a humanities professor at De Anza, about the WTO protests, gas, Iraq, and the pledge of allegiance on April 19. This is the first of nine La Voz interviews with fun, interesting and off-beat personalities on campus. La Voz will print excerpts.
BREITER
Discussing Starbucks La Voz: “What do you think of Starbucks, let’s say, compared to Café Adria, compared to some of the other local ones?” Breiter: “I always tell my students to go to Coffee Society, instead of going to Starbucks, and some students are kind of like, ‘What is he talking about? I like my mocha cappuccino just the way it is.’ “The first real problem I have with Starbucks is that idea of rationalization, the idea of sameness, the idea that you go get a coffee in one place and it’s exactly the same as in another place and exactly the same as in another place. And there’s a sense of comfort and reliability in that, but there’s also a sense of nonhumanity or flux. “My wife actually got a job at Starbucks when we were first dating, and it was like, great.
see BREITER, page 4
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Steven Cabana / La Voz
San Jose Sharks rookies Steve Bernier and Milan Michalek (left photo) celebrate their three-point performance against the Edmonton Oilers midway through the season. Along with captain Patrick Marleau (right photo), the Sharks second line has done damange to opposing teams with a combined total of 148 points.
This is Vol. 39, Issue . 21 Call us at 864-5626 or email us at lavoz@fhda.edu.