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Vol. XLIII No. 8
Fremont, California
April 5, 2012
Singer Avril Lavigne drops in at Safeway By MARRA-MARIE MAGSAKAY Staff writer
Eight-time Grammy-nominated singer Avril Lavigne and former 49er great Dwight Clark promoted the kickoff event for People with Disabilities Campaign at the newest Safeway store in Pleasanton on Tuesday. A mini stage encompassed the left entrance and the floral department. Supporters, employees, customers and fans gathered around the area to see the celebrities. The kickoff event began with the lighting of the “Olympian torch,” which was escorted by a Safeway employee and a fire marshal. Each special need employee was honored by a small bouquet of flowers and entered with a round of applause from the crowd. “I wanted to get involved with these amazing people here today,” said Lavigne. The two celebrities competed in a food-bagging contest. Clark won, with the experience of a similar contest. For more than 26 years, the Safeway Foundation raised millions of dollars for its People with Disabilities campaign. This year’s kickoff event
MARRA-MARIE MAGSAKAY/ MONITOR
Canadian punk-pop singer Avril Lavigne stops by a Safeway in Pleasanton to discuss her support of the Safeway Foundation.
excited more fans and supporters. “This campaign began with the suggestion 25 years ago,” said the Safeway Executive Vice President Larree Renda as she distinguished the significance of the fundraiser. “Our employees with disabilities are our most loyal employees. Thank you, Avril and Dwight Clark, for comingout and supporting our cause,” she said. The People with Disabilities campaign had a partnership with Easter Seals and Special Olympics. These organizations give Continued on Page 6
Access denied CSUs must reduce space for transfer applicants
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/ MANIKA CASTERLINE and MANAL BEJAOUI
CSU East Bay is one of 15 CSU campuses that are halting the number of students that will be admitted to the school. By ISABELLA OHLMEYER Online editor
Some 15 California State University campuses will cease Spring 2013 admissions immediately and eight campuses will only accept a few hundred applicants who have their associate’s degree completed at a community college. Those few CSU campuses are San Francisco State, East Bay, Channel Islands, Fullerton,
Los Angeles, Sonoma, San Bernardino and Chico. Along with the admission freeze, students who apply to state colleges for the Fall 2013 term will be put on a waitlist until an election meeting is held to further discuss this plan of action. Chabot College history major, Casey Adams who recently heard the news said, “I’m not the only one who will be outraged by this decision. I
believe the logic behind this is quite futile.” George Escutia Jr., a member of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges also said the move by the CSU puts a further burden on the California community colleges as more students avoid transfer or are dually enrolled. “The hold on enrollment
Grace Kim
Lydia Sim
City’s James Logan High School and was deeply involved at the Hayward Korean Baptist Church where her family currently worships. “Any kid that God would lead her to, that’s where she wanted to be,” said her dad. Daniel Sim said Lydia was an independent girl with strong convictions who wouldn’t back down from when she knew she was right. “In the end, I know she’s in a better place. It’s hard to believe she’s gone. In the end, God has a plan and he needed her to
come to him early,” he said. Ohlone Vice-President of Student Services Ron Travenick said, “Our hearts go out students, staff, faculty and family members at Oikos University and Ohlone College who suffered from this violent act. As educators we all share their shock and concern.” Travenick advised that if anyone should have personal concerns about this tragedy, Rosemary O’Neill will be available for counseling to any students or faculty.
Continued on Page 6
Oikos University shooting claims lives of Tri-City’s Grace Kim and Lydia Sim By MANIKA CASTERLINE Editor-in-Chief
In the largest campus wide shooting since Virginia Tech, Monday’s rampage at Oakland’s Oikos University took the lives of seven students including 23-yearold Fremont resident Grace Kim and Lydia Sim, 21 who was an Ohlone transfer student. The Christian Oikos University where Kim and Sim attended is a reflection of how both young women were perceived by those who knew them. Former Ohlone student Katie O’Brien, who worked with Kim at BJ’s restaurant in Newark, said, “She was one of the few people I was friends with there. She was so kind hearted and full of positive energy. Always smiling and always peppy. She was the sunshine at BJ’s.”
O’Brien found out that Kim was one of the Oikos shooting victims through a mutual former BJ’s co-worker that the two shared. “I can’t believe she’s gone. She had so much more to give to the world. She had so much joy to spread. It’s unnerving how messed up this world is sometimes. I feel horrible for her family and send my deepest condolences to them,” O’ Brien said. While O’ Brien was a host and Kim was a server, they both had a common interest in hot guys. “We had routine about where the hot rich guys would be seated. Anytime I was in the stand she would ask,” O’Brien said. “It made me crack up because most of the time we got families, but on occasion I got a hot guy looking for a table. If she had an opening, I’d seat him in her section.” Kim graduated in 2007
from Foothill High School in Pleasanton and was studying nursing at Oikos. Daniel Sim, 19, who is Lydia Sim’s younger brother and an Ohlone College student, heard about the Oikos shooting when he was on his way to campus from the Sim’s Hayward residence Monday. Their father, Yongmin Sim, called him while he was in class informing him of Lydia’s death. “I broke down right there,” Sim said. Lydia aspired to become a pediatrician, which family members attribute to her love of kids. “Kids love her. When she walked through the door, kids would just run up to her,” Daniel Sim said. Sim was enrolled in a one-year vocational nursing program at Oikos and dreamed of applying to Stanford University for medical school. She graduated from Union
OPINIONS
2 monitor April 5, 2012
Body Art
Trayvon: Racial profiling?
Acceptable or taboo?
By SOPHIA VAUGHN Staff writer
By ISABELLA OHLMEYER Online editor
Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and have been seen as controversial for many individuals throughout the world. In a Pew Research Center survey, 36 percent of those ages 18 to 25 and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo. While tattoos seem irrelevant and pointless to many, they are now seen as socially acceptable in our society. Having a permanent marking on one’s body, such as a tattoo, has a different significant meaning for each person. For Native American tribes, tattoos symbolize marital status and for women, a skill in which they excel. For some, tattoos pay tribute to a loved one who has passed on or symbolizes commitment and love in a relationship or friendship. Other people get tattoos because it has a personal meaning to them, while others get a tattoo for simply the enjoyment of having one and to be accepted in society. I do not see anything wrong with tattoos, not only because I have a tattoo but because I see nothing wrong with a per manent form of art expressed on one’s body. I see tattoos as a freedom of expression, no matter the location of the tattoo or the type of tattoo. The reason why I got a tattoo of a treble clef on my wrist is because music, more specifically singing, has always been a passion of mine and a part of who I am and who I have become. A tattoo of a treble clef on my wrist seemed appropriate as a visual reminder to myself and to others the impact that music has on my life. Music has influenced me so much that I decided to mark my body permanently to signify that appreciation I hold for it. Many managers in the work force refuse to hire potential employers simply because they have one or multiple tattoos. I do agree that facial tattoos are inappropriate. Getting a well paying job with a facial tattoo is nearly impossible. Tattoos that are not located on the face, however, I believe managers should sincerely consider hiring individuals with tattoos. Just because a person has a tattoo does not mean that they are not well qualified for a job. You should not judge a book by its cover stands true when it come to those with tattoos.
Carmen Sandiego vs.Waldo A champ to reign in hide and seek By HEATHER HEGEMAN Staff writer
By JOE W. NICHOLS Opinions editor
CARMEN SANDIEGO would win a game of hide-and-seek. Carmen Sandiego is an internationally notorious fugitive. She is a former agent of the Academy of Combat Mission Enhancement (or ACME) gone rogue, successfully remaining at large for many years. She is now the leader of V.I.L.E., infamous counter-operation to ACME. Sandiego has had years of training specifically geared toward remaining unseen. As ACME’s most wanted fugitive, Sandiego has the added motivation of survival to finely hone her hiding skills. Carmen Sandiego is also better equipped to hide. She dresses discreetly and has somehow through the years managed to prevent the media from ever getting a clear photograph of her face. In contrast, Waldo ensures that he is consistently recognizable in his signature red and white camera. It does not appear that Waldo even attempts to hide.Carmen Sandiego would also, doubtlessly defeat Waldo at the other aspect of the game, the seeking. Her years of experience with both ACME and V.I.L.E. have left her with not only the skills required to remain hidden but also the necessary skills to uncover. Waldo’s main strategy is to hide in crowds of people. With Sandiego’s field experience, finding him would prove no challenge. She would find him without much effort.
WALDO of “Where’s Waldo,” fame would triumph in a game of hide and seek between Carmen Sandiego and himself . He would beat Carmen Sandiego hands down. They’re many reasons that make Waldo a better hide and seek player. One of the things that make him a better player is his unassuming hipster look. It’s those looks that allow Waldo to be able to blend into almost any group or situation he could possibly find himself in. Carmen Sandiego, with her red hat and red trench coat, would stand out to most people. Waldo could walk past people on the street and they wouldn’t give him a second look. Carmen Sandiego would stand out due to her suspicious behavior. Another reason Waldo is a better hideand-seek player is the fact that he can hide in plain sight with out giving any clues to his location. Carmen, on the other hand, has to work real hard to hide and always leaves clues to her location. In the end Carmen gets caught, or at the very least, found. Most times, Waldo can go a very long time with out being seen‚ sometimes if he is even found at all. This is why Waldo will have a long reign as the king of hide and seek. So, long live the king of hide and seek!
Campus Comment >>>
Who would win at hide and seek: Carmen Sandiego or Waldo?
Parker Vitak
Angelica Arde
Jason Lapala
“Waldo.”
“Their child.”
“Who’s hiding?”
BUSINESS
GRAPHIC ARTS
MICRO CELLULAR BIOLOGY
“If I had a son he would look like Trayvon,” said President Obama as he addressed the issue rising from the shooting of the young teen from Sanford, Fla. George Zimmerman was on his neighborhood watch duties when he spotted Trayvon Martin walking through the gated community. Zimmerman followed him. Zimmerman was advised by the 9-1-1 operator not to follow the teen and wait for police to arrive. He allegedly ignored those instructions. The situation that Zimmerman calls self defense ended up in the tragic death of an innocent bystander walking home from the local store with Skittles and a can of Arizona tea. Shot through the chest, Martin lay on the ground bleeding as neighbors watched on hearing his cries for help. Martin’s girlfriend was on the phone up until the time of the attack. According to news reports, he told her he was being followed and said he was trying to get away. Frequently the black community is faced with racial profiling. Just recently we were faced with the senseless shooting of Oscar Grant on a BART platform on New Year’s Day 2009. Was it the hoodie that brought negative attention to Martin or the color of his skin? I got the opinions from a few local African Americans on this new slaying in the black community. “ I feel that I get watched all the time while walking through my Willow Glen neighborhood. Now I’m not walking as much and often I’m on the defense about the police and don’t feel safe,” said John Paul Lonnie. Protests are going on nationwide to bring light on this event, hoping for change. Continued on Page 7
Where’s Waldo? And where’s Carmen Sandiego? Be the first to find them in this week’s paper and win a $5 Starbucks card. Email the pages in which they appear to: monitoronline@ ohlone.edu.
NEWS
Administrators added monitor despite hiring freeze ohlone college
Editor-in-Chief: By ASHLEY LAM Manika A. Casterline Features editor Features editor: Ronald Little II, also Ashley Lam known as Ron Little, will be joining Ohlone May 1 as vice Sports editor: president of Administrative Joe Nichols Services. Little has just left his Opinions editor: position as chief finance Joe Nichols officer at the San Diego Unified School District in Online editor: October. He will leave the Isabella Ohlmeyer San Diego Unified District officially April 30. Staff writers: Before Little had worked Thomas Phy in San Diego as chief finance Isabella Ohlmeyer officer, he previously worked Marra-Marie Magsakay for the South San Francisco Heather Hegeman Unified School District. Deeba Nabizad Thomas Moore who will be Sophia Vaughn joining Ohlone as director of John Hughes Facilities later this month. Allen Krimmel Moore, coming from a former position from UC San Diego, Distribution manager: has had years of experience Joe Nichols in facility management and construction. His experience Photo staff: is expected to especially help John Hughes special upcoming projects, Sophia Vaughn such as the prospects of a solar Claire Ewing Shamir Eijaz Graphics: Amy Scott Scott Pegueros
Ad staff: Writer Michael Parenti Amy Park visited the Ohlone campus March 30 to give a seminar Adviser: on his latest book,“Occupy Jeanie R. Wakeland Empire.” Parenti, a strong advocate JACC NorCAl of socialism, focused on the Student President: definition of capitalism, how Manika A. Casterline the country has been abusing it and why socialism works Printer: and capitalism doesn’t. FP Press Parenti took questions following his seminar. One questioner commented that socialism never works, but Parenti didn’t offer the man a chance to defend his statement. The seminar opened with California Newspaper Publishers Association the definition of the phrase political economy. “Both economics and politics deal with the fundamenJournalism Association of Community Colleges Contact us: Offices: Room 5310 Call: 510.659.6075 E-mail: monitor@ohlone.edu Read: h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / Ohlone.Monitor www.ohlonemonitor.wordpress. com
Opinions expressed in the Monitor are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily those of the staff, the college or the Associated Students of Ohlone College.
News bites Register Registration for continuing students begins April 26. New and former students can enroll in courses starting May 14.
New club In Fall 2012, Ohlone adds the Women’s Empowerment Club to its roster. The club will discuss what matters most to its members and some of the sample topics are; building healthy relationships, positive body image and stress management. Contact Emily Grantz for more information at egrantz@ ohlone.edu.
Travel Ron Little
Ohlone’s Study Abroad has provided students the farm on the Fremont campus will be taking her place opportunity to jet set off to funded by Measure G, said as executive director for foreign lands such as Greece, the Newark Patch. the Foundation, which is Italy, Australia, Thailand and Susan Houghton also will temporarily being staffed by China. be joining the Ohlone faculty public information officer This August, the nation later this semester. Houghton Patrice Birkedahl. that’s home to Guinness and Riverdance will host the next Ohlone study-abroad trip in Ireland. Wa n t t o g e t l u c k y ? Applications are due on April 12 to instructor Carol Nance tals of societal life,” said to bring you down…to make at cnance@ohlone.edu. Parenti. you hungry,” said Parenti. Faculty For 400 years the term Global corporate capitalism property has meant “money is the intent of every president. and the like,” he said, adding Debt is a way of impoverishPhotography professor Paul that ever since the days of John ing people. Mueller has been named Locke and Thomas Hobbs the “City taxes go to private April’s Faculty of the Month state develops protection for creditors. They don’t go to member. those who have wealth over the needs of our society,” said Mueller will have a solo those who don’t have it. Parenti. The state is impov- exhibit displayed at the Democracy was detested erishing itself for the sake of Mercury 20 Art Gallery in by the founding fathers, said having an empire,” he said. Oakland this June where he Parenti. “America justifies its bomb- is a member. “Democracy is the property ings by saying that they are huHis work can also be viewed of the leveling spirit,” said manitarian, which the United at paulography.com. Parenti. States does it to make other Mueller incorporates Parenti then went on to ex- governments behave.The multimedia ranging from plain how the capitalist state state ensures us that America video captures, slide shows functions. The capitalist state, is God’s gift to humanity and into his courses. Parenti said, is to maintain a it reinforce this belief through Philosophy professor normal infrastructure, protect terror and fear,” Parenti said. Wayne Yuen is asking faculty the capitalist state from levelWith little explanation, to participate in the process ing and to protect capitalism Parenti ultimately said that of selecting individuals to from the capitalists. socialism works better for the be Faculty of the Month “The empire feeds off of the people, but only under certain by making a nomination to republic. Capitalism is meant conditions. wyuen@ohlone.edu.
Speaker comes to Ohlone to make case for socialism
Ad manager: By ALLEN KRIMMEL Jamie Madamba Staff writer
April 5, 2012 monitor 3
FEATURES ‘Titanic’ 3D sails again for 100th anniversary 4 monitor April 5, 2012
By ASHLEY LAM Features editor
April 15, 2012 will mark the Titanic’s 100-year anniversary. The movie ‚ “Titanic” returned back to the big screen on April 4, but this time rereleased as both 3D and in IMAX. Over the last 10 decades, the Titanic has proven to be the most influential sunken ship in all of history. The catastrophic event has triggered extensive historical research and fascination, but most pertinently in pop culture we see the Titanic as one of the most tragic and classic love stories of the century. James Cameron‚“Titanic” film that won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture at the 1997 Academy Awards, has become the epitome of romantic drama. Even years after the movie‚ the love story of a working class boy and high-class girl finding each other on the doomed Titanic has held strong place in pop culture. But despite the movie‚ global success with a worldwide domestic growth of about $1.8 billion, the portrayal of the film has received a great deal of mixed criticism over the years. Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the industry gave the film very high praise, commenting on
its cinematographic triumphs. “It is flawlessly crafted, intelligently constructed, strongly acted, and spellbinding. Movies like this are not merely difficult to make at all, but almost impossible to make well,” said Ebert. Janet Maslin, film and literary critic of The New York Times responded well to the film, saying that Cameron‚ was magnificent ‚“Titanic,” is the first spectacle in decades that honestly invites comparison to‚ ‘Gone With the Wind.’ ” However, there were also differing opinions from the critics. While most universally agreed that visual effects
in the movie were groundbreaking and deserved exceptional praise, most critics who reviewed the film negatively came to the conclusion that “Titanic” lacked interesting emotional elements and character development, essentially missing out on profound content and dialogue. Kenneth Turan, a reviewer for the Los Angeles Times gave ‚“Titanic” a particularly bad review. “What really brings on the tears is Cameron’s insistence that writing this kind of movie is within his abilities. Not only is it not, it is not even close,” said Turan.
Following Turan’s review, the question of whether film critics and moviegoers wanted to associate themselves with the film arose. Due to the great deal of passionate hatred towards the film after its release, Benjamin Willcock from DVDActive.com proceeded to publically respond to Turan’s review. “Titanic” is not a film that is sucking people in with flashy hype and spitting them out onto the street feeling let down and ripped off. Turan mistakes archetype for cliche‚ said Willcock. In a recent interview on ABC News Kate Winslet talks about her experience watching “Titanic” in 3D for the first time. “You sort of feel like you are on a fairground ride. You are really experiencing the thrill of it, as opposed to just sitting back and watching the spectacle, you are really immersed in it,” said Winslet. At this point, the selling factor for the movie is to experience “the world’s most beloved and acclaimed film,” in 3D to “take the journey, fall in love and experience Titanic like never before,” according to the Titanic 3D’s official trailer. “Films are frequently rereleased for many reasons. Sometimes they just decide it was a good film and do it over with different actors. In
ASOC helps students save money By MARRA-MARIE MAGSAKAY Staff writer
Saving money is a task that many people have a hard time doing, but there are a few ways for students to save a few dollars on campus. The present trend for students is to be thriftier and money cautious. The ASOC provided the students’ wallets a slight break with the ID discount program. The ID discount program is a list of discounts from business such as restaurants and services exclusively for Ohlone College students who have a current student ID. ASOC Marketing and Communications Representative Charlyn Gonda designed and organized this semester’s pamphlet. Each ASOC executive and senator contributed two business discounts each semester. With a wide variety of businesses, students are able to choose a service within the list, present their ID and will receive whichever discount
JOE NICHOLS / MONITOR
ASOC ‘Smart Savings’ booth at the Fremont campus cafeteria was distributing local eatery coupons to students.
is offered. ASOC Representative at Large Hanray Wu provided a discount from Le Moose Crepe in Fremont and Spice Hut in Fremont. “I went to five places and only one never got back to me,” she said. This program helps students by‚ “basically turning our ordinary student ID card to a money saver.” Eric Naki, a student was
familiar with the usefulness of having a student. “It [the program] not only helps the businesses out, but it also helps students financially with purchasing food and other services,” he said. Even though the student ID discounts are offered each semester, some students are not aware of the program nor take advantage of it. “There is a certain group of students who use it, but not a
wide majority know about it,” said Naki. Tiara Licayan, one of those students who did not know about the program, was impressed of the factors of having a student ID. “I keep forgetting to one,”she said. “I think it is useful. I’ll check out the restaurants and beauty salons. As Licayan read over the pamphlet, she said ‚“Not other schools have it [the program], not like this.” One featured cafe of the ID discount program, Tyme for Tea in Fremont, offers a buyone-Victorian, get-one free. “I haven’t seen a lot of customers present their ID but I have notice a different group of younger students would come in,” said Wood, a head manager. The ID Discount Program pamphlet is now available free of charge at the ASOC office. Students can also download the app, Vidappe, which alerts alerts the user of the app of local discounts or card deals in real-time.
this case they had an excellent cast, the film was shot beautifully, and it was probably just a dollars and cents decision: “Can we make a profit if we hire editors to electronically convert it to 3D? Probably. So they did it,” said Gary Kauf, Ohlone’s broadcasting instructor. Kauf who is currently Ohlone’s main broadcasting instructor, works mainly in the TV spectrum, but over the years he has gained experience in film. Kauf, Ohlone’s broadcasting instructor comments on how typically today, some films are shot with two cameras locked together. This way, if a film is going to be a dud it can be released both normally and in 3D in the future if need be. However, in this case of “Titanic” with the 100-year anniversary of the historic event coming up, it was the case that additional money was put into processing the film into 3D. “3D films in the theater usually cost $2.50 or $3 more to watch,” said. “Titanic” is not everyone’s cup of tea, as some may see watching “Titanic” in 3D a new experience while others would rather skip it, in the mindset that it’s a gimmick. With this in mind, it is up for the public to decide whether the 3D revamp of “Titanic” is gimmicky or original.
Artwork entered in show By JOHN HUGHES Staff writer
The annual Ohlone College Student Art Show will be on exhibition in the LouieMeager Art Gallery in the Smith Center from April 4 to April 17. The award ceremony was scheduled to be held in room 3201 April 4, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show reception at the Louie-Meager Art Gallery followed the awards ceremony. Students could submit work made at Ohlone College art and design classes during the last 12 months. Each student could submit two pieces in each category but not more than five pieces total. There will be 10 categories of artwork on exhibit in this year’s show. The categories are painting, drawing, interior design, photography, graphic Continued on Page 6
FEATURES It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s WonderCon!
April 5, 2012 monitor 5
By ALLEN KRIMMEL Staff writer
Captain America’s shield. also meet and greet their Marvel also held panels favorite writers and artists that spotlighted their timely and get them to sign their The biggest surprise upcoming comic book series books, or even get a sketch. There is also an exhibit at this year’s WonderCon “Avengers vs. X-Men,” of in Anaheim was Marvel’s which the first issue debuts hall where both major and independent artists can show presence in the exhibit hall. on April 25. as well as sell their art to the WonderCon 2012 took Usually Marvel is a no-show public. place from March 16 to 18 at this convention, and only Businesses also rent space attends ComicCon. Marvel at the Anaheim Convention was promoting its upcoming Center. It was a heavy change where they can sell t-shirts, film “The Avengers,” which of scenery, as the convention toys and props among other usually takes place at the things. opens in theaters May 4. Costuming, also called This promotion was Moscone Center in San done in part with letting Francisco, but couldn’t this cosplaying, is a great fans take pictures with year due to construction of tradition at these kinds of the building. conventions it is greatly To those encouraged. Think of WonderCon as a unfamiliar with WonderCon, it smaller version of Comic is a convention Con International, but on a for comics, much more intimate level. The venue is smaller and movies, toys and anything of that the difference in attendees is drastic. fandom. It is a place This year’s version presented where fans quite a bit within the world can come into of comics and film. Aside from Marvel, the contact with second biggest publishing their idols. As an example, company is DC Comics, there were which presented quite a bit panels for films this year. DC held various panels in which the cast and crew show concerning the new 52, unseen footage which is their publisherwide of their current reboot started each comic projects and take again at issue No. 1, making questions and each comic friendly to new answers from the readers. ALLEN KRIMMEL / MONITOR There was also a DC Nation Two junior cosplayers dress up as Thor and audience. Captain America for “The Avengers.” Fans can panel which showcased two
ALLEN KRIMMEL / MONITOR
Joshua Mobley posed with Captain America’s shield at the Marvel Entertainment booth.
DC animated shows, “Young Justice” and “Green Lantern: The Animated Series.” DC was also generous enough to hold an advance screening of a full feature length animated film called “Superman vs. The Elite,” which won’t debut on BluRay and DVD until June 12. Other Hollywood studios had a large presence at the convention such as 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures which held presentations.
The films -- “21 Jumpstreet,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” “Prometheus,” “Sound of My Voice,” “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Snow White and the Huntsman” had panels in which most of the cast and crew were in attendance to take questions and answers. Whether you are just a casual fan, or a hardcore fan of pop culture, Wonder Con is a great place to make friends, see your heroes or just have fun.
Revisit mythology in ‘Wrath of the Titans’ By SCOTT PEGUEROS Staff writer
by the Olympians, can free Perseus must find Poseidon’s demigod son as well as himself. Hades, still bitter towards Hephaestus, the blacksmith Hell hath no fury then the his brothers, captures Zeus for the gods and navigate wrath of a Titan. to feed Kronos his power to the labyrinth to Tartarus, the Moviegoers learn this lesson free the Titan. Greek underworld, to rescue from the newest feature film, In order to save humanity, Zeus. “Wrath of the Titans,” which came out March 30. The much anticipated sequel of 2010’s “Clash of the Titans – a remake of the 1981 film of the same name – starred such icons as Harry Hamlin and Maggie Smith. “Wrath of the Titans” takes place a little over a decade after the events of the previous movie, where Perseus, the half-human son of Zeus played by Sam Worthington, went back to his life as a fisherman while raising his son Helius. Unfortunately, the Olympian gods are faced with a dilemma. Without the faith of the humans, the gods are steadily getting weaker. As the gods begin to lose their power, their work starts to come undone and that means the Titan Kronos, PHOTO COURTESY/ WARNER BROTHERS father of Zeus, Poseidon and Liam Neeson, Sam Worthington and Toby Kebbell star in Hades who was imprisoned ‘Wrath of the Titans.”
The casting is both a benefit and a detriment. First, there is Sam Worthington, who reprises his role as Perseus. He grew out his hair so that he doesn’t look like a mugger from New Jersey and to make himself look more Greek. Then there’s the talented Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes returning as Zeus and Hades respectively. The addition of Bill Nighy, who many know as Davy Jones of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, plays Hephaestus. While having the wise, calm mentor Liam Neeson, the diabolically cunning Ralph Fiennes and the enigmatic Bill Nighy, all together these characters makes it look like Qui-Gon Jinn, Lord Voldemort and Davy Jones got together for some inexplicable reason. The last movie’s biggest downfall was its lack of a consistent and intelligible plot. The whitewashed, modern dialogue and the 3D effect served almost no purpose.
The good news is the 3D effects are better but that’s it. It is definitely but slightly more worth the experience (and extra cost) to see it in 3D as it puts viewers in the action, although there were still some obvious 3D gags. The fast-paced action and the heart-pounding scenes will make viewers grip their seats in anticipation. I only wish that I could get a better look at some of the monsters during the action. Sadly, the plot is still just as confusing, contradictory and inaccurate. The dialect in the dialogue is not at all reminiscent of ancient Greece. There was only one Titan, despite the title and the owl from the 1981 movie makes another cameo. But who cares about that? In the first place the icon, the Kraken, is Viking mythology, not Greek. The 3D action will keep viewers in their seats and the heart-felt scenes will pique their interests. Just leave behind any critical thinking and enjoy the ride.
NEWS Lavigne, 49ers’ Dwight Clark support charity 6 monitor April 5, 2012
MARRA-MARIE MAGASKAY / MONITOR
Singer Avril Lavigne and former 49er Dwight Clark spoke out at a local Safeway on Tuesday advocating an organization that supports people with disabilities. Continued from Page 1
services and support to people with disabilities in order to live more independently. “Customers will give up their extra change once they see and hear the big message,” said Renda. The past year, Safeway
customers and employees raised $10.4 million for the campaign. Easter Seals has helped around 2 million people a year, according to James E. Williams, Jr., the CEO of Easter Seals. He was “delighted that Avril has joined,” he said.
Customers who donate $5 to the fundraiser will receive a secret code to watch Avril Lavigne’s exclusive behindthe-scenes videos on tour. “It is all about giving back and making a difference,” said Williams. The Special Olympics
per category,” said Kenney Mencher, gallery director and art professor. “They placed a sticker on each piece that they liked. The art with the most stickers will go into the show,” said Mencher. Any artwork that is not
selected to be put in the gallery show will be on display in Building 7 rather than being located in the main art gallery. There were 130 pieces of art submitted for this year’s Student Art Show, Mencher said.
holds about 50,000 competitions a year. “Acceptance brings peace through the joy of sports,” said Brady Lum, the chief officer of Special Olympics. Special Olympics “objective is to reach out to every individual,” he said.
“Role models like Avril and Dwight can break through the stereotypes.” Clark has supported the Safeway Campaign since the 1990s. Lavigne founded her own charity, Rockstar Club and the Avril Lavigne Foundation.
Art show delivers awards to blossoming talent Continued from Page 4
design, computer graphics, art historical references, sculpture and 3D design, ceramics and glass. The artwork was judged by a jury of Ohlone College art professors. “Each juror had five stickers
Left: Simon Tang’s computer graphic “Saki” and EunKyoung Kim’s oil pastel “Chuck Close Self Portrait” each won an award at the art show award ceremony Wednesday night.
Students weigh in over CSU admissions decision Continued from Page 1
is unfair to the thousands of students who now must wait on the outcome of an election to find out if they will be attending a CSU. We cannot continue to determine our economic future on election cycles. California must reinvest in education,” Escutia Jr. said. A press release from the student senate said that CSUs are closing the door on about 16,000 students who typically transfer to CSU each spring to cut its budget and to reduce enrollment for the next academic year, anticipating a nearly $200 million trigger
cut if the tax initiative fails. Pamela Hicks, a CSU East Bay professor, said, “I understand that numbers are numbers but the accompanying fact that administrators continue to receive raises while students are denied admission and faculty and staff salaries remain flat is not just an economical question. It is a question of basic morality.” The admissions freeze especially impacted the Ohlone College community of students who are eager to transfer. Ohlone radio broadcasting major David Martin said he was not aware of the Spring
2013 cuts. “I think it is ridiculous that the state is doing that and not allowing people to advance and better themselves,” he said. “It is wrong and needs to be changed.” Kevin Feliciano, Ohlone College student and Student Senate president, said, “With the budget cuts at the community colleges resulting in the reduction of course sections, students who had to stay an extra semester/quarter and who were hoping for spring 2013 admissions to a CSU will now need to wait an extra term. The students have nowhere to go.” While many students feel
outraged by the decision, some students, such as Livermore’s Las Positas College communications major Nick Sears, have already dealt with rejection from schools and the reasoning behind it. “I already got that experience firsthand. I didn’t get into Cal Poly because it said it was very impacted. I always thought that if you went to community college, paid your dues and applied after two years, you had a really good shot of getting into state schools. I guess that is not the case anymore,” Sears said. Fresno State public rela-
tions major Kiley Norvell, said the decision “really messes up a lot of people’s schedules and plans, because students who might have been able to finish school in four years (while saving a lot of money in the process by going to community college) are now being forced to funnel more money into their educations.” Hicks urged students to be mindful of upcoming state elections. “The CSU faces the enrollment freeze in Spring 2013 if the voters don’t pass the proposed education tax bill in the coming election this fall. So vote.”
EVENTS
April 5 - UC Santa Cruz (University Rep. Visit) Building 7, 3rd Floor Lobby 10 a.m. 5 - Women’s Softball Foothill College (away) 3 p.m. 5 - FAFSA Application Assistance Room HH-113 3:30 p.m. 6 - Why Sex?
(Science Seminar Series) by Gessica Johnston Room 3201 7 - Women’s Softball College of San Mateo (home) 11 a.m. 7 - Men’s Baseball Cabrillo College (away) Noon 7 - Women’s Softball City College of San
Francisco (home) 1 p.m. 9 - UC Berkeley (University Rep. Visit) Building 7, 3rd Floor Lobby 10 a.m. 9 - College Council Meeting Room 7101 3 p.m. 9 - Inter Club Council (ICC) Meeting Room 7101 4:30 p.m. 10 - HIV Testing Clinic Student Health Center, Room 7302 11 a.m. 10 - Men’s Baseball College of San Mateo (home) 2 p.m.
10 - Appreciation of Service for Dr. Ron Quinta (for Ohlone employees) 2:30 p.m. 10 - Women’s Softball Mission College (away) 3 p.m. 10 - ASOC Meeting Room 7101 4 p.m. 11 - Transfer Admission Guarantee (Transfer Workshop) Room 2201 11:30 a.m. 11 - Student Development Committee Meeting Room 7102 2 p.m.
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April 5, 2012 monitor 7
Trayvon: Racial profiling? Continued from Page 2
Some people say racism does not exist anymore. However, many people see it differently. Carl Gulley, when I asked him how did he feel about wearing a hoodie after Trayvon was shot dead, said, “What happened to Trayvon was wrong, shot dead for wearing a hoodie and for being black. Now I’m scared to let my children wear hoodies and they can’t go out with them on. Juanita McFerrin, the mother of four, said that racism is not gone. “We are judged by the color of our skin. Blacks, Hispanics and Asians are discriminated against. “I’m definitely afraid that the way my kids dress will make them targets for negative racial profiling.” This tragedy needs to bring our nation to a new point. In all honesty I do not think things will change. If it were a black man shooting a white teen dead in the middle of the street, he would have been arrested and sentenced to death. Zimmerman still walks free. “One nation under God with liberty and justice for all”: These words are from the Pledge of Allegiance that students recite daily. This is not what we live with, but it is something we should all strive to attain.
SPORTS
8 monitor April 5, 2012
Swim team counting down to championships Renegades looking good for big meet By THOMAS PHY
Staff writer
The 2012 Coast Conference Championships are fast approaching for the Ohlone Men’s and Women’s Swim team and Dive team. While Coach Gene Kendall’s team has participated in eight meets so far this year, in the world of college swim and dive, it all comes down to the conference championships. “The meets that we’ve had so far [...] are like exhibitions,” said Kendall. “In swimming, what it comes down to is the conference championship meet. That’s where everything is determined.” While the meets don’t have any impact on the placing of Coach Kendall’s teams, they do allow him to get an idea for how his team stacks up against the seven-team field in the competition. “I think my girl’s team has a chance to win,” said Kendall.
BACHELOR’S
2014
THOMAS PHY / MONITOR
The Ohlone Swim and Dive teams do laps as they prepares for the Coast Conference Championships this month.
“And I think my guys will finThe women’s team is led by ish somewhere in the middle swimmers Torey Jerome, Vicof the pack.” toria Lee, Audrey McLagan and Devan Seeley. “Those four girls are going to make up some really, really strong relays for us at the conference meet.I expect them to score really high in every one of their individual events,” Said Kendall. Each swimmer has three individual events in which they participate as well as four relays. The top 16 competitors
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receive points for their placing, with 20 points going to the first-place finisher in individual events and 40 points going to the first-place team in the relay events. While Kendall doesn’t consider this women’s team to be the best he’s had at Ohlone due to the lack of depth, he does consider it to be one of the best in terms of “sheer quality.” “I wish I had more depth but with the swimmers that we have on the girls side [...] they’re all quality,” said
Kendall. On the men’s side, Kendall expects good performances from swimmers Ian McNair and Will Hughes. “Those guys have been working pretty hard and I’m hoping that they go for some lifetime best swims at [the] conference [championships],” said Kendall. The Men and Women’s Swim and Dive Coast Conference Championships will be held in San Mateo from April 19 to April 21.
Lady Renegades knock out another softball win Lady Jaguars scored two more runs in the top of the sixth inning. Ohlone’s Katie Bihl allowed two base runners, but managed to strike out the final batter to preserve a 6-3 victory. This gave Ohlone Women’s softball team its 21st victory for the 2012 softball season. They are in second place in the Northern Division Coast conference with an 8-2 record. The Lady Renegades will play Chabot College at 3 p.m. today and a doubleheader Saturday.
By JOHN HUGHES Staff writer
Tuesday’s softball game played by the Ohlone Lady Renegades was just another ho-hum victory over the San Jose City College. The score was tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning but the Lady Renegades hit parade was coming. Renelle Traylor got a single. Mariah Nisbet and Kaley Marden loaded the bases. Lauren Ermitano knocked in two more runs with a double into left field. Shelby Fowler and Lauren Poffenborger followed with singles of their own. This provided the Lady Renegades a 6-1 lead. Ohlone starting pitcher Brittany Wright pitched six strong innings. San Jose City
JOHN HUGHES/MONITOR
Katie Bihl pitches in top the the seventh inning to preserve the 6-3 Lady Renegades victory over San Jose College April 3.
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