CO U R I ER Pasadena City College
Serving PCC Since 1915
SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 VOLUME112 ISSUE 2
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM
SCENE: SO LONG SUMMER
Pasadena ends the summer with outdoor movies, concerts and dancing! PAGES 4&5
Newly appointed Superintendent-President Rajen Vurdien in the halls of the C building on Sept. 4.
Katja Liebing/Courier
Meet PCC’s new president Kristen Luna Editor-in-Chief
One day while sitting in the doctor’s office, a young Mauritian boy who had yet to visit America picked up a National Geographic magazine to occupy his time. While flipping through the pages, the boy saw a photo of an expansive beach located in Oregon with a couple riding horses and thought to himself, “One day I will go there.” Dr. Rajen Vurdien, 62, is our newly appointed Superintendent/President. Born and raised on the small African island of Mauritius, he dreamed of coming to the United States and through hard work and much success, he made his dream come true. It all started in 1971, when 18-year-old Vurdien embarked on a journey that very few locals had made before. One of 12 students awarded a scholarship from the French government, Vurdien made the move from Mauritius to France in hopes of achieving academic success. “It was a great experience,” Vurdien said. “I was kind of lost and in a completely different world.” At that time, with roughly 600,000 citizens, Mauritius was still controlled by Britain and for most locals education was not easily achievable. “When I was growing up, education was only free
up to the end of sixth grade and after that it’s over; you’d go to work,” Vurdien said. “And the only reason why I could go to high school was because I got a scholarship. If I didn’t get a scholarship, it would’ve been very difficult.” “If you had a tenth grade education you could become a teacher,” Vurdien added. “Very few would make it to the twelfth grade and those that graduated from high school would have very good jobs in government.” While in France, Vurdien completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in art from the University of Upper Brittany in Rennes, France. He returned to Mauritius in 1975 with the goal of bringing all he had learned back to the island. “I thought I could do a lot of good by working with students,” Vurdien said. “I wanted to help prepare the next generation of students because education was not easy on the island.” In 1968, the island had become independent and according to Vurdien, “life had changed completely.” “The island was able to develop itself, promote tourism,” Vurdien said. “Now the island is one of the richest islands on that part of Africa, it’s the most intellectually advanced island. They have colleges and universities.”
Vurdien received his postgraduate certificate in education from the Mauritius Institute of Education and immediately put his skills to use. In 1982, after seven years of teaching on the island, Vurdien moved to China to volunteer for the United Nations and after two years he was running the United Nations development program. With all the diverse academic success Vurdien accomplished, he has developed a broader understanding of education as a whole. “The profession of teaching itself is seen differently in different parts of the world,” Vurdien said. “Each college is unique … it has its own culture, it has its own governance system. Having been at all those places I feel that I have been enriched by each individual experience.” “I would love for people to have an opportunity to experience what I have experienced because it broadens your mind and gives you an opportunity to see the world differently, it gives you an opportunity to deal with people differently,” Vurdien added. It was 1985 when Vurdien finally made the move to America. Having a friend in the area, he relocated to Philadelphia and attended Temple University where he received his master’s in education and a doctorate in physiological studies. After graduating
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REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
Pasadena Playhouse presents the award-winning comedy PAGE 6
MEN’S SOCCER TEAM LOSES
Frustration mounts as Lancers lose to San Bernardino Valley PAGE 7
ARTIST NORMAN ABBEY
Former professor tackles many mediums of art PAGE 8
2017: Winter returns
Basketball coach reinstated
A winter intersession will be reinstated in the 2016-2017 academic calendar following the July decision by the Public Employment Relations Board that the district violated the law when eliminating the winter intersession in the 2012-2013 academic year. The July 30th PERB ruling stated that the district unilaterally implemented new terms and conditions of employment when adopting a new calendar in 2012-2013 academic year – which caused a loss of wages for faculty affected by the calendar change. The Board of Trustees accepted the ruling and chose not to submit any exceptions to the decision, which orders the district to reinstate winter by the 2016-2017 calendar year and compensate employees for “any losses suffered as a result of the change,” including interest at the
Women’s basketball head coach Joe Peron returned to his coaching position for his 20th season in 2015-2016 after being suspended following violations that occurred toward the end of last season. After 19 seasons of coaching at PCC without committing any violations, Peron was “guilty by association” Coach Joe Peron for a recruiting violation and was accused of a housing violation that would’ve left one of his players in the streets. She asked him for help one night and he was there to help her. The original ruling was a one-year suspension that wouldn’t affect his teaching. After investigations and several months of waiting, Peron’s penalty was lessened to an eight-game suspension and the women’s basketball program was placed on probation for four years with one year of formal probation and three years of informal probation. Peron, speaking during public comment at the Board of Trustees meeting on Septem-
Keely Damara Managing Editor
rate of 7 percent per year. The district is currently working with the Faculty Association to calculate the financial impact eliminating winter had on affected staff. Roger Marheine, president of the Faculty Association during the span of the lawsuit initially filed in 2012, said that the FA pushed for reinstating winter for the 2015-2016 academic calendar. “Upon hearing the PERB findings, we informed the college that we wanted to reinstate Winter in 2016,” wrote Marheine in an email. “Unfortunately, the college has refused. However, by law the college must implement Winter in 2017. I personally would have hoped to get back on track earlier, but that is where things stand at the moment.” Dr. Robert Bell, assistant superintendent of academic and student affairs, said that the reinstatement of winter will move forward through the shared governance process, just like it did last year, before a calendar
will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval. Changing the 2015-2016 academic calendar after it has already begun could negatively affect students, Bell said, just like it did when winter was taken away suddenly in the 2012-2013 academic year. He believes proper planning is necessary to make the transition easier for students – which includes submitting proper financial aid disbursement dates to the government based on a new calendar and programming our course registration portal website to reflect these changes. “We made that change too quickly and it impacted the students negatively,” said Bell. “So I’m disinclined to go back and make the same mistake twice.” While the FA disagrees that adding winter to the current calendar would disrupt student planning by adding a session — not eliminating one — they are
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Ahmad Akkaoui Staff Writer
ber 3 alongside nine of his current players, thanked the board and Trustee William Thomson for influencing further investigation in his case. Peron also thanked Superintendent-President Rajen Vurdien for trusting and believing in him and his program. He said at the end of the day it’s about his players and their expectation when they agreed to attend PCC. During a previous board meeting, Thomson called for an investigation into this matter. Senior Vice President and Assistant Superintendent for Academic and Student Affairs Robert Bell was responsible for the investigation but was unable to comment about any details. Vurdien said the decision to bring Peron back to his coaching position was “my decision.” Former point guard Shay Jackson decided to follow in a few of her peers’ footsteps and trust her coach’s advice after high school and move away from home in Oakland to play for Peron. “[Peron] helped me with life in general … he was always there. I hadn’t seen my mom in about two or three years and my first game here was the first time she had ever seen
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NEWS
2 COURIER
September 17, 2015
Associated Students President aims to bridge gap between departments and students Hannah Gonzales Staff Writer Newly elected Associated Students President Irving G. Morales plans to continue his role as a voice for students while advocating for a stronger AS presence on campus. Formerly the Vice President for Cultural Diversity, Morales wants the AS to have a bigger role on campus. “Unfortunately not all of our students are aware that they have a student government,” said Morales. “Especially high school students.” Morales has already started promoting AS by hosting Welcome Week, which took place in the quad. “It was a great success,” said Morales. “Lots of planners went out, lots of information.” However, Morales acknowledges that Welcome Week was just the tip of the iceberg. He has several goals that he would like to see implemented by the end of his term. The first of which is to fill several empty seats on the AS board. “We’re very small,” said Morales. “I have three more spots available and hopefully I can get those filled in as soon as possible.” Another goal is to make sure that students have the necessary resources for transferring. “He has a lot of ideas to push his agenda,” said former AS President Jordyn Orozco. Morales’ attitude towards advocating for students has inspired his board to do the same. “I am excited to have Irving for AS President this year,” said Elena Pierce, the Vice President for Cultural Diversity. “This year we hope to make valuable connections with different academic groups to build stronger connections for the future as well as get the word out there that we are a resource for students.”
Saturday, Sept 12 THEFT Items were reported stolen from an unlocked classroom while the students were at lunch. ASSAULT A woman was assaulted and struck in the head with a motorcycle helmet. The suspect was reported to be yelling about marital infidelity and then hit the victim. MEDICAL A woman was reported calling out for help, with an unknown medical problem, while laying near the women’s restroom on the second floor of the library. Her mother was in class on campus. Friday, Sept. 11 DISTURBING THE PEACE
Working together, the board has come up with several ideas that would benefit students. They include a program to help students quit smoking and encouraging more clubs to get chartered. “As a team we will strive to be the voice of students by advocating for students in all our endeavors,” said Pierce. Morales started out his career as a student representative by joining clubs. From the Honors Society club to the Blood Committee, which worked with the American Red Cross, Morales found that he enjoyed helping students. “From seeing how much I loved helping students I decided to join as a VP last year,” said Morales. Once his term as VP was over, Morales decided to become president. “I decided that going on as president, I would be able to help even more with my knowledge of what students want and need,” said Morales. This includes building bridges between departments so that students have the resources they need. By the end of his term, Morales aims to have departments at PCC understand what resources will benefit students. One of the key issues Morales hopes will soon be addressed is winter intersession. “I am sad to hear that lots of students in that year were affected because I was affected by it to,” said Morales. “I’ve heard great comments how it’s going to benefit [students] having winter.” For now, Morales is preparing the AS to host several events in the upcoming weeks, including Club Week and a movie night. “I’m very hopeful for this year,” said Morales. “Let’s get those As and get ready to transfer.”
POLICE BLOTTER
A computer Lab Supervisor reported a Hispanic man has been repeatedly breaking the rules regarding internet usage.
reported having an episode on the ramp between the B and C buildings. The students’ father was contacted and advised to transport the student.
Thursday, Sept. 10 TRANSIENT A hispanic man in his twenties with a ponytail was reported to be acting “out of the ordinary” and yelling loudly. The man was escorted off campus. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY There was a report of a possibly mentally disturbed man speaking to himself and taking off his shoes. A professor informed campus police he was a student. MEDICAL A student with a “conversion disorder” was
Wednesday, Sept. 9 DISTURBING THE PEACE A student was reported to be agitated and disturbing class in V-207. The instructor did not call campus police but will conduct a follow-up. HIT AND RUN There were three reported hit and runs in lots four and five on Wednesday. One suspect was reported driving a white Dodge Charger with a black roof. SUICIDE WATCH A family member reported to campus Police that a male student on campus may be suicidal.
VURDIEN Continued from page 1 and also receiving masters of business administration degree from Long Island University, Vurdien went back to teaching. Vurdien had a very successful teaching career before arriving at Pasadena City College. He has taught at a number of four-year colleges throughout the country, most recently at Fullerton College, where he was president for five years. Greg Schultz, interim president of Fullerton College, worked alongside Vurdien from 2012 to 2015 and recalls that time fondly. “I have the utmost respect for Dr. Vurdien,” Schultz said. “His leadership style is visionary, student-centered, inclusive and transparent. He was highly effective and consistently demonstrated a commitment to participatory governance and community involvement throughout his tenure.” When the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect Vurdien last April, many on campus were disappointed and believed Interim Superintendent President Robert Miller should have been selected.Former Student Trustee Marshall Lewis, along with former Associated Students president Jordyn Orozco, expressed their frustration with the board for not taking community input into account during the hiring process. Many in the Academic Senate felt the same, driving all but two senators to a vote of no confidence against the board. Academic Senate President Valerie Foster, who was elected after the no confidence vote, said she has been impressed with Vurdien so far. “Dr. Vurdien has a great deal of experience working in the community college system and
Keely Damara/Courier Associated Students President Irving G. Morales stands in the Quad on Friday, Sept. 4.
his expertise is obvious from the initial meetings we have had with him,” Foster said. “We are optimistic about a productive relationship as we face the challenge of addressing the nine-accreditation recommendations handed down by ACCJC.” With PCC placed on probation recently, Vurdien is familiar with the work that needs to be taking place among the campus in order to be fully accredited. In June of 2011, the Accrediting Commission for Community Junior Colleges placed Fullerton College on a warning, which was removed in July of 2012. “Dr. Vurdien provided wonderful leadership during this time, but he would be the first to say he did not do it alone,” Schultz said. “The college turned things around because of countless hours of the hard work by faculty, staff and administrators working together to make improvements.” Board of Trustees President Berlinda Brown felt that Vurdien was the right fit for PCC and credited his “humble spirit, diverse background, excellent leadership style, outstanding background references and great interpersonal skills” in the board’s final decision. With many years of teaching, Vurdien understands that in order to be successful in academia, one must be willing to adapt to the changes of each generation. “I think it is important for administrators to understand the new generation and the best way to understand the new generation is to talk to students. See what they are doing, what interests them,” Vurdien said. “It provides a great opportunity for that interaction between teacher and
student. The student can come to class having read information, having researched it online, and coming to class the teacher and student can work together to get an in-depth understanding, with the teacher guiding the student. It’s no longer the teacher knowing and giving to the student, now it’s more that the teacher is a guide. And that’s something we need to make sure we all understand.” Robert Bell, PCC’s senior vice-president/assistant superintendent has been working alongside Vurdien the past few months and is confident that his character is just what the school needs to move forward. “I have enjoyed working with Dr. Vurdien,” Bell said. “He is an intelligent and passionate leader who will bring positive change to the college … He is engaged and makes a point of visiting college offices, faculty and staff to meet them and better understand them and their roles. It seems the campus has also adapted well to Dr. Vurdien. He is off to a good start.”
Thursday, August 27 A student contacted Campus Police stating that his backpack was stolen from one of the storage lockers in the bookstore. Surveillance was checked and a person was seen taking the backpack and leaving the area on a green mountain bike. The case is currently under investigation. Friday, August 29 The Pasadena Police Department advised Campus Police of a 30-year-old male casing cars with the intent of theft in Lot 5. Officer Despain checked all areas in Lot 5. The subject was gone on arrival. Now that Vurdien is a few months into his new role on campus, he has a clear vision of what he hopes to achieve his first year. “The most important one right now is for us to be able to address the recommendations of the accrediting commission because nobody wants to be in a school that is featured on the front page of the local paper saying the school is placed on probation,” Vurdien said. “No matter how we look at it, this community is a very proud community. Pasadena City College is at the heart of this community, it is so important for us to address this and I’m going to put the teams together to do what we have to do, working as a united community, as a united college community to address this and to have this sanction of probation lifted. I want to make sure we continue being the number one school in the nation.” “I hope to stay here a long, long time because this is the world I love the most,” Vurdien added. “The world of academia, the world of
WINTER Continued from page 1 hopeful about the future of shared governance decisions and the administration’s willingness to take faculty input into consideation. “It is my impression about Dr. Vurdien that he is listening and hearing—which is a wonderful thing and he has an open door policy which is a wonderful thing,” said Julie Kiotas, the current president of the Faculty Association. “They have opened the door for more communication. Where the communication leads is yet to be borne out, we’ll see where we go.” The poor communication and planning between shared governance—which includes staff, administrators, students and classified employ-
ees—has contributed to PCC being put on academic probation by the Accrediting Commission of Community Junior Colleges. Bell believes that shared governance is heading in the right direction in regard to resolving these issues. “I think we’re getting there, we still have a ways to go,” said Bell. “But the platform of discussion is much better now than it was, let’s say, two or three years ago.” The calendar committee will be informed of the PERB decision during their meting on Thursday, Sept. 24 before moving forward with their calendar recommendation.
OPINION
3 COURIER
Trump: GOP’s Frankenstein monster Amber Lipsey Staff Writer
From the election of Barack Obama until now, the Republican Party has delighted in government obstruction, fear mongering and stoking the racism of the right-wing fringe. After the 2012 election, the GOP has desperately tried to rebrand itself to appeal to minorities, women and low-income voters. Unfortunately for the GOP, the chickens have come home to roost in the candidacy of Donald Trump. Quinnipiac University’s poll this week has Trump at 28 percent nationally, up from 20 percent in July. Public Policy Polling has Trump leading all Republicans in New Hampshire with 35 percent. A Monmouth University poll has him at 30 percent in South Carolina, followed 15 points later by Ben Carson. Trump has been hailed by his supporters as the iconoclast who says what we’re all thinking. The problem is this is only true if you’re white, conservative, sexist and racist. These labels are exactly what the establishment wing of the GOP has been trying desperately to move away from. The party that claims not to be racist, sexist and classist is currently be-
ing led by a candidate who is just that. “He’s not a war hero. He’s a war Presidential candidates cannot win hero because he was captured,” the presidency without the support Trump said. “I like people who weren’t of minorities and women. These are captured.” the exact voters that Trump is turning This kind of swift-boat rhetoric away from in the Republican Party. was started by the GOP in 2004 when According to Huffington Post, the Republican National Committee Trump referred to Mexicans and other attacked Democratic candidate John immigrants as “rapists” and “murderKerry’s war record. ers.” His comments have begun to turn Trump is currently embroiled in a off conheated servative back Latino and voters. forth NPR with quoted none Hispanic other conserthan vative ConserRicky vative Salanetwork Cartoon by Mick Donovan Fox barria on his feelings about Trump’s candidacy, News over his disparaging comments which they refer to as “The Trump about commentator Megyn Kelly. Effect.” Trump implied that her menstrual state “Being Hispanic, being gay, it all was the reason for her tough questionsort of, like, makes it hard to be a part ing at the August GOP debate, and of the GOP right now,” Salabarria referred to her as a “bimbo.” said. “He drowns out a lot of the For many it’s confusing how such a conservative field, and it’s very bad for problematic candidate could be leading the Republican Party.” the GOP field. The fact is, Trump simTrump angered Republicans further ply appeals to the racism and the “take with his comments about Arizona our country back” rhetoric that began Senator John McCain. with the election of Obama in 2008.
In a Washington Post op-ed, Bruce Bartlett has suggested that Trump does not need the Latino vote if he appeals to the “racism” of black voters. Bartlett says that black voters have been receptive to anti-immigrant concepts. If Trump successfully turns black voters against Latinos, he can win black votes without changing his message. This is the kind of tone-deaf, racial ignorance typical of white pundits, who know nothing about black voter demographics, and assume that all black voters are monolithic in how they vote. The GOP has a major problem. If Trump wins the Republican nomination, he will almost certainly lose the general election. If Trump does not win the nomination, he has threatened to run as an independent, which would split the GOP vote and they would lose. The Republican Party has spent the last seven years creating and stoking this political climate. They’ve created a monster they can no longer control, which may end up costing them the presidency.
Kim Davis: U.S. law vs. religious law Hannah Gonzales Opinion Editor
NO
Kim Davis has refused time and time again to do her job as a Kentucky county clerk. Citing religion as the reason for not upholding the recent Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriages, Davis has used her beliefs as an excuse to flaunt the law and deny same-sex couples the basic legal rights they deserve. Despite the clash of religious conservatives and gay rights advocates, the issue here isn’t so much Davis’ religion as it is her refusal to do her job. As an American citizen, Davis is entitled to her beliefs as long as it doesn’t interfere with the law. However, Davis has used her Christian faith as an excuse to unjustly deny same-sex couples the right to wed. When the Supreme Court ruled that states had to allow same-sex couples to marry, it meant that county clerks were responsible for making sure same-sex partners were allowed the legal opportunities as afforded to their heterosexual counterparts. “The Constitution grants [same-sex couples] that right,” said Justice Anthony Kennedy, according to NPR. Under the 14th Amendments protections, states cannot keep samesex partners from marrying and their union must be recognized. Davis claims that the “will of God” supersedes the Supreme Courts ruling; however, she has no legal ground to stand on.
COURIER
It is Davis’ job to certify that all couples that come before her meet the state requirements for marriage. By refusing to sign off on marriage licenses, same-sex couples are paying the price for Davis’ religious faith. However, the problem doesn’t rest solely on Davis. In July, Governor Steve Beshear issued a mandate that told Kentucky county clerks that they had to issue licenses to same-sex couples without exception. Davis was put into the position of having to issue licenses. Torn between her faith and her duty as a civil servant, she chose to stop issuing licenses entirely. All people are entitled to their beliefs, Davis included. Instead of issuing the mandate, the Kentucky Legislature should have instead looked to remove an individual clerk’s name and title from a marriage license, therefore accommodating same-sex couples and clerks whose beliefs put them in a position of having to choose between their faith and the law. Despite the fact that Davis has the right to practice her beliefs, what she did was wrong and illegal. Instead of resigning from her job or asking to be moved to another department, she chose to inconvenience others by failing to comply with the rules and exceptions that her job demanded of her. In an era where same-sex marriage is legal, people can expect conflicts, like the one with Davis, to arise as public officials and private citizens struggle to balance their faith with the notion that same-sex couples have the right to marriage.
Opinion Editor Hannah Gonzales
Photo Editor/ Managing Editor Keely Damara
Features Editor Mick Donovan
Online Photo Editor Eric Haynes Social Media Editor Amber Lipsey News Editor John Orona
YES
America has made a hypocritical error in the case against Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, who recently refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The nation has responded with animosity toward Davis, telling her she should either resign or turn against her faith by permitting licenses. As the result of overlapping laws, Davis was imprisoned for six days. Through the controversy, the first and tenth amendments were compromised in the name of marriage. Many have accused Davis of being hateful, which contradicts her Christian faith she has stood by. “Freedom” in Christianity has never meant to live the life one wants to live, but to live in accordance with the Gospel. The Christian life is one of struggle, as it involves standing up for what is believed in the face of adversity. When put in perspective, would it not have been easier for Davis to issue a marriage license and ignore her faith? Evidently, her stance has not been out of hate for same-sex couples, but out of love and loyalty for her God. She knew that this could cause controversy and persecution, but she decided to go through it because it was worth the cost. The apostle Paul, who was imprisoned unjustly several times throughout his life for being a Christian, eventually giving his life for his faith, wrote in his letter to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
Lifestyle Editor Monique LeBleu Scene Editor Erica Hong Staff Writers Ahmad Akkaoui, Alex Chhuon, Amber Lipsey, Andi Harding, Anthony Carter, Arielle Taccad,
Christian Rivas, Elissa Saldana, Erica Hong, Ericka Bernabe, Julius Choi, Kelly R. Murillo, Lilith Garcia, Melody Congote, Mick Donovan, Rachel Ho, Timothy Mably Staff Photographers Alexis Luengas, Anthony Galindo, Eric Haynes, Irma Carrillo, Josie Rodriguez, Katja Liebing, Kristen Luna, Monique LeBleu, Nate Fermin, Samantha Molina, Daniel Valencia
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The Bible is offensive. This is a fact that Christians support. It is often in life that what is believed to be the truth can contradict what we would prefer to be the truth. In the church, it is accepted that the Gospel is not meant purely as a means of comfort, but of justice. “You can’t be separated from something that’s in your heart and in your soul,” Davis said to the judge prior being escorted out of court by a federal marshal. Of course, the Davis controversy is not merely a matter of motivations, but fairness. To the world, it would not be fair for her to impose her faith. To her, it would not be fair for the world to impose on her faith. “We want a pagan society to respect our sentimental religiosity, and that is not going to happen any time soon,” wrote Douglas Wilson, a Christian blogger, in response to the court’s ruling for her imprisonment. In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar allowed those he ruled over to practice their own religions as long as they first bowed to a golden statue he created. The idol of the nation is not simply justice, but man-made freedom. Christopher Ciccone, openly gay brother of Madonna, wrote a Facebook post in defense of Davis: “Is it so difficult to allow this woman her religion? Or must we destroy her in order for her to betray her faith, no matter how we judge its truth? The rights we have all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers.”
VOICES
What do you expect from the new Superintendent President Rajen Vurdien this semester?
“I would like to see him dance bachata and salsa but if he doesn’t it’s okay because he can come to our club to learn.” Chris Obril, computer science
“Honestly create more programs for people to get classes because it is hard to get classes.” Johnathan Fluker, business administration
“Bringing back the winter session, that is the most important thing to me right now.” Amy Brillo, Pathways Tutor
“Be eager to interact with the students. We did not have that much with the last president and getting these reactions will create positive atmosphere to study in.” Daniel Estrada, business economics
Be Heard
Serving PCC since 1915
Editor-in-Chief Kristen Luna
Online Editor Mick Donovan
Timothy Mably Staff Writer
September 17, 2015
Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire Photo Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Manager Daniel Nerio © Copyright 2015 Courier. All rights Reserved.
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“An area for smoking, I don’t smoke cigarettes but I think its stupid how they took vaping out.” Nate Reyes, aviation
Reporting by: Anthony Carter Photos by: Daniel Valencia
SCE
4 COURIER
Summer nights
give way to fall lights
Monique LeBleu/ Cava (right) from the band Cava is joined by Gabriel Gonzalez perform Zona Rosa Café adjacent alley on Sept. 13. Cava describes their music “ceviche gumbo” mix of spicy latin-afro-cuban-funk-fusion music.
Katja Liebing/Courier Martha Gonzalez, lead singer of the band Quetzal, performs at the Levitt Pavilion during the 50 free summer concert series in Pasadena on Sept. 12. Quetzal is a Grammy Award winning East LA Chicana rock group.
Keely Damara/Courier Tida Navabi of Pasadena, 2, gets her face painted for the first time by Marisol Morales, 26, in the courtyard of the Pasadena Towers before the Rooftop Cinema Night screening of Avatar on Sept.12, in Pasadena. The screening, which kicked off with a DJ, face painting and food trucks before the film, was presented by the South Lake Business Association.
ENE
September 17, 2015 5
Katja Liebing/Courier The DancAlots from Studio Soma perform at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Sept. 11. They were the pre-concert act for The Kole’s, a multi-instrumental band, which was part of the annual 50 free summer concerts hosted by Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts Los Angeles, a non-profit organization. Levitt Pavilion’s mission is to make live music accessible to all while celebrating the diversity of culture and appreciation of the arts.
/Courier m in the as a
Katja Liebing/Courier Pasadena residents watch “Ratatouille” on the big screen at One Colorado in Pasadena on Sept. 11, 2015. One Colorado hosts a series of free outdoor movies on Fridays and concerts on Saturdays throughout the summer.
LIFESTYLE
6 COURIER
Playhouse serves pleasant curve
Lilith Garcia Staff Writer
The lights are dimmed around the theater, bright and focused on the stage. The cast from “Real Women Have Curves” comes up to the stage and introduces themselves. Minutes later, they begin to rehearse a scene that shows what this play really is about. The scene begins with the women working at the sewing factory and they are listening to a radio talk show. A radio listener begins to explain how she does not know how to stop her husband from abusing her. Carmen (Blanca Araceli) begins the dialogue by saying she is very lucky to have married a husband who does not hit her. After Carmen makes her comment of how fortunate she is, Ana, her daughter, takes a stand and stands on top of a table to explain why women have every right to take control of themselves. “Women have the right to say no! We have the right to take control of our bodies and the right to exercise our sexuality,” said actress Santana Dempsey while rehearsing as her character Ana. “Real Women Have Curves” is about five Latina women who work in a small sewing factory in Los Angeles who need to meet a deadline by the end of the week to keep their sewing factory open. Based on the movie written by Josefina Lopez, the movie has been re-created to come back to life on the live stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. The play was written once again by Josefina Lopez and directed by Seema Sueko. Although the play explores different topics, such as immigration and
Josie Rodriguez / Courier Santana Dempsey as Ana from “Real Women Have Curves” at the Pasadena Playhouse on Thursday, Sept.10. women’s self worth, it is portrayed in a comedic manner that makes the performances enjoyable. “It’s so rare to find a play that tackles big issues, immigration, body image, fair wages, things like that but in such a joyful and heartwarming package,” Sueko said. Not only does the play explore these topics but it also shows how each character goes through their own obstacles in life. Most importantly it shows how strong they really are as women. One character who goes through many obstacles is Ana’s sister, Estela Garcia, who owns the sewing factory. “My character is an entrepreneur, she has goals…and a lot of what you see in the play is about her confronting obstacles and being able to realize her dream of keeping the factory alive,” said Cristina Frias, who plays Ana’s sister Estela Garcia. A major theme throughout the play is body image. The audience
can see right away these are five full-figured women that learn to embrace their bodies as the play goes on. “This play breaks all the stereotypes and to find out curves are beautiful and each little curve tells a story,” Araceli said. “I think it has given us the power to say we’re beautiful and we’re proud and there’s more to me than what you just see and I think that’s the most powerful message.” “Real Women Have Curves” is a refreshing play about diversity that embraces women’s bodies, shows the empowerment of women, and depicts how these women stick together and work hard through any obstacle. As Ana would say about thinking less of a woman, “Ya Basta! No More!” Real Women Have Curves is playing at the Pasadena Playhouse from Sept. 8 to Oct. 4.
A tale of two chefs: ‘real food’ to ‘real folks’ Christian Rivas Staff Writer
Have you ever had a hankering for authentic southern food but were unable to buy a ticket to Kentucky to get it? Look no further than Braise and Crumble Café. Shannon Hart and Tyler Wu opened Braise and Crumble Café in the fall of 2014 with the hope of bringing southern comfort to Pasadena, and they have done just that. “We really care about what we’re doing here,” said Hart, “And we just really wanted to use fresh ingredients every day and bring people a taste of home that they’re missing.” Hart’s family comes from Hart County, Kentucky, where the recipe for Braise and Crumble’s delicious fried chicken has been passed down in her family for over 60 years.
While Hart was the first person in her family to make this recipe commercial, she wasn’t always so generous. In fact, when Hart and Wu first opened
personal dish for me, but it was received really well right away and it’s taken off since then so we’re grateful.” Wu, on the other hand,
Monique LeBleu/Courier Chef and co-owners Ty Wu and Shannon Hart with samples of the fare at their Braise & Crumble Café, Wednesday, Sept. 2. Braise and Crumble it wasn’t an item on the menu. “They had to convince me to put it on our menu,” said Hart. “It’s a very sentimental and
Monique LeBleu/Courier The Crusted and Dusted mac n’ cheese at Braise & Crumble Café, Wednesday, Sept. 2.
was not raised in the South. “I am originally from Taiwan, so Chinese food was very prominent in my culture and lifestyle,” said Wu. “My background probably shows up most with the pulled pork, which has spices and seasonings I’m familiar with.” Wu is a French-trained chef who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and uses that influence to make the dishes served at Braise and Crumble one of a kind. “It’s kind of like my favorite things as a child mixed in with what I’ve learned over the years,” Wu said. Hart and Wu have
known each other for 15 years and in that time they had talked about opening a café of their own. “It started off as more of a pipe dream like, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we had a little place like this?’ And then one day we decided to follow our dream.” The relationships outside of the kitchen are an integral part of the success Braise and Crumble has enjoyed the past year. A friend of Hart and Wu, Shannon Walker, said the café’s style represents their respective personalities. “The best thing in the world is having savory and sweet come together because those two are both those as characters too,” Walker said. As much as the surpluses of regulars are loved at Braise and Crumble, Hart and Wu love the new faces just as much. “We have new [customers] every day and that is still, after a year, amazing that we get new people every day,” said Hart. Braise and Crumble Cafe is a refreshing take on authentic southern food run by authentic people. “We just want people to come here and have a good time with some good food, almost like getting together for dinner at grandma’s,” said Hart.
September 17, 2015
SPORTS
7 COURIER
September 17, 2015
Lancers soccer loses fourth straight to SBVC Christian Rivas Staff Writer
Nate Fermin/Courier Oscar Gonzalez of PCC men’s soccer breaks away from two San Bernardino Valley defenders during a home game on Tuesday.
The Lancers mewn’s soccer team dropped their fourth game in a row to the San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines in a 1-0 loss Tuesday at PCC’s Robinson Stadium. The Lancers looked like they were in total control in the first half of the game, testing the goalie early on. Only at the end of the first half did the Wolverines look hungry for a goal. In the 35th minute, the Wolverines found a gap in the Lancers’ defense and sent a through ball to a wide open striker who buried the ball in the bottom corner of the goal. Co-captain Fausto Espinoza showed his frustration on the field and had a few words for his teammates at halftime. “Are you guys ready to [expletive] work?” said Espinoza. Espinoza did not return to the line-up for the rest of the game. The second half was much of the same for the Lancers. Some of their best opportunities on goal came from throw-ins by defender Derek Bell. The Lancers set up for each throw in like it was a corner kick, but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Lancers’ final chance to
equalize came at the 76th minute. The Wolverines’ defense was scrambled in their box, leaving the goal wide open, but the Lancers again couldn’t hit the mark. Frustration was evident among the team. When asked to comment on the game, Coach Edgar Manvelyan simply said, “I have a headache. I really don’t feel like talking.” Co-captain Sasan Shirmohammadi shared his thoughts on the game. “We had a rough first half,” said Shirmohammadi. “Our heads weren’t in it. The team wasn’t playing together well, but we came back the second half with different positions, different line-up and had a ton of shots on goal.” The Lancers did have a ton of shots on goal all game, just none that showed in the final score. “It’s just the last 10 percent of the play we have to get done,” said Shirmohammadi. “We have the 90 percent down, it’s just putting it away. That’s the problem.” The Lancers hope to bounce back and end their losing streak this Friday at 3 p.m. against the San Diego Mesa College Olympians at PCC’s Robinson Stadium.
Lancers football shut out for first time in 10 years
John Orona Staff Writer
The Lancers football team lost their home-opener on Saturday to Grossmont College, 51-0, falling to 0-2 for the season. The loss was their worst since the 2012 season when they lost 65-14 to Cerritos College and was the first time they were shut out in 10 years. The game started with promise and anticipation after the Lancers’ near comeback in their last game against El Camino. However, just like last week, they had many opportunities they were not able to capitalize on. After Pasadena defensive back Robert Morgan intercepted a pass in the first quarter, his second in two games, Grossmont responded with a pick of their own on the very next play. The interception was the first of three for quarterback Jett Even, who finished the game 10 for 27 for 129 yards passing while being sacked six times for a loss of 39 yards. “Honestly, we just beat ourselves,” Even said. “We’ve got to cut out the mental errors.” Grossmont was able to score their first points when Pasadena stopped a 12 play, 38-yard drive to force a punt only to have their punt returner DaiCorri Briscoe forced
PERON Continued from page 1 me play college ball. Coach P actually put my mom and all of my family in a hotel for me,” Jackson said. “Coach P taught me a lot about family. I was always big on family and when I looked at Coach P and Coach Gary, I looked at them like my family. That’s all I had coming from Oakland.” When Peron was told on Aug. 24 that he was able to return to his
into their own end zone for a safety. From there the game opened up for Grossmont and the mental errors continued for Pasadena. The Lancers team gained some momentum after a seven play, 31-yard drive set up a field goal attempt in the second quarter. However, the ball was snapped low and the play ended in a 6-yard loss for a turnover on downs. The half ended 23-0 after Even was sacked on the final play and frustration was high heading into the locker room. Despite the setbacks, Even said their focus has been on becoming a family and supporting each other. “We can get on each other, but it has to be for the right reasons,” he said. “We have to stop talking and start doing.” When the Lancers kicked off the second half, the scoring onslaught continued. Grossmont only needed one play to rush 75 yards down the field and score in just 11 seconds. Midway through the third quarter, Pasadena mounted an 11-play, 49-yard drive that brought them within six yards of scoring their first points. However, after a penalty and a fumble, an interception in the end zone finally stopped their drive. On the next play, Nehemiah Brown of Grossmont rushed 80 yards to score. Grossmont (2-0) has outscored
their opponents 103-10 in their first two games. Pasadena will travel to LA Harbor College this Saturday looking to build on any positives they can. The kick return team has continued their great play from last week. Trensten Spragling and Joseph Thomas each returned kicks three times for 80 and 57 yards, respectively. Spragling also rushed for a team high 45 yards on 11 eleven carries. Wide receiver Adrian Fonoimoana-Hall led the team in receiving with 60 yards on four receptions. On the defensive side, linebacker Jaylyn Williams racked up nine tackles after scoring a crucial touchdown in last week’s comeback effort. Defensive lineman Erasmo Isiordia contributed five tackles, one fumble recovery and one sack for the Lancers. With a new team and a new coach, some difficulties are to be expected, and players are eager to take what lessons they can from these two losses and move on. “It could have been better,” Briscoe said. “We just have to buyin to what the coaches are telling us. We have some great coaches out there.” “We have to start all over,” lineman Stephen Ramirez added. “It’s a new season now and we have to keep fighting.”
team, Peron remained humbled and only wanted to continue moving forward. “I want to thank Gary L. Moody, the NAACP, Delano Yarbrough, former Vice President Ernestine Moore, Pastor Ed Smith, Leve N. Ross, Vice President Jackie Jacobs, Dr. Vurdien, the Board of Trustees, Trustee William Thomson, the Union, representative Mark Whitworth, past administers and managers, my current players and alumni, the Pasadena community, and my family for all of the support,” Peron said. “Thank you all for sticking by
me and fighting for me throughout the whole process.” In a Board of Trustees meeting on June 17, after Peron was told he was suspended, one of his former players Ashley Campbell stepped up to the podium with her two children and spoke on behalf of Peron. Campbell played for Peron from 2001 to 2003. She was one of eight people who spoke about him during that meeting’s public comment section. “He was more than just a coach. I came into PCC from a broken home… and [the court] was my
Photo courtesy of Daniel Lottes Lancers sophomore linebacker Jaylyn Williams attempts to tackle Grossmont College’s running back Jamarcus Federick at Robinson Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Lancers lost the home opener to Grossmont, 51-0 . lifeline,” Campbell said. “No, he didn’t pay for a hotel room for me when I didn’t have a place to stay, but one thing he did was tell me I was wrong when I was. He taught me life lessons.” Captain and point guard Judith Espinoza was the only person on the night of June 17 who was able to speak about the current team’s state of mind and how they coped with the news of their coach’s suspension. “A team is much like a puzzle. Each piece is just as important as the other whether it’s a center or
a corner piece,” Espinoza said. “Without every single piece coming together, we are incomplete and unsuccessful. You can spend time trying to make another piece fit into our puzzle, but at some point one must realize that they are not to be placed somewhere they do not belong.” According to PCC’s athletics page, Peron has a 76.7 win percentage. He moved past 450 career wins in February and hopes to coach well beyond 500 career wins. His return should be in December for the Sequoias Tournament in Visalia.
FEATURES
8 COURIER
September 17, 2015
The multi-faceted Norman Abbey exhibit Timothy Mably Staff Writer
Professor emeritus Norman Abbey has returned to Pasadena City College with a retrospective exhibition titled “The Multi-Faceted Norman Abbey” in the Boone Family Art Gallery on display until September 11th. The exhibit displays includes a wide variety of art, including paintings, graphic design, and works of photography. Abbey has earned many awards for his work, dating back to 1969 at a show in the Downy Art Museum. He also received a Purchase Prize from the Long Beach Museum of Art. Growing up in Pasadena, Abbey gained a passion for art and teaching as a teenager. “As I got into junior high, there was a wonderful art teacher there and I fell in love with the medium,” Abbey said. “The art world was so wonderful, and the teachers there were extremely good. I wanted to teach art and be an artist. By the time I went to UCLA and graduated, that’s what I wanted to do.” Before he taught in Pasadena, Abbey traveled to Germany and Paris where he worked as both a teacher and as an artist. Upon becoming a teacher, Abbey started a business for graphic design
Samantha Molina/Courier Artist and professor emeritus Norman Abbey stands in front of his works inside Gallery V-108 on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. Abbey’s work is being shown in the gallery as part of the “Retrospective Exhibition” featuring his works in painting, graphic design and photography. and photography. He went onto working with the Dodgers, Playboy, Public Storage, the Los Angeles Zoo, and many other organizations. “The beauty was that I could come to the classroom and I could teach
graphic design or photography. I could take them to my design office, which I would only do once or twice a semester,” said Abbey. In the 1960’s, he took an initiative in setting up experimental photogra-
a coveted treat by a former campus Rock Climbing club, the portable rock climbing feature continues to frequent the campus, providing a thrilling stress break to new and returning PCC students. The rock, manufactured to look realistic is equipped with convenient stepping stones that dot the rock’s surface. “The look and texture you see is because they have gone out into the mountains and molded from real rock, and then collaged them together,” said Willis. “There is maybe 50 different panels here that they’ve made look like one structure.” Encouraged as instructed, Green and Tran finally descended. After a brief snag at the end, Tran, exhilarated and out of breath, said it was his second attempt at climbing after trying it in middle school. “It was scary at first,” Tran said. “The hardest part is going down. I don’t know if I let go or not.”
For Green, administration of justice, it was also not a first time climb. Trepidatious, she had perceived her descent as more daunting. She hung on at the top until comfortable in the security of her tethers, then descended with relative ease. “I got stuck a couple of times, but I guess it’s really fun,” she said. On-looking and eager students stepped up after queuing to sign the company waiver before they could climb. Many watched a while before deciding to take that leap. Gladis Ruiz, a full time mom, also works part time with the company, which she has been with for nine years. Although she only rock climbs for fun and during her long time with the company, one wonders if she considers herself a pro. “You could say that,” said Ruiz. “I’ve been doing it for so long.” Ruiz and Willis help the students step into a harness, secure it, and lock it. There’s a trick to putting on the harness to keep it from pulling in all the wrong places. “The most important part of the harness is the waist,” said Ruiz. Ruiz enjoys the experience of working with the students and first time climbers. “Usually, they are scared in the beginning. Some people have fear of heights. It takes more of a mental strength,” said Ruiz. “But when they get that confidence in the end, that’s the rewarding part of it. In the beginning you are cheering them on and the end, when they are coming down, they are so thankful that they did it!” The portable rock and trailer together weigh three tons. Set-up takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the unit is equipped with several auto belays that assist the students down. “The technology inside these is like a motorcycle clutch,” said Willis. “It’s a centrifugal breaking system. So as soon as it starts spinning, the brake shoes and they just give them a nice slow ride to the ground.” As a student begins her descent, Willis moves to assist, but then sees she has quickly discovered the ease in getting down. “They may not want to let go to start with, but once they do let go, they are comfortable,” he said.
phy classes, securing a $300,000 grant to give PCC a digital graphics lab. He also introduced a new curriculum to the school for digital media classes. Sally Feathers, an artist and a friend of Abbey, was at the gallery during its
opening. “There was a line out of the door and there were people embracing him,” said Feathers. “Men and women, old students of his, kissing him. He’s an extraordinary man. He lives through his heart.” An artist enriched by a life of travel, Abbey has many stories attached to the work that he chose to be put on display. When he worked to produce a travel brochure, he had the opportunity to fly to Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand, and New Guinea among other parts of the United States. In 1975, he went to Australia to photograph the Sydney Opera House, but faced an unexpected complication. “When I flew out and got there, it was sunset, and I raced out to where the taxi driver said I should be,” recalled Abbey. “I ran through the zoo and crashed through underbrush to find out it was the wrong time of day, it should’ve been sunrise. So, the next day at four or five, I watched the sunrise... To me, they all have stories.” Abbey continues to bring success to his business, while maintaining his career as an artist in photography and graphic design. He is the only former professor who has returned for a gallery showing.
New and returning students climb to the top Monique LeBleu Staff Writer
Ascending two opposite sides of the near-24-foot portable vertical climbing wall, PCC students Lyric Green and Kevin Tran reached the top to ring the victory bell nearly in unison. Pinnacle reached, the real challenge laid in the descent. It was not so easy. “Just let your hands go. Yeah! Right like that!” said Fred Willis, owner of Quantum Rock, who was assisting the students. Willis’ company provided the portable rock climbing experience in the PCC Quad for fall’s first day at school on Monday, Sept. 30, and has done so for the last several years. The company’s mobile “adrenaline-based fun” is hired for parties and featured in TV shows such as “Two and a Half Men,” “Last Man Standing”, and “Major Crimes.” Once
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Anthony Galindo/Courier David Pedroza, 18, attempts to climb up a rock wall in the Quad on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Nate Fermin/Courier Shawn Han, 19, attempts multiple levels of the rock wall featured in the middle of the PCC quad on Thursday, Sept. 3.