COURIER VOLUME 110 ISSUE 5
The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena since 1915
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PASADENA CITY COLLEGE
September 25, 2014
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EDITORIAL What’s expected of the next public relations director
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Campus blooms in the night
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Tragedies spur safety reforms at colleges Daniel Johnson Asst. News Editor
PAGE 5 >> Daniel Valencia/Courier A rose planted in front of the mirror pools with the C Building behind it. Check out the rest of PCC at night in Scene.
PCC a top producer of associate’s degrees Ashley Park Staff Writer
Community College Week named Pasadena City College one of the top producers in the nation of associate degrees in multi-interdisciplinary studies. Multi-interdisciplinary studies are defined as “broad categories like science, liberal arts, humanities… rather than just a specific major like chemistry,” said the Associate Vice President of Student Services, Cynthia Olivo. “It’s majors on a larger spectrum.” Most students are not aware that this is a viable option, but
Photo Illustration by Daniel Valencia PCC places second place in Multi/Interdisciplinary studies.
Olivo wants to assure students that multi-interdisciplinary studies are a smart way to continue furthering their education.
“The pros are that if the student is intending to focus on the sciences, for example, but don’t know what specific subject
they want to study, this is an open option for them to explore that area, “ Olivo said. “It gives them an opportunity to continue studying without taking time off to figure out what they want to study.” Senior Vice President Robert Bell is also certain that the fact that PCC made this list can and will help students who are looking to transfer to a four-year university. “With this recognition, fouryear universities will know that a student transferring from PCC has had rigorous, challenging classes for their major,” said. TOP page 3
One night in 1986, a young college student was murdered in her dorm room at Lehigh University. She did not know her attacker, a fellow student, had been stalking her for some time. She did not know that there had been several reports of violent incidents on her campus in the months leading to her tragic death, and thus she did not feel that she was in any danger. She did not know any of this, because no one was required to tell her. The young woman’s name was Jeanne Clery. The efforts made in her name by her parents and many others eventually led to the passage of the Jeanne Clery Act, which requires a variety of regulations concerning safety on campuses to be consistently followed. The Clery Center for Security on Campus is a non-profit group that is dedicated to educating campuses around the country on both the letter and the spirit of the Clery Act. “One thing that we always reiterate when working with both students and campus professionals is that safety is a community issue,” wrote Abigail Boyer, the center’s Assistant Executive Director of Programs, in an email C-PART page 3
School website prepares to undergo complete transformation Dezarae Balbas Staff Writer
A team of professional web design technicians are preparing to give the PCC website a complete makeover to improve its look and functionality. Michael Ihrig, PCC’s web administrator and PCC alumni, said an update to the site is long overdue. “What we have now is
what we’ve had since 2003,” said Ihrig. “Which if you think about it in computer years, that’s worse than dog years,” added David Steiman, the school’s interim public relations director. Eleven years behind in technology is equivalent to having a cell phone the size of a brick. Unless students are computer whizzes, finding certain information from the
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website can be confusing and frustrating. Broken links and a misguided search engine creates a time-consuming process just to find out where the math department is located. Ihrig and his team is about to change all that. “For us at PCC, it’s the first time that anyone’s attempted to create an information architecture,” said Ihrig. “What that means is it’s not just physically how the files relate
to each other on the website but it takes into account your audiences and how they expect to get from point A to point B.” “We’re working with web content specialists to hone in on what that voice of PCC is, keeping it accessible and friendly and easy to understand,” Ihrig added. Ihrig and his team are Nagisa Mihara/Courier determined to fulfill those Michael Ihrig works on coding the front page of the new website in his office. BETA page 2
“YATTA!!”
GET YOUR TRIVIA ON
Lancer Radio show brings Japanese pop culture to PCC
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Local pub T. Boyles offers questionable nights to its patrons
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NEWS
2 COURIER
September 25, 2014
Associated Students talk accreditation Reina Aldape Staff Writer
Friday, September 19 A student left his cell phone on the floor of the hallway of the GM building and awoke around 10am to discover it had been stolen. A woman reported being groped by an unknown man around 6 p.m. at the Rosemead Campus. The man was last seen running west away from the campus.
President Eduardo Cairo. “This document is way too important to be able to thoroughly review, analyze [and] determine what should or should not be in there.” The draft includes the standards of the college’s mission, student learning programs and services, resources, and leadership governance. “While more time is always preferable, all campus members are working diligently so we meet the submission deadlines set by the ACCJC,” wrote Interim Dean of Instructional Support Matthew Jordan by email. Jordan also noted the past year of the self-evaluation was “productive and collaborative.”
Students are encouraged to leave feedback as well since “the input from all constituent [groups are] absolutely important to the self-study,” Senior Vice President Robert Bell wrote in an email. Since filling out the form is voluntary, there’s concern about exactly who will respond because “there is still a sense of a fear on this campus,” said Cairo. If the college manages to lose its accreditation, enrollment numbers will likely drop due to its impact on students. Mainly, the degrees earned from an unaccredited college would not be accepted by any university. Students who depend on financial aid would be out
of luck as only students are accredited colleges can receive financial aid. In the event that PCC fails to live up to the ACCJC’s standards, upcoming graduates will be spared since “any such decision would not be immediately effective,” and “any 2015 graduates would be unaffected,” Bell said. The deadline for feedback is October 13 and the final draft will be submitted to the ACCJC on December 15. A visitation team from the ACCJC will visit the main campus next March and decide the college’s accreditation status in June.
Self-evaluation deadline brings mixed feelings Anthony Martinez Staff Writer
Last week a self-evaluation form was sent via email to students, staff and faculty to gather feedback PCC’s performance in anticipation of the college’s reaccreditation visit from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) next year. Since accreditation status is vital to the college’s functionality, some are unhappy with the early October deadline for feedback submission before the draft is finalized. “From the senate’s perspective, more time should have been given,” said Academic Senate
~Compiled by Daniel Johnson
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Dr. Bell. “It’s possible that a student from PCC could be a better match for their school compared to other colleges who might have ranked lower or not at all.” Although students seem to be the ones who gain the most from this, Bell said the top ranking mark proves that the faculty members are the true winners. “It represents the hard work and dedication of our faculty members that are, unfortunately, overlooked most of the time,” said Bell. “We are proud of the faculty here who dedicate their time and efforts for the students. It’s a victory for all of us.” According to Community College Week, PCC has consistently held it’s top rank on the list since 2007.
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the students to voice their feedback,” said Stephanie Flemming, the faculty accreditation coordinator. Students have until Oct. 13 to comment and be a part of the accreditation system before the ACCJC publishes its final decision in June or July of 2015. For more information about the accreditation process of PCC, refer to the student e-mail or contact Matthew Jordan, the interim dean of instructional support and accreditation liaison officer, at (626) 585-7631.
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accreditation altogether. As students of PCC we have a voice in the accreditation process. Student feedback is encouraged by the Academic Senate. In the mass e-mail sent out to PCC’s more than 29,000 students, a link directs students to a 378-page document of PCC’S Accreditation Self-Evaluation. The PCC website offers a breakdown of the four aforementioned standards students can identify and provide feedback about. “It is really important to get
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as libraries and student services, resources, human, financial, technological and physical, and leadership and governance, which is overseen by the Board of Trustees. It is a lengthy process of internal and peer evaluations, visitors from other junior colleges, feedback, and institutional self-improvements. After the ACCJC evaluates the campus it can either reaffirm the accreditation, give a follow-up report with recommendations or sanctions, or even terminate the
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Paul Ochoa/Courier Associated Students president Jordyn Orozco discusses accreditation at the weekly board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Saturday, September 20 An elderly woman was found on the ground near Lot 6 around 2 p.m. She had apparently suffered a head injury away from campus and was taken to the hospital for further treatment. PCC football players were seen arguing with a group of people near Robinson Stadium around 9 p.m. Police escorted the group out of the stadium.
ww mOUR PCC
Have you wondered why an accreditation e-mail keeps popping up in your Lancer inbox? Pasadena City College is currently going through their annual accreditation process. Accreditation is the process in which PCC gets certified on its competency, authority and credibility. This means that students currently enrolled in Fall 2014 classes are 1) able to receive financial aid to help pay for their education (when applicable) and 2) the units they complete for each class are transferable. PCC, along with the 100-plus Community Colleges in California, is accredited through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. PCC is ranked in the top ten California community colleges transferring students to the California State University and University of California systems, according the PCC website. “We have a system unlike any other in our nation,” said Kathy Scott, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. ACCJC holds PCC to four standards: institutional mission and effectiveness, student learning programs and services, such
Police Blotter
NEWS
September 25, 2014
Courier
2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner Editor-in-Chief Philip McCormick Online Editor Mick Donovan News Editor Paul Ochoa Opinion Editor Justin Clay Features Editor Kristen Luna A&E Editor Samantha Molina Lifestyle Editor Monique LeBleu Sports Editor Daron Grandberry Photo Editor Nagisa Mihara Chief Photographer Concepcion Gonzalez Online Photo Editor Daniel Valencia Scene Editor Charles Winners Staff Writers: Ahmad Akkaoui, Reina Aldape, Daniel Axume, Raymond Bernal, Dezarae Balbas, Hannah Gonzales, David Grubaugh, Tiffany Herrera, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Kiewiet, Anthony Martinez, David O’Connor, Ashley Park, Sho Tanaka
Staff Photographers: Keely Ernst, Ansis Hoheisel, Erica Hong, Ryan Kevin, Chris Martinez, Daniel Nerio, Kevin Peraza, Scott Spencer, Ian Tomlin, Daniel VegaWarholy, Saul Villegas, Rayna White Faculty Adviser
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interview. “Everyone within a campus community should know what resources are available and when and how to intervene or report if someone is at risk.” In an effort to empower students and faculty through knowledge of how safe their surroundings really are, the Clery Act requires that schools publish an Annual Safety Report, which must detail crime statistics, outline emergency response plans, and include procedures for coordinating with outside law enforcement. According to PCC Interim Police Chief Steven Matchan, the report is crucial in determining how campus police resources are utilized. “We base everything off of these stats, so that we can make sure that when our people are needed the most, we are able to schedule that based on those numbers,” said Matchan. In addition to the annual report, a log of reported crimes must be made available to the public on a weekly basis. Boyer indicated that the U.S. Department of Education monitors compliance with the Clery Act. A school failing to meet the law’s standards faces the severe penalty of losing federal financial aid eligibility. However, Matchan expressed confidence in PCC’s continued adherence to the law. “We work with [the Clery Center] all the time,” said Matchen. “We have a designated Clery staff person who keeps us updated regularly, and we adjust based on that information.” Although the Clery Act helps ensure that accurate safety infor-
BETA
Nathan McIntire
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Photo Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Coordinator Daniel Nerio
The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free-speech forum. Editorials and comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administration, student government or that of the Pasadena Area Community College District. The Courier is written and produced as a learning experience for student writers, photographers and editors in the Journalism Department. Phone: (626) 585-7130 Fax: (626) 585-7971 Advertising (626) 585-7979 Office: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., CC-208 Pasadena, CA 91106-3215 © Copyright 2014 Courier. All rights Reserved.
expectations using a new system called Omni Update so that the average person is able to navigate the site easily. It is important that the website is user-friendly, particularly for first time students, returning students, parents, or perhaps, a veteran who wants to further his or her education. The company the school will work with, called O-U Campus, is known for their modern content management system specifically for higher education websites. The project started more than
mation is available to the public, several departments at PCC share the job of acting upon such information. Dr. Richard Beyer of Psychological Services was traveling in Europe when he learned of the Virginia Tech shooting that took the lives of 32 innocent people in 2007. He knew he had to examine the PCC’s procedures to ensure a similar incident would not occur here. In the aftermath of the shooting, it was revealed that the perpetrator displayed several warning signs to students and staff, but that no one person had a clear picture of how troubled he really was. “Everybody had little bits and pieces of the information, but they weren’t communicating, and no one put the pieces of the puzzle together,” said Beyer. “If they had done that, they may have said, ‘Wait a minute, we’ve got to reach out to this guy.’” In an effort to keep communication lines open between multiple departments that have an interest in public safety, Beyer started the Crisis Prevention and Response Team, or C-PART, in 2008. Four departments make up the regular bi-monthly meetings of C-PART: Psychological Services, represented by Beyer and his colleague Dr. Amanda Han; Student Affairs, represented by Dr. Cynthia Olivo; Health Services, represented by Jo Ann Buczko; and the PCC Police, represented by Matchen. Beyer said that the group concentrates on direct threats to the well being of students or staff, violent or otherwise. “It may not be [a violent threat], it could be about hacking into someone’s email,” he said. “Anything that would be an invatwo years ago with extensive research through interviewing students and faculty, organizing archive data, and combing through hundreds of other college websites for ideas. Ihrig shared that the number of archive pages were in the tens of thousands. “When you do something like this, it takes a lot of planning because there’s so many different facets on campus that you have to make sure of,” said Steiman. Everything between sports and financial aid has to be gathered, organized, and included in the website. Ihrig and Steiman’s goal is to create a “distributive” responsibility over data so that certain information can be up-
Note to Readers Letters to the Editor The Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be about 300 words and may be edited by Courier staff. All letters must contain your full name and a correct daytime phone number. Letters can be delivered to the Courier office in CC 208 or sent by email to clay.courier@gmail.com Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its reporting. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585-7130 or via email to mccormick.courier@gmail.com
COURIER 3
Rayna White/Courier Dr. Richard Beyer and Dr. Amanda Han in front of the L-building on Tuesday. Both work in the Psych Services, one of four departments that make up C-Part.
sion of someone’s rights would probably come to C-PART.“ Aside from recognizing and preventing potential threats, C-PART aims to improve campus safety through training of faculty and staff on how to recognize a potential threat and report it to the appropriate department. “We work in conjunction with each other to provide that type of [crime] prevention and awareness training to instructors who ask us for it,” said Matchan. “A lot of times, people don’t know what each department can provide rather than just the
title.” In addition to training staff, C-PART members frequently attend events to gain more insight into campus safety issues and to collaborate with UC schools that PCC students may be transferring to, said Han. “It’s an ongoing process, we’re all still learning and we care about our students and we want them to do well,” she said, “but at the same time we are very protective of our students and staff here, to make sure it’s a safe environment for everybody.”
dated as needed. “The beautiful thing I think about the content management system is that it puts more ownership on content creators,” said Ihrig. “So say the English department wants to manage their content, it’s all theirs. Because they’re invested in their own content, because they know about their dates, their events – this and that – they’re going to be more excited to keep their content fresh and updated.” Along with last minute tweaks and alterations, the process will end with house-training for administration to learn how to edit and update their sections of the website. This allows each department to create its own
voice. A patient Ihrig and Steiman hope that their “information architecture” project completes within a year. Dave Smith, a web developer and former PCC student, agreed. “I remember as a student thinking ‘Man, they’ve got to do something with this website’ and now I’m the guy to do it!,” said Smith. The web team said it is important to hear comments and concerns to create a fun, friendly and functionable website and encourage students to visit www.pasadena.edu and click the “feedback” tab to share ideas.
ONLINE POLL RESULTS Online, we asked: Would you take classes at the Rosemead site? Results as of 5 p.m. Wednesday: Yes: 14% No: 86%
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OPINION
4 COURIER
September 25, 2014
College seeks brave soul for difficult position One of the most important duties of a public relations director is to communicate with the press and other outlets in order to publish new information in a timely manner and to manage relationships with media outlets while making the organization in question look good. During the last year, those responsibilities were not consistently executed. Interim Director of Public Relations Valerie Wardlaw has moved on after a year at the position. She took on the position during one of the most contro-
Editorial:
versial times for the college. The divide between the administration and faculty, the looming accreditation process and the commencement fiasco were all small fires that Wardlaw was in charge of trying to put out. By all accounts, Wardlaw was a very nice person. But one of the biggest criticisms of Wardlaw’s tenure as PR director was the lack of information and access. When searching for a new director of PR, the college needs to remember what the position is intended for. The main job of any public relations department is to make an organization
look good. During the last year PCC did not look good at many points. A clear and concise voice from the college seemed far off and getting information in a timely manner sometimes felt like pulling teeth, particularly for student journalists. When reporters went to the PR office, they were often told that the director was in meetings and were asked to leave messages that often went unreturned. During the commencement debacle of 2014, the college was heavily criticized for the messages it was sending out. The PR Director should have taken
control of the situation and made sure that only one consistent message was being conveyed, instead of the finger pointing and blame that was being thrown around. That alone might have saved the college a great deal of embarrassment. In the search for a new Director of Public Relations, PCC needs to remember that managing a college and dealing with the press as well as the many campus departments is a massive undertaking. The search needs to start with someone who is accessible and is willing to step in front of the proverbial bullet when the storm of bad press comes over the horizon.
The mobile phone hostage crisis Why brand loyalty is completely pointless Justin Clay Opinion Editor
Earlier this month Apple released the details about its latest mobile device, the iPhone 6, and immediately social media erupted as consumers all over the world began proclaiming either praise or disdain for the new product. Android users insisted that Apple stole many of the ideas for the iPhone’s features from existing Android programs, while iPhone users countered that the Apple’s iOS software
has always been easier to use and more intuitive. The idea of brand loyalty to any mobile electronics company goes against the very idea of putting the power in the hands of the consumer (the idea our entire financial system is built on). In February, The Telegraph reported a story about a poll conducted by SIMOnlyContracts.co.uk, a British mobile news site. The poll found that about 60 percent of iPhone users reported having a “blind loyalty” to Apple, meaning that many users of the popular mobile phone brand would never even consider trying a product from a different company. Not many people who prefer the taste of Pepsi would go as
far as to say that they would never consider drinking Coke. Similarly, people that prefer Jack in the Box rarely take to social media outlets to blast McDonald’s consumers with belittlement and name calling. There is certainly nothing wrong with being loyal to a brand if you as the consumer, have done research, and decided that one product is better for you than another. But this mobile device “Stockholm Syndrome” mentality that some users have goes against the point of living in a free market system. When thinking about getting a new mobile device, you as the consumer should ask yourself, “What do I owe this company?” The answer will most likely be
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“It doesn’t really matter. I got an iPhone because I got used to everyone having it.” Ronald Johnson, political science
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nothing. Unless you are being paid by Apple, Samsung, Nokia or any other mobile device company, you don’t have any obligation to remain loyal to or promote the use of either company or its products. In truth, what the fanboys all fail to understand is that the
9/12/14 10:46 AM
Reporting by: Samantha Molina
Photos by: Justin Clay
SCENE
September 25, 2014
Scott Spencer/Courier Photographed free hand with a long exposure, the motion blur in this photo makes the “Red Pine” horse sculpture come alive.
COURIER 5
E. Hong/Courier
A long exposure of the C building across Colorado Boulevard shows faint images of cars as they pass.
Ian Tomlin/Courier E. Hong/Courier PCC late at night after students have left for the day. Silence falls over Long photographic exposures of PCC at night leave ghostly images of PCC on Saturday. people walking their dogs through the quad.
Justin Clay/Courier Daniel Valencia/Courier Students wait for classes in PCC’s Science Village on Sept. 18. The SciThe walkway behind the library brightened up by lights late Thursday ence Village is the temporary home of PCC’s natural sciences division. night as students head home from a late night class.
E. Hong/Courier The lights around PCC’s memorial wall create reflections and colors you don’t get to see during the day.
Keely Ernst/Courier Students hang out by the mirror pools in front of PCC on Sept. 22.
Ian Tomlin/Courier The “Red Pine” sculpture stands in the Boone Sculpture Garden.
LIFESTYLE
6 COURIER
September 25, 2014
Student wins host spot with hustle and heart Monique LeBleu Lifestyle Editor
Students stopped in recognition, smiled and shook hands with charismatic and tenacious broadcasting student Josh Zielinksi. Zielinski is a winner of a hosting gig on Lancer Lens’ PCC One, the video news show broadcasted throughout the campus that informs PCC students of upcoming news and events. The contest, which ended last week, produced three new hosts–Samantha Maurice-Africa, Kayli Dimacali, and Zielinski, who placed first by a landslide. Zielinksi, who recently earned his certificate in board operations at PCC, had taken his campaign for PCC One host to the campus “streets” after online voting had to be revised. He said that in “three to five days” of solid campaigning he approached students all over campus, and all during the hottest days of the summer’s end. “The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday was really hard campaigning, because it was club week,” he said. “I spent hours out there. I was sweating. But I kept having fun with it.” Approaching any and all who would take a break from their day to tell him of his campaign, Zielinski came prepared with iPad in hand, providing information on where and how to vote. “Most PCC students didn’t even know about the PCC hosting [competition],” Zielinski said of what he learned in his approach in meeting people in his campaign. “I gave them the dynamics, and told them how many tried out for it and that I’d made into the final six. And they were mostly more than happy to help support…” And it’s no wonder Zielinski won the top spot by such a large margin. “[It was] probably like close to over
Concepcion Gonzalez/Courier Josh Zielinski, winner of the PCC One contest to be a new host for the Lancer Lens show, at the Mirror Pools Friday.
500 people—actually introducing myself —500 to 600, yeah,” said Zielinski. After the contest was over, on Monday Zielinski met with his new PCC One family of hosts, writers and producers at Lancer Lens. “Everyone was excited to be on board,” he said. “The interest and interaction was gregarious.” “From early on you could tell Josh had passion for this, and that this is something he really wanted,” said Steiman, producer for PCC One and media production specialist with Lancer Lens. “He was really excited. And you want someone like that.
Because, passion trumps all, right? Hustle’s better than all those things anyway. You know, determination and heart.” Steiman said that Zielinski’s creativity and initiative in using an iPad made it easier for students to see his audition video and enabled them to vote in the moment if they wished. “His votes were just off the chart,” he said. “And frankly, he earned them.” Passionate about a career in voiceover, Zielinski said he plans to bring his learned expertise and general student interest to the table. “My career that I want to pursue is
voiceover, so I see this as gaining the experience in that field,” he said. “I have experience talking behind a microphone, and doing a little bit of voiceovers, plus doing radio show, but haven’t had as much experience being behind a camera.” Zielinski seems clear in how he sees himself and his plan of approach as a host in the position of a PCC One host. “Besides being myself, [I’ll be] a helper, a guider, a provider, because I am telling people about what’s going on with their school,” he said. “Bringing awareness to [students] is probably going to be the biggest thing.”
Down the alley in pursuit of tavern trivia and a brew Reina Aldape Staff Writer
Located in a quaint alley a block off Lake Avenue, T. Boyles Tavern will mark its fifth anniversary this October. The building has been a bar dating back to the 70s and has previously been known as Handlebars and Toe’s Tavern. Now
called T. Boyles, named after owner Troy Boyle, the tavern offers 21 beers on tap, a variety of craft beers and a recently expanded kitchen that offers pub food. With football season emerging, fans can enjoy the game from any of the 13 flat screens and a jumbo big screen fully equipped with the NFL Package.
Keely Ernst/Courier T. Boyle’s owner Troy Boyle at his bar on Monday. T. Boyle’s Tavern has been open in Pasadena for 5 years this October.
“Sports brings people in,” said Boyle, who is a sports enthusiast himself. Patrons can chow down on some brunch while watching college football on Saturdays or enjoy some fish n’ chips for Monday Night Football. Not a sports fan? No problem! The bar offers some fun twice-aweek for Trivia Night. The event is organized by Action Trivia, a live team trivia quiz held at bars on a weekly basis in Los Angeles and the Southern California region, according to their website. This trivial event started off as a weekly event each Tuesday, but the growing popularity of it led Boyle to expand it to Sundays as well. The two-hour event usually consists of five to seven rounds, with questions pulled from themes like pop culture, history, and of course sports. Teams accumulate points each round depending on how many questions your team answers successfully, with each round getting progressively harder. As the game comes to its final round and all the points are in and tallied up the bar floods with cheers and toasts as the winning team in announced. It’s free to play and prizes are awarded to the triumphant teams, ranging anywhere from a huge platter of nachos to a pitcher of
beer. On Friday, the 80s flashback band Past Action Heroes will perform for patrons who pay a $5 cover charge. The bar also has pool tables,
a dart board and a shuffle board table in the upstairs mezzanine that overlooks the bar. And with each visit you can check out a digital monitor that counts down the days until Saint Patrick’s Day.
A&E
September 25, 2014
COURIER
7
Artists and dancers work together as one Samantha Molina A&E Editor
Dancers crossed the floor as artists rapidly sketched their fluid movements in Claudia Carballada’s Foundation Drawing class Carballada got the lesson idea from her own experience attending a friend’s ballet class to practice figure sketching. After meeting dance instructor Roberta Shaw at the staff copy machine on the first day of the semester, Carballada had the perfect opportunity to pass her experience to the students in her Foundation Drawing class. “A lot of art schools and universities have different art departments collaborating so I wanted to bring that to PCC,” Carballada said. The class challenged the students to capture the lines and shapes created in the dancers’ movements rather than a static model in the classroom. “It’s more difficult drawing the figures in motion but its great practice,” student Adilene
Hernandez said. “You’re not just looking at a motionless figure, you really have to capture the shape of the dancers movements.” Carballada not only used the lesson to teach figure and gesture drawing but also as a way for the students to define their own unique style. Shaw also wanted her dancers to express their individual styles. “With this being a Foundation Drawing class I want to help students find and develop their own unique energy,” Carballada said. “I wanted them to listen to what the body is saying and express how it made them feel. Sometimes what you feel shows more than what you see.” Following the two dance routines the artists presented their sketches to the dancers. “It was awesome getting to collaborate with another artist and see how others interpreted the choreography,” dancer Leah Joanino said. The dancers and their instructor were impressed with the
Daniel Vega-Warholy/Courier Dance instuctor Roberta Shaw leads her students into their dance routine as the Foundation Drawing students sketch.
multiple sketches produced in the short amount of class time. “Overall I was impressed by the artistry and how the artists
saw the shapes and lines in our choreography,” Shaw said. “Some of the figure sketches looked as if they were pictures,
I could really see exactly what movement the dancers were doing at that moment in the routine.”
Rare work by ceramics innovator to be displayed Daniel Johnson Staff Writer
A rare bronze sculpture by a ceramics innovator will soon take up residence on the second floor of the Center for the Arts. Ken Price created “The Magic Thumb” in 1995, and although the material is unusual, the piece’s organic quality is a staple of the artist’s body of work, according to Visual Arts and Media Studies Professor Brian Tucker. “Many of his pieces have these biomorphic forms that suggest flesh,” said Tucker. “A lot of them have an erotic suggestion.” The distinctive feature of this piece is an opening in the front that resembles the mouth of a sinister cave. “He had a lot of things to do with interiors and exteriors, and this piece has this irregular opening where you look into this darkness,” said Tucker. Price was instrumental in elevating ceramics beyond the utilitarian, beginning in the late
1950s as a student of Peter Voulkos at the Los Angeles County Art Institute, later renamed the Otis School of Art and Design, according to Tucker. “He was one of the innovators in making clay a fine art medium against the background of abstract expressionist painting and sculpture,” he said. While he could not speculate on the dollar value of the piece, Tucker said that Price was a significant enough presence in the art world to merit a large figure. “I would imagine that because he had these major museum retrospectives in New York and Los Angeles, plus some other factors that make him and his work look good to contemporary audiences, I’d guess that the value of his work has appreciated,” he said. At the time of his death at age 77 in 2012, Price was working with the LA County Museum of Art on a retrospective exhibition and book celebrating his prolific career that spanned over six decades, including over 10 years as a professor of ceramics at the
University of Southern California from 1993 to 2003. The LACMA exhibition went ahead in September 2012 with the artist’s close friends and colleagues adding their memories of him to the program. “Kenny Price was the first and still the best contemporary sculptor to employ the full power of color: its physicality, its weight, density, and unique ability to articulate form and feelings,” wrote noted artist Robert Irwin. “I was honored to be in his presence and to sit in meetings with him,” added photographer and filmmaker Sharon Lockhart, a colleague of Price at USC. “He was a kind, laid-back man who was eternally inspired.” According to VAMS Associate Dean Joseph Futtner, philanthropist Mary Lou Boone donated the piece several years ago, and it was originally slated for display in the Boone Sculpture Garden. The donation of the piece is one of many fine art contributions that the Boone family has made to PCC.
“They have supported the arts very significantly not only through PCC, but through other efforts as well,” said Futtner. “Most importantly, with their
contribution to the Boone Gallery at the Huntington Galley.” The VAMS department is anticipating that the piece will be displayed by mid-October.
Daniel Valencia/Courier Ken Price’s rare bronze sculpture “The Magic Thumb” will soon take up residence on the second floor of the Center for the Arts building.
Otakucentric talk show brings Japanese subculture to PCC Mick Donovan Online Editor
She held her hand in the air with five, four, three, two then one finger up. Immediately, the room went into almost complete silence. The only sounds came from the light clicking that the switchboard made as fingers glided effortlessly from switches to buttons. Outside the room, the “On Air” light came on warning people not to enter or make too much noise and with that, Otakucentric was officially live. Well, almost. Senpai Naomi Suda and her co-host Max Navarro hope to translate to listeners what Otaku is throughout the run of
their radio talk show as well as introduce the sub-culture to a new audience. Otaku is a term used to describe people obsessed with the pop culture of Japan, including anime, manga, music and video games. “We all have different interests. Some of us like music, art, some of us just like the pop culture… I didn’t really like the pop culture, of the United States,” Suda said. “I didn’t feel like it was for me. I didn’t feel like I fit in with my friends who liked Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and N’Sync.” Suda wanted to bring Otaku to a wider audience and deconstruct the common misconceptions about Japanese pop culture. Even in Japan, being Otaku can have
negative connotations. “I think what people misunderstand about Otaku is, especially in Japan, it has this negative image that you don’t really communicate with people, you’re anti-social,” Suda said. Listeners who tuned in last Friday for the show may have noticed it mysteriously dropped off the waves. The servers were down for most of the show last week, which was a disappointment with all of the work that was put into the show. Navarro reassured listeners that the show did reach people despite the brief server shutdown. He also pointed out that the Lancer Radio website will soon be receiving a full overhaul. While Otakucentric has a good plan
in place already, it is clear the show will evolve over the semester. “We’re trying to find that voice. It’s an hour where you can tune in and get a peak at a subculture that is very prominent in the United States,” Navarro said. “Hopefully we can lift the veil on a lot of people’s misconceptions about anime, music and games.” Otakucentric isn’t only about introducing and discussing anime, manga, and video games. It is also a vessel for a larger message that fights stereotypes. “It’s something really cultural and I do take pride in it. I want to let people know that Japan is not just only samurai or ninja. It’s not only about manga and it’s not only about anime,” Suda said
8
SPORTS
COURIER
September 25, 2014
Football ends drought in 19-7 victory Daron Grandberry Sports Editor
Despite a scoreless first quarter and six turnovers, the Lancers displayed a sense of resiliency Saturday that was often missing from last year’s 1-9 team. “It was extremely important for us to win early at home,” freshman defensive tackle Patrick Webb said. “We always want to protect our house because we have high expectations and have set high goals for our team that we can only achieve by winning.” The Lancers scored their first points of the game with 14:09 left in the second period on a 31-yard field goal from kicker Franklyn Cervanka. On the next offensive series the Lancers advanced the ball to Seahawks three yard line with a 29-yard pass from freshman Dejon Williams to sophomore running back Zander Anding. The Lancers took a 10-0 lead when Receiver Ahmad Springer lined up at quarterback and completed a short pass to back-up quarterback Trevor Hampton. Although the Lancers may have gotten off to a slow start in the first quarter, the victory showcased a balanced offensive attack and a much-improved defense that held LA Harbor
Scott Spencer/Courier Sophomore wide receiver Ruben Lawhorn evades the LA Harbor defense during Saturday’s 19-7 victory. This was the Lancers’ first home win in two seasons.
scoreless throughout the first half and most of the second. “Defense played a huge role in the win,” defensive end Kevin Bailey said. “There were mistakes on both sides of the ball that we all have to work on but our offense still put points on the board to help us secure the win.” With 4:32 remaining in the first half the Lancers opened up the lead with a 67-yard touchdown catch by sophomore
receiver Turner Jackson. Jackson turned a short pass from Williams into a crowd-pleasing sprint down the sideline to put the Lancers up 16-0 at halftime. “If we can continue to do the things that we identify as important we will be successful,” head coach Fred Fimbres said. “Our defense stepped up, or at the very least stopped LA Harbor when they had a short field or a momentum swing.” Although the Lancers were
unable to get into the endzone in the second half, freshman running back Justin Carroll subdued the Seahawks defense with a 69-yard run deep into Harbor territory. Cervanka capped the drive with a 30-yard field goal with 9:07 remaining in the game. The Seahawks only touchdown came on a PCC fumble that allowed Brilliant Taylor to dive into the end zone at the beginning of the third quarter. Carroll finished with 109 yards
on 12 carries while Williams passed for 271 yards, completing 17 of 26 passes. Jackson was the top receiver in the game, finishing with a game-high 123 yards on five receptions. Sophomore defensive back Marlon Dobbins recorded two key interceptions, including one in the second half and defensive back Robert Morgan added one interception and four tackles. “We need to improve on our ball security and protecting the football,” Fimbres added. “We turned it over a few times. We have a lot of youth on our team and they’re getting used to the speed.” “The win was very important to us as a team,” Bailey said. “Now we know what it takes to work together and persevere through rough patches of the game.” The 1-2 Lancers return to action next Saturday, Sept. 27 when they travel to face College of the Canyons. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. “If we continue to dominate on defense and eliminate turnovers on offense I believe we have the potential to surprise a lot of teams,” Webb said.
Men’s soccer outshoots San Diego Mesa Matt Kiewiet Staff Writer
The Lancers women’s soccer team grabbed its first win of the season in Tuesday’s home opener, blanking the Cuyamaca College Coyotes 2-0 at Robinson Stadium. PCC’s stonewall defense completely shut down Cuyamaca. Even when the Coyotes managed to cross midfield, someone from the Lancers defense would be there to dash any glimmer of hope
that the Coyotes may have had at finding the net. “[Our defense is] really strong,” freshman defender Michelle Morales asserted. The key to their success is their communication, she added. “It’s really important to know each other’s style of play.” After only a few minutes ticked off the clock in the second half, the Coyotes were noticeably exhausted and frustrated from trying to deal with the aggressive Lancers defense. “We wanted to keep a high pressure
attack throughout the game,” said head coach Reggie Rivas. “Our mentality was to be first to every ball.” Freshman midfielder Rachel Schroeder led the charge offensively with a pair of second half goals. “It was our first home game, so we were very motivated to get a win,” said Schroeder with a big smile. “We found their open areas, and that eventually led to goals.” The only scare came late in the second half. The Coyotes finally managed to
squeeze through the Lancer defense for an open shot. After sophomore goalkeeper Angie Ulmer deflected the shot, the ball was still feet if not inches away from the Lancers’ goal before sophomore defender Bailey Shaw-Rodriguez was able to come in and clear the ball about halfway to midfield. “We were able to solve the situation,” recalls Rivas, breathing a sigh of relief. The PCC women will be at home on Friday at 6 p.m. as they take on Mt. San Jacinto in their last non-conference game
Communication is key to continued volleyball success Daron Grandberry Sports Editor
Before the 2014 season began, the Lancers volleyball team and coaching staff were well aware of the big shoes to team had to fill. Gone from last year’s team are the Lancers’ all-time aces and kills leader, Nora To’omalatai, and last season’s vocal leader Thula Parks. With To’omalatai and Parks graduated, second-year interim head coach Bill Sanchez will rely on a faster paced defense that is sure to catch opposing teams off guard. “We’re smaller, but I think more athletic and a better defensive team than last season,” Sanchez said. “We’re motivated,” assistant coach Kari Post added. “Having these last four weeks off we’ve
had a lot more preparation than a lot of other teams so we’re going to be a new team when people see us now.” Although the Lancers return only one player from last year’s team in defensive specialist/ libero Saige Spence, freshmen middle blocker Chy’annea Hodges and freshman outside hitter Lahiz Longobardi will be looked upon to produce early in their young college careers. “Lahiz and Chy’annea both have really been impressive,” Post said. “They’re both doing really well and their mindset is for the team and not for themselves, which is great to see. We’re a young team but opposing teams are going to be surprised.” Although the Lancers opened the season with three losses over two days, their always-tough
non-conference schedule is only preparation for the competitive South Coast Conference. Despite a winless start to the 2014 season, the Lancers remain optimistic and confident in their capabilities. “We just have to play smart,” Spence said. “Communication is important. If we remain positive and stay confident in ourselves we can go far.” The Lancers last participated in the Grossmont Quad Tournament, where they were swept by both Palomar, and last year’s CCCAA state runner-up Grossmont College, despite a valiant effort on defense. The Lancers look to win their first game of the season as they participate in the Fifth Annual Pierce Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Lancers open up against No. 16 Pierce College.
Justin Clay/Courier PCC women’s volleyball coach Bill Sanchez looks on during spiking drills at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium on Wednesday. The Lancers open the regular season against Orange Coast College.