CO U R I ER Pasadena City College
Serving PCC Since 1915
October 1, 2015 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 04
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM
Keely Damara/Courier Jett Even (left) and Nate Degraffinreaidt run a play during Lancers football practice on Tuesday evening, Sept. 29 at Pasadena City College’s Robinson Stadium.
Lancers football players arrested, accused of robbery and assault Kristen Luna Editor-in-Chief
Two Lancers football players are back on the field after being arrested before Saturday’s game on suspicion of assaulting and robbing a local Pasadena man. Quarterback Jett Even, 19, and wide receiver Nathaniel Degraffinreaidt, 20, were taken into custody and booked along with Pasadena resident Taije Glenn-Ackles, 25, on suspicion
of armed robbery and assault, police said. According to Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors intend to charge Degraffinreaidt but those charges have not yet been filed. Citing insufficient evidence, Santiago said that Even and Glen-Ackles will not be charged. The alleged incident took place on Sept. 14 in the 300 block of South Sierra Madre Boulevard where police responded to a report
of a 20-year-old assault victim, Pasadena Police Lt. Mark Goodman said. The victim was transported to the hospital and questioned by detectives, who learned he had also been robbed. Citing an ongoing investigation, coaches and administrators would not say whether Even or Degraffinreaidt would face any discipline related to the arrests. They were each seen on the field practicing Tuesday afternoon.
“As a result of an ongoing Pasadena Police Department investigation, the college can not comment on this matter,” said Superintendent-President Rajen Vurdien in a statement. Degraffinreaidt, Even and football coach Thom Kaumeyer all declined to comment. According to sheriff ’s booking records, Even posted $50,000 bond and was released late Saturday while Degraffinreaidt posted bond and was released Sunday night. Glen-Ackles is still in custody.
PCC’s hit-and-run problem PCC ranks Rachel Ho Staff Writer
“How to be Brave”
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English professor invites students to join her for book launch at Vroman’s
Chocolate, CHOCTAL!
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Pasadena-based ice cream pays homage to indigenous cultures
Men’s soccer lose again PAGE 8 Lancers lose seventh game in a row, this time failing to Mt. SAC
At least nine cases of hit-and-run have been reported in PCC parking lots since the beginning of the fall 2015 semester, according to Campus Police blotters, although it is likely that there have been many more of such incidents that have gone unreported. The first two weeks of school are typically when most hit-and-runs occur, after which students tend to become more acquainted and “familiarized with the traffic in the parking structures, thus lowering [the frequency of] these types of incidents,” said Steven Matchan, Interim Chief and Director of PCC Police and Safety Services. Such was the case for Kimseang Chea, who has already been rendered a victim of hit-and-run twice by the third week of school this semester. These incidents left a dent and scraped a significant portion of paint off his car. He was unable to claim insurance as he did not have any information about who the culprit was, and the car remains unrepaired to this date. Judging from hearsay, he didn’t file a report with Campus Police because he did not believe that it would help matters. “I don’t feel okay at all,” Chea said. “The car is not new, but you just park your car and someone hits you…” How does Campus Police handle hit-and-run reports? “We will gather and document the victim’s name, vehicle information, insurance information
and the location of the vehicle when it was struck,” Matchan said. “We will ensure this information is documented in the dispatch log and review video of the area. If we are unable to identify a suspect and if there is no video, we will [still] document that information in the dispatch log.” If information about the suspect is provided when the report is filed or if a suspect is found via investigation, Matchan added that video footage from surveillance cameras in the area would be reviewed, saved as evidence and shown to the victim. “Once we have identified a suspect, we will complete a report and pursue a criminal filing,” he said. Whether a victim is allowed to view video footage of the hit-and-run is subject to video availability. Penalties for hit-and-run culprits may include receiving a misdemeanor citation, paying fines, paying for the victim’s damages, and in more severe cases, going to court. Khuong Nguyen had his car hit twice in Parking Lot 5 earlier this spring in another case of hit-andrun. The car, which he had owned for less than a year, was hit once in the “front of the driver’s side” and once in the “rear of the passenger’s side.” A large area of one of the back wheels was also damaged. Although he did not report the case to Campus Police as he was in a rush to attend an appointment, Nguyen believes that they would have solved the case because they have access to security camera footage in the parking structures. Given the prevalence of hit-and-runs at PCC and the ramifications it can have on the victims,
HIT AND RUN PAGE 2
number one in AA degrees Keely Damara Managing Editor
Pasadena City College ranks as the number one community college in the state for awarding associate’s degrees, according to a recent report. In a Community College Week analysis of data collected by the U.S. Department of Education, PCC ranks at the top of 113 state community colleges and 22nd in the nation in the number of associate’s degrees awarded. PCC awarded 2,589 associate’s degrees in 2013-2014, a 57 percent increase from the 1,646 degrees awarded in 2012-2013. “I think that it shows the commitment of our faculty to ensuring that students are successful and learning the things they need to learn in their classes,” said Kathy Scott, associate dean of academic affairs. In addition, PCC ranks first in the state and 7th in the nation in awarding associate’s degrees to minorities. Cynthia Olivo, associate vice president of student services, said that the significant increase in both the number of degrees awarded
AA DEGREES PAGE 2
NEWS
2 COURIER
Associated Students gains new members Hannah Gonzales Opinion Editor
After five months, Associated Student President Irving Morales has filled all the vacancies on his executive board with the exception of Chief Justice of the Supreme Council. Due to lack of interest in some board positions and candidates not meeting the minimum requirements, Morales has had a tough time finding students to fill the vacancies. Positions for the board were reopened during the summer so that Morales could get a bigger pool of students to apply. “There are a lot of requirements we have to fulfill,” said Morales. Some of the requirements include enrolling in nine units for the semester and being available Wednesdays. Morales was also looking for candidates who were passionate in their desire to help other students on campus. “Honestly some interviews, [candidates] were like this will look good on my resume which is great,” said Morales. “But from some of them I never heard how this was going to benefit our students which is something I very strongly believe in.”
During the two rounds of applications, one in summer and an extended application date during the fall, candidates were expected to turn in their paperwork on time and if they had filled out everything properly then they were interviewed for the position they were applying for. According to Morales, he has found the task of appointing students to board positions difficult because the pool of students applying wasn’t very large and some of the students that did apply did not meet all of the qualifications. “All my VPs have been pushing people to apply,” said Morales. “That’s what I love about my VPs, they are very strong.” VP for public relations was one such position that was filled by Joshua Mentrup thanks to the recruitment efforts of Morales and Emilie Melder, VP for internal affairs. Mentrup, much like most of the board, is new to AS. At first he was unsure whether or not being VP for public relations would be a good idea due to his workload. But after hearing his friend Melder talk about AS, he decided to apply. “She talked about it every day about how awesome it was going to
AA DEGREES
Continued from page 1
and the number awarded to minorities speaks to the mission of the college. “I think because we are working in a really concerted effort to help students navigate course requirements and providing them support—that’s why our data is better than in the past,” said Olivo.
be,” said Mentrup. “I got kind of ignited. I had this feeling like I also wanted to be a part of this.” Mentrup found campaigning to be the most difficult part of applying for the position. “There are so many things you can do wrong,” said Mentrup. “For example, there’s this one rule where if you’re just petitioning to be a candidate you cannot say you are a candidate otherwise, right away, you are excluded from the process.” According to Melder, the requirements are in place to make sure that the best person fill the position rather than just any student. “Having the best person for the position is more important than filling the position,” said Melder. “Because it is giving a service to the students.” Melder agrees with Irving that the candidates have to have passion and the time to dedicate themselves to the position they are applying for. “I’m glad that we waited and that we have the right people and not just the first ones that we got,” said Melder. Morales is still looking for a student to fill the position for Chief Justice of the Supreme Council.
Olivo believes that the implementation of associate’s degrees for transfer and first-year programs like Pathways, which helps incoming freshman transition from high school to college, have also contributed to this significant increase in associate’s degrees awarded. Community College Week is a bi-weekly publication that analyzes data relating to 2-year academic institutions, employment opportunities and issues of importance to community colleges faculty and staff.
Graph by Keely Damara
HIT AND RUN
Continued from page 1
the Campus Police has implemented a number of measures over the years in an attempt to curb and reduce the occurrences of hit-and-runs. “In the past, we have had parking spaces re-measured and striped so vehicles have more room to maneuver around the corners,” Matchan said. “We [also] have cadets patrol the parking structure to ensure vehicles are parked within parking stalls.” New and continuing students are also informed on Welcome Day to get themselves familiarized with parking on campus. There are five student parking areas in total, including a four-level parking structure on Bonnie Avenue and a five-level parking structure on Del Mar Blvd. Matchan urged students to be more alert when driving in and around the school. “When you park your
vehicle, ensure [that] you park your vehicle within the parking space lines and fully within the parking space,” he advised. Students who believe that their vehicles have been struck in a hit-and-run should contact Campus Police immediately and not move their vehicles. Witnesses of hit-and-runs are also advised to record the suspect vehicle’s license plate number and try to observe the direction in which it travels after hitting the victim’s vehicle when it is safe to do so. They should not approach the suspect vehicle. “If you strike a vehicle, do not flee. It only makes matters more stressful for you,” Matchan said. Perpetrators should leave a note with their name, vehicle license plate, insurance policy information and phone number on the windshield of the vehicle they hit. The Campus Police office is located in room B210. Campus Police can also be contacted via phone at (626) 585-7484.
October 1, 2015
Open forum for Board of Trustees seats on Oct. 6 John Orona News Editor
Pasadena City College will host a forum for the six candidates campaigning for two open seats on the Pasadena Area Community College District Board on Oct. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Westerbeck Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts. The forum is co-sponsored by the PCC Faculty Association and will be moderated by Yvonne Pine of the Pasadena Area League of Women Voters. The two open positions, district two and district four, each have three candidates vying for a seat. In district two, which represents parts of Sierra Madre and Pasadena, current board member Jeanette Mann is stepping down after serving on the board since 1984. Mann has endorsed candidate Tom Selinske, Founder of PCC Flea
Market and president of the Pasadena Unified School District board. Competing with Selinske is USC real estate and finance professor James A. Osterling. Osterling is endorsed by current district one Trustee Ross Selvidge and Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek. Also running is consulting social scientist Martin Enriques. District four, which covers most of Pasadena, including PCC, is served by seven-year incumbent William Thomson. Thomson is running for his second re-election and third term on the board. Hoping to unseat him are former PCC student trustee to the board, Marshall Lewis, and author Hoyt Hilsman. The forum will be open to written questions from the public. The Board of Trustees election will be held Nov. 3 and voter registration ends Oct. 15.
BLOTTER Monday - September 21 A woman was taken into custody and escorted to Campus Police for follow-up on an investigation of assault on campus and was transported to Pasadena Police Department Jail for booking. At 7 p.m. Sergeant Abernathie found a man and woman arguing in the quad. The subjects crossed the street, but returned approximately one hour later and were observed in a physical altercation. Tuesday - September 22 A student advised campus police that he was approached by two male subjects near Robinson Stadium asking him to cash an $1,800 check. The subjects stated that they would let the student keep $800.00. The stolen check was provided to Campus Police and the reporting party stated that the individuals were in a black Infiniti M35. They responded to the Bank of America located off of Colorado and Bonnie for the cash transaction where the reporting party then left the area to notify Campus Police. An officer checked the area for the vehicle and individuals and Pasadena Police were notified. A man approached Cadet Cheng stating that a man stole his wallet with his credit cards and ID, which was inside and near the LL building on the south side. The reporting party was able to provide a name for the suspect and said the man approached him asking for help in cashing a check. The individual reported the incident for informational purposes. A student reported that his red and white Schwinn bike was stolen from the bike racks between the CC-building and L-building. The bicycle was removed between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday - September 23 A woman in her 40’s and wearing a blue dress has been soliciting for money near the Piazza. She was advised to leave campus, but returned later that day to solicit for money near the benches in Lot 8.
A man screaming to himself was reported in the second floor men’s room of the C-building. Officer advised that the man is a white male transient who wears black clothing, has with a history of mental health problems and has been previously seen on campus. He was escorted off campus. Thursday - September 24 A woman reported hit and run damage to her car after discovering it once she arrived at home. The victim called Campus Police and was advised to return the next morning to report the incident to an officer. An officer transported the victim to the location of the occurrence in Lot 5, Level 3 to investigate and report. A transient man was reported showering in the W building men’s locker room. Upon closer inspection it was found that both a man and woman were found in the shower and were advised to leave campus and escorted off by campus police. Friday - September 25 A vehicle was reported vandalized at the Child Educational Center. A staff member was reported having a seizure near the CA building Box Office. Although conscious and breathing with no history of seizures and refusing assistance, Pasadena Fire Paramedics transported her to Huntington Memorial Hospital for treatment and her daughter advised of the transport. An unconscious man was found lying in the grass between the Lot 8 turnaround and the mirror pools. The man was awoken by Campus Police and escorted off campus, but was later found lying unconscious in the grass area near Colorado Blvd. Saturday - September 26 The Pasadena Police Department and Campus Police searched the GM building to assist Pasadena PD in pursuit of a robbery suspect who may be a PCC football player. Suspect was arrested and transported to Pasadena Police.
OPINION
3 COURIER
A woman’s right to have an abortion
Erica Hong Staff Writer
Watching the Republican debate, I couldn’t help but think of the crotchety old man on ‘Murika Street watering his lawn while screaming at the school children walking home, “stay off my lawn, you rotten kids!” I remember in high school the saying SSDD: “same shit different day.” And so goes the debate on defunding Planned Parenthood, again. Here is this group of mostly crusty old people telling young men and women that the character of this nation balances on their choice to start a family or choose an abortion. The same people that have no problem chanting phrases like, “bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” to the tune of the Beach Boys. The absolute arrogance! I guess young soldiers dying in wars or coming home ravaged by fighting aren’t as valuable as fetuses. Why should I even argue or debate whether Planned Parenthood should be funded or defunded, it’s not the point. Republicans don’t really care if you terminate your pregnancy, unless they need a soldier in 18 years to fight a new war for them, or when they need more children born into impoverished families fighting to get the lowest paying part-time job available to keep the CEOs that own Walmart rich. These same conservative, rightwing, family-values men have affairs, divorces, and even pressure women into having abortions. Just look up Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn, a family practice physician turned congressman who believes no one except his mistress should have access to an abortion should the condom break or get forgotten. The U.S. News Online reports DesJarlais pressured his patient to get an abortion after their affair. “You told me you’d have an abortion, and now we’re getting too far along without one,” DesJarlais told the woman in a recorded phone
conversation, according to a transcript published in October 2012 by The Associated Press. “If we need to go to Atlanta, or whatever, to get this solved and get it over with so we can get on with our lives, then let’s do it.” I wonder if DesJarlais supported the Republican bill supporting private businesses that refused to cover birth control in their health care coverage. Maybe his patient— um, mistress—couldn’t afford an exam and birth control and the local Planned Parenthood was shut down with conservative applause. So what does this mean for you here at PCC where you have easy access to a Planned Parenthood just a few miles away on Lake Avenue? It means a lot actually and it’s why you need to pay attention to this conversation. Not just for yourself but for your family members and friends, even your mom. Yes, mom. Planned Parenthood sees over five million patients a year, and 83 percent of them are focused on not getting pregnant. Most of them are over 20 years old. Planned Parenthood caters to people without access to healthcare or bad coverage so they can get low or no-cost services. Many college students get testing for the dreaded STIs and even UTIs, which can lead to infertility or worse when untreated. Only three percent of their services are abortion related, according to Planned Parenthood. This brings me to mom. Women can get breast cancer screenings and pap smears to prevent cervical cancer. With the rise in HPV cases, getting regular pap smears and cervical cancer screenings has reduced cervical cancer by 50 percent, according to Medscape. So, while the conservatives scream about an edited recording of doctors harvesting organs, try to remember how many women and single moms were saved from breast and cervical cancer because of Planned Parenthood.
Hannah Gonzales Opinion Editor
Amid an attack on the accuracy of presidential candidate Carly Fiorina’s comments on Planned Parenthood and Republican scare tactics aimed at defunding the organization, both sides of the debate have fallen short of understanding the main issue at the heart of the controversy: late term abortions. Whether or not you’re pro-life or pro-choice, Planned Parenthood has been a boon for communities that don’t have the resources to seek out more expensive medical treatments. Planned Parenthood has devoted most of its resources to testing for sexual diseases, providing contraceptive services and screening for cancer. Only three percent of the organization’s services are allocated to performing abortions. Yet abortion is the reason a national debate has grown around Planned Parenthood after the anti-abortion organization The Center for Medical Progress secretly recorded Planned Parenthood officials discussing how to obtain aborted fetal tissue and how to crush the fetus in certain ways to preserve its organs. And while nitpickers try to decipher how much of the videos were “highly edited,” it distracts from how ugly the nature of second trimester abortions are. The abortion lobby, aided by the media, often use the term “fetal tissue” when a women plans to have an abortion. When she doesn’t, it becomes “organs.” See the difference? Tissue doesn’t bring to mind a miniature human composed of a heart and a brain the same way the word organs do. If you are disturbed or morally troubled by late term abortions, you’re not alone. According to a recent Marist University poll, 84 percent of Americans want restrictions on abortion, especially late term abortions done after the first three months of pregnancy. If you haven’t heard by now, last week senate democrats succeeded in blocking the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban all abortions after 20 weeks with a few exceptions. And while Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice advocates
celebrate the death of this particular piece of legislation, it is a mistake for both political and moral reasons. While half of this country considers themselves to be pro-choice, polling data shows that the further abortion is done from the first trimester, the more Americans think it should be illegal. Why does this matter? While it’s one thing to ignore that the stance the U.S. currently has on late term abortions puts it on the list of one in seven countries in the world that allows this, including North Korea and China, it’s another to ignore the rights of not just one human being, but two; a mother and the life she is carrying. What makes this matter so complicated is that opponents on both side of the argument can’t decide when the fetus gains its rights. Most would argue that when the fetus is capable of feeling pain it should be protected by law, hence the Pain-Capable Act. Yet abortion activists continue to deny medical evidence that a 20-week-old fetus can feel pain, choosing to stick to extreme views that allow the termination of pregnancy at any trimester. Which brings me back to Planned Parenthood and the fight to defund it. If the Republican Party, which has taken a stance against abortion, and their allies want to stop abortion, it doesn’t make sense to close the leading provider of birth control. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that women who use long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) have a lower abortion rate thanks in part to the elimination of birth control failures that LARCs provide. Taking away a valuable resource that women and families rely on to provide contraceptives would only lead to more unwanted and unplanned pregnancies, which would lead to more abortions. Reducing the risk of pregnancy should be the agenda on everyone’s list. Women don’t want nor do they plan to have late term abortions any more than pro-lifers do. By promoting contraceptives to decrease the risk of unwanted pregnancies, both sides of the argument can find confortable middle ground in the fight over Planned Parenthood.
October 1, 2015
VOICES
Do you think Planned Parenthood should receive funding from the government in light of the recent video controversy surrounding the organization?
“I think that the government should continue funding for the Planned Parenthood only because researchers really need fetuses to study them and is something that’s useful to us or to benefit us.” Arely Harvin, undecided
“I do think that Planned Parenthood should still receive funding in lieu of the current allegations that are being brought upon it. The reason as to why is because Planned Parenthood provides good services to people who in other cases can’t afford it.” Kevin Scroggins, mathematics
“I think they should. The government should fund it. If the tissue donated is for research purposes, that could potentially help somebody’s life and help others.” DeRon Wilson, business
“I absolutely think they should get government funding just because there is a huge stigma about Planned Parenthood being just an abortion clinic but tons of women get health care there. ” Umi Bradford, ethnic studies
Cartoon by Mick Donovan
COURIER Editor-in-Chief Kristen Luna
Online/Features Editor Mick Donovan
Photo Editor/ Managing Editor Keely Damara
News Editor John Orona
Online Photo Editor Katja Liebing Asst. Online Photo Editor Eric Haynes Social Media Editor Amber Lipsey
Be Heard
Serving PCC since 1915
Opinion Editor Hannah Gonzales Lifestyle Editor Monique LeBleu Sports Editors Ahmad Akkaoui and Christian Rivas
Scene Editors Erica Hong and Nagisa Mihara Design Editor Samantha Molina Staff Writers Ericka Bernabe, Anthony Carter, Alex Chhuon, Julius Choi, Melody Congote, Lilith Garcia, Andi Harding, Rachel Ho, Erica Hong, Timothy Mably, Kelly R. Murillo, Elissa Saldana, Arielle Taccad
Staff Photographers Angelique Andrade, Irma Carrillo, Nate Fermin, Anthony Galindo, Monique LeBleu, Alexis Luengas, Kristen Luna, Samantha Molina, Josie Rodriguez, Daniel Valencia Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire Photo Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Manager 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.
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Corrections
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“I think that the government should fund Planned Parenthood because it doesn’t just help with abortions, but it helps teenagers keeping them safe, you know, and give them like support in a way their parents don’t give them.” Kelly Robles, dental assisting
Reporting by Elissa Saldana Photos by Keely Damara
SCE
4 COURIER
A TTA C K OF THE
ZOM DIGI
Eric Haynes/Courier Donnathew Moreno, left, and Kenny Rosales are on their phones during University Day in the quad at PCC.
Nathaniel Fermin/Courier Ruby Karikian, 21, of CSULA checks her messages on her cellphone at Cherry on Top on Thursday, Sept. 24.
ENE
October 1, 2015 5
MBIE
Eric Haynes/Courier Erin Flores is on his phone while eating a pastry in the Center for the Arts building. Kristen Luna/Courier PCC student David Irizarry, 19, walking while on his phone outside the V building. You can often find students wandering the campus aimlessly while on their phone, tuning their sight and sound out.
Nathaniel Fermin/Courier PCC students Danny Pierce, left, 17, Premila Alexander, 19, and Kevin Arevalo, 20, utilize free wi-fi at the PCC lounge located at the CC building.
FEATURES
6 COURIER
October 1, 2015
Remembering Facing your fears: ‘How to Jack Larson, be Brave’ with PCC author the hero without the cape
Photo courtesy of the PCC Alumni Association Christian Rivas Staff Writer Actor and former PCC alumnus Jack Larson passed away Sunday, September 20th at his home in Los Angeles. He was 87. Larson was best known for his role as Superman’s right hand reporter, Jimmy Olsen, in the 1950s television series “Adventures of Superman,” a role he himself didn’t particularly enjoy. “I didn’t want to do it,” Lars told the United Press International in 1982. “But my agent said, ‘Look, you want to get to New York. You don’t have any money. Nobody will ever see this show so take the money and run.” At the time the show was in production, but was unlikely to ever be seen due to the lack of a sponsor, so this seemed like a low risk, high reward move for Larson. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. For years, Larson was a source of comedic relief for the “Adventures of Superman,” often finding himself in the hands of evil only to be saved by the Man of Steel himself, played by George Reeves. The $350 Larson was paid per episode helped him follow his dream of being a writer. Larson’s love for writing grew when he was encouraged to write and star in plays for PCC, which was known as Pasadena Junior
College when he attended. Larson enrolled in PJC in the fall of 1945, where his talent didn’t go unnoticed for very long. “My instructors discovered that I had a gift for writing and motivated me to write plays, and to be in plays as well,” Larson said in an interview with The Courier in 1993. In fact, some would say his rise to fame started at PJC’s Sexson Auditorium. Sitting in at one of Larson’s performances at PJC’s Sexson Auditorium was a Warner Brothers agent, who offered Larson an audition for Warner Brothers’ latest project, “Fighter Squadron.” Larson got the part and the rest is history. Larson would then star in television and film for years to come. He even treated long-time Superman fans with an appearance as Bo the Bartender in the 2006 film “Superman Returns.” Larson’s last appearance on the silver screen was in 2010 on “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” While Larson left his role as Jimmy Olsen to pursue a career in writing, he realizes that role was the right move at the right time. “The biggest honor is proving Andy Warhol wrong; that we can get more than 15 minutes of fame,” Larson told the Associated Press in 2002. “I am very grateful to Superman and Jimmy Olsen for my 50 years of being remembered.” Larson paid tribute to his beloved character at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con for the 75th anniversary of “Adventures of Superman.” Larson will be forever remembered as a talented actor and an inspiration to students in junior college whose dreams seem so far away. Although Larson always had Superman, he reached for the stars all by himself.
Photo courtesy of Shatford Library archives Pasadena Junior College Player’s Guild presents “Our Town” in 1946. Jack Larson (far right, front row) plays Professor Willard.
Eric Haynes/Courier English professor Katherine Kottaras stands under the tree by the C building on Wednesday. Kottaras is releasing her first book, “How to be Brave,” on Nov. 7 Alex Chhuon Staff Writer While studying at the University of Illinois, E. Katherine Kottaras, English professor here at Pasadena City College, began as a Bio-Triple-E major—ecology, ethology, and evolution—so that she could one day frolic with the seals as a marine biologist. However, the math didn’t add up as she found that she enjoyed the concepts of her major—she was the president of the Ecology Club—but not the calculations. In her second semester she decided to become a high school English teacher as, like a majority of people, she did not have the best high school experience. So she hoped to improve her students’ lives if only a little while teaching what she discovered was her favorite subject. Kottaras later moved to sunnier shores as she completed her M.A. in English at the University of California, Irvine. Kottaras taught high school for eight years and later took that experience here to Pasadena City College. Many students thought Kottaras appeared strict at first, but her love of English reached her students quite quickly. “When I first saw her she looked intimidating, but after the first five minutes she was great, very passionate, she looked like she wanted to be here teaching us,” said Kyle Tocco, one of her students. Kottaras left quite an impression on these students in only the first five weeks. “She gives a nice vibe to the class,” Francisco Rosales said. “She makes you love literature. wz“ Even though we’ve spent so little time in the classroom, I’ve gained so much already,” student Natalia Mendoza added. Kottaras not only teaches writing, but of course is a writer herself. Her first book, “How To Be Brave,” is set to debut on Nov. 7 this year. The book was inspired by her own fears and hopes to encourage readers to not conquer but accept their fears. “My father passed away when I was 17, and my mother passed away when I was 30. My daughter was 10 months old when my mother died, and I found myself sandwiched between the death of my best friend and the presence of this new life,” Kottaras said. “It was a dark and confusing time. I wanted to drown
in my grief but also knew I had to keep myself afloat for the sake of my new baby. That’s when I turned to writing. On my darkest days, my husband would tell me to take time for myself—to go for walks, yoga, etc.—but more often than not, I would find myself at the library, writing.” The book explores what her life what might have been like if her father had lived instead of her mother and the fears she wished she faced as a teen. “And then Georgia was created, she’s much more adventurous than I ever was,” Kottaras said. “I put some of what I wished I was in her … It asks questions about how is it we are courageous in our everyday lives. How is it we define it ourselves.” Being brave implies that one is scared first. As there has to be a reason, a fear to face, for so mebody to need to be brave. There are many different types of bravery, whether it’d be facing a man at gunpoint, jumping off a plane, or simply ignoring that feeling of inadequacy and sending that application to Stanford. Kottaras’ own personal definition of bravery features forcing herself to try new things.
Kottaras described herself as “the kid picked last for gym,” but despite that she took classes in yoga. Today she leads the Yoga and Meditation Club here at Pasadena City College. Kottara’s book has been receiving rave reviews online. “A thoughtful exploration of grief and life,” Kirkus Reviews wrote. Kottaras enjoys movies and shows that can make her both cry and laugh. The rollercoaster of life is key in both her own book, but what she looks for in other stories. “How to Be Brave” was also featured on Buzzfeed as one of the “17 New YA [young adult] books that will make your heart happy.” “Compelling, honest, and moving, Kottaras’s debut will inspire readers to live out their own acts of bravery,” Farrah Penn, a junior writer of Buzzfeed, wrote. Kottaras will be holding a launch party Saturday, Nov. 7 at Vroman’s Bookstore just down Colorado and students will be more than welcome to stop by.
LIFESTYLE
Chocolate or vanilla: A choice made easier 7 COURIER
Monique A. LeBleu/Courier Choctál’s eight single-origin chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavors displayed for tasting at the 9th Annual LA Chocolate Salon at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday. Monique LeBleu Lifestyle Editor Within the friendly battle between chocolate and vanilla lovers, single origin ice cream maker Choctál is making it extremely difficult to choose one over the other. But purists in either camp will surely agree that flavor is not lacking in any of the four chocolate and four vanilla varieties that the Pasadena company has put great care and research into. Choctál’s business partners Michael Leb, Nancy Hytone-Leb and Robert Michero pooled their expertise in the legal, marketing and food and wine distribution fields over two years ago and ventured to remarket and produce their ice cream with those purists in mind. The company does not see itself as an ice cream producer, but a “single origin chocolate and vanilla specialist company with two flavors and eight single origins,” said Hytone-Leb. “The concept of single origin translates as the variation in the flavor profile of each of the vanillas,” further explains Michero. “They differ because of the origin of the bean itself. It is also the same case in the chocolate.” In the vanilla flavors, Choctál’s regional single origins include the Mexican, Papua New Guinea, Indonesian, and Madagascar. In the chocolate, the flavors are the Costa Rican, Ghana, Dominican and the Kalimantan. Notes printed on the top of each cup hint as to what you should expect to taste inside. The Madagascar Vanilla lists “pure bourbon vanilla and flakes of vanilla
Monique A. LeBleu/Courier Christy Ottesen, 21, of Chapman University, public relations and advertising, tastes Choctál’s Indonesian vanilla ice cream at the 9th Annual Chocolate Salon at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday.
beans” while the Indonesian Vanilla lists that it’s a “classic bourbon vanilla with luscious, woody, floral notes.” Each flavor has the exact same base of unrefined natural sugar, milk, cream, salt and emulsifiers that hold it together in the recipe, along with the equal percentage of pure cocao or vanilla bean. The only exception is in the Mexican Vanilla, which has the addition of a trace of cinnamon for that traditional flavor. With 40 years in the wine-making and distribution business with for Michero Family Wines, partner Michero has the distinguishing palate, and he rolls flavor notes off his tongue like an ice cream sommelier. “The Tahitian Vanilla finishes with a nutty, almondy texture,” said Michero. “And the Mexican Vanilla finishes with a coconut. I like the Costa Rican chocolate because it finishes with a natural coffee flavor.” Each flavor tastes unique solely based on the single origin’s qualities. This includes how sweetness is affected, especially where tannins and acidity levels differ between cocao beans, which can bring a tartness to the chocolate. “The proportion of unrefined sugar is identical in each product,” said Michero. “And yet some will taste a little sweeter than others.” Once again the connoisseur makes direct comparisons with regard to wine. “The tannic structure of coffee and in the cocao are very similar,” Michero said. “And vanilla is to chardonnay as cocao or coffee is to a Cabernet, Pinot or red wine varietal in regards to the proportion of the tannic acid.” Not wishing to impugn blended varieties of chocolate and vanilla makers of ice cream, Michero and Hytone-Leb said the emphasis is in the differences in the origins. “Not to say that blends are bad,” said Michero. “Wine blends are good. Cocoa blends are good. Coffee blends are good. We’re just trying to focus on a unique flavor profile to each individual bean.” “Our focus in our concept is to really grow the company as a single origin product,” elaborated Hytone-Leb. As choices go, any plans to expand toward ice cream scoop shops in the immediate future may have to wait. “We’ve talked about it,” said Michero. “Maybe we’ll put something together in Pasadena. It’s been on the table. But the fact of the matter it’s a different type of business than what we’re doing right now. But it’s a possibility.” But as proud parents of a relatively new company, the partners are still quick to show favoritism and choose. “My favorite vanilla is the Mexican,” said Hytone-Leb. “And the Dominican, which is a very smoky, savory chocolate. I like those particular notes, which is interesting because I am not a dark chocolate person.” “My favorite vanilla is the Papua New Guinea Vanilla. It’s part of the Tahitian vanilla family. And I really like the hint of cherry that surprises you at the end,” said Leb. “And for the chocolate I really like the Kalimantan. It tastes to me like a caramel truffle melting in your mouth.” The company may wish to eliminate the words “plain vanilla” from the English language. But with all the choices in Choctál’s origin flavors available, the solution in the end may be simple: have them all.
October 1, 2015
SPORTS
8 COURIER
October 1, 2015
Lancers men’s soccer can’t find their rhythm Ahmad Akkaoui Sports Co-Editor
Keely Damara/Courier Lancers freshman midfielder Alex Palma battles for the ball with Mt. San Antonio sophomore defender Ricardo Valdez. The Lancers fell to Mt. SAC 4-0.
The Lancers’ foul-plagued men’s soccer team finished the game with nine players and lost their first conference game 4-0 against No. 5-ranked Mt. San Antonio College. Their losing streak is now at seven games. Freshman defender Jorge Mejia was sent off in the 4th minute and freshman midfielder Alex Goddard was sent off in the 60th minute. Mejia received two yellow cards within minutes of each other for a foul inside the opponent’s box and a hand ball at midfield. Goddard received consecutive yellow cards within seconds of each other for a foul and for allegedly swearing at the lead official following the card. The Lancers had four yellow cards in the first half and finished the game with seven, resulting in two red cards. The Mounties finished the game with one yellow card. Freshman defender Derek Bell believed being down one player very early was more costly in the second half than the first. “It’s just hard to play against a really hard team having two red cards. It’s hard to come back playing two men down,” Bell said. “But I think our team worked hard. We played a lot better in the first half. Hopefully next time in full strength we can do a little better.” The Lancers looked hungry in the first half but weren’t able to finish their shots near the goal. They looked very good despite being a man short. Head coach Edgar Manvelyan declined to comment once again
but gave an empowering postgame speech to his team after the loss. Co-captain Fausto Espinoza also declined to comment. Freshman forward Christopher Chemlekian maintained that the fact Mejia was sent off so early didn’t have too much of an effect on the team. “Even after the red card in the first four minutes, we played really well in the first half,” Chemlekian said. “In the second half we came out a little slow in the first five minutes and they took advantage of having that extra man. Once we got that second red card it went downhill from there. It’s really hard to play against these guys with eight guys on the field.” In the second half, the Lancers looked puzzled and, as usual, gave up easy goals in the second half. The Lancers have allowed 10 second-half goals during their losing streak and have allowed eight unanswered goals in their last two games. The men played well after the first red card but everything went sour after Mt. SAC’s first goal in the 24th minute. Mt. SAC wasted no time coming into the second half before scoring two more goals in the 48th minute and 51st minute. To add insult to injury, Mt. SAC scored their fourth goal in the 63rd minute after the Lancers lost another player to a red card a few minutes prior. The winless Lancers travel to El Camino College (1-5-2 overall) on Friday, Oct. 2 for their second conference game. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. El Camino tied their opener against El Camino-Compton Center on Friday.
Regional No. 2 team trumps Lancers in second half Hannah Gonzales Staff Writer The Lancers football team stayed ahead of the region’s No. 2-ranked College of the Canyons for most of Saturday night’s game. But with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cougars rallied and managed to pull ahead, beating the Lancers 28-24 in the SCFA NNC Opener. The loss left the Lancers at 0-4
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on the season, extending their losing streak to 10 games dating back to last season. Despite the loss, the Lancers managed to hold onto the lead throughout most of the game despite playing without several top players, including freshman starting quarterback Jett Even, freshman wide receiver Nate Degraffinreaidt, kicker Kareem Zeenni, and wide receiver Adrian Fonoimoana-Hall. Even and Degraffinreaidt were
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arrested over the weekend on suspicion of robbery and assault. Still, the Lancers came out strong. During the first quarter they managed to gain a seven point lead thanks in part to running back Justin Carroll who scored a touchdown ten minutes into the game. “We’re going to put a few points on this board and we’re going to be the winner,” said Carroll. And for a while the Lancers did manage to pull ahead. The Cougars were quick to regroup though. Canyons running back Kenny Torrence managed to rush for a 38 yard touchdown and by the end of the second quarter, the Cougars were down by a touchdown. Canyons quarterback Devon Dunn then tied the game at 14-14 with a rushing touchdown of his own. Pasadena managed to break the tie with two scores in the fourth quarter, but Dunn sent a 63-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Nicholas Jones. Later, at the 3:35 mark, linebacker Paul Puebla intercepted a pass and returned it for the decisive touchdown. “Again it goes back, we just got to clean up some of the mistakes,” said Kaumeyer. “We drop a punt, we fumble a ball on our own end. Those types of things.” According to Kaumeyer, though, the Lancers played well against the team ranked No. 13 nationally. The head coach also had a few words for sophomore backup Marc Peart who completed 19 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. “[Peart] is our backup guy and he played a wonderful game,” said
Photo courtesy of Daniel Lottes Kaumeyer. Instead of being dismayed at the loss, the Lancers are taking it as a sign that they can go head-to-head with top tier teams. “They came in 3-0 and we came in 0-3 and they thought they were just going to beat us out the way like
nothing,” said defensive lineman Kyle Alvarez. “And we came out strong.” The Lancers will face another conference team this Saturday as they head to Cerritos to face the Cerritos College Falcons. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.