STREET BEAT Letter to the editor

On behalf of the Foundation for Pierce College we would like to express our deep frustration and disappointment after reading the article “New neighborhood market brings community together at local high school” by Richard Zamora, Roundup reporter.

What about the Foundation’s Vintage Market that has been running since October 2013? Doesn’t this market bring the community together?

Why would anybody promote somebody else’s venture that is in direct competition with the Foundation’s project, which is raising money for the Pierce College students? Even though, the author of the article mentioned that Natalie Iturbe, vendor manager for the Fairfax Trading Post, said that there is no conflict in regards to other markets in the area such as the Topanga Vintage Market, we strongly disagree with her opinion.

Don’t you think that if there are two grocery stores across from each other selling the same or very similar products, they are not going to be in conflict with each other? Of course, they will! They will always compete for the customers!

In our opinion, non-profits should not compete with each other. They are even using the same name “Vintage Market” in their advertising campaign.

Also, the author didn’t mention that the Topanga Vintage Market is the Foundation’s project which, as I mentioned above, is raising funds for Pierce.

For your information, we are concerned that the Taft market will harm the Foundation (and consequently, Pierce College) since The Foundation Vintage Market’s attendance and income may decrease. The Foundation has been planning to open a weekly Swap meet in May. Now we will have to reconsider the project we have been working on for several months and have to come up with something else to raise funds.

Where is the support for your Pierce College’s Foundation?

With great disappointment,

Floriya Borzenkova Senior Program Director Foundation for Pierce College

Kathy Zanghi Account Manager Foundation for Pierce College

Balancing school and dating

Kate Noah

Advice Column

AskKateAnything@gmail.com

“Dear Kate, There is this girl in my English class, but I don’t know if I should ask her out or not. Should I ask her out or should I wait?” Frantic Romantic

Dear Romantic, Having a crush is possibly one of the best feelings in life. The thrill of catching their eye, the butterflies that wreak havoc on your stomach when they smile at you, the hope that they think about you as much as you think about them – it all leaves you in a semi-dazed state of bliss. You don’t know anything bad about them yet, and all you want to do is spend time with them.

Dating is complicated to begin with, but add a situation such as school or work, and you could have a real conundrum on your hands. When it comes to someone that you see on a regular basis in the confines of a classroom or a workplace, you have to take several things into consideration.

First, there is the distraction of dating someone new. Are you ready to focus extra hard on normal things because your mind will already be full of this new person? If you have a busy school schedule and a lot of tests, projects and papers coming up, it is better to wait until you can handle a bit of a distraction.

If you decide that focusing on a new relationship won’t keep you from studying or working as hard as you need to, the next issue is the fact that if this person is not interested, you are now stuck seeing them every week and possibly being embarrassed that you admitted to having feelings when they had none. If you realize that not everyone you like is gonna like you back and don’t let a little rejection define your worth, this might not be a problem.

Before asking anyone out, it’s usually a good idea to have had some interaction with this person and know that you have some things in common and can carry a conversation. Are you just staring longingly at her across the room but you’ve never talked? Start small. You don’t want the first thing you say to her to be an invitation to dinner.

A girl usually wants to know that there is more to a guy than what he looks like before she will agree to go on a date with him. She wants to know that she is comfortable with him and that he makes her feel good. So talk to her, find out what her interests are, and compliment her. If you don’t feel comfortable telling her that she looks pretty, tell her that she has a great smile, that you like her hair, or that she’s funny or smart. Keep talking to her and giving her genuine compliments. Give her a reason to think about you and wonder if you are going to ask her out.

If you get to the point where you think she’ll say yes, ask her out. Confidence is very attractive, so don’t be shy about it. If, however, you are unsure, waiting a while is probably wise. If you get to the end of the semester and are still not sure if she likes you, take a chance and ask her out anyway. You won’t know unless you try.

Do you have a question for Kate? Don’t shy away, ask Kate anything by sending an email to AskKateAnything@ gmail.com. If you have a question of a sensitive nature and would like to remain anonymous, your identity will be kept a secret.

One of the worst times to be at Pierce College is during the night. When the sun sets and the few sources of light left are the fluorescent glow from open classroom doors, or from the hallways, dangerous events have been known to take place at Pierce College. For the safety of everyone on campus, it is necessary for the places with foot traffic to be properly illuminated.

Already during this spring semester, a sexual assault has occurred and the cover of dark gives those who would commit crimes an added advantage. Something needs to change or anyone who is on campus during the night will not feel safe.

A particular issue is the lack of lighting in parking lots. Anyone who needs to go to their car at night has to deal with the bad lighting. Faculty members and students alike must take a risk by traveling in the dark. Some find themselves taking long detours for a lit path to vehicles.

A simple solution to this problem is for Pierce to have bright lights along all pathways people use. If those on campus can see where they are going, they would be better equipped to sense nefarious figures.

Whether it be the areas north and south of the gym building, the rear part of campus near the auto-tech buildings, or the lawn between the Center for the Sciences and the Library/Learning Crossroads, or by the football fields, the campus is simply lacking in adequate lighting.

If students want to feel safe, all it takes is light at night so they can see and be aware of their surroundings. In addition, better visibility would allow campus police and law enforcement to catch people committing crimes by removing the cover of darkness, possibly deterring car thefts or people who try to harass other students.

Pierce administrators must make a decision that ultimately elevates the environment at Pierce. That means allocating some money to invest in making Pierce a safer campus, and part of that fund must be set aside to install proper lighting fixtures outdoors. On the pathway to a safer college, Pierce can start by shedding a little light for a more illuminated campus.

Pros and Cons: Farm Walk versus Vintage Market

Marissa Nall mnall.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Pierce College Farm Walk is facing some surprising disadvantages this year, as the Vintage Market is planned to set up on the same day. But this could come as a stroke of luck, helping the program out this year and in years to come.

Last year’s Farm Walk event turned out record numbers of attendees, generating thousands of dollars of extra revenue for the program. This year, with another event taking place right alongside, those numbers could continue to go up.

The Vintage Market garners between 2,500 and 3,500 people each month coming to their 180 plus booths for their wares, according to Lori Rotblatt, one of the owners of the market. These are people who may have been unaware of the Farm Walk, or would have chosen to attend the Market instead, had the events been at different locations.

Now, with both happening in the same place at the same time, people won’t have to choose. Additionally, the Market might generate some added publicity for the agricultural event, drawing in new crowds.

Finding somewhere to park will be a complicated issue since both the market and the Farm Walk tend to have a large turnout. Parking for each event will be hard to control and will likely fill up, requiring a shuttle system to one or both events. There has already been increased planning and advertising, however, to keep this situation organized. Patrons should be able to find their way around, perhaps even stumbling on something new.

The additional planning that has already gone into this year’s Farm Walk will help for years to come. Many things will have to be changed, moved or reorganized in order for it to come off well and that is a good thing for a campus and its students to experience.

The new reordering that needs to take place will show Pierce students where they can improve on an already traditional event. The so-called competition will show both students and administrators new and perhaps better ways to hold the Farm Walk. Students who participate this year will find next year easier and will be better equipped to avoid any problems encountered in the future.

The Foundation for Pierce College is handling much of the communication between the two events since the Vintage Market raises funds for the school. Though the shuttle system and added security will cost a little more this year, both parties could find themselves making extra revenue, with the crossover in marketing and attendance.

All the proceeds will make it to the school to keep Pierce’s programs running at their high standards and student experiences worthwhile and educational.

Samantha Bedford sbradford.roundupnews@gmail.com

Time is ticking and the battle of events quickly approaches. The Pierce College Farm Walk and Vintage Market will both be held on Sunday, April 27. While two events at Pierce College on the same day can generate business, it might also pit one against the other. They shouldn’t have to share the day or visitors.

These two generally populated events are known to bring in a lot of foot traffic. Will Pierce College be able to manage both of these events on the same day? It may be possible, but they might have to compromise one for the other.

It’s already a struggle to raise money for one event, with two in the same day security costs may get out of hand. Safety for the public is very important, so it is necessary to have sheriffs on campus for the events. Having them there for both events may become costly. Neither The Farm Walk nor Vintage Market should have to cut things out of their events to make sure there is enough funding for security.

Parking is also a problem at Pierce College on an average school day. With two events on the same day, parking will be crucial. Whether they’re on opposite sides of campus or not, the traffic caused

-COMIC STRIP-

and limited space available will be an issue for them.