October 8, 2013 by Richland Student Media

Chronicle Richland

Vol. XXXVIII, Issue 8 October 8, 2013

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New club focuses on money management JOYCE JACKSON Copy Editor

Richlandchronicle.com October 8, 2013

How well do you manage your money? If you end up broke by the end of the month or are tired of the rat race, there’s a new club on campus created just for you. The Office of Student Life (OSL) has recently initiated the Rich Grad Club, geared toward helping students learn about money management. It also offers new ideas on how to become rich – or at least richer than you are. Club Sponsor Kelly Sonnanstine, also coordinator of OSL New Student Orientation, said Richland recently bought “The Rich Grad Kick Off & Follow-Up Package” specifically for the club. Amelia Fortes, one of the directors of the Rich Grad Program, held a presentation Sept. 5 on campus to kick-start the club. Fortes said she experienced success through the program herself and that the book, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” a bestseller by Robert Kiyosaki, changed her life. Kiyosaki’s book advocates financial independence through investing, real estate, business ownership and increasing one’s financial intelligence. The book was co-written by Sharon L. Lechter, CPA. Sonnanstine said the Texas Completes Initiative led to the Rich Grad Program. A few years ago, the Gates Foundation started a program called Completion by Design,

Staff Photo by Photo Editor Isai Diaz

Members of the Rich Grad Club enjoy the money management game, Cash Flow, at one of their meetings. Clockwise from left: Isaac Sokd, Michael Aulov, Khaled Al-Wajih, Kyle Vadasz, Elizabeth Celis.

Sonnanstine said, which was devoted to getting more college students to finish what they start by getting an associate degree and transferring to a university. The goal was intended to give students a well-rounded education. “Part of that is personal finances,” Sonnanstine said. “It’s a big thing for college students in general across the country. They are ending up in more debt than they need to be. Community colleges try to get you the best education using the least amount of your time and the least amount of money. So, the Rich Grad Program kind of gives people a head

start on how to manage money.” Sonnanstine said she was at a conference last year where she saw a Rich Grad presentation and the accompanying game, presented by Fortes, who also visited El Centro College in downtown Dallas. El Centro is also part of the Dallas County Community College District, as well as North Lake, Eastfield and Brookhaven, which have also shown an interest in the program. “This [Rich Grad] Program is nationwide,” Sonnanstine said. Currently, there are 10 members who will

soon be electing officers. The game will be on display at club meetings scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on Fridays in El Paso Hall, Room E-026. Sonnanstine said she’s excited about the new club and thinks it’s a good idea. “I know when I was an undergraduate I got caught in the rat race by the credit cards,” Sonnanstine said. “I really messed up. I’m still trying to dig myself out of it. It would be nice for students to know ahead of time what could happen if they don’t take care of their credit and their finances.”

Campus/Sports

Career Services benefits students

Rangers fizzle out

Staff Writer

Gabriel Flores

Veronica jacob

Staff Writer

(Ap Staff Illustration Leigh Wilson

questions within the software itself and records their interview with a webcam. Finally, Mock Interviews features a live person simulating a one-on-one interview. Job Fair – Career Services has two job fairs (spring and fall), which have around 50 employers on campus. It’s free and open to the community. The fair also offers a dining etiquette seminar. You can get more information about the fair from the Office of Student Life in El Paso Hall, Room E-040. The upcoming Job Fair for fall 2013 is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 in El Paso Hall. Career Services has many other resources for students and the community. For more Information, visit their website at www.richlandcollege.dcccd.edu/career. You can also visit their offices in El Paso Hall, Room E-090. They are open Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Texas Rangers 2013 season came to a bitter end Sept. 30 in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-2 in a one-game tiebreaker, dubbed “Game 163.” The Rangers welcomed back suspended outfielder Nelson Cruz, who was in the designated hitter spot and put up a 0-4 day in the Rangers last-ditch effort to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers did, however, make things interesting, finishing the season on a seven-game win streak to force the tiebreaker. Richland’s head baseball coach, Guy Simmons, said, “We had a see-saw year. They [Rangers] didn’t show consistency but it wasn’t a failure.” The Rangers in Cruz’s absence did, however, compile the most comeback wins in the American League with 50, showing their resilient spirit. A glaring hole in the team’s arsenal that led to such comebacks was the lack of power in the middle of the lineup that became even more prevalent in Cruz’s absence. Whether Cruz’s presence would have changed the outcome this season is something of a mystery. “You’ve got to believe that Nelson would have made a difference in at least one game,” Simmons later added. Twenty-year-old Richland outfielder Zach Thompson disagreed, saying, “I think we still would’ve missed the playoffs. (Alex) Rios’ pro-

(Image courtesy celebrateexpress

duction was similar to Cruz’s. It takes an overall team effort to lose.” This offseason Cruz, outfielder David Murphy and starting pitcher Matt Garza, among others, are key free agents who could potentially move on, leaving holes in an already average lineup that lacked power but did, however, possess the ability to manufacture runs. “It [next season] might be ugly if we don’t pull out the checkbook and pay these free agents. We needed bats this year,” said 19-year-old third baseman Trey Eschberger. Simmons seems to be more optimistic, saying, “We’ll be good. We have a young nucleus.” Nevertheless, this season has come to a disappointing end. With questions of who will stay and who will go, the offseason could bring more heartbreak to Rangers fans everywhere.

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Richlandchronicle.com October 8, 2013

There are times when we don’t know what we are going to do. It can be confusing for students to decide on the right career path. At Richland, there are many resources available to help students. One is Career Services, the largest career center in the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) for career and job search. Warren Osby, coordinator, explained how the center helps students realize their interests.Students can take an assessment called Choices. It identifies their interests and tracks responses. Then the adviser explains the interpretation of it. In the next phase students do research in a database called Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). This system comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It features everything from the qualifications required for a particular occupation to tools for helping students figure out (through the geographical features) where the occupation will be more in demand. This can help students make decisions ahead of time. Other services include: Alternate Career Field — If you finish your degree and decide you don’t want to choose an occupation in that field, career services helps with an alternative where students transfer their education and skills into another field. Employment Opportunities — Career Services provides off-campus job opportunities both full time and part time by using a system called NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers). It’s a huge nationwide system that most colleges and universities use as a career service manager system. Career Services receives job opportunities from a number of employers around the metroplex, out of state and overseas. Everything Career Services receives is posted in the system and students gain access by registering. Once registered, they can access the system anywhere by the Internet. Preparation – Career Services can also help individuals prepare for interviews in three stages. First, students can have an overview of the interview by watching videos. Next, Perfect Interview software allows students to practice interviewing with the help of a set of

Movies

Down and dirty with ‘Don Jon’

RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor

Richlandchronicle.com October 8, 2013

One thing I will say about Joseph GordonLevitt is that his choices of roles have always been outside the norm. Looking back on his résumé, he could have played it safe by becoming a Disney kid a la Kurt Russell, who spent years doing mediocre flicks like “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” and “Follow Me, Boys!” He has gone on to make quality films like “Used Cars,” “Escape From New York,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Backdraft” and “Overboard.” Gordon-Levitt has seen a mixed-bag career with “Holy Matrimony,” “Angels in the Outfield,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” “The Juror” and the cancer comedy-drama “50/50.” Need I mention his stellar work in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Looper?” In his latest effort, “Don Jon,” GordonLevitt both writes and directs this tale of a man with just a few important items in his life; his family, his friends, his church, his ride (a Dodge Charger SS), and most importantly, his porn. He relishes the private time he has with his other, online women. When it comes down to it, this is just a slice-of-life morality tale. The audience sees his constant routine laced with shenanigans

Image courtesy Relativity Media

Don Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson) spending some quality time together.

aplenty. He receives a big boost when he gets to conquest No. 11, a ceiling he never thought he would reach. Irony rolls into the production with Tony Danza playing Don’s father. He starred with Gordon-Levitt in William Dear’s 1994 update of “Angels in the Outfield.” The supporting cast members all fill out their roles with the right amount of vim and vigor. This includes Scarlett Johansson as Barbara Sugarman, a local girl who is brought home to meet Don’s mother Angela Martello (Glenne Headly, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Mortal Thoughts”) and father Jon Sr. (Tony Danza, TV’s “Who’s the Boss” “Taxi”), and sister Monica (Brie Larson, “21 Jump Street,” “The Spectacular Now”) who spends all of her time texting people on the phone. Barbara gets upset because she does not like porn at all. She finds it infinitely disgusting. While attending night school, Don meets Esther (Julianne Moore, “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia”) a widow who just clicks with Don despite his eccentricities. The two make a match that feels both right and good. Although “Don Jon” is not a great movie, Gordon-Levitt should be happy his first time out of the gate. He has crafted a smart and finely nuanced tale that hits the right chords and notes. Grade: (C+)

Fashion/Games

Dallas Fall Designer Fashion Show exposes local talent JONATHAN LEE Staff Writer

The new fall/winter designs coming from local designers ranged from very sophisticated, to sexy and alluring, to exotic, wild and ferocious. The members of the local fashion scene gathered in Deep Ellum over the last weekend in September for the annual Dallas Fall Designer Fashion Show to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America. The event showcased the talent of local fashion designers as well as Paul Mitchell School makeup artists, hairstylists, models and photographers. Fashion is fierce this season with zebra prints, gray fox fur and bird feathers. The models on the runway also looked chic decked out in black leather, camouflage military jackets and patchwork quilt patterns. Structured orange-and-brown earth tones work well together for fall. Two-piece ensembles with one-sleeve asymmetrical cuts, flowing capes and long trains seem very popular in couture. Eveningwear cut short in the front and long in the back for legroom exudes sheer sexiness. A powder blue evening dress works perfectly at dinner or the club, as does a comfortable beige dress after 5 p.m. Oriental designs, Victorian flair with a little bit of

Images courtesy Blessed Brilliance Photography and Oak Grove Photography

Models from left to right: Misti Winters, Cayren Anderson, Sheena Henderson.

punk and medieval themes look contemporary vintage. True to the cliché that everything is bigger in Texas, all the female models sported big, Texas-sized pumps. Speaking of bigger, shoulder pads have recently made a comeback thanks to the revival of the “Dallas” television show.

Phillip Jones, a young up-and-coming designer from El Centro College, channeled his inner child by embracing color in his current collection for his Youth clothing line. His prêt-à-porter featured monochromatic tuniclength shirts with tonal structured sleeves and creative use of leather and plaids for great everyday looks.

“The collection is called Color Block,” said Jones. “That stems from, like, when you were younger and you were infatuated with colors. In winter, it’s usually a dull color for grown-ups, and grown-ups are always trying to connect with the kids and see what the kids are wearing. Kids are infatuated with color, so that’s for winter.”

‘The Last of Us’

AVERY A. RAINS Staff Writer

Just recently I managed to get around to playing the popular zombie action-adventure and survival-horror game “The Last of Us” by the developer Naughty Dog. All I have to say is I tried to like it, I really did. However, I really can’t come out of the experience saying I enjoyed the game overall. Now don’t get me wrong. This is mostly my personal preference of genres playing a role here. It just isn’t my type of game. Had I not first started playing “The Last of Us” thinking it was just another third-person shooter, I might have seen it in a better light and perhaps enjoyed it a bit more. However, my normal lack of enthusiasm

for action-adventure and survival-horror aside, the game in itself still seemed OK. I can understand the appeal of it. Most of the gameplay and story was sound and unique, with only a few hiccups here and there. The only real problem I have with the game, aside from it just not being my cup of tea, is with the story. In concept I feel that the background and overall setting is really good. It has an interesting take on the post apocalyptic zombie idea that has been popping up all too often as of late. What ruined it for me was not so much the story’s fault, but the fault of the characters in it. The problem I am talking about isn’t clear until just slightly past the opening sequence of the game. This is after we witness the first night of the outbreak and fast forward to 20 years later.

It is here that we find our protagonist and a friend who are living in some kind of dystopian city run by what used to be the U.S. military. Only now it seems that the dynamic duo is attempting to challenge the zombie horde for the title of highest number of pointless killings in a day. I mean, of the 10 or more people killed in the first level of the game alone (one who was defenseless) the only reason we are given for doing so is that their leader sold off a crate of guns and ammunition that belonged to the protagonists and then sent some guys to kill her. That right there would have been enough to convince me that the killing was at least justified. However, for some reason the writers didn’t want to point out facts like how they were gangsters and attempted murder-

ers. Instead, things kept coming back to the stolen crate of weapons as if it was important. Only the problem was it was never made clear why the weapons were that important,despite that the reasons for the killings always came back to it. I thought perhaps the writers were doing this to make the main characters seem less like heroes and more like selfish survivors. To me it just made them feel like psychopaths. As I said before though, everything else was put together really well and commenting any more would just be nitpicking at this point. The game deserves its good reviews overall. Despite its odd choice of character reasoning, it is a must-play for any fan of the action-adventure or survival-horror genre. Overall, I give it a nine out of 10. Image courtesy superbwallpapers.com

Richlandchronicle.com October 8, 2013

– sound story, pointless slaughter

CamPUS

Learning Center paves the path to student success Jonathan Lee Staff Writer

The Learning Center’s vision is to link campus resources, student activity and the Richland community. Its mission provides general success by combining classroom achievement, community participation and goal reaching in a welcoming and diverse learning environment. Each month, the center presents different types of Connections Workshops to widen students’ study skills and resources free of charge. “We call it Connections because we’re hoping that you’ll be able to make a connection between what you’re learning in the classroom and what you get from us and that you’ll be able to use it in the classroom and just in life in general,” said Ke’shun Walker, Connections study skills coordinator. The workshops offer a broad range of topics that affect students’ overall success, including but not limited to, study skills such as note taking and test prep, money issues, such as Money Budget 101 and how to build credit, and counseling for healthy relationships and dating violence. The October schedule offers workshops concerning friends, academic etiquette, campus resources, reading and writing, university choices, creativity, time management, test anxiety, ePortfolios, study tips, relaxation and grammar. Well-qualified professors lead the Minutes To Richland College!

COVER AND FONTS Staff Photo W. Ben Roach

Richland students study at The Learning Center, Room 216 in Medina Hall.

workshops to help students succeed. “I usually tell the students that there is such a great correlation between coming to the workshops and their academic success,” said Walker, a Richland alumna herself. Since becoming coordinator, she’s kept data on students’ grades over the past three semesters and found up to a 15 percent improvement for students who attend the workshops over students who don’t. In other words, the workshops actually improve scholastic performance by one to two letter grades. She’s noticed an even more significant improvement among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as certain ethnic groups. Since seminars have a limited capacity of 15 students, the center advises students to register as early as possible to secure a spot. Students

may register on a first-come first-served basis with no wait-listing. Each student may register for no more than two workshops at a time and only one topic session per semester. Sessions start promptly, so students will want to arrive about 10 minutes early. Students should come primed with college-level literacy and communication skills. The center holds most workshops in Medina Hall, Room M-216, located on the second floor. It’s open every day of the week during the fall and spring semesters. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Pick up a schedule at the center for workshop dates and times or check their website at www.richlandcollege.edu/tlc/.

HOMES AT GREAT PRICES!

Vampire musical premieres soon

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Fire, blood and vampires come to Richland next week. “Fire + Blood” is an original musical written by Andy Long and Adam C. Wright. Performances begin Oct. 16 (preview), then run Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Saturday matinees on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 are at 2:30 p.m. This world premiere vampire musical explores the politics and struggles of reconstruction in post-Katrina New Orleans and the war between humans and vampires. The cast includes: Zack Jones, Joshua Bracken-Midla, Bridget Condra, Johnny Blanford, Joshua Usry, Rose Taylor, Cody Samples, Kevin Dang, Marla Acevedo, Isabell Moon, Darien Handy, among others. All performances are free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary.

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Opinion

Obamacare exchanges launch, government shuts down anyway Staff Writer

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, …” So began Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.” The best of times in America in 2013: the Internet is up and running. The worst of times in America in 2013: President Barack Obama ordered a partial shutdown of the federal government with about 800,000 nonessential government employees furloughed, and launched Obamacare on Oct 1. A shutdown takes place when Congress fails to authorize funds for government operations. Since 1976 there have been 18 partial and full shutdowns of the federal government lasting usually a few days to three weeks. The last shutdown occurred 17 years ago under President Bill Clinton when the government was closed for 21 days over the budget deficit. First, a recap of the congressional funding fight to keep the government open and funded, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. In round one the Republican-controlled House passed a continuing resolution on Sept. 20 to fund the government at a level of $986 billion and keep it open for 11 weeks until Dec. 15 but defund Obamacare. In round two the Democrat-controlled Sen-

Image courtesy www.wbur.org

Lincoln Memorial and other National Parks closed due to government shutdown.

ate on Sept. 27 passed a continuing resolution by a vote of 54-44 along party lines that would have funded and kept open the government through Nov. 15 including Obamacare. In round three the House Sept. 29 passed, in a near party-line vote of 231-192, another continuing resolution to fund the federal government for 11 weeks until Dec. 15, but instead of defunding Obamacare, it would delay implementation of some key provisions, including the individual mandate, for one year. The resolution would also repeal a new tax on medical devices. The House also passed a bill to fund the troops and some Defense Department workers and contractors in the event of a government shutdown. The Senate passed the bill without dissent on Sept. 30 and the president signed the bill.

In round four the Senate twice rejected on Sept. 30 the House resolution to delay the implementation of Obamacare for one year and sent back to the House a clean resolution without the one-year delay in Obamacare and with funding for six weeks. The Senate also rejected Oct.1 the House call for a conference meeting to reconcile the House and Senate continuing resolutions (CR). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (DNev.) refused to designate anyone as negotiators and send them to the meeting. Reid said, “The government is closed because of the irrationality of what’s going on the other side of the Capitol.” Reid also said, “The bottom line is this: House Republicans should pass the Senate’s clean CR.” House Speaker John Boehner said in a news

Richlandchronicle.com October 8, 2013

RAYMOND THOMAS PRONK

conference on Sept. 30, “That’s not going to happen.” The blame game begins. Obama blames Congress. In a video message released midnight Monday and broadcast on Armed Forces television, Obama said, “Unfortunately, Congress has not fulfilled its responsibility. It has failed to pass a budget and, as a result, much of our government must now shut down until Congress funds it again.” Republicans blame Democrats for the government shutdown. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said, “None of us want to be in a shutdown. And we’re here to say to the Senate Democrats, come and talk to us.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a leader of the Tea-Party Republicans and who spoke on the Senate floor for more than 21 hours in an effort to defund Obamacare, said, “The House has twice now voted to keep the government open. And, if we have a shutdown, it will only be because when the Senate comes back, Harry Reid says, ‘I refuse even to talk.’” The implementation of Obamacare could easily put the slow-growing U.S. economy into another recession with even higher unemployment rates. Also, if Obamacare does not live up to its expectations and results in higher health insurance premiums with less plan benefits and coverage, the American people may take out their dissatisfaction not only with the Democratic Party, but with the president. Heads could roll come Election Day, Nov. 4, 2014.

Richlandchronicle.com October 8, 2013