CityTimes
www.sdcitytimes.com
Volume 61, Number 6
Enjoy the holiday season in safety and good cheer
Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945
Dec. 12, 2006
Miramar ASG president quits Bryan Hughs cites ideological concerns By Josie Salazar City Times City’s sister college, Miramar, and its Associate Student Government were left uncertain about its leadership after ASG President Bryan Hughs resigned mid-term on Dec. 3, alluding to concerns with college and district administrators and what he believes to be an imbalance in politics on campus. City College ASG President Francisco Fabian stated “His resignation took us … by surprise,” referring to district student trustees. In a district-wide e-mail, Hughs expressed disappointment with his experiences as AS president in terms of an “embarrassing imbalance of conservative to liberal professors, staff and administrators,” and that there is approximately a “20 to one liberal to conservative imbalance” districtwide.
According to a Union-Tribune article, Hughs expressed his disapproval of what he described as liberal professors teaching that the U.S. foreign policy is to be blamed for 9/11 and that President Reagan won the Cold War in part by Communism. In his e-mail, he thanked several professors for teaching him why “America is to blame for 9/11, how Reagan DID NOT win the Cold-War, and for what is really wrong with the education system in America.” Also, according to the UnionTribune, Hughs had stated that his decision to resign was in part due to the administration’s lack of support and refusal of his proposal to survey the faculty’s beliefs. He had tried to organize a campus event to discuss political issues between liberal and conservative faculty members. According to Hughs’ original e-mail on Nov. 30, the event was to be an evening of discussions between a “panel of conservatives and progressives” on several issues.
See PRESIDENT, Page 2
City’s Jazz88.3 to get more power By Jamila Mosi City Times What would flipping through the radio be if you didn’t listen to some smoother music? What better station to listen to than one from your very own school? After a 12-year application process with the Federal Communications Commission, City College’s radio station, 88.3 FM, KSDS, has been given permission to increase its power from 3,000 watts to 22,000 watts by the end of March. Congresswoman Susan Davis and Congressman Bob Filner were instrumental in obtaining the increased wattage, allowing the station to boost the signal from its own
broadcasting tower located at Mesa College. The 55-year-old station began its jazz format in 1973, and in 1985 became San Diego’s only full-time jazz station. KSDS plays lots of notable selections anywhere from Miles Davis to Ray Charles, and even Gladys Knight. They promote classes for City College and broadcast announcements to upcoming Jazz events such as a Jazz party called “The Best Party of the Year” Feb. 23-35. You can make reservations now by becoming a Jazz 88 member either online at http:// www.jazz88online.org, or by listening into the radio station. You may even be able to win some free tickets.
Head for the hills ...
Hillcrest offers fun mix of food and flashback fashion Arts, page 7
Celebrating chemistry
Scott Landheer / City Times
Biology major Antoinette Logan holds two gummy bears while marine biology major Nadija AlainentaolAnderson heats potassium chlorate in a test tube at the Celebrate Chemistry event in Gorton Quad on Nov. 8. Learn the fate of the bears on page 12.
City VP to say goodbye By Maria DeLorenzo City Times After 32 years of dedication to San Diego City College, Vice President Larry J. Brown, has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 22. Brown began at City College as a teacher/coordinator in 1974, teaching leadership and problem solving courses for San Diego Evening College. He moved on to Associate Dean, then became Dean for District Student Services, and in 1987 he took on his current position as Vice President.
“I believe he is the longest serving administrator within the entire community college district,” said City College President Terry Burgess. “I’ve actually spent half my lifetime in the City College district,” said Brown, “and I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time.” Brown was instrumental in securing and applying three major grants, totaling about $4.5 million, geared toward providing additional support services such as counseling, financial aid, study groups and tutoring.
“I think we have probably the largest tutoring program here at City College than anywhere in Southern California,” said Brown. “I would say also that our financial aid program is the largest in San Diego county, and the third largest in the state.” Brown has also helped City College achieve good accreditation. “I’ve been part of and led two successful accreditation systems, and we have had excellent accreditation,” he said.
See BROWN, Page 2
Index
Calendar ....................................2 News .........................................3 Opinion .....................................4 Life ............................................5 Sports .....................................12
2
NEWS / CALENDAR
City Times
CityCalendar Compiled by Julie Gillespie Send items to City Times, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101, e-mail citytimes@gmail.com, call (619) 388-3880, or fax (619) 388-3814 DECEMBER ■ City Times Fundraiser 12/4-15/06 @ 11:15 a.m. 12:20p.m. Location: City Times Office ■ Hanukkah 12/15-22/06 ■ Financial Aid Event “Holiday Theme” 12/18/06 @ 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Location: In front of the financial aid office ■ Jamaican Christmas 12/25/06
Location: The WorldBeat Cultural Center ■ Christmas 12/25/06 ■ Kwanzaa Celebration 12/27/06 @ 7:30 Location: The WorldBeat Cultural Center ■ Kwanzaa 12/26/06 - 1/1/07 ■ New Year’s 2007 1/1/07
President
and for all about the issues he had to put up with districtwide. He asked that Miramar find a new dean of student affairs who knows about the inner workings of a student government, and a new vice president of student services with what he called “a backbone” and “does not try to do things the Grossmont/Cuyamaca way.” However, Hughs thanked several administrators, faculty and others for their support throughout his term in office and when he was being insulted online by what he calls “some less than intelligent individuals” in the district. According to the Union-Tribune article, Hughs said that he was told to resign because most of his student council wanted to impeach him due to his ideology, and the administration would follow their recommendation. However, according to the same Union-Tribune article, Miramar student council member Laura Wiedenman said that Hughs’ comments were inaccurate. According to the article, Wiedenman also refused to elaborate, stating that campus officials asked students not to talk to reporters about the matter. Asked if there was an investigation into Hughs’ actions, Mesa College Police Chief Jack Doherty said, “I cannot comment on any student discipline matters.” Miramar’s Public Affairs Office was not available for comment, as well as their dean of students, Julian Barnes, who was directing all inquiries to the PAO. Attempts to reach Hughs for comment were unsuccessful.
Continued from Page 1 In setting up such an event, it led to a districtwide e-mail exchange in which several e-mails were opposed to his idea and his use of campus/districtwide e-mail privileges, and according to the Union-Tribune, what he considered “offensive.” Hughs wrote in a later e-mail that due to not being able to find conservatives for the panel, he was postponing the event. “I find it disturbing that I can find many, many Professors who are willing to stand up for liberal ideals,” he wrote. “Yet I can only locate TWO conservative Professors in our ENTIRE DISTRICT to speak up for conservative ideals.” In one e-mail, according to news reports, a staff member responded, “Most people who work for the district are intelligent. That is why you can not find many conservatives to be on your panel.” In his resignation e-mail, Hughs called on Miramar to correct this imbalance, stating, “This is not a professional education.” And that it is “nothing short of anti-American political indoctrination,” stating his displeasure about the many hippies of the baby-boomer generation who are now teaching America’s youth their ideals. Hughs, a conservative himself, stated in his e-mail that he simply felt that he deserved to have his voice heard once
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Dec. 12, 2006
City Times staff members sponsor toy drive for teens Every Christmas, there are hundreds of teenagers who don’t have the luxury of spending this festive celebration with family. However, The Polinsky Children’s Center fosters many of these young teens during the holiday season. There is always a limited supply of gifts for teen boys and girls this time of year, since most donations received by the facility are aimed at younger children. City Times staff, writers and editors are holding a donation drive for the teen boys and girls of the Polinsky Children’s Center this holiday season and gifts will be collected on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from Dec. 11-22 in room L-125. Any generous donations
are appreciated, but items from the following list are suitable gifts: ■ Teen clothing ■ DVD (rated PG-13 or under) ■ Board Games ■ Video Games (Rated Teen or lower) ■ Grooming supplies for both genders ■ Hygiene products for both genders (soaps, shampoos, deodorants) ■ Handheld electronics ■ Gift Cards ■ Make-up and hair supplies (curling irons, hair straighteners, hair dryers etc.) ■ Sport equipment
City hosts Zapatista speaker By Luis Bahena City Times On Nov. 28, City College hosted a guest speaker regarding the Zapatista movement currently going on in Mexico. Rosario Aguilar was the guest for the Chicano studies community here at City. She’s currently a social anthropology student in the University of Chiapas in Mexico. She discussed the Zapatista Movement and events that have been going on in the state of Chiapas in Mexico. The Zapatista Army of National Liberation is a group based in Chiapas, Mexico. Chiapas is currently one of the poorest states in Mexico. An indigenous state, the movement is considered by many to be a post-modern revolution using modern technologies such as the internet and satellite communications to gain foreign support. The many injustices that go on in
Chiapas are many. Some like their lack of water supply in the state, even though the state itself is one of the providers of Mexico with clean water, is one of the injustices that the movement has been tackling. In 1994, Zapatista Movement took a stand. “1994 was a ‘this is enough’ to the exploitation and the humiliation of the indigenous” spoke Aguilar. That was the year that the Zapatista Movement went public, despite the fact that the movement was founded in 1983. In was in the same day that the NAFTA agreement went into effect in Mexico. It was a move to protest the signing of NAFTA, despite the allegations that the movement wanted to overthrow the Mexican government. “In order to transform the world, we need to work together to make a change. Even though we’re individualist, we are still socializing exploitation.” Spoke Aguilar on the topic of exploitation in Chiapas.
Brown
goals.” His colleagues are also grateful. “He is extremely knowledgeable and Continued from Page 1 he’s been a tremendous resource for me and my colleagues and the district overall,” said Mario Chacon, Dean of Stu“I’m pretty proud of that.” “He is going to be hugely missed. dent Affairs. “We are certainly going to He is widely respected and recognized miss him.” “Larry is a wonderful human being, up and down the state because he has been working in the community college caring and kind, and he keeps student district for so long,” said President Bur- well-being at the top of his agenda,” said President Burgess. “He won’t be gess. Throughout his educational career, replaced, because he is irreplaceable.” So what’s next for Larry Brown? Brown has just about done it all. He has taught biology in the K-12 system, he Retirement definitely doesn’t seem like has worked in public schools and at the it’s going to slow him down. He plans University level. He has been a teacher, to go back to school for landscape design a counselor and for the greater part, an and horticulture. “I thoroughly believe in lifelong learnadministrator. Brown says he feels lucky to have ing,” said Brown. “I am excited about the been in the community college system time I have to take classes.” He’s also looking forward to having for so long. “I have really found great enjoy- more time with his family, but says he ment in the community college district. will certainly miss City College. “I will miss greatly the great faculty, I am extremely grateful for what it has given me,” said Brown. “Just to be able my colleagues and friends, and being to serve others, and help people grow able to talk with the students about and develop and achieve their academic their goals and ambitions,” said Brown.
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Dec. 12, 2006
CityNews
City Times 3
Speaker advises studying abroad By Mallory Thompson City Times
Lizzie Lacey / City Times Ajieng Deng, left, accompanied by Benson Deng, performs a song he wrote for the San Diego Walk for Darfur on Nov. 19.
San Diego Walk for Darfur raises $95,000 By Lizzie Lacey City Times Over 2,000 people participated in the San Diego Walk for Darfur at Balboa Park Nov. 19, which raised approximately $95,000 to benefit International Medical Corps programs in the Darfur region of Sudan and Chad. The walk was led by former City College students Benson Deng and Benjamin Ajak, co-authors of the book “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan.” “This is a walk to remember that some people are suffering right now, especially young people, especially children, they are dying here. They are dying of thirst. They are dying because there is no food. Why? Because they
have been forced out of their villages,” said Deng, “that is what happened to me.” At least 200,000 people have been killed by the Sudanese government’s armed forces and its allied Janjaweed militia in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Hundreds of rural villages have been burned and destroyed, thousands of women and girls have been assaulted and raped, and 2.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Rabbi Lee Bycel, International Medical Corps’ Senior Advisor for Global Strategy spoke at the post-walk rally about the many Darfurians he had met in Sudan who had seen their lives destroyed. “I can see their eyes, I can hear their voices, I can feel their yearnings,” said Bycel. “All they want is to return
to their homes in the Sudan. All they want is food, water. All they want is security and peace.” International Medical Corps has been providing critical emergency medical services for residents of South and West Darfur since 1994. According to the International Medical Corps, survivors live under the constant threat of attacks by militias that operate on the outskirts of camps and villages, as well as the devastation effects of starvation, dehydration, and disease that result from extreme isolation in one of Africa’s harshest environments. António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has described the situation in Sudan and Chad as “the larg-
est and most complex humanitarian problem on the globe.” Judy Fisher chaired the event to raise San Diego’s awareness about the tragic situation in Darfur. “This walk has gotten us to talk about Darfur in our homes, in our schools, in our churches, synagogues, mosques,” said Fisher. “Increasing world attention to the rampant violation of human rights is a critical component in ceasing this deadly conflict,” said congresswoman Susan Davis in a statement read at the walk. “The widespread suffering and despair experienced by the people of Darfur for three years demands an international response and I applaud groups such as yours that are making an effort to end this genocide.”
On Nov. 14, Joanne Tawfilis, co-founder of the Art Miles Mural Project, came to City College to educate students about the importance of international education and self motivation. Tawfilis started the hour by talking about her background in the Navy, her degree in art, time in business school and finally about her start in the United Nations Association (UNA). She wanted to make change in the world, and the UNA seemed the place to do it. Tawfilis spoke about internships abroad offered by the UNA and what they look for in an applicant, stressing the importance of internships to give a true look into the field. She said these internships provide training in multimedia, computers, languages, school, and even life. Tawfilis said, “Young people take action with passion,” pointing out where there’s no passion there isn’t much action. She emphasized that diversity cannot be avoided and that we should learn, respect and understand everyone no matter where they are from. That is why the UNA has these internships — to open students’ eyes and see what is out there. One of their present interns is working on throwing a concert to raise money for the people who have been bombed across the world (concert will take place in February 2007). Tawfilis also made a point to inform students that big companies are always offering internships that involve traveling.
See SPEAKER, Page 9
Science dept. gets upgraded HP Grant allows new equipment, access to broader field of study By Scott Landheer City Times
Of the 300 institutions that applied for the Hewlett Packard Technology for Teaching Grant, San Diego City College was one of 40 colleges and universities to receive the $68,500 prize. Along with a $15,500 cash stipend that was awarded, the grant also included 20 tablet laptops, a projector, digital camera and printer.
The laptops are equipped with wireless internet access and also feature a stylus which allows students to write on the screen like a tablet. Theresa Bolanos, assistant professor of Chemistry, applied on the HP Web site for the grant, which also went to UCSD and other big schools. “We were kind of lucky,” said Bolanos. “Not a lot of community colleges got it.” Because the computers are completely portable, students will be able to take them on class field trips, Bolanos pointed out. Although they have mostly been used in Chemistry and Physics lab sessions up to
this point, Bolanos would like to start using them in class as well, because there are “so many cool things on the Internet.” She would also like to use the new equipment to bring simulations into class and to lecture without the use of chalk or “nasty wipe boards.” Students in CHEM 200 most recently used the computers to work on their resumes to apply for summer internship positions in science, biotech or academic settings. Bolanos said students have appreciated the computers and have been excited because they had never used ones like them before.
Scott Landheer / City Times On Nov. 28th, Michael Langsdale, left, and Naryssa Kephart work on their new laptops they received as part of the HP grant.
CityVoice
4 City Times
Dec. 12, 2006
VoxPopuli
Question and Photos by Allan Candalore
What was the worst holiday gift you ever gave? “Lump of coal” Chris
“After shave.” Josh
Nate Beeler / MCT Campus
“Shredded paper.” Joey
Web responsibility goes both ways
“Re-gifted pencil.” Hegai
“Large flask.” Julie
“Re-gifted McDonalds toy.” Liz
CityTimes Volume 61, Issue 6 December 12, 2006 Published as: The Jay Sees / 1945-1949 Fortknightly / 1949-1978 City Times / 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks Josie Salazar Editor-in-Chief Scott Landheer News Editor Luis Bahena Opinion Editor Lauren Ciallella Arts Editor Maria DeLorenzo Feature Editor
Julie Gillespie Calendar Editor David J. Olender Photography Editor Chris Rice Copy Editor City Times Staff Sophia Herman, Lizzie Lacey, Jamila Mosi, Mallory Thompson, Shanee Warden Contributors Allan Candelore, Nicole Woodruff Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser Join us! City Times seeks dedicated staffers for the spring semester. Join the newspaper production lab, Journalism 210-A, T/Th 11:10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
City Times is published twice monthly during the semester. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, City College administration, faculty and staff or the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. How to reach us: City Times San Diego City College 1313 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 Newsroom: L-125 Phone: (619) 388-3880 Fax: (619) 388-3814 E-mail: citytimes@gmail.com Program homepage: www.sdcity.edu/citytimes
Member: Journalism Association of Community Colleges, Associated Collegiate Press and California Newspaper Publishers Association
News homepage: www.sdcitytimes.com
A 17-year-old girl is on Myspace and contacted by a man twice her age. She replies to his messages, tells him all sorts of personal information including her phone number and her favorite sexual position. The man states he would love to meet up and have sex in exchange for a new pair of shoes. She soon gets a phone call from him on her house phone. After her dad picks up and realizes what is going on, he calls the cops, an investigation is done, and the man is thrown in jail for attempted sex with a minor. Yes, obviously, we see here the man at fault. He is a grown man, and knows better than to be involved with minor girls. But does anyone else besides me see the real problem? It is the teenage girl! Yes the man is at fault but the teenage girl has just as much responsibility.
Perspective Shanee Warden I am so sick of hearing story after story about internet dramas involving teenage girls, especially myspace dangers. Being a 16- or 17-year-old, most of the time you are well aware of what is happening. As a teenage girl, you know that a man over the age of 18 could get in trouble for messing with you. You know if you give out personal information you are putting yourself at risk. You know sending a man your favorite sex position and sending nude photos will make him want you and say nasty things to you. And also, myspace is not always SO dangerous. It is the teenage girls making stupid decisions. First of all, you don’t
have to respond to anyone’s messages, nor do you have to accept them as a friend or have a public profile. If someone is bothering you, you can report it to the site’s administrator. Teenage girls these days at 16 and 17 know clearly what they are doing. If they know how to shave their legs, buy condoms, put on makeup and gossip, they surely know how to decline myspace messages and not give out their numbers to strangers. I feel parents need to speak to their teenage daughters about the risks of the internet and make sure there is a clear understanding of the dangers. And if parents are teaching their daughters from the start that “you don’t talk to strangers,” then there should not be really any major problems. Shanee Warden is a City Times staff writer
Holiday spirit has been forgotten STORRS, Conn. — The news is more frequently containing stories about Christmas shoppers getting trampled or a shooting over a Playstation 3. As much as America plays host to Christmas pageants, movies, stories, plays and traditions, it seems that people are truly forgetting the spirit of Christmas. Families sit around watching “A Christmas Carol” and laughing about Scrooge being greedy, but around Christmas time, many Americans show behavior scarily similar to Ebenezer Scrooge. Christmas has turned into a time of bad traffic jams, long lines and endless spending, so what would people have to be happy about? They should be happy that they have money to spend on presents, friends to buy presents for, a car to get them to the mall and good health to celebrate with their families. Americans are too obsessed with tangible items these days. Of course, a
Perspective Alex Sanders child would rather getup at 6 a.m. to unwrap a new iPod than to simply have breakfast with their family. However, that feeling shouldn’t stay with kids as they grow older. I am still excited about opening presents on Christmas, yet my brother and I now wake up and have coffee with my mom first before diving under the tree and ripping apart boxes. As people get older, they seem to lose that magical feeling that they got as children around Christmas time. Some people replace that feeling with nostalgia, yet others simply don’t feel anything on Christmas except for stress. Adults stop believing in Santa Claus and start worrying about money for Christmas presents, house cleaning,
preparation for parties and the endless lines at stores. I am not saying that I still stay up waiting for Santa to come. I am saying that I still appreciate Christmas and what it means. It will always be a little superficial, but you can make it whatever you want it to be. You can really thank your parents now that you know that all of those expensive gadgets didn’t come from Santa. Also, you can deliver toys to underprivileged children, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or simply spend some time with your family to show that you appreciate them. The day after Thanksgiving, also known as “Black Friday,” has been one of the wildest Christmas shopping days of the year. It is the only day that there are traffic jams at 3 a.m., businessmen sprinting through Circuit City, and all out battles in Toys ‘R’ Us. Some people set
See SPIRIT, Page 9
Dec. 12, 2006
CityLife
Shaping San Diego’s Skyline
City Times 5
WorldBeat Center to mark Kwanzaa By Julie Gillespie City Times
Maria DeLorenzo / City Times
What’s at stake on the waterfront? City College has front row seats to San Diego’s sprawling skyline, which is literally changing shape before our very eyes. With two enormous buildings sprouting up right next door, one can hardly visit campus without noticing giant cranes stuck like cocktail toothpicks in the cityscape, set to a booming soundtrack of construction work. Make no mistake, Petco Park is just the beginning. Since its birth, millions of investor dollars have been steadily pouring into downtown San Diego, for better or for worse. We can only expect other massive developments with names like Yahoo! Plaza, Verizon Village, or even iPod Promenade. Although it hasn’t quite come to that just yet, there are plenty of projects in the works downtown.
Perspective Maria DeLorenzo Over the last six months, one of the biggest development projects in the history of San Diego has been hotly debated in just about every City Council meeting and within the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC). The CCDC is a non-profit, public corporation created by the City of San Diego to implement downtown redevelopment. They have been consistently meeting for long hours to discuss the Broadway Complex, part of the $230 million “North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.” This Visionary Plan is being planned by a team consisting of the Port of San Diego, various city and
county agencies, the Navy, and the CCDC. The entire plan promises in its glossy brochure to transform the waterfront into a “magnificent public esplanade.” Although the Broadway Complex site is part of this plan, it is unique in that it was formerly owned by the Navy and occupies four prime city blocks on the waterfront between Seaport Village and the airport. Manchester Financial Group’s general plan for the site has recently been approved by the CCDC, despite intense opposition among various community groups. Even so, on December 1, the Navy and Manchester entered into a 99-year ground lease. The lease requires that Manchester build a $160 million office building for the Navy and in exchange Manchester
See DOWNTOWN, Page 11
The WorldBeat Cultural Center will be holding their annual celebration of Kwanzaa on Dec. 27, at 7:30 p.m. The free event will emphasize the second principle of Kwanzaa, Kujichagulia, which means self-determination in Swahili. The event will include WorldBeat Center’s own African Drum & Dance Troupe, the lighting of the festive candles, a performance by Senaglese artists and a Kwanzaa feast prepared by the staff from the Prophet Vegetarian Restaurant. “Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, it is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, which means ‘first fruits of the harvest’ in the African language of Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance,” according to the International Kwanzaa Exchange. According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Kwanzaa started in the 1960s as a holiday to celebrate the first fruits harvest. Families who celebrate Kwanzaa decorate their homes with art, colorful African cloth and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. Throughout the years, the celebration has gained momentum and popularity. As people begin to open their minds and accept other cultures, there is more room for holidays that are not so main stream. The WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park is a place for people to get information about different cultures and experience things they might not by simply focusing on the main stream. All are welcome to celebrate by participating in activities or just observing regardless of race, gender or age. For more information about the WorldBeat Center visit www.worldbeatcenter.org. For more information on Kwanzaa itself visit http://www.tike.com/celeb-kw.htm or http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa.
Julie Gillespie / City Times The Kwanzaa celebration at the WorldBeat Center will include the lighting of festive candles and a feast prepared by the staff from the Prophet Vegetarian Restaurant.
6 City Times
CityFocus
Dec. 12, 2006
Chalk-it-Up Student artists used chalk Nov. 16 to express the dangers of smoking during City College’s Chalk-it-Up contest in Gorton Quad. The event was held as part of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. Student Health Services sponsored the campus event.
Artist Bryan Constantino, foreground, works on a chalk piece titled “Day of the Dead.” Behind him, artist Michael Hook works on his piece titled, “I’m Sorry.”
Artist Antonio Lozano brings his work to life in his piece titled “Smoking is not any Smarter.”
Boris Espinosa leaves his work untitled, hoping that the final product depicts his message.
Photos by David J. Olender
Artist Cosme Zambrano takes an abstract approach to his chalk piece titled, “Tobacco is Wacko.”
CityArts
Dec. 12, 2006
City Times 7
From Dumpsters to Hipsters: Up and coming neighborhoods offer hot spots close to campus
King of the ‘Hill’
Editor’s Note: This is the fifth installment in a series reviewing some San Diego’s eclectic neighborhood hot spots. Part Five — Golden Hill By Lauren Ciallella City Times
Forget up and coming, Hillcrest has carved its niche and still continues to thrive. Serving as a blueprint for surrounding neighborhoods mentioned in the series (North Park, South Park, Golden Hill and Downtown), Hillcrest’s bohemian undercurrent has transcended its early ’80s remodel, retaining a sassy persona while becoming financially prosperous. Embracing neighborhood idiosyncrasies rather than creating a homogenized environment, Hillcrest relied on collective influence to preserve community individuality. A mentor for the dilapidated and downtrodden, this prodigy morphed into a grandiose success brandishing liberal values through a burnished exterior. ■ Addicted to Hash — Hash House a-GoGo (3628 Fifth Ave.) will have mouths agape as skillets bearing behemoth portions pass through a neutral dining room, allowing food to be the main attraction. Breakfasts, “Flinstone-ian” in size, would leave even Fred with leftovers. The bacon waffle acts out the most devious of sweet and savory fantasies, satisfying every wicked craving. They hit the nail on the hand-hammered pork loin, crisp with yellow tomato, spinach and bbq cream. Sage fried chicken with maple reduction, eggs, bacon mashed potatoes and biscuit also performs amazing acts of “breakfastry.” Impressive and overwhelming, the Hash House will have you “oohing and aahing” at the new spectator sport where final victory is achieved when the plate lands in front of you. ■ To Catch a Thief — Wine Steals (1243 University Ave.) opens its door into a harem of wine and cheeses, stopping somewhere between Sonoma Valley and your living room. Old casks of wine pose as tall tables on the outskirts, while patrons heavy with merlot sink into sofas. Freshly upholstered chairs mismatched with old wooden ones instill unpretentious levity while remaining stylish. Once here, you’ll never want to leave the low lighting and high spirits that seize the space through simplicity, comfort and warmth. Nightly specials are abundant, as are the wine selections that change weekly. Cheese boards boasting several varieties (served with bread, nuts, olives and balsamic) are a meal in itself, but the true gem is oven baked pizza with choices like proscu-
Photos by David J. Olender / City Times Hillcrest gives meaning to the saying “all walks of life.” Is there anything this nook, north of downtown, doesn’t offer?
Visit Wear It Again Sam, a great spot for those fond of elegant vintage clothing, located on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest.
Enjoy delicious cuisine and the sights of local artists’ work at Cafe On Park. Flash back to prior decades with an eclectic selection of vintage clothes loacted at Hillcrest’s Fifth Avenue. Flashbacks vintage clothing store. itto and olive or mushroom and artichoke. Who knew that some of the best pizza in San Diego could be found at the best wine shop in San Diego? Wholesale
wines, extra helpful employees and a general feeling of merriment are generously poured to always keep your glass half full.
■ Second Time Around — Wear it again Sam ( 3823 Fifth Ave.) and Flashbacks (3847 Fifth Ave) — Vintage stores in San Diego offer some of the most quality goods and well organized settings to transport you back into a 1960s
department store. Classic in styles and matchless in individuality, these duds only bring good feelings about wearing someone else’s clothes. Musty aromas of “old attic smell” are nonexistent and the cleanliness of these items makes them authentically yours. ■ Scratching an “Ich” — Ichiban (1449 University Ave.), recognized by its wide orange awning and daily specials banner, draws a crowd nightly. This is why: Mon.-Fri. (3-7p.m.) most rolls are half price. The spicy tuna roll is only $2 and a crunchy roll (shrimp tempura inside, eel outside with spicy mayo and crunchies) is only $4. Have a feast for two under the awning for under $20. ■ Fishing for a Compliment — Nami (501 University Ave.) is high end compared to Ichiban, but well worth the extra dollars. Most people associate
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ARTS
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Hipsters
easy to maneuver around and neatly organized stacks help while searching for specifics. Poetry readings take place the first Mon. of each month and the first Fri is improve jazz. Worn wooden floors in a spacious “mom and pop” setting bring back feelings of life before Barnes and Noble.
Continued from Page 7 calamari with Italian cuisine, but the Japanese have mastered it. Curry calamari salad with mushrooms, cucumbers and sprouts presents light, tender rings topped with mango lime vinaigrette — “lick your plate” delicious. The sushi is also exceptional with fresh fish, properly prepared rice and several varied options from the commonplace California roll. ■ To a T. — T. Deli (1469 University Ave.) is the new kid on the block, but making its pristine impression slowly known. The white walls and well organized jars of loose tea make the entry into this small deli like stepping out of the dryer — so fresh and so clean. Over 100 teas are showcased by the extremely friendly owners who take genuine interest in their customers (join as a “mystery diner” to go undercover and rate the service for a free meal). Green tea with rose petals sips soothing refreshment while homemade, chicken lime soup makes for a rousing winter warm up. ■ Park it Here — Café on Park (3831 Park Blvd.) is an old standby with ingredients so fresh you’ll swear someone picked through mom’s fridge for the menu. Answering appetites with big ideas about breakfast (their cornmeal and honey pancake is bigger than your head!) and consistently coming through on lunch with comfort food favorites like bleu burgers with onion rings or chicken pot pie (this structure may need permits), they consistently feed you good cooking “like mom used to make” with a mind of its own. Everything is homemade from their meatloaf to the turkey on the sandwiches and it shows. ■ Nunu’s is Good News — Nunu’s (3537 Fifth Ave.) melds an Elks lodge aesthetic with ’70s lounge nostalgia,
N a t i o n a l
Hillcrest Hints ■ A Good Rye is Hard to Find — Hit the City Delicatessen (535 University Ave.) for the “Rachel” (pastrami on rye with sauerkraut and Swiss) and a chocolate malt. This Little Piggy Went to Market — Every Sunday is the Hillcrest farmer’s market on Normal St and this is the granddaddy of them all. Larger scale in vendors, food and live music set this market apart from surrounding neighborhoods.
Photos David J. Olender / City Times Scoop up some flavors of ice cream unique to The Daily Scoop creamery. rich with maroon booths lining the outer wall to fit your whole crew. Drinks are “face-wincingly” strong which only make tunes from the digital jukebox all the easier to dance to. Heavy handed barkeeps and petite perimeters on the patio induce interaction with strangers (or at least make for a good amount of eavesdropping!) ■ Run in the Stocking — Bluestocking (3817 Fifth Ave.) offers a wide spectrum of new and used books that aren’t your usual literary finds. A perfect gag gift for new parents is “Baby Make Me Breakfast” or “Baby Make Me a Drink,” guiding your child on how to become useful. Pick up a couple of books for the kids too since prices here are much lower than big name book stores. Shelves and tables offer well laid sections that are
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Dec. 12, 2006
Hillcrest “Hindenburgs” ■ The Jinx — Lucky Buck’s (1459 University Ave.) advertises gourmet burgers and burritos which must mean that Burger King is royalty. Just because you call it gourmet doesn’t make it so, and pepper jack cheese does not constitute sophisticated taste. No such thing as medium rare here, since the cook mercilessly presses every last drop of juice from the charred patty. Buck’s stale, stripped garage aesthetic gives a dirty feel to the place (or maybe it’s just the loose topping/condiment station). Isolating the masses even further by accepting cash only, Lucky Buck’s burger massacre is nothing but a big “bucking” disappointment. ■ I want my money back, money back, money back …ribs — Baby Back Jack’s (1290 E. University Ave.) puts the meaty in mediocre with a plate that looks enjoyable with well endowed rib meat, but disappoints with weak flavor and soggy texture. It seems reasonable at $7.95 for ribs, fries and a side, but that’s no deal when everything is sub par. Although edible, it was unmemorable and the cole slaw (with pineapple), pasta and potato salad were worthless, bland additions to this “humph” meal. Extra Side Additions to prior installments in the series ■ North Park — Mission Possible — The Mission (2801 University Ave.) is an old reliable serving both the healthy minded and the healthy appetite. The roast beef hash features plump medallions of steak with a dash of horseradish cream. Zen breakfast with tofu, brown rice and veggies gives a lighter option with flare when eating out. Old stand by’s like pancakes and quesadillas supersede expectations by using complimentary flavor combos while keeping it simple. ■ South Park — Extra! Extra! Eat All About It! — The Daily Scoop (3004 Juniper St.) is the neighborhood creamery having you feeling like a kid while catering to adult tastes. Cinnamon or ginger ice cream spice things up with potent, creamy depth and seasonal flavors, like pumpkin chiffon add a new twist on holiday dessert. Cleansing palates with champagne sorbet and other temptations like lemon custard or Kahluha crunch make it necessary to pick up a pint even during winter the months. ■ Golden Hill — Greasy Spoon is Golden — Golden Hill Café (2505 C St.) is nestled next to Jaycee’s Market and could easily be missed, but that would be a mistake. Spick and span, this spotless diner is welcoming through staff and setting. Counter seating and booths are reminiscent of old school feng shui, complete with order window where the chef slings your chow. The breakfast combo with French toast or pancakes,
More of Flashbacks vintage clothing store’s fashion displays. bacon or sausage and two eggs is $4.95 — same price for a burger, fries and a drink. Other artery cloggers close to your heart like chicken fried steak with biscuits and gravy are hard to find items in health conscious San Diego and give the proper preparation of grease needed after a long night out. ■ Downtown — East meets South — The Honey Beehive (1409 C St.) “Salsa sushi” takes place on Wed. at 8 p.m. and spins hip hop while rolling rice. Mexican ingredients like cilantro, chipotle and mango salsa are incorporated with traditional sushi components for a midweek buzz to compliment your “after class” beer. Lauren Ciallella is City Times’ arts editor
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Dec. 12, 2006
ARTS / NEWS / VOICE
City Times 9
Writer’s assignment leads to emotional discovery I was given an assignment to cover a presentation a former City College student was giving about his book, “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys of Sudan.” I have heard bits and pieces about the “Lost Boys of Sudan” over the last few years. My father told me about the “boys,” all in their late teens and early twenties, who grew up in villages and then in refugee camps in Africa being acclimated into American Society. I used to live in South Africa, and could relate to the anecdotal stories about their getting on airplanes, all in matching tracksuits, and seeing things like flushing toilets for the first time but that was all I knew. I immediately bought “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky” and started reading. I was horrified by what I learned. Benson Deng, one of the three coauthors, fled his village when it was attacked in 1987. “I was scared. I run away from my village because the houses were burning.” According to his brother Alephonsion Deng, there was “shooting, screaming, crying; it was like the end of the world.” At age seven, he traveled 1,000 miles across Sudan to a country he had never heard of: Ethiopia. He was wearing only a pair of red underwear. Benson Deng was one of an estimated 20,000 young boys who were driven from their villages in southern Sudan by northern government troops. With their fathers dead and their mothers and sisters either dead or sold into slavery, the “Lost Boys” walked for two months and over 1,000 miles to Ethiopia. Many died from hunger and dehydration. According to Alephonsion Deng, “Bul-
Speaker Continued from Page 3 At the end of the presentation Tawfilis stated, “When making a decision, follow your heart, head and tummy.
Spirit Continued from Page 4 out on Black Friday to get one or two things and end up racking up a $1,000 bill. People also tend to buy things that they don’t even need because the items are so significantly discounted. Fox News 12 in Providence reports that “many said they expected to spend more than $1,000 on gifts ... Evelyn Pizzo, 53, of Cranston (R.I.) didn’t even bother drawing up a Christmas budget.” Black Friday is a completely unique experience. It fills shoppers with adrenaline and has the potential to make some people crazy. There have been stories of people fighting over items or pushing people or things out of the way in order to reach their destination. And after all is bought, people go home with smiles the size of their credit card bills. According to the Pittsburgh PostGazette, “The retail federation is calling for a solid, if not spectacular, holiday shopping season with 5 percent growth over last year to total $457.4 billion.” People don’t seem to realize that a day like Black Friday is exactly what Christmas isn’t truly about. People initially care more about saving money, but rack up an enormous bill anyways. It’s pointless. If you go shopping on Black Friday, that’s perfectly fine. But don’t kill anybody in the process. I’m not telling people to skimp out on
BookReview Lizzie Lacey lets replaced food, medicine, shelter and my loving parents.” In 1991, war erupted in Ethiopia and the boys were chased by tanks and armed militia across the Gilo River, where thousands drowned, were eaten by crocodiles, or were shot. Those who survived walked for over a year back through Sudan to Kenya. Over half of the boys died along the journey to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. At Kakuma, Benson Deng focused on his education. “We start go to school. This is under the trees. Mother nature is your exercise book (the ground) and your finger, given to you by God, is your pen,” said Deng. He and other boys at the camp took cardboard they had gotten from UN boxes and wrote “education is part of human rights. Help us.” The UN brought books and began building schools. However, Benson Deng was struck with a horrible disease called River Blindness. For five years, the disease made it impossible for him to sit and attend class. “I taught myself English by lying on my stomach in my hut and copying the essentials of grammar and vocabulary into a composition book,” said Deng. Benson Deng finished primary level in 1998. “They started taking people to America who were qualified – educated, could speak English,” said Deng. “And I thought ‘America, wow, I want to go to that place!’”
And if these are all sync then nothing can go wrong.” She wanted the students to know that it is they who change the world. For more information about the UNA internships there is a web site you can visit or even go to the UNA in Balboa Park. www.ipetitions.com/petition/ UNASD_declaration/
Christmas presents or just make people cards. But when you do buy presents this year, really make sure that they are special. Don’t get your friend a gift certificate because he is getting you something. Give the people you really care about something special rather than getting a lot of people little things that don’t really mean anything. It may sound trite to encourage people to be full of spirit and curl up with their family and their dog in front of a toasty fire while singing Christmas carols and drinking cider. But there are ways to make it more fun. Invite a friend over to bake cookies with you and your mom. It may actually be enjoyable. The fact that you are doing that will let your mom see how much you really appreciate her and your family. It’s also a lot less stressful than attempting to plan an extravagant dinner party and buy as many gifts as you can afford before you are in debt. This Christmas, show people that you really care about them instead of fighting with someone over the lowest-priced digital camera that you can find. The holidays always stress people out, but when you feel stressed, try to remember what Christmas is really about. This year, bake cookies, make paper snowflakes and throw as many snowballs as you can. Because before you know it, the magic of Christmas will slip away. Alex Sanders is a columnist for the University of Connecticut’s Daily Campus, distributed by U-WIRE
In 2000 and 2001 the United States resettled 3,800 Lost Boys as refugees. Benson Deng, his younger brother Alephonsion Deng and their cousin Benjamin Ajak were among those selected to come to America. I fell in love with the authors as children in the book, from 3, 4, 5-7 years old. I was astounded by their bravery, by the fact that this had been happening to them as I was growing up, and I had never heard about it. I learned about the most gruesome brutality, terror, and horrific death through the matter-of-fact perspective of five and seven year old boys. Their stories were told with innocence and fresh honesty. The day before the presentation, I met with their mentor and co-author, Judy Bernstein and discussed the book and her experiences with the young men. I had just finished reading the book and was overwhelmed by what these boys, my age, had experienced. They survived with bravery, courage, and optimism. I was overwhelmed in particular by Benson Deng’s will to live and the selfless strength he showed as a boy of seven to keep his two cousins, and later his younger brother alive. I listened to Benson Deng tell his story, and after the presentation I stood in line to talk to him. I had so many things I wanted to say, so many questions I wanted to ask. And suddenly there he was, right in front of me with sparkling eyes and a big smile. A young man, my age. He was the brave, honest seven-year-old boy grown up and standing before me. It was too much to take; I broke down. When I had read his stories, I was moved; I could hardly see the pages through my tears, but it was still a story. When I saw the young man who had written it standing in front of me, I
knew that this seven-year-old boy who walked thousands of miles across Africa, who watched his loved ones die of starvation, of thirst, of disease, who survived a gruesome war was a real person. I was standing in front of him sobbing ridiculously. I couldn’t speak. He looked me in the eyes and he held my hands in his. “It’s okay. I’m here now. It’s over.” But since I’ve gotten to know him, I’ve learned that while he is away from the war in Sudan, it is far from over. Benson has made his way gracefully into American society, but it hasn’t been easy. He attended City College and worked at Ralphs grocery store in Hillcrest until the strike in November of 2003. Now he runs the computer and digital photography system at Waste Management in El Cajon. He hopes to transfer to the Art Institute of California, San Diego to Study Game Art and Design. “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys of Sudan” has given him a way to tell his story and to deal with a painful past. As his brother and co-author Alephonsion Deng said “You don’t want to keep those things, the memories with you. You’ve got to have a place, where you put them somewhere and then move on.” Since he wrote the book, Benson has spoken to over 100 churches, synagogues, mosques, schools, and human rights groups, spreading awareness about what went on in southern Sudan and what is currently happening in the Darfur region of Sudan. At least 200,000 people have been killed and over 2.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes. These aren’t just statistics, they are human beings like Benson Deng, like Alephonsion Deng and Benjamin Ajak, like me.
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Dec. 12, 2006
City Times
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City Times 11
ARTS / LIFE / NEWS
Experience through expertise — anchor offers professional perspective By Lauren Ciallella City Times Kathi Diamant, known for her work on KPBS’ “San Diego Treasures” and as the anchor/producer of KPBS on-air fundraising, spoke to Spike Sorrentino’s Performance for Television class on Nov. 16. City students gained first hand perspective in the field, not only from the
open forum where Diamant answered a multitude of questions, but also through eight-minute one-on-one interviews with each student. Explaining her background and work experience helped draw a map for students wanting to venture down the same career path. Diamant’s globetrotting childhood through Paris, Germany and S. Korea, along with theatrical parents made her transition into the spotlight natural.
Eventually landing in North Carolina for her husband’s work, she put her acting dreams on hold. There were no theaters in town, only three television studios. Since the New York stage was Kathi Diamant not an option at the time she figured, “Until I go, I’ll try my
Downtown Continued from Page 5 can move forward with construction of offices, condos, hotels and retail space. Manchester’s proposed development features seven buildings, four of which are maximum height towers. Those against the project have been chiefly concerned with the proposed public open space, demanding more park space and less commercial buildings. Of the 12 acres, there are a proposed 4.9 acres of public open space. There has been concern over the use of these 4.9 acres, most of which is not specifically grass or park area. So much concern in fact, that the Broadway Complex Coalition formed in order to demand a closer look at the use of the site. The coalition states in their charter, “Downtown San Diego lacks the amenities to be a great downtown center,
Centre City Development Corporation / Courtesy photo This rendering shows Manchester’s final proposal for the Broadway Complex site on San Diego’s valuable waterfront. especially with respect to parks and open space. There is not a need for more ordinary structures like hotels, office buildings and shops ... This is the last opportunity for a waterfront park/public commons; a place to gather, celebrate and share, a place which has been
planned for decades by visionary planners but has never materialized.” The Coalition voices their opinions consistently in CCDC meetings. “Is this public open space or just the space between buildings?” asked Mike Stepner of the Broadway Complex Coali-
Student Health Services is once again providing students with free and anonymous HIV testing every Monday at Student Health Services in Room A116 from 1-4 p.m. Students can take an oral test (no needles) and return in one week to get confidential results. City College Student Health has partnered up once again with the Linda Vista Community Clinic (LVCC) in order to provide the free service. Several semesters back LVCC’s grant for the on-campus testing fell through and they had to procure another grant in order to return. “There’s been a lot of interest, especially because of World AIDS Day recently,” said LVCC’s Program Coordinator, Branko Matich. “Access is important. If it is on campus, it is convenient,” said Matich. “And the results are completely confidential.” Student Health Services Director,
Dotti Cordell said sometimes people have inhibitions about getting tested. “It is still a very personal thing,” said Cordell. “People will come and talk to you if you have a table in the cafeteria about TB or heart disease, but people are still very shy about this because it is very private and it is a very frightening diagnosis.” But Cordell said she has noticed that students tend to feel more comfortable with the staff at Student Health because they are experienced in dealing with student issues and they are perhaps less intimidating than a family doctor. “The may feel an added degree of anonymity here,” said Cordell. Both Cordell and Matich agree that HIV testing is also about educating students on the risks and facts about HIV. “Our job is to provide education and counseling on how to prevent HIV because there are still a lot of myths out there,” said Matich. “Education is always about empowering yourself,” said Cordell. Cordell said it is often a struggle to find funding for free student services.
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tion in a September meeting. There is no doubt among all parties that the Broadway Complex site has endless potential to transform the San Diego waterfront. Those vehemently opposed are frustrated with the Navy selling the land to a developer who doesn’t appreciate the need for more green space. “The waterfront is a limited resource for any city” said Howard Blackson of the Broadway Complex Coalition. “Who has the right to say who owns it?” “We don’t want parks that are more like parking lots,” said Blackson. “Public spaces create value. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park doubled the value of the houses surrounding it.” Since the approval of the site and the recent signing of the lease, it seems these concerns will not yet be addressed. However, the CCDC still has to approve the design of the individual buildings within the project, and it isn’t going to be easy to appease those concerned community members who con-
Student Health Services offering HIV testing again By Maria DeLorenzo City Times
hand at broadcasting.” Ending up as producer and host of “North Carolina Today” was only the beginning of her television success. Diamant would later move to “Good Morning California” and eventually to “Sun Up San Diego,” which won her an Emmy in 1985 for “Outstanding Performer.” Forced to do news broadcasting in
“We need to keep working with the government to fund education and fund testing,” said Cordell. “The money is never as much as we want.” Even so, now Student Health can provide students with free weekly HIV tests and they can also refer students to free clinics nearby for other STD tests. Student Health is not making money, but simply trying to provide as many services as possible for as cheap as possible. That’s where clinics like Linda Vista come in. “Dotti Cordell called me and said she wanted to start testing again. The funding has been kind of tough, but we wanted to get back on track. It has been difficult to find funding to do testing in outreach,” said Matich. Nonetheless, LVCC came through with the grant and Matich said it’s a good spot for testing outreach because of the amount of student interest. “Some students have never been tested before and they just want to make sure they are okay,” said Matich. “They are just wondering ‘what if’.”
tinue to make their case. Manchester is calling it a “beautiful front porch to our city” and others are looking forward to finally developing the site, which up to this point has been considered blighted. Manchester hopes to begin the construction within a year. Meanwhile, downtown San Diego continues to sell to the highest bidder, high rise condos advertise rejuvenated urban living in the vicinity of posh restaurants and highend retail, baseball crowds clog the Gaslamp and Little Italy moves historic buildings out only to replace them with overpriced apartments. So, what’s a stake at the waterfront? A lot of money and a lot of public opinion. For more information about downtown development and the Broadway Complex, visit the CCDC website at www. ccdc.com. Maria DeLorenzo is City Times’ features editor
Review Continued from Page 9 Hundreds of thousands of innocent people are being raped, assaulted, murdered, starved; villages are being burned to the ground. People have been forced away from their homes, their families, their livelihood. They are dying of thirst, of starvation. After the Holocaust we said, “never again!” Since then we have seen genocide in Cambodia, in Serbia, in Rwanda; it is happening now, in my lifetime. The night Benson Deng left his village, “they poured fire on us from the sky. And that fire is being poured right now in Darfur.” Each and every one of us needs to stand up and show that the world really did mean the words “never again.” To learn more visit www.savedarfur. org. The World Affairs Council has established a fund for the three co-authors to pursue their education. Donations can be made to the Lost Boys Education Fund at 27461 Schulte Rd, Carmel, CA 92923. Lizzy Lacey is a City Times writer
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NEWS / SPORTS / ARTS
City Times
Dec. 12, 2006
Weird science in Gorton Quad Chris White, business administration/management major, blows through a straw in the Carbon Dioxide Race to change the color of a solution.
Two gummy bears go up in smoke in an experiment the students were calling the Gummy Bear Execution.
Photos by Scott Landheer / City Times Biology major Antoinette Logan, left, and Nadija Alainentalo-Anderson give Ngoc Dang a scare during the Celebrate Chemistry event in Gorton Quad on Nov. 8.
Men’s soccer makes it to SoCal regional playoffs
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The City College men’s soccer team’s post-season playoffs came to an end on Nov. 21. The team lost in the Southern California Regional playoffs in their second round against Irvine Valley. This is the second straight year the team as made the playoffs. The Knights had a 15-1-5 record against Irvine Valley’s of 15-3-4. City College had the lead at 2-1 in the 69th minute of the game. However, Irvine
Anchor Continued from Page 11
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North Carolina, she realized, “I read the news and smiled a lot, but I never particularly enjoyed it.” There was little opportunity for features coverage, but Diamant gained useful experience through editing briefs minutes before air-time. Although news casting wasn’t her goal, she learned reporting strategies while paying her dues. Timeliness and the ability to think on her feet were “a lot like adlib or improv theater.” The pressure for catching quick corrections before air time while “making it your own” was a necessity and she strongly urged students to “practice, practice, practice.” With her rise on “Sun Up San Diego” and now more recently “San Diego Treasures,” highlighting arts and leisure, Diamant finally is working in her medium. “Professionally, I am what I do,” said Diamant. When “Sun Up San Diego” ended in 1990, Diamant delved into other arenas, including her time with KPBS and also The Kafka Project, which she works on with students at SDSU. The Kafka Project was born in 1997 through Diamant, who at the age of 19 had a professor tell her that her last name was the same as Frances Kafka’s mistress. Intrigued by the mistress, Dora Diamant, who had reportedly
Valley came back and scored a second goal within the two last minutes of the game. After two overtime sessions with no score, the game moved into penalty kicks. City College was outscored 4-1. This season was the third consecutive season under the head coach, Milton Hidalgo. The team since then has earned a Pacific Coast Conference title and a three-year record of 47-7-5. — Shanee Warden
given Kafka the happiest years of his life and burned his last works, Kathi Diamant became engrossed in the history behind it. Through travel, fact checking and painstaking research, Diamant wrote a screenplay, which evolved into a novel. A book proposal for this nonfiction biography, “Kafka’s Last Love” was finally received after several rejections. “It was a numbers game,” Diamant told students. “It’s a matter of not letting anyone tell you no. If you have a good product, you can get it on the air.” Persistence and drive were tangible themes in her success and seen through her passion for the book that has now been translated into several languages around the world (in China next year). An easy environment for questions, the Performance for Television class gave students an opportunity for insight and direction from a sage viewpoint. The ability to receive feedback from an expert in the television field, as well as many other fields (she is also a professor at SDSU), gives hands on knowledge that remains useful long after City College. Author, on-air anchor, producer and teacher, Diamant revealed through her interaction with students that passion, dedication and personal interest are some of the most important attributes in success. She said, “What I like to do — Every 10 years or so, surprising myself with things I never thought I’d do.” In closing, Diamant invited students to, “Do it. Start now, make a list. Take the first step, then the second step and things get done. As long as you’re asking questions, you’ll get answers.”