2007_0419_CT_v61i10

CityTimes

www.sdcitytimes.com

Volume 61, Number 10

Falling from the sky Sports on the edge Sports, page 8

Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

April 19, 2007

Students to vote online for Student Center

By Scott Landheer City Times

These buttons were being handed out by student government in support of the Student Center fee.

When City College students take to the polls on April 24-26 to vote on a Student Center fee measure, they will be doing it online, a new format designed to encourage more people to cast their vote.

If passed, the Student Center fee would require all students

to pay $1 per unit up to a maximum of $10 per student, per fiscal year.

All enrolled students with a valid e-mail address on file with the college will receive an email from the district with a link to the voting website. Students without a valid email will receive their notice in the mail with voting instructions.

Students will also have

access to computers on campus to cast their votes.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously on March 22 to approve the special election after a request from ASG President Francisco Fabian.

“I think that it is important to have a student center at City College because research shows it helps with student success and retention,” Fabian said.

“As students, we need a home base on campus,” he added. “Right now, we have no place to socialize, congregate or hold events.”

“We want to be a trendsetter within the district,” said ASG Vice President Travis Pollock.

“City College will be the first to have a student center and then

See VOTE, Page 2

SIFE team wins regional competition

Saville Theatre presents ‘Gypsy’

By Stephen Burgers City Times

The English major from Centreville, Va., a rapidly growing suburb of Washington, D.C., came to the United States in 1992, an investigative source said. He was a legal permanent resident.

His family runs a dry cleaning business and he has a sister who graduated from Princeton

For the 13th consecutive year, the San Diego City College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team secured victory in the regional championships held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood on March 21.

The next step is the national competition being held in Dallas on May 5-9.

The competition consisted of a 24-minute flash presentation detailing the projects SIFE conducts to educate and introduce students to the world of business. The projects are student owned and operated such as the Ala-Cart coffee project in Schwartz Square and the Business Resource Center (BRC) located at T- 311 A, B and C. The BRC provide students and the community with business services such as copying, stamps and business cards.

The BRC recently expanded their operations to include banners, program fliers and menus, increasing profits by 200 percent.

“SIFE gives students hands on experience and educates on the aspects of free enterprise,” said Karen Fimbres, a member competing in both the regional and national competitions.

Last year SIFE finished in the top five nationally and took all six topic competition prizes at the regional level. Fifteen members went to the regionals this year and ten are expected to go to the national competition.

SIFE also held its Fifth Annual Business Plan Com-

See SHOOTING, Page 2

See SIFE, Page 4

Scott Landheer / City Times Performers rehearse on April 11 to prepare for the opening of the show “Gypsy” at Saville Theatre. Find out when it opens on Page 5.

Virginia Tech sees deadliest shooting spree in U.S. history

By Bruce Henderson, April Bethea and Aamer Madhani MCT Campus BLACKSBURG, Va. — The deadliest shooting massacre in American history savaged Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on April 16 as a gunman killed 32 people and wounded 15 more, then killed himself.

The suspected gunman, Cho Seung-Hui, was a troubled 23-year-old senior from South Korea who investigators believe left an invective-filled note in his dorm room, sources say.

The note included a rambling list of grievances, according to sources. They said Cho also died with the words “Ismail Ax” in red ink on the inside of one of his arms.

Cho had shown recent signs of violent, aberrant behavior, according to an investigative source, including setting a fire in a dorm room and allegedly stalking some women.

A note believed to have been written by Cho was found in his dorm room that railed against “rich kids,” “debauchery” and “deceitful charlatans” on campus.

Finding healthy food on campus Tips for eating right in the cafeteria or from the vending machines Life, page 4

Index

Calendar ....................................2 News .........................................3 Life ............................................4 Arts ...........................................5 Opinion ..................................6-7

2

NEWS / CALENDAR

City Times

Counseling available in wake of VA tragedy Campus Mental Health Services is free for all enrolled City College Students and is available for counseling and to help students process the shock

Shooting Continued from Page 1 University, according to the source.

Investigators believe Cho at some point had been taking medication for depression. They are examining Cho’s computer for more evidence.

The gunman’s family lived in an off-

and grief over the recent killings at Virginia Tech.

Students can contact health services at (619) 388-3450.

white, two-story townhouse in Centreville.

The shootings stunned the sprawling campus in southwest Virginia and shocked the country.

“Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions,” Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said April 16.

“The university is shocked and indeed horrified.”

City College Diversity Committee offers $200 for new logo design

By Emily Pfaff City Times In a search for new representation, the City College Diversity Committee (CCDC) is offering a $200 grand prize to the winner of its logo design contest.

The design, for use on the CCDC website and printed materials, must reflect the rich diversity of City’s student body and encompass all goals and aims of the CCDC. “The contest was conceived to involve students in the process of creating a logo,” said Cynthia Lyons-Daillard, professor of fine art at City. “The committee felt that there were many talented students on campus.”

Although there is no current logo for the CCDC, a photograph of students is currently being used on the web page.

“Rules can be found on flyers posted

April 19, 2007

CityCalendar Compiled by Rebecca Saffran 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 APRIL ■ 19 @ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. CAREER/ JOB/ GRAD FAIR Location: In front of the Bookstore ■ 19 @ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Earth Day Location: Gorton Quad ■ 19 @ 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Free showing “An Inconvenient Truth” Location: Cafeteria ■ 20, 21, 27, 28 @ 8 p.m. “GYPSY, a Musical Fable”, loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee Location: Saville Theatre

around campus or students can come by the art rooms C-212 and C-213, and take or ask for a copy,” Lyons-Daillard said. “Students have been working on designs, but to date none have been submitted.”

The design must be submitted in two sizes (2”x 2” and 6”x6”, or 1 ½”x5” and 3”x10”) and fully translate to black and white. A typed, one page description must also accompany any submission.

All entries must be submitted in a sealed envelope with your name, email address and phone number by April 23.

Only San Diego City College students are eligible.

■ 23 WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE

The $200 prize will be awarded in the form of a scholarship to the City College Bookstore. For more information on the CCDC, visit their website at www. sdcity.edu/diversity.

Vote

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■ 23-25 @ Amnesty International First Human Rights Film Festival Locations: Saville Theater and B Building.

Visit www.freewebs.com/aicity for exact schedule ■ 24-26 @ 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Student Center Election Polls Open at Gorton Quad Online Polls open @8 a.m. https://studentweb.sdccd.edu/cityasvote ■ 24 @ 11:15 a.m. “Evil Hour in

Continued from Page 1 Miramar and Mesa will follow suit.”

The proposed student center would offer many activities and services to students in one central location. Study lounges, an open computer lab, conference rooms, an information center, commuter resources lounge, large multipurpose room and recreation room would be available for students to use.

It would also be a meeting place for Associated Students, campus clubs and organizations. Scholarship offices and Student Affairs would also be housed in the proposed 16,000 square-foot facility.

The estimated $11.6 million it would cost to build the center would be covered by the Student Center fee and private donations.

Why wasn’t a student center included with other improvements that are being made on campus through Propositions S and N? “They did surveys as to what the public would and would not approve on bond measures,” said Carol Dexheimer, vice president of administrative services at City. “A Student Center was one of the things folks wouldn’t vote for, and there was a fear that the entire measure would be defeated.”

To get support for their cause, students in Associated Student Government planned to make presentations in as many classes as they could, according to Clemente Valdez, ASG media representative.

Columbia”, film and discussion with Director Forrest Hilton Location: Saville Theatre, Free ■ 24 @ 12-2 p.m. “Writers Block” presented by Associated Students Location: Gorton Quad ■ 24 @ 9:30 p.m. ”Storias de la Frontera” episode four conducted by producer, journalist and City Assistant Professor Laura Castaneda.

Location: KPBS-TV (channel 15 and cable 11) ■ 26 @ 10-2 p.m. “La Guelaguetza” Location: Gorton Quad ■ 26 @ 12-2 p.m. Local Bands presented

by Associated Students Location: Gorton Quad ■ 26 @ 5-6 p.m. “Stone Age Genes in a Modern Society” Location: Harry West Gym 206, Free ■ 26 @ 7 p.m. City Film Fest Location: Saville Theatre ■ 28 @ 7 p.m. City Film Fest Location: Saville Theatre Flyers were put in faculty mailboxes asking professors to announce the election in each of their classes.

Valdez said they didn’t have any events planned outside because not many people show up when someone sets up a booth.

ASG decided on the theme “Leave a Legacy,” and placed posters around campus to pique people’s interest with just this slogan before later adding information about the student center fee.

For the vote to be considered, at least 20 percent of enrolled students need to cast a vote. Of that 20 percent, twothirds need to vote yes for it to pass, according to Valdez.

The Student Center was originally going to be on the ballot in 2006, but was taken off to give ASG more time to publicize and get student support.

Students enrolled in non-credit courses, and recipients of AFDC, Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Programs or General Assistance would be exempt from paying the fee.

If it passes, ASG will then get input from students on what they want available in the center. They will be able to voice their opinion on activities, computers, televisions and the couches to sit on while watching them.

“It will be built in five years,” Valdez said. “But the timeline is three to five years.”

To vote, please visit https://studentweb.sdccd.edu/cityasvote.

Online polls will be open April 24 at 8 a.m. and will close April 26 at 11:59 p.m.

School polls will be open at 8 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. April 24-26.

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April 19, 2007

CityNews

City Times 3

P building to start 2008 with makeover

By Rosemarie Davis City Times Now if taking a physical education class isn’t motivation enough to promote fitness then students will have an added incentive with the remodel of the ‘P’ building located on Park Blvd. right next to the Harry West Gym. According to Kathy M. McGinnis, the chairwoman of Health and Exercise Science Department here at City, “The remodel of the ‘P’ building will benefit the students, first and foremost.”

“The project has been designed with the students in mind. We will offer state of the art fitness facilities to improve access, acoustics and hygiene,” she added.

Other added benefits include the Athletic Medicine area where there will be top of the line equipment and will even expand athletic disciplines.

There will be classes offered in Pilates, stretching, a variety of aerobic classes that include step and hip-hop, yoga, self-defense and martial arts classes.

The new ‘P’ building will be just like having a gym membership with the variety of exercise equipment available.

The upgraded equipment include cable weight machines, elliptical machines, stationary bikes for spinning, treadmills and other fitness equipment to be added.

There will also be upgrades to the locker-rooms and restroom facilities.

Andi Milburn, Assistant Professor in the Health and Exercise Department, says that the new locker-rooms will be

GKK Works / Courtesy Illustration An architectural rendering of the proposed remodel of the P building as seen from Park Boulevard across from San Diego High School. more accessible to students by being, “…better able to accommodate our uniform distribution and washing needs as well as serving as a meeting place for team tactical discussions and other meetings.”

Professor Milburn will also have an office that is more accessible to all students.

Her office is located in the woman’s locker-room, which makes it difficult for her male students to meet her during her office hours.

Students and faculty will also benefit because there will be an expansion to the space available for classes (this space are also known as teaching stations).

Currently, there are two teaching stations and after the remodel there will be four.

The lack of space has caused professors to turn students away from classes since they fill up so fast.

Milburn also adds, “Who would want to spend hundreds

of dollars on a gym membership when the facilities on campus will be nicer, more readily available and with qualified instruction?”

The project is scheduled to begin January 1, 2008 and will be completed in approximately in 18 months.

Students can expect the building to be closed while it is under construction.

The new ‘P’ building is expected to be aesthetically similar to the Harry West Gym.

‘The project has been designed with the students in mind.’

—Kathy McGinnis, chairwoman of health science

New director of Trio Aspire is a familiar face

By Stephen Burgers City Times Trio Aspire, a student support service at City College, welcomes Cathy Lopez as the new program director.

Lopez has counseled in the Trio Aspire program for six years and also served as the program director for the Career Transfer Center.

Trio Aspire is a preparatory program focusing on educational goals and is a federally funded program sponsored by the Department of Education for students who are first generation college students, low income or disabled.

This student support service provides students with a place to study, access the internet and use computers in a friendly atmosphere. There are tutors available and counselors specific to the program.

The program focuses on keeping students in school. By offering students guidance and support in organization and

Stephen Burgers / City Times Cathy Lopez, right, now the new Director of Trio Aspire stands with a student in front of the program logo. direction, the program hopes to facilitate academic achievement.

Students commonly establish friendships and help each

other in many ways while learning at the Trio Aspire program.

The counselors make time to help meet student needs with

individualized counseling.

“We have a wonderful success rate,” Lopez said.

Workshops, guest speakers and field trips create an inter-

active environment. Grants and scholarship availabilities are an important part of the offerings at this program.

Irene, a student and tutor at Trio Aspire is majoring in biology and is a part of The Bridges to the Future program sponsored by the National Institute of Health.

The program was suggested to her by a friend in a sociology class who had been home schooled but has since gone on to Columbia University.

“Trio has been the beginning of my networking, since I’ve joined I have been admitted to numerous programs,” she said.

“It is all kind of a package but what’s key are the counselors,” Irene said.

By using the facility and being asked for help, Irene was asked to tutor with Trio Aspire.

“I think programs like this are a key component to being a successful student and I encourage every student to apply for everything,” Irene said.

4

City Times

LIFE

April 19, 2007

Eating cheap and healthy on campus not impossible

By Rebecca Saffran City Times Students who buy food on campus face decisions that not only affect their wallets, but also their long-term health.

Some decide to buy expensive and unhealthy lunches while others opt for cheap fast food across the street.

Others, however, make the decision to eat healthy but face the challenge of doing so for under five dollars.

“I don’t buy from the cafeteria. I bring

my lunch. For some reason I’ve never ventured into the food area,” said Will Burum, a photo major. In an ideal world perhaps we would all make this decision.

Since we don’t, I created a cutout list of food available on campus that won’t stretch wallets or clog arteries.

If you do buy fried goodies, though, buy them on campus. Unlike McDonalds, the oil used to make the fries and other foods at City does not contain trans fat.

According to Aaron Trapp, Food Ser-

vice Supervisor at Mesa College, the San Diego City College District switched to the healthier oil two years ago. “It’s a little more expensive, but worth it.”

Dotti Cordell, Director of Student Health Services and Health professor at City, agreed that the Canola fry oil used in the cafeteria is “a healthier oil as opposed to the alternative”. Even so, she advises students to “try to limit oil and fat content”.

Students approach the decision on how to feed themselves in various ways.

Joey Canales, a Psychology major, said he doesn’t eat at the cafeteria. “They’re courteous—just overpriced.”

Ali Haruz, a Computer Science major, said he would like more options, “I would like to see more cultural variety, like kabobs and such.”

Chuck Ervin, undeclared, stated, “The selection is pretty decent—seems like they have a lot of stuff there.”

The decision is yours. Make what you choose to get through class also help you get through life.

Healthy food on campus From the grill: ■ chicken teriyaki bowl (or get it with just the rice and broccoli) ■ deli sandwich (burgers and grilled cheese don’t count) ■ quesadilla (not the healthiest but not the worst) Fresh & Ready Foods: ■ chicken caesar salad ■ fresh fruit bowls ■ tuna salad health bite ■ focaccia sandwiches ■ hard boiled eggs ■ penne pasta marinara (if you wish to brave the microwave) From the shelves: ■ Blue Bunny frozen fruit bars (mango bar ingredients listed as water, mango puree, and mango chunks) ■ Blue Bunny nonfat frozen yogurt (approximately 142.5 calories and 27 grams of sugar) ■ cereal ■ Clif and Odwalla bars (flavors include “choco-walla” and strawberry pomegranate) ■ fruit

SIFE Continued from Page 1 petition Awards Luncheon at City on March 30. The winners were John Vallas with Hot Dog Ventures, Irma Romero with San Diego City Painting, and Devin Devries with Chic Floral.

www.geekphilosopher.com Courtesy Photo ■ Odwalla or Naked Juice (They cost the same, but Odwalla contains about 20 more calories and six more grams of sugar than Naked Juice. Both contain actual fruit and contribute to the recommended five daily servings.)

■ Snak Club ■ soup (sometimes offered vegetarian) From the vending machine: ■ Baked Lays ■ Pretzels ■ Quaker snack mix Other options: ■ Albertson’s (655 14th) ■ Ralph’s (101 G St.) ■ Pack a lunch.

— Rebecca Saffran

‘The program is dedicated to educating the American entrepreneur.’

— Karen Fimbres, SIFE team member First place was awarded $1000, second was $750 and third was $500.

SIFE is an international organization with worldwide membership. It is sponsored by community as well as worldwide businesses. The businesses support the needs of SIFE and also pay scholarship awards.

Dr. Leroy Brady is the faculty adviser for the City College SIFE program with assistance from Professor Joe Rangus.

Brady says he “loves teaching and would rather be doing this than anything else.”

He believes the magic is in the support from the department chair, the dean of business, and City President Terrence Burgess.

“Our SIFE Board of Directors is priceless, this program empowers students and educates future entrepreneurs,” Brady said.

The current membership is 63 and is open to interested City College students.

The SIFE program was started at City fourteen years ago to open the world of business to students.

Fimbres also works in marketing at Sea World as a result of experience gained through SIFE. She said SIFE was a great addition to her resume and that her employers were impressed with her experience and professionalism.

“The program is dedicated to educating the American entrepreneur,” she said.

CityArts

April 19, 2007

City Times 5

Saville Theatre production to run April 20 to May 6

By Brittany Arquette City Times Strip teases, eloping daughters, and one showbiz obsessed mom. No, this isn’t the newest reality show; it’s the plot for City College’s spring play, “Gypsy.”

“Gypsy” is a sassy, yet compelling musical based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, perhaps the most famous burlesque dancer in history.

The story begins with Mama Rose, played by Jennifer Purviance, trying to push a vaudeville career on her youngest daughter, June. But when June becomes fed up with her mother and decides to elope with a dancer, Mama Rose turns her attention to her oldest daughter, Gypsy, played by Erika Soares.

“In the beginning she was always shoved in the back by her mother. But as the show progresses, you see she becomes more confident, and has a stronger sense of self. And in the end, she becomes the most famous strip tease artist ever to live,” said Soares, who went on to add that Gypsy is the hardest role she has ever played.

She also played Rizzo in

Saville’s production of “Grease” last semester, and has been in several other City College productions.

The show, which first premiered on Broadway in 1959, will premiere at our very own Saville Theatre on April 20 and run through May 6. Cast members say you’ll be in for a night of laughs, a couple tears, and a whole lot of entertainment.

“What makes this show interesting is the relationship between the mother and the daughter. It’s very powerful and strong. I think it’s going to be the best show we’ve ever done at City,” said June Richards, the show’s director.

Soares also thinks you’ll take home more than just a playbill after seeing the show; you may have a new outlook on life.

“Most musicals you leave with a happy feeling, but the message is lost. This story definitely has a strong message you’ll remember long after you leave the theatre,” she said.

Evening shows start at 8 p.m. and matinees start at 2 p.m.

To find out more information about “Gypsy” you can visit www.sdcity.edu and click on the Saville Theatre link.

Photos by Scott Landheer / City Times Erika Soares (top) poses before rehearsal on April 11 in front of a backdrop created by City’s theatrical scene painting class. Jennifer Purviance (bottom left) and sociology major Chris Ellsworth sing during rehearsal.

Modest Mouse leading indie into mainstream Indie-rock lovers get a special treat this spring with the release of new material from Seattle-based band Modest Mouse.

The album, titled “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank,” rides the heels of the successful 2004 production, “Good News for People Who Love Bad News.”

Because “Good News” was Modest Mouse’s first taste of the mainstream spotlight, there is much anticipation about whether the band will return to its indie roots or stick to radio-friendly tunes such as 2004’s “Float On.” Leave it to Modest Mouse to do a little bit of both.

The first single, “Dashboard,” is already playing on alternative-rock radio stations and the video, featuring Seattle-esque drunken fishermen, is in the top-10 rock videos played on MTV.

CDReview Laura Limon “Dashboard,” is catchy and the drums are upbeat, making you want to clap along. But true to his cynically bitter mood, singer Isaac Brock satisfies old-school Modest Mouse fans with pessimistic lyrics and strange metaphors such as, “Well we scheme and we scheme, but we always blow it/ We’ve yet to crash, but we still might as well enjoy it.”

Modest Mouse’s beloved oh-sh*#we’re-screwed attitude is still the theme for most of the songs. “Little Motel” doesn’t stray far from Modest Mouse’s bittersweet melancholy sound.

Brock’s voice begins with a whisperlike softness and builds to one so full

of angst and desperation that it fulfills every teenage suicidal thought.

Guitarist Johnny Marr of The Smiths provides a bit of a psychedelic-rock feel to the album, especially on the tracks “Steam Engenius” and “Fire it Up.” Marr was personally asked to join Modest Mouse last year

and it was his son, a fan of the band, who convinced him to do it, Marr told Harp magazine.

And it’s a good thing he listened because “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” is a tight piece of work.

Sure, Brock’s raw holler from the early Modest Mouse days won’t be heard in this album, but that doesn’t mean he has lost his indie credibility.

He is still the vulnerable, angry man that we all fell in love with sometime between “Gravity Rides Everything” and “Float On.” If indie music is making its path into mainstream airwaves, having Modest Mouse as the leader of the pack is a respectable feat.

This review appeared in the San Diego State Daily Aztec, distributed

by U-WIRE

CityVoice

6 City Times

April 19, 2007

Vote yes on Student Center fee Vote yes to approve the proposed Student Center fee April 24-26.

At $1 per credit (up to 10 credits), the most this fee will cost you is $10 for an entire year and would go toward building a Student Center here on campus.

Twice now since 2002, San Diego residents have voted to give the San Diego Community College District hundreds of millions of dollars to renovate and improve our campuses in anticipation of increased enrollment over the next 10 years.

At City, we’ve already City Times seen plans for the new Vocational Technology building and the P building, as well as the start of the library renovation, and things are looking good.

Now it’s time that we do something to help ourselves.

When the editorial board started discussing whether we agreed with the Student Center fee, it was brought up that City seems to be a “commuter campus”, meaning students just come to class and then go home again.

That may be true, but if students had a place to hang out, maybe we would want to stick around a little more. Maybe more of us would join a campus organization or club. Maybe we would get more than just an education, and City College would get more than just the $10 we would pay to build the Student Center.

Sure, many of us won’t be here by the time the Student Center is built, but student government isn’t just asking us to pay $10 per year, they are asking us to “Leave a Legacy.” $10 may seem like a lot of money on a college student’s budget, but when you think about it, it’s really not all that much. It’s not even two value meals at McDonald’s, or three grande vanilla lattes at Starbucks.

This will give City the “big campus feel” that evokes pride and connectedness with your school ,while making it a place to conveine with fellow students.

This is our chance to give something back to our campus, give something to future students and leave a legacy we can be proud of. Maybe we’ll even get a plaque on the building saying thanks.

Editorial

CityTimes Volume 61, Issue 10 April 19, 2007 Published as: The Jay Sees / 1945-1949 Fortknightly / 1949-1978 City Times / 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks

Shanika Whaley Feature Editor Cameron Mason Sports Editor Rebecca Saffran Calendar Editor Ariana Gallegos & Rebecca Saffran Photography Editors Lauren Ciallella Copy Editor

Josie Salazar News Editor

City Times Staff Brittany Arquette, Tala Bashmi, Nicole Burdette, Stephen Burgers, Rosemarie Davis, Aysha Johnson, Emily Pfaff

Luis Bahena Opinion Editor & Managing Editor

Contributors Mariana Lima, Alissa Wisniewski

Lauren Ciallella Arts Editor

Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser

Scott Landheer Editor-in-Chief

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

Emily Pfaff / City Times

The dark waters of online dating Are college students biting the fishing line, or net, when it comes to online dating?

Recently, after hearing reports from various news agencies about online dating such as the famous “To catch a predator” series on NBC, and hearing classmates talking about online dating, I began to get curious about what was the fascination of an online liaison and how addicting it was.

I also wanted to know does it really work? Can you really meet nice people online? And can you do it safely?

Our generation, and many more after ours, will use the internet as a safe haven for many of our thoughts and feelings by setting up sites like Myspace, a web page where one can share videos from other websites such as YouTube.

Therefore, it seems that the internet, initially set up for sharing information, has now become our daily diaries with blogging and the like. Already many of us are “hooked” in using the net for what now is the most extensive means of

Fishing on the net Josie Salazar retrieving and sending information.

So why not use the net to date? Especially if you are a lonely and a shy person like some people on dating sites claim to be.

After all, I had not been dating in sometime and was a little lonely, but could that reason alone be all it takes for someone to “hook/catch” me?

So I tried it, and boy was I quite shocked, humored, and horrified!

On my very first experience, I was to meet a guy in person that I met and chatted with for some time on an online site that seemed to be respectful and professional. We arranged to meet in a public venue such as a coffee shop.

Being nervous of what this person would really turn out to be, I had arranged for a fake ”emergency call” and

informed the café staff of my intentions so as to witness anything that might happen. (Two important tips).

When he arrived, I was a little shocked to see that he was much older then he said, about six years than me, and looking as if “caught in a net and halfstarved lopsided dumbo shark,” but keeping an open-mind, we chatted for about 10 minutes.

He was very nice and polite like before on the phone, and I thought that even though I was definitely not interested (you know the old saying about first impressions) that this was turning out to be positive for my first online dating experience.

Then the ‘fishing net’ snapped.

What he told me, or rather asked me, was enough to want to “swim” out the door away from the “shark.” He had asked me if I was into S&M! I was quite shocked to hear this from a man in his position; according to him he was high in the chain of command in his line of work.

See DATING, Page 7

Thanks for pedestrian-safety coverage Letter to the Editor Dear Editor:

Thanks to Scott Landheer for writing a great article on the March 7th law enforcement operation outside the San Diego High Educational Complex (SDHEC) and along nearby streets.

As students at SDHECLEADS, we are proud to participate on the City College/East Village Pedestrian & Bicyclist Safety Project as Student Project Assistants.

During the operation, we distributed pedestrian and bicyclist safety flyers to our peers. Raising awareness for the campus is very important.

We are having a couple safety

tables on campus during April; students can use their flyers to redeem a FREE promotional item at the table.

Over the past four years, we have experienced and witnessed first-hand how dangerous it can be for students getting to and from school safely. Many of the students at our high school use the City College Trolley Station, and it can be very intense crossing Russ Street (and Park Blvd) to get there. This street is very dangerous because of speeding traffic, and a lot of times students jaywalk instead

of using the crosswalk because it is faster.

We are grateful for this Project and support law enforcement because they are helping to make our school safe. As students we feel our well-being should be a top priority. Thanks to law enforcement, our safety is number one.

Thanks to City College for starting this Project, and to the CA Office of Traffic Safety for giving them a grant.

Now, we need San Diego

See LETTER, Page 7

April 19, 2007

City Times 7

VOICE

Dating Continued from Page 6 I was sitting there with my mouth opened like a blowfish wondering why my fins wouldn’t move, and was relived to hear my “emergency call” come in. I was finally able to escape the “half-starved dumbo shark” uneatened.

After that experience, I was quite discouraged with the concept of online dating. Maybe it

I was quite discouraged with the concept of online dating.

Speaker disappoints at World Cultures event I expected to cover something informative... learn something new... I was disappointed...

Don’t expect anything you hear on a college campus these days to be true.

On March 22 Dr. Zahi Damuni, representing Al-Awda Palestinian Right to Return Coalition, gave a lecture at City titled “From Theodore Herzl to George W. Bush: the Modern History of Palestine.”

The World Cultures program, which sponsored the event, should have thought twice before using the words “Modern History” without including an Israeli speaker alongside the Palestinian. As a journalist, I expected to cover something informative and newsworthy, as a student, I hoped to learn something new.

As both, I was disappointed.

Damuni began with the basics: the British Mandate and its Balfour Declaration, which promised the land simultaneously to Jews and Arabs.

He then explained how the United Nations found it in their “infinite wisdom” to give Palestinians 45 percent of the land in the UN Partition Plan in 1947—despite accounting for 55 percent of the population at the time.

When Palestine and surrounding Arab nations refused to ratify the Partition Plan, they denied themselves the largest piece of land they were ever going to get. Palestinian activists seem to forget that the Plan not only called for the establishment and recognition of the State of Israel—but also the establishment and recognition of the State of Palestine.

In their refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence, and move forward, the Palestinians cost themselves a country.

Damuni said his family stayed within the Israeli borders after 1948, but he is “not a full citizen” of Israel since he is not Jewish. He continued by saying he had a job at the Tel Aviv Hilton at the age of 14, but was paid half the salary of a Hungarian-Jewish coworker twice his age because he was Palestinian. I couldn’t help but wonder which country in the world that allows minors to work would pay them the same as a 28-year-old.

When speaking of Al-Awda and its cause of resistance, Damuni stated, “My organization does not support violence.” I find that hard to believe when the Al-Awda “Points of Unity” places the words Israel and Israelis in quotation marks. This blatant refusal to recognize the 59-year-old state does nothing for the so-called peace process.

He also stated that Hamas, the newly elected Palestinian government, had not carried out a suicide bombing since 2004.

Viewpoint Rebecca Saffran

Decide for yourself: ■ http://www.al-awdasandiego.org/ for more information on Dr. Damuni’s organization, including the Al-Awda Points of Unity ■ http://www.haaretz.com/ for the online version of Haaretz, an Israeli daily newspaper ■ http://www.knesset.gov.il/docs/eng/ megilat_eng.htm for the official text of the Proclamation of Independence that created a Jewish state for the Jewish people ■ http://www.mideastweb.org/plocha. htm for complete text of the Palestinian Liberation Organization charter, calling for the destruction of Israel ■ http://www.jewishinsandiego. com/ link to the San Diego chapter of the United Jewish Federation and local resources ■ http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/qpal/ for the United Nations site dedicated to the Question of Palestine; includes official text of the UN Partition Plan of 1947 and the Roadmap to Peace ■ http://www.un.org/webcast/ summit2005/statements15/ israel050915eng.pdf for complete text of Ariel Sharon’s September 15, 2005 speech to the UN — Rebecca Saffaran

That may be true, but such technicalities mean nothing when Islamic Jihad carries out such attacks and Hamas claims responsibility for shootings, landmines, and kidnappings. “Resistance is essential...we resist simply by existing.”

Please.

Israelis are far too pragmatic for such romance. The majority of them acknowledge Palestinians as neighbors and a part of life. They just want to go to cafés and shopping malls without fear of violence.

In an attempt to explain the suicide

bombings Damuni stated, “The reason Palestinians resort to violence is obvious: their land is shrinking...40 percent of the West Bank is occupied.”

On August 17, 2005 the Israeli Defense Forces pulled the last settlers out of the Gaza Strip and surrendered all 21 settlements to the Palestinians, along with four settlements in the northern West Bank.

In his speech to the United Nations on Sept 15, 2005 former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stated, “Now it is the Palestinians’ turn to prove their desire for peace. The end of Israeli control over and responsibility for the Gaza Strip allows the Palestinians, if they so wish, to develop their economy and build a peace-seeking society, which is developed, free, law-abiding, transparent, and which adheres to democratic principles.”

Rather than develop their economy and build the peace-seeking society, Palestinians responded to the disengagement by launching Qassam rockets into Israel from newly independent northern Gaza.

In explaining Israel’s recent atrocities, Damuni told his audience, “Look what happened in Lebanon this summer.”

Israeli troops killed thousands of Lebanese civilians in what some call the Second Lebanon War. He failed to mention why: Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev, and Ehud Goldwasser, soldiers kidnapped by Palestine’s ruling party Hamas—and still not returned to their families.

Many judged Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon an overly harsh reaction to the Hamas kidnapping. However, Jews have a strong tradition of looking after their own: harm caused to three was three too many.

After the lecture, Chris Baron, an English professor, said he thought Damuni provided “good information, but unfortunately one-sided in his presentation.” He added that he appreciated the presentation despite the one-sidedness.

I asked Dr. Damuni for his response to audience members’ claims of one-sidedness.

“The media has obliterated the Palestinian voice. This should be a breath of fresh air...

I welcome every opportunity to speak.”

World Cultures gave an opportunity to the Palestinian voice without thinking to include an Israeli. Since Damuni used this opportunity to be heard, I couldn’t help but use mine.

Rebecca Saffran is City Times’ photography editor

was not such a good idea looking for love “in the net” when possible predators seem to come up from the deep.

However, I still wondered why it seemed to be so popular and why so many of my peers were using the Internet to share their most personal feelings and thoughts. I began to ask around.

San Diego City College student and Spanish Major, Roxanne Moore explained that college students spend most of their time on the net for research and sending in reports, so it was natural for them to spend some time to connect with people through the net.

“Besides, it is a way to break the ice with someone without feeling self –conscious about how you look because you can place your best photos on your Myspace page and get positive feed back..”

With this explanation, I decided to try again. I also decided to research more information on online dating sites and exactly how safe it was.

In my next article, I will share with readers other experiences and many tips on how to stay safe when online dating.

Until then be very careful not to be “snared in an online fishing net” until you hear more about my experiences and safety tips.

Josie Salazar is City Times’ news editor

Letter Continued from Page 6 officials to support making the dangerous streets around our school and City College safer with needed physical improvements.

Having safer streets is beneficial to everyone. We want our community to say, “Students are trying to make our community safe, we should join them too!” We encourage our fellow students to become traffic advocates. To learn about opportunities for this project, call Shontey Hambrick at (619) 296-3311, ext. 26, shambrick@p ublicstrategies.org.

Cynthia Fonseca, Maricela Miramontes, Diane Montes SDHEC-LEADS Student Project Assistants

8

SPORTS

City Times

April 19, 2007

Seeking out new thrills or adventures? Try skydiving Take the risk, yes, you know who you are, the type that seeks out new adventures and isn’t scared of trying new things.

Granted, skydiving is a risky sport, but staying focused and relying on what your skydiving instructor teaches you is what it takes to keep your cool and have an experience like none other.

I will give you a summary of my first, but not last skydiving experience. It was a hot summer day in Davis, California and a group of us decided to make our first tandem jumps.

Skydiving with a group is a great way to do it: your friends keep you motivated (so you won’t back out) and depending on the school and the number of people that you go with the school usually offers group discounts.

My friends and I decided to sign up for tandem jumps (where the instructor is strapped to your back) because it was cost and time efficient for us. The other options a first timer has are the static line and the accelerated free fall.

In static line, the ground instruction takes longer. The canopy is deployed (at approximately 3,000 feet) immediately by a static line, which is controlled by the skydiving instructor on the plane.

This way you jump by yourself, but the free fall is shorter than a tandem jump. The third method, AFF (accelerated free fall) is for the ultimate thrill seeker.

It takes about five hours of instruction, but the jumper exists the plane with two instructors along side (unattached) at approximately 12,000 feet and experience about one minute of free fall!

City Times Photo Rosemarie Davis soars through the sky with her instructor in her first skydiving thrill.

SportsOnTheEdge

Rosemarie Davis

After paying for our jumps my friends and I go into the room where the waiver forms are signed. This can be a scary experience and we haven’t even gotten to the plane yet. What people should remember is that the risk is what makes it fun and staying focused and relying on the skydiving master’s instructions will get you through.

What I did was not read any of the forms and signed ‘Rosemarie A. Davis’ away into the sky. I figure it’s like a tightrope walker looking down, where that person knows that he or she is way up in the air so why confirm it by looking

www.sdcitytimes.com/freetrip *Visit the url above for complete rules and regulations.

down and scaring yourself into something stupid?

My method of signing was just the opposite: do something a little stupid and don’t scare yourself out of it.

After the forms are all filled out and the instruction is given then comes the time to-gasp! Wait. It takes about a half an hour before you go up. This gives the instructors time to check their gear and gas up the plane.

When it was our turn, the instructors had us put on a jumpsuit (some schools make you wear one) and a pair of goggles.

The goggles protect eyes from the high wind speeds of about 150 mph and the jumpsuit also serves a purpose of making me feel like Evil Knievel.

It’s time. The airplane ride is smooth and relatively fast. The door opens and my instructor motions to me to move near him so he can clip me into his harness. I am in front of him and scoot

myself to the edge of the plane.

We are at 13,000 feet and I have this huge Cheshire cat grin on my face while the wind is violently cutting at my dangling legs, then 3..2..1..go!

My arms are out and my legs are tucked in behind me. The sensation of free falling isn’t even like what one would imagine falling feels like. It’s more like floating, because the mind has no point of reference in the sky to tell it that he or she is falling.

After free falling (about 30 seconds) the skydiving instructor looks at the altimeter to see how close to the ground we are and pulls it around 5,000 feet. By this time I have stopped screaming and now that the canopy has been deployed.

Also in case, there is a back-up chute that is controlled by an AAD (automatic aviation device) so if the rip-cord isn’t pulled by 4,000 feet the AAD detects that it’s time to deploy the reserve chute.

Now that the chute has been pulled, the instructor handed the toggles, what steers the parachute, over to me and I was able to spin us in a downward spiral towards the approaching ground. This is the longest part of the skydiving experience which lasts about four to five minutes.

Skydiving isn’t for everyone, but I think that if you are itching for something new to liven up the monotonous routine that accompanies college life then jump out of a plane!

The best place to start is Pacific Coast Skydiving in San Diego.

There is a variety of jump sites in San Diego, but after researching ones in the area this is the most affordable place that offers a student discount, which is for a tandem jump at $175. Their phone number is (619) 661-0194.