2009_0505_CT_v63i15

Q EARTH FAIR

Going green and staying that way

FOCUS / PAGE 8

CityTimes www.sdcitytimes.com

Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

Volume 63, Number 15

May 5, 2009

ASG election results suspended until May 4 Vanessa Gomez City Times In an Associated Student Government (ASG) meeting April 30 with Denise Whisenhunt, dean of Student Affairs, it was announced that the recent ASG election results would be suspended until May 4.

While the reasoning behind the suspension of the results was

not made specific, the participating candidates were given the option to put any “allegations” in print for further n VP-elect review. announces Reaction to resignation. the meeting was Voice, page 5 mixed, leaving some candidates wondering if this suspension could lead to another vote, or possibly another election.

President-elect David Camp-

bell was left confused by the meeting. Campbell made an appearance at the Language Day fair in Gorton Quad April 22, and was introduced to the crowd by Alberto “Beto” Vasquez, Inter Club Council vice president, as the winner of the election.

“It was told to me that a public appearance as president-elect makes me official, and that an appearance would make the elec-

tion results final,” said Campbell.

“I thought that would be the official announcement.”

Campbell also felt that the suspension was “nonsense” and that he was “independent of the whole situation,” referring to the pranks previously reported in City Times’ article “All’s fair in love, war and politics?”

The president-elect also addressed his concern over

having to run another election campaign.

“I gave my two weeks to run what I thought was a strategic campaign,” said Campbell. “I don’t think it would come to a second election, but I really hope it doesn’t.”

Campbell also said even though his presidency didn’t

See ELECTION, page 13

4th annual May Day march draws 300 protestors Donna P. Crilly City Times Nearly 300 people rallied on City College’s campus before beginning the 1.4-mile Immigrants Rights March to Chicano Park on May 1.

The fourth annual May Day reform march included community members from 25-30 ethnically-blended organizations, a bulk being Mexican. Their goal was legalization and the right to migrate, an end to immigration raids, dignified work for all and an end to wasteful spending on border fences.

“Si se puede! Stop the raids now!” was just one of the many chants heard echoing throughout the streets of downtown San Diego during the march.

Some passersby honked from their cars while others stood waving from the balcony of their apartment buildings as the peaceful protestors marched on.

“The law is fundamentally flawed,” said David Schmidt, one of the march organizers and member of the City College club Si Se Puede.

“Working people, women, mothers and children are not criminals. The right to migrate is a human right,” said Schmidt, criticizing the immigration laws and border walls in the U.S. May Day march took place in many major cities around the U.S. in an attempt to remind President Barack Obama about his criticisms on immigration raids and border walls. “We’re not gonna let him forget what he

Index

Take Note.................................2 News...................................... 3 Opinion................................... 5 Life..........................................7 Sports...................................16

said,” said Schmidt.

Daniel Armenta, City College student and member of Si Se Puede, passionately performed a spoken-word piece that shared his belief for a “time to change,” one of the verbally accentuated lines in his poem.

Among the group of protestors, a City College student and activist, Lucesita Gomez waved her Mexican flag in honor and memory of her mother, who died last year. Gomez’s grandfather, who never got citizenship, didn’t believe he had to become an American to live in America.

“Immigrant rights really are human rights and shouldn’t get taken away,” said Gomez.

More than 4,000 people have died trying to cross the border since 1994 and the launch of “Operation Gatekeeper” under the Clinton Administration, according to Avery Wear, socialist and member of Si Se Puede.

“Gatekeeper is getting heavier, more extreme. Now [immigrants] have to deal with racism, poor working conditions and ‘scapegoating,’” said Wear. “That’s why I think it’s so important to organize this event.”

Police escorted the marchers to Chicano park, closing down streets along the way.

Organizers wearing green armbands were trained to handle the crowd in case of a counter-strike, which could result in violence.

However, the demonstration remained peaceful as marchers met rally speakers and food vendors waiting for them at Chicano Park.

Donna P. Crilly City Times Protestors march from City College to Chicano park on May 1 to raise awareness of immigration rights issues.

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City Times

TAKE NOTE

TakeNote Compiled by Shevaun Brandom Get your event in the paper. E-mail us at citytimes@gmail.com or call (619) 388-3880

n April 30- May 8 Found and Lost sculpture show .

Art work by Michael Goggin. T-309 Mon. 12 - 4 p.m. Thur. 4- 9 p.m. Fri. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

n May 8 & 9 The dance department presents “City Moves�, a dance performance featuring the artistry of the City College dance faculty and students. Saville Theater May

8 at 8 p.m. and May 9 at 2 p.m.

May 5, 2009

THANKS FOR RECYCLING

n May 14 Teresa Gunn, founder of Street of Dreams Musicians for Education, discusses “The Importance of Art in Civic Engagements� and performs excerpts from “Trailor Park Queen� 11:10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. For more info contact World Cultures (619) 388-3552 n May 15 City Knights Dance, student dance with music playing 7 p.m. - 12 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Dinner included with ticket.

Tickets available in ASG D-106 tickets $5.

Dance in the deep end By Emily Mather

Fashion-naughta By Michele Suthers

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CityNews

May 5, 2009

City Times

3

Ceremony marks special phase in CTC construction nate hipple City Times An unusual ceremony was held May 1 to commemorate a special phase of construction for the new Career Technology Center (CTC), which will expand City College’s campus one block south on Broadway.

The “Topping-off Ceremony” is a throwback to a 1,000-yearold Scandinavian tradition, which commemorates the placement of the highest beam of the building.

Once the highest beam is determined, an evergreen tree is attached for good luck, along with an American flag, all of which are bolted atop the CTC’s metal frame.

So, how exactly does one appropriate a 1,000-year-old Scandinavian ritual for the 21st century?

Simple. Serve tacos instead of meatballs, and hold the lingonberries.

joe leonard City Times

Students and faculty sign the “beam of honor” to celebrate the placement of the highest beam on City’s new Career Technology Center. The tradition is of Scandinavian origin and includes the attachment of a tree and the American flag to the beam.

Attendees were treated to a free Mexican-style lunch.

The hard part was finding the

right tree. The tradition calls specifically for an evergreen.

Project Manager, Armando

Sandoval recalled the search.

“I told my superintendent to get me a good, nice looking tree.

So, he went down to Home Depot and came back with this little guy,” said Sandoval, pointing to the tree.

The good judgment of the superintendent saved Sandoval’s crew one trip to the nearest boreal forest.

“We’ve watered it a lot the last few days,” he added.

The “Topping-Off” event was held inside a construction yard in an adjacent lot with a perfect view of the work-in-progress.

Guest speakers highlighted the luncheon, which fed faculty, staff, students, local media and construction crew members, all who craned their necks in unison to watch the 1,200-pound steel beam being lifted mechanically into the air.

When completed, the CTC will combine brick, concrete and glass into a post-modern edifice of

See CEREMONY, page 13

City College makes swine flu prevention a priority on campus emily mather City Times With the recent emergence of swine flu (or influenza A H1N1) here in the San Diego area, there is a growing concern about the severity and scope of a potential outbreak.

A letter from the San Diego Community College District, dated April 30, states that one confirmed case and “a few ‘probable’ cases have been reported at various campus and district sites.”

“As we work through this situation, we are placing a great emphasis on containment, prevention, and safety,” the letter went on to say.

In the meantime the district is making efforts to provide students on campus with “alternative hand washing options,” by installing Purell dispensers in areas around campus. The Learning Resource Center, the Fitness Center and the Cafeteria are several locations where dispensers have been installed. Dispensers for the Bookstore, Cosmetology

building and CalWorks are waiting for dispenser installation.

“Know that as this situation this month has unfolded, vendors have become inundated [with orders for Purell dispensers].” said City College Director of Student Health Services, Dotti Cordell in a campus update posted April 30.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a total of 109 cases have been confirmed in the US, with only one fatality. Worldwide, the numbers total 257 confirmed cases with 7 fatalities, according to the World Health Organization. However, these numbers should be taken in the context that the average yearly number of deaths related to regular seasonal flu, in the US alone, is around 36,000.

While it is wise to practice standard flu prevention methods such as frequent hand washing and covering the mouth when coughing, it is not recommended or necessary to wear a protective mask to lessen the chance of infection. The swine flu is not an

airborne disease. It is contained in the water droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing, so close contact is required for transmission from person to person. It is also important to know that there is absolutely no risk of contracting this disease from eating pork.

Just as with any public health threat of this nature, the U.S. government has declared a public health emergency in order to allocate the resources necessary for combating and minimizing the effects of a pandemic situation. This mainly involves distributing supplies such as antiviral drugs and personal protective equipment to all 50 states so that a quick response can be mounted in the event of a serious outbreak.

Currently, there are no plans to institute travel restrictions for air travel or border crossings, though people exhibiting any flulike symptoms are encouraged to delay any travel plans. Additionally, anyone experiencing serious symptoms after recent international travel should seek medical attention.

Lindsay Tasior Correspondent

Robotics club competes

Project manager and lead mechanical engineer William Caughey presents the Robotics Team’s submission April 30 for this year’s Navy Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) competition. This is the club’s fourth year competing.

SDSU student suspected of carrying swine flu virus Whitney Lawrence SDSU Daily Aztec SAN DIEGO (U-WIRE) — A San Diego State student was deemed a “suspected” carrier for the swine flu after testing positive for type A influenza April 28.

While Student Health Services does not conduct specific swine flu tests, a rapid diagnostic flu test was done to distinguish what type of flu the student had. Swine flu has been determined to be type A. The student does not live on campus or in the residence halls.

The test was sent to San Diego County health department for

further investigation.

“We will be waiting for the test results to determine appropriate action.” Greg Block, director of new media relations, said. SDSU will continue conducting business as usual.

Students are encouraged to update their web portal accounts to ensure delivery of school notices about any new developments or health precautions necessary to keep the virus at bay.

Swine flu updates can also be found at www.sdsu.edu and the Student Health Services Web site, http://shs.sdsu.edu.

To swiftly address increasing

cases of swine influenza, a respiratory disease usually found in pigs, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in California yesterday. San Diego State is beginning to feel the implications of a possible pandemic.

SHS noted a 50 percent increase Monday in students reporting respiratory issues, according to Medical Director Gregg Lichtenstein, MD., none of which tested positive for type A influenza until yesterday afternoon.

“People are a lot more concerned. They want to feel a little safer and get a little reassurance,”

Lichtenstein said.

The sharp increase in student complaints may also be due to the vagueness of the Center for Disease Control’s previous recommendation to immediately see a doctor if experiencing flu-like symptoms, he said, and SHS may be more selective about who to determine as a probable carrier, such as people with fevers of at least 100 degrees.

Josephine Harris, a library security guard, walked the 24/7 area of Love Library on Tuesday, hand sanitizer in tow, warning students to wash their hands after using the computers.

“These keyboards are never disinfected,” Harris said.

With close to 4,000 semester transit passes sold at the Aztec Ticket Office since January, many SDSU students look to public transportation to get to school.

Public transit is also a popular method for people traveling to and from Mexico, where the virus has caused multiple deaths.

MTS has seen a 20 percent decrease in ridership from the San Ysidro border station since yesterday morning, which Schupp said he attributes to Mexican residents being encouraged to stay home.

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City Times

NEWS

May 5, 2009

Construction makes parking difficult at City College Emily Mather City Times After proposition S was passed in 2002 and prop N in 2006, San Diego Community College District had a total of $1.5 Billion to renovate San Diego Mesa College, Miramar College, Continuing Education and City College campuses.

So far City College has completed two projects; the renovation of the Learning Resource Center that took 11 months and was finished in July 2007, and the Modular Village, which involved the construction of 11 portable classrooms at City’s student parking lot No. 2, utilized as temporary classrooms while the business technology building is being built. The “village” will later be removed to make way for the new science building.

Currently, renovation on the L building is wrapping up and renovation on the P building is anticipated to be completed in July.

Also, the major construction project of building the Career Technology Center (CTC) is underway.

The CTC building will be a five-story, 88,900 square foot instructional facility that will house the Nursing, Cosmetology, Photography and Campus Police headquarters, including a 700-car parking garage located at 16th street and Broadway.

The Nursing Department will have new skills laboratories and

nursing simulation, as well as computer simulation technology and simulation practice modes.

The Photography and Digital Art Department will have new darkrooms and studios, 66 enlarger stations, three digital print laboratories and an expansive gallery to display student work, and will incorporate professional cyclorama backdrops.

The Cosmetology Department will be expanded to include hightech instructional labs for skin care and hair care programs, as well as retail service areas.

But until the new building’s estimated completion in March 2010, getting around campus and finding a place to park will be difficult for students and faculty.

City College Parking Administration stated that parking “all over has been impacted,” and it’s “important that students are able to get to class.”

Also, the college does have a shuttle that takes an average of 35 students a trip from Inspiration Point to campus and runs every 20 minutes, taking a break from 12:40 p.m. until 5 p.m., when it resumes evening service until 10 p.m.

Inspiration Point is located north of City College, at the southeast corner of President’s Way and Park Blvd.

Look for the shuttle sign near the pedestrian footbridge.

The San Diego Trolley is another option for students who can’t find a parking space close to campus.

Carlos maia City Times

As construction continues on the Career Technology Center (CTC), located on 16th and C, streetside parking spots are blocked leaving students with even fewer parking options than usual.

The City College Trolley Station is located at 12th Avenue and C St., across the street from the campus.

City College Vice President

Plastic = purchase DAVIS (U-WIRE) — A recent report found more college students are using credit cards today than in 2004.

Eighty-four percent of undergraduate college students have at least one credit card, up from 76 percent in 2004, according to a report released this month by Sallie Mae. One of the nation’s biggest student loan providers, Sallie Mae last conducted a similar survey on credit usage in 2004. Nine out of 10 students are using credit cards for educational expenses such as tuition and textbooks, and are charging double as much on their cards as in 2004.

The report was based on a random sample of 1,200 undergraduate alternative loan applicants taken in March 2008.

Patricia Nash Christel, a Sallie Mae spokesperson, said these increasing numbers are a worry for students’ financial futures.

“Too many students are at risk of overpaying for college by pulling out credit cards to pay for textbooks or even part of their tuition bill, instead of using less expensive financial aid to cover these items,” Christel said in an e-mail interview.

“Students and families need to build a comprehensive budget ahead of time to cover not only tuition, but also other necessities like supplies and travel costs that contribute to the overall cost of college.”

A survey of the students’ credit histories found that only 17 percent of students regularly pay their monthly bill while 82 percent of respondents said they carry a balance and pay monthly fines.

“The top three reasons students gave for why they used credit cards to pay for education expenses were that they didn’t have enough savings or aid, cards were convenient and they underestimated the total cost of college,” Christel said.

ing will come online as soon as it’s complete.”

“The CTC structure will be a tremendous relief and is of great value.”

Special elections may help college budget

Student credit card use rises Sasha Lekach UC Davis California Aggie

of Administrative Services Jerry Davis states that on its completion the Career Technology Center will have a “great impact in relieving parking difficulty,” and “park-

Roda marie catapang City Times

stock.xchng Courtesy Photo

How many know about the state budget crisis?

OK, maybe dumb question.

But how many know about California’s Special Election happening on May 19? And that the budget for community colleges will be affected by the outcome of the election? Most importantly, who plans on voting?

There are six propositions on the ballot, five of which relate to the state’s budget.

According to a message sent out by San Diego City Community College District (SDCCD) Chancellor Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., “Proposition 1B has the most direct relevance to the SDCCD since it would provide increased funding for community colleges … Assuming that community colleges would receive 11% of the $9.3 billion repayment, this would yield a little over $1 billion to California community

colleges and $36.2 million for the SDCCD.” Chancellor Carroll went on to state that Proposition 1B differs from measures in that it would be a source of new additional funding to replace what has been lost.

The Voter Information Guide summarized that Proposition 1B would require the state to make supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address the recent budget cuts. Payments would come from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund.

But in order for 1B to be carried out, Proposition 1A must also pass.

1A is known as the “rainy day” fund increase. The increase would be from the current five percent to a proposed 12.5% of the general fund, and the proposition would enable the state to pay $9.3 million to schools and community colleges over a six-year period,

See INITIATIVE, page 15

San Diego City College gathers to promote peace and activism Jaime Parker Correspondent San Diego residents, students, faculty and activists joined together at San Diego City College April 26 for the Conference for Peace Education and Activism.

The day was aimed at spreading the message of peace and

activism through study and volunteer opportunities, along with personal stories and experiences.

Dr. Stephen Bouscaren, chair of the department of Behavioral Sciences, and Jelena Cingel, M.A., Peace and Justice, organized the event, along with student organizers.

The day consisted of presenta-

tions from various local and international organizations including Amnesty International, Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, Survivors of Torture, Human Rights Watch,, and the National Conflict Resolution Center.

With the establishment of the Peace Studies program here at City College last fall, Dr. Bous-

caren wanted to put on a conference to spread awareness about the program; he and Cingel plan to put on many more conferences in the coming years.

Azim Khamisa, author and inspirational speaker, was the keynote speaker at the conference.

After a 14-year-old gang member murdered his 20-year-old

son Tariq while he was delivering pizzas in 1995, Khamisa decided to forgive his son’s murderer.

Khamisa began speaking out against youth violence in schools and at other events, and has written three books detailing his journey to forgiveness and his crusade to stop violence from devastating the lives of others.

CityVoice

May 5, 2009

City Times

5

‘Thank you for your votes, but I respectfully resign’ So let’s get the entire story out there. These are my views alone. I cannot and will not take the voice of others. This election started with a group of dedicated ASG members. We tried their hardest to make great things happen. We faced many challenges and overcame. Election time came and the ASG was divided. New members were recruited. The out come looked as though no matter what happened, in the end many people would be involved to accomplish great things.

It was almost like a mini series.

You had the current ASG administration on one team against (minimally involved) Senator Deol and Webmaster Ahmed and a newly recruited team. At the start of the campaign myself and Senator Deol made an agreement to remain involved in ASG no matter what happened. From my view, to this day, Deol shows up to meetings and that’s about it. It is Josef, Cynthia, Sophia, Beto etc that are making posters and calling in the orders for events. There is a big difference in being involved in ASG and just getting by.

So as the campaign went on I

heard many rumors that Deol’s campaign was looking to discredit the current ASG. “A more Transparent ASG and restore the faith in ASG.” I objected to this in a formal manner because I truly believe that this ASG team is as good as those that came before them, and those in the years to come. They have done the right thing. A hearing was held on my objection and overruled.

Then the bombshell happened. Two members of our own team decided to do what many college students have done in the past. They pulled college pranks during election!

They didn’t trash someone’s car, or spray paint a house, but the pranks were somewhat serious — serious enough that I even lost faith in two of my own team members. You have no idea what it feels like to have to make a choice between those that make mistakes and what is right for the organization. You are going to be hated by many no matter what you decide. I guess this is where it is lonely at the top.

I myself was a target of one of the pranks, a flattering one but still inappropriate.

Then

Perspective Chris Conyers

something happened that made me proud.

The individuals apologized, to Deol and to me. I thought to myself, that is a part of learning. They really didn’t do any prank that harmed me. My mother always told me when you learn to forgive you can see there is something great in everyone.

As the prank drama unfolded out of nowhere appears Campbell. At first it was at the debates when we first heard, “my name is Campbell, like the soup.” It stuck.

Then the signs appeared. Some people were ready to donate cans of food at first glance. The sign over the five freeway might have been a contributing factor to the 200-plus votes over Deol. When I found out that he spent the entire campaign talking to people is when I believed in him.

The saga unfolded when the results put Campbell at the top.

I won VP by a mere three votes.

Sophia was elected and the rest of the team was those member

of Deol’s team. Even after the results many of the current ASG members are still dedicated to ASG for the next year and are ready to take on new challenges.

Now we had a team and I was dedicated to do the job I set out to do. We needed a training plan, done. We needed current projects to be a success, ready and willing. ASG once again was getting things done and preparing for the future. Just when I think we have achieved success of building a stronger ASG team I got let down again.

The pranks should have been dealt with by Student Affairs as soon as they were heard about.

Because of the City Times’ focus on the pranks and the link to ASG the story went to Channel 10 news. Does the district watch the news? Would they be upset if the see Deol on TV saying that he lost the election because of pranks?

Campbell had nothing to do with the pranks, nor did I or anyone who won.

Deol told me yesterday that he wasn’t even going to be involved in the ASG next year.

So to summarize a gentleman who just shows up to meetings,

promises to do marketing for the dance and does nothing, was apologized to and both were laughing about it five minutes later and his response is to go to the press and talk about pranks done by individuals not even elected for next year. How does that help the ASG? Today the dean suspended the results of the election pending this investigation with no further details as per the district. They will accept further complaints until May 4. Instead of dealing with the issues let’s open up the floor and get some more. If you have issues please bring it to Student Affairs by the 4th.

The people who want to do the right thing have lost. We joined this organization to find solutions not create more problems.

This organization has exhausted every bit of good energy I have.

When I have to stop working because problems were not dealt with properly and everyone has to suffer then it time to take my leave. Thank you for your votes, but I respectfully resign.

Chris Conyers is the ASG vice president elect

Just one more month to go ... and then I’m spent We’re almost there! The light at the end of the tunnel is shining brightly and becoming significantly larger by the minute. The school year is coming to an end.

It’s not quite over yet however, and some seem to forget that.

We have an entire month left to either make or break our averages and believe me that is enough time to do either.

I found myself glancing at the syllabi for my classes last week because I was so excited that May was right around the corner.

I noticed that even though the weather may start to get warmer and give off the summer vibe, there is still much to do before we’re cut loose.

The majority of the points in my classes are going to be earned, or lost, in this last month of school.

I could easily be bitter with my teachers for torturing me with assignments that could have been due months ago, but in a way I thank them.

It is so easy for me to fall into the swing of summer and I always

CityTimes Volume 63, Number 15 May 5, 2009 www.sdcitytimes.com

find myself letting school slide in the last month or so of classes.

Being born in July, I like to blame it on the fact that I’m just a summer baby and it’s in my nature.

How can I go against my nature like that? Aren’t we supposed to encourage the idea of being true to ourselves?

Well that’s not a legitimate excuse that my instructors are willing to take.

This semester more than ever they seem determined to keep me cramming my brain full until the remaining second of class.

It’s as if the higher powers that be notified my instructors at the beginning of the semester, “See that blonde in the back with that constant ‘I know something you don’t know…’ look? Yeah make sure you slam her with a copious amount of work in the last few weeks of school.”

I’m also being called on to participate more towards the end of the semester which sort of caught me off guard.

I’m usually one to hang out

Published as: The Jay Sees / 1945-1949 Fortknightly / 1949-1978 City Times / 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks

Shevaun Brandom Editor-in-Chief

Roda Marie Catapang Features Editor

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Carlos Maia Photography Editor

Evonne Ermey News Editor

Donovan Terblanche Sports Editor

Shannon Kuhfuss Opinion Editor

Michele Suthers Chief Illustrator

Joke’s on Me Shannon Kuhfuss

This semester more than ever they seem determined to keep me cramming my brain full until the remaining second of class and take notes during class, but the instructors weren’t having that either.

I tend to get called on for

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things that don’t really have to do with the material in class.

For instance, in my psychology class we had recently been discussing sleep patterns.

When it came time to talk about how much sleep different animals needed, cow tipping was introduced to the class by my instructor.

When asked who in class knew what cow tipping was, everyone was silent except for a burst of laughter from the left rear corner of the room.

Coincidently, that is where I reside.

I tried to hold the laughter in, but who are we kidding, that only made it louder and more obnoxious.

I was asked why I was laughing and after replying that I grew up in the Midwest, so I’m quite familiar with the shenanigans, my instructor asked me to explain to the class what in fact cow tipping was.

Keep in mind that I wasn’t asked to enlighten the class on personality disorders or how to

Phone: (619) 388-3880 Fax: (619) 388-3814 E-mail: citytimes@gmail.com Program homepage: www.sdcity.edu/citytimes

Roda Marie Catapang City Times Staff Tom Andrew, Luis Bahena, Sophia Cancino, Donna P. Crilly, Vanessa Gomez Romel Echon, Nathan Hipple, Leo E. Laurence, Joe Leonard, Copy Editors Emily Mather, Aurora McKeehan, Heather Richards, Ariana Sanchez-Fierro

Correspondents Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser

Diana Alvisurez, Beza Beneberu, Antonio Marquez, Andrew Murphy, Amber Nadeau, Jaime Parker-Campbell, Samir Roy, Lindsay Tasior, Jamie Worden

properly diagnose a patient, but how to tip a defenseless animal.

Judging by the confused faces surrounding me, I gathered that no one had seen the Chris Farley masterpiece “Tommy Boy.” “Ya find yourself an open field late at night with cows that are asleep and push them, and they fall.” I replied still laughing.

I found it more humorous than most, but at least I was able to give some insight into the much overlooked extracurricular activity.

I have no problem being the joke in class and I never have in the past.

It’s just that now the joke is on me because I’ve seemed to slip and fall face first into crunch time.

A piece of advice from one procrastinator to another, keep your game faces on until the buzzer goes off or you might find yourself handing out water and towels to the ones doing all the work on the court.

Shannon Kuhfuss is City Times’ opinion editor

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.

District policy statement This publication is produced as a learning experience under a San Diego Community College District instructional program. All materials, including opinions expressed herein, are the sole responsibility of the students and should not be interpreted to be those of the college district, its officers or employees.

Letters to the editor Letters to the editor are welcome, 350 words or less. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, punctuation and length.

Memberships Journalism Association of Community Colleges Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association

6

City Times

VOICE

May 5, 2009

Would it be better to burn out or just fade away?

I recently had a discussion with Nate Hipple, a fellow student reporter on City Times, about society’s tendency to sensationalize the lives of celebrities who died young, like Heath Ledger.

Watching “The Dark Knight�

Donna’s Dig Donna P. Crilly

in the movie theater turned into an interesting experience when the audience gave him a standing ovation.

I felt awkward being the only one sitting so I stood up and applauded with a heightened sense of awe.

The AOL Instant Messenger chat between Nate and I became sort of an informal debate about whether certain celebrities would have become the cultural icons they are today if we watched them grow into attention-craving oddballs that so many old celebrity farts have transformed into today.

Is it really better to “burn out, than to fade away,� as Neil Young would say?

Our conversation went a little something like this: Donna: I’m writing the next Donna’s Digs about whether or not certain celebrities should die

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young.

Nate: Can you think of anyone who’s career took off when they were old???

Nate: Personally, I’d rather wake up next to a decapitated horse than Michael Jackson.

Donna: I’d rather wake up next to MJ. The dead horse would ruin my sheets!

Nate: MJ might too...

Donna: sick sick sick!

Nate: But if MJ died youngDonna: He’d be a musical martyr.

Nate: The world would be a better place.

Donna: The world would go round in praise for dear MJ, not the merry-go-round in Neverland Ranch.

Nate: Yeah, he should have died before Neverland because then we’d remember him as Michael, King of pop.

Donna: Not Michael, King of young boy princes.

Donna: I think we’d see a lot more people proudly wearing MJ T-shirts.

Nate: Tupac was convicted of sex crimes ... but that didn’t tarnish his repupation.

Donna: Ooh yeah, but that gave him street cred.

Nate: Tupac is now the most widely listened-to rapper in the world. I think he would be an exception. He would only get better.

Donna: I agree; BUT, does listening to a dead artist give the music a different sound?

Nate: More EPIC. Pop music suddenly has depth. Death gives music new layers.

Donna: Yeah, you’ll never

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Urbanalities By Michele Suthers

hear or see a new movie or song from that person ever again, except Tupac, who releases a new album every year.

Nate: Rapping from the grave...

Donna: Hey! Good ole Kurt Cobain. He quoted Neil Young in his suicide note: “it’s better to burn out, than to fade away.�

Nate: His death was so publicized!

Donna: He knew exactly what he was doing.

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Nate: 24/7 updates by Kurt Loder.

Donna: A lot of Kurt Cobain T-shirts walking around campus eh?

Nate: His death came at the height of his career, so if Kurt lived ...

Donna: What if his band went on to make poor albums and disappoint fans? Or, they broke up and got back together and started doing reunion tours with U2?

That would also disappoint fans.

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Nate: I wonder if he would have become such an icon?

Donna: What about Marlon Brando? He stayed pretty legendary over the years.

Nate: OH yeah, if he’d-a died young, Godfather wouldn’t be the same!

Donna: There are obviously some exceptions.

Donna P. Crilly is a City Times staff writer

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CityLife

May 5, 2009

City Times

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Students explore cultural differences at Language Day fair Donna p. crilly City Times With a serape draped over his shoulder and a sombrero perched on his head, Steven Sopha, vice president of the Spanish club, strummed his guitar and sang “Levantandos los Manos” to an audience of students shouting, “OTRA, OTRA,” when he finished.

Sopha, who was given the Spanish name “Esteban,” was just one of the many performers from different countries around the world, who participated in the annual Language Day fair at City College.

Language Day, which took place on April 22 in Gorton Quad, is a major cultural event on campus, according to Jaime Estrada, chair of the language department.

Many instructors, full-time and adjunct faculty, participated in the event by setting up booths and giving passers-by a quick insight to the exotic cultures and languages abroad.

The myriad of performances included a belly dancer, couples dancing to songs from Sweden, Finland and Denmark and

flamenco dancers, to name a few.

“Would you like a little bit of Rumba,” Spanish professor Maria Clara RomeroHuerta asked the onlookers of the flamenco performance.

Led by Rocio Carrera and Sevilla-trained, guitar-bearing fiance Oscar Aragon, the dancers clacked their heels and twirled their dresses to songs like “Tanguillos de Cadiz.”

Carerra, whose dance school Paloma Aragon, attracted several students to get her business card shortly after the clacking ceased.

The seven languages taught at City College, including French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Russian and American Sign Language, certainly didn’t limit the amount of countries and cultures represented at the fair.

Spanish and Arabic speaking nations, for instance, flaunted the cultures of several, wearing traditional garb, flashing ethnic jewelry and posting several handdrawn signs showcasing the countries.

Unfortunately for some, the Italian club brought only pictures of wine instead of the

real thing. It simply wasn’t allowed.

Exploring and learning about cultural differences between foreign countries and the United States was just one of the benefits of having Language Day on campus.

“Ich liebe dich,” meaning “I love you” in German, has a much stronger meaning in Germany than it does in the United States, explained Astrid Ronke, German 102 instructor.

It floored Ronke when a man whom she’d only known for six weeks in the states declared his love for her. She’d grown accustomed to “Ich liebe dich” being reserved for someone with whom one has a much more intimate and longlasting connection.

Ronke also cleared up the confusions of many Americans when considering David Hasselhoff’s success, fame, and likeability in Germany compared to his in the U.S., exclaiming, “Nobody likes ‘The Hasselhoff’! He’s so corny!”

Students learning other languages at City College usually had some sort of reasoning behind it, which several discussed at the Language Day fair.

photos by Donna P. Crilly City Times

Dancers at the Language Day event showcase the alluring flamenco movements that originate from the Andalucian region of Spain.

“Russian is a beautiful language,” said Marla Stevens, a student currently taking Russian 101.

Business major Lex Lee is learning German because of her third-generation German ancestry.

French student Gigi Burnette is taking French classes to become a missionary in Africa where more than half of the countries on the continent are French-speaking, according to Burnette.

Rounding off Language Day was a dance contest where a $50 check was awarded to Miguel Valdez, SIFE member and business major.

“I got my CD and it was E-40, ‘Tell Me When To Go,’ and then they played the Arabian song,” said Valdez.

The dance contest judges “Cha-Cha’d” all the way from the counseling department to declare Valdez the winner.

“We kinda knew,” said Tandy Ward, school counselor. “He had the moves and then we saw him kicking his legs up.”

The dance contest at Language day inspired Valdez to take up more dance classes in preparation for next year.

Bottom photo by carlos maia City Times

A myriad of performers share the musical tradition of their cultures.

Earth Day Fair provides a cornucopia of green information NATE hipple City Times How can going out for a slice of pizza affect the planet?

Well, depending on the vehicle driven to the pizzeria or how the ingredients are made, a slice of pizza could have a butterfly effect on the whole ecosystem.

Topics like these were at the heart of City College’s Earth Day celebration held April 23 in Gorton Quad.

A larger Earth Day festival took place the prior weekend at Balboa Park. The events attracted scores of attendees who proved the Earth Day festivities would not be eclipsed by mounting concerns over the financial crisis.

City students explored a smorgasbord of eco-themed booths that focused on the environment, transportation, household products, and even pizza.

Kylie Oliver, a representative of People’s Co-op in Ocean Beach, spent her time in

Gorton Quad attempting to demystify the process of food labeling.

“There’s not a lot of education about labeling,” said Oliver.

Oliver also spread awareness about OB’s only membern Earth Fair owned vegetarian groin photos. Focus, cery store, People’s. pages 8 and 9 “Most people don’t realize that soy and corn is genetically engineered, unless it says so,” Oliver said.

She distributed pamphlets about the effects of genetically engineered agriculture and recommended that consumers do more research about what’s on their dinner plate.

Pizza Fusion owner Mike Walker wanted to be perfectly clear about what’s in his food.

“We use organic ingredients. And we’ve got organic, vegan and gluten-free,” said Walker about his eatery, adding that Pizza Fusion caters to customers who care about the world’s well-being.

Located in Hillcrest, Pizza Fusion also manages a fleet of hybrid vehicles - to reduce environmental impact while the pizzas are en route.

It’s all part of Walker’s vision to further the Pizza Fusion mission: “Saving the world, one pizza at a time.”

Rene Vera, a student at City College, has been to Pizza Fusion before.

“It’s worth it to spend a little more to feel better about what you eat,” Vera said.

The issue of transportation was also addressed by Earth Fair vendors.

Hybrid vehicles, electric cars and solar powered golf carts were on display. Yet, a new vehicle might not be the most affordable option for a college student. That’s why Seamus O’Neil asked, “Why not a bike?”

O’Neil, the owner of S.O Bicycle Shop, pointed out the two most important bicycle features: They produce zero emissions and require no gasoline.

“Bikes are faster than a bus and only a

little slower than a car,” he said.

When O’Neil decided to move to California, he sold his car and made a journey from Houston to San Diego on his own bicycle. The trip spanned two months.

“Cyclists have the same access to the road,” said O’Neil. “And, cars should have to share the road.”

O’Neil noted how the commute between neighborhoods in the downtown vicinity was easy, because they’re all within riding distance from City College.

“And bikes,” he said “are way easier to park than a car.”

Sometimes people forget that many destinations in the downtown area have limited parking and might require a long walk.

As the owner of a bicycle shop, O’Neil pointed out that many people already own bicycles that may only need a few minor repairs. He performed bicycle brake repairs at the festival for students, free-ofcharge.

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City Times

CityFocus

May 5, 2009

Students celebrate Mother Earth

Make every day Earth Day

The City College community gathered at Gorton Quad on April 22 to celebrate Earth day Top picture: Preschoolers from the children’s center stand in line waiting to make their hand imprint on a poster to combat forced child slavery. Above: Abran Quevedo from Kick Gas EV Co-op speaks to a student about his electric car group. Right: Vickie Butcher shows students some of her African wears and speaks to them about her organization Water for Children of Africa.

May 5, 2009

City Times

Participants learned about sustainable living on the planet and how to be greenminded for future generations.

Top picture: Jinna Albright from Thomas bike shop in South Park shows off her bike shop’s handy work of giving old bikes a new life . Right: Nicole Doyle, criminology major, purchases some seedlings from City College Urban Garden volunteer Trilliya Puffin.

Photos by Carlos Maia City Times

Students celebrate Mother Earth

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City Times

CityArts

May 5, 2009

Boldly going where they have never gone before New ‘Star Trek’ movie promises a reboot worthy of attracting current and future fans Roda Marie Catapang City Times

Boldly going where no Star Trek film has ever gone before, “Star Trek” opens in theaters May 8, and for the first time ever, James T. Kirk will not be played by William Shatner. Leonard Nimoy will still be donning the familiar eyebrows and pointy ears as Spock, but so will actor Zachary Quinto.

The iconic character, James T. Kirk, will be played by Chris Pine and this, along with the rebooted storyline, is what has a few Trekkies’ spandex suits in a bunch.

During a phone conference to promote the “Star Trek” movie, Pine and Quinto talked about their approach to becoming Kirk and Spock, working with director J.J. Abrams and the pressures of dealing with a protective fan base.

Continued below

paramount PICTURES Courtesy Images

Zachary Quinto as Spock (left) and Chris Pine as Kirk in the new “Star Trek” movie. n Continued from above “[My] version of Spock is definitely a little bit more unsettled,” Quinto explained. “He’s less in control of the duality that exists within him … I think he’s struggling with a lot of deeply felt emotions, passion, fear, anger and the struggle. The core struggle for me was containing all of that … and not really being able to express it so humanly was a really fascinating challenge.”

Pine stressed the fact that his character is not Capt. Kirk, but the young James T. Kirk “before he becomes the confident commander of the later years.” Pine adds that his version of Kirk is “a bit more brash and arrogant and young, essentially.”

Their qualifications for playing the two icons, however, were called into question by fans who were bothered by the fact that neither actors, nor the director, were Star Trek fans to begin with.

A comment made on www.

scifiwire.com rhetorically asked, “What fool at Paramount put people who were not fans in charge of this movie and in the lead roles?”

But longtime Star Trek fans should take into consideration the fact that the storyline was written by devoted Trekkies Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who by-the-way were also the writers behind last summer’s blockbuster hit “Transformers.”

You non-Trekkies may want to take note of that part.

Orci and Kurtzman were looking to breathe new life into the Star Trek franchise, all the while sustaining continuity with the foundations of the original story lines. And with non-Trekkie director J.J. Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman felt they would get “100 percent translation from script to screen,” according to Wired Magazine.

“J.J. [Abrams] has said openly and many times that he

didn’t necessarily make this movie for Star Trek fans,” noted Quinto. “He made this movie for future Star Trek fans.”

Pine does add that current fans will also enjoy the movie. “[We had] these great protec-

“He made this movie for future Star Trek fans.”

Zachary Quinto

tors of cannon like Bob Orci and Damon Lindelof that were making sure that what we were doing, you know, paid tribute and homage … to the minutiae of the original series and to … the themes that Gene Roddenberry expressed in the original.”

And for the non-fans, Quinto shared feedback he had gotten following screenings of the new movie.

“I think the thing that I’ve

heard most consistently is from people who have not been Star Trek fans who felt exhilarated and connected to these characters much more than they expected to be,” said Quinto.

History has shown that reboots of movies and storylines that have a highly protective fanbase tend to meet with much opposition and lead actors tend to get the brunt of extremely harsh critiques by (mainly) fans.

Daniel Craig is surely no stranger to the viciousness that can come from such a following.

Many James Bond fans were opposed to Craig as the next Bond simply because he was blond, and Bond is not blond.

But now, following the huge success of the Bond reboots, many of those same fans are admitting that they couldn’t picture a more qualified actor to play Bond than Craig, even with his blond hair.

So, with the chance of “Star

Trek” becoming this summer’s blockbuster hit, and a possible successful addition to the series, City Times asked Quinto and Pine if they would be ready, and willing, to take on what could possibly become a life-long commitment to the characters, just as Shatner and Nimoy have synonymously identified with Capt.

Kirk and Spock.

“Yeah,” announced Quinto, “a lifelong association with these characters would be a great thing if the movie is successful, and certainly something that Chris and I have talked about.

But … I don’t think either of us plan to only be associated with these characters.”

Added Pine, “I think as an actor, you strive for longevity and diversity … But I could not be anymore proud of the movie that we’ve made. And if I were to be associated with this for, you know, the extent of my career …

I would be a very [content] man.”

May 5, 2009

City Times

ARTS

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City Moves: An evening of multicultural dance Samir Roy Correspondent Opening on May 8, the City College Dance Department cast of student dancers will be performing in City Moves, a multicultural dance event featuring the choreography of both instructors and guest artists, and a globeskipping sample of diverse dance and music styles.

As Terry Wilson (who has taught dance at City College for nine years) explained, “There seems to be a theme of humanity, the elements and expression, [though] not in that order” uniting these pieces.

The evening will begin with Patricia Rincon’s “Fairytales from the Fringe.” Using fairy tales “that have been told for centuries about celestial beings, vanity, love and tragedy” across the world as her inspiration, Rincon’s piece aims to represent the broader cultural need for these tales, their mundane consumption and the everyday expression of their messages in people’s lives.

Also involved will be grace shinhae jun (director of bkSOUL, a dance company inspired by “the need for movement and the love of hip hop culture”), who has danced and choreographed for several dance companies across the country, including Sushi Performance and Visual Art here in San Diego.

Her piece for City Moves will continue in that same direction with “before your boom boom,” composing a blend of contemporary hip-hop styles to beats that span the globe.

With music ranging from Somalian K’Naan’s reggaeinfused hip-hop protest poetry, to the Indian-inspired melodies and rhythms of M.I.A. to the Black Eyed Peas and the Japanese genre-bending exploits of Nujabes’ cool jazz soul fusion, it promises to be the most energetic piece of the evening.

Three other performances gracing the program explore different perspectives on nature, from three instructors of dance here at City College.

Photos by Lindsay tasIor Correspondent

City College student dancers rehearse for City Moves, which will run May 8-9.

Wilson’s “Through life” flows like a vine, using the work of local musician Jimmy LaValle’s band, “The Album Leaf,” to craft an intertwining choreographic garden wherein “the vine creates images that nourish growth and occupy space in spectacular lines and designs.”

Debi Toth-Ward’s “Flight” interprets the music of Bach and Vivaldi in soaring movement as a metaphoric casting off of childhood trappings, to begin doing “what every human must do to ‘fly the coop’” and emerge into adulthood with “new found power.”

Using the music of The Clogs, Terri Shipman’s Bluster approaches the flip-side of this air-inspired imagery in an attempt to capture (with a cast of 11 dancers) the visceral, physical impact of wind’s forceful capacity, as it moves in a storm across the desert.

They should make for an emotionally and intellectually engaging triptych, to be disbursed throughout the program.

The biggest treat of the evening may come right at the top of the second act, with guest artist Monique Gaffney’s own triptych,

titled “Bailes AfroCubanos.”

Gaffney, a highly lauded actress in San Diego theater (her performance in a local production of Medea caused one Union Tribune writer to exclaim that “she channeled so much sorrow and fury into that performance I trembled in my front-row seat”) has turned her skilled hand to choreography.

Thanks to the tutelage of Master Teacher Juan Carlos Blanco, director of Omo Ache Afro-Cuban Dance Company, Gaffney’s pieces will celebrate the indigenous dance of Cuba’s African diaspora.

It seems these pieces also identify a recurring cultural theme of protection during flight, of dance that spiritually facilitates safe and joyful passage.

Featuring live percussion accompaniment, Bailes AfroCubanos will begin with “Elegua,” representing “the Guardian of the Crossroads of Life for the Yoruba nation in Cuba who continues to preserve the culture of their African descendants.” This will be followed by Afrekete, a dance depicting Yoruba Earth Goddess Yemaya, symbol of the universal mother, and rounded off by Gaga,

a Franco-Haitian dance “used as a means of travel from one community to another for a variety of celebrations, a la carnival.”

Make sure to come back from the intermission on time to avoid missing this.

To complete the evening, City College Dance Department head Rincon has prepared selections from the most recent City College production “SWING!”, featuring

the largest cast of dancers in the entire show, (topping out at 19), moving to the sounds of artists like Duke Ellington and Count Basie, who embodied the era’s vibe.

You can catch City Moves on May 8-9 at 8 p.m., as well as a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 9.

General admission tickets cost $15, and discounted tickets at $10 for students, seniors and military.

Stuck at home scared out of your mind of the swine flu?

Does the news have you stuck at home scared out of your mind to the thought of the swine flu?

Well stay home, grab a seat and grab your popcorn because I have two epidemic movies that will have you living in a bubble in no time.

Our first movie, “Quarantine,” directed by John Erick Dowdle, takes you on a trip through the camera lens of Scott (Steve Harris) a cameraman who shoots a Los Angeles TV show called “Night Shift” with the spunky host Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter).

In the midst of shooting their newest episode, Angela and Scott follow around two firefighters, Jake (Jay Hernandez) and Fletcher (Johnathon Schaech), as they give a tour of their station.

But just as things begin to get a little dull, emergency sirens ring and the four are off to an apartment building in which neighbors have been complaining about a screaming resident.

Little do they know that a

deadly virus strain has been infecting the tenants of the apartment, making them aggressive and even deadly.

Movie Review Romel Echon

To make matters worse, the government issues a strict quarantine upon the building, leaving everyone to the mercy of the infected. With the movie playing off the “The Blair Witch Project” and “Cloverfield” camera styles, you are surely in for a wild ride that takes you straight into the action.

If people foaming at the mouth aren’t your cup of tea, then our next movie will dial down the gruesome a bit.

“Blindness,” directed by Fernando Meirelles, tells the story of an epidemic in which people begin to lose their eye site. As the movie begins you are introduced to a man who suddenly becomes

blind while driving his car.

As the man is taken to the hospital, he infects his doctor (Mark Ruffalo), as well as everyone who comes in contact with him.

It is not long before others are infected and the government begins to gather them up and confine them from infecting others.

As the doctor is being contained, his wife (Julianne Moore) refuses to be separated from her husband, and being immune to the virus, Julianne Moore’s character pretends to be blind in order to stay and protect her husband.

With this movie’s outstanding cast, you cannot help but become immersed in the characters’ struggles and achievements, which inevitably will keep you glued to the TV. So do us a huge favor, and next time you feel the flu coming on, rent these movies, stay home, have a blast and don’t forget to wash your hands.

Romel Echon is a City Times staff writer

sony pictures Courtesy Photo

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City Times

Arts

May 5, 2009

Photo Department heading to Big Apple Jamie Worden Correspondent The City College Photography Department has announced its annual photography trip and students are invited to join Professor David Eichinger for a week long exploration of New York City.

Typically, Eichinger takes students, professionals and anyone with a serious love for photography to other countries around the world. But due to the current economic crises, he has decided to stay here in the United States for this trip. “We selected NYC this year because it costs less than going to Europe,� said Eichinger. “However, NYC is also an ‘international hub’ of photography.

There are enough photo galleries and exhibits to keep us busy everyday, leaving no time to photograph this amazing city. So we will balance everything and do a lot of ‘shooting’ and a lot of ‘seeing.’ I know the students will learn so much from this trip and it is such a great city to photograph.�

While the trip is designed with the serious photographer in mind, anyone interested is welcome to join. In the past people have joined simply because they admire photography and liked the itinerary.

The tentative itinerary lasts from June 3 to June 10 with a break until June 18, when the group returns to campus to learn how to develop, process and

create a portfolio with their photographs.

During the break students are welcome to stay in NYC to explore or to visit nearby east coast cities.

The trip and class time are designed to give participants college credit for three or more photography classes. The cost is $1695 and qualifying students could use financial aid to assist with the program fee.

For more information visit www.eurofoto.info.

In a Q-and-A between a City Times correspondent and Eichinger, the professor answered the following questions: City Times (CT): You seem very committed to the study of photography and education.

What is your favorite part of taking these photo excursions all over the world?

Eichinger (DE): Few people realize that each of these trips require about 14 months of planning and paperwork, but I see the long-term benefit the students gain from traveling and being immersed in their passion. That makes all the work pay off. Most students grow years within the few weeks that we are gone. I recommend study abroad or travelstudy to anyone who can possibly make it happen. Many of the benefits and the growth may not be realized until years later, but foreign travel helps us become a citizen of Earth, not merely the [United States]. Your global vision is widened exponentially. If you can, do it!

City college photo department Courtesy Photo CT: Do interested students have to bring their own equipment?

DE: Each student brings whatever they choose. We have beginning students working alongside advanced and even professional photographers each year. Many shoot digital. Some bring fun cameras like Lomos, Holgas, etc.

Many love the darkroom so they shoot only B&W. We meet before we leave to discuss all the options,

and many digital shooters end up buying toy cameras to shoot film.

CT: Do you encourage students to use both digital and film to be able to compare and contrast when back on campus?

DE: Yes, especially if they haven’t done much of one or the other. I see my primary job as helping them grow and improve.

And I try to raise the bar for each of them individually ... as rapidly as I possibly can.

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CT: Any advise you can offer students considering the trip?

What feedback have you gotten from past students that have gone?

DE: Make it happen! It’s not a vacation. You will see and experience more in a week than you can possibly experience staying close to home. I think all the [past] students will tell you this. And some students join me for other trips, year after year.

May 5, 2009

City Times

NEWS

Ceremony Continued from page 3 multi-purpose spaces and state-of-the-art sustainable features.

But the $72.5 million price tag begs the question: Will the building be more than an expensive hodge-podge of bells and whistles?

The intention behind the architect’s design was discussed by speakers at commemoration, including City College Vice President Mary Benard.

Election Continued from page 1 begin until June, his plans were to start work on his agenda for the school.

Primarily, the CTC will serve as the new home for Campus Police, as well as the Nursing, Photography, Digital Arts and Cosmetology Departments.

“During the event, some of the cosmetology students were absolutely moved.

They were getting very emotional. All of their big hopes and dreams finally coming to fruition,” said Bernard.

The architecture also addresses the small stuff that faces students on a day-today basis, such as parking.

An 11-story, 694-car parking garage is one of the many features of the new site.

Priority parking will be given to carpoolers.

“The building will be green,” said Bernard “and it’s going to be smart.”

The use of water-reducing plumbing fixtures will conserve 54 percent of the amount of water that would normally be used. Storm water will be filtered in order to cut back the pollution that flows into sewers.

The location of the building places City College closer to the East Village community, and is hailed as City’s “Gateway to East Village.”

Formerly synonymous with warehouses and empty lots, East Village is currently being reclaimed by an eclectic mix of art-

ists, businesses, low-income high-rise residential complexes and San Diego Padre’s home field at Petco Park.

Moments before the “beam-of-honor” was lifted into its final destination, students and faculty were invited to write messages on its side.

Joe Leonard, City Times staff photographer, used that opportunity to write his name, the date and the words, “City Times Newspaper,” on the beam.

“Maybe someday, somebody will read my name and wonder, ‘Who was that guy?’” Leonard said. “It’s like a time capsule.”

“I can’t do another election,” Campbell said. “I just want to do well in my classes and get my agenda going.”

The suspension of the results came after an ASG election that had its share of controversy due to alleged reports of pranks between ASG candidates.

According to a San Diego 10News report, originally aired on April 22, the pranks included attacks on Vikrum S. Deol, ASG presidential candidate, where “someone superimposed [his] head on a naked body and posted the picture on the Craigslist Web site along with an ad soliciting sex.”

The report also spoke of Deol answering the door to a pizza deliveryman trying to deliver “100 pizzas.”

Deol spoke of the “dirty campaign” with 10News, which reported Deol saying that the pranks “ultimately cost him the

election.”

Christopher Conyers, vice-presidentelect of ASG, had commented in the past that “everything is fine … and resolved,” in regards to the pranks.

At press time, a comment was not received from either Whisenhunt or Deol on the matter.

However, an official statement from Conyers was given to City Times, indicating his decision to resign as vice president and reflecting Conyers’ thoughts and feelings following the decision to suspend the results of the ASG election.

Join the City Times staff add JOUR 210 for fall

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Grab your student ID and register today at sun.com/SDCityStudentsgofree.

June 2-5, 2009 | Moscone Center | San Francisco © 2009 Sun Microsystems,Inc. All rights reserved.

14

City Times

LIFE / NEWS

May 5, 2009

Jazz 88.3’s deejay Leo Cates enjoys his artistic freedom DONNA p. crilly City Times Healthy, passionate, small-framed and aged. One of Jazz 88.3’s most seasoned deejays now hosts his 10 p.m.-midnight Monday and Wednesday show sans pay.

Leo Cates has been “celebrating artistic freedom” for 23 years as of March, and recently developed a passion for tutoring English as a second language to students at San Diego City College from more than 170 countries. He considers it a “global village” and devotes 18 hours per week to feeding his mind with culture while helping students develop English skills.

His jazz roots stem from growing up in the greater Los Angeles area and listening to his favorite radio station, KBCA. From there, his brain became entrenched with all things jazz.

“He’s a nut,” said Chris Springer, Latin jazz deejay on Saturday evenings for Jazz 88.3, referring to Cates’ wild, unmistakable personality and passion for the art.

“He’s a walking jazz encyclopedia and is really high up about it,” Springer said.

At 15, Cates was a trombone player in the grand finale of 1962’s “The Music Man,” which was nominated for Best Picture. The title of the song is “76 Trom-

bones,” which features Cates marching in a parade and proudly sliding his way through the Midwestern town.

Cates started building his tromboneplaying repertoire as a child in elementary school. At that time, the children were required to play instruments where every kid in class jumped on a different instrument before he could leave his seat, and all that was left was a trombone.

The accomplished, free-spirited soul also has a 14-year history as a journalist writing about horse races in North County.

A previous passion that he simply “lost interest” in.

“He’s an enigmatic person,” said Ron Dhanifu, weekday afternoon deejay for Jazz 88.3. “Leo is a staunch believer in the tradition of music.”

Enigmatic indeed. In July 1997, Cates abruptly decided to stop eating meat.

“I take what I need, you know, just keepin’ it low on the food chain,” Cates said. He refers to the transition as being a “natural thing.” Since then, Cates has not seen a movie, owned a television, phone or computer, and drives around in what he calls “The Jazz Mobile,” his first and only car: a 1964 Ford Mustang.

The deejays at the station have a kinship and that the 17,000-song library

Donna P. Crilly City Times

Leo Cates’ passion for jazz may be dissipating, but his passion for the art remains. comes from need for “jazz-passionistas” like Cates and the other deejays, said Dhanifu.

His passion for jazz is slowly dissipating, though. It is something that he seems to

naturally be growing out of as he explores his own “truths” of life, he said.

“My life is a movie and I’m in it right now. I’m a paradigm of simplicity,” Cates said.

Online news center launches at San Diego State University rebecca mcleod SDSU Daily Aztec SAN DIEGO (U-WIRE) — Social media has become a tool that many organizations are beginning to use as a part of their operations. At San Diego State, the university is on the forefront of using social networking tools to communicate across the campus community and in various campus

networks.

In addition to utilizing mainstream social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, SDSU has launched the SDSU NewsCenter. This tool provides live news that students can access for information about and related to the school and its activities.

“NewsCenter will fill a void left by the declining traditional media,” Greg Block,

director of media relations and new media, said. “We understand that there are fewer places to tell the university’s stories, so we’re doing it ourselves in NewsCenter.”

With the launch of NewsCenter and the other social networking tools, the student reaction is anticipated to be very receptive.

SDSU has already been using some of the more popular social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn

and WordPress for blogging purposes.

New media is a growing trend and SDSU has found a way to use it to form connections throughout the college networks.

“One of the really great things about this new media world we’re in is that the opportunities are really limitless,” Block said. “You don’t have to have huge budgets or work at The New York Times to participate.”

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May 5, 2009

ARTS / NEWS

City Times

15

Animal behavior Author of ‘Zookeeper’s Wife’ visits City College Samir Roy Correspondent It happened one day when Diane Ackerman was cavorting with crocodiles. While showing some men of science how to determine the sex of a crocodile, she also placed herself in their minds, and when they later discovered a distinct sex pheromone in the animals, they named the molecule after her: Dianeackerone.

Ackerman would call this an example of synesthesia, in which the sensation of sight, sound or experience recalls the sensation of another.

And so, with this unique anecdote, began the kick-off of “One Book, One San Diego” at City College’s Seville Theatre on April 21. An annual joint venture of KPBS and the San Diego Public Library, “One Book, One San Diego” seeks to create a common, shared experience for all San Diegans through literature by selecting a single work and encouraging local readers to further explore the book’s larger themes.

This year San Diego will be reading “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” Diane Ackerman’s non-fiction narrative about Antonina and Jan Zabinski, who saved hundreds of persecuted victims during the Holocaust by sheltering them in their villa and in former animal enclosures (complete with underground tunnels) of the bombed-out zoo they once kept.

Ackerman spoke in conjunction with The City College Book Fair 2009 Literary Spring Series as part of the kick-off celebration, appropriately timed to coincide with Holocaust Remembrance Day, which also takes place on April 21.

Ackerman speaks often about her selfdefined status as a naturalist - “not nudist,” as she facetiously informed the audience.

She feels a spiritual bond with nature, which drew her to the story of Antonina, whose memoirs provided the book’s foundation.

Though Ackerman found a kindred spirit in her subject, who she feels was also synesthetically gifted, she was not content to merely rely on Antonina’s words for her story.

She visited Antonina’s villa, laid in the same bed and looked out the same windows. She researched climate, plant and animal life of Warsaw during that time period, walked the same streets and even looked up birds’ navigational routes over

Initiative

Continued from page 4

which some feel is already owed to the schools.

However, critics argue that 1A would limit spending, and the initial tax hike will be increased from one year to two years to handle $16 billion in taxes.

“These propositions [1A, 1C, 1D and 1E] will not provide additional money if they pass,” states Chancellor Carroll, “but will cause losses if they fail.”

Following a recent Field Poll result, it appears that the only proposition that the majority of California residents were in agreement with was Proposition 1F, the initiative that would prevent pay increases for elected officials during budget deficit years.

The current economic downturn has

the city, all to get a proper sense of how life was for the real-life characters of her work.

I’m sure that Ackerman also connected instantly with Antonina’s self-professed ability to communicate with animals and people alike.

Antonina saved people by creating a home for refugees of all species. This home, filled with creatures as disparate as lynxes, carnivorous rabbits and drunken hamsters, was, as Ackerman put it, “part sanctuary, part menagerie.”

Somehow, perhaps by the grace of Antonina’s ability to feel and connect the experiences of all creatures, she created a space rich with warmth, vitality and music, while she and her husband risked their lives to save them all.

Ackerman sees great bravery in Antonina’s stubborn refusal to give up on happiness, projecting this woman’s decision to let joy in like sunshine as a rebellious act amidst a time and place of such violence and hostility.

This is where Ackerman also finds, from yet another angle, the essential horror of the Holocaust: that humans committed these atrocities on other humans.

The Zabinskis, who would cleverly exploit the government to help support the starving and the hunted, both human and animal, communed with nature to improve the lives of others.

Meanwhile, the Nazis also built a reputation as fierce environmentalists and were staunch animal activists. They wanted to preserve and protect Mother Nature as well, a fact that Ackerman found disturbing for its correlation to her own life.

This is also where Ackerman found herself struggling with her craft, as she told the audience in the Q-and-A segment of her speech: at the intersection, observing the point in the road where her passion, these people on both sides of history and their love of nature converged before they spread out in totally opposite directions.

The Nazis sought not to preserve so much as reshape; to “control the genetic destiny of the planet,” she says, to streamline nature to their desires and destroy everything else while the Zabinskis wanted to sustain the lives of the animals and people they cared for.

Yet, there was a common ground between them all, unsettlingly enabling Ackerman to get close to her subjects, whether Nazi or hero, and frightening the naturalist in Ackerman. influenced an increase in enrollment at community colleges. The increase of students would normally bring in more money to the school. But with budget cuts limiting available slots, schools are forced to turn away students or place them on waiting lists for classes.

It was reported that the Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) growth authorized for SDCCD began at 2.21% before rising to 2.26%, which estimated $4.8 million in income for the district. This growth authorization has been reduced now to 1.34%, affecting enrollment management as community colleges will most likely deal with an over-capped and unfunded FTES. SDCCD awaits two significant decisions; the Governor’s May Revise budget and the outcome of the Special Election.

Until then, the district will have to continue its juggling act with hands tied behind its back.

Please recycle this paper.

Leo E. Laurence City Times

Gumaro Pina, in his fourth year at City College, can be seen painting in Curran Plaza almost daily. “I’m playing around with different colors,” he said April 24 of the dramatic portrait he was painting.

Curran Plaza art scene

Leo E. Laurence City Times

Ayana Mayer paints in Curran Plaza on April 24. “It’s really difficult to paint in black-and-white,” said Mayer, a graduating art student.

16

CitySports

City Times

May 5, 2009

Knights beat Imperial Valley in final home game Donovan Terblanche City News San Diego City College’s men’s baseball team played its final home game for the season April 29 at Morley Field against the Imperial Valley Arabs.

In a true testament to hard work ethics and a long season, which consisted of playing in the Pacific Coast Conference, the San Diego Community College Classic and the Southwestern Tournament, the Knights would end on a high note, beating Imperial Valley in a closely fought contest.

Sending the visitors into bat would see right handed Mike Scaramella starting the pitch, allowing only two hits and getting Imperial out with no runs scored.

City Knights’ first at bat would was fielder Hila Garcia, who took a walk to first. Lou Cazares ground out in a double play, taking him and Garcia out.

Next up was Garre Stone, who would make third on an error by the Arabs. Nick Parisi was out on a play to third base.

The second inning would see one hit and no runs by Imperial Valley.

At the bottom of the second, City’s Jo Callahan got on base while Bry Lukacik was out on a hit to centre field. Kory Smith singled, advancing Callahan to second. Dere Ancrum lined into a double play, ending the inning.

Top of the third, the Arabs’ Giov Rosales struck out and Tyler Beal singled. F. Bustamante advanced to second, which allowed Tyler to score the only run for the Arabs. Benny Carter struck out looking.

Bottom of the third, Cha DeCoite popped out at second, and Garcia grounded out at third.

Cazares would try and add to his eight successful steals for the season, but was caught out.

The fourth inning was short

Carlos Maia City Times

San Diego City College Knights baseball’s Knights Josh LoVullo tags out Imperial Valley’s runner at first base April 29. The Arabs would only score one run in their loss to City. The Knights would win the final home game at Morley Field, 3-1. lived with only one hit from the Arabs.

Bottom of the fourth Garre was out on a pop, and Parisi would double to right field, adding to his 14 doubles of the season.

Callahan singled to first.

Lukacik reached on a fielder’s choice but Callahan was out at second.

The fifth inning found Imperial Valley out with two fly balls and a ground out at fifth, taking the game to the bottom of the fifth.

City’s Smith walked to first.

Ancrum singled up the middle, moving Smith to second. DeCoite popped and Hila singled, scoring on an error, Ancrum also scored on an error. Smith scored and Cazares struck out.

The sixth would see quick outs for the Arabs with no hits.

At the bottom of the sixth, City’s Parisi singled, which brought him to 48 hits, a .427 on base percentage.

Next at bat, Callahan hit the

ball but was out on a fly, but Parisi was able to move to second.

Lukacik grounded out and Smith was out on a fly to centre field, ending the sixth inning.

The seventh inning for the Arabs did not go well as they shut the first half of the inning with no runs, with outs due to a combination of being caught looking and grounding out.

The Knights’ Ancrum reached base on an error, stole second, then quickly advanced to third.

But it was in vain as Garcia was called out looking and Cazares was out swinging, ending with Stone grounding out.

The eighth inning would see no hits and the three batters out in a row for the Arabs. Bottom of the eighth would see no hits or runs by the Knights.

In the final inning, Imperial Valley attempted to come back, but City crushed those attempts, taking the game from the Arabs at 3-1.

Sad day for City basketball

stock.xchng Courtesy Photo

10th Harry West Golf Tournament set for May 15 Donovan Terblanche City Times This year’s Harry West Golf Tournament will be held at the East Lake County Club on May 15.

The tournament is in honor of the much-loved Harry West, a former longtime athletics director at City College.

The tournament will begin with a shotgun start, and the money raised will go to the Harry West Scholarship fund.

The qualified recipients must be currently enrolled at San Diego City College,

must have participated in two athletic seasons and have a grade point average of 2.5 or better.

They must also have been selected to the All-Conference Team at least once.

The annual event is a major fundraiser for the scholarship, and the awards are handed out to the most deserving players at the annual Athletics Banquet.

The cost will be $125 per golfer and $450 for a four-person team, and includes 18 holes of golf and a number of other goodies.

A sad day for San Diego City College, and a sad day for me as a student and sports fan.

Having been at City College for a short while now and taken the prerequisite classes in health and gym, I was far from impressed for the need to take both these classes. But looking back I am glad that I did. I have met some new friends and learned quite a bit.

My sadness, however, as the newlyappointed sports editor for City Times comes with the news that five of our top starters in the men’s basketball team are leaving.

From the coverage of my first game to now, I have become a big fan of the Knight’s basketball team. The young men have consistently impressed and excelled at their chosen profession. The camaraderie, teamwork and understanding among the players have been hugely impressive.

My interaction with the team has always been reciprocated in a professional, friendly and polite manner. Not once have I heard the word “I” from one of the players, regardless of how well they excelled in their individual endeavors. Every quote given to me has been in regards to the

Speaking of Sports Donovan Terblanche

team and being one part of the bigger picture.

The departures will see Marquintice Davis going to CSU Dominguez with Latroy Taylor headed to Lubbock Christian University in Texas. The gentle giant Myles Luttman is off to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Malcolm Thomas will be playing for San Diego State University and Thomas McGuire moves onto CSU Fullerton.

Coach Mitch Charlens said that all the sophomores that are leaving “have been phenomenal, and have all been committed to their studies.”

Charlens is proud of all the young men under his guidance and went on to say that “it is part of the ups and down of coaching, you share amazing experiences, and then they move on.”

Donovan Terblanche is City Times sports’ editor