City Times — Oct. 20, 2009

CityTimes

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Check out our tricks and treats in this issue’s Halloween section

LIFE / PAGE 6

Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

Volume 64, Number 5

October 20, 2009

Police Church group protests school target Gay-rights supporters outnumber Westboro ‘cruising’ Baptist Church members in a counter-protest at City C building bathroom is possible hotspot for sexual favors, authorities say

By JUAN CARLOS GIL Correspondent

The “Bathroom Cruising” community targets City College as one of their meeting sites, but campus police responds with an undercover sting operation.

Engaging in lewd acts — as marked in the California Penal Code section 647 (a) and (d) or trying to pick up someone for anonymous gay male sex in a bathroom — as the Urban Dictionary defines it are both considered “Bathroom Cruising.”

There is an entire community throughout San Diego that is dedicated to finding locations around the city where bathroom cruising can be performed.

The men’s bathroom located on the second floor of the C building is a well known site among bathroom cruisers, according to authorities. There is an extensive list of resources that target this specific location as a good spot to “cruise” and engage in sexual activities.

When reports of these activities came to Campus Police, a swift plan to clean up school grounds came into action.

An undercover sting operation got under way and successfully detained 16 people in the first two days, but only two of the detainees were City College students, authorities reported.

Some controversy stirred up in 2007 when Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was arrested in a men’s restroom at the Minneapolis airport for allegedly looking to engage in gay sex.

“Who the (expletive) cares if (a gay man) wants to cruise a restroom?” said an angry gay blogger. “Isn’t there a rapist or a child molester or a thief or a murderer out there to catch? This kind of ‘sting operation’ is just a witch hunt.”

“Students have the right to attend school without having to encounter this behavior,” said campus Sgt. Jordan Mirakian, who is a major contributor in the operation. “The district pays for the vandalism that goes on in these places, for example the writing on the walls or the holes they cut in the stalls.

“But more importantly, it’s for their own safety. A cruiser might approach the wrong person and expose themselves to an act of violence; then we have an entire new situation,” Mirakian added.

Law enforcement assures that this type of operation has nothing to do with the gay community since among those apprehended were married men, men with families, and the majority were “closeted” gay men and only a very few of those were openly gay.

“I believe that two types of people engage in this act, those who have to hide from society about their sexuality and the ones who are ‘open’ about their sexuality but seek a thrill and enjoy the rush of possibly getting caught,” Mirakian said..

“At what point do morals come into play?” art student Richard De Val said about the issue. “I don’t think that’s cool. I think that’s something students don’t want to bump into while going from one class to the next.”

This has been an ongoing operation since 2001. There are daily patrols and walkthroughs specifically looking for such conduct and, thanks to those efforts, City College has been free of any new reports, authorities said.

City officers stay up to date with the sources that announce such “bathroom cruising” hot spots in efforts to keep “cruisers” away from campus and continue maintaining safety.

Index

Take Note.................................2 News...................................... 3 Arts.........................................7 Opinion................................... 9 Sports................................... 12

JOE LEONARD City Times Shirley Phelps-Roper, a member of the Westboro Baptist Church, shouts as she tries to emphasize her point of view on numerous topics. She preached against homosexuals, military, the Jewish community, President Barack Obama and American society as a whole.

By ERNESTO LOPEZ and DONOVAN TERBLANCHE City Times

“Hey Hey Ho Ho, homophobia has got to go!”

This phrase was chanted by gayrights supporters as they waited for the Westboro Baptist Church members’ arrival Oct. 16 to begin their protest against San Diego High School. San Diego High School openly accepts gay and lesbian students.

In preparation, Chris Conyers, a member of City’s Fellowship Association of Gay Students, used a megaphone to tell the gay-rights supporters “not to antagonize (the gay protestors), to make it peaceful and positive.” The FAGS group planned the counterprotest when it came to their attention that the Westboro group would protest at San Diego High.

A ring of eight police officers protected the six members of the church, ranging from the father, Sam PhelpsRoper, to his youngest daughter, 5-yearold Mariah, who arrived at the corner Ash Street and Park Boulevard at 2 p.m., right at the time the high school students leave school for the day.

The group came out with their message against gays, military, Jews, Americans and President Barack Obama, who they believe to be the anti-Christ.

“The main reason we are here is because this nation is raising rebellious brats, we are here speaking the message of truth. Parents are raising them for the devil, a generation of evil,” Jennifer Phelps-Roper, Westboro Baptist member, said.

When 12-year-old Jonah, a young member of the Westboro Baptist Church, ADELA RAHMATI Contributor was asked why he believes Obama is the Members of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender group) protested across the street from the anti-Christ, his response was, “because momma said so.”

Westboro Baptist Church. The protest took place in front of San Diego High School.

“Every single person that gets this message are bound by the standards of God,” Shirley Phelps-Roper, another ing at a high school, but this is America, with protestors from both positions.

Shirley Phelps-Roper confronted Westboro Baptist member, said. “When (and) I appreciate the freedom to protest. he sends people onto the streets posting It’s unfortunate that we have people that Jewish high school student Kyle hate certain groups. I don’t understand Cochram and his friends, who were the messages, that’s your warning.”

Stacey Stevenson, concerned parent why they are targeting minors, but our wearing yarmulkes. She chanted at him waiting for her ninth-grade child to come kids will learn that our country is demo- that “domeheads go to hell.”

In response to her comment, out of class, said that the protest would cratic and that everybody has a voice.”

San Diego High students came out of teach students “a life lesson.”

See PROTESTS, page 11 “I’m concerned that they are protest- classes at 2:30 p.m. and they were faced

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City Times

TAke Note

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

n Through Nov. 2 Scare Away Hunger, please bring non-perishable, “lunch-box type”, canned food items to help feed hungry San Diego students. Just deposit in purple bins in these locations; Students affairs (D-106), L Building- 2nd floor lobby, Library, Bookstore or Gym. For more information contact cityfoodpantry@sdccd.edu.

n Oct. 29 City Wide Budget Cut Rally & Protest 3 p.m. Beginning at Balboa Park and marching to the governor’s office.

All unions, campuses and community organizations citywide are invited.

For more information; www.facebook/cityBeatclub

n Oct. 21 SIFE Business Breakfast 7:45-9 a.m. D121 a/b Enjoy a continental breakfast and a dynamic business speaker. For more information call the SIFE office at (619) 388-3071

n Oct. 30 Last day to drop class, and receive a “W”. Thereafter, a letter grade will be given. n Nov. 1-30 UC school’s filing period for Fall 2010.

For application assistance visit the Transfer Center-A111 or call (619) 388-3722

n Oct. 22 Marquilapolis 9:35-10:50 a.m. Saville Theatre Screening of the movie that depicts the factories in Mexico, Lourdes Lejan will be speaking on the topic.

Free Admission

n Nov. 2 Night out with the Knights 5-8 p.m. Gulf Coast Grill, 4130 Park Blvd. “Louisiana roots, California style”.

n Oct. 22 October is Transfer awareness Month.

Transfer Fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Gorton Quad

n Nov. 5 Fitness center Lecture Series 5 p.m. Harry West Gym Topic-Posture therapy for Athletic Performance Speaker- Nathan Briner For questions contact Paul Greer at (619) 388-3704

n Oct. 24 Kick Gas Festival 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium The west coast’s largest “eco-party” for more information at (949) 254-0561 or info@kickgasfestival. com n Oct. 26 Bought and Sold 11:15a.m.-12:30 p.m. D121 a/b An investigative documentary about the international trade in women. Presented by Amnesty International, Free Admission.

n Through Nov. 30 Deadline for California State Universities to receive transfer applications. Transfer Center-A111 or call (619) 388-3722

n Oct. 27 Fall Festival at the Urban Farm 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Next to the farm, between the ‘C’ building & the LRC. Music, pumpkin carving & fun! seedsatcity.com n Oct. 28 & 29 Day of the Dead-ALTAR 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Gorton Quad Spanish Club event, Day of the Dead. n Oct. 29 ASG Halloween Thursday Event 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Gorton Quad Free

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Fashion-naughta By Michele Suthers

October 20, 2009

October 20, 2009

CityNews

City Times

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Got the flu?

Health services says stay home

By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times

City College’s health services department has been posting signs around campus that tell students to stay home if they are sick because it may be the flu and to only leave their residence to get medical care.

“Don’t freak out, take care of yourself, stay home and notify professors of your absence,” Dotti Cordell, City College director of health services, said.

Cordell said that all district staff and professors have been instructed to make accommodations for students who believe they have the flu or for that matter the H1N1.

“Professors will try to send lecture notes to students via e-mail and extend test or paper deadlines,” added Cordell. “We want students to stay home. If you have a fever greater than 100 and or have cough or sore throat then you have the flu and if you have other symptoms then it could be the H1N1.”

English professor Elizabeth Meehan agrees with the district policy on being accommodating to students that get sick.

“It’s important to be flexible and let students stay home and have them e-mail work and call if they have questions about assignments,” she said. “My policy is to allow students to turn in work

a week after it was due if the student had to miss class because of illness.”

The center for disease control (CDC) is advising students that if you have the flu to stay home and wait 24 hours after feeling better before returning to school. If you get the H1N1 (or the swine flu) the recommended time is five to seven days “I believe almost all students are concerned about their education and will only miss class if they are truly sick, but some may use the excuse to stay home without being sick,” Cordell said of the concern students will use the being sick excuse to skip class.

City student Myesa Calvin said she would stay home if she gets the flu and if she sees a sick students on campus she would tell them “go home.”

“I think its gross to come to school all sick. I don’t wanna get sick; I have kids at home.”

Rachel Gonzalez, a child development student, said it worries her to have to miss school if she gets the flu.

“I can’t afford to miss class. I have to be there, but I will stay home if I have to, but I wont if I have like a cold.”

Cordell advises to have a thermometer, to have medicine on hand and to have professors contact information to notify about having to miss school.

College named vet- friendly CARLOS MAIA City Times An Aztec dancer and his fellow dancers group perform at the Dia de La Raza event on Oct. 12 at Gordon Quad.

City celebrates Dia de la Raza at Gorton Quad

By BROOKE LINTAG City Times

With aid from MEChA, City’s Spanish Club hosted its annual Dia de la Raza celebration at Gorton Quad on Oct. 12.

As opposed to celebrating Columbus Day, Mexico observes Dia de la Raza, which roughly translates as “Day of the Race.” However, these two holidays possess radically different views on a pivotal point in history. While Columbus Day accredits the discovery of

America to Christopher Columbus, Dia de la Raza assesses that “America” was inhibited long before the alleged discovery.

“I strongly believe that the truth is not told,” Beto Vasquez, Spanish Club president, said.

“It’s not until you start turning over stones about the magnificent cultures that existed there that you'll find it out.”

Vasquez says that the goal of the festivities is to educate the students on what he and many others feel is the truth.

“(Columbus) discovered America even though we were already here,” guest speaker Stanley Rodriguez, from one of the American Indian reservations in Julian, said. “All of these [tribes] were affected

by Columbus. People were enslaved or extinguished.”

However, the Spanish Club ensured to make the festivities both fun and educational by selecting presentations that integrate both.

See RAZA, page 11

By TAYLOR POULIN Correspondent San Diego City College, along with 13 other San Diego County schools, has been labeled as “Veteran Friendly” in a recent issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.

The list, containing 62 schools, highlighted the schools evergrowing population of veterans receiving higher education at the institution.

This is due partly to the amount of benefits veterans receive in San Diego and the arrival of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill that went into effect Aug. 1.

With the new GI Bill veterans can have their tuition and fees paid for by the VA. They can also receive a monthly stipend equal to that of a sergeant in the military with dependents (San Diego, $2,018). The veteran also receives $1,000 a year for books.

The older bill, which was enacted in 1944 had veterans paying out of pocket for tuition and would receive a monthly paycheck to hopefully cover the costs. This new bill makes sure

the cost is covered and does its part in ensuring the veteran can live comfortably. This new bill alone has changed the enrollment of many schools in the county.

Belinda Harris, a student service assistant with the veterans office on campus, says she has

“You can’t go wrong when all your expenses are being paid and you receive money to live off of.”

-Matthew Hosang, former Navy corpsman noticed an increase in the numbers of veterans coming in to receive more benefits. Harris, along with other assistants, acts as a liaison for the VA so the veteran can ensure they notify the VA of their eligibility, and in turn,

See VET, page 11

SIFE students learn business management skills

By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times

Students in Free Enterprise is a campus organization which focuses on community service.

They prepare different service projects every semester and their work is award winning.

In the spring, SIFE took their 15th consecutive championship from the SIFE Regional Competition in Los Angeles. SIFE director Leroy Brady said he feels blessed to work with an amazing group of students and believes what these students complete every year is rewarding in so many ways.

Senior SIFE student Alyssia Hogue has been a part of the program for two years and said it has changed her outlook on life. “One lesson SIFE has taught me is that you can be anything…

For me SIFE is the best thing in the world,” said Hogue. “We help people, people in our own communities; and all of the schools around the world really do make a difference.”

“Working at the A La Carte gives me the opportunity to learn how a small business runs.”

-Saurice Grady, A La Carte manager SIFE operates the A La Cart Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. providing snacks and refreshments to people on campus. Students involved

receive classroom instruction for learning how to operate and manage a small business.

“Working at the A La Carte gives me the opportunity to learn how a small business runs, from doing inventory, doing promotions and keeping track (of) student work hours,” said A La Carte manager, Saurice Grady.

The Business Resource Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is run by the SIFE students as well.

The center provides printing services, faxes, internet access, business cards, entrepreneurial tools and more.

SIFE also works with local high schools providing pregnant teenage mothers and fathers with helpful financial management

See SIFE, page 11

CARLOS MAIA City Times Graphic design major Irienna Sesma utilizes the services of SIFE in order to print up a last-minute project for her class . “I don’t think a lot of people use this great resource,” Sesma said as she rushed back to her class to hand in her assignments.

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news

October 20, 2009

Students connect with community

By THOMAS GUSTAFSON

Correspondent

At the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 24, professors Cassie Morton and Francisco Moreno, alongside students, presented City College’s Service Learning Program to a positive reception.

City College’s official mission statement entails connecting the college and the community, according to Moreno, this is exactly what service learning accomplishes.

“Students leave City with many memorized formulas, facts and theories but all of that can be more or less forgotten. Service learning, on the other hand, is something I doubt these students will ever forget ... it changes lives,” he said.

Whether it be City’s students teaching kindergartners to dance, tutoring high school students, helping seniors open e-mails or learning about biology while picking up trash from San Diego’s shores, service learning experiences generate from first hand experiences.

“I have never been so excited to get out of bed and come to school,” Paul Kressge, a student in the program, told the board of trustees about the time he spent helping recovering drug addicts with doing mock job interviews to prepare the addicts for real life interviews.

Sony Boyd, accounting student, said she spent time doing free tax preparation for the community during tax season. And health student, Joseph Stuart, said he volunteered 20 hours at the HIV clinic that came to campus.

“After completing service learning, many of my students, some of whom who dreaded the program, have said that they finally felt like they did something with their lives,” said Moreno, enthusiastically recounting City’s various service learning endeavors. “With service learning, everyone benefits.”

CARLOS MAIA City Times Professors Francisco Moreno and Cassie Morton present the Service Learning Program to the Board of Trustess during a public meeting on Sept. 24. Student Joseph Stuart tells the Board of Trustees about his experience in the HIV clinic, a service sponsored by the Service Learning Program.

“If we don’t make a difference, there's no purpose in our lives.

Service learning makes that difference,” Moreno said.

One such difference was made when service learning students were facilitating AIDS awareness by providing free testing and handing out condoms. If not for the awareness drive, says Moreno, one student would have

never known he was positive.

“There are just stories, after stories, after stories about service learning’s affect on both the community and students,” said Moreno. “If students do service learning once, they do it again and again.”

“The presentations provided the best example of education at its best and the obvious mentor-

ship between faculty and students was a treasure to behold. City College is indeed a special place and it is all due to its faculty, students and staff,” said Rita M. Cepeda, president of San Diego Mesa College.

“Last year alone, we had over 800 students do this. Can you imagine if all of City College did service learning, if all of Califor-

nia did it?” said Moreno. With praise from the board of trustees and a devout following of students, City's Service Learning Program has already completed 300,000 volunteer hours.

“I wish President Obama was here to listen. This is the dream of national service coming through,” Chancellor Constance M. Carroll said at the meeting.

City set to honor day of the dead

By HANNAH POWERS

Contributor

City College will be paying tribute to the dead this November thanks to students in the Chicano Studies 210 class.

The Chicano Culture class at City is putting together a celebration for Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, on Monday Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. to remember those who have passed and to highlight Mexican heritage and Chicano culture.

The class’s instructor, Abel Macias, gave the class a project to put together an altar for Dia de los Muertos and to host an event to celebrate the day. Macias is allowing the students to “take the leadership so they can learn from (the experience).”

Traditionally, the day is celebrated so that those living can honor and remember those who have passed. Altars are created by families so they can display pictures of those deceased, take offerings, and gather to remember. The class is looking at the tradition but the altar has a more modern twist.

“The Chicano Culture class is

creating an altar to celebrate one of the most important and ancient features of Mexican culture,” Gabby Gonzalez, a member of the class’s Research Team, said.

“Dia de los Muertos had been celebrated in ancient Mexico for thousands of years before the Spanish conquest, and today it is a point where both cultures (the Spanish and indigenous) meet and the Mexican emerges.”

The class will be unveiling their collaboration of the altar on Oct. 26 in the cafeteria and it will be on display until Nov. 4. There will be a reception that is open to the public on Nov. 2 starting at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

Arnulfo Brenes, who is part of the Promotions Team for the project, said he wants those individuals who attend the event or view the altar to “see this aspect of Mexican and Chicano culture that is becoming lost.” He said he feels that “we need to remember our ancestors not just through the altar but also the traditional ceremony.”

Details for the event are being finalized and information regarding the event will soon be posted throughout the campus.

CARLOS MAIA City Times

Blood drive at Gorton Quad

The San Diego Blood Bank donation bus stopped at Gordon Quad on Oct. 14 to attract City students to make a contribution.

Ignacio Valle, pre-nursing student, says he tries to donate blood “every opportunity he can,” as he lies on the chair inside the bus compressing the squeeze ball to speed up the donation process.

More pictures, more information Get more of City Times online at stock.xchng

Day of the Dead skeleton; the skeletons are typically made to represent the dead.

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October 20, 2009

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CARLOS MAIA City Times

This issue, City Times continues to feature services offered at the new Academic Success Center to give students better insight on tools available.

Student success goal of L building services

By JOHN BALCHAK City Times

Scholars commit to civic duty

By BRENNAN MACLEAN

Correspondent

For more than 12 years the Price Scholarship Program has offered support to at-risk high school graduates and current City College students striving to get a college education.

Launched in 1997 with the help of generous donations from the Price Foundation, the mission is to provide students with an understanding of how to better the community in which they live by assigning them to civic duties, and in turn, supporting their education with financial, academic, and mentorship assistance.

The program office is shared with the EOPS and CARE Programs located in the newly renovated L building in room L-119.

The Price program was located in the financial aid office until recently. The new location is viewed as a big improvement.

“I feel good to be able to help students out. To see them grow every day is my paycheck.

-Clemente Ayala Price Scholars administrative assistant “I love it. I love the window. I didn't have one for six years in my old office. It gives me a view of the outside and all the students,” said Price Scholars Program Director Maria Elena Delgado.

With a total of 57 student partici-

Photos by NOEMI TRACY Contributor Top: From right to left, Price Scholars students Luz Penaloza, Jazmin Ramirez and Erika Pardini work on homework at the center computer lab. Bottom: From right to left, Magdalena Mendoza, Selene Hernandez, Najma Mohamed plan a Scholars get-together. pants, called Price Scholars, she explained the group dynamic.

“People always ask me if I like my job. I say ‘no, I love my job.’ It’s like a labor of love. We’re family.

We build that bond. If it wasn’t for this program these students wouldn’t be in college,” she said.

The program’s focus is to recruit disadvantaged, lowincome and sometimes homeless students from schools like Garfield, Crawford, Gompers, Lincoln, Monarch, Morse, John Muir and San Diego High by giving them a unique opportunity to enroll in college.

Demetrius White, an 18-yearold foster child, began his first semester at City College this summer with the help of Price Scholars.

“I wasn’t going to go to college.

I had pretty bad grades in high

school. Then I found out about Price. They told me that if I got my grades up, they would give me a scholarship. So, here I am,” he said.

The program awards $250,000 a year in scholarships. In return, the students commit to community service projects totaling 200 to 300 hours a year at places like Rosa Parks Elementary School, UCSD Medical Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, Fleet Science Center, and the San Diego Family Justice Center.

“It gave me an adult outlook when I started working. I started working at my old high school, San Diego High, in the office. I gained responsibility,"” said Lawrence Bermudez, a 19-year-old second-year scholar who is studying to be a dancer.

See SCHOLARS, page 11

The Academic Success Center, occupying the L building, is the culmination of many years of planning and persistence by City College administrators. What started as a vision to optimize campus offerings has now been transformed into a support service center for the next generation of students.

Funding for the L building project was acquired through Proposition S. This ballot measure, passed in 2002, provided $685 million in construction bonds to the community college district.

This was followed by Prop N in 2006 which added $879 million.

With funding secured, committees began to design a 28,000-square-foot facility that would create a bridge between the community and the many facets of higher education.

“There is a growth plan for all new buildings,” Yevonne Schmeltz said at the center’s help desk. “The L building is part of a master plan to create a community that is student focused and driven; a pedagogy of services.”

The building had previously been the site of the City College library and then, after the LRC was opened in 2002, became a multi-purpose collection of classrooms and offices. In early 2008, all departments were relocated and the structure was closed for interior demolition and work on structural upgrades. “It was completely gutted,” Schmeltz said.

Renovations included new partitions and ceilings, replacement of the elevator and stairs and installation of exterior doors and windows. Unique architectural finishes and “subway tiling” give the interior a modern, urban feel. The entire project, including

development and design, is estimated to have cost $10.8 million.

“Student success was the overall goal ... to create a center of support services for students,” Desiree VanSaanen, former president of the City College Classified Senate, said. “The idea was to form a cohesive, one-stop center to make people aware of services and keep them from running around. We also tried to identify and remove barriers and keep from duplicating services,” she explained.

In an effort to aid students, the mix of departments housed in the Academic Success Center were carefully chosen. Services for those beginning or transferring to City College include Assessment and Evaluations, along with financial assistance from EOPS, New Horizons and CalWORKs. Tutoring and other specialized academic help can be found in the math and English centers and also at the MESA and TRIO facilities.

Puente & Umoja offer culturally centered learning opportunities.

“We wanted the students and departments to learn about each other,” VanSaanen said.

This integration of administrative, academic and cultural entities is merely one phase of City College’s expansion. The Career Technology Center and adjoining parking garage, currently under construction, will add space for new departments and student services and be opened next year.

Construction of the new science building, on the site currently occupied buy the Modular Village, will begin soon after that.

Construction and renovation projects, such as a humanities building and M building remodeling, are scheduled through 2014.

“All of the space is filled,” said Schmeltz of the L building. “But, as departments grow, there may be a need for more room.”

CARLOS MAIA City Times Left to right: Noemi Alvarez, a special education student, and phychology major Alejanndra Castellanos finish off their day at the Academic Success Center.

Math Center new location ‘is like heaven’

By ERNESTO LOPEZ and KIERAH FORD City Times

City’s Math Center has been relocated to the new L building and Director David Kater is satisfied with the new site.

“We were previously in room T-208, (and) it was the pits,” Kater said. “That room is for like a chemical lab, no AC. It was hotter than hell. This new room, L-208, is like heaven.”

The Math Center Web site says that its courses are “geared towards helping students overcome the hurdles associated with conventional math instruction.

They are ideally suited to moti-

vated, self-disciplined students who need flexible schedules or have special pacing needs.”

The center offers three different programs: on-campus self paced courses, online self paced courses and one-unit credit/nocredit refresher courses.

Available remedial courses for the on-campus self paced courses are Math 38, 46 and 96. For the online self-paced option students can take Math 46 and 96 only.

The refresher one-unit course option is typically taken by students that have been out of school for a long time. The refresher course prepares the returning student for a full five-

unit math class.

Other students taking the refresher course do it to place into UC and USC transferable math courses.

Kater reports that at the beginning of the semester, the Math Center had 400 students enrolled in one of their three self-paced programs. However, that number of enrolled students may jump even higher due to students being able to transfer into the Math Center by Oct. 30 drop deadline.

“If a student is failing their regular lecture course, they can transfer to the Math Center,” said Kater. “If (students) stick with a class they are not passing, they

could end up failing, so by transferring, they can get a second chance.”

Diana Desalvo, a math center student, said she likes the math center system and she’s taking math courses on site.

“The lecture class could be a lot of pressure for those who don't understand math as much, so the way the center is ran with the tutors there to help, alleviates some of the pressure,” Desalvo said.

With the on campus self-paced courses, students set their own schedules. Depending on how many units a student has they have to commit four to five hours

a week to the center. Students enrolled in the online self-paced courses are able to complete their math work from home 24 hours a day, via math center online services.

During open hours, math tutoring is offered on a firstcome, first-served basis, but due to budget cuts, tutors are limited to the amount of time they can spend with each student.

Math Center tutor Bryan Constantine said he enjoys working for the center.

“I like being a math tutor so much; I changed my major to math. That is how much I enjoy tutoring at this center,” he said.

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City Times

October 20, 2009

Getting into the spirit of Halloween Balboa trail

By DONOVAN TERBLANCHE City Times During the cool days of early fall, Balboa Park is alive with couples strolling and kids squealing in delight at the prospect of spending an enjoyable afternoon with their friends. Come nightfall, all changes.

Friends are huddled close together. Couples hands are wrapped tightly when suddenly, a man in a chainsaw breaks the peace and creates chaos.

Now eyes are wide and at every sound, heads jerk around to the direction it came from to determine the threat.

But have no fear, these Halloween celebrators aren’t facing their imminent death. They are See TRAIL, page 11

Bikinis for brooms

By VANESSA GOMEZ City Times

Okay San Diegans, it’s time to stop pretending autumn isn’t in our future. It’s time to switch out our string bikinis for sweater dresses and throw those crème uggs and fleece hoodies in the trunks of our cars.

As a city that thrives on perpetual great weather and considers a pair of flip flops year round footwear, what does the City student have to look forward to on those breezy, colder fall days? Perhaps it’s time to trade those beach sandals for a broomstick or vampire fangs.

Halloween: the ultimate spectacle of make believe and fanfare of walking in someone else’s shoes for a night is just around the corner. We’ve come to know the spooky holiday for its trademark jack ‘o’ lanterns and gluttonous candy consumption, but the real question when the big night comes: What are you going to dress up as?

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers are expected to spend an estimated $4.75 billion on the holiday; where $1.75 billion of that will be spent on costumes. Nearly one-third of respondents said the economy will impact their Halloween spending.

“Nobody knows exactly why we wear costumes,” Sophia Laurein, history professor, says about the custom.

“The general belief is that Europeans would wear witch and ghost costumes to protect themselves from real spirits.

Laurein does admit that modern day Halloween costumes are driven by a different reason.

“Hollywood is a huge influence on the costumes we were today,” Laurein said.

So what are the popular costumes for this year for City students to spend their hard earned cash on?

CNN reports that the most popular costumes for this year showcase the memories of celebrities we’ve lost this year. “When you go to a party there will be a person dressed as Michael Jackson, no doubt,” said Jalem Getz, president and CEO

Eerie Events n Haunted Trail of Balboa Park Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street (main entrance); Now through Oct. 31; Admission $15; Contact (619) 239-0512 or balboapark. org and hauntedhotel. com n The Haunted Hotel 424 Market St., Downtown; Now through Oct.31; Admission $14.99; Contact:(619) 231-0131 or hauntedhotel.com n Haunted Tales of the Ship Maritime Museum of San Diego; 1492 North Harbor Drive; Oct.30-31; Admission: $8-$14; Contact: (619) 234-9153 or sdmaritime.org. n Zombiewalk Reading Gaslamp Cinemas; 701 5th Avenue, Downtown; 5:30 p.m. Admission Free; Contact: (619) 232-0401 or sdzombiewalk.com. The first 150 people to show up will receive a ticket for a screening of the movie “Zombieland.”

JOE LEONARD City Times

So you want to throw a Monster Bash?

By OLIVIA HOLT City Times

Could you imagine if you went to a party: Lights on, music extinct, refrigerator empty, groups of people you don’t know aimlessly standing around like a herd of cattle, not knowing which way to “moooooove?”

Ever been invited to a party like that? I bet you and everyone around you had the same cohesive thought: Where is the nearest exit?

Let’s face it, a party like that could only be fun by drinking way too much “pumpkin juice,” and even then, it’s not worth the headache.

Three ingredients are essential to make a party fun: Atmosphere, activities and snacks. With Halloween just around the corner, why not throw a costume party?

Here are some ideas that will help bring the Halloween spirit to the party.

Atmosphere: Lights, camera, action. A movie projector is a great way to decorate your walls. People like to be visually stimulated. So dim the lights down low, and project Halloween movies like Frankenstein, or classics such as the series Friday The 13th, during the party.

Movie projectors can be a little pricey; so if you can’t borrow a friend’s check out eBay Inc. or Craigslist or just rent one.

Yes, music and a designated dance area are key elements for any party; a Halloween party is not a party without dancing to the one-hit wonder song Monster Mash:

by Bobby Pickett.... at least once. Yes, this Halloween classic comes around once a year, so add it into your music mix for the evening.

Some other great songs that captures the spirit of Halloween: “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson, “Pet Cemetery,” by The Ramones, “Scary Monsters,” by David Bowie, “I Put a Spell On You,” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, “Love Potion No.9,” by The Searchers, “Werewolves of London,”

by Warren Zevon, “Psycho Killer,” by the Talking Heads.

For decorations try a 99 cent store. Cob webs and plastic spiders are easy to put up and give a frightful scare. You should be able to find Halloween themed cups, paper plates and napkins too. If you wanted to have some original decorations, invite friends over a couple of days before the big bash and carve, decorate or paint some pumpkins.

People put time and thought into their costumes, they should be rewarded.

Having a costume contest is a great way to do that. Categories could include: most original, funniest, realistic, sexiest, best-couple costumes and the list goes on. If you wanted to hand prizes to the winners, giftcertificates are never a bad route.

If you wanted to budget and save, get creative. Look for supply and demand.

A line for the bathroom can always be expected. A vocal outburst about the length of the line will likely occur. Hand a winner a bathroom pass, which allows them to cut to the front of the line for the rest of the evening.

People love to change the music in order to dance to their favorite song, hand them a music pass. To spruce up the snack bar, try this pumpkin pie cheese cake to the left.

Hope these ideas help to spark and ignite your imagination this Halloween season.

Sweet pumpkin pie cheesecake

See Bikinis, page 11

CityArts

October 20, 2009

City Times

7

KSDS deejay resigns after 23 years

By DONNA P. CRILLY City Times

Photos by CARLOS MAIA City Times Top photo: Leo Cates gets ready for his last show as a KSDS Jazz 88.3 deejay on Sept. 30. Cates was a deejay for more than 23 years playing jazz tunes.

Bottom photo: Cates tutors San Diego City College student Arian Tsinge, cosmetology major, in the English Center of the L building.

It’s 9:55 p.m. on Wednesday Sept. 30; Leo Cates arrives to San Diego City College in his 1964 Ford Mustang aka “The Jazz Mobile.”

The thin-framed seasoned senior citizen steps out of his car in sweats, sandals and a blue Jazz 88.3 T-shirt. With a memorized set list and minimal preparation, the comfortable looking Jazz 88.3 deejay has five minutes before his “Late Evening Jazz” show.

For the past 23-and-a-half years, his voice has graced Jazz 88.3’s airwaves. This will be his last show.

“It’s real simple,” Cates says. “I’m opening with the exact same set as 23-and-a-half years ago.”

Cates is in high spirits. His energy and enthusiasm matches those 30-40 years younger than him. A quick out loud practice of a KSDS Jazz 88.3 announcement and an anecdote about “The Very Tall Band’s” requirement for members to be over six feet tall accompanies his brief set up.

Before March 1986, when Cates first stepped into the jazz studio, he had a 14-year job as a horse race journalist in North County San Diego — a career completely different from the world of jazz.

A year-and-a-half before his silver year as an eclectic radio deejay, the white-haired man chose to embark on a new journey. His new passion for tutoring students in the L Building’s English Center has led him to make the decision to give up his position at Jazz 88.3.

“They forced me to make a choice,“ Cates said, referring to the San Diego Community College District.

For a little more than a year, Cates has doubled as a tutor and a deejay on the City College campus. Recently, his once ardent passion for jazz in its purist form has dwindled.

Now, working with students on campus from more than 170 countries is his new excitement; and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the English Department is his new home.

“It’s sort of a moment in/moment out phenomenon,” Cates said, referring to his change in interests over the years.

A May 2009 issue of City Times, which profiled Cates soon after his 23rd anniversary with Jazz 88.3, noted “his passion for jazz” as “slowly dissipating.”

Since “naturally growing out of” jazz, the “art” has slowly phased from the center of his life.

Mike Kaye, a teacher in the Radio and Television Department and deejay for Jazz

88.3’s “Evening Jazz,” has known Cates for about 15 years.

“He felt it was time to go,” Kaye said. “ He loves working with all the students at City.”

Kaye was surprised when he heard of Cates’ decision, since Cates has often been referred to as the “professor” of jazz music.

A “walking encyclopedia,” some would say.

“He takes jazz very seriously,” he said, “he consistently talks about the art form and the composition.

Gary Beck, a long-time Jazz 88.3 broadcaster, called Cates’ sign off “a terrible loss to the family.”

Replacing Cates — although program director Claudia Russell doesn’t consider anyone able to “replace” him — is Chad Fox on Mondays and “Birdman” on Wednesdays. Fox is a former Radio and Television department student who got an internship with Jazz 88.3.

Now, he’s hosting “Late Evening Jazz,” playing tunes with a more “progressive sound, jazz fusion,” as he calls it.

“Yeah, I do have some shoes to fill.

Hopefully I can live up to his standard,” Fox said.

Before Cates shut the soundproof door of the studio and began his last set, he uttered: “In the immortal words of Porky Pig, that’s all folks.”

International Book Fair hosts renowned writer

By JOHN BALCHAK City Times

The San Diego City College International Book Fair returned to campus with a variety of events leading up to the full day of author readings and book signings on Oct. 3. A diverse selection of writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry were presented throughout the annual literary festival.

Highlighting the international range of the fair, authors of Mexican, Filipino, Chinese and Puerto Rican descent participated, including selected readings in Spanish.

Topics ranged from environmentalism to feminism to multi-cultural points of view. Featured writers read from their work, then gave insight on their ideas and

techniques and answered questions from attendees.

In the Saville Theatre, renowned environmental writers Barry Sanders and William Powers conducted backto-back discussions of the earth’s current and future states. Powers, who has worked to promote conservation in Africa and

Latin America, said of the United States, “I love this country. I am of it,” but also explained the value of, “...seeing things as an outsider.”

Marilyn Chin is an award-winning author of poetry and fiction and co-directs the creative writing MFA program at San Diego State. She read her vivid, sometimes hilarious, tales of unflattering family motivations and youthful misadventure,

See book, page 11

‘Bye Bye Birdie’ brings Broadway to City College

By BRITTANY JOHNSON City Times

“So put on a happy face,” sang cast member and student Michael Kuester during rehearsal for the upcoming musical “Bye Bye Birdie” while the cast and crew diligently and independently practiced their parts.

City College students, along with choreographer Alicia Rincon, musical director Mike Farley, and director June Richards are putting forth their best effort and full attention to detail 3 weeks before opening night.

Rehearsal began with a dance warm up led by Rincon, and as soon as Richards arrived, the run through began.

Stage manager and student Devin Morrow with spotted script in hand, was working hard to prepare the set. The scene shop class is currently in production with props and sets. “It’s great to have so many people [in shop class] working hard, “ commented Devin. “This is a really great cast

too; a great group of people.”

After speaking to a few of the cast members and watching rehearsal, one could see this was a professional group of actors.

“Things will start moving along quickly,” said Morrow, and they did.

Richards sat alongside Rincon on stage critiquing the actors as they ran through act one. “I gotta believe it, give me more,” commented Richards. The actors immediately readjusted their presentation and continued on nonchalantly.

“Bye Bye Birdie” is a stage musical from a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Stouse. It began on Broadway in 1960 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1961.

“This is a well known musical. The music writing is wonderful as well as the song lyrics,” said actor and student Rocky Deharo. “I have wanted to do this musical for a long time, and I always wanted to play the part of Conrad Birdie.” Deharo is putting his local theater talents and skills acquired as a fine arts major to play the

role of Conrad Birdie.

Stars of the show and students Suzanne Embry, who plays Rosie DeLeon, and Kuester, playing Albert F. Peterson, have been involved in theater their entire lives. “As a Hispanic actress I feel honored to have a lead role,” Embry said.

Preparing for the musical is no sweat for these performers. Kuester said “I love working with June Richards and I love the music.” The rehearsals are his favorite part of the process because it puts the finishing touches on all the hard work.

“Everyone should come see this musical. You’ll leave with a smile on your face, because it’s feel good entertainment,” said Embry.

Deharo said it is a great musical for first timers. “If you haven’t seen it, you should come. It will make you forget your life for a few hours and make you laugh and smile.”

“Bye Bye Birdie” premieres Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. in Saville Theatre and runs Friday through Sunday for the following three weeks. General admission tickets are $15.

BRITTANY JOHNSON City Times Students rehearse for the upcoming play “Bye Bye Birdie,” which will be performed in the Saville Theatre.

Student, senior and military service men and women tickets are $10. For reservations please call (619) 388-3676. For more information visit www.sdcity.edu/savilletheater/events.asp.

8

City Times

ARTS

October 20, 2009

‘Inglourious Basterds’ Quentin Tarantino’s picturesque WWII film regales the demise of the Third Reich

Movie Review Bri Heath

Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds’” Colonel Hans Landa, should consider moving on to American films. He does an amazing job of portraying someone who is, on the one hand, a bad guy, and on the other, an average guy. However, Waltz does a fabulous job of combining the evil side with the “everyday Johann” and making it completely realistic.

Continued below

SHEVAUN BRANDOM and ALLEN RAMIREZ City Times photo illustration

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS and THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY Courtesy Images

Melanie Laurent plays Shosanna Dreyfus (left) and Christoph Waltz plays Col. Hans Landa (right) in Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” Dreyfus’ Jewish family was murdered by Landa’s Nazi troop in WWII France. n

Continued from above

In “Inglourious Basterds,” the previews seem to mark Brad Pitt’s Lieutenant Aldo Raine - also known as “Aldo the Apache” - as the main character - however, Melanie Laurent’s Shosanna Dreyfus gives him a good run for his money.

Her family is murdered by Landa’s men; she takes off - and he surprisingly lets her go.

The story is set in Nazi-occupied France, where a group of American soldiers calling themselves “The Inglourious Basterds,” are hunting down and killing Nazi soldiers. Their group not only kills and scalps Nazis, but leaves them alive.

The point of this is, one: to learn enemy

data; two: to send a message throughout the troops about them and three: so that Aldo may carve a swastika onto a surviving Nazi’s forehead. This adds to the other Nazis’ fear and identifies him to everyone he’ll ever meet.

Shosanna, now the owner of a cinema, goes by the name of Emmanuelle. She meets a young Nazi who turns out to be both the real-life main character and actor of a German film called “Nation’s Pride,” which is about his triumph against many enemies. Since he likes her, he convinces his boss to let the premiere run in her theater, which she then decides to burn down.

Ultimately, both groups have one goal: kill Hitler. Special effects used toward a

fire scene where Shosanna’s face lights up behind dancing flames in a theater is well-done; the flames appear to show her on fire, whilst laughing, giving her a rather devilish effect.

Pitt’s acting was that of what we have come to expect from him - a combination of funny and good action. Laurent does a great job, never faltering from her role.

Diane Krueger, who plays a German actress turned American spy, also plays her part better than most would.

Cinematography was good as well, especially a scene shot from an aerial view, which then spirals downward onto Shosanna, who is looking out a window.

She looks stunning in this scene, exhibiting a rosy dress. Krueger’s costume was

also marvelous - her evening gown reminiscent of a huge actress.

Setup of the movie, which runs similar to a video book, usually boring and annoying, works advantageously to the film.

The only problem with a video book is the need for a narrator - who, in this film, really isn’t that great.

Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed, doing an ever-superb job. His fame for making a movie that contains drama, action, comedy and gore is his usual repertoire, but he has only gotten better.

Basterds will gross you out, glue you to your seat and give you a stomachache from all the laughter.

Bri Heath is a City Times staff writer

Mothers and daughters; fathers and sons Whip it, whip it good!

Bliss Cavendar lives in small town Bodeen, Texas, where all she has to look forward to are beauty pageants her mother insists she partake in, working at the town diner The Oink Joint, where the biggest thrill is whoever eats a Squealer, a very large sandwich, in 3 minutes gets it for free and getting out of high school alive.

In Drew Barrymore’s impressive directorial debut, “Whip It,” Oscar nominated Ellen Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a 17-yearold who doesn’t seem to fit in to the Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageants her mother forces her to be in; she has no boyfriend and is a class misfit.

But one day her mother decides to treat her to a day of shopping in Austin.

While she is there buying a pair of shoes a group of female roller derby skaters come in and drop of flyers for their next match and that’s all it take. Bliss finds her calling, or so she thinks she does. From convincing her best friend, Pash, played by Alia Shawkat, to drive her to her first match, to taking a Bingo bus filled with blue hairs to her tryout and eventual practices, Bliss is hooked.

Bliss finds her strength among the tattooed, tough talking women who make up the roller derby league. She learns to fight back, she gets a spine, and turns out to be a really good skater.

She does all of this behind her parents’ backs, played by Oscar Winner Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern. She juggles school, work, and trips to Austin for team practice and the team ends up better for it.

She becomes team star Babe Ruthless on the rink much to the dismay of rival roller Iron Maven, played by Juliette Lewis, who looks strangely enough like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

All goes along smoothly until Bliss realizes that the one big pageant her mother is expecting her to do falls on the same day as the championship her team, the Hurl Scouts, are competing in. This realization starts a downward spiral that, as hard as Bliss tries, she can’t hold together until it spins out of control, and she is pretty much left with nothing.

Ellen Page, fresh from her amazing turn in Juno last year, is fantastic as the class misfit who turns in her pageant pumps for roller derby skates. The actress seems to be on a roll (no pun intended). There is something incredibly real and heartbreaking in her performance that most actors take a lifetime to achieve. Tom Cruise still

Movie Reviews Tom Andrew

hasn’t figured it out. But 22-year-old Page seems to have it down pat.

Marcia Gay Harden, Oscar winner for her performance in Ed Harris’ Pollock, is at once reserved and put together as Bliss’ pageant loving mother, then appropriately dowdy and working class when she resumes her day job as a mail carrier.

She handles both of these very different sides of herself with ease and never gets cartoony.

The supporting cast is strong and very enjoyable, from Jimmy Fallon’s derby announcer to Juliette Lewis’ turn as aforementioned Iron Maven. Life seems to have taken a toll on the actress, but her Maven hip checks and clotheslines in the rink, and off, as if she has been skating her whole life.

However it’s Kristin Wiig, of Saturday Night Live, who stretches her acting chops being a tough derby chick and a caring mother as well.

Barrymore has been in the movie business long enough that she should be directing by now, and has a nice style and keeps the film well paced.

Whip It may be seen as a “chick flick”, but it is also a sports film and a coming of age dramedy that is sure to please both men and women. See it on the big screen.

The derby footage, Page and shots of Austin are worth the price alone.

8 out of 10 stars

FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES Courtesy Images Ellen Page stars as Bliss Cavendar, aka “Babe Ruthless,” in “Whip It,” Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut.

‘The Boys are Back’ and are going to be just fine Sportswriter Simon Carr wrote “The Boys are Back in Town,” a memoir about a father’s journey through death, parenting and ultimately self-discovery and is now the film “The Boys Are Back” starring Clive Owen.

Owen plays Australian sportswriter Joe Warr, who spends very little time at home with his second wife, Laura and son, Artie and who spends even less time with his eldest son, Harry, from his first marriage, who lives in England.

He travels and works and comes home to find dinner parties, birthdays and, well, life, all taken care of by Laura. She tends to Artie and keeps the house in order.

Fresh cut flowers adorn every room, and

MATT NETTHEIM/COUR AND MIRAMAX FILMS Courtesy Image Inspired by a true story, “The Boys are Back” follows a recent widower and his plunge into single fatherdom. the house looks something like a magazine spread.

All of that comes to a crashing halt when Laura dies unexpectedly, leaving him with the house, his son, her parents, and his grief, which comes and goes and lashes out when he least expects it.

He is faced with taking care of everything, and most importantly, taking care

his young son Artie who he has only been seeing on weekends. His motherin-law, Barbara, played by Julia Blake, is certain that she should take care of Artie because she feels there is no way Joe will be able to deal with his own pain, his work and his young sons loss. Blake’s Barbara

See FATHERS, page 11

CityVoice

October 20, 2009

9

Urbanalities By Michele Suthers

Silence free speech?

We are extremely fortunate to study in a country where freedom of speech is our right as stated in the first Amendment and encouraged as part of the education process. As journalism students, we at City Times feel it is unjust to have individuals in this country threatening our right to free speech.

The President of Los Angeles City College, Jamillah Moore, and her administrative colleagues, have become a threat to the freedom of student press.

The Collegian, LACC’s student newspaper, is facing an ongoing battle with Moore in what seems as an act of retaliation. Reports are surfacing that Moore pressured student reporters to sign releases for recording public meetings. Moore has attempted to “silence” the Collegian by cutting the budget for the paper 40 percent, while other student organizations faced cuts of only 15 percent.

In recent news coverage, the paper’s adviser, Rhonda Guess, said that these attacks against the Collegian spawn from their reports of the school’s basketball team “falsifying residency status in order to receive in-state tuition.”

Journalists are groomed to speak on behalf of the community and to have someone in an authoritative role regulate the content of a student newspaper only stifles their voices.

Journalists are not meant to spread propaganda of the elite or carry out the personal agenda of just one group.

As journalists, it is our duty to give an unbiased view of the news, to try to speak for both sides of the story and remain

City Times

objective at all times. Glorified publicists we are not.

To have to deal with looming budget cuts to school programs because of a declining economy is scary enough but to have to deal with cuts to programs because your newspaper doesn’t worship some administration’s agenda is horrific.

Editorial

City Times Editorial Board It is unfortunate that student journalism programs like LACC have such a negative support system that might discourage the creative learning process. To have this experience be a first taste of the industry at such a young stage in their education only discourages the interest these students might have in lifelong careers.

At City Times, we find positive reinforcement from our adviser, faculty and staff, and those that hold higher administrative positions.

In support of our colleagues at LACC, we join the fight to protect our freedom of speech. We stand behind the common message that numerous schools across the country have declared: “We will not tolerate administrations that, for their own benefit, try to silence the voice of a student free press.

We will continue to rebuke those in power who attempt to diminish that freedom, and we will not be silenced.”

As put best by our colleagues at CSU Fullerton: “An attack on free speech anywhere is an attack on free speech everywhere.”

Confessions of a procrastinator My greatest moments of creativity usually arise at the absolute last minute before a deadline.

In fact, I’d say that a solid 89.7% of my young life is a last-minute affair.

Let me explain with an example: When I was a senior in high school, I took one of those advanced placement classes in Studio Art. For college credit, I had to make a portfolio of photographic slides and “quality pieces” to submit to the College Board of Education.

Half of the portfolio included a concentration, which required me to choose a subject and “concentrate” my photos toward an original idea.

Long story short, I farted around all semester and took random pictures of whatever I

Donna’s Digs Donna P. Crilly

saw; photo-shopping some, manually developing others.

When it was time to put my portfolio together, I had to pull a concentration from the dimples of my butt cheeks.

I looked at my pictures and the best ones were of inanimate

objects. I pulled together a colorful fire hydrant, a Coachella flyer, giant pipes spewing water onto the Oceanside beaches and an assorted array of pictures that wouldn’t normally string together as a cohesive piece.

The result: “Inanimate Objects Portraying Art” and nine units of college credit earned.

My inspiring tale of procrastination is not an act I would encourage on a regular basis; however, sometimes, last minute efforts keep you on your toes, keep things fresh. I personally think that I get my best work done last minute.

Case in point are the times where I’ve struggled, stressed and labored over projects for

See CONFESSIONS, page 10

Scary movies don’t help when in an ‘I’m scared’ mind set As Halloween approaches, I find myself in that “easily scared” mind-set that doesn’t help when it comes to going to sleep at a decent hour.

Add watching what is called one of the “scariest movies of the decade,” my mind-set goes from scared to down right too scared out of my mind to go to bed.

So I went to see Paranormal Activity a few weekends ago with a couple of friends. I had heard the buzz about the movie and overall pretty good reviews.

I don’t usually pay attention to reviews that much as I try to remain objective and open minded when I go see a movie, so I was rather excited to go see this new scary movie.

And yes, the movie was pretty scary, and I have to admit that I was a little too scared to fall asleep

asleep because I’m thinking about creepy stuff right before bed.

The truth is, the movie is rather scary but in a different sense that scared me on a more psychological level than all those other gory scary movies.

Sure, those horror flicks like Friday the 13th and Halloween are scary in the blood and gore sense, but Paranormal Activity scares you on a different level that everyone can relate to: the fear of the unknown!

The movie got to me with certain scenes. Particularly the scenes where the one of the main characters, Katie, is seen standing over her bed just staring at her boyfriend Micah.

I’m sorry, but having someone staring at you while you sleep is so frightening to me that it is one of the reasons why I always have

Live and Learn Luis Bahena

that night.

I hate that my mind-set goes there where I’m easily scared and frightened by any little noise after watching scary movies, but that’s what happens.

So I psyched myself out and entered this paranoid type mindset where I find it hard to fall

my doors closed and locked and all windows closed with the blinds shut.

How scary would it be to wake up to someone staring at you watching you sleep … I get chills as I type this. It reminds me of the scene in the movie Signs where the little girl tells Mel Gibson that “there’s a monster outside my bedroom window,” where to Gibson’s character goes to tuck her in and sees an entity staring into the window from across his yard! Creepy!

Yet still, as scared as I already am, I find myself going back for more. I’m the type of person that likes to read about stuff and research this and that, so I find myself up late at night reading up on hauntings and other paranormal type phenomena.

It doesn’t help my cause of going to bed, but when I get in a

certain mind-set, it’s hard for me to get out of it. I can’t help my fascination with the paranormal and unexplained.

There are so many weird things in this world that I can’t help but wonder what is real and what isn’t. Yet still, I remain practical and a skeptical, but always with an open mind.

For now, I’ll try to ponder happy thoughts before I go to bed. But I can’t help but wonder in the back of my head if paranormal phenomena goes on after the lights go out. I think I need to get out of this mind-set and watch a Disney movie or something.

Yeah, I think I’ll watch a comedy.

Maybe that might get my mind off scary thoughts.

Luis Bahena is the City Times opinion editor

Vox Populi Question by Kierah Ford Photos by Imani Gentry-Faust

What is the weirdest Halloween costume you have seen or worn?

CityTimes Volume 64, Number 5 October 20, 2009 www.sdcitytimes.com

Jeff Amante, 45 Graphic Design “The weirdest costume I’ve worn was a hula girl costume. The costume, made me feel a little sexy.”

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

Vanessa Gomez Editor-in-Chief

Donna Crilly Arts Editor

Carlos Maia Managing Editor

Luis Bahena Opinion Editor

Ernesto Lopez News Editor

Olivia Holt Features Editor

Shevaun Brandom Design Editor

Heather Richards Copy Editor

Edlin Perez, 21 Undeclared “When people dress up as babies because the baby looks like it’s on your back, and the cow costume.”

How to reach us: City Times San Diego City College 1313 Park Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92101 Newsroom: T-316

Michele Suthers Calendar Editor Chief Illustrator Bri Heath Distribution Manager Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser

Donald Davis, 20 Psychology “Weirdest costume I’ve ever seen was skinny jeans, that’s so weird.”

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

City Times Staff

Tom Andrew, John Balchak, Cristo de Guzman, Nicole Edmerson, Kierah Ford, Imani Gentry-Faust, Brittany Johnson, Joe Leonard, Donovan Terblanche, Brooke Lintag, Brandon Catlin-Cheatom, Heidi Stenquist, Larisha Blackledge

Correspondents and Contributors

Juan Carlos Gil, Thomas Gustafson, Brennan MacLean, Taylor Poulin, Hannah Powers, Adela Rahmati, Noemi Tracy

Jesus Perez, 18 Criminal Justice “The weirdest costume I’ve ever seen was a pirate’s costume, with the black eye covering and the bandana.

It was so weird to me.”

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.

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10

City Times

VOICE

October 20, 2009

Don’t believe the hype; it’s not the end of the world As December 21, 2012, the date coinciding with the end of the Mayan calendar, and by implication the end of the world, draws near, the hysteria becomes more palpable.

Blame it on delusional prophets who are dying for publicity and have nothing better to do, the gullible minds who believe them, and the better-thinking majority who don’t challenge the veracity of the hypothetical doomsday.

Although Susan Milbrath, curator of Latin American Art and Archeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, says that even archaeologists “have no record or knowledge that [the Maya] would think the world would come to an end” in 2012, there are some individuals who are convinced, despite the lack of any evidence, that it will.

This is not the first time that visions of Armageddon, mostly by Christian fundamentalists, have been espoused. In 1844, William Miller, a Baptist preacher, pronounced

Perspective Cristo De Guzman

the Second Coming and, by extension, the end of the world between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844.

The year between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844 came and went without incidence.

Embarrassingly, if not appropriately, Miller’s failed prediction became known as the Great Disappointment.

More than a hundred years later, another preacher, William Branham, declared the year “1977 ought to terminate the world systems,” and also predicted “the city of Los Angeles would ‘sink beneath the ocean’ and that a tidal wave would

sweep inland as far as the Salton Sea.” Unfortunately, none of these predictions came true (unfortunate because the floodwaters would have, at least, washed away the grime of LA’s polluted streets), and it begs the question, if fundamentalist Christians got it wrong, then how can we be sure the Mayans were correct?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, why do people who should know better- collegeeducated professionals or, at least, the well-informed citizenry of this Information Age (their critical thinking skills are much sharper than that of the average Bible literalist)-cringe at the possibility that this doomsd a y might c o m e true. Or

they entertain the thought in public but in private, are certain that it won’t happen.

These same individuals think the 2012 prophecy makes stimulating cocktail party conversation.

I don’t think so. I picture a bunch of adults sipping cocktails and chatting about impending doom quite sad. It reminds me of a line from a Prince song, “Nothing comes from talkers but sound.”

People have such short memories when it comes to the end of the world. Well, let me refresh those short memories.

Nearly a decade ago, Gary North, another Christian alarmist, warned: “At twelve midnight on January 1st, 2000, most of the world’s mainframe computers will either shut down or begin spewing out bad data. Hundreds of millions of pre-programmed computer chips will begin to shut down the systems they automatically control. This will create a nightmare for every area of life in every region of the industrialized world... banks, railroads, public utilities, telephone lines, military communications, and financial markets.”

Remember all that? No? After a publicized non-event as Y2K, it should make the average citizen ask the alarmist, who do you think you are in saying the world will end?

Because no level of authority-scientific or not-can predict such a large-scale event.

It’s like a complete stranger having the gall Michele Suthers City Times

to approach you on a sidewalk, and telling you, you’re gonna die tomorrow. If it’s not religious arrogance, it’s mental illness.

Sandra Noble, executive director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, says that to interpret December 21, 2012, as the end of the world is “a complete fabrication and a chance for a lot of people to cash in.”

So if idiot preachers and their cerebrally challenged followers aren’t predicting the end of the world, they are profiting from it.

Take the “88 Reasons Why the Rapture is in 1988” (published in 1981) by another evangelist who wanted his fifteen minutes of fame, Edgar Whisenant.

Moreover, Hollywood is profiting from the hysteria with the upcoming release of the movie, “2012,” with the usual publicity, online and off, to draw the masses into the theaters.

End-of-the-world prophecies might make interesting cocktail party conversation but not good reality. It diverts us from intelligent discussion or scientific investment in truth (in a world already steeped in so many false beliefs).

Without actual evidence, we indulge in hearsay. Such doomsday hysteria makes us more stupid as a species.

Besides cluttering up impressionable minds, the 2012 prophecy is a red herring. It distracts us from real problems, it distracts us from asking ourselves, Will the future be secure? Will I have a job? Will I be laid off? How will I survive?

Like sex or pot or even chocolate, a distraction can be pleasurable, or like lucha libre or Technicolor scenes of doomsday in an epic film, a distraction can also be spectacular. But these scenes exist only in the fantasy of the mind. Once we shuffle out of the movie theater, it is back to reality.

Cristo De Guzman is a City Times staff writer

Where have all the polite and respectful people gone?

“What ever happened to ‘Please may I?’ and ‘Yes, thank you’ and ‘How charming!’” Late lyricist Fred Ebb wrote those lyrics for the song Class that is from the musical Chicago in 1975 and sadly things haven’t gotten any better. In fact they’ve gotten worse from what I can see.

I’m just a college student who was taught old-fashioned values I guess. My grandparents, and my parents, just gave me a few pointers on what they thought was polite. Through the years I have continued to do them. But the

Confessions Continued from page 9 weeks only to find my efforts futile in the end. If not futile, then just as well off as I would have been if I sauced up a next-to-last minute effort.

Overachievers beware. My procrastination tactics will match your hours of sleepless, eyedrooping nights of studying, until

more time passes, the less I see others doing those things.

The 1940’s was a bad time for some, but it was also a time when people looked at going to the movies, or to live theatre, as an event. It was something to get dressed up for. Nowadays, and I am just as guilty of this, people will often wear shorts and a t-shirt. A sign of the times most will say.

What we wear may not sound like a big deal to some, and honestly it really isn’t, but respect of others is.

We have all been there, we have all seen it, in fact we may have even participated in it knowingly, or not.

When was the last time you crossed the street and actually waved thank you to the drivers you were holding back? Or said excuse me as you passed in front of someone in the isle of a grocery store, knowing you were blocking them as you passed by? The most

famous sign of respect is to hold a door open for the elderly, or to apologize when you’ve cut someone off on the road.

These are all things that we instinctively know, but seemingly do less of.

The law requires that you not use your cell phone in the car, yet I can’t tell you how many people I see on the phone while driving, the many people who cut in front of you without a turn signal. So, why do we do it? Why do we not seem to care for our fellow man?

This world has plenty of great

things, and the more time passes the more wonderful things we seem to have to look forward to.

Thing is, how can we really enjoy those things if we can’t take a few seconds to give something back?

A silent thank you, a wave, an excuse me, holding a door open, respecting those on the street along side you, those things cost nothing, but in the long run, have many benefits.

Try it. It can’t hurt.

you tire from the content you’ve produced because you’ve seen it too many times.

It’s like passing a Target a thousand times on the freeway; you don’t notice anymore. It’s like sleeping with your boyfriend/ girlfriend too many times; you get bored.

The best advice I can give for procrastinators is not to worry about it. I find that if you know you’re going to procrastinate anyway, don’t stress out about

a task until you actually get around to doing it. You’re going to get it done, so go out and live your life.

With that said, I still admire those who choose to get things done straight away, because, well, that’s awesome; and many of you work hard. Just don’t kill yourselves and sacrifice too much leisure time.

Instead of being holed up in a bedroom or office marinating in your intellectual juices, thinking

about something too hard and stressing yourself out, you could be playing hacky sack.

You could be watching the newest Quentin Tarantino film in the biggest theater in San Diego.

You could be singing Celine Dion’s greatest hits at a dive bar with some random person you just met.

To me, these memories are more important than the ones of me massaging my temples while I hover over my computer screen

and force inspiration.

Ernest Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson didn’t become the writers they were by winning the “most likely to succeed” award in high school.

They went out and made memories. If they would have stayed in and studied all the time, there wouldn’t have been anything for them to write about.

Perspective Tom Andrew

Tom Andrew is a City Times staff writer

Donna P. Crilly is City Times arts editor

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October 20, 2009

Protests

Continued from page 8

is performed with just enough underlying passive aggressiveness that you can understand Joe’s frustration with her and her trying to deal with the loss of her only daughter.

Just as Joe thinks he is getting a handle on helping Artie with his loss, his eldest son, Harry, who he left at age six, comes to spend the summer with them. Suddenly Joe is now faced with not only the loss of his wife, but also his sons’ loss of the father he never had.

The fact that this is a true story means many people will already know the outcome if these conflicts, but to tell the rest of it here, wouldn’t do the film justice.

Owen turns in a performance that will have you tearing up within the first 15 minutes of the film. He never gets too dramatic, and keeps his emotions in check,

Book

Raza

Continued from page 1

Cochram said he “thinks it’s wrong ... everyone has free will (and) everyone has freedom to do what they want.”

FAGS President Michael Mitchell came out to the protest with 45 members.

“We want the high school students to learn that is okay to live the way they want,” Mitchell said.

According to Mitchell, the FAGS group invited the Hillcrest Gay, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transsexuals Center, the North Park community and other high schools in the county to come out in support of San Diego High.

Other groups that came out in support were the Patriot God Riders, City’s Visionary Feminists Group and San Diego City Commissioner Nicole M. Ramirez.

“When it comes to hate this is the greatest demonstration ever in San Diego,” Ramirez said. “For the students to be participating in this protest is sending a message that in the future this generation is not going to support hate.”

Sophia Keller, who is on the worship team for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at City College, said that the Bible does talk about homosexuality being a sin but “it’s all about having a relationship with God.” “Society is going to think that all Christians are like that, that’s what breaks my heart,” said Keller. “I hope that the majority of real believers will be like ‘that’s not right.’ We are called to love, not to judge.”

Fathers

City Times

NEWS | ARTS | LIFE

Continued from page 7

always finding a path to justified resolution.

Chin described her pieces as “immigrant anthems” and “raunchy stuff,” often centered around a matriarch or other empowered woman. “These are revenge tales, Zen tales,” she explained to an engaged audience.

City College’s Professor of humanities, Laurel Corona, gave great insight into her recent books “The Four Seasons: a Novel of Vivaldi’s Venice” and the non-fiction Holocaust resistance chronicle “Until Our Last Breath.” She recounted the inspirations that are required to write, “a smart read” including choosing an engaging subject, listening to one’s heart or “coming down with a book” and considering one’s long term growth as a writer. Recounting her experiences writing historically based material, Corona emphasized the need for diligent research and ethical consideration

Scholars Continued from page 5 The Price Scholars students benefit from more than just work experience, job training and a college education. The whole program treks up to Julian every summer for a three day camping and hiking trip, where bonds between one another are solidified.

“I was so scared for the night hike,” Nilah “Niyonce” Andrade, a first year Scholar from Morris High School admitted. “With-

Continued from page 3

Dia de la Raza totes mariachi music, folklorico dancing and affordable food as well as singing and dancing competitions for the audience to take part in.

“I think it’s cool because they’re expressing themselves and their culture,” Jonathan Vasqeuz, an audience member, said.

The singing and dancing competitions had a number or participants, inciting laughter from the crowd.

There were also educational booths, set up along Gorton Quad to educate the students on a number of indigenous tribes such as the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs.

Each booth offered a slew of information on their respective tribes ranging from the contents of their diet, innovative weaponry,

Vet Continued from page 3 JOE LEONARD City Times Five-year-old Mariah Phelps-Roper stands by her mother, Jennifer Phelps-Roper, in support of the Westboro Baptist Church group. Mariah and five other church members protested against members of GLBT, City College FAGS group and San Diego High School students leaving campus. just enough that you feel every ounce of pain, loss, uncertainty and frustration in him. He is the film, but we never feel like he is.

His sons, played by George MacKay and Nicholas McAnulty, run the gamut of emotions but never overdo it. Their pain is real and we feel it.

The direction, by Scott Hicks who is responsible for the Oscar winning Shine, deftly moves his actors through the beautiful backdrop of Southern Australia and gets amazing performances out of all of them.

The sting of deaths repercussions will always be felt, but it is how we choose to move on from those experiences, or not move on, that will shape our lives from that point on. The Boys Are Back is a wonderful, sad, and moving family drama that should end up on most Top Ten lists at the end of the year, if not at least take home a few 2009 Oscars.

9 out of 10 stars Tom Andrew is a City Times staff writer

when shaping scenes and characters.

Willie Perdomo is a recognized poet and publisher from New York. He used his booming, street-wise voice to deliver poems such as “Poet in Harlem” and “Smoking Lovely”.

In the lobby, and on the terrace outside the theater, local publishers, book dealers and writers filled tables with displays.

Most of the authors who spoke made themselves available to sign copies of their work and greet all who were interested. Vendors such as Bluestocking Books, Plowshare Media and San Diego Writers, Inc. staffed information and sales booths at this year’s fair.

Mary Mason and Doug McClure are booksellers who specialize in mystery novels. Sitting in a covered booth, they commented on the fair’s light attendance.

“It’s quiet,” said McClure. “We brought inexpensive books, but there has been little foot traffic.”

“There don’t seem to be as many people coming out to browse after the lectures as in past years,” Mason said. out Price, though, I wouldn’t have anybody.

My mom doesn’t really care. If it weren’t for this program I wouldn’t have any friends.”

Clemente Ayala, Price Scholars administrative assistant, once a Price Scholar himself views the program as more than a job.

“This job is more important than money to me. I feel good to be able to help students out. To see them grow every day is my paycheck,” he said.

Without an end in sight for Price Program funding due to scholarship monies being donated from the Price Foundation, City College students can begin submitting applications in December and high school students in January.

receive the necessary benefits.

“The benefits are pretty sweet,” said Anthony Scimeca, a 23-year-old nursing major and formerly a machinist maintenance technician. “You can’t go wrong when all your expenses are being paid and you receive money to live off of.”

For current student-veterans, most have already experienced the benefits of the new bill, but since the posting of the new bill, it leaves incoming student-veterans with high hopes.

“I’m just starting here at City and am excited to reap the benefits,” said Matthew Hosang, a biology major and formerly a

SIFE

Continued from page 3

skills, preparing students for academic success, informing about the importance of ethics and also offer motivation and mentoring.

Once a month a business network breakfast is held on campus, and local business owners and students are invited to attend to network. Oct. 21 at 7 a.m. is the next breakfast in room D-121 A and B. Hogue said she is most looking forward

Trail

Continued from page 6

another enjoying a spooky night at BalbHaunted Trail.

“We have people wet and throw-up on themselves,” said Greg Defatta, the director of The Haunted Trails. “We have people who walk in and run straight to their cars ... about 600 people leave with out watching the show.”

Clouds billow past the moon as the subtle light turns into an ink like blackness, and the stepping and dragging of a foot followsclosely behind with a scraping dragging noise over the stone walk.

Bikini

Continued from page 6

of Buyseasons Inc., the parent company of BuyCostumes.com.

For the frugal student, you can wear those tight black pants hiding in the closet, pair it with a worn leather jacket from the thrift store, and just purchase the ever-classic glittery glove that made the King of Pop so famous.

Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and infomercial pitchman Billy Mays are also expected to be hot costume choices for

spiritual beliefs, etc.

“The (Incan) culture itself, their focal point is their gods,” Cecile Vasquez, working at the Inca booth, said. “Every month was a festival to celebrate one of them.”

This importance of spirituality is reiterated by the Aztec dancers who divulged the significance of the East, West, North, South as well as their Father Sun and Mother Earth. They performed a few dances praising said regions.

With their colorful beaded outfits, gigantic feathered headdresses and jingling nutshells tied around their ankles, it’s easy to see why these dancers were the main event. They danced in tandem with the beat of their drum, sounded conch shells and trilled into the air, enticing the audience and passersby. At one point the crowd was encouraged to join them for a set.

“That was so sick,” an audience member said. “Just imagine them doing that centuries ago when they did sacrifices.”

corpsman with the Navy. “For someone like me who couldn’t receive the old bill, this new one opens up a lot of doors for me.”

However, there are certain requirements that need to be met by the veteran before they can receive the full benefit.

The veteran must have served at least 36 months after Sept. 11, 2001.

In addition, G. I. Jobs has posted a new interactive web site so veterans can search for any military friendly schools in their area. This site also has tools so the veteran can ask questions, review benefit information and seek advice dealing with their current situation.

For more information on the benefits veterans can receive visit www.va.gov or for other military friendly schools visit www.militaryfriendlyschools.com to the Tax Matters project. SIFE provides the community with a tax filling center staffed by the students and provides a website for downloadable tax forms. To date the team has prepared over 460 returns with a total of $436,050 in tax refunds.

“I am very excited to see our tax preparation project grow this year,” said Hogue.

New projects this year include a Community Empowerment Fair to inform the public about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, teen group workshops for practicing interviewing and presentation skills, and working with ninth grade students to prepare for the future.

As you pass through a maze of contortment, not knowing which way is out, motionless figures suddenly leap to life and come within a whisker of taking your life.

“That made me sweat, you can’t see in there ... it wasfun,” Tammy Servan, a survivor of the Balboa Trail, said.

As you walk through the mile long trail the night air is suddenly filled with a loudpitched scream and a terrifying cackle of laughter.

The screams make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your skin crawls. Looking into the piercing dark you see movement, is it a wild animal or is someone waiting for you in the dark?

“I wasn’t scared,” Delia Nak, another Trail visitor said. those wanting to pay tribute, while fans of “Twilight” and “True Blood” have revived “classic vampire attire.”

Popular TV series “Mad Men” also brings back the ultra swanky sixties attire, inspiring women to sport high-waisted skirts and men to don sleek menswear with a whiskey rye in hand. Hit up your parents’ closet for possible pieces.

Another inexpensive “already in your dresser” option is to follow other era attire, like the punk rock ’80s or the swing kids from the ’40s. Hunt down a hair crimper and a can of aqua net to finish your punk ensemble, and throw on a pair of wingtips to channel the big band era.

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City Times

CitySports

October 20, 2009

City Knights making big strides for breast cancer

By DONOVAN TERBLANCHE City Times

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just the name of a walk; it describes the progress we're making in the fight against breast cancer,” according to San Diego's Breast Cancer Web site.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is an annual event, which started in 1984 with cancer survivor Margery Gould Ruth. Ruth decided to start a walk to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society, and so the Making Strides Against Cancer walk began.

From the initial 200 walkers in Boston, it has grown to nearly 5 million in 145 communities across the United States, raising $340 million overall.

The month of October is now recognized as Breast Cancer awareness month with worldwide participation that helps raise money for breast cancer research.

In 2005, coaches Andi Milburn and LeeAnn Taylor got involved in the walk.

Coach Milburn said “we wanted to do something to get the entire department involved.” After some brainstorming on ideas to raise awareness for breast cancer, it was decided to have the entire Athletics department get involved.

In light of this, it has become a discussion in the health classes offered at City College.

On Oct. 17, prior to the walk, the women of the athletics departments will gather in the Harry West Gym and spend the night in preparation for the big walk.

The evening gathering for the girls will

consist of an accumulation of activities as they spend the night playing games, doing embarrassing things, eating pizza and drinking soda.

The women will spend the entire night having fun and it is possible that sleep will not be happening. This event is seen as a bonding session, as the girls get to know each other and compete in games where they would not normally get the chance to mingle.

The Saturday evening women's only event is now in its third year, and after a busy evening which looks to last until dawn. The girls will head up to Balboa Park early Oct. 18.

“We are proud to represent our College and to help benefit this great cause,” Coach Taylor said.

While head basketball Coach Mitch Charlens was in high school, the breast cancer issue struck close to home, as his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It affects all of us and we are moved to do more and raise awareness,” Coach Charlens said.

The men's athletic department have joined in for the past 3 years now and have helped to raise funds and work towards raising awareness, so for a third consecutive year, they will be walking with the women in the Making Strides walk. They too, will walk the 5 km walk around Balboa Park with thousands of others who are all doing their small bit to help.

In recent years the American Cancer Society has pledged to make breast cancer awareness a national issue as men are affected as a result of the cancer as well.

JOE LEONARD City Times

Knights jump to victory

City College played Imperial Valley on Oct. 14 in the fourth game of the Pacific Coast Conference Championships. Kristina Fernendez (left) and Chelsey Nicole (right) of the Knights look on as Darlene Nwagbuo leaves the ground for one of her three blocks of the night. City would go on to win in three straight sets after being down in every game. The final game would see both teams take the lead and eight different times, with City eventually winning 31-29.

Joe Leonard City Times

Women’s Soccer ties 1-1

City College’s Lady Knights soccer team played in a grudging match on Oct. 9 against the Palomar Comets. In a match that saw several yellow cards and was filled with very rough play, City managed to hold onto a one-all draw.

SportsLineup Compiled by Donovan Terblanche Submit events to e-mail citytimes@gmail.com or call (619) 388-3880 n Oct. 21 Men’s Soccer away vs. Imperial Valley 1 p.m.

Women’s Soccer at home vs. Miramar 3 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball away vs. Mesa 5 p.m. n Oct. 23 Men’s Soccer away vs. Palomar 3:15 p.m.

Women’s Soccer away vs. Southwestern 3 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball at home vs. Cuyamaca 5 p.m. n Oct. 28 Women’s Soccer vs. Cuyamaca 3 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball at Grossmont 5 p.m.

n Oct. 29 Men’s Cross Country Pacific Coast Championships Morley Field,San Diego 3:15 p.m.

Women’s Cross Country Pacific Coast Championships Morley Field,San Diego 2:30 p.m. n Oct. 30 Men’s Soccer At Cuyamaca 3 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball vs. Palomar 5 p.m. n Nov. 4 Women’s Volleyball vs. South Western 5 p.m.

Men’s Soccer vs. MiraCosta 3 p.m.

Women’s Soccer at Mira Costa 3 p.m.