Q BUDGET CUTS Faculty and students unite at budget protest NEWS / PAGE 3
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Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945
Volume 64, Number 6
November 10, 2009
SDSU closes its doors to transfer contracts Transfer admission guarantees to university may be a thing of the past By CRISTO DE GUZMAN City Times
Marty Block, 78th District state assemblyman, hosted a town hall meeting on Oct. 20 at Hoover High School over the change in San Diego State University’s admission policy for transfer students and high school seniors. “I wasn’t notified of the changes,” said Block, explaining his motivation for organizing the meeting. “I’ve heard of the rationale for the policy but not its process.” Affected by statewide budget cuts of half a billion, the California State University system has been compelled to pare down its freshmen admission by 40,000. SDSU’s portion of that rationing is 4,618 within the
next two years. A dozen educators criticizing the change outnumbered the two SDSU representatives, Sandra Cooke, assistant vice president of academic affairs, and Aaron Bruce, director of diversity. The students who attended were mostly high school students. “Anxiety is unnecessary and counterproductive,” said Cooke, referring to the uproar over the policy changes as stemming from “misinformation.” “Our hands have been tied in how we do things.” Cooke said. “We’ve been creative. We have empty beds. We have bills to pay.” Andrea Guerrero, chair for the Education Consortium of San Diego said that SDSU’s “empty beds was cost neutral”, and that SDSU only needs to find “another business model” to manage this issue. David Valladolid, president of the Parent Institute for Quality Education, pointed out that SDSU did not consult the community
MINERVA ONTIVEROS Correspondent
See SDSU, page 15 SDSU student Cirra Gordon turns in paperwork to the San Diego State admissions office Nov. 4.
City pays homage to dead By BROOKE LINTAG City Times
Photos by CARLOS MAIA City Times Inter Club Council Vice President Beto Vasquez hands out awards to the winners of the Halloween costume contest as ASG President David Campbell looks on.
ASG Bash haunts City By JUAN CARLOS GIL City Times
Pirates, bunnies and cowgirls roamed Gorton Quad while an alien dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” entertained the children from the child development program and City College students at this year’s Associated Students Halloween Bash on Oct 29. The quad was crowded with energetic student leaders dressed in their favorite costumes handing out candy and inviting attendees to participate in the Halloween inspired contests. Several campus clubs participated with a trick or a treat for guests who attended the festivities. Meanwhile, the disc jockey kept the music playing throughout the afternoon as students,
ASG members and guests danced, sang and competed in karaoke contests. Spooky ghosts lurked in the shadows of the haunted house inside the Associated Students quarters, while on the other end of the courtyard, big splashes were made every time someone was dropped into the dunk tank. “We want students to interact and get involved. We hope that with these types of events students can become aware of the different clubs and services that City has to offer,” shouted Inter Club Council Vice President Beto Vasquez over the loud music. Paola Martinez from the Amnesty International Club and Naomi Santacruz member of Visionary Feminist entertained the child development children with cookie and cupcake decorating. Over at Puente’s booth, a Fear Factor challenge was set up for the brave enough to try it; participants had to stick their hands down a box and try to guess what was inside: blood, guts, vomit, eyeballs or diarrhea. The cosmetology department did face paintings, “the most requested amongst kids was the butterfly design,” reported cosmetology See BASH, page 2
In honor of Dia De Los Muertos, City’s Spanish Club hosted several activities around campus from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2. They built an altar and hosted a comedy show in hopes of educating fellow students on the holiday. Club members assembled a rather large altar in the middle of Gorton Quad, complete with mock coffins, crosses, flowers and streamers meant specifically for the holiday. Following tradition, incense, candles, saints and bread among other items were placed on the altar along with pictures of late loved ones. All of these are part of the seven levels that symbolize what the South American cultures believe lead to the place of the dead, Mictlan. “(In South America) everyone goes out to the graveyards and celebrate,” Beto Vasquez, president of the Spanish Club, said. “It’s a jovial experience and very unlike Halloween here.” In fact, as opposed to the somber and eerie feeling that most Americans associate with cemeteries on Halloween night, those in Mexico see it as a time of celebration and festivities. Families go to cemeteries together and set up altars at the tombstones of their loved ones. They also bring the dead persons their favorite food while they were alive, since they believe that the souls of the dead have returned and wish to share that with them. It is only after they believe that the souls of the dead have left that the food and drinks are consumed. It is usually shared with neighbors and friends as gifts. “The Aztecs believe that the souls come down to eat and enjoy,” Evelia Talamantes, Spanish Club adviser, said. “It is a day to celebrate, to be together.” “Ten years ago I was the only one setting up altars on campus,” Rosalinda Sandoval, of the language department, said as she looked around at the festivities. “Now you can find altars everywhere.” During the Associated Students Halloween Bash on Oct. 29, the Spanish Club hosted a fun and educational skull-making workshop. Students and non-students alike were welcome to paint on the plaster skulls and either take
See DEAD, page 15
Index
Take Note.................................2 Focus...................................... 8 Arts.......................................10 Opinion.................................. 12 Sports...................................16
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City Times
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November 10, 2009
Fashion-naughta By Michele Suthers
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. 15 Bye, Bye, Birdie 8 p.m. on Friday & Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday, Saville Theatre Reservations (619) 388-3676 For more information: www.sdcity.edu/savilletheatre/events.asp n Nov. 11 Smoke Signals- A discussion by Octavio Romero 9:30-11:00 a.m., Saville Theatre For more information: www.sdcity.edu/worldcultures/ n Nov. 12 Service Learning (docent training) 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Veteran's Museum & Memorial Center, Balboa Park n Nov. 13 Veterans Day Holiday, Campus closed n Nov. 12 BEAT Club’s,’ Voices of the People’s History’ Back by popular demand. 7 p.m. Saville Theatre
Bash
Continued from page 1
student Fetsum Fantaye as she finished painting a mime. At the dunking tank, students got a chance to drop English professor Patricia McGhee into the cold water. “I told her I was sorry before my second throw, because I knew I was going to drop her; It felt exciting,” said City student Joselin Fuller. The Fellowship of Associated Gay Students and Straight Allies club had a “pin the tail on the werewolf” activity with bags filled with candy for the winners. “Even though this year is harder than others, we are still here” said June Cressy president of the classified senate charity. Pacific Organization for the Study of Supernatural Events (POSSE) held a
n Nov. 14 Spanish Club Community Clean Up & Beatification 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet in Logan Heights between Kearney Ave. & Cesar Chavez Pkwy. Food & t-shirt provided n Nov. 17 Panel on Gang Violence 12:45-2:10 p.m., D121 a/b Speakers: Azim Khamisa, Jason Ford and Reggie Madison 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 Nov. 22-27 Thanksgiving Break, Campus closed. n Nov. 26 Father Joe's Thanksgiving Day 5k Run/Walk 6:30 a.m., Balboa Park's Spreckels Organ Pavilion Minimum donation $31 for ages 13 & up Continental Breakfast & t-shirt provided For more information: www.thanksgivingrun.org
variety of games at their booth: ring toss, pumpkin head toss, drinking man’s game and a karaoke contest. The smell of burning sage at the Spanish Club’s “Dia de Los Muertos” altar was penetrating; bread, tequila, candles and other typical Mexican offerings were on the altars display. Larissa Dorman, faculty advisor for BEAT, and fellow members were sharing their upcoming events at their booth; their events are usually held every other Wednesdays in B-104. Zombies, tortured war prisoners and vampires entered the costume contest but the prize for best costume was awarded to Minnie Mouse and the Dungeon Master from the Playboy Mansion. “It was a better than expected turn out overall,” said Cynthia Michalas, ASG public event coordinator. ASG and student clubs can be reached at (619) 388-3412 or in room D-105.
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CityNews
November 10, 2009
Campus group to educate on importance of H1N1 vaccine and other topics City Times
Campus health center has recently created a team called peer health educators; they are students from nursing, psychology, peace studies and other studies volunteering their time to educate fellow students on different wellbeing topics. “It’s a cross disciplinary group of people interested in educating others,” Anthony Hartsock, PHE leader, said. “It’s our idea of social
responsibility and of wanting to help people around (us).” Hartsock added that this group was in part created to assist campus health services in their attempts to reach the entire student population with health minded messages. “They are incredible,” said Dotti Cordell, director of City’s health services, of the peer health educators. “The idea is students informing students, people of the same age, people that students can relate to.”
On Oct. 29, Hartsock walked around campus placing posters and handing out post cards with a memo to “grind the swine” and “curb the cough.” The group’s first task is to bring awareness to the H1N1 and to the vaccine. Cordell reported that once the vaccines arrive on campus the peer health educators will be going into classrooms with the message that the vaccine has arrived on campus and to encourage students to educate themselves before making a
See PEERS, page 15
ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times Peer health educator leader Anthony Hartsock posts H1N1 information in the campus library on Oct. 29.
Photos by CARLOS MAIA City Times Top: Rio Nesto shouts into a bullhorn as she came in support of the students holding protest signs behind her. “We all have the right to education,” Nesto said. Bottom: AFT Political Action Vice President Jim Miller (far right) shares the guild sign with other people as they march and chant down the street.
Budget cut march to governor’s office On Oct. 29, faculty and students from numerous universities and community colleges came together to protest statewide budget cuts in downtown San Diego. This is the first time that all San Diego County faculty unions joined together to march for protecting higher education funds. The American Federation of Teachers was in attendance and proudly held their local 1931 poster as they marched down the streets of San Diego. Jim Miller, AFT Political Action vice president, estimated a strong turnout of about 300 people. Miller mentioned the crowd consisted of “tons of students” from schools like Southwestern and University of San Diego. AFT San Diego President Jim Mahler mentioned how “dozen of teachers” had come out to join the cause. “We are losing a lot of part time faculty … and people aren’t getting replaced when they leave,” Mahler said. “People are really being stretched.”
Make a donation Look for the large purple bins at any of the following locations around campus: n Student Affairs n L Bldg. 2nd floor n Library n Bookstore n Gym
To make a cash donation or for a list of non-perishables being accepted contact food pantry administrators at citycollegepantry@sdccd.edu.
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SDCCD to install solar panels
Students to teach peers on health By Ernesto Lopez
City Times
By JOHN BALCHAK City Times
On Sept. 24, the San Diego Community College District board of trustees agreed to allow Borrego Solar Systems Inc. to install and operate solar panels on campus roofs, garages and shade structures. In return, the district will be able to buy about 25 percent of its electricity at a discounted rate. Savings are estimated to be more then $100,000 per year. Under this Power Purchase Agreement, the panels will be set up free of charge as part of a 20 year contract. “By taking advantage of modern solar technology and current renewable energy incentives, we are able to promote our environmental commitment,” David Umstot, vice chancellor of facilities, said. The entire project hopes to produce 2.4 megawatts of electricity annually, enough to power 650 homes for a year. It will be one of the largest installations in the 25 year history of Borrego Solar. Peter Zschiesche, a San Diego Community College District Board of Trustee member who had some reservations about the agreement and abstained from the vote to approve it. In a recent e-mail to City Times, he wrote that his “major concern about this project was that it (was) quite a departure from the public power system. (They) currently operate under where profit margins and rate charges are regulated by the public utilities commission. In that sense, I wondered how the profit motive would operate in our situation...” Upon further analysis, Zschiesche has now thrown his support behind the plan. “After meeting with ViceChancellor Umstot I feel much better about the project now that I more fully understand the factors that went into this power purchase agreement.” Zschiesche went on to explain that, because solar is an emerging market and the district’s installations will be quite large, “we are able to negotiate a great deal.” Another factor in his decision was, “... we get to do ‘net metering’ on the weekends when our power usage is lower, which will give us lower net costs overall. I believe that we have negotiated to our advantage on this issue ...” Some Borrego Solar’s installations are located at UCSD and The Egyptian, a residential building in Hillcrest. “We are delighted to partner with the (SDCCD) on a project that will raise the bar locally in sustainable energy development,” said Mark Pearson, senior energy consultant for Borrego Solar in a press release. Zschiesche agreed. “One big contribution of this agreement is that it puts us firmly on this new path of lessening our reliance on fossil fuels. I think our students and administration can learn a great deal from this process,” Zschiesche added.
Campus groups working to end student hunger City administrators, faculty, staff and student organizations pack lunch bags for the hungry By CRISTO DE GUZMAN City Times
The purple food drop bins were nearly empty at the “Scare Away Hunger” drive held at the Gorton Quad on Oct. 29. “Turnout is not good,” said CalWORKs administrator Cherie Bromley-Taylor. “We expected it to be overwhelmed.” “Scare Away Hunger” served as the open house for the Food Pantry, the first in City College’s two-tier campaign to combat student hunger.
Bromley-Taylor stressed that the Food Pantry is a ‘band-aid solution’ to the issue of student hunger on campus. Its target is students who forgot to a pack lunch, have no access to a microwave, or have no pocket change for a meal. The student will be able to go to a counselor or designated faculty, and ask for a free lunch. A ticket will be issued that can be redeemed at one of the pickup locations on campus. Bernice Lorenzo, program coordinator of CalWORKs, said it
has taken the Food Pantry a year and a half from concept to fruition. “We had a meeting at CalWORKs,” she said. “Then we had a subcommittee to chair the idea.” “With the college president’s blessing, the Food Pantry was born,” said Bromley-Taylor, who took the free meal concept to the powers that be. CalWORKs, New Horizons Program and BEAT Club are some of the campus organizations currently involved with the Food Pantry. SIFE, which donated
bottled water for “Scare Away Hunger,” will join soon. “Our plan is to coordinate all clubs on campus,” said BromleyTaylor. “The life of Food Pantry depends on how much inventory we have.” On the table for “Scare Away Hunger” sat zip-locked bags neatly labeled with dates in Sharpie ink. Because of contamination liability, the Food Pantry only accepts pre-packaged nonperishables.
See HUNGER, page 15
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City Times
NEWs
November 10, 2009
Westboro mistaken in high school policy Principal says there is no specific policy on acceptance of gay or lesbian students; more of an anti-discrimination issue By BROOKE LINTAG City Times
On Oct. 16, just outside of San Diego High School, six Westboro Baptist Church members protested against the high school's open acceptance of gay and lesbian students. But it seems that Westboro was misinformed. The Westboro Baptist Church’s website pinpointed the local high school as one of its protest locations, stating, “Quit (T)elling (K)ids (I)t’s (OK) to be (F)ags.” However, it seems that the WBC was misinformed about what the school’s policies. According to Joe Austin, principal of the school of business at San Diego High, there isn’t really such a policy. “I am not aware of any policy (site-specific or district) of an ‘acceptance of gay or lesbian relationships on campus’ — I think it’s more of an anti-discrimination issue,” Austin said. “But I’d hope that students can count on a lack of discrimina-
tion, regardless of where they are enrolled.” There are five small schools that create San Diego High: School of Arts, School of Business, School of Communications, School of LEADS, School of International Studies and the School of Science and Technology. Anisha Dalal, principal of the school of communications, Kirk Ankeney, principal of the school of international studies, and Dianne Cordero, principal of the school of science and technology, could not be reached for comment. Nevertheless, it was determined that there were about 500 gay rights supporters present at the protest. “We were glad with the turnout because these people were not able to get their hate message across to the high schoolers,” said Michael Mitchell, president of City College’s Fellowship of Associated Gay Students and Straight Allies (FAGS and SA). “The counter
protest drowned them.” News of the protest was made known weeks in advance, attempting to gather gay-rights supporters. San Diego Gay and Lesbian News released information on Oct. 3, bringing the planned protest to the community’s attention and addressing WBC’s reputation for “(protesting) against homosexuality, Judaism and Catholicism.” The protest was only one of 30 that WBC did throughout San Diego County that weekend. San Diego High’s Gay Straight Alliance also made their voices heard, shouting alongside City’s FAGS group during the protest. “I was very surprised that high school students joined,” Christine Klee, FAGS treasurer, said. “They were concerned.” However, a number of students did not even know what the protest was about, reporting that they were never informed.
See WESTBORO, page 15
JOE LEONARD City Times A San Diego High School student walks out of school on Oct. 16 and finds himself being cheered on by gay-rights supporters and members of the GLBT Center in Hillcrest. On the other side of the street on Park Boulevard, Westboro Baptist Church members protested the high school’s alleged policy on gay students.
Emergency button rumor challenged By DONOVAN TERBLANCHE City Times
CARLOS MAIA City Times Student volunteers sign in participants to the HUBU conference on Oct. 30, in which male Latino and African-American students learned personal growth and to respect their peers.
HUBU conference at City By IMANI GENTRY-FAUST City Times
Hermanos Unidos/Brothers United (HUBU) held its first conference on Oct. 30 at City College with guest keynote speakers Dr. Edward Bush, vice president of student services from Riverside City College, and president of MiraCosta College Dr. Francisco Rodriguez. The event was sponsored by TRIO. HUBU is dedicated to helping African-American and Latino male students succeed by: informing, motivating, and preparing them for success academically and personally. Guests were welcomed by City College President Dr. Terrence J. Burgess and San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll.
Following the opening ceremony was a powerful motivational speech by Bush addressing the graduating gap between African American and Latino male students compared to those from other cultures. The workshop that Bush ran, “Success and Selling Out,” generalized how people in the communities “that are being held down tend to hold their own down.” He told the crowd that as a young man he had to deal with others seeing him as a sell out because he wanted to break the cycle and not be another stereotype. “I’m not selling out, but moving ahead to be successful,” he said. Bush continued his workshop and stressed on how vital and important education is for young people, especially “people battling poverty
and working to beat stereotypical cycles.” Another workshop was “What it is to be a Man,” run by Macedonio Arteaga, education advocate with San Diego City Schools. He stressed on how students can overcome the mental take down of the African and Latin cultures and he also explained how decolonization ripped apart the great civilizations. “I hope that we remember this conference as the day that Black and Brown started an educational revolution,” Rodriguez said during his closing speech. The 2009 HUBU Planning Committee’s vision is to hold a conference every year and is working to make each meeting even larger by getting Latino, African-American and other students to take part.
Event back by popular demand By JUAN CARLOS GIL Correspondent
The Saville Theatre will host BEAT’s “Voices of a People’s History” for a second time on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. On Sept. 24, students from the BEAT club came together in a presentation reciting their favorite American historical speeches and performing political music. “Those who did attended the first event were very impressed and felt like it was a really inspirational experience,” said Larissa Dorman, BEAT adviser. After attending the first show-
ing, student Maria Martinez said she was moved by the speeches and “believes it is healthy for individuals to speak out.” For their second performance students will recite speeches from Abbie Hoffman’s “Steal This Book” to Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July speech and original song performances such as “Political Epiphany” from student Dustin Correia. All speeches and cast will be the same as the first with exception of this event being held in the evening so more people are able to attend. The September event was held during the daytime.
During the course of this semester there have been numerous concerns for student and staff safety on campus. One concern is that the emergency call boxes set up around the school in case of emergency do not work after 6 p.m. The red boxes spread throughout campus work on an intercom basis and allow a person to communicate with the campus police. Mary Bernard, vice president of instruction on campus, is aware of the concerns and has been in contact with Sheila HerronFox and Sgt. Kevin Olson at the campus police dispatch center. Herron-Fox assured Bernard that “there is always someone at the other end of the call,” to deal with any situation. These red boxes are intended for faculty use only; but in cases of emergency, students are permitted to take full advantage. Another system that can be used if an emergency arises, are a series of alarms. Only a few faculty and staff members know about it because the system is managed by campus police under much stricter guidelines. If all other plans fail, campus police can be contacted by phone.
Every landline in school has a direct hotline that is programmed to the campus police dispatch. Numerous professors have the phone number saved on their personal mobile phones. “There could be several reasons as to why this rumor started,” Sgt. Jordan Mirakian, the senior officer in charge, said. One possibility is that the ladies who work in the police office on campus leave to go home at 6 p.m. “Once they leave they lock the doors behind them,” Mirakian said. “This does not mean there are no police on campus,” he added. “The police are on campus 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year.” Mirakian said that he and his staff routinely check the emergency call boxes, the panic buttons, and the fire and smoke alarms. Marilyn Anderson of the Learning Resource Center said, “We do have concerns for being such an open campus.” Anderson did report that she has not had any problems with outsiders causing disruptions. In an attempt to avoid future safety problems, Bernard began working with architects, designers, school staff and campus police on how new classrooms could be structured and laid out.
Academic Senate discusses safety issues on campus By TAYLOR POULIN Correspondent
The San Diego City College academic student senate convened Oct. 26 to discuss new announcements and pending business. The meeting, led by President Berta Harris, covered topics such as announcements regarding the campus police emergency line to discussing safety problems. Sheila Herron-Fox, a dispatcher with the campus police, made an appearance to explain the hours of operation and some guidelines to using the emergency hotline. “I wanted to come in and clarify some main points because there has been some bad information about us going around,” HerronFox said. “We are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.” Fox went on to inform the rooms about using faculty talk boxes inside the classrooms that are used to call the campus police directly for any emergency situation. “Let your students know it’s there and they’ll use it,” HerronFox said. “Also, if you want to test it, just let us know and we'll help you out.”
Herron-Fox also distributed badge-like information cards describing how to use the emergency line and what to say. Another issue that initiated raised voices was on-campus safety issues that could lead to larger disasters. Joe Rangus, business department representative, spoke to the senate about certain discrepancies he has seen around. “I found an industrial sized power cleaner being charged, and when you do that it lets off hydrogen, oxygen and sulfuric acid that can get in peoples eyes and lungs,” Rangus said. This brought on a discussion of many other discrepancies throughout campus that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. Rangus said he spoke with the facility staff regarding the power cleaner and they said they did not know it was that harmful and were reluctant to move it. The issue of having designated areas for dealing with chemicals and hazardous materials will be discussed in further meetings. “When you have a system when people, in order to do their job, have to work around safety, one of these days you’re going to hurt somebody,” said Rangus.
November 10, 2009
City Times
NEWS
5
Spanish club part of ‘big clean up’ in community By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times
MINERVA ANTIVEROS Correspondent
City College’s Spanish Club and Associated Students are joining forces on Nov. 14 to help the Logan Heights Neighborhood Council with their beautification project called “The Big Clean Up.” “The purpose is to unite different walks of life for a sole positive purpose, to give community residents a sense of pride in their community,” Beto Vazquez, Spanish Club president, said. “And for college students and groups in recovery to have the chance to learn from one another.” Aside from cleaning up the streets, volunteers will help with weatherization efforts in select homes by changing worn
window and door stripping and replacing old toilets with water efficient ones. For the elderly, volunteers will help with any needed projects inside their homes and yards. All City College students are invited to join the big clean up efforts, the event will start at 2 p.m., and it is taking place between Kearney Avenue and Cesar Chavez Parkway in Logan Heights; the first 200 volunteers will receive lunch and a t-shirt. For more information contact Vazquez at (619) 787-4973, or visit the AS office in the D building. Last semester, the club conducted a beach clean-up, but this is their first community clean up on a larger scale in conjunction with public agencies and groups.
City’s newest parking complex to open in 2010 By ADELA RAHMATI Correspondent
On 16th Street between C Street and Broadway, sit two buildings whose completion is highly anticipated by students and faculty alike. The first structure, partially shrouded in white plastic, is a 10-story parking structure that will provide 694 new parking spaces, according to Senior Proj-
ect Engineer, Lawrence Howard. “The structure also features parking spaces specifically designated for ‘green’ hybrid vehicles,” Howard said. The other building is the new home for the cosmetology and photography departments and features dozens of new classrooms, labs, lecture halls, a computer lab, multimedia rooms and faculty offices. The construction is scheduled to be completed in April 2010.
City’s honor society in search of new members By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times
City’s Phi Theta Kappa is looking for members that meet the requirements to join their group. PTK is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 2 million members with chapters located internationally, according to the society's web site. In order to be a member, a student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and taking a full course load of 12 units or more and pay a one-time fee of $75. Alicia Green, club member, said that members of PTK are recognized on campus, regional and international levels of the society. Members are able to attend and participate in meetings, conferences and conventions, run for local, regional and international leadership boards. Members also receive a certificate and a membership card issued by PTK International and the honors society name is included on student's degree. To sign up, an application needs to be filled out and submitted to advisor Lan Hong. Once she receives the application, she confirms the student’s GPA and then notifies the San Diego Community Col-
lege District office about the student’s enrollment in PTK. The district office then places the PTK name on a student's official transcript. “Colleges and universities know a student is academically inclined when they see the PTK name on a student's transcript,” Lang said. “It gives a transfer student an edge in the admissions process.” Lang explained that City’s PTK has sent out official invitations to students that meet the GPA requirements to join the group. Liam Liedorff, PTK president, said that PTK gives members the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by managing projects and gives access to scholarships specially targeted for honor students. Upon admission into the honor society students get full access to a scholarship web site exclusive for PTK, fish.org. Provisional members that have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and they pay a one-time fee of $25 are also accepted. Provisional members are recognized on the campus level only at San Diego City College and are not officially recognized by Phi Theta Kappa International. They can attend and participate in meetings, attend Phi Theta Kappa Conferences and Conventions, and vote for officers and on issues.
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City Times
CityLife
November 10, 2009
Harvest Festival at City’s Urban Garden By BrI Heath City Times
“It’s one of the best events of the year…it’s all about eating well and sustainability,” fine arts professor, Wayne Hulgin, said, as he helped with face painting. This year’s Fall Festival took place at the Urban Garden on Oct. 27 . Karon Klipple, Director of the Environmental Stewardship Committee, mentioned that this year the main focus was the garden. The festival included: a salsa making contest, salsa dancing lessons, free food, live music, tours of the garden and a pumpkin-carving contest.
Terry Wilson, dance professor and co-chair of the ESC put the event together. “We had it last year and then they weren’t going to do it again,” Wilson said. “I thought that was sad, we should do it.” Children from the Child Development Center attended and participated in face and pumpkin painting . Nick Slinglend, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at City College created a slideshow about the Urban Garden. Bob Pruitt and Floyd Fronius entertained attendees with live jazz from noon to 1 p.m. Approximately 30 students
helped during the festival: serving food, giving tours of the garden and helping children with pumpkin painting and carving. Students also sold jewelry and ceramics which were created by art students and Terri HughesOelrich ,a ceramics professor at City College. Eva Zuzuarregui, an arts major, displayed approximately 40 boxes of her hand-made jewelry. Hughes-Oelrich, hosted a sale of ceramic mugs and bowls, said, she thought it was “a fun thing to go with the festival.” Student Kendra Perkins, won first prize at the salsa-making contest and received a bag full
of herbs, produce, and flowers. Hughes-Oelrich took second. Students Jesse Watford and Martha Marmolejo, both anthropology majors, took students on tours of the garden. The students who gave tours were from Professor Ellen Turkel’s health and weight training classes. Turkel said she brought them for a fact-finding game, to take a tour and to learn the awareness of better eating. Watford said the fact-finding game involved talking about the “emerg-
ing concept in America of the urban farm.” Michelle Jackson, a fine arts major, said she brought salsa and
See FESTIVAL, page 7
Searching for the perfect farmers’ market By BROOKE LINTAG City Times
Charlie Brown does not have to look any further for the perfect pumpkin. That and anything else that he prefers hand made or locally grown. Any of the San Diego County Certified Farmers’ Markets, open Tuesday through Thursday, hosts a number of vendors selling an array of produce and products. The majority of sellers at the markets boast that they provide a much more desirable alternative to big name supermarkets. “We all sell (fruit) that are organic, healthy and fresh,” Rosendo Godina, a produce vendor, said. “It’s the best fruit they can buy.” In order to sell products at a farmers’ market one must be certified, showing that the products are sold by the grower, grown in the state as well as having met the state’s quality standards. Before the start of every market the vendors are also double checked by proper officials. There are a large number of farmers’ markets being held Tuesday through Thursday and each at varying times to accommodate those with almost any schedule. Not only that, but the farmers markets are held within the communities, so that there is no need of having to drive anywhere farther than 15 minutes away from your home. Many customers bike or walk to their local farmers’ market. In fact, plenty of them are regular customers that frequent a few vendors. Many of them know one another by name and speak to one another with familiarity. “Lots of tourists come around,” France Manning, a vendor for Polito Farms, said. “Lots of regular customers come too. I just love when people stick around and browse though.” The Coronado market, open
Jennifer Pitman Contributor
Shoppers cruise Harney Street at the Old Town Artisan Market on Oct. 30.
“It’s the best fruit they can buy.” - Rosendo Godina, produce vendor every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., keeps things simple and provides mostly produce and a few flower vendors. However, a few of their flower vendors have quite an impressive selection. For those that do not find the promise of fresh and natural produce too alluring, fear not. Farm-
ers’ markets have plenty of food vendors. Taking a stroll down the Otay Ranch market, held every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., is equivalent to watching a whole season of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.” Everything from gourmet tamales, gourmet desserts, Jamaican food, Thai cooking and so much more is available to you. Almost all of them provide a small sample for curious food aficionados. The Otay Ranch market also boasts vendors for handmade
jewelry, hand made bags, baby clothes, etc. There is even a booth that is a “pet parlor and snack shop” for dogs, according to the seller’s banner. However, the most interesting aspect of this particular market happens to be the three llamas that are kept next to an Astro Jump. A nice mixture of fresh produce, prepared food and crafts vendors can be found in markets such as the one in downtown Chula Vista, open every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. They have some gourmet olive oils and cheeses for the at-
home chef to try, and some delectable carne asada, crepes, tamales and a large assortment of hot foods that are ready to eat. However, one thing is for certain when visiting any farmers’ market, make sure to bring extra money. With the plethora of services, foods and crafts to purchase, this is definitely a place where you arrive hoping to buy one thing and leave having bought everything but. So, on second thought, unless Charlie Brown finds a job ... he should probably stick to his pumpkin patch.
The never-ending story: Students stop spending and save I moved recently at the beginning of the semester. At which time, when it came time to hook up the internet, I thought about my hard earned dollars and what it got me. I made the choice to drop my cell phone and reinstate a land line instead. Now, over a month of not having it, I realize it was one of the best things I could do. The choice became a lot easier when I found out that though Cox I could get the internet and phone for under the price of just my cell phone, I made the switch. I work nights and all day on the weekends and my cell phone plan was free after 7 p.m. and on weekends but during the day when I was home my minutes were costing me. Having a land line again has opened my eyes on the value I now get of calling people on my time, not theirs. As students we have to make best use of our resources and I decided to cut some corners as well. Deciding to give up my cell phone off was no easy task. You become accustomed to calling people when and where you want. This convenience is the hardest thing to get over and I’m adjusting. Gone are the quick text messages I sent on an unlimited basis but then again, so is the bill.
Where there’s a will there’s a way, goes the saying. Do you need it or want it? What you need will come from working hard and
Adventures of the Fru-Gal Heidi Stenquist thinking before you spend. Lifestyle expert Susie Coelho, suggests sharing with friends and have clothing swaps and going in together to buy food to buy wholesale. Back to school items like paper, pens and pencils can be next to nothing when sharing the costs. Buying in bulk will save you in the long run. “Saving is all about being organized and focused,” says Coelho, “Focus is Key.” ABC news reporter Kim Clark, from U.S News and World Report, shares the “Seven ways to Cut College Expenses.” First, Clark notes to sell your car. Clark says it could “save a student up to $6,000 per year.” Next, she suggests to find cheaper housing. Whether it’s staying at home longer to finish school, or having extra roommates, find the best deal out there. You could also plan your
meals. In doing so, you’ll lay off the quick fix and high prices of grab-n-go pre-made meals. Clark also advises to find cheaper credit cards. Calling them “college lifestyle expenses,” she reminds students to watch choice spending. Look for best interest rates and promotional incentives for students. Also, slash your technology costs. She recommends not buying into the latest fads that can be expensive. Another tip is to not pay retail price. The average student pays anywhere from “seven hundred to a thousand dollars for books,” Clark said, who recommends e-books and buying used. Lastly, pay your bills on time and in full. “Don’t pay late fees,” adds Clark, “less debt is always better... less is more.” Ask around, everyone will tell you how to spend your money. How you can save it, and make the most of it, so listen. I heard someone say once, “Every teacher takes a good idea,” it has always stuck with me. I think it was a child development teacher I had, before I changed my major… again! What it meant to me was is take a good idea and apply it. Hold onto it, use it. Stubbornness and resistance can only last so long in our life before we must give in to a different, perhaps, even better
way. It all goes back to choices and the perhaps of a better tomorrow. I myself am stubborn and have learned the hard way many times that I should have listened all along. Listening is key, listen to what works for you. Look at your own “college lifestyle expenses,” where can you trim the fat? Can you get more for your money? Will you? Will you remind yourself to stay on top
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Albert Einstein of your game and pay those bills on time, pay them down and not incur more? Making the most of how little you have, will empower you. Being accountable to one’s own life is imperative; you are the foundation of society. Contribute. I live a 7 minute bike ride from work now and I’m constantly reminded about not driving my car to work. Since I live close to work I’m saving at least twenty dollars a week. I have walked and rode my bike, but it’s not yet an everyday thing. I’m getting
there, like the rest of us who use reason and logic to figure it out. I’m trying to cut down on my own unnecessary car emissions. I’m trying to cut down on unnecessary costs by thinking about my spending, I’m trying! It’s all any of us can do. Albert Einstein believed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I agree. We know when we can or cannot. When we should and should not or whether it’s right or wrong for us or for others. My Mother used to say, “You made your bed, now you lay in it.” Those words still shake me up. “You have no one to blame but yourself,” she’d say. I now understand they shaped my thinking today. Nobody wants to be wrong or get themselves in a hole financially but I know that the emphasis on ‘who’ was to blame is a learning tool that still works today. They made you aware that, sloppy or neat, comfortable or not, ‘YOU’ make your life and decide for yourself what you will or won’t do without. Just remember to examine the costs of your daily life, tomorrow is a whole new day ... Heidi Stenquist is a City Times columnist
November 10, 2009
City Times
LIFE
7
Investigating the true origins of Thanksgiving Day By olivia holt City Times
As the days become shorter and the leaves on the trees start to change, City College students start to look forward
Vanessa Gomez City Times
Festival Continued from page 6
carved a pumpkin. “I think it’s great,” Jackson said. “It’s really wonderful to see everybody coming together and enjoying…the fruits of the garden here and enjoying the fall season.” Salsa dancing lessons were given by
to a four-day break from their hectic school schedules. The Thanksgiving holiday can mean watching the Charger’s kick some butt while sitting around the TV amongst family and friends or fighting with them in the kitchen over the last slice of pumpkin pie. The Thanksgiving story most Americans were told was the one written in many American History textbooks and taught in most educational systems. The story starts with the Pilgrims in the year of 1620 when the Mayflower landed near Plymouth Rock and Native Americans, one in particular, Squanto, befriended and taught the Pilgrims how to survive in the foreign land by hunting, fishing and planting. A year later with all the plethora of food the Pilgrims invited Native Americans to dine with them during a three-day feast where they gave thanks for their many blessings. Sound familiar?
Alicia Rincon, Director of the Dance Program at City College. It began with a demonstration of dance students performing salsa. People were asked to join in and learn, first learning a couple simple steps, and then pairing off into couples. Rincon said that the festival is “a fantastic idea.” “It brings people together for awareness of what we’re doing here on campus,” Rincon said. “It’s an opportunity for students and faculty to see what’s going on.”
Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzle
The truth is, the traditional Thanksgiving story is pretty fabricated and many of the facts are omitted from most American history textbooks. Peter Haro, a City College history professor, referred to one of his favorite books, “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong” by James W. Loewen. In the book the author implies that in order to understand the true history of Thanksgiving then we must look at the facts. “The Pilgrims did not introduce the tradition,” Loewen said. “Eastern Indians had observed autumnal harvest celebrations for centuries. The pilgrims had nothing to do with it; not until the 1890s did they even get included in the tradition.” Abraham Lincoln was the President that declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. During the Civil War, when the Union needed all the patriotism that such an observance might muster, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday,” Loewen continued.
According to the documentary “Home for the Holiday” which aired on The History Channel by the mid 19th century most States celebrated Thanksgiving but the actual date of the festivities varied. Establishing a national Thanksgiving Day would become the life long ambition of a Sarah Joeseffa Hale,” according to the documentary. Hale was the magazine editor of the “Goody’s Lady’s Book.” “It was the most widely circulated magazine of the mid 19th century. Every November, Hale would encourage housewives in America to throw a genuine New England Thanksgiving with beautiful linens on table, the best China, people loved the image. She imagined and described Thanksgiving as the ultimate domestic holiday. Even though the origins of Thanksgiving maybe unclear and debated, one tradition that holds steadfast over the years is the coming together of family to celebrate this November holiday — and enjoy a break from school.
Grandma’s jam pockets Ingredients: 2 cups four 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup vegetable shorting 8 ounces cream cheese softened ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Jam of your chose Cream or half and half or evaporated milk Directions: Mix together flour sugar and salt. In a separate bowl mix shorting cream cheese and vanilla. Add dry ingredients about one half cup at a time. Blend well after each edition. Divide dough into thirds. Wrap each third in Saran wrap and chill for several hours.
Recipe
Jeri Brandom
Using 1/3 dough at a time. Flatten dough on lightly floured surface. Roll into a round about 1/8” think. Cut with a floured 2 ½” round cuter. Spoon a small a mount of jam onto ½ of each round. Fold other half over filling, brush bottomed edge with cream, and press together to seal. Brush tops with cream. With a fork flute edges and prick tops. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets to wire racks to cool. If desired sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Check out our next issue for more recipes
Across 3. A pie that is made from molasses. 5. A parade to kick off the shopping season. 6. A Native American that belonged to the Wampanoag tribe and helped the Pilgrims. 7. The bird that is centerpiece of the dinner table on Thanksgiving. 8. The President that declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. 11. The football team to play against Detroit in 1934 on Thanksgiving Day
DOWN 1. The founding father that liked the Turkey. 2. The day of the week Thanksgiving falls on. 4. Name of the ship that the Pilgrims sailed on. 9. One of the first professional football teams to play on Thanksgiving Day. 10. Influential magazine editor of the mid 19th century that viewed Thanksgiving as a way to unite America.
Puzzle created by http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com
By olivia holt City Times
See next issue for the answers to this issues crossword puzzle.
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City Times
CityFocus
November 10, 2009
It’s Harvest Time
Kea Collier uses a paint brush and many colors to decorate her pumpkin.
City’s Urban Garden held its second annual Harvest festival on Oct. 27. Attendees celebrated with guided tours of the garden, enjoyed live music, pumpkin carving and free organic appetizers provided by Mesa College’s culinary department. Left: Luis Reinosa, Urban Garden intern and anthropology major, and biology major Madai Garung color pumpkins.
Photos by CARLOS MAIA City Times Below: Alicia Rincon, dance professor, gives Salsa dance lessons. Bottom Right: Dancers form lines to practice their new dance moves.
November 10, 2009
FOCUS
City Times
9
Spooky Sights at City
Left: Beto Vasquez, the Master of the Halloween Ceremonies, lines up the contestants participating in this year’s costume contest. Right: Claudia Montes, cosmetology major, gives nursing major Annette Auston some eye flare.
The Associated Student Government hosted numerous activities at its Halloween Bash on Oct. 29 in Gorton Quad. Anthropology professor Kathleen Robles explains to her students the tradition of placing offerings for the dead. Covered with candles, flowers and photos, the display symbolizes a typical custom of those that celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Photos by CARLOS MAIA City Times
ASG Vice President Abdulkadir Ahmed volunteers himself for the dunk tank. His insatiable heckling finally gets the best of him, as he plunges into the water.
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CityArts
City Times
November 10, 2009
‘Bye Bye Birdie’ debuts at City Saville Theatre show an ensemble of talent on and off stage By BRITTANY JOHNSON City Times
The orchestra serenaded the opening night audience with a little taste of what they were about to encounter. The sounds of the trumpets, horns, and piano offered an optimistic feeling and prepared the audience for San Diego City College’s fall musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” Directed by June Richards, choreographed by Alicia Rincon, and musically directed by Michael Farley, “Bye Bye Birdie” made its debut Oct. 30 at Saville Theatre. Promptly beginning at 8 p.m. and providing an upbeat performance, the cast dazzled for almost two hours. “Bye Bye Birdie is a joyful, charming, and sweet musical,” said Richards. The musical tells the story of a young, popular singer and his final departure from his fans before he enters the Army. “The rock ‘n’ roll roots really stuck out at the time of the musical,” said actor Rocky De Haro. “Families of all ages are going to enjoy the musical,” Richards commented. Opening night provided an audience of all types. Community members, students, relatives of the cast and even a few Halloween costume participants were in attendance. When asked about the musical’s debut, Richards commented that “everyone (will) have the opportunity to see a musical theatre production, with costumes, sets and orchestra with a fabulous cast, comprised of City College students.” Local resident Edna Kurth was in attendance to enjoy an evening of theater. “I love how different the cast is,” Kurth said. “It was just as amazing as seeing a Broadway show.” After the show, a few of the cast mem-
Brittany johnson City Times The cast of June Richards’ rendition of “Bye Bye Birdie,” a popular Broadway musical, performed at the Saville Theatre to a packed house on opening night, Oct. 30. bers commented on their performance. Chance Baker, who plays the role of Ursula Merkle, said that the cast “have been rehearsing for a long time and (we) pulled it out. The show was amazing and the audience’s energy was great.”
The audience played a large role in keeping the energy of the actors up. “The audience was really receptive. I could hear their reactions and their laughter,” stated De Haro, who plays Conrad Birdie. After the first performance the next few
shows should run smoother, according to Merkle. De Haro agreed, saying that “a few things need polishing,” but eventually the cast would be able to “roll right
See BYE, page 15
San Diego Asian film festival hits home Award-winning film ‘Children of Invention’ opens annual event
10th San Diego Asian Film Festival highlights: When: Oct. 15-29 Where: Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center Who: Several of the films’ actors and directors were in attendance
By CHRISTINE KLEE
Correspondent
‘Children of Invention’ * Written and directed by Tze Chun
‘Ip Man’ * Directed by Wilson Yip
san diego asian film foundation Courtesy Photo Loosely based on writer/director Tze Chun, “Children of Invention” follows two children fending for themselves.
“Children of Invention,” presented as the opening film of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, is writer and director Tze Chun’s first feature film. This movie has so far won 13 festival awards, including “Grand Jury Prize, Best Film” and “Best Narrative Feature” at the SDAFF. The Film Festival opened on Oct. 15, at the UltraStar Mission Valley at Hazard Center. The night started with a pre-party, at which Asian food such as sushi, chicken satay and fried noodles was served. Inside the theatre, numerous booths offered activities such as a free chi reading and origami. The film “Children of Invention” is
See CHILDREN, page 14
Matching outfits at the movies By BRI HEATH City Times
san diego asian film foundation Courtesy Image
Donnie Yen (above) plays Ip Man in the eponymous film featured closing night at the 2009 San Diego Asian Film Festival.
‘The Harimaya Bridge’ * Directed by Aaron Woolfolk
‘Make Yourself at Home’ * Directed by Soopum Sohn
*Nearly 200 films were screened at the festival; and many of the films’ directors, writers and actors attended.
This year, the San Diego Asian Film Festival featured “Make Yourself At Home,” about an arranged marriage between a Korean and a Korean-American. The film centralized around the dark things from the wife’s past. Sookhy, the wife, decides she needs an “English name,” and wishes to be called Julie - the same as her new husband Peter’s neighbor. After Peter bizarrely dies, Sookhy becomes
obsessed with the neighbors, ends up falling for the husband, John, and spends all her time at their home. Sookhy once remarked to Julie how she loved her hair, and Julie responded that she liked Sookhy’s. Due to this, the women decided to dye Julie’s hair to match hers and dress in matching outfits. This becomes confusing later, when, after a struggle, one Julie is in the house, and because of the storyline, it’s uncertain which one she is. After the showing was over, the pro-
ducer and director of the film, who were both in attendance, participated in a question and answer panel with audience members. Soopum Sohn is the director and writer of the movie. Sohn says the film took a year to edit, which is longer than usual; but he wanted to get everything how he wanted. It also took a year to write, and a month to shoot, which he says is pretty much the standard for independent films.
See MOVIES, page 14
Asian films featured at festival By EVONNE ERMEY Contributor
When former channel 10 news anchor Lee Ann Kim, executive director and cofounder of the San Diego Asian Film Festival developed the concept of SDAFF in 1999, she did so with the goal of bringing a broad vision of Asian culture to the people of San Diego. On this, the 10-year anniversary of SDAFF, Kim and the SDAFF board of
directors staged their most ambitious film festival to date. Despite the wilting economy, SDAFF staff extended the number of days and films for the annual event. The event showcased more than 200 films of a dynamic Asian background against the backdrop of various martial and performance arts, cast meet and greets, and Q-and-As. For Kim, the festival’s success is gauged not necessarily by the number of tickets sold at the box office but by the sharing of
experience in a way that crosses cultural divides. A shining example of what the film festival is all about was found this year at the screening of “The Harimaya Bridge.” Directed by non-Asian Aaron Wolfolk, the narrative film follows the experience of a black man who, after the Japanese in World War II kill his father, must go to Japan when his son dies there.
See ASIAN, page 15
November 10, 2009
City Times
Arts
Not under the bed Dave Eggars and Spike Jones embellish without ruining story “Where the Wild things Are,” a film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book of the same name, tells the story of Max, an incorrigible young man who just craves love and attention, like all people, but storms out of the house after picking a fight with his mom, who sends him to bed without supper. He flees to an imaginary island where he meets the Wild Things, who show him a valuable thing or two that puts his real life into perspective. Though the original story consisted of few words and Sendak’s own illustrations, Dave Eggers and Spike Jones somehow managed to create a feature that doesn’t mangle the artistic and emotional intent of its source. The fruits of their labor successfully walk that fine line between the world of the mundane and the fantastic that characterizes youth,
WARNER BROS. Courtesy Photo Max digs deep into his vivid imagination in “Where the Wild Things Are,” the film adaptation of the popular children’s book of the same name by Maurice Sendak.
Movie Review Samir Roy
where snowdrifts can be forts and monsters live under the bed. The mise-en-scene has a touchingly homespun quality that lends
much-needed authenticity in this regard. The furniture, the linens, the trees, all look familiar but with the muted sparkle of something truly child-like. It seems that director Spike Jones remembers how things looked and felt at this
11
‘An Education,’ a lesson we need The world looks so inviting when we are 16, in high school and thinking about the wonders the world has to offer us. For Jenny, played by Carey Mulligan, those wonders take a path of their own when she meets David, played charmingly by Peter Sarsgaard, an older man who offers her a world of jazz, art, and even Paris. Her parents, played by Alfred Molina and Cara Seymour, are all about getting her prepared to leave her allgirls prep school and then on to Oxford for a proper education so she can have something to fall back on once she is out in the real world. However, when they meet David, we see him work his charm into getting what he wants, which is to take their young daughter to a string concert and then to supper afterwards. Within minutes they blushingly accept, com-
Tom’s Review Tom Andrew
pletely entrusting him. Jenny is treated to suppers, trips into the country, musical events, afternoons at the racetrack, and eventually a trip to Paris on her seventeenth birthday. She is completely smitten by him, as are her parents, even though they know it’s not right. David, aside from his interest in young girls, isn’t completely on the up and up. We see that he supplements his
See lesson, page 15
See BED, page 14
Just your atypical ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ “And you better hurry, Nick, cause by anybody’s watch but the warden’s, you’re already late,” Clyde Shelton yells after attorney Nick Rice, as he runs off to save a colleague. In “Law Abiding Citizen,” Shelton is a prisoner, locked up for mere days for the murder of a man named Darby, who killed his wife and daughter 10 years
Movie Review Bri Heath
ago. His accomplice, on death row all this time, was the reason Shelton waited, so he could strike first the convicted, and then “the one that got away.” Shelton, once a member of the CIA, is a genius when it comes to killing people, and figured out a way to do it without ever being in the same room as the person. Shelton first goes to court against the man who once made a deal with the man who murdered his family, and also appears before the same judge. Having originally agreed to confess to Darby’s murder in exchange for a nice mattress in his cell, Shelton throws out some expletive cases to the judge to convince her to allow bail. She agrees, and he is enraged, screaming about how
OVERTURE FILMS Courtesy Photo A moment of sentiment is shared between Clyde Shelton, the citizen, and Nick Rice, the lawyer, when Rice shows Shelton a bracelet. screwed up the system is, and how she almost let a murderer go. He was then thrown back in jail on a contempt of court charge. Locked away in solitary confinement, anyone involved in the case he deems guilty, he cleverly murders. To him, the justice
system is corrupt, and he has decided to be the one to fix it. His victims range from high members in the system, such as Darby’s attorney and the ADA, to lower ones, like a woman who simply worked on the case unseen. The storyline is intriguing, and
those who see it, won’t be disappointed. For those who think all the good parts are in the previews, think again. There are a number of action scenes not shown. Even for those who enjoy and are used to scary movies, there’s at least a scene or two that’ll make you
jump in surprise. And scenes where you might think you know exactly what’s going to happen will make you question your judgment reliability. The acting in “Law Abiding Citizen” is awesome, including not just the things that come with an average action film, but also apathy, drama, and humor. “I just have one question: why is Clyde Shelton still in my city?” demands the mayor. Viola Davis, cast as the mayor, is as brilliant as her character from “Law and Order SVU.” In this movie, Gerard Butler leaps past his previous roles, pushing him farther than before. As the concerned father, loving husband meets workaholic lawyer Nick Rice, Jamie Foxx doesn’t disappoint, filling the role naturally. The setup of the prison, more than any other place, is interesting to the viewer. Certain choices of how one area, such as solitary confinement, makes one wonder how old it’s supposed to be, being made up of stone that appears very old. Watch the movie, you’ll be glued to your seat. Just make sure there’s not an incendiary device attached to it. Bri Heath is a City Times staff writer
‘Drag Me to Hell,’ a hell of a good movie “Drag Me to Hell,” Sam Raimi’s gorrific return to all things spooky, is a masterful blend of comedy and horror with a bloodbath of artsy cinematography and witty moral commentary. Christine Brown is a loan officer who competes with a coworker for the assistant managerial position at her bank. When Mrs. Ganush, an old Gypsy woman, requests a third loan on her house, Brown denies Ganush in hopes that her boss will see that she can “make the tough decisions.” A fateful moment in which Brown “shames” Ganush leads the old gypsy to place a curse on her. The young loan officer is literally tormented by demons for
Movie Review Donna P. Crilly
three days until ultimately getting dragged to Hell. Seeking the help of her philosophy professor boyfriend, Clay Dalton, and Rham Jas, the neighborhood psychic, Brown desperately tries to dodge her cursed fate with morally ambiguous methods. Alison Lohman plays Brown, the self-affirming girl-next-door vegetarian who used to be fat. It’s rumored that Ellen Page was originally slated to play Lohman’s character; and if the rumor were
true, “Drag Me to Hell” would be a different movie.
“There is no friction with the proper diction.” —Christine Brown “Drag Me to Hell”
Lohman was a perfect Christine Brown because of her helpless, doughy-eyed appeal — not to mention her lung power when it came to screaming. She made
See Hell, page 14
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Courtesy Photo Mrs. Ganush places a curse on Christine Brown in “Drag Me to Hell,” a film by Sam Raimi. Brown has three days to lift the curse from her tormented soul before fate knocks.
BurningEden expands the Grey’s universe By CHRISTINE KLEE Correspondent
When their favorite TV show does not fulfill their expectations, or their favorite TV couple breaks up, many fans turn to fan fiction to experience what was not meant to be on television. Fan fiction describes stories
written mostly by non-professional writers who base their stories on storylines and characters from TV shows or movies and then take the story into a different direction. One of the most-read and well-known “Grey’s Anatomy” fan fiction writers is Chelle Storey-Daniel, known by her fans as
BurningEden. Her story, “One Heart Too Many,” picks up after “Grey’s Anatomy” episode 4x13, “Piece of my Heart,” and is written from Callie Torres’ perspective, as most of her stories are. Without giving too much away, the main plotline is Callie’s struggle with deciding between the safe, conventional choice of
Mark and the possible true love choice of Erica. Two key scenes from “Piece of my Hear” are needed to understand what happens in “One Heart Too Many.” In the first, Addison innocently asks Callie about her romantic relationship with Erica, which Callie denies by stating how
much she loves men or, more specifically, a certain body part of theirs. In the second, Callie leaves with Mark at the end of the night to prove Addison wrong. The author uses this triangle of love and weaves an elaborate net of emotions. Love
See GREY, page 14
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CityVoice
City Times
Front-page choices about Urbanalities news, not hidden agenda In the recent weeks since the release of the Oct. 20 issue, City Times has found itself dealing with accusations of homophobia. The accuser, who requested we not use their name in the paper, shared strong concerns about the front-page layout by e-mail. They felt that the choice of photo for the “Church group protests school” was an advertisement for a hate Web site. They also felt that the other front-page story, “Police target ‘cruising’ at City,” reflected poorly on the gay community as it ran beside the other story. The e-mail also contained a flier that was to be distributed at a Fellowship of Associated Gay Students and Straight Allies (FAGS) meetCity Times Editorial Board ing the following day asking if City Times could be perceived as homophobic. It is disappointing that a segment of the gay community believes that City Times is homophobic. It is insulting to our staff, which counts several homosexual student colleagues. Is this segment of the community implying that these staff members hate themselves? The City Times Editorial Board would like to take this opportunity to give an insider’s perspective on why the editors made the layout choices they did. City Times sent three writers and two photographers to cover the “church group” story. The assigned crew had its own challenges covering such an extreme group, but as journalists, we are forced to ignore bias and get both sides of the story. The editorial staff’s decision to print the picture of Shirley Phelps-Roper holding numerous protest signs was to show the intensity of the group’s beliefs. We wanted the public to ask the tough questions, such as why is “America doomed?” and why the group thinks “God hates fags?” The “cruising” story ran next to the “church group” story based solely on the fact that those two stories were the biggest news for that issue. We also took into consideration that campus police have identified this as a persistent problem on campus that has never been covered in the paper. In reflection, the editorial staff does see how the placement could be interpreted as “antigay.” However, the intention was never to alienate the gay community. Some other feedback we received addressed the issue of the story being one-sided. The writer did try to interview other sources. However, at press time, we could not find a representative from that community who would agree to be interviewed. The initial accuser took the issue to City College administration and demanded that a formal reprimand of the students and adviser be carried out and that City Times be made to print the reprimand on the front page of its next issue. This demand, however, is not legal under California law SB 1370, which states students cannot be disciplined by a community college governing board or administration for exercising their freedom of speech. The law also prohibits a school employee from being disciplined for acting to protect a student exercising free speech. We encourage feedback from our readers and invite any letters to the editor on this or any future issues that City Times reports on. We strive to remain objective in reporting campus events and fulfill our civic duty to our readers.
November 10, 2009
By Michele Suthers
Editorial
Accused of something I am not A couple of weeks ago I had a lazy Sunday with my roommate where all we wanted to do was just stay at home, eat Mexican food and watch a few movies. A few movies turned out to be “Wanted,” “17 Again,” “He’s Just Not That Into You,” and the Academy Award winning “Crash.” It’s safe to say that Sunday turned out to be a really lazy night. However, I was reminded of why I didn’t like the movie “Crash.” I remember seeing it when it was in theaters, and I could not understand why so many people “loved” it. I felt the movie to be the biggest cliché of all movies by building a story based on the race card. I hadn’t seen the movie since it came out in theaters back in 2005 so after seeing it again, I was reminded of my dislike for it. It’s not that I hated the movie or thought it to be a horrible film. I just remember being annoyed by it. I’m pretty sure I’m not the
Live And Learn Luis Bahena
only one that hates the issues of unfairness, prejudice and inequality. After watching the film however, I was reminded of a current sense of prejudice and accusation I am currently a part of. The accusation of homophobia was revealed to me after a series of e-mails and I was quite shocked and bewildered to the accusation. For one, being a member of the gay community (yes, I am
gay), I was quite shocked to see that word aimed at me. It was like a bad episode of “Gossip Girl,” all of the exchanges going through the wonderful World Wide Web. I decided not to take the accusations seriously because I knew better, but after watching “Crash,” I realized how false accusations can really have a negative effect on someone. I hate gossip, and I don’t like spreading gossip about anyone. I usually just choose to ignore any form of gossip, shrug it off and move on. But in this case I couldn’t help to feel a sense of amusement and disdain. I have no idea where the accusers in question got their facts or ideas, but to call someone something that can be damaging without any real concrete evidence such as that of being homophobic is quite ridiculous. I understand that we all have
See ACCUSED, page 13
The strange and curious impulses of an addled mind We were at one of those journalism conferences at Cal State Fullerton. All the usual suspects were with me: Vanessa, editor-inchief (I call her Chiefy), Ernesto, the news editor, and a few more conduits of City College news and all things related. We were coordinating who was doing what, going where and when. I ended up writing an on-the-spot feature profile story of a 1970s sitcom actress turned author and inspirational drama teacher. She was reading excerpts from her autobiographical book and regurgitating her childhood
er’s notepad, eyes twitching from boredom, a sudden urge came over me. I wanted to run up and tackle her — full force, like Bobby Boucher from “The Waterboy.” Not because I was angry with her, (she was quite nice) but because my impulses were tormenting me to pull a ridiculous stunt. Have you ever sat idle and suddenly had a thought or an urge that you couldn’t control mentally and had to physically stop yourself from doing Take old people for instance, you see an old couple crossing the street. Their feet are shuffling along and awww, aren’t they cute?
Donna’s Digs Donna P. Crilly
struggles with anorexia. As I sat in the hollow auditorium, pen scratching quotes onto my report-
Then suddenly, WHAM! You imagine yourself tackling their wrinkled little bodies just because you can ... but you don’t. I don’t, nor do I scheme to. Sometimes, I just get those random, nonsensical urges. Yes my friends, these are the strange and curious impulses of the examined mind. If you were thinking that there must be something terribly wrong with your psyche for dreaming up such abominable deeds, you are mistaken. Don’t go home and ring your neighborhood shrink just yet. There have been times when
I’ll be talking to someone and wondered what would happen if I slapped him/her in the face while he/she was in mid-sentence. There have been other times when I’ll be walking alongside a student on crutches and considered kicking them from under him/her. This is not because I’m mean, it’s because I can’t help the thought crossing my mind at least once. Sometimes, when I’m on the freeway and the traffic is a bumper-to-bumper mass huddle of Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas, I’ve thought about ramming my
See MIND, page 13
Vox Populi Question by Kierah Ford Photos by Imani Gentry-Faust
How important are the holidays to you?
CityTimes Volume 64, Number 6 November 10, 2009 www.sdcitytimes.com
Fernando Diaz, 18 Bioengineering “The holidays are good to reflect and I like eating and being with my family so it’s very important.”
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 Photo Editor
Luis Bahena Opinion Editor
Ernesto Lopez News Editor Shevaun Brandom Design Editor
Olivia Holt Features Editor Heather Richards Copy Editor
Liudmila Tello, 18 Undeclared “I think it is important because its a time where you can spend time with your family and be together.”
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
Peter White, 60 Vice President of Student Services “Holidays are important to me because of the breaks from work and not really the holiday spirit but I use the time to travel.”
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, Heidi Stenquist
Correspondents and Contributors
Juan Carlos Gil, Christine Klee, Minerva Ontiveros, Jennifer Pitman, Taylor Poulin,Adela Rahmati, Samir Roy, Noemi Tracy
Giovanni Ramirez, 20 Biology It doesn’t really matter because I think it’s a waste of money and its really a sad time if someone passed away. It would be weird when we all came together.”
City Times is published twice monthly during the semester. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, City College administration, faculty and staff or the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. District policy statement This publication is produced as a learning experience under a San Diego Community College District instructional program. All materials, including opinions expressed herein, are the sole responsibility of the students and should not be interpreted to be those of the college district, its officers or employees. Letters to the editor Letters to the editor are welcome, 350 words or less. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, punctuation and length. Memberships Journalism Assoc. of Community Colleges, California College Media Assoc., Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.
November 10, 2009
City Times
Voice
‘Cruising’ coverage leaves reader with many unanswered questions Dear Editor: I am writing concerning an article titled “Police target ‘cruising’ at City” that appeared in the Oct. 20 edition of City Times. I have been a loyal reader of your newspaper as a student that attends City College full-time and appreciate the real world experience it gives to your journalism students. However, I was deeply offended, puzzled, and angered by this article and now question the credibility and bias of your editorial staff and the reporter. Several things stand out in this article. I question the newsworthiness of placing this article on the front page, is this a recent
Letter to the Editor epidemic? Who is this Bathroom Cruising community the reporter mentions? Is this an organization? Why weren’t they interviewed if they exist? How does the sexual escapades of a Idaho senator relate to this issue at City College? Since when is the Urban Dictionary a credible source in journalism? The article suggests these men are responsible for the majority of vandalism. Is this a problem in the female community, why single out one gender or leave it unanswered? Is this police
sergeant a subject matter expert on sexuality issues? As the article stated that this has nothing to do with the gay community, it absolutely does. Closeted gay men, gay or bisexual or questioning married men, are still part of the gay community. There are on-campus and offcampus resources that can help these men and women but those failed to be mentioned or have a voice in this article. Rene Moraida City College student
Restrooms are not for cruising Restroom “cruising”, that is, the social phenomenon where individuals congregate for sex in public restrooms through secret signals such as foot tapping — whether gay or straight — is inappropriate, and, in the year 2009, outdated. And, yes, straights engage in cruising, too, if not more. They do it in unisex restrooms so common in bars and in establishments where the space for two separate restrooms is infeasible. In days before Stonewall (the pivotal protest in 1969 that led to the modern gay movement), gays who wanted to hook up had few outlets to do so. For those men who wanted to sexually engage with other men, the public restroom became one of those outlets. Sure, they could go to bars, but they would be harassed by cops who would barge in and give law-abiding gays and lesbians a
Perspective Cristo de Guzman
hard time. Today, gays have an array of options from discos and bars to, of course, online web sites such as the perennially popular Adam4Adam. For those gays isolated in rural America, hooking up online is a godsend. According to “Coming Out of Shame,” by Gershen Kaufman, cruising’s primary participators are men so entrenched in the closet. These men may be married and have children. They are the Larry Craigs (Craig being the ex-Idaho senator who was arrested by an undercover cop in a Minneapolis airport for soliciting you know). Or, maybe, they may be men who are “straight-identified” but
who engage in sex with other men. In social science, this phenomenon is known as MSM, an acronym which stands for “Men who have Sex with other Men.” Public sex in restrooms has no place in contemporary culture, which is becoming increasingly more tolerant and accepting of people of different orientation. More importantly, those men who cruise and are “gayidentified” (a minority) give the rest of the gay population a bad name since the majority of gay men do not cruise. The public restroom is a place to relieve oneself, to wash up, or groom. To borrow a term from prescription-drug warning labels, the public restroom is contraindicative to sexual encounters. Cristo de Guzman is a City Times staff writer
Opinions: everybody’s got one This crude, unenlightened retort does a good job of making everyone’s thoughts and words seem less significant. But how DO we decide who’s “right” and who’s “wrong”? The opinion racket seems to be pretty easy. Just decide that you like or dislike something and let fly. This is the point at which we must differentiate between opinion and attitude. Opinion works best when backed up with facts. It also helps when the reaction is in proportion to the event and the opiner has some experience or other interesting angle on the subject (English really does need a better word for this person). Attitude is more of an emotional response, and doesn’t require much proof or statistical analysis. Petty attitude sounds shallow but it is has historically been the basis or revolution, fortune and social status. Remember, America’s origins came from a few rabble-rousers who refused to pay the British for what was, in the empire’s mind, aid to a godforsaken outpost. Pettiness is obviously in the eye of the attitudee (once again, dictionary additions are in order). Among renown opiners, there are few who seem to set the right balance. A few, like George Will,
Perspective John Balchak
get lost in too many facts and never come up with an opinion. More (Rush, Hedgekook and the rest of the radio right) make their livings at the edge of reason, straining facts to find fuel for their fires. All I know is, the next time Thomas Friedman tells me that India and China have superior talent because of their more demanding societal competition, I’m going to start buying the Bangalore Times. Debate was once an intercollegiate event like athletics. Now, it seems that students would rather rap at each other. Opinion is very age sensitive, the more experience the opiner has — the more set they will probably be in their ways. This has its benefits and disadvantages. The young may put forth ideas their elders find absurd and immature but the oldsters have their mistakes to answer for. Next time some well established “adult” looks down their nose at you, ask them, “So when are you going to sell your house and use the money to pay your debt to our U.S. Treasury?”
But, before we descend into childish finger pointing, let’s review some strategies. One good idea is to try and use language and inflection to raise the discourse up to your level before the opposition can drag you down to theirs. Always try to elevate the lowest common denominator to make the other side look like savages. Those who espouse pure hate (Westboro Baptist Church) should be politely ignored — there will always be a tiny number of the deranged who cannot be reasoned with. Once on higher ground, try to redefine the words of your opponent, that way you don’t have to think up so many of your own. Remember, a good debater can take either side of an argument and be successful. So who’s right and who’s wrong? If we knew that we’d stop reading the paper altogether. One of the keys is memory, deciding which events to use as examples and which to disregard. If we spend all our time keeping score, we’ll never make any progress. The winner is human discourse and its vague, infinite, nebulous search for “the truth” as defined by each individual. John Balchak is a City Times staff writer
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My own perspectives on ‘mixed signals’ I’ve been thinking about people’s perspectives. We make judgments about people which influences our perception and can create a fabricated reality. We make judgements on people whether we’re aware of it or not. I’m not a psychologist, but it’s not like this fact is hidden in the woodwork. We may walk by a person and think: “I like her shoes, they’re cute” or “he didn’t smile, his name must be Dick.” We judge people on how they dress or what they wear and I think that’s why so many people love Halloween. For one day you can say “F-it... I’m going to dress like a sexy kitten.” If you’re one of those extroverted people that doesn’t really care what anyone thinks, then kudos to you. I personally find the whole judging thing annoying. That’s probably why I’m writing about it, but, I do it too. Last week I went to a convention and one of the guests speakers announced she was a childhood actress. I immediately thought Lindsay Lohan number 2. As she talked about being scrutinized by the media I realized that some reflection and self-awareness can do everyone around us some good. What troubles me is when people act on their judgements, without fully understanding or thinking about the other side. That’s what seems to be happening a lot lately around campus. Asking the important questions about the other party before acting on ones initial impressions or trying to see the other side is an important factor in coexisting with people.
Accused Continued from page 12 our opinions on certain topics, but I feel that the approach to such a serious accusation was poorly handled. To simply throw out an accusation of homophobia feels reckless and quite frankly more like an attack. I certainly feel quite flabbergasted of having my name attached to an accusation of homophobia when I myself am homosexual. I can honestly say
Mind Continued from page 12 car into the vehicle in front of me for no reason at all. I’ve also thought about putting my car in park and leaving it there. “See ya, car,” I’d say to myself. Other times, I’ll wake up, grab my backpack and keys, hop on the freeway and wonder what would happen if I just keep driving South on the 5 and not come
Perspective Olivia Holt
While reading “Psychology Today” I stumbled upon an interesting article on how people perceive you and you perceive yourself. The article, “Mixed Signals,” by Sam Gosling, talks a little about how self-awareness can prevent a lot of misunderstanding. According to Gosling “How we understand ourselves has a profound impact on our ability to navigate the social realm. In some areas, we know ourselves better then others do. But in other areas, we’re so biases by our need to see ourselves in a good light that we becomes strangers to ourselves. By soliciting feedback from other people, we can learn more about ourselves and how we’re coming off. Only by understating how we’re seen can we make sure we’re sending the right signals. To be understood by others, in other words, the first step is understanding ourselves.” The passage from this article made me think a lot about certain events unfolding on campus and I think it would be beneficial for everyone to read. People will paint a perception of you and sometimes there’s nothing you can do to change it. The only thing you can do is accept that fact and move on with your life. People may judge you, but at least you know who you are, and that’s what’s important. Maybe one day they’ll see things differently, but for some that day may never come. Olivia Holt is City Times’ features editor
that I am bewildered by what has unfolded, but hopefully things will resolve themselves soon. I’m still not a fan of the movie “Crash,” but at least now I have a better understanding of the underlying meaning behind the film. Perhaps the accusers will eventually come around and realize the effect of their false accusations. If not, then only time will tell how all of this will unfold. I for one, have nothing to defend myself against. Luis Bahena is City Times’ opinion editor back. “See ya, school.” When I’m at work, pulling espresso shots, steaming milk and blending cold beverages, I sometimes consider throwing a frappuccino against the wall. I make up the horrid reactions on patrons’ faces and snicker to myself. I’m just glad that I haven’t slapped your best friend’s grandma while she’s sewing her grandson’s Halloween costume. Donna P. Crilly is City Times’ arts editor
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City Times
Bed
ARTS
Continued from page 11
time of life, because he visually translates the creativity, manic energy and hyperbolic sensitivity of being a kid quite well throughout, thanks in no small part to his lead, Max Records whose convincing pout both enrages and melts the audience in equal measure. Jones treads a stylistic ground similar to Michel Gondry, (who also came to moviemaking from music videos), with the emphasis on natural light and the off-kilter Steadicam, and it works perfectly here to illustrate the perspective through which children see the world before they acquire adult experience. The self-constructed Andy Goldsworthy-inspired huts and forts the Wild Things build look both realistic and as if they sprang from the imagination of a child. The Wild Things themselves embody the basic theme of the movie simply by way of moving and acting like both people and untamed creatures (courtesy of the voice work of the actors and The Jim Henson Creature Shop). Though I initially expressed some
Children Continued from page 10 loosely based on Tze Chun’s childhood, during which he witnessed his mother falling prey to various pyramid schemes. Pyramid schemes are fake business models in which a person has to pay a fee to start working at a company as a salesperson, but before they start selling the products they are required to recruit a number of people. According to the employer, the employees will be paid based on the number of recruits they make, out of the other people’s fees. However, only the top levels will ever actually receive any money, whereas the bottom levels of the scheme will lose their investment. Filmmaker Chun called these schemes “a short-cut to the American Dream,” only they do not work. As he had experienced these schemes as a child, the only research he did writing the movie was finding names for the companies in the movie, as almost everything they came up with had been used before by real-life companies. However, these schemes are only part of the movie’s plot, as it mainly deals with the children’s reaction to losing their house and eventually their mother to one of those schemes. “Windowbreaker,” which was one of Tze Chun’s first short movies, is an 11-minute short which deals with a series of breakins in a racially diverse neighborhood. The movie was also part of the official selection of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. “Children of Invention’s” Raymond and Tina, the main characters, are two characters from his short film that Chun wanted
Grey Continued from page 11 has not been written so complex and compelling in a while, especially by someone who only gets readers comments as a reward. BurningEden developed a complex, multi-character fanfiction of 40 chapters, which fortunately will be turned into a book soon. “One Heart Too Many” contains adult content, but this in no way diminishes the amazing writing. All the characters are well developed and BurningEden did not just stick to the doctors of Grey’s Anatomy. The author added characters’ pasts, families and friends to make the storylines more compelling. Callie’s family consists of her temperamental and very southern mother Lori Anne, strict but loving father Santos and her two brothers, Jasper and Joel. Socially relevant topics, such as gay rights
November 10, 2009
trepidation about the appropriateness of music like The Arcade Fire and their ilk really having a place in such a film, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily Jones integrated these songs into the body of the picture. And a special mention must go to Carter Burwell’s beautiful, melancholy score, which blends in perfectly with the acoustic indie-pop soundtrack. Now to expand a story that consists of just 10 sentences into a 2-hour feature is a risky proposition, and it doesn’t always move so swiftly. It does drag in spots, and the expansion of the Wild Things’ storyline almost veers into Sybil territory, with Max replacing Sally Fields confronting her multiple personalities in a wooded glen to bring them all together to let her be sane. Thankfully it stops before it goes too far in that direction. Here, the wild things represent manifestations of the different aspects of Max’s, (and everyone’s), troubled psyche and life: Carol (James Gandolfini) acts out violently when things don’t go as he wanted them to. Judith (Catherine O’Hara) is the Debbie Downer who represents know-itall fatalism. The little goat (Paul Dano) is the part of him that wants to be seen and heard, etc. They do elicit fright at times, because the Wild Things truly live up to their name, often smashing things and nearly killing
each other, and Max, several times. It is here that the movie acts also as an object lesson on the dangers of giving free reign to any one part of your personality. Since the Wild Things in actuality are anthropomorphized ciphers representing the different pieces of Max, they don’t understand reason, are easily won over by outrageous stories, then get upset when they realize the stories can’t come true. They can only be what Max is, and as Max talks to them he is really traveling inside himself, and confronting the problems that plague him. When he starts to repeat words and phrases his mother has said to him in his fits of rage, in an effort to control the emotionally and physically destructive Wild Things, he begins to see himself objectively for the first time, as if in a mirror that reflects everything inside him. It is eventually Max’s inability to cure the Wild Things’ dysfunctional existence with fantasy that convinces him to return home. This scene in particular manages a daring tightrope walk, wherein Max bids farewell to the Wild Things/himself (and by extension the view of himself they engendered). It is no easy feat to make such a heady conceit so emotionally palpable. The vagueness and brevity necessitated by the picture book format enabled
Sendak to speak to everyone through it by including just enough content with universal appeal and allowing readers to fill the blanks in with their own lives, as picture books tend to do better than any other type of children’s literature. Despite the challenge of making long and drawn out what was once concise and compact, and all the more effective because of it, I think that Jones has successfully captured that indefinable spark of childhood without which the book would not exist. People may not like the film because it recalls parts of our lives that we might not want to remember so vividly: when we made painfully unforgettable mistakes. Some have complained about the lack of plot, but such an argument only works when the film has nothing to say. Jones finds the emotional realism and lovingly cultivates that time when wonder, confusion, fear and anger converge, and still leaves enough out to allow viewers to see themselves in it, without sacrificing his own voice, sense of humor or good taste in the process. I heard several sniffles and tears in the audience I saw it with by the end, and it took a lot of effort to keep the crying wild thing lurking inside me from escaping as well.
to revisit in a different setting. During the writers’ strike in 2007, he decided to do so and wrote the script. Between March and September of 2008, the movie was financed, filmed and edited and in October presented at Sundance. According to Tzu Chun, casting the two child actors was really difficult, and to find the right children, he and his team looked at approximately 250 kids. “Most of the work happens during the casting process and not in the direction process,” said Chun. Watching the movie makes it apparent that he chose well, as Michael Chen as Raymond and Crystal Chiu as Tina are absolutely phenomenal. Chun said working with the children was great because they offered a new perspective. “An adult can only approximate childhood so much, and it is […] nice to have an ongoing dialog with kids who are living in it.” The film industry, and more specifically the indie film model, is experiencing changes in the way movies are distributed. One can easily watch a movie online nowadays. Tze Chun and his director, Trevor Sagan, received numerous offers from distributors at Sundance, but none were interesting to them, so they decided to distribute the film themselves. Chun called their method of distribution “punk marketing.” According to Sagan, through DVD-sales at the festivals their movie has played so far and on their website (www.childrenofinvention.com), they have already earned twice as much as any of the distributors offered. The movie will be available on Amazon and Netflix in the future. Chun describes the great cinematic experience that “Children of Invention” is, as “a family story, it’s a story about the resilience of kids and family in difficult times.”
Hell
ing Brown’s beloved cat exemplifies that well. Did I mention that Brown once volunteered at the animal shelter? In society, we find ourselves doing good deeds to get something out of it or for self-satisfaction. Raimi’s film is a commentary in this light. Raimi also creates an aura of suspense throughout the film by combining a classical horror film score with extreme closeups. One particular shot is of Mrs. Ganush tapping her rotten fingernails on Lohman’s desk at the beginning of the movie. The synchronicity of the score and the shots add to the sometimes-cheesy special effects — we’ve gotten so used to seeing special effects used in movies these days that nothing impresses us anymore. The title of the film is a blunt give away of the climax, but the movie is more about being a complete package rather than trying to guess what’s going to happen at the end. As far as flaws are concerned, the title is the biggest one. Walking into the theater and not knowing anything about Raimi’s past work, one is unlikely to expect much from the film except pure entertainment. But from the opening credits on, the movie delivers. “Drag Me to Hell” was a wonderful surprise.
or disability, play an important part in the story. Storey-Daniel uses beautiful metaphors, similar to the ones used on Grey’s Anatomy to compare patient’s situations to the ones doctors find themselves in. However, she does not limit herself to patients or surgeries, but often uses the ocean to explain the ways of life. One could easily say BurningEden’s writing and creativity outshines Shonda Rhimes’. [Spoiler-alert] In her story “Knowing,” published in May 2009, BurningEden wrote that Arizona Robbins’ first name did not come from the state, as one would assume, but from the USS Arizona. In episode 6x07 “Give Peace a Chance,” which aired recently, viewers learned that Arizona in fact was named after that Navy Ship. I would not recommend starting this story shortly before you have to go to bed, as you will be up all night reading. The author creates cliffhangers more thrilling than most TV dramas and makes you want to read more every time you have finished a chapter.
Continued from page 11
blending comedy and horror seem effortless. Page, best known for her title role in “Juno,” has a sarcastic, sharp-witted persona that wouldn’t work in this particular film. It’s hard to picture Page reciting, “There is no friction with the proper diction,” especially since we’re used to seeing her play a tough girl. Justin Long, best known for his clumsy role in “Dodgeball,” is Clay Dalton. Long plays the skeptical professor well, although Dalton and Brown lack chemistry in the film. Raimi likely made the relationship somewhat static on purpose to heighten Lohman’s insecurities about herself and to pose the question as to whether Dalton will stay with her, even when it seems she’s going crazy. Although the relationship between the two adds depth and suspense to the film, the stronger question we end up asking at what length are we willing to go to save ourselves? What falsified morals are we willing to compromise? A sacrificial scene involv-
Movies
Samir Roy is a City Times contributor
Donna P. Crilly is City Times’ arts editor
Frisch, who played John, had read it, loved it and volunteered for the part.
Continued from page 10
Not an expert, he has, however, written and directed several independent films, including one entitled “Fish in the Sea Is Not Thirsty.” A scene he says wasn’t easy to film was one in which “unknown Julie” must wear bandages over her eyes because of her injuries, due to the fact that he wasn’t sure how much to show. Also, the scene where the women dyed Julie’s hair to match Sookhy’s, he said was difficult to shoot. Due to location difficulties, the shot of John wheeling Julie out of the hospital was also problematic. Sohn also says he had problems procuring an actress to play the role of the mother, because he needed someone who spoke both Korean and English, and was appropriate for the role. However, he had no problems getting the actress for the part of Sookhy, Hye-kyo Song, which surprised audience members since according to both him and producer Somyung Sohn, she is seen as somewhat of a superstar in Korea. According to them, she saw a copy of the script that Arno
In the flick, a scene takes place where the mother drowns herself in John and Julie’s pool, her revenge on the wife for “killing” her son. However, Soopum says he doesn’t wish to give away a lot, because it’s supposed to be suggestive and influential. “This film is about death ... identity ... name ... how we ended up in this type of body ... because we didn’t choose to ... Sometimes when you see yourself, it’s like, oh, how we ended up in this body?” Sohn declares that he decided to focus on arranged marriages because he’s very interested in that process and experience. He says that picking one’s “English name” does happen quite often with immigrants. “If you say ‘Oh, my name’s John,’ it’s simpler than ‘My name is Soopum.’” Several booths were set up at the fair, some selling jewelry or t-shirts, some selling videos — including “Make Yourself At Home.” There was also a lounge area where live music was performed. The San Diego Asian Film Festival takes place annually at the Hazard Center UltraStar Theatre.
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November 10, 2009
SDSU Continued from page 1 at large over its policy change. “Why didn’t SDSU consult people?” asked Valladolid, expressing the sentiments that notification was already too late. “For transfer students, the change for TAG has been discussed since March, and decided in June. There was consultation of that,” replied Cooke. But for everything else, “it was so late in the cycle the time frame didn’t allow it.” But the primary bone of contention of those against the policy change has been the perception that place-bound students, or students who by financial, socioeconomic or sociocultural reasons cannot leave San Diego County, will be neglected in favor of those from outside the area. “SDSU is now unilaterally changing those requirements,” added Valladolid. “This action will disenfranchise many transfer students.” “We don’t want to enroll students that we can’t serve,” said Dr. Stephen Weber, president of SDSU, in a KPBS radio interview. “We don’t want them to come when
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them home or leave it for the Spanish Club to sell at a future event. The skulls ranged in price anywhere from $3 to $5. Since Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on Nov. 2, Spanish Club, along with World Cultures, held a show on that day based on
we can’t give them classes.” But another issue is that many have perceived SDSU as abandoning its responsibility as a post-secondary institution to local students leaving high school and entering college. “It is not only an issue of policy but of justice,” said San Diego Community College District board of trustee member Maria Senour. She pointed out the new legibility procedures as being “contrary to the California Master Plan for Higher Education,” a statewide policy which included the establishment of the principle of universal access to the state’s public universities. In response, the SDSU reps stated the university was committed in preserving its “historic ratio,” or average of local students to out-of-service students, which has averaged 37 percent for the last decade. “We’ll give enough extra points to local students to preserve that historic ratio which has held for the last eleven years,” Weber said in a radio interview the following day. “The community college’s door is wide open,” said Mary Rider, a counselor at Grossmont College, quoting Frederick Douglass, “Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” the life of Frida Kahlo and her appreciation for the holiday. Actress Ursula Tania Cabeza de Vaca and guitarist Agustin Sanchez performed a comedic and didactic show. Vaca’s acting was accompanied by Sanchez’s traditional Spanish songs such as “La Llorona,” “Cielito Lindo” and “La Bruja.” They performed for a diverse crowd, both Spanish speaking and non-Spanish speaking students, staff and faculty.
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through the show.” No glitches were apparent to the audience, who responded with load roars and cheers when the cast took their final bow. “The price for City College faculty, staff
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income by stealing antique paintings from older people who are selling their property. Most of this is done with much finesse, and he is gone before they know what has happened. Olivia Williams (excellent here), who plays Jenny’s teacher, seems to be intrigued, even envious, of her newfound boyfriend. But once she sees it getting in the way of her possible future, she stands her ground; much to Jenny’s dismay. As audience members we know none of this is right. Even though the film takes place in 1960 England, the thought of a thirty something man making a 16-year-old girl’s dreams, both sexual and non, is just wrong. Before we know it, we too are sold by his charm as much as Jenny and her parents are; and by then, it’s too late.
Asian Continued from page 10 “The film was the sleeper hit,” Kim said. “People were sitting in the aisles. What touched me so deeply about that film is it fulfilled my vision for this festival. I walk into this black film at the Asian film festival and there were black people white people, Latinos, old, young, I didn’t see any one group represented and I just felt like this is the vision that I had about what this film festival is supposed to do. I was so deeply moved.” Editing, directing, and acting are all taken into consideration when choosing films to screen at SDAFF. And while popular films like Afro Samurai make their way onto the ticket, The nine member programming staff leans heavily towards independent films and directors. “We really pay attention to independent films because you never know when something, or someone, is going to be the next big thing,” programming intern Jini Shim said. “It’s a chance to talk to filmmakers and for filmmakers to get acknowledgement for their work.”
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Others said that they didn’t quite understand it. “I didn’t know what was going on,” one San Diego High student said. “I just saw people over here and somebody was wearing heels.” Many are not surprised that WBC would target a high school full of minors. “If someone tells you you’re going to hell when you are a 16-year-old, then it’s harder to fight,” Klee said. “When you’re 21-years-old, it’s easier to say no.” In retrospect, many find the protest to have had an overall positive outcome.
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decision to get it or not. According to Cordell, there is no scheduled time for the vaccines to arrive on campus and health services will get short notice on when they will arrive. During a PHE meeting on Oct. 30, in which the group rehearsed their fiveminute delivery to students on the H1N1, psychology student Hannia Hudec said she had “joined the group because it’s important to stay well and if I can get one person to get vaccinated then I did my job.” Nursing student Cecilia Coleman added that in future projects they will “be reminding students that health services is here to help them and that their health fees covers medical services and to use those services.” According to campus Health Services
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The zip-locked lunch bags will include containers of diced fruit, orange juice, pudding or jello, as well as microwaveables of pasta and soup, among other essentials. The founders of Food Pantry realized that campus hunger was a serious issue when they encountered students who were starving. “I have students who come in and say ‘I’m hungry,’” said Mary Jane Kruse, program director of New Horizons. Kruse, Bromley-Taylor and Lorenzo all acknowledged that hunger has a stigma.
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and students is less than a movie ticket, and we always provide a first rate show,” Richards said. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the show.” “Bye Bye Birdie” runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday now through Nov. 15. General admission tickets are $15. Student, senior and military service men and women tickets are $10. For reservations call (619) 388-3676. For more information visit www. sdcity.edu/Saville theater/events.asp. An Education is presented quite harmlessly. It walks a very fine line with how Jenny and we are romanced by David. Mulligan is amazing to watch as she goes from a silly schoolgirl to a welldressed, well-bred socialite. In some takes the camera gets so close that you can actually see the young girl stuck behind the eyes of the socialite who is swept up in all the notoriety and money. Haunting. Molina, usually in the bad guy role, plays Jenny’s dad with passion and heart. And, Emma Thompson who plays the schools headmistress shows us why she has won two Oscars and has been nominated for two as well, in only two scenes. She’s terrific! Although An Education can only be seen currently at the Hillcrest Cinemas, do yourselves a favor and make the effort. The parking is free, and the film gives us a rare opportunity to see that seduction comes in many forms, and can affect us at any age. I give this film 9 out of 10 stars. Tom Andrew is a City Times staff writer For independent filmmakers, SDAFF is a great opportunity for exposure to a broad audience. Mark Tran, first time filmmaker and winner of SDAFF’s Emerging Film Makers Award, attended the event, taking time to answer audience questions for his film “All About Dad.” Tran directed the film at 24 after writing the screenplay at 19. A comedy loosely based on his life growing up in a large Vietnamese family, it chronicles the struggles of a first generation immigrant father to relate to his Americanized children. A student at San Jose University, Tran was limited by a small budget that challenged his ingenuity as a filmmaker. “There will always be situations where you will be forced to compromise. One thing I learned is that you should never compromise unless you absolutely have to,” Tran said of the experience. Because SDAFF allows its definition of what, exactly, Asian film is, their films appeal to a variety of cinematic palates, incorporating international films from the entire content of Asia. Other influences come from Russia, India and Israel, as well as Western films by Asian directors and films of Asian content directed by western directors. Ultimately it is about supporting artists and enlightening viewers. Not only did they outnumber the WBC member, but there was also an educational aspect to it. “I think our learning community (teachers, support staff, administrators, and all of the agencies that collaborated to help keep our kids safe) recognized the learning opportunity that it presented,” Austin said. “I’m glad that our teachers used this protest as a ‘teachable moment,’ and that our kids were involved in a peaceful counter-protest.” “Love and equality were definitely the messages that were overwhelmingly spread that day,” Ben Cartwright, from San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, said. “The students of San Diego High School most likely did not even notice the WBC clan and were treated to an afternoon that celebrated diversity. It was a success.” Web site aside from providing first aid and emergency care, they offer birth control and pregnancy tests, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted disease testing, substance abuse referrals and tobacco cessation counseling among other services. Coleman and Hudec added that the peer health educators have considered covering education on exercise, nutrition, stress management, eating disorders, body image and sexually transmitted disease. Hartsock explained that once the H1N1 project comes to an end the group will also be conducting some community service in medical settings. “I feel that they will make a huge difference in everything that is trying to get done on campus,” Cordell said. “They are essential; everything is made better because of them. They are so willing to give of their time and I am so appreciative.” All trainings of the peer health educators are facilitated by Cordell or Hartsock. Lorenzo recalled a food drive a few years back that had failed because homeless people from the street were lining up and taking packages meant for City students. But the founders said that by running student identification cards through the system, the program should be secure. “If the name of a student appears too often in a roster, they will be turned away,” said Bromley-Taylor. “Food Pantry is for emergency use only.” After the Food Pantry is established, the second tier of the two-phase plan will be a food bank. “We hope to have a fully functioning food bank by the end of this semester,” said Larissa Dorman, advisor for BEAT Club.
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City Times
CitySports
November 10, 2009
Cross country teams compete at championships By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times
The Pacific Coast Conference cross country championships were held on Oct. 30 at Morley Field and the Men and Lady Knights were out representing City College. City’s top finisher for the men’s 4-mile run was Martin de la Cruz, placing 26th overall with a time of 23:49. Following very close was team captain Rey Robledo, finishing in 28th place with a time of 24:00.80. “It was hard, the hills were very steep and what made it more difficult was that the base (runner) was going really fast and I couldn’t keep up with him,” de la Cruz said. The base runner was Southwestern College runner Dahir Mohamed, who finished first overall (20:57.40). San Diego Mesa scored 45 points for the team championship, besting the Cuyamaca Coyotes by six points. Southwestern was third with 58 points, while Palomar college tallied 70 points to round up the top four. Placing fifth as a team with 144 points was no letdown for the men’s team, as Coach Peter Gregory saw it as a victory. “They ran their hearts out today, they are the best team I’ve had in 10 years,” Gregory said. “We are in one of the toughest conferences in the state of California so I could not be more proud.” Mesa College is sixth place, Southwestern is eighth place, Cuyamaca 11th place and City is 18th place in the state. Team captain Rey Robledo said he believes the team is capable of doing better and reported to looking forward to next
year’s season. “This was a starting year; we only had one runner return from last year,” Robledo explained. “We were together all the time and practiced 6 days a week in the mornings and at nights.” On the Lady Knights’ side: they did not have the 5 runners required to compete for the team title on the 5k run, so their four runners competed individuals. The ladies still ran as representatives of City College cross country team. First year runner, Lady Mayra Guillen was City’s top finisher with a time of 26:49.80 and placing her in 28th place for the meet. Close behind were Rachel Cruz and Kyndl Spencley with 28:00.80 and 28:41.10 for their individual times. “I am really excited because I was able to beat my personal time by seven minutes,” Guillen said. “I thought I would pass out today because of the hills.” Coach Kylie Edwards said that the team did not bring out five runners because of injuries affecting the team, but she said that she was extremely proud of the runners that competed at this years cross country meet. “They went out hot and did not sweat anything; I am really proud of them,” Edwards said. For the women’s side, Southwestern placed first as a team with 18 points and Mesa placed second with 40 points.
Martin De La Cruz crosses the finish line in agony with 26th place after a hard run in the PCC Championships. City Knights men and women both competed this year. ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times
Men’s basketball set for season opener By DONOVAN TERBLANCHE City Times
MINERVA ONTIVEROS Correspondent Coach Mitch Charlens, in the red shirt, counsels the men’s basketball team in one of their final practices before for the season opener on Nov. 13.
City Knights men’s basketball team started the season with an enormous amount of students wanting to join the team. The basketball practices held every day from one to three at the Harry West Gym have been a flurry of activity, filled with constant sound of stampeding feet running suicides. The young men competing for a spot on the roster have run many miles up and down the court and have hustled for every ball. The pace has not let up for one second, as Coach Mitch Charlens, assistant head coach Bob Andreasen and assistant coaches Jerome Sherman, Joe D’Ambro and Jose De La Garma have pushed the players hard at every practice.
The players have formed a strong bond among themselves and constantly cheer and encourage each other. Practice sessions are full of encouragement as this cohesive unit realizes the expectations ahead of them. City College goes into this season ranked number one in the Pacific Coast Conference, on their success from last season. Judging from the initial reactions of the team, they are in for a successful year. The overall enthusiasm amongst the men is inspiring. An hour before and after official practice, the team is constantly working at improving their game on their own time, and enjoying themselves at something they love. The opening game of the season is on Nov. 13 at the Harry West Gym in the SDCC Knights Invitational.
Men’s cross country coach, a rock star away from field By TAYLOR POULIN Correspondent
As most San Diegans hit the snooze button on their alarm clock for the third consecutive time on a misty Saturday morning, Peter Gregory unzips his windbreaker and yells to his young team of chiseled runners to warm up and come back to talk through some strategy. Gregory, head coach of the San Diego City College Men’s Cross Country team, quickly stretches his hamstrings and tells one of his athletes to jog with him. To Gregory, this dainty four-mile run compared to his abundant race record seems as though a walk in the park. Balboa Park, that is. Gregory has been an avid runner ever since the age 11. Starting his running career at Pelican High School in Long Beach, he soon made a big leap and joined Everett High School his senior year. There, he started his coaching career as well. “I remember when the coach asked me to look over the training schedule and I quickly made changes,” Gregory said. “We put that into test and we were very successful, and I guess you could say that was my first act as a coach.” After graduation from Everett, Gregory went on a four-year hiatus from running to try and accomplish his childhood dreams. “I took four years off to make it as a drummer before returning back to school,” said the 47-year-old.
CARLOS MAIA City Times Coach Peter Gregory meets with the cross country team before heading to a race. Needless to say, Gregory and his then band didn’t make it to the big time, but he actively remains a student of the craft and plays shows in the local area. When Gregory was 22, he returned to Long Beach to live with his aunt and to work as a tour guide at the Los Angeles Olympics. It was there where he found inspiration and began to train as the runner he was supposed to be. The following fall of 1984, he received a scholarship to University of Massachusetts Lowell. After an injury his first year, Gregory soon transferred to UMASS Boston where he trained under Bill Squires, the dedi-
cated coach with a now laundry list of great runners he’s trained. With Squires, Gregory’s team finished fifth at the Division 3 National Championships and was named an All-American. “At Boston, Bill Squires incepted in me that I was a marathon runner,” said the husband and father of two. Since their meeting, Gregory has run 54 marathons, 17 at Boston and 12 at Los Angeles. Leaving UMASS Boston with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, he started his coaching career at Notre Dame High School, an all-girls catholic school in Hingham, Mass., in 1989. In his one year of coaching, he led the girls to place third at the state championships. Moving back to California once again, and under different circumstances, he took coaching jobs year-to-year until he found a home at East Lake High School in 1992. In 1995, he moved to Grossmont High School for three years until making his community college debut at Cuyamaca Community College. In his three years there, he had an outstanding track record, leading the 2000 women’s team to third at championships. In 2002, he took the coaching position at Southwestern College, where he stayed for five years. During his five seasons, he led the women’s team to Pacific Coast Conference Championships five years straight. In the fall of 2007, he accepted the head coaching position on campus.
“The last two years have been really rocky for us, but this is the best team I’ve had,” Gregory said. “All have been recruited and most have been running competitively for four to eight years.” Gregory pushes all his runners’ volume and says it’s easy to plan workouts since they are all in the same ability bracket. “He’s not like any other coach I’ve had,” said Rey Rebadelloh, who is the number one runner on the team. “We connect with him so well and he’s almost like our friend that we respect.” The husband, father, coach, runner and drummer doesn’t let his extracurricular activities get in the way of his job as a respiratory cardiac therapist at Alvarado Hospital Medical Clinic in Mission Valley. “This has been my base job for 18 years,” Gregory said. “It helps me do everything else I do.” Gregory has much aspiration for his 2009 season. He looks to take this team to the state championships, the first team in 23 years. “If we knock off one of the teams in the conference, then we’re making history,” Gregory said. “State, that’s what I’m shooting for.” One of Gregory’s runners turns to him as they finish their huddle before the race and says, “Hey coach! You’re running with us?” Gregory responds, “Of course! You guys are just lucky I’m not in shape.”