City Times — May 18, 2010

Online at www.sdcitytimes.com

CITY TIMES The Act of Dance

Dance department goes random PAGE 7

Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

CITY’S HISTORY

Take Note............................... 2 Life......................................... 4 Arts........................................ 7 Voice...................................... 9 Sports.................................. 12

Blast from our past at City PAGE 4 Volume 64, Number 14

May 18, 2010

Vasquez wins; Ahmed challenges process AS candidate disqualified, then reinstated without all of his votes

By Ernesto Lopez City Times In what turned out to be a competivite Associated Student election, presidential candidates Beto Vasquez recieved 391 votes, Abdulkadir Ahmed 127 and Omar Miyazaki 106, according to the AS office on May 11.

Although Vasquez came ahead with a higher number of votes,

Ahmed would challenge the process of elections due a disqualification.

On May 5, Ahmed was disqualified from the race by Elections Commissioner Kiedra Taylor for violating election codes and guidelines, according to a letter delivered to the candidate.

Taylor did not comment on Ahmed's disqualification.

Ahmed said he was sited by Taylor three times and even lost three days of campaigning due to the complaints filed against him.

One complaint e-mailed to Ahmed April 22 said he started "campaigning before official campaigning dates."

Dean of Student Affairs Denise Whisenhunt said candidates were allowed to campaign starting April 26.

Another complaint e-mailed to Abdulkadir Ahmed April 26 Ahmed from Taylor said the candidate had used AS materials to create campaigning posters when it's a violation of guidelines.”

The e-mail said Ahmed “may not put up campaign posters nor fliers until April 27.”

On May 3, the first day of voting, Ahmed was presented with a violation that stated he had drawn campaigning slogans with chalk on campus concrete; he was asked to erase them. He was not allowed to campaign the rest of that day, or until the chalk was removed.

According to the Associated Student Elections Handbook, Taylor failed to follow protocol when complaints are filed.

Clause 4, section 10 violation of the handbook states: "When presented with a violation, the Election Board must convene within 72 hours to review the complaint.

City College Celebrates cinco De Mayo

Associated Students election results President: Alberto“Beto” Vasquez Vice President: Marya“Klue” Edgar

More results online at sdcitytimes.com

See Ahmed, page 3

No new vandalism reports, police say

By Mark Rivera City Times

City Students look towards their futures

A native Aztec dancer performers for the crowd at the Cinco De Mayo Celebration at Gorton Quad.

According to Spanish Club president Beto Vasquez, the Cinco de Mayo celebration is a “signature event at City College, where (we) can interact and, at the same time, celebrate the real meaning of Cinco de Mayo.” The event took place on the actual holiday. Gabriel Roberts, City Times

Grads to walk May 21 will be this years Chancellor’s Scholarship Recipient and will also be the student speaker at San Diego City College the ceremony.

This year City College Graduation will be held on May 21 in Balboa Park’s hosted the Graduation Fair on Spreckel’s Organ Pavilion at 6 p.m. Approximately 350 students will take part in the graduation commencement ceremony this year.

“Commencement is my favorite event of the school year,” City College President Terrence Burgess said. “We May 3 and 4 in the Schwartz graduate nearly 1,200 stu- Square, which is located in dents each year and I very front of the bookstore. Stumuch enjoy shaking every stu- dents were able to purchase dent’s hand as she/he walks graduation materials, from across the stage at the Organ caps and gowns to graduation Pavilion to receive her/his souvenirs.

May 19 is the last day for degree.”

Among the graduates, City students to submit Intent to College student Charles Cook Participate forms. All stuBy Ricky Soltero City Times

dents must have an intent form to purchase a cap and gown. Forms are available in the Evaluations Office.

A mandatory graduation rehearsal will be held at the Organ Pavilion starting at 3:30 p.m. on May 20, the day before the Commencement Ceremony.

The day of graduation students are advised to arrive at 3:30 p.m.

“Commencement reminds me in a powerful way why I chose a career in education,” said Burgess. “Congratulations to the class of 2010.”

The 40th annual Chicano Latina Graduation Celebration was held at City College’s Lyman Saville Theater on May 15.

As school janitors and campus police became inundated with crime reports and vandalism occurring in the B and M building bathrooms, allegedly done by San Diego High School students, they have decided to lock those bathrooms from 2 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday in order to prevent further incidences from occurring. The B and M building bathrooms will remain locked until campus police or Plant Operations can come up with a better solution, campus police Sgt. Jordan Mirakian said.

“We haven’t had any other reports,” Mirakian said. “No problems. No changes. We haven’t even had any other complaints out of the other bathrooms (on campus).”

San Diego High School students are suspects in the bathroom incidents because of the specific types of tagging that occurred in the bathrooms, prior arrests and the specific times that the bathrooms were being vandalized, according to campus police. Another reason is because of the many legitimate San Diego High students that attend the Early Middle College program located on City College campus.

According to Aly Cerda, coordinator of the Early Middle College program at San Diego High, students that participate in the Early

Cosmetology PREPS for move

Cosmetology students Erica Laurie (left) and Amy Lancaster (right) organize products for sale May 12. The students will move to their new home at the Career and Technology Center on June 7.

Vanessa Gomez, City Times

Middle College are unlikely to have the opportunity to commit any acts of vandalism.

“I personally don’t think that it pertains to the students involved in the Early Middle College program,” Cerda said. “We have a class of students that walk over there with their teachers from the high school, and the teachers will actually pick them up from the (City College) campus.”

“As soon as the bell rings, you do whatever you want.”

— Paola Delgado, high school student Cerda also added that it would be hard to say that San Diego High students are to blame for the incidents because there are students from multiple high schools that attend classes on the City College campus.

One of the only solutions that would prevent San Diego High students from committing these acts is to have San Diego High administration speak to the students and make them aware of the issues pertaining to the City College bathroom, Cerda said.

“We would let them know that if they are caught doing these types of things on campus, there will be See Police, page 3

Like our new look?

A new look for City Times debuts today as a test run for this coming fall. We appreciate reader comments on the newspaper’s design. Log on to www.sdcitytimes .com to tell us what you think, or e-mail us at citytimes @gmail.com.

www.sd citytimes .com | May 18, 2010

2

TAKE NOTE Compiled by Michele Suthers Get your event in the paper.

E-mail us at citytimes@gmail.com or call 619- 388-3880

Fashionaughta By Michele Suthers

n May 17 Open registration begins for fall n May 20 City College Blood Bone Marrow Drive, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Gorton Quad n May 21 City College Graduation 6 p.m. Organ Pavillion, Balboa Park

Community Creatures

n May 31 Holiday - Memorial Day

By Gabriel Roberts

n June 1-26 4-week session n June 1- July 3 5-week session n July 5 Holiday - Independence Day n June 22 - August 2 6-week session n June 22 - August 16 8-week session n July 6 - August 7 5-week session

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3

NEWS

Students honored at luncheon

By Donna Maranto Correpondent

Above: A City College student participates on a circuit training demonstration at the Sixth Annual Student Research Symposium on May 6 at Gorton Quad. Below: School President Terrence Burgess welcomes the crowd at the event in which more than 250 student presented research projects.

Photos by Nick Moone, Correspondent

Campus event features student research projects

By Sandy Coronilla and John Balchack City Times MESA Program Director Rafael Alvarez helped organize the Sixth Annual Research Symposium held on May 6 in the Gorton Quad, which featured undergraduate student research by more than 250 presenters.

He estimates that there were 70 poster presentations and 30 oral presentations, as well as performances, art displays and a communication showcase.

“Something like this is kinda common in a university,” Alvarez said. “I think, as a community college, we are the only community college that has such an event. They might have parts of this but not something like this.”

The communication showcase, held in D-121a/b, included several PowerPoint presentations such as Amanda Hanna’s entitled “Detrimental Effects of Social Networking Sites.” Hanna cited a recent study that showed those who spend a lot of time browsing the net and social networking sites have high risk of depression.

Political Science major Crystal Browning spoke about student activism and

presented the story of the Serbian youth movement Otpor from the University of Belgrade.

Political Science major Crystal Browning spoke about student activism. She presented the story of the Serbian youth movement Otpor from the University of Belgrade, which practiced nonviolent resistance to try to overthrow the former Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic.

“Between 1999 and 2000, 10,000-12,000 people were killed in a single year, in a single country,” Browning said. "It was done in what was viewed as an ethnic cleansing. (Otpur) started as a small group of students and they used small techniques and nonviolent protest to get their message across ... By gaining society's acceptance through humor and sarcasm, they were able to get the whole nation behind them.”

City College math professor Misael Camarena mentored Juan Torres, Elizabeth Villasenor and Yessica Green in their poster presentation on the developmental disorder autism.

They included statistics from a 2006 Harvard School of Public Health report which revealed autism's costs in the

United States of over $90 billion annually and over $3.2 million during the average autistic persons lifespan.

The eclectic poster displays ranged from diabetes to cannibalism, smoking prevention to installing a wood floor. Projects on domestic

“We refer to this as a signature event for City College and that’s because it really highlights student learning.”

-Rafael Alvarez, Mesa Program Director violence and HIV-AIDS contained gripping photos and statistics that brought the full impact of the subject to each viewer. Bio-tech major George Mohr's presentation on the ancient Aztec plant amaranth included a bag of tiny seeds, which he offered to those who were interested in growing the multi-use crop.

City College professor George Jessup is a member of the symposium's organizing committee and mathematics mentor. While browsing the

City Times wins 3 first place awards

By Nico Smedley Correpondent At its annual awards ceremony last month, the California College Media Association awarded City Times with two first place prizes within its division, one

Police Continued from Page 1 consequences harsher than those for students caught vandalizing the high school campus,” Cerda said.

But even this solution would be ineffective because of the little power high school

in the “General Excellence” category and the second for “Overall Design.”

The organization stated on its website that the student newspaper displayed “Good stories, good photos, good headlines, smart captions and gorgeous design.

This is a very good newspaper.”

City Times also received first place in the 20092010 Scholastic Newspaper Awards, a national competition that is administered by the American Scholastic Press Association.

faculty has outside of the classroom, according to San Diego High students Paola Delgado and Elysa McClelland.

“As soon as the bell rings, you do whatever you want,” Delgado said.

“That’s how most (high school) students feel,” McClelland added. “Once

school is over, you’re not in my life. So (students) do whatever they want.”

With little else to be done

by San Diego High administration, as well as campus police, the only alternative to prevent vandalism in the bathrooms of buildings B and M is to have the bathrooms locked, Mirakian said.

For more of City Times visit www.sdcitytimes.com

poster boards, Jessup spoke about this year’s offering.

“This is the biggest turnout ever,” Jessup said. “We had to turn down some lesser presentations. This was a good year and students need do more research without relying too much on the Internet.”

The performance and spoken word presentations brought an entertaining element to the day. Art, dance, martial arts and poetry were all represented with expert demonstrations by students exhibiting their talent.

The spoken word canopy hosted superb poetry such as “Girls are Smart but Boys are Sly” by Elizabeth Pantoja, “True Beauty” by Sarita Tolbert and “These Old Shoes”

by Brittany Heath. Singer Sophia played guitar to accompany her strong voice in a song that brought the event to a close.

“I know that President Burgess is very proud to support this,” Alvarez said.

“We refer to this as a signature event for City College and that's because it really highlights student learning.

(The students) are passionate about what they studied, what they researched and learned. I think that really comes across.”

Ahmed Continued from Page 1 At that time, the person presenting the complaint and the candidate in question must appear before the board with any witnesses.”

The clause continues, stating that “The Election Board will review the complaint, determine its merit and decide what actions should be taken at that time.” It also states, “The names of all witnesses, and or any evidence used in the hearing must be provided to the opposing side and the Election Board committee at least 24 hours prior.”

Ahmed said Taylor did not reveal to him who had filed the complaints, and she said, “they are for (her) to see and nobody else.”

“I sacrificed so much for this election,” Ahmed said.

“I am not going to let it go away. I had to miss class to clean up the chalk, which is something I did not do.

I was out of town at a general assembly for student government.”

On May 6, Ahmed said he filed a petition to Taylor to have his candidacy reinstated. And on May 10, City College’s Information

The 22nd annual Honors Reception presented by the San Diego Community College District Honors Program and hosted by Chancellor Constance Carroll began at the Prado restaurant in Balboa Park Tuesday, May 4.

Beginning with the welcome address and introductions by Kelly Mayhew, the district Honors Program co-coordinator, each table moved to the buffet, where guests were served salad and baked poultry with sides of pasta and fruit.

President Terrence Burgess, as well as the Board of Trustees of the District was present and spent time greeting staff and students alike.

Carroll spoke first, citing the work of the program on all three campuses, and how helpful it is for students wanting to transfer to four-year colleges.

She especially noted the hard work of the City College student, Naomi SalasSantaCruz.

SantaCruz began at City College with a GPA of 1.7, while being homeless, and raised her GPA to 3.6.

Instead of a speech, she presented a slide show of the activities that she had partaken in for this accomplishment.

In honors courses,

topics are explored in depth, with an emphasis on critical thinking, extensive reading and writing and student presentations.

The Honors Program came about because of a districtwide movement for instructional innovation, said Candace Waltz, one of the founders of the program.

The Honors Contract is a distinct element, a pact between student and professor that moves a course beyond traditional class requirements into deeper analysis and communication regarding the course's subject matter.

The Honors Program liaises with several major four-year universities, including UC Los Angeles, Universty of Southern California, UC Irvine, Occidental College, Pepperdine University, Pomona College, UC Santa Cruz and UC Riverside.

Other speakers included students Donia Ahadian from Mesa and Heather Paulson from Miramar.

As the luncheon moved on to dessert, Mayhew introduced Dr. Esther Kronovet from the San Diego Scholarship Foundation, whom the guests applauded for her input, which has been helpful for so many students.

The program ended at 3 p.m. with the naming of the students who are transfering to universities.

City College student Naomi Salas-SantaCruz speaks about her struggeles to succeed in school at the district’s honors program luncheon on May 4 at The Prado in Balboa Park.

Donna Maranto, Correspondent

Officer Gerald Ramsey informed Ahmed he would be reinstated as a candidate, but votes submitted for him between May 5 at 11 a.m. and May 6 at 11 a.m. would not be counted.

Taylor was unable to disclose the number of votes Ahmed lost because district office personell counts the votes submited online.

“This was a growing experience for me,” Taylor said. “Having to judge my peers is a very tough thing.

I know Ahmed through other campus capaci-

ties and he’s a very active person.”

When asked to comment about the incidents, Vasquez decided not to comment.

Ahmed said he is not at peace with the decisions taken by the elections committee and hopes to continue being involved on campus.

“I accept what happened,” he said. “I am going to UCSD next year to take care of my business. I forgive everyone. I am not going to fight it. My mindset is to keep as is.”

Associated Students presidential candidates Beto Vasquez and Abdulkadir Ahmed at the campus elections debate on April 29.

Carlos Maia, City Times

www.sd citytimes .com | May 18, 2010

4

LIFE

A brief glimpse into the past

City Times archives reveal the colorful history of City College

By Evonne Ermey City Times

As another semester draws to an end and another class of City graduates prepare to don cap and gown, we take a look at semesters past at City College.

Among the archives of City Times newspaper, previously known as the Fortknightly, and before that, the Jay Sees, we were able to uncover a veritable time capsule of political, musical and sports history of our campus.

It’s hard to imagine a time when Harry west was more than a name on a gymnasium, when the Knights basketball team used to play against the Harlem Globetrotters or soon to be presidents, like Ronald Reagan, would stop by for a chat. City College campus was even featured in a 50’s LIFE magazine spread! Not too shabby for a community college.

City College was one of the first junior colleges in California and has been an institution of higher learning since 1914.

Our archives chronicle the plight of City students and faculty drafted for wars in Korea and Vietnam, sending condolence letters to the Bereaved Jaqueline Onassis-Kennedy, discovering comets, participating in sororities, dances, war protests and civil rights movements.

Our campus and our school are rife with history.

Historical Balboa Stadium

By John Balchak City Times A part of the original City College and San Diego High School campuses was Balboa Stadium. Built in 1914 in preparation for the PanRutkowski’s WWII experience (above) continues California Exposition, this online at www.sdcitytimes.com. (below) Harlem massive, concrete bowl Globetrotter Ermer Robinson sets up a shot against hosted presidents, adventurthe City Knights. The teams played annually. ers, pro football championships and epic music events.

After the expo, President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech at Balboa Stadium supporting the creation of the League of Nations in 1919. It was the first time an American President had used an electric voice amplifier to be heard by a large crowd.

Another time Charles Lindbergh flew 100 feet over the stadium and circled it eight times before landing (Above) A City Knight football player crashes onto the field before a game, and being paraded through circa 1950s. (Below) Knights cheerleaders show team spirit, circa 1970s. the streets of San Diego. The City Times file photos Rev. Billy Graham also conducted crusades there.

Owned by the city of San Diego, the stadium was the site of auto racing on its quarter-mile track for many years.

The City College football and track teams also competed there. Its glory days came with the arrival of the Chargers, formerly of Los Angeles, who played there from 1961 through 1966. During this time the Chargers dominated opponents under coach Sid Gillman, winning the Western Division four times and once becoming American Football League champions.

Later, Balboa Stadium became the home for local rock music shows and is legendary for one rare event. On August 28, 1965, The Beatles appeared there for their only San Diego show. They played for approximately 30 minutes and tickets ranged from $3.50 to $5.50.

Reviews said the music could hardly be heard above the screaming of female fans.

Their last public performance came almost exactly one year later in San Francisco.

Other concerts held at Balboa Stadium included Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Crosby Stills, Nash and Young, and Sly and the Family Stone. Oh, if only we had a time machine.

May 18, 2010 | www.sd citytimes .com

5

Fighting for your right to education Professor Jim Miller marches for the funds California school systems desperately need

By John Balchak City Times City College English Professor Jim Miller has returned from a journey reminiscent of Cesar Chavez and other civil rights leaders. His pilgrimage was to the state capitol and his goal was to stand up (and march) for students in California.

English professor Jim Miller.

Tuananh Photography

Students face tough choices

By Mark Rivera City Times In this economic climate, many City College students have to juggle a full school schedule along with a fulltime job in order to be selfsufficient. For some, this heavy load has proven to be a bit much to carry.

One student who said he felt this strain is Joseph Marrero. He was a full-time City College student trying to complete the necessary upper-division units needed to transfer to a university and major in molecular biology.

His plans, however, hit a dead-end when he wasn't able to financially support himself with his part-time job.

“I was taking 14 units this semester, getting financial aid, and working parttime,” Marrero said. “But it still wasn’t enough to cover rent and bills so I decided to quit school.”

The decision to put school on-hold wasn’t easy to make, he added. But it’s a decision more City College students are faced with as mounting pressures at home lead them to make this difficult decision.

“And it is getting worse,”

City College English professor Anna Rogers said. “Over the course of this semester alone, what I’ve noticed are students who have to make job transitions midsemester … then attempt to juggle school and their work schedule, which because it is mid-semester, are really incompatible, and it's causing students to disappear from my classes.”

But there are some students who do attempt to continue these hectic schedules — sometimes at the expense of their school grades.

One such student is Angie Esparza, who balances a full school schedule with raising three children and supporting a family, almost entirely on her own. With so many responsibilities, she said it's hard to maintain her 3.7 Grade Point Average.

“Where I would be getting an A, I am actually getting a B or C because I have very limited time to do homework,” Esparza said.

“Some days, by the time I get home, I’ll be so tired that I’ll go straight to bed without doing my homework.

And sometimes I’ll wake up at 4 in the morning, trying See Struggle, page 11

On March 6, in Bakersfield, a determined group of social funding advocates, Miller among them, began walking north through the Central Valley with Sacramento as their goal.

The seven primary marchers, made up of education professionals, law enforcement officers and community organizers, were joined along the way by supporters throughout the region over the six week trek.

“It was over 350 miles because we were diverted to side roads,” Miller said.

“After a couple weeks I was used to it; you get your calluses up. The walking was my favorite part.”

The caravan was a mobile mouthpiece for their antibudget cut cause, blogging, issuing press releases and attracting media attention as they traveled.

Miller wrote and spoke frequently in defense of school funding, including two articles that appeared on HuffingtonPost. com.

“But the 24/7 of it was

tiring. There was little privacy and we were sleeping in RVs. There were cameras around all the time and the logistics were intense.” he said.

Miller remembers, “90 percent of the people we met were positive when they found out we were marching for education, social services, state parks and the future of California.” At one stop, children came out of their school chanting, “si se puede” (yes we can). The students offered food to the marchers and later presented a ballet.

One of the locals who was less cordial was a man on a tractor who told the marchers that schools deserve less funding and “they should swat the kids.” Miller tried to explain to the man that funding has already been drastically cut for education but he did not seem sympathetic.

“I really expected more hostility in the most conservative part of the state,"”said Miller. “The tractor guy was hostile and exemplified

unfocused rage.”

In Sacramento, the marchers were joined by hundreds of supporters, including a contingent from City College, who celebrated the completion of the odyssey by accompanying them over the last mile.

On the west lawn of the capitol building they were met by a rally attracting thousands who were addressed by Miller and the other marchers, union leaders and student representatives.

Miller said the prime objective of the march was to help gather enough signatures to place a majority budget act on the November ballot which would change the current two thirds of the legislature needed to pass a budget to a simple 50 percent.

In recognition of the City students who traveled to Sacramento, Miller said, “The faculty and student participation has been excellent.

We were the farthest campus from Sacramento to come to the rally. I was impressed.”

Who is Jennifer Montgomery?

City staffer tests her trivia skills on Jeopardy

By Hazel Rodriguez Correspondent Jennifer Montgomery, development director for KSDS Jazz 88.3, fulfilled a lifelong dream when she entered as a hopeful contestant to the game show Jeopardy last September.

After moving on from auditions, Montgomery made it as an official contestant on the show, which aired on Dec. 14, 2009.

Taking the lead on the first game, Montgomery went on for three consecutive wins, bringing home a whopping $45,200.

Growing up, Montgomery watched Jeopardy with her mom. She dreamed of trying out for the Jeopardy teen and college tournaments, but never really looked into it. With the encouragement of a friend, Montgomery applied to Jeopardy online by taking a test in September.

“A few months later, I got an email saying I’d made it to the next round, and that (an) in-person audition was held here in San Diego,” Montgomery said.

The audition was held in a hotel downtown, with a total of 20 candidates. They were given another written test, followed by a mock game show.

Courtesy photo “It’s a game show ultimately. So you have to project, and have some sense of personality and not get too freaked out,” Montgomery said on what producers are looking for in candidates.

On top of all the Jeopardy excitement, Montgomery and her husband Shane, a local firefighter, married just nine days before the audition.

Just a week after settling in as newlyweds, Montgomery received a call from Jeopardy, moving her on to be a contestant on the show.

Ann Bauer, the underwriting manager for KSDS Jazz 88.3, has worked with Montgomery for 4 years,

and was excited to hear her coworker would be a contestant on the Jeopardy show.

“We were thrilled! This is a lifelong dream of hers, so how could we not be thrilled. I mean, it was like my sister got that kind of opportunity, it was wonderful!”

With her friends and family in “Jennifer” T-shirts and waving “number 1” foam fingers in the audience, Montgomery was ready to play the game.

Although producers advise the contestants to not look over to their friends and family, it was hard to not miss Montgomery’s cheering crowd.

One of her colleagues from KSDS Jazz 88.3, Claudia Russell, Program Director, was right there rooting for her.

“Most of us followed her on TV when the shows finally aired, but I was particularly excited because I got to join her family at the second day of taping. It was more exciting than I had anticipated and I was pretty excited already. She was a fun contestant to watch.

She looks terrific on TV and really played well,” said Russell.

Montgomery’s first day on Jeopardy proved to be a success, her end total was 20,000 dollars. The second day's winnings were 8,799 dollars, adding to her day one total equals 28,799 dollars. Montgomery, moving on to the third day, made 16,401 dollars, totaling her three day win at 45,200 dollars.

“I was just there to have a really good time, and win as much money as I could,” Montgomery said. “Everyone there is just having a once in a lifetime experience.”

With her success on Jeopardy, Montgomery said she hopes to use the money on a down payment for a new home, for her and her husband Shane.

Rodriguez, BEAT and beyond

By Ernesto Lopez City Times As he slowly pealed an orange, Jose Rodriguez, a City College student and one of three student founders of the Bring Education and Activism Together Club, said he doesn't like being called a founder of BEAT because that would give him some sort of status he doesn't feel he should have.

“I don’t like the title of founder, it gives some sort of status in the club and it may make new members feel less than I do,” Rodriguez added. “Someone else may have better ideas than I do. Credit will be given where credit is due, and if BEAT accomplishes so much there will be enough credit for everyone.”

Whether he likes the attention or not, Rodriguez has been on the campus spotlight throughout this school year. He led his club’s mentorship program with troubled youth, lead a documentary project

on budget cuts and the Education not Incarceration event this spring and gave speeches at numerous local budget cut rallies.

Most recently, he gave a speech at the March for California’s Future rally in Sacramento where more than 5,000 students and faculty from across the state were in attendance. “(Jose) is incredibly dedicated to BEAT, MECHA and the City College Campus. During the March for California's Future, (he) was consistently making connections with people, creating networks and building coalitions,” BEAT Club adviser Larisa Dorman said. “It has become second nature for him and I think that really impacts his fellow students who see how willing he is to put himself out there for a good cause.”

Rodriguez said his passion for politics was stirred and BEAT was born when he took a political science class from Dorman.

Jose Rodriguez, BEAT Club co-founder, speaks at the Voice of People History event last fall.

Carlos Maia, City Times “She definitely inspired me, she explained a different point of view in American politics and we wanted to do something in a different way,”

he said. “We immediately wanted to change things we found disturbing in our society, such as political movements and ideologies.”

The activist student said he feels sad when our society doesn’t get See BEAT, page 11

www.sd citytimes .com | May 18, 2010

6

LIFE

Monica Fraze (above) is a machinery engineering major. The flaming skull emblazoned across her lower back is her own design. Jose Rincon (below) has his surname tattoed across his chest as a sign of respect for family. Photos by Carlos Maia, City Times

Jordan McHenry’s tattoo (above) commemorates children who have lost the battle against cancer. McHenry has volunteered at Camp Reach for the Sky, a summer camp for kids affected by cancer for eight years.

Evonne Ermey, City Times

A look inside City College Before you go tattoo culture under the gun

By Jason Boyle Contributor

The idea of intentionally marking one’s body can be daunting, especially considering the fact that it’s not only permanent, but the process itself can be painful, too. Despite that, the trend of tattooing is, and has been, on the rise for about the past decade and grows exponentially with each year that passes.

According to a 2006 study done by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 24 percent of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed. Three years earlier, in 2003, a Harris Poll estimated that only 16 percent of Americans were tattooed. The rising trend of tattoos in America can be largely attributed to TV shows like “Miami Ink” and “LA Ink”, marketing and fashion trends in today’s society, and celebrities and professional athletes.

Jon Yagle, a tattoo artist at Ink Spot and fine arts student at City, stated, “I see a trend in people wanting words and sayings on them. I think that is what is big now. You still have the people that want tribal, but it’s mostly first timers. I also seem to do a lot of flowers on chicks; flowers are fun to do. I’ve also noticed a lot of people want stuff on the hands and neck, places that used to only be for the extreme tattoo enthusiast, so yeah, tattoos are getting a lot more socially accepted, which is great for someone who makes money tattooing.”

Even if tattoos are cool now, it hasn’t always been that way. In the 1920s and ‘30s, tattoos in America were associated with groups such as the military, bikers, convicts and gang members. Such assoKavewall.com, courtesy illustration

ciations also went hand in hand with rebellion and masculinity.

In turn, tattooing and tattoos were branded with a male stigma that has seemed to follow the art through the years. The same Harris Poll from 2003, however, found that statistics for tattooed males versus tattooed females in America is nearly identical at 16 percent versus 15 percent.

“I don’t really have much to say about the rise of tattoo popularity among women, other than

“I take art classes to try to get as much knowledge as I can about art in general and hopefully walk away with something I can use in my daily life of tattooing,” —Fine arts major and tatto artist Jon Yagel it’s fairly obvious that a woman’s role, both socially and in the workplace, has changed over the last 70 years, and the whole ‘women and tattoos’ thing is just a natural extension of that for better and for worse,” said Dunn Smith, a tattoo artist at Flying Panther and fine arts student at City. “While I, of course, am a big fan of woman feeling they can express them-

selves without being judged, I do recognize that, as the popularity of tattooing rises, many women use it as a way to sexually appeal to a specific subculture of men.”

“I will say, however, that I hate it when people act like I should even care that I’m a woman tattooer, or when they harbor the belief that women tattooers are the only sex that are somehow able to use their gender to get away with being subpar,” she continued. “There are more good male tattooers than female because tattooing is a male saturated industry. If anyone, male or female, is determined to be proficient at what they do, and willing to put the work in, they will most likely succeed. The only thing that anyone should ever care about is whether or not I am a good tattooer.”

As with any skilled trade, tattooing takes an immense amount of dedication, so it’s only logical that a true tattoo artist constantly hones their artistic talents.

“I take art classes to try to get as much knowledge as I can about art in general and hopefully walk away with something I can use in my daily life of tattooing,” states Yagle.

Health Department qualifications set aside, tattooing is an art form that needs to take on many different artistic styles, sometimes multiple times per day. From traditional tattoo art to Art Nouveau, producing art for someone to wear for life takes a knowledge that sets a tattoo artist apart from the amateur scratcher.

“I love that tattooing has given me the opportunity and discipline to work with a variety of mediums.

Intrinsically, I don’t think there is a See Tattoo, page 11

By Dan Berger City Tames So you’re thinking about showing that special someone how devoted you are with some life-long body art? Or maybe you just want to become one with your favorite masterpiece. Here’s a list I’ve compiled containing tips from Karen L. Hudson, author of “Living Canvas: Your Complete Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Body Modification,” as well as from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Web site. Consider this advice before going under the needle.

Pre-tattoo Awareness: Spend adequate time mulling over the design you would like tattooed, and where you would like it tattooed. Being impulsive and getting some random tattoo after having had too much to drink will most likely lead to regret the next day.

Ensure that the artist is registered with the county health department. Every state has different regulations, but in California, Assembly Bill 186 requires county health departments to set specific safety and sanitation standards to be followed by every tattoo shop.

The county health department also performs annual inspections to enforce regulations.

Be sure to eye over some examples of the artist’s finished work, not just the art you see on the tattoo shop walls. Ask the artist to see his or her portfolio, and when you are flipping through it, look at the designs closely for straight, smooth lines, circles that should look like circles and well-blended colors that create even forms of shading, depth and dimension.

Make sure the equipment is

clean by checking that the shop has a steam autoclave sterilizer. If you want to be extra safe, check out the results of the latest biological spore test, which confirms the autoclaves are sterilizing properly. The artist should be wearing medical latex gloves.

After-tattoo To-do List: Leave your bandage on for a minimum of two hours. The whole point of having that bandage is to protect your wound from airborne bacteria. If your artist for some odd reason covered your tattoo in some kind of plastic wrap, remove it immediately; it’s better to have no covering at all than to smother it.

After removing the bandage, wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and either a mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap.

Refrain from using a washcloth or towel as this will be too abrasive; just use your hand. After the area has been thoroughly washed, pat dry with a clean towel until completely dry and apply a meager amount of antibacterial ointment.

For the first three weeks, stick to showers and avoid submerging your tattoo at all costs! You will also not want to let your tattoo get any soap or shampoo on it.

Peeling and scabbing are to be expected a few days after the procedure. If you are experiencing peeling, apply lotion. To get rid of scabs, apply a warm, damp compress to the area for five minutes, three times a day. This will soften them and allow them to come off on their own in due time. You might also try slapping the skin if it begins to itch; just don’t pick or scratch at it. Your tattoo is susceptible to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can harm and fade your tattoo, so be sure to use sunblock for the rest of your tattoo’s life.

May 18, 2010 | www.sd citytimes .com

7

ARTS

Art and poetry alive at Saville City students revere Special Delivery and its recipients

By Dan Berger City Times Students in Philosophy 108 and Graphic Design 149 not only study philosophy and art — they live it.

Students from the two linked courses will be presenting their art and poetry in an exhibition titled “(That’s Not) The Story” on Thursday, May 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Saville Theatre lobby. A reception will also be held and the event is free to the public.

The exhibition will showcase students’ work inspired by their collaboration with Special Delivery, a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers, who cook and deliver meals five days a week to more than 130 homebound people with severe disease.

Students prepared meals in the Special Delivery kitchen and delivered the meals to the recipients’ homes, enabling them to interview the recipients and hear their stories. The students then created poetry, art journals and art installations based on these interviews.

“The objective (of the exhibition) is to celebrate the voices and lives of individuals who are homebound with critical illness,” said Professor Andrea Singer, instructor of Graphic Design 149. “We are trying to model for students that if you want to change the world, the steps to do that (are) in your thinking, behavior and art making.”

Graphic Design 149, Studio Practices: Making Art and Design Relevant for Community, and Philosophy 108, Perspectives on Human Nature and Society, which is taught by Singer’s husband, Professor William Stew-

art, together form a hybrid course that emphasizes active involvement in the community. Students- have created art journals every week throughout the semester, which are based on philosophic traditions they have studied, volunteering at Special Delivery and students’ personal revelations they have experienced throughout the semester.

“The class has been an amazing experience,” student Desireé Aspiras commented.

“We get to be involved with a great community organization and create art that will, hopefully, make people more aware of Special Delivery and the homebound individuals it serves. In particular, our study of several philosophical traditions have provided additional perspectives for us which have been meaningful in our interviewing, volunteering and art making.”

Philosophy 108 is not your typical philosophy class where students read about a certain philosophical idea, write about it and discuss it.

Questions regarding the individual and its role in society are explored and a community within the classroom is formed.

“One of the essential aspects in exploring this question is, of course, to not just keep philosophy trapped in the theoretical, but to bring it into the experiential,” Stewart said. “If philosophy cannot help us to understand and live our lives more fully, then it is not providing our students all that it can.”

In addition to their volunteer work with Special Delivery, the classroom community went rock climbing and traveled to Deer Park Monastery, where they lived like monks for a weekend, partaking in Zazen meditation, mindful walking, noble silence and Dharma discussions. To conclude the semester, students will get together and share in a last supper pot luck together.

The Saville Theatre lobby will exhibit students’ artwork and poetry May 20 inspired by volunteer work for homebound people with critical illnesses. Top: “Tarot Cards” by Grace Manuel. Left: “I don’t think I was good for her” by Kenny Baughman. Right: “Don’t Cry Sister Cry” by Jessica Palma. Bottom: “It was the worst thing that ever happened to me” by Desireé Aspiras.

Scanned examples of artwork provided to City Times by Andrea Singer, graphic design professor

Random Acts of Dance is just that ‘Pippin’ — a play, an achievement DANCE The stage was set for the Dance Department’s latest concert and as guests quickly packed in the seats, they were greeted by a headless and limbless manikin with an open wound exposing the heart — random.

Random was the theme for City College Dance Department’s spring performance “Random Acts of Dance.”

Six performances choreographed by six different instructors entertained audiences May 7 and 8.

Each piece, running approximately eight minutes, told a story. From beginning to end, the dancers used their bodies to communicate the visions of the instructors at City.

Some pieces, like “Surreal Obstacles,” began with an a capella solo sung by a dancer. Adding another medium to the dance captured the audience and set the tone for the dance. This piece was visually appealing because it showed a video featuring the dancers in a

REVIEW

Brittany Johnson

Students dance at The Saville Theatre Minerva Ontiveros, Correspondent rural setting performing the same choreography.

Although the choreography featured basic core movements, jetes and plies, the styles are difficult to describe. The movements are too random to be considered a ballet or jazz piece.

However, this kept the audience’s attention.

Most of the pieces featured a small group of dancers, even soloists, performing a short sequence, and then persisting to run back off stage for the next group’s turn. Because the movements were so random, keeping the sections limited in dancers allows for a cleaner piece. The opposite was seen when a large number recited a sequence.

The various technique levels of the dancers left these sections sloppy.

Acrobatics, breathing and voices of the dancers added to the random acts.

Numbers like “180 Beats per Minute,” choreographed

by Debi Toth-Ward, used the focus of the way the bodies’ curves move. I would rename this dance the “6-pack dance” because the dancers’ physique and costuming kept the audience fixated on the power of the body.

Each dance focused on an issue at hand. The dancers took us on a journey

to understand emotions, friendship and communication and even took us into our homes focusing on budget cuts and border crossing.

Because many of the dancers are in more than one piece, 10-minute breaks took place between each dance.

This was random and left the audience wondering if there was enough time for a stretch.

The audience was filled with friends, family and students from all across the county. Many UCSD students gathered to support their instructors, like Terry Wilson, and to see their work come to life.

Instructors and students took all semester to prepare this concert, and in two days and three performances it was over. Teachers and students share positive emotion when asked how they think it went, many eager to create next years.

Brittany Johnson is the City Times co-arts editor

By Mollie Shepardson Contributor When a student has a large assignment, such as a term paper, the task seems daunting and much work goes into achieving a good grade. Fortunately for a regular student, their only criticism is usually in the form of a letter grade from their professor. If, however, you are a part of a stage production in college, your critics make up the entire audience, along with your professor and peers.

At City College, such a production has been under way for some time. Students have put long hours towards the production of “Pippin,” often practicing in the evenings for three straight hours. Much like a term paper, variety is required in order to present the final product.

Such productions are geared less towards audi-

ence amusement and more towards student development. Sure, the students want to impress their critics, but as the Lead Player in “Pippin,” Trevor Peringer put it for most, “this is just the very beginning.”

Peringer, an alumnus of City College, was once a regular performer in college productions before graduating and moving on to professional acting. Peringer was contacted by Director June Richards to play the role of Lead Player, which gave him the opportunity to watch new students “grow into their performing.”

Although each production requires a great amount of guidance from professors and staff, the plays would not be educational springboards without the drive of the students. Teresa Elliott, a freshman at City College, plays a dancer/singer in “Pippin.”

See Pippin, page 11

www.sdcitytimes .com | May 18, 2010

8

The many faces of Toni Collette Late last year, Showtime on Showtime.

USoT revolves around finally released one of its new hit shows’ first season, “United Tara, a mother, artist and States of Tara,” on DVD. Fans housewife who suffers from disassociative identity disorder, which is the official term for split personality. Her husband Max, two children Marshall and Kate and sister Charmaine have learned to Christine Klee live with the various versions of Tara. One would think the re-lived meeting Tara’s per- drama created by this disorsonalities, or alters, in the first der is enough to make for an episodes and were reminded interesting show, but that is of all the reasons why they not all “United States of Tara” were so impatiently waiting has to offer. Each character, for Season 2. On March 22, along with having to live with “United States of Tara” finally Tara and her alters, also has returned for its second season their own storylines. These

TV REVIEW

stories are what makes USoT great to watch — there is not one second of time wasted.

Tara’s alters get revealed early on, and a short overview shows that they are as diverse as they come. Alice is a housewife stuck in the ‘50s who loves to cook, bake and clean for her “picture-perfect” family. “T” is a rebellious teenager with the advantage of having a credit card and a driver’s license, but the downside of unfortunately being stuck in an ‘old’ body.

A personal favorite is Buck, the male — yes, male! — alter who lost his imaginary balls when he went to Vietnam —

or so he thinks.

The show thrives from Toni Collette’s immense talent, which won her an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Tara.

She can go from being Tara to one of her alters within a matter of seconds, and her whole demeanor, especially her mannerisms, change. In Season 2, these transformations become even more central to the show and really give Collette an opportunity to show her skills. But while Collette shows the widest range due to her character’s disorder, the other actors do not disappoint at all. Rosema-

rie DeWitt is brilliant as Tara’s sometimes jealous/attentionseeking, yet caring sister.

Brie Larson as Kate only seems like the typical teenage girl at first. She soon reveals a depth that stems from her family’s situation.

Leading man John Corbett portrays Tara’s likeable and understanding husband, and Keir Gilchrist plays the nonstereotypical, possibly-gay son Marshall.

Part of the success of “United States of Tara” can be attributed to the witty, yet often deep dialogue written

by Oscar winner Diablo Cody.

Pop-culture reverences that

make viewers laugh are as common as wise words that will make you ponder the deeper meaning of life. This show certainly proves that hit movie “Juno” was not a onehit-wonder.

If you saw Season 1 and liked it, Season 2 will definitely not disappoint. In the first episode, Tara is alterfree but drug-filled and life is perfect. However, perfect life rarely makes for good TV, so this perfect life has an expiration date and it is approaching fast.

Christine Klee is a City Times copy editor

New ‘Iron Man’ film doesn’t measure up The influx of summer action movies kicks off with a bang with the release of “Iron Man 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2008 blockbuster, “Ironman.” The movie features performances by many of Hollywood’s big names including Robert Downey, Jr., Don Cheadle, and

Paramount Pictures, courtesy photo

MOVIE REVIEW

John-Magus Cambridge

Gwyneth Paltrow.

Downey returns as the billionaire genius, Tony Stark. Stark is dealing with health issues as the generator that keeps him alive and also powers the

Ironman suit is beginning to slowly poison his body. In addition to his failing health, Stark must also deal with the government’s insistence that he turn over the Ironman suit as it is a threat to national security.

The story centers See Iron, page 11

Remake of‘Nightmare’ B.o.B drops a bomb movie is anything but Samuel Bayer’s remake has its pros and cons The end of April is here and another remake in the endless array of unoriginal ideas that has graced the silver screen of late has come with it. “A Nightmare On Elm Street” however, isn’t half bad.

The story is the same as before. Fred Krueger was a janitor at a preschool who may or may have played bad touch with the children of Elm Street. Krueger gets off on a technicality, and the parents of said children do what is apparently the only option they have left; lock Freddy in a building and bury him alive.

So, of course, Freddy is now back from the dead and haunting the children’s dreams, killing them off one by one for revenge.

The “Nightmare on Elm Street” series had become more parody than any-

thing else by the end of its seven film run, and this revamp brings some hope of redemption to the dormant franchise.

This is director Samuel Bayer’s first major studio outing, having previously worked primarily on music

MOVIE REVIEW BJ Grieve

videos. Where Hollywood once relied on the new wave film school directors like Scorsese and Spielberg, they now get the directors who directed four minute videos for pop punk songs.

Jackie Earle Haley plays Freddy as the cold-hearted psychopath that he is supposed to be. Haley’s Freddy isn’t the bastard son of a hundred maniacs; he’s just a janitor who had a predilection for pederasty and was brought down by good oldfashioned vigilante justice.

Freddy gets you in your

Italian Film Festival May 20 - 22 Restaurants are teaming up with SDIFF to share the experience and culture of Italian food.

Showings at multiple locations; tickets are limited, so buy yours today. Be sure to enter the promotion code to save! Visit sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com Legends of the San Diego Rock Scene Benefit May 26 at Anthology Enjoy a night out all while helping to keep music education in the San Diego school system.

Student tickets $20 (money worth spending). Show starts at 7 p.m. Visit anthologysd.com

dreams, when you’re most vulnerable, and there is little you can do to stop him. He should be creepy, but Robert Englund’s version just became a anti-hero.

Haley plays Freddy as dead behind the eyes, cold and confident, toying with his prey until that moment when his bladed glove enters their sternum. He is made even apprehensive by the flashbacks of his days as a janitor. Sweet and gentle in nature, the gloved one is the diametric opposite of his former self.

You don’t want to root for this Freddy. Freddy’s burnt body is eerily constructed to resemble actual burn victims, and his dream world is bleak, rusty and decrepit. His methods no longer resemble an “R” rated “Looney Tunes” but the acts of a slasher in a horror movie, doing what he is supposed to be doing.

The ingenue actress and relative newcomer Rooney Mara is put in the role of See Nightmare, page 11

Hip-hop has been waiting for a messiah for awhile now; an artist who has mass appeal and who can generate buzz across many different genres. Atlanta’s B.o.B. just might be that artist.

B.O.B.’s many mixtape appearances have helped to build anticipation for his first album, and thankfully, he has lived up to his hype.

His debut album, “B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” reached the number one spot in Billboard’s Top 100 and features appearances by hip-hop heavyweights and top rock artists.

B.o.B.’s musical style has drawn comparisons to hiphop legends Andre 3000 and Cee-Lo Green and really makes this album unique.

The album is different from any hip-hop album listeners have ever heard. True hiphop heads won’t really find anything for them on this album, but that’s not who B.o.B. is trying to target.

The album is full of elements that aren’t usually heard on a rap album. “The Adventures of Bobby Ray” features B.o.B.’s smash radio

Since this is our last issue before break, here’s a few to find this summer: Airr This new nightclub/wine bar/ music venue is expected to set the trends. So come dressed to the nines for this one. 526 Market Street

ALBUM REVIEW

John-Magus Cambridge hit “Nothing on You,” featuring Bruno Mars, a tribute to the woman in his life. The album’s second single, “Airplanes,” featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, is a wish for the simpler life that disappeared with B.o.B.'s newfound fame. The club banger “Bet I Bust,” featuring T.I. and Playboy Tre, gives a nod to B.o.B.’s roots and really epitomizes the traditional southern sound.

“The Adventures of Bobby Ray’s” best song is

John-Magus Cambridge is a City Times staff writer

AroundTown

The Tipsy Crow The One Bitter End is now The Tipsy Crow, with a daily 'Drink Exchange' open until 8pm, DJs and dancing underground and Mondays are game night so play your part and have fun! 770 5th Avenue, thetipsycrow.com

Album cover for B.o.B Atlantic Records, courtesy photo

“Past My Shades,” featuring Lupe Fiasco. It captures all of the unique elements of the album and creates a catchy tune that quickly gets stuck in your head and refuses to leave. This album doesn’t really sound like any individual album one has ever heard, but more of a mix of Mos Def's “The New Danger,” Outkast’s “The Love Below,” and N*E*R*D’s “Fly or Die.” The “Adventures of Bobby Ray” succeeds in selling its watered-down rap without breaking hip-hop’s cardinal rule of sounding too much like pop. It has wide-ranging appeal without sounding scatterbrained. It successfully blends rap and rock in a way that Lil Wayne’s “Rebirth” could not.

There is a little bit of something for everyone on this album. It has a Top-40 sound that’s sure to catch on with anyone. It is by far the best rap album of the year and deserves to be added to your music library.

Compiled by Jacqueline Filla Get your event in the paper. E-mail us at citytimes@gmail.com or call 619-388-3880

Analog Music & Burger Bar Taking over Mister Tiki and expected to open this summer.

Check out the website to request an invite to the grand opening!

Visit www.analogburgerbar.com Hodad’s That's right, Hodad's is opening up a location downtown, so no more having to travel to OB to get their burger. Expected to open in July. 10th Avenue and Broadway, hodadies.com

May 18, 2010 | www.sd citytimes .com

9

OPINION

Debate on Arizona’s ‘no illegal immigrants’ Illegals should do things by the book PRO

Ernesto Lopez “Señora, please step out of the vehicle. Your shoes, your Indian hair, your skin color and your demeanor are a total indication that you are illegal in this country.”

“But Mr. Officer, no. I have papeles but I left them at my casa.

Please don’t toss me across the border. I cannot live there, being poor in Mexico is worse and I cannot bare that. My kids were born here, what will they do without me?”

“Get out señora, jump in the back of the van. You’re about to get a taste of the real Mexican taquitos, it’s been a while, ha. Kiss that cactus goodbye.”

Racial profiling is inevitable, it doesn’t matter how much training the cops get.

Neville Cramer, a former INS Agent, recently told the Phoenix Metro News that it is important that law enforcement does not racially profile. He added trainings have been available to the officers for years.

Cramer said cops will not be randomly stopping vehicles or going up to people for no reason; if there is a check point, that is when law enforcement will ask for immigration status. If people reply that they are U.S. citizens and say how they became citizens (such as by birth or naturalization), no more questions will be asked.

Michele Suthers, City Times health care and education costs. No wonder why Arizona has decided to take action.

The money could be going to creating more jobs for the legal residents and U.S. citizens.

What drives me bonkers is that the majority of the undocumented parents are able to apply for financial assistance for their children with no problem.

And I, who is struggling to pay for my son’s babysitting, do not

I don’t support the way things are being handled in the state of Arizona with the SB 1070 immigration law, but I do agree that having undocumented Americans living in our soil and using up our resources is another reason why this country is in financial trouble.

In 2006 it was estimated that Arizona taxpayers were burdened with annual costs of about $1.3 billion because of illegal aliens residing in the state due to incarceration,

qualify for food stamps and free day care. I am told that my income is too high. Really?

I have to be at the poverty line to qualify, a Head Start day care center representative told my wife and me.

Ridiculous!

Don’t get me wrong, children are innocent and they should have access to free services, but if their parents are undocumented there should be a fee. Just like foreign students have to pay additional

fees to attend college in the U.S., undocumented families should do the same.

This is how it needs to happen.

Sorry Mexican peeps, but if I am riding a beat-up van because I cannot afford a car and I am struggling to pay day care, you’ll have to do the same. It should be fair game.

Nothing in this world is free.

Ernesto Lopez is the City Times managing editor

The Statue of Liberty holds a ‘no vacancy’ sign Protests, Web sites and petitions galore have mounted against the newly-passed Arizona law (SB 1070). Thousands hit the streets of Arizona, claiming the bill is “unconstitutional,” “irrational” and “dangerous.” Members of the press have compared it to Adolf Hitler’s orders to the SS to demand papers from Jewish people. Although our society seems a far cry from the Third Reich, the passing of the bill definitely shadows the absurdities of the once superpowers, swiftly authorizing law enforcement to spearhead the “war on immigration.”

SB 1070 makes it a state crime to be in the U.S. illegally. The bill also requires legal immigrants to carry documentation. Police are now urged to stop persons of “reasonable suspicion” and demand papers when questioned. To top it off, citizens can sue local government for not enforcing the law.

First off, there is the blatant sub-

same values as Osama Bin Laden?

It’s the same stereotyping that could be applied to Mexican-Americans: just because they look a certain way, does that make them illegal? Hispanics are quickly becoming the majority in the U.S. Are we to assume all of them are without credentials?

And what about illegals in the work force? Let’s be honest, America, this country thrives on immigrant workers that take on the jobs many residents of these great states won’t do themselves. This country is guilty of taking advantage of undocumented workers, forced to work long hours for minimal pay.

Remember the immigrant ghettos in an emerging New York City? This is a pattern that continues to repeat itself.

The concept that some people feel immigrants take away jobs from hard-working Americans is almost laughable. Do non-Hispanics volunteer themselves as day laborers,

CON

Vanessa Gomez

ject of racial profiling with the bill.

Arizona police have the right to ask for documents from anyone that seems “illegal.” What exactly defines “reasonable suspicion,” signaling an officer to question residency? Sure there are a few blonde-haired, blueeyed Mexican-Americans roaming the streets, but the fact of the matter is police officers will probably focus their efforts on those with brownhaired, brown-eyed characteristics typical of Mexicans.

The type of discrimination that can surface from this is alarming, similar to the racial profiling some Middle Eastern-Americans deal with at airports. Yes, this country has been severely burned by some Middle Eastern terrorist groups, but does that mean they all carry the

waiting to be picked up for a grueling day’s work at a pitiful wage?

If non-Hispanics think they aren’t being considered for these jobs, then why don’t they show up at 6 a.m. and wait? What could be a more level playing field than that?

What about major corporations that outsource to foreign countries to man call centers or manufacture products we buy in stores? Consumers in this country love a great deal, so kicking out a workforce that is willing to do remedial jobs for less pay could hit wallets hard.

A possible solution to this problem? Research the possibility of a better guest worker program, similar to a program tested in 2007, but that was drowned in bureaucratic red tape.

Other than moral or economic reasons for the bill being problematic, is the bill even practical? Americans frown upon carrying personal documents for fear of identity theft.

Unless a profession requires carting around credentials, people rarely tote their passport or social security card. And what about the loophole that when questioned, a person has the right to refuse showing documentation? Will that satisfy an officer suspicious of your legality? What lengths will law enforcement go to in order to ensure citizenship?

To give Arizona lawmakers credit where it’s due, the bill is probably the result of the overwhelming crime that has ensued from the drug cartels, the coyotes in the human smuggling, and kidnappings. Arizona, however, has jumped the gun and enacted a law that hurts Latinos and Americans alike. Law abiding Americans, most of which are Latino, need to be protected and not harassed due to the color of their skin.

Vanessa Gomez is the City Times editor-in-chief

VOX POPULI Question by Mark Rivera Photos by Donovan Terblanche

How do you feel about the Arizona immigration law?

Antoine Bennett Business Administration “This is supposed to be the land of opportunity; bring me your tired and hungry masses. I think it’s kind of wrong.”

CITY TIMES Volume 64, Number 14 May 18, 2010 www.sdcitytimes.com

Vanessa Gomez Editor-in-Chief Ernesto Lopez Managing Editor Shevaun Brandom Design Editor Evonne Ermey Features Editor Luis Bahena Opinions Editor

Donna P. Crilly Brittany Johnson Arts Editors Andrea Malloyd Sports Editor

Jaimie Estrada Spanish Professor

Published as: The Jay Sees / 1945-1949 Fortknightly / 1949-1978 City Times / 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks Dan Berger Copy Chief BJ Grieve Christine Klee Copy Editors

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Lanita Parnell Fine Arts “I think it’s not good because they did the same thing to black people during the slavery period by passing laws to keep black people out of their states.”

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www.sd citytimes .com | May 18, 2010

10

The death of objectivity

URBANALITIES By Michele Suthers

It was never my true intention to be a journalist. I always enjoyed writing and felt a sense of accomplishment when research papers and English essays came to me with ease. It wasn’t until entering the newspaper world that I fell hard for the pursuit of the truth and reporting it to the public. What better way to merge my love for writing than serving our readership, providing them the facts to ask the questions that keep conversations vibrant. I would soon find out that exercising my right to free speech came with a price.

At first, it was exciting to converse with the movers and shakers of City College, hear about their ideas to turn our school into an educational mecca for San Diego. I would also hear about their inner conflicts within clubs and organizations and how they struggled to keep their goals a main focus. Relationships of trust were built, where I tried to draw clear boundary lines: Vanessa Gomez this is on-therecord, this is off limits. It was my goal to share their stories so the public would understand their struggles. That all changes once the papers hit the stands.

I quickly learned that I wasn’t a trusted colleague anymore, but the enemy. I had failed to paint the picture they wanted to share. My sources confused my role as a storyteller with that of a publicist, and I was slammed for choices I made as the chief. I felt attacked.

I was grateful when I had students and staff visit the office or send e-mails informing us of an event or asking for coverage. With a newspaper staff that consisted of both passionate journalists and students merely filling their time with an elective, it was definitely a challenge to cover everything. I didn’t understand the negativity that followed: not enough coverage, not the right picture, not the right message.

The negative feedback we received was vicious.

Over the past year, we were compared to Fox News. Our adviser’s performance was questioned numerous times, accused of being homophobic. Twice. Our funding was even questioned.

I grew frustrated as my newspaper experience became a balance of “will this review offend this party?” and “is that picture sending the wrong message?” I found more and more that we were told to thrive in an environment that had numerous boundaries. We were pulled in two directions: one way skewed toward good publicity for the campus and the other pushed toward seeking the truth no matter what. The thin line between politically correct and brutally honest was one made nearly impossible to tight rope on.

As student journalists in a learning environment, it was open season. What an easy target to go after; no staff of attorneys to protect us like larger organizations. How easy to criticize misprints or placement of pages. Shame on those administrators and students that once supported us to turn on us, upset that we didn’t push their personal agendas and bitter that we chose to express the truth.

I’d like to say I fought the good fight and overcame all the ridicule of the past year. The truth is I’m left with the notion that objectivity is dead. Why try to serve a public that accuses us of being the enemy? Why try to be politically correct when someone is bound to be offended?

It is with mixed emotions that I write this piece, my last contribution as editor in chief of City Times here at City College. It’s not my intention to make this entry sound like a yearbook farewell. (Keep in touch, have a great summer!) I have to say that, even though I leave jaded and more confused about my career path, it was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. I can only hope that I take the positive elements of my experience to further my career and hold dear the colleagues I plan on remaining fiercely loyal to.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Question: to drill or not to drill?

Just when Californians thought it was safe to get back in the water, the sight of oil drenched birds and blackened waters began to appear on the nightly news.

The Gulf Coast oil spill and its gruesome images have now been seared into the collective conscious of the nation.

For the California legislature, it has planted the seed of doubt in, what was to be, a financial boon to the state economy, the Tranquillon Ridge oil drilling project.

Gov. Scwharzenegger’s sudden withdrawl of support for offshore drilling has hit those in favor of the T-project as impulsive, unsupported by facts and detrimental to California’s economy.

The T-project, which was endorsed

by Governor Schwarzenegger, until he withdrew support on May 3, would have allowed the leasing of new oil platforms off the coast of Santa Barbara. The proposal which was set to be included in the CA 2011 state budget was a controversial, if not unpopular, one.

The upside of drilling? An estimated $100 million a year revenue for the state. The downside? The potential for tar smothered birds and environmental catastrophe as can be seen on any major news network coverage of the Gulf coast right now.

“The space program was not abandoned because of the shuttle explosion,” said Barbara Shook, Houston Bureau chief for Energy Intelligence Group, “and people do not stop flying because of airline crashes,” she reminded us. “Oil is still needed to lubricate even the windmill farms approved recently off Massachusetts.”

While I find Shook’s comparison of the Gulf Coast spill (which affects an entire ecosystem) to the handful of human casualties lost to technical diffi-

THE INDEPUNDIT

Evonne Ermey

Defense Center of Santa Barbara in a press conference following Schwarzenegger’s announcement.

Another pull in favor of offshore drilling? The money. Yes, I know it’s all so unsavory, the discussion of money when ecosystems hang in the balance, but it must be taken into consideration. The revenue generated by the T-project was expected to fund and support California state parks.

“With this withdrawal of the Tranquillon Ridge proposal, the Governor’s current budget for 2010-11 contains no general fund money for state parks,” states the California State Parks Foundation on the subject of the T-project.

Aside from the environmental risks involved with drilling and the fiscal implications of not drilling, I have to ask myself how I feel morally about the issue.

I am not a “drill baby drill” proponent. In fact, as an environmentalist, the idea of off shore drilling is impulsively repugnant to me. I would much rather see our efforts to enhance green technology doubled or tripled than to see a giant oil platform materialize off California’s shore line. Still, I must admit, that as I sit in heavy traffic on the 8 freeway, on my way to enjoy the pristine California shoreline, a feeling of hypocrisy overtakes me.

California, infamous for her car culture, harping about the production of oil off her shoreline is ridiculous. What are we saying? We are quite inclined to make use of the oil, but not to produce it?

All I’m saying is, “take stock of the facts before you jump on any bandwagon.”

culties aboard air and space craft offensive, I am inclined to agree with her that Schwarzenneger’s impulsive reversal of support for the T-project is based on emotion rather than logic.

Conditions surrounding the Gulf Coast oil rigs and the proposed drilling to take place off the coast of Santa Barbara cannot be compared. Where the deep sea drilling in the Gulf coast required floating platforms, the T-project would make use of fixed platforms in shallower water making them more accessible and more stable.

California’s T-project, supported by Santa Barbara environmentalists, would have ensured the early closure of four currently-operating offshore rigs.

“Schwarzenegger’s position now seems to contradict itself — that if he’s really worried about the danger of a major oil spill, he would have continued to support a proposal that called for a shutdown of four platforms, platforms that currently can operate indefinitely,” Evonne Ermey is the City Times features said Linda Krop of the Environmental editor

This one goes out to all the campus litterbugs Northeast of Hawaii, about 2,000 kilometers off of our west coast, lies a vortex of commingled trash twice the size of the state of Texas. No, it isn’t some kind of enormous landfill; it’s a floating garbage patch out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

You might be wondering how all that trash got there. Maybe you doubt it’s even possible. Have you ever thought about what happens to that litter on the side of the street?

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), garbage discarded on the beach, near rivers or streams, and on the street or sidewalk may eventually end up in the ocean, and if it is made of plastic or some other kind of durable material, it’s bound to be there a while.

Greenpeace reported that of

PERSPECTIVE Dan Berger

the more than 200 billion pounds of plastic objects produced annually, 10 percent of these items end up in the ocean. Such items are toothbrushes, disposable lighters, polythene plastic bags, bottles and containers, tires, polypropylene fishing net fragments, polyurethane foam pieces and more.

Some may think littering is a clever way to add coloring to the deep blue sea, but, according to Greenpeace International, this floating decoration is also the cause of death to more than one million seabirds and one hundred thousand marine mammals and sea turtles each year, which mistake small frag-

ments for food and consume it, or become entangled in it.

This garbage gyre is primarily the product of people’s littering and illegal dumping, but some credit is given to fishing and shipping operations for their irresponsible waste disposal, as indicated by the NOAA. Trash makes its way into the ocean via storm drains, rivers and streams by being blown into the water from the beach or carried into the water by rising tides.

Thirty percent of this trash is then carried out by ocean currents to the gyre, where clockwise-circulating water forces the floating trash into the gyre’s low-energy center. The other 70 percent sinks to the bottom of the ocean.

So, how is it we have such a problem with littering? Is it really that difficult to put garbage where

it belongs — in the garbage bin?

And recyclables — in the blue recycling bin? Not sure what a recyclable is? Look at the picture posted on the bin or read the label that says “Newspaper,” “Bottles & Cans” or “Aluminum.” And, no, that half-full 44-oz soda in paper cup and double cheeseburger with extra ketchup is not recyclable, so what is it doing in the recycling bin?

Maybe it has something to do with how detached we have become from nature.

Yes, nature. Haven’t heard that word in a while? It’s that thing people used to seek to recuperate from hectic life in the concrete jungle.

Perhaps many prefer, nowadays, to relax by spending quality time with their mind-numbing 72-inch high definition liquid crystal display

television with 1,000-watt home theater surround sound speaker system.

If that’s what you want, then please, by all means, but don’t go out to nature and leave your filth there to ruin it for the rest of us who prefer fresh air, picturesque scenery and a moment of reclusion.

Let’s leave the natural world — natural — so that others can walk sandy beaches without getting cigarette butts stuck between their toes.

Allow others to take pictures of wild flowers without having to clear beer can ornamentation out of the way.

Respect your neighbor and your environment. You never know - you might also be doing your grandchildren a favor.

Dan Berger is the City Times copy chief

Realizing the fine print on the ‘American Dream’ If I started this piece by saying that I always land on my feet, one could easily imply that I also have nine lives. Obviously, I’m referencing a cat here, but after the past couple of weeks that I’ve had, I can’t help but analyze this little metaphor on cats.

It is a fact that cats land on their feet, if the height isn’t too high of course. If the height is higher than they can handle, there can be serious injury and death. Then, there’s the whole myth or belief that cats have nine lives.

Really looking at this, though, one can conclude that cats are just very good at “dodging bullets” by being agile, smart and instinctual creatures. Tricky little critters that somehow always manage to get

themselves out of trouble.

This article is so not about cats, but I couldn’t really think of any other way to begin this piece to the end of this rather stressful semester.

Perhaps I’ve been through a lot that I felt a strong affinity to how cats always manage to land on their feet, and how they manage to survive all sorts of feats, hence the nine lives belief.

At this point in time, I really wish that I could say that I will land on my feet, that a little hope and prayer will keep me above water. Yet, as hard as I try to peddle, the sinking feeling Luis Bahena begins to feel more like quicksand and less like water. The more I struggle and try to remain on the surface, ing some more bad news (on top the faster I sink. of everything that life has already As I drove home after hear- thrown my way), I began to realize

LIVE AND LEARN

how poor the middle class in the U.S. is.

Looking back to my childhood, we were never really poor, for we had clothes on our backs and food on the table. Yet, at the same time, I remember not being very wealthy either. We were the in the middle class.

As I drove home, I realized that my efforts of trying to escape the middle class that I had been raised in failed. Like my mother then (and now), I too am sitting on a pile of bills and bills that are held up by a foundation of some old bills whose interest rate have kept me from ever reaching that finish line.

It is as if Uncle Sam has said, “Here’s the American Dream (it’s different for everyone). Good luck

trying to reach it.” We get so excited about trying to reach that dream that we see it as a challenge, a game.

And who doesn’t like a good game, a good challenge? It’s the chase that’s half the fun.

We get so caught up in playing the game that we forget to read the fine print, which goes something along the lines of, “While playing the game of trying to reach the American Dream, you might wind up in debt, owe thousands of dollars in loans, realize that the road is really long, settle for a meaningless job where interest rates will hold you back even more, screw up and get in trouble with the law adding more fines to your mountain of debt See Dream, page 11

May 18, 2010 | www.sd citytimes .com

11

And the geek shall inherit the Earth An open letter to my fellow geeks, losers, nerds and dorks — “Iron Man 2” came out last week to much pomp, fanfare and mixed reviews. The greater movie going public made it one of the greatest opening weekends in history, and the comic book aficionado was left with a bitter taste in their mouth.

After leaving the theater, I noticed several of my fellow mouth breathers had disgusted looks on their faces. Not from the onscreen escapades of Anthony Stark, but of the caliber of their fellow participants in the midnight Marvel movie release merriment.

Ever since “X-Men” brought spandex and optic blasts to the silver screen, the four-color world has received heightened interest and a level of acclaim never before thought possible.

Superhero movies are now met with serious reviews and comic books are starting to receive the kind of recognition they have always deserved. The grand daddy of comics is on Time’s 100 Greatest

Dream Continued from Page 10 and realize that no matter what you do from now on the dream will just seem more and more unattainable therefore crushing any hopes of getting there!”

Just like in infomercials, that fine print sure is a mouthful. Sometimes, it feels that way though — Thinking long and hard about the road still left to be traveled, I find that I no longer have a clearer destination. With so much going on, I leave this semester with so much uncertainty. I think this is what scares me the most, not knowing what’s going to happen next.

A lot of the stuff happening is so out of my control, such as debt and the economy, cutbacks on jobs and everything else life throws at you. I can sit in my parked car and cry for the uncertainty that’s left ahead, but for one, I realize that shedding a tear won’t do me any good, and second, it won’t change what’s happening (aside from the fact that my tear ducts have been dry for a long time now).

When I began my column “Live and Learn” a few years back, things were so much easier. My troubles were school and books and the fun and trivial things that life has to offer. But somehow, the name finally became more real and more about living and actually learning about all that I have experienced.

I like to believe that the column, like me, has grown a lot from its fun, comical and trivial days and has turned into what life is really

Pippin Continued from Page 7 Elliott is a testament to believing in oneself and persevering through fright.

Elliot has never tried out for a play before this year and almost walked out of her first audition for a play earlier this school year.

“It’s hard to break in and be successful (professionally)” said Elliott. So for now, she performs as a hobby. In Elliott’s opinion, “Pippin” gave “more room to grow, because less (was) expected” of the actors. In this play, the actors were given more room to create their own dialogue and fill in for forgotten lines.

However, there is more to a play production than just the actors. Sylvia Sanchez and Earl Alfred Paus were two of the makeup artists for “Pippin.” Unlike the actors, makeup artists are

EVERYBODY LOVES BJ BJ Grieve

Novels list, after all.

The recent interest in comic book properties has sparked the interest of everyone from the fixed gear bike set to the tattoo-sporting clique.

My acne-infested brethren are offended, however. They scoff at the new interest in the capes and tights, and condemn those that

like. Doing things on your own makes you realize that a lot of things you learn by trial and error. Sometimes it takes a lot of errors, which sucks, but it’s the only way to learn.

As I return to my “amateur writer” clichè, I shall add one of the many sayings I’ve heard time and time again: “You must crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run.”

There’s also the “You must fall in order to pick yourself up,” which is one of my favorites.

So hopefully, like a cat, I’ll land on my feet. Maybe things will turn out ok.

Maybe things will go in my favor and luck (or god or the cosmos) will reward me or help me out and lend me a hand. Perhaps the heights from which I’ve fallen from aren’t that high, leaving a few more lives left in this wandering street cat.

This I know for sure: I am kind of tired of chasing the “American Dream.”

I’m no quitter, but everyone has to admit when they’re in way over their heads. I think I’ll just have to readjust my objectives, followed by paying off that debt and then clearing my name of all those wrong that have gotten me in trouble.

After that, I’m thinking Canada. Hell, if the “American Dream” is that hard, you know by keeping the middle class in the middle class, perhaps giving Canada a shot might not be such a bad idea. I mean, free health care anyone? At least that would be one less worry. Oh yeah, and one less bill.

Luis Bahena is the City Times opinion editor

actually doing class work for the play and are able to use their skills at one production per semester.

In the beginning of the class, the students are taught through lecture by their professor, but are later given the chance for hands on work in the productions.

“It’s really good practice, but overwhelming at first” Paus said. “We start off by putting the makeup on ourselves, and then on the actors” in order to generate design ideas, added Sanchez.

For the students involved, Pippin had been a building block, whether it is for career growth or simply personal enjoyment. They all lead varying lives, and have different goals in mind, but were united under one project.

If one thing is learned from the process, it is to take a chance on yourself and give it your best.

haven’t followed Wolverine since his days in Japan.

One would think that after several decades and childhoods devoid of big screen versions of these characters would leave any comic book aficionado happy just having the experience to share with anyone.

But nooooooo — The ink-stained fingers push up the taped bridge of horn-rimmed glasses in contempt, and the tables have turned. The 12-sided die has been cast and the meek have decided that the majority are inferior.

What was once a passion that brought about the ire of others and many a playground bullying has turned the tormentors into the tormented.

Why is it that passionate people feel that they are the only ones that can love their passion?

I personally think it’s awesome that comic books and gamer culture have finally found their way into the mainstream, and now the main-

Iron Continued from Page 8 around two very different villains united in hatred for Stark: Justin Hammer, played by Sam Rockwell, is a business rival who has made it his duty to upstage Stark.

Ivan Vanko aka. Whiplash, played by Mickey Rourke, seeks revenge for what he views as an injustice done to his family. After a series of events brings the two together, they combine Hammer’s resources with Vanko’s know-how in a plot to destroy Stark and his family’s legacy.

The movie is filled with big name performers who don’t really live up to their hype.

Downey’s Stark seems less of the witty billionaire bad-boy he was in the first movie. This time around he seems more of a smarmy douche that I personally couldn’t wait to see beat up. The movie’s best performance comes from

stream and subculture have more or less melded into one - a virtual melting pot of gamma-irradiated beasts and vigilantes of the night.

“I liked that band before they were popular. And I only liked their first album.”

I just don’t get it. Why do people feel the need to claim something as their own and not want to share the enjoyment with others?

This ill-demonstrated passion is very similar to a cat marking its territory. Yeah, it’s yours, but at the end of the day, it’s got your piss all over it.

My love of the funny books has spanned through my childhood and well into my adulthood, and I have had to endure the belittling of my peers, and now, the sniggers of my local comic retailer.

The release of “Iron Man 2” had re-sparked my interest in the character, but when I went to a certain shop on Clairemont Mesa to ask about a particular trade, I was met with a dirty look, a scoff and the smallest effort at assistance.

Rourke, which is disappointing because I can’t remember his character being on screen for more than 30 minutes.

The movie starts slowly and never seems to pick up the pace. There weren’t enough action scenes for my taste. With all of the hightech weaponry involved in the movie and the multitude of adversity facing the protagonist, you’d think there would never be time to catch your breath; however, it turns out to be quite the opposite.

If this were a movie by itself, it would be alright.

The problem with “Ironman 2” is that you have to compare it to the first one.

I know movies are supposed to be judged on their own merit, but when you’re following greatness with mediocrity, comparisons are inevitable. I expected more from “Ironman 2” and can only hope the rest of this summer’s big name releases live up to their billings.

Why is it that we feel the need to be the only ones that like something? Why do we want to demonize others for a newfound interest?

This is just the latest in a long running demonstration of elitism.

“Why can’t we all just get along” on a much smaller scale; why can’t people that are diametrically opposed come together and enjoy something that is awesome together?

Let’s cast aside our differences and geek out together. Enjoy the band’s new album, which you secretly like even though they’ve become a bit poppy. Stay after the credits and have a “nerdgasm” together over Thor’s hammer.

Bitch and moan about how the sequel to your favorite video game lacks the integrity of the first one and punch the wall in tandem with your friend when your favorite indie author “sells out.”

To quote Kurt Vonnegut: “God dammit, you’ve got to be kind.”

BJ Grieve is a City Times copy editor

BEAT Continued from Page 5 involved into politics as much as other countries, like the Greeks.

“Real change only comes when people prompt change,” he said.

“And I want change.”

Like most people when they hear themselves on the radio or on audio recording, Rodriguez said he doesn’t like to see video or hear audio of his speeches and presentations.

“Every time I look at myself on camera I think am such an idiot. I don’t like my voice, my posture, too much but I do it because I like it.

I like the feeling of speaking in front of others. It sends this thrill, I can’t explain it.”

Professor Dorman said Rodriguez is a great speaker and works hard to have people understand his views.

“He does a great job of relating to people and that is evident in his speaking.

He spends a lot of time working on what he says in order to make sure that everyone can understand

Struggle Continued from Page 5

A scene from “Nightmare on Elm Street.”

Warner Brothers, courtesy photo

Nightmare Continued from Page 8 Nancy, Freddy’s favorite of the Elm Street children.

She plays Nancy as an outsider; a girl who hasn’t quite come into her own yet and is struggling to be accepted.

It’s hard to buy. Mara seems to be playing the caricature of what someone told her a geek should be, a nerd in the background of a high school sitcom.

Quentin (Kyle Gallner), Kris (Katie Cassidy) and Jesse (Thomas Dekker) are classmates of Nancy’s, and the lines are kind of fuzzy as to how this group actually works together. Kris is seemingly Nancy’s friend, but Nancy has no friends, and really wants her admiration? The relationships are hard to discern, but it doesn’t matter as the kids are little more than body bag fodder anyhow.

The dream world is dingy and creepy and where most of the scares in the film take place. Freddy spends most of his time stalking and taunting, and tends to rely on cheap pop-up gags and sudden flares of strings

to get shrieks, but Haley is such an intense character actor that it is easy to forgive these transgressions.

A good majority of the film also relies on re-creating iconic scenes from the original “Nightmare,” most notably the razor glove in the bathtub. When trying to create a universe of your own, it’s a bit of a cop out to depend on something the audience has seen before.

This recent string of remakes of seminal horror movies being produced by Platinum Dunes and Michael Bay have been slick and stylish imaginings of classic horror, all looking phenomenal, but lacking substance.

“A Nightmare On Elm Street” is creepy and surreal, putting the scare factor back into the modern horror film. If they can keep self-referential humor and parody out of this outing, the franchise is destined for great things.

One can only wonder how long it will be before this franchise runs itself into the ground too, and viewers are treated to New Freddy vs. New Jason.

BJ Grieve is a City Times copy editor

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to type up essays as quick as possible.”

The pressure has caused Esparza to try and quit three times, only to decide to persevere through her hectic schedule in order to pursue her artistic talents as a writer, Esparza said.

She added that financial aid has also been a determining factor in her ability to continue schooling, as it has helped her to pay bills throughout the semester.

Financial aid is also doing as much as they can to help students, like Esparza, pursue their academic goals, according to City College Financial Aid Director Gregory Sanchez.

“This past year we’re up over 20 percent in applications,” Sanchez said. “For the 2008-2009 semesters, 4,700 students received Pell Grants. So far this year, for the 2009-2010 semesters, we have 5,700 students receiving aid. So, not only are more people applying, but we’re also doing a

Tattoo Continued from Page 6 huge divide between fine and tattoo art,” states Dunn Smith. “It pretty much boils down to the fact that, traditionally, tattoo artists catered to a blue collar crowd, while fine art was meant for the upper class.

Since tattooing has become not only more mainstream, but also more appreciated as a true art form by the masses, the dividing line has all but disappeared.

his point of view and I think he has done a good job of appealing to all different types of people from all different backgrounds.”

Rodriguez said he hopes to get into politics in the future since his passion lies in culture, racism, classism and religion. He added that by having responsible individuals in position on powers is when real change is prompted.

“I am not saying am responsible,” Rodriguez said. “But I care.”

As Rodriguez continued to eat his orange, a student in an electronic wheelchair who had been riding around the area screamed out his support and admiration for Rodriguez.

“You will make a great politician Jose, judging your personality I think you will make it,” the unidentified student said.”

Rodriguez who doesn’t know if he will return to City College in the fall, as he waits for admissions letters for local universities, said he knows BEAT Club will change but “as long as it keeps going in the direction of social good then more power to it.”

better job getting (the students) awarded.”

And although financial aid is doing what it can to keep students in school, for students like Marrero, even with the Pell Grants, dreams of academic success have to be put on-hold for the time being; this can be hard, Marrero said.

“It’s rough right now,” Marrero added. “I do definitely want to go back to school, and if there is any opportunity I will take it, but right now, it’s just too hard.”

Both Rogers and Sanchez suggest that students complete the necessary financial aid application to receive whatever help they can in order to stay in school.

“The resources are scarce but students really need to be looking for them,” Rogers said. “With a degree your earning potential will be higher … than you would without a degree. And a long-term solution is much better than a short-term fix that might cost you a productive and meaningful life.”

This is often considered a positive change, although, sadly you lose some of the tradition and mystery that have always gone hand in hand with tattooing.”

So whether it’s your first or just your next, always make sure that you feel comfortable with the artist you choose for that tattoo.

Ask questions and look at portfolios because what it boils down to is that this isn’t the version of art that your grandmother was referring to all those years ago, but it is for life.

www.sd citytimes .com | May 18, 2010

12

SPORTS

Successful Knights baseball season comes to an end

By Andrea Malloyd City Times The Knights’ most successful season in 17 years, ended May 8 at Morley Field with a devastating 2-1 loss in a three-game regional playoff series against No. 16 seed Cuesta College, who will now move on to the Super Regionals.

City won the first game of the series 5-4 on Friday, May 7, with a game-winning high single hit that landed on the right-field line by infielder Louis Cazares in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Starting pitcher and

Pacific Coast Conference player of the year, Hunter Herrera, pitched his second complete game of the season and helped City keep a 4-2 lead, until the ninth inning when the Cuesta Cougars scored two runs, tying the score 4-4.

Herrera also struck out six batters and allowed only two earned runs on eight hits.

Cazares went 3-for-5 at the plate with one RBI while Corey Vasquez went 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run, and Kevin Santos went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. During game two on May 8, the Knights took a 10-5

lead in the eighth inning, after Michael Sandoval’s grand slam over the left-field fence.

The home run by Sandoval seemed to put City in close range of another victory; however, Cuesta didn’t give up without a fight.

In the bottom of the eighth, Cuesta answered with four runs of their own bringing them within one of the Knights, 10-9.

Then, with two outs and one runner on, Cuesta’s Austin Cunningham hit a triple that allowed one RBI to tie the score 10-10.

The game stayed tied for

two more innings until the bottom of the eleventh when Cougar Mitchell Prophet hit a single that drove in one runner for the 11-10 win that forced a third game.

After a 30-minute break, Cuesta began to drive the final nail into the coffin for the Knights’ season when the Cougars took the lead early and never missed a beat.

The Cougars took a 10-0 lead in the first three innings of game three, and City never recovered losing 20-7.

Even with the devastation of a playoff loss, the Knights have had their most successful season in 17

years, having Head Coach Chris Brown being dubbed PCC Coach of the Year, and seven players named to the All-PCC First team: Herrera, left-hand pitcher Adam Bileckyj, center fielder Corey Vasquez, infielder Anthony Long, infielder Louis Casarez, infielder Michael Sandoval and outfielder Gilbert Guardado.

Along with those honors, four other players received honorable mention by the conference: first basemen Phil Creecy, right-hand pitcher Nick Geraci, outfielder Nick Covyeau and outfielder Kevin Santos.

Creecy remains confident that the team will learn from the mistakes made during the playoffs in order to advance further next season.

“The honors and awards given to the guys on our team this year were the result of a lot of hard work, on both the players’ and coaches’ parts,” Creecy stated. “I think those awards will play a part in propelling us to success next season, but I think the experience of winning the Conference Championship and reaching the playoffs will play an even bigger part in getting us back there next year.”

Volleyball player gets recruited by Boise State

By Kentra Meriwether Correspondent

No. 25 City College police officer Jarad Preston and No. 44 police Sgt. Jordan Mirakian play football with the San Diego Enforcers against the Chicago Police Department last season. Dave Ellrod, courtesy photos

Campus police officers, enfocers on the field

By Ernesto Lopez City Times When he is not looking out for campus safety, Sgt. Jordan Mirakian is most likely out in the football field playing for the San Diego Enforcers, a team that also includes local firefighters and paramedics.

The Enforcers are part of the National Public Safety Football League made up of 28 teams and is also a nonprofit organization whose “goal is to earn money for charities viaspirited play,” according to the league’s Web site.

Mirakian said the Enforcers have raised about $100,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The 34-year-old said he has played for the team since its inception, five years ago, and has enjoyed the second chance at playing football.

“I’ve always been an ath-

lete. I played football in high school and in college I chose baseball over football,” Mirakian said. “There was always a part of me that regretted that and when (the Enforcers) started, I saw a second chance to play tackle football.”

Mirakian encourages people to look up You Tube videos of the team at play.

He said people don't believe him when he says it's tackle football.

“People think it’s sandlot football, but I tell people to watch a video,” Mirakian stated. “People are surprised that we actually hit.”

Campus police officer Jarad Preston also plays football for the Enforcers.

Preston said he enjoys the opportunity to raise funds for the community.

“I love playing football,” Preston explained. “This is such a great opportunity for us to give back to charity and

play this game we love.”

Mirakian said he's one of the best players on the team, since he played for Miami University and for a while on the National Football League.

Mesa College football coach Thad Porlis is also the coach for the Enforcers. He said he likes coaching the team because they play for a good cause.

“I love coaching these men because they are not only athletes, they’re heroes in the community,” Porlis said. “These guys take this game seriously and they respect (the) game.”

Mirakian said the upcoming season will be his last to make time to continue his education.

“I will be dedicating more time to my career,” Mirakian explained. “I need to get my bachelor’s degree so I can compete for a lieutenant position. At some point you have to prioritize (and) I’ve been putting (school) off.”

The journey ends here at San Diego City College for the 6-foot women’s volleyball middle blocker Darlene Nwagbuo, who has been recruited by Boise State University.

Women’s volleyball head coach at Boise State, Shawn Garus, signed Nwagbuo after being prompted to see a video of her on the Internet.

Garus asked several coaches about Nwagbuo, and then invited the Lady Knight to visit the Boise State campus. He felt she would be a great asset to the Boise family.

“It’s not about me, but the whole team. ” -Darlene Nwagbuo, volleyball player “Darlene brings tremendous athletic ability to our team,” Garus said.

“We need another middle blocker and look forward to working with her.”

Nwagbuo has inspired many here at San Diego City College, Coach Dede Bodnar said. Nwagbuo is preparing to transition from being a Knight to a Bronco, which she will officially become June 5.

City College women’s volleyball Coach Dede Bodnar believes that Nwagbuo is a phenomenal athlete; she brags that Nwagbuo can touch 3 inches above the basketball rim and has a .692 hitting percentage.

“Very few athletes (at any level) can ever say they

Darlene Nwagbuo have achieved these stats and Darlene has developed into a player who believes in her abilities,” Bodnar said. “(Nwagbuo) has learned when to work hard and use her athleticism to make things happen on the court.”

Bodnar added that when Nwagbuo first came to City College she could barely contact the ball.

Now she is the top recruit in the Pacific Coast Conference women’s volleyball league; and that may be attributed to Nwagbuo’s work ethic, drive and determination.

Nwagbuo said she has learned confidence and leadership, through volleyball and her time at City College.

“As long as I do my part, I am capable of reaching any goal,” Nwagbuo said.

She added that her favorite aspect of the game is teamwork.

“It’s not about me, but the whole team. We shine off of each other and get energy from one another.

We win and lose together.”

Off the court, Nwagbuo has plans of becoming an athletic trainer and wants to follow volleyball wherever it takes her.

“She is a fighter and a team player,” Bodnar said. “I have loved every moment I’ve had with Darlene. I and the entire knights family wish her the very best.”

2010 FIFA World Cup set for June 11 On June 11 around 7 a.m. the South African “Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika” and Mexican “Himno Nacional” national anthems will be sung.

The blare of Vuvuzela horns and the banging of the baterias will compete with the screams of 94,700 ardent football fans that will fill the Johannesburg night air with the cacophony of joy.

And so the 2010 Federation International de Foot-

ball Association World Cup begins.

The governing body FIFA recognizes 204 competing countries, of which 32 will participate in the World Cup, which is played every four years and is hosted by alternating countries between Europe and the Americas.

For the first time in the modern era of the game since Uruguay hosted the initial World Cup, the games are to be played on the Afri-

Perspective Donovan Terblanche can continent. The proud host country for the 2010 World Cup is South Africa, and its team, Bafana Bafana (the boys), are ready for the opening game.

During the previous three years, the 204 participating countries have played each

other to obtain world rankings with FIFA, with the top teams going on to play in the World Cup. Prior to the FIFA World Cup being played, there is a draw and the countries are organized into eight groups.

Starting with Group A and ending with Group G, each group has four countries.

Each of these four countries plays against each other in their group, with the top two countries advanc-

ing; thereafter it becomes a knockout stage with the loser of each game going home.

There is no official third place title, but the format in which they play unofficially establishes a title of third place.

It is seen as the world's most watched sporting event, with an estimated viewership of more than a billion people.

The host nation South Africa has built a number of new stadiums and upgraded

several of the existing ones, to accommodate the throng of fans who will attend the World Cup. Several countries are strong favorites to win with five-time champions Brazil heading the list. They are followed by the top football players in European football, like Lionel Messi from Argentina, Fernando Torres from Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal and Wayne Rooney from England.