City Times — Oct. 26, 2010

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Campus celebrates culture PAGE 5 Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

Volume 65, Number 5

News................................. 3 Arts.................................. 6 Voice..............................10 Life..................................12 Sports..............................15

October 26, 2010

CAMPUS MOURNS n Student found slain in M building n Authorities suspect estranged husband

Reports: Gonzalez had been abducted

By Shane Finneran City Times

Lady Knights surround a photo of slain student Diana Gonzalez, 19, during vigil Oct. 14 at Gorton Quad. Carlos Maia, City Times

Vigil held at Gorton Quad Students, faculty, staff and family members gather to remember Gonzalez

By Ernesto Lopez City Times Hundreds of people — tears in eyes and with emotions running high — packed Gorton Quad at San Diego City College on Oct. 14 to honor the life of student Diana Gonzalez, 19, who was slain on campus.

Along with family members of Gonzalez, the City College community and friends lit their candles and said a prayer asking for peace.

“The flame symbol-

izes the crusade started in her honor,” San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll told the crowd. “We mourn, but we n Photo honor her.” essay of vigil Dean of Student for Gonzalez Affairs Denise held Oct. 14. Whisenhunt and Page 8 several campus organizations came together to plan the memorial for Gonzalez. “(The vigil) is really coming from a place of love,” Whisenhunt told City Times. “Students are grieving, as are staff, faculty and the entire campus community.”

Gonzalez was first reported missing by her parents Oct. 12 after not emerging from campus after her night class. She was found dead in the M building See Vigil, page 2

Janette Gonzalez, right, Diana Gonzalez’s sister, lights a candle with her husband during the vigil held at Gorton Quad on Oct. 14.

Carlos Maia, City Times

On a Tuesday evening three weeks before she was killed, Diana Gonzalez was assaulted and abducted by her estranged husband, Armando Perez, from an Inspiration Point parking lot frequently used by City College students, according to authorities.

Richard Dittbenner, San Diego Community College District director of public information and government relations, said the Sept.

21 incident Armando occurred in the Perez Balboa Park parking lot at Inspiration Point.

The unattended lot — which is often used by City College students — is separated from campus by Interstate 5 but can be reached by walking on Park Boulevard or crossing a footbridge at the end of Presidents Way. See Abducted, page 13

D.A. to meet with Gonzalez family

By Ryan Johnson City Times San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said on Oct. 20 that she plans on personally meeting and speaking with the family of slain City College student Diana Gonzalez, 19.

Dumanis has been under fire since Gonzalez’s slaying for not stating why multiple charges were not filed against Gonzalez’s estranged husband, Armando Gabriel Perez, 37. Gonzalez had reported to San Diego City College police about a month ago that Perez kidnapped, raped and assaulted her over a three-day period.

See D.A., page13

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

2

Take Note Man arrested in financial aid office

By Fernando Yates City Times A former City College student was arrested Oct. 18 on campus at the Financial Aid Office for illegal possession of a weapon, campus police said.

Campus police were called on the scene after a financial aid attendant noticed the former student

Test Monkey By Emily Mather

Donald Conner was exposing himself, said Sgt. Lou Zizzo.

Police were called at 10:50 a.m. Upon searching him, police said they found a hatchet and a homemade knife on him.

Conner was looking to reapply to City College and was inquiring about financial aid, campus police said.

For more of City Times visit sdcitytimes.com

Crack City By Michele Suthers

Vigil Continued from Page 1 men’s restroom at 10 p.m. that same night by a male student who saw an individual exiting with blood-stained clothes.

Although a motive has not been determined, City College President Terrence Burgess said it appears to be a domestic violence situation that spilled onto the campus.

It has been reported by officials that three weeks prior to her death, Gonzalez had filed a restraining order on her partner and father of her 9-month-old daughter, Armando Perez, 37, after he held her captive for three days.

During the vigil, domestic violence support groups were available to speak with attendees about services available on campus and in the community. Other speakers read poetry dedicated to Gonzalez while others gave their testimonies about being victims of domestic violence.

The Visionary Feminists group was present collecting donations to help the Gonzalez family with funeral arrangements and for the 9-month-old.

“We as a campus will move forward together to prevent this type of thing from happening again,” professor Larissa Dorman said. “This senseless, brutal murder cannot be tolerated.”

Janette Gonzalez, the victim’s sister, was present

at the vigil and attempted to speak to the crowd. Her emotions overcame her as she shared the words, “Thank you for everything you’ve done today,” with the crowd.

A cousin of the slain student, Beatriz Luna, did address attendees.

“On behalf of our family during this difficult time, we find it inspiring to see all people gathered here today,” Luna said.

Luna also had a message on behalf of the Gonzalez family to all women in violent relationships.

“Get out now. This is our family today. Don’t let this be your family tomorrow.”

Gonzalez was laid to rest on Oct. 18 in San Diego. At press time, Perez’s whereabouts were still unknown.

October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

3

NEWS

Shake out

By Ernesto Lopez City Times

Drop, cover and hold on.

San Diego City College was hit with a pretend earthquake on Oct. 21 at 10:21 a.m.

As part of the 2010 Great California Shake Out, City College participated in this statewide drill in which all schools, organizations and families were encouraged to participate.

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) and classrooms in the building were evacuated during the pretend earthquake while the Campus Community Emergency Response Team responded to catastrophe scenarios in different rooms.

Vice President of Administrative

Services Jerry Davis said City College participated in the drill to see how effective their recently trained C-CERT team will be during an emergency.

“I give us an 80 percent,” Davis said.

The vice president said that during the drill it was discovered that their walkie-talkies do not provide accurate communication from outside the building to the inside.

“The walls are too thick,” Davis said. “Communication is key in these type of situations. We will fix this immediately.”

Physical geography professor Lisa Shaddock, whose class was also evacuated, provided some advice that she said will keep people

safe during an earthquake or any other catastrophe.

If an earthquake were to hit during school hours, Shaddock advises that people stay inside buildings, ducked and covered. Never run out into the street because vehicles could lose control and hit someone. She also advised that people should never stand near buildings because shattered windows could cause injuries.

Shaddock also recommends that the campus community carry first aid kits in their vehicles.

City College Public Information Officer Heidi Bunkowske said this type of drill is important for the campus C-CERT, because this is the closest they have to the real thing.

Top: Students duck underneath a table in the Learning Resource Center during the Shake Out earthquake drill on Oct. 21. Above: Derrall Chandler of facilities ser vices directs students toward Park Boulevard during the event. Carlos Maia, City Times

Domestic violence forum examines relationships Event held in memory of slain student Diana Gonzalez, who is believed to have been a victim of spousal abuse

By Angella d’Avignon and Mark Rivera City Times

Leah Copeland from a local boutique sets up the Clothesline Project, a demonstration that features personalized T-shirts that sur vivors of domestic violence have written about their experiences, on Oct. 21 outside of the Saville Theatre. Carlos Maia, City Times

“I feel like we should talk about what happened to Diana,” professor Kelly Mayhew said, as she addressed the crowd of students gathered at Saville Theatre on Oct. 21 to join “We Are Diana: A Forum on Domestic Violence” put together by the on-campus Visionary Feminists Club.

Mayhew, along with Naomi Santa Cruz, a survivor of domestic abuse and the creator of the Visionary Feminists Club, professor Sarah Pitcher, and Leah Copeland from local sexuality boutique The Rubber Rose, directed a dialogue on domestic violence and abuse.

“In women’s lives every day this is not a rare, unique, or iso-

lated case,” Mayhew said. “It’s a part of U.S. society, it’s a part of who we are, and it’s a part of how we define our gender roles.

We are all Diana Gonzalez.”

Mayhew began the forum by discussing traditional roles of femininity and masculinity in society, stressing the importance of reevaluating the tension between dominance and submission in any relationship.

“A relationship based on fear and dominance,” said Mayhew, “is not a loving relationship.”

Santa Cruz reviewed the dynamics of what constitutes domestic abuse and outlined red flags that include fear of one's partner, heightened or unusual jealousy, and the belief that one deserves to be hurt.

She added that statistics on domestic abuse are staggering: Women between the ages 16 and

24 are three times as vulnerable to engage in an abusive relationship and that 70 percent of rapes nationwide are reportedly college women.

Copeland said she opened The Rubber Rose shop in 2006 with the purpose of creating a safe space to explore one's sexuality. She introduced The Clothesline Project, a demonstration that features personalized T-shirts that survivors of domestic violence have written on about their experiences strung along a clothesline.

“We are expressing loud and clear that we will not be broken again, we are no longer ashamed, we are no longer afraid, and most importantly we will no longer be silent,” Caughlin said.

See Violence, page 14

4

News

Students possibly enrolling to get aid

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

PRESIDENT AND SCIENTIST

By Mark Rivera City Times Nearly $6,000 is available to low income students through financial aid Pell Grants.

With this much money available to students enrolled in at least 12 units each semester, there is a concern that some students may enroll in classes only to receive the financial aid award money.

“It’s a concern of (the financial aid department),” Financial Aid Director for City College Greg Sanchez stated. “But we have such a large population of students that need the financial aid, and want to learn (and) receive their education; that we can’t do things to hinder the mass group trying to catch the few that are trying to scam the system.”

Student Zeki Younis is definitely worried that some students may be enrolled in classes simply to get some free cash.

“You know it’s so hard to get into classes that you need because there are so many students just trying to enroll in any classes available,” Younis said. “And I’ve personally been in classes and have known students that are enrolled just to get financial aid and don’t even take the class seriously.”

According to the San Diego City College website, students receive their first payment for financial aid a month after classes begin.

If a student drops their classes after they receive the payment they are only required to pay a portion of the grant back. A student that stays enrolled in the classes but receives a failing grade in those classes gets to keep the entire sum.

To some, this may be an incentive to enroll in classes in order to receive the financial aid rewards. However, Chicano studies Professor Justin Akers, says he feels that most students enrolled in classes are just trying to get an education and get ahead.

“I don’t think there is a growing concern (for financial aid fraud),” Akers said in an e-mail interview. “(Teachers) are more concerned with meeting our students’ needs, rather than profiling them, questioning their intentions for being in the classroom, or making it harder to get support. If there is a genuine concern about swindlers defrauding the state on a large scale, I suggest the investigators set their sites on Wall Street, not 1313 Park Blvd.”

According to Sanchez, there are systems in place to prevent fraud from occurring at City College. The financial aid department receives regular reports on financial aid recipients that drop, how much they receive, and how much they would owe.

“Students who are enrolling and dropping (constantly) are not going to be eligible for financial aid in the future,” Sanchez said.

The financial aid department also divides up the financial aid award disbursements on two different dates. One is about a month into the semester and the last is about a month before the semester ends, according to Sanchez, making sure that students do stay and attend classes.

With these systems in place it would be difficult, but not impossible to take advantage of the system. However, according to Akers, faculty and administrators don’t spend a lot of their time worrying about those few that do want to cheat the system.

“For most students, attending college itself is a challenge due to increasing costs, budget cuts, and the overall hardship created by the ‘Great Recession.’” Akers said. “The last thing we should be doing is making their lives more complicated or making them feel guilty about having financial needs and asking for help.”

Part of a Science Club demonstration during the Transfer Fair Oct. 21 at Gorton Quad, Associated Students Government President Beto Vazquez shows a group of children from a nearby day care center his science skills. Carlos Maia, City Times

Youth workers in training

Professors create certificate in area of youth development

By Shane Finneran City Times

A few years ago, adjunct professor Paul Watson asked executive directors of youth-focused organizations across San Diego what they desired in a new employee.

The directors tended to agree on two key attributes: youth-specific training and a

bachelor’s degree. With this in mind, Watson created Human Services 106, Introduction to Youth Development Work.

Watson also teamed with psychology professor Veronica Ortega Welch to establish City College’s Certificate of Performance in Youth Development Work.

Today, HUMS 106 provides the training those executive directors wanted, while the sixcourse, 16-unit path to the certificate keeps students moving toward bachelor’s degrees.

According to the City College Catalog, the certificate is intended for “current and

potential frontline community youth development workers ... in a variety of settings, including public and private after school programs, service related agencies, recreational programs and job development centers.”

Watson added that the certificate is an early step on “a career pathway.”

Antolin Rodriguez earned the certificate in 2009 and considers the coursework a valuable part of his education in health and human services.

“It’s very important to me to understand as best I can the different ages, especially youth and children,” Rodriguez, an

aspiring community health worker who is currently studying child development, said.

“That stage in life is when the big decisions are made that are going to impact the rest of your life.”

Watson, who has worked in youth development for more than 30 years, also teaches at the San Diego campus of Springfield College. He said nearly a dozen of his students at Springfield this semester once took HUMS 106 at City College and are now pursuing bachelor’s degrees in human services.

See Youth, page 13

E-textbooks are the new thing

By Fernando Yates City Times The City Bookstore offers electronic versions for most textbooks each semester, usually at the fraction of the price of printed copies.

Each semester instructors submit their book lists to the bookstore, and according to the bookstore staff, the number of e-textbooks requested is increasing.

While printed books are still selling in higher quantities, e-textbooks are starting to become more popular at City College.

The reasons for the growing popularity can possibly be attrib-

uted to the fact the e-textbooks are generally less expensive, costing half the price of the printed books.

For example, the used version of “Living Psychology,” the text for psychology 101, is $100.10 used while the electronic version is $65.80. “Earth and its People,” the text for history 100, is $123.00 for a new printed version and $63.75 for the electronic version.

Assistant bookstore supervisor Sammie Noel says that the bookstore is “pro student” and explains that the store tries to minimize the total cost for students each semester, in this case by offering less expensive alternatives to printed books.

So why don’t more students use e-textbooks? They are only available when instructors request them and at times students are unaware that they are even available.

For example, second year student Martin Cardenas was unaware that the City Bookstore offered e-textbooks for most classes prior to being interviewed. Cardenas did like the idea of e-textbooks and asked, “Why would you want to carry around five books?”

Economics professor Alex Obiya offers and even prefers e-textbooks for all of his classes.

He says that e-textbooks are more cost effective and believes that they will be the norm in ten

years. He estimates that 20 percent of his students use an electronic version of his required text.

When you buy an e-textbook, what you are really buying is a license from the publisher to use the book, much like you do when you buy software.

What you actually get when you pay for your book is a serial, or code, that you enter at a publisher’s web site.

Once you do that you are allowed to download your textbook. The file is usually a PDF that can be opened in almost any computer, some cell phones, or in an e-reader.

Most e-textbooks are exact copies of the printed edition.

October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

News

5

All about the

Raza

Several City College clubs and organizations hosted the annual Dia de la Raza event on Oct. 12 at the Gorton Quad.

A celebration of the Hispanic heritage of Latin America, Dia de la Raza brings into it ethnic and cultural influences making it distinctive. It is typically celebrated in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay.

“It is very important for students from all ethnic backgrounds to understand the true purpose of Dia de la Raza,” Spanish professor Rosalinda Sandoval said.

“The beautiful thing about Dia de la Raza is that it is celebrated widely throughout California. I honestly feel that students from all ethnic backgrounds should become knowledgeable of (the celebration),” City College student Omar Moreno said.

The scent of carne asada and beans and rice was in the air as members of the City College Spanish Club cooked. During the festivities, members of MEChA also handed out flyers providing more in-depth information about the history of the festivities.

— Sidney Bryant

Top: A Peruvian dancer performs at the Dia de La Raza event at Gorton Quad Oct. 12. Center left: City College student Elizabeth Pantoja recites a poem about her heritage. Center right: the Spanish Club displays native artifacts and traditional foods. Above and right: Members from the Mariachi Juvenil de San Diego perform Mexican songs for a crowd of spectators.

Photos by Luis Carrillo, City Times

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

6

Arts City College houses small literary press

By Mark Rivera City Times Since 1994, San Diego City College has been publishing local poetry, prose, fiction and artwork through its literary journal, City Works.

The City Works literary journal gives local artists, as well as City students, a chance to have their work published every year.

It was while working with the journal that one of its editors, English Professor Jim Miller, came up with the idea of starting a small literary press on the City College campus. He and other supporters of the idea began to work on what is now City Works Press.

“Its focus was going to be specifically on publishing mostly local San Diego writers of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction,” said English Professor Kelly Mayhew, who is also a Managing Editor for the Press as well as an Editorial Board member to the Journal. “So we started fundraising. We had a lot of contributions from faculty who paid in every month to help raise the funds to help get it started.”

In 2003, they also started what is known as the San Diego Writers Collective, which draws from writers and art supporters throughout San Diego.

The San Diego Writers Collective submitted a onetime formal grant request from the American Federation of Teacher Local 1931, which was approved, according to Professor Mayhew.

The grant helped get the Press off its feet by matching the contributions that had already been raised through the Collective’s fundraising.

Since then, City Works

Press has published 18 books of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. The Press publishes work every fall, and all writers, including City students, are encouraged to submit work to be reviewed by the Press editors.

Every other year, the Press also hands out the Ben Rightman Award, to an author whose work of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction are published in a single book. City students are also given a chance to publish more work through the Press’ Chapbook Award, which is offered exclusively to City College students.

Forrest Hylton’s novel “Vanishing Acts” was published through City Works Press as a result of being the latest winner of the Ben Rightman Award. His novel was featured at the City Works night of the International Book Fair Oct. 2. He describes the publishing experience with City Works Press as “fantastic.”

There are also awards given to City students through the City Works Journal, which offers $100 dollars cash awards to the best student entries in cover design, poetry, personal essay, prose/fiction, and artwork.

The National Award winner is given $250 dollars cash and is honored at the yearly City Works reading.

City College student Carrie Vigordh, has been published in the Journal every year since 2007 and was part of Jim Miller’s Honors English 249 class, which helps edit the City Works Journal.

“It’s a wonderful introduction into the world of writing,” Vigordh said. “It’s always nice See Press, page 14

A song for students

Jasmine Morgan, left, Amanda Leger, center, and Rebekah Ensley, right, rehearse a number from the upcoming musical “Songs for a New World” Oct. 20. The musical opens Oct. 29. Carlos Maia, City Times

City College’s visual and performing arts department prepares to present the avant-garde musical ‘Songs for a New World’

By Katrina Cameron City Times The cast and crew of the upcoming San Diego City College musical “Songs for a New World” have been conducting their final rehearsals prior to their opening night Oct. 29.

They will feature the avant-garde musical in the Saville Theatre through Nov. 14.

Although the musical originally calls for four actors, co-director June Richards decided to add an ensemble of about 20.

“It’s small for a musical … it’s large considering what Richards usually works with,” Shandra Olds, actress and theater major, said.

After weeks and countless hours of rehearsing in the Saville Theatre, it’s clear to see emotions run mixed amongst the cast as their time together comes to an end.

“It’s kind of bittersweet “Songs for a New World” cast rehearses Oct. 20 as since I’ve been here for so long,” said William Tallaksen, opening night nears. Carlos Maia, City Times

actor and musical theater major. “These people are like my family.”

“It’s coming together very well considering we’ve had some solo changes. I think everyone is thrilled, to say the least,” Olds added.

Richards also seemed “thrilled” for the nearing opening night. She has been co-directing the musical with choreographer Alicia Rincon.

“I think that each show is something I am in love with,” Richards said. “It has a very special quality that resonates.”

“The show is powerful,” Richards said. “It speaks to our student population and is perfect for right now.”

Show times for “Song for a New World” will be at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 30, then again on Nov. 5 and 6. Sunday matinees (Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and 14) will be at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the box office.

Discounted tickets priced at $5 are available for City College faculty, staff and students opening weekend.

Documentary uncovers major flaws in public education system

Daisy, a fifth grade student featured in the “Waiting for Superman” documentar y, dreams of becoming a doctor or nurse some day, but her parents fear the school system is failing her. Paramount Pictures

Thanks to continuous protests happening in California, we all know what is wrong with higher education. But if you want to know what is wrong with the public education system (K-12), watch “Waiting for Superman.” This documentary might be to education what “An Inconvenient Truth” was to climate change — the movie that brought everyone’s attention to the issue.

This documentary follows five children and their families, as they try to get into better schools. Anthony lives in Washington, D.C., the worst school district in

AS SCENE ON SCREEN Christine Klee

all of America — children there continuously have the lowest scores on reading proficiency and math tests.

Daisy, a fifth grader from Los Angeles, wants to be a doctor or a nurse some day.

She is working hard and doing well in school, but her parents fear that the school system is failing her.

Bianca is only in kindergarten, but she already goes

to a more expensive private school because her mother is worried about her future.

Francisco gets help from his mother and a tutor, yet his teacher says he doesn’t read well.

While Emily might seem well off, as her parents are middle-class and live in the suburbs, her future is still in peril. The public high school she is supposed to attend might put her on a track that leads away from college and towards minimum-wage jobs.

These children serve as examples of how the public See Superman, page 14

October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Arts

7

‘Pretend Time’ with Swardson

One of the many gruesome zombies from “The Walking Dead” arises. The new television series, adapted from a comic book series, will premiere Oct. 31 on the AMC channel. Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

You’ve probably seen him on roller skates soliciting sex in “Reno 911” or maybe in “Grandma’s Boy” as a gloriously stereotyped nerdy game designer still living with his parents.

You may also have even seen him in Almost Famous as an ecstatic David Bowie fan. In any case, Nick Swardson has probably made you laugh until you cried and now he has his own show.

Swardson first splashed into common knowledge when he had his own “Comedy Central Presents” special back in 2001.

With jokes about his grandmother loving him and yelling, “Oh, Nicholas, you’re so strong!” for lifting a gallon of milk to commentary on how modern music will be perceived when our generation is 80, he was an instant quotable sensation.

His new show, “Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time,” is a sketch show with no centralized theme. In a

Undead rise to screen “The Walking Dead” comic book released by Image Comics seven years ago, written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Charlie Adlard, goes where most zombie stories are afraid to go--long term survival.

Now that Kirkman has recently released the 75th issue, it seems he is doing just that and succeeding.

This Eisner Award winning comic series follows Rick Grimes, a sheriff from a small town who wakes from

a coma to find the world he once knew completely different.

Zombies have taken over and his family is nowhere to be found.

He goes on a mission to find them, but as opposed to most zombie stories, the plot doesn’t end when he finds his family.

Grimes finds his wife, Lori, and son, Carl, camping out on the outskirts of Atlanta with a small group of survivors.

Review

Haley Manbeck They had been traveling through Georgia trying to find shelter, food and general safety.

“The Walking Dead” breaks away even further from the norm when eventually the zombies become more of a backdrop to the characters and how they adjust to their surroundings.

Kirkman and Adlard suc-

cessfully convey every sort of reaction anyone could have in this situation, ranging from suicidal tendencies to violent desensitization. It is both an amazing zombie apocalypse story as well as a fantastic examination of human response to horrible circumstances.

American Movie Channel (AMC) will be premiering the first episode of the television adaptation, with Kirkman as an executive producer, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m.

Nick Swardson will be starring in his own Comedy Central show called “Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time.”

Courtesy of Comedy Central

Review

Haley Manbeck conference call interview with City Times, Swardson stated, “People were baffled I wanted to do this.

I’ve always been a big Saturday Night Live fan and the opportunity presented itself.

I think I could pull this off right now. Show all the stuff I can do. Just show f****** crazy s*** all week.”

With sketches featuring things like a urine powered car, a gay robot and Lady Gaga’s brother, Gary Gaga, a New Jersey police officer, he’s off to a great start.

“There’s going to be a Gay Robot sketch in every show. It’s wicked f****** funny,” Swardson said.

The show pushes boundaries with sketches like ‘Wheelchair Cat: Trust Fund Kitty,’ a cat voiced by Swardson riding around in an electric wheelchair and referencing snorting cocaine with, “Powdered doughnuts make me go nuts.”

“I wanted to push myself with characters, push the limits,” Swardson said.

“Comedy Central wanted us to push it and we did ... (they) knew what they were getting. They’re familiar with me. (Dave) Chappelle left and there was a void.

They wanted to work with someone with that creativity.”

Keep an eye out for Swardson. He said he’ll be at the next Comic Con. Be sure to look hard, though. He said last year he “blacked out and passed out in an alley.”

“Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time” airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.

Anthology of parenthood attracts audience ‘Mamas and Papas: On the Sublime and Heartbreaking Art of Parenting’ debuted Oct. 9 at San Diego City College’s International Book Fair; the anthology shares a variety of experiences that come with parenting

By Angella d’Avignon Correspondent City College professor and managing editor of City Works Press Kelly Mayhew, along with co-editor Alys Masek, debuted their anthology about the nuances of parenthood, “Mamas and Papas: On the Sublime and Heartbreaking Art of Parenting” at City College’s annual International Book Fair on Oct. 9.

A crowd filled the Saville Theatre to hear selections from eight different authors. The audience cooed with babies scattered throughout the crowd, bouncing on their parents’ laps, and setting the tone for a reading about the experience of parenthood.

City Works Press Former editor Arthur Salm introduced editors Mayhew and Masek.

The idea for the book was born when old friends and colleagues Mayhew and

Kelly Mayhew Masek, saw a need for a book that would not merely provide a how-to approach to parenting but one that would “feed our souls,” as Mayhew wrote in her introduction.

“While this book may sit in the parenting section of a book store,” Salm said, “it should be in the literature section.”

So the two put out a call to friends and writers and received 900 submissions, from which they culled more than 300 pages of work.

“Mamas and Papas” grew from a need for a book that did not merely show how to be a parent but more importantly “how it feels to be a parent,” says Mayhew.

The multi-genre anthology includes short fiction, poetry, and essays from writers of all styles and walks of life, including a few who examine the experience of not having children.

The pieces read ranged from the funny to the disgusting, as each author candidly revealed their personal position and reactions to their roles as new, defunct or seasoned parents.

“This book is about the amazement of what parenting does to your life,” said Masek before she opened the reading with a poem she penned shortly after her child was born.

Notable performances included poet Susan Webb’s reading of “Wild Sweet Wil-

liam,” a poem about her young son and similarly, Lorrie Zuplan, whose piece “Puberty” served as an eloquent set of field notes about her developing son-captured moments in time in poignant prose.

A funnier piece, “Unlikely Soccer Mom” read by contributor Grace Won Lynch split focus between her kid’s performance on the soccer field and Lynch’s compulsive desire to defend herself by way of defending him.

Closing out the readings, Corrine Blue read her painfully honest “Confessions,” a piece that trailed Blue’s ambivalent emotions about being a woman and a mother of four, themes of exhaustion, obligation, and sheer joy echoed throughout her performance as her newest child murmured alongside her on stage.

The anthology can be purchased at the City Works Press website or at Amazon.

“Mamas and Papas” is an anthology about parenthood compiled by Alys Masek and Kelly Mayhew.

8

News

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

Diana Gonzalez 1991- 2010

Top: San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll and City College President Terrence Burgess give their condolences to Janette Gonzalez, sister of slain student Diana Gonzalez. Hundreds of students and members of the community attended a candlelight vigil at Gorton Quad on Oct. 14 in memor y of Gonzalez. During the memorial, donations were collected to help fund funeral costs. Photos by Carlos Maia, City Times

October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

News

Diana

A young bud with sprout Too soon violently trampled In our family garden, A promise broken; Leaving us to wonder What might have bloomed; Mourning the missing fragrance And colors that would have Shone vibrant and proud In their own way Had not the darkness come, Consoled in knowing that what Makes beauty is the Fleeting moment we share.

June Cressy (read at the Oct. 14 vigil)

Hundreds of students, faculty and community members joined the family of slain student Diana Gonzalez for a candlelight vigil in her memor y on Oct. 14.

Mourners gathered in Gorton Quad as they listened to speakers such as City College President Terrence Burgess, San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll and Associated Student Government President Beto Vazquez.

A prayer for peace was said and attendees were asked to program emergency numbers into their phones to help prevent further tragedies on campus and anywhere else.

— Heric Rubio

9

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

10

Voice Dumanis does it by the books On Oct. 12, the City College community lost one of its youngest members.

Nineteen-year-old Diana Gonzalez was brutally killed on campus. Authorities accuse her husband, Armando Perez, 37.

This can be a cruel, heartless world and unfortunately, these evil things sometimes happen. Sometimes there is nothing that can be done to prevent these acts of maliciousness. There can be no good in this world if not for the bad.

That is not the case in this instance. Gonzalez’s killing is something that very well could have been prevented and it is up to us to make sure that the people who allowed this to happen answer to the family, friends and everyone that has felt pain.

On Sept. 21, according to authorities, Gonzalez was kidnapped by Perez at the Inspiration Point parking lot and held captive for three days, during which it is believed Perez raped, strangled and threatened Gonzalez with death. The injuries that Gonzalez sustained should have been evidence enough for a case against Perez. But sometimes the justice system truly is blind.

Police and attorneys were almost positive that they had cases for false imprisonment, kidnapping, spousal abuse, criminal threats and rape. However, when they presented this to the district attorney’s office, they declined to prosecute.

In an interview with KPBS investigative reporter Amita Sharma, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis explained that they were “unable to file charges because there was not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”

No proof beyond a reasonable doubt, D.A. Dumanis?

Maybe the burst capillaries in Gonzalez’s eyes and face from the choking, which takes about 33 pounds of pressure to cause, weren’t enough? How about the swollen tongue from

CITY TIMES Volume 65, Number 5 October 26, 2010

www.sdcitytimes.com Ernesto Lopez Editor-in-Chief Cristo De Guzman Managing Editor Vanessa Gomez Copy Chief Anulak Singphiphat Design Editor Heric Rubio Opinion Editor

EDITORIAL

City Times Editorial Board being unable to swallow?

No? How about the bruises and bloody nose?

None of this meant anything to the district attorney. In the same interview, Dumanis went on to say that she and her office want to make sure that they hold the right person responsible for Gonzalez’s death. And who could this possibly be?

There is only one suspect, and he has apparently run off to Mexico. Still have some doubt, Dumanis? Still want to make sure you get the right bad guy?

It has been said that there is no greater sin than doing nothing to prevent sin. The district attorney had the power to keep Perez off the streets after seeing what had been done to Gonzalez.

She chose instead to follow the law by the books.

She didn’t have her overwhelming evidence. What should she have asked for?

A videotape of the kidnapping with Perez holding up an I.D. to prove it was him?

Sure, it’s important to be sure before accusing or arresting someone. Sometimes, though, you’re not going to get that “without a doubt” piece of evidence.

Sometimes you’re going to have to go with your gut and see what’s right in front of you. Sometimes you have to risk doing something wrong in order to do right.

The laws and leaders of this country were put in place in order to protect us and maintain some semblance of order. A problem arises when those leaders refuse to do what they must know is the right thing because it doesn’t fall in line with the laws or because they don’t want to hurt their political careers.

Every rule was made to be broken. When the enforcers of those rules don’t believe that, the only things left broken are hearts and lives.

Michele Suthers, City Times

‘Nothing domestic about violence’ Dear Editor, There is nothing domestic about violence. There is no family in violence. If in fact it was her estranged husband who committed the murder of Diana Gonzalez, their former marriage does not mitigate the violence.

We lost a 19-year-old student to the jealousy of a 37-year-old man. The fact that she entered into holy matrimony with him, ostensibly when he was good to her, does not give him the right to terrorize her or to take her life for any reason.

The phrase “domestic violence” needs to be removed from our vocabulary. It is an erroneous holdover from

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

Stephen Boyd-Morales Fernando Yates Online Editors Mollie Shepardson Features Editor Katrina Cameron Haley Manbeck Arts Editors Lani Ioane Sports Editor

Luis Carrillo Photo Editor Michele Suthers Chief Illustrator Shane Finneran Copy Editor

WEB COMMENTS Excerpts of comments from online story ‘City College student believed to have been killed on campus’ To comment visit: www.sdcitytimes.com

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Sidney Bryant, Katrina Cruz, Olivia Holt, Ryan Johnson, Mark Rivera, Ricky Soltero, Coatlicue Villanueva,

Correspondents Angella d’Avignon, Delia Castro, Emily Mather Moretz, Jessica Potochniak, Christine Klee

LETTER TO THE EDITOR rape happen to a man in a war zone, we call it terrorism. This perpetrator’s acts against Diana represent his premeditated, self-serving political motivation. The District Attorney should now charge him with terrorism and premeditated murder and put him away permanently before he does this to the next woman in his life.

My heart and prayers go out to Diana’s family and friends and to her teachers and classmates here at City.

It broke my heart to come to campus today (Oct. 15)

n “How calloused can the campus president be? Burgess said ‘it appears to be a domestic violence situation that spilled onto the campus.’

‘Spilled over’ as if the lack of campus security had nothing to do with this hideous crime?”

— ncstark

City Times Staff

Contributors Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser

another time when violence in the home was sanctioned by other men who understood a jealous rage as a rational reason to physically abuse or murder a woman.

Physically abusive actions between two people who do not know each other would minimally be charged as assault-why would it be more OK to behave this way toward someone you know?

The justice system’s release of a man who kidnapped and raped a young woman-a young woman who reported the crime and filed for a restraining order indicating her fear of himis unconscionable. I cannot even imagine the rationale.

When kidnapping and

knowing that we lost a student who was trying desperately to better her life.

I hope that if another young woman from the City College community is trying to get out of an abusive relationship, we will all do what we can to assist her. Be an escort. Call police and ask for an escort so she doesn’t have to ask. Leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time; give her this number (888) 385-4657 where she can ask for help in disappearing from her normal routine.

Sincerely, Mary Wickline City College photography professor

n “The campus is known for having crimes yet the police aren’t out there doing their job. School officials and the police are very much aware of the circumstances students face every day at that campus.”

— Italia_Acevedo

City Times is published twice monthly during the semester. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, City College administration, faculty and staff or the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees.

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

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October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Voice

11

It was all a DREAM How to make it in America “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

These are the words that have greeted thousands of immigrants as they arrive at Ellis Island since 1892.

Lately though it seems as though there’s been a huge footnote at the end that says “But make sure you have the right paperwork filled out.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not in anyway advocating open borders.

There should definitely be a process to get into this country. Unfortunately the one we have now is such a mess that something needs to be done to remedy the situation. And this is where the DREAM Act comes into play.

Under the DREAM Act, individuals who arrived to this country illegally would be granted the opportunity for citizenship through either completion of a degree from a four year college or two years of service in the United States military.

Now personally, I don’t see where the problem lies in this. This legislation seems to be a win-win situation.

We’re giving people the opportunity to come to this country and through hard work and dedication become citizens and contribute to the advancement of its people.

We also get people who are willing to die for a country that doesn’t recognize them in order to be able to say they are citizens.

In a 2008 study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States ranked 18th in secondary education out of 36 nations examined. Other

PRO

Heric Rubio countries are moving faster along in educating their citizens while the US falls further behind.

Implementation of the DREAM Act could help us become the leader in education like we once were.

While we may not currently be the most favorable country in the world’s eyes, there is obviously still opportunities to become so again if people are struggling and fighting to come here for a better life.

One of the big issues lately is the problem with jobs being outsourced overseas or the few jobs available that don’t require more than the ability to flip a hamburger being given to people that aren’t citizens of this country.

By educating the people who actually want to be here we could avoid this problem.

This path to citizenship isn’t easy.

It would take a lot of work. Some will make it, others won’t. But this is the reason many of these immigrants struggle to come to this country in the first place.

This isn’t welfare. The government won’t be paying for their education. If they want that four year degree they’d have to find a way to fund it themselves. And isn’t that the American dream, to be able to come out of the lowest of situations only to be able to rise out on top?

The DREAM Act would allow these people to serve their country, whether it be with a pen or a gun.

Personally, I hope they choose the pen.

Heric Rubio is the City Times Opinions editor

Coatlicue Villanueva, City Times

DREAM Act could become a nightmare The other day I asked my neighbors, Sully and Sal, who migrated to the United States from Iran, what they thought about the DREAM Act. I explained that the legislation known as the DREAM Act would give residency to immigrants who arrived in the United States before the age of 16, have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, earned a high school degree and completed two years of college or military service.

The two brothers came to the United States with a student visa during the 1980s, went to college, graduated and started their own Structural Engineering firm here in San Diego.

They are quite the success story

CON

Olivia Holt

in starting the American dream.

When speaking with them they bought up a good point: We came to the United States legally and went through the right processes, we did not break the law.

The real victims are the children of illegal immigrants. However, it doesn’t change the fact that their parents knowingly broke the law when migrating to the United States. The DREAM Act is putting

a band-aid over a bigger issue on immigration.

Immigrants still come to the United States illegally and do not go through the legal process. The legislation known as the DREAM Act is too lax and knowing how easy it would be for their children to attain citizenship would encourage immigrants to come to the United States illegally, causing a massive fraud.

Legislation that actually penetrates the core issues regarding immigration would involve a more rigorous legalization process for longtime residents.

A legislation package that incorporates preventative measures, so children of illegal immigrants

wouldn’t be put in the situation in the first place. The legislation package should end chain migration and require that employers hiring “Web-based E-Verify system” to have a better screening process for immigrates using fake identification.

Why do people want to leave their homeland and come to America? One of the main contributing factors is that people’s native country is under economic distress, so they come to the U.S. for a better quality of life.

So why not try foreign investment? Take Mexico for example: if foreign investment was allowed in more areas of Mexico, it would

push out the drug cartel and allow citizens to have more economic freedom.

An example is the traveling industry in Cabo San Lucas. It creates jobs for Mexico’s citizens and brings money into the city allowing the people better economic options, so they don’t feel desperate enough to come to the United States illegally.

If people want to come to the United States, then they can go through the right process without breaking the law.

Olivia Holt is a City Times staff writer

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

12

Life

A history of Halloween The story behind the traditions

By Stephen Boyd-Morales City Times Every October we celebrate the Halloween holiday. Children find costumes of their favorite character. Some become ninjas, some monsters, some become prettypretty princesses, and some dress as witches. Their parents take them out for a night on the town. The goal is to get as much candy as you can.

But how did we begin this tradition? Well, as with most things, our fun traditions did have a basis before the goal of the night was candy.

There are several different holidays that fall around Halloween.

Halloween itself was once called All Hallow's Eve, which was followed

by Nov. 1 of All Saint’s Day. The same date is also known as Dia de Meurte. But if follow the astrological event which All Hallow’s Eve is to be based on, it would fall sometime around Nov. 6 or 7.

All Hallow’s Eve has its roots in the ancient Celtic tradition called Samhain.

All Saint's Day, which is Nov. 1, was part of the Pagan tradition. It is now mostly viewed as a Christian holiday, but its roots lie in Pagans honoring their ancestors and thanking them for their guidance. Dia de Meurte is similar to All Saint’s Day. The tradition of pumpkin carving is technically a new tradition.

But it is based on an older tradition. Before pumpkins were carved, turnips were carved. A candle was placed within it to help guide lost spirits. In some parts of the world, marigolds would be used to create a path to help lost spirits.

The phrase trick-or-treat first appeared in print in Canada. But it is based on an older tradition. Costumes were worn to help confuse the “wee folk,” who would often pull pranks.

Halloween was one of the two times during the year that the veil between worlds was the thinnest.

Spirits were said to rise and walk the Earth on this night. This is what led to costumes being worn. Some wore the costumes to honor ancestors, while other traditions would wear costumes to help hide them from wandering spirits. The costumes were to help confuse them.

Apples appear in many Halloween traditions. This was because October is usually when apples were harvested. As a result, we now have traditions such as bobbing for apples.

We also have the treat known as a candied apple. But an apple tradition rarely seen anymore is apple peeling. A young woman peeled an apple then threw the skins. It would land in the shape of the first letter of the name of the future husband.

One of the most famous images of Halloween is the wicked witch.

Most people are familiar with what has become the standard image of a witch. She is an old crone with green skin and a crocked nose. Her hands are crippled and her clothes and hair are haggard.

Hope MacDonald, president of Pagan Pride, shared her view of witches. She explained that most pagans and wiccans find this view offensive. It is the Hollywood version of something they do not know or understand.

But there is a historical reason for this image. During the Salem witch trials, many women were accused of witchcraft. They were

often midwives who used herbs for medicines and would often to go into the forest in search of ingredients. But others viewed them as going into the woods to perform sinister acts.

When the women were arrested they were often tortured. Their knuckles would be broken, as would their nose. They were beaten and missing teeth. This would continue until they confessed. When they finally did give in to the torture, their skin was discolored from all the bruising. Having been kept in prison, their hair would be a mess and their clothes worn away.

stock.xchng

Frequent images associated with witches are the conical hat and the broom. These items were not a Hollywood creation, but did serve a purpose. The hat would help center a person during rituals. The broom was used when casting a circle. A person would use it to sweep away negativity.

MacDonald spoke with me about her group. Their organization was dedicated to educating the public with what it means to be pagan, and not what Hollywood portrays.

“I love when people ask questions and open their hearts,” said MacDonald.

At the core of their beliefs is to honor and respect mother Earth and to respect each other. For Pagans, Halloween is viewed as the New Year.

There are no animal sacrifices in paganism. They love all animals, as animals are a part of nature. The image of pagans worshipping the devil is also quite false. The concept of Lucifer is a Christian concept and not found anywhere in paganism.

When asked if she thought people would ever change their view of paganism, MacDonald felt that as long as there are fundamentalists, it would be hard.

She does have faith that one day people will be like that.

“It just takes a little seed,” MacDonald added.

Halloween costumes... sexy or scary?

Generic Halloween costumes are now the prey of a sexy makeover; this year’s trends may come as a shock ... on the other hand, maybe not

By Haley Manbeck City Times Halloween is approaching which means little kids will be running down the street looking for candy, Spirit stores are cropping up everywhere and girls of every shape and size will be showing up to parties in essentially their underwear.

It is the one time of year where it is acceptable for these girls to show up in stripper attire to any party or even walking down the street. Student Leah Taylor said, “It’s just a lot of fun. You get to be sexy and still be dressed up as something weird.” Leah said she’s going to either be a “sexy” Iron Man or a “sexy” Ghostbuster.

So what kinds of costumes can you expect from these girls? There are few movies with outlandish costumes this year so it's up in the air.

According to Pamela Stompoly of The Costume Shop in North Park, “People are going to be creative this year.

It's all very random.”

“I’m all in favor of sexy Halloween costumes, but it’s just ridiculous now-a-days.”

-Cameron Hatheway, City College student For the girls, we might see a few Neytiris from Avatar or Alices from Alice in Wonderland, though it seems this year will hold a slew of the generic costumes. You can expect to see scantily clad angels, devils, cops, girl

scouts, maids, nurses, cats … any noun you can really apply, works.

“I’m all in favor of sexy Halloween costumes, but it’s just ridiculous now-a-days,” Cameron Hatheway, a student, said. “There are sexy outfits that have nothing to do with the word ‘sexy’ ... The costume should have some sort of sex appeal in its own right, because otherwise it’s awkward and weird and can be a train-wreck.”

Some of the stranger new “sexy” costumes to pop up this year are Captain America, Optimus Prime, and Sherlock Holmes.

Stompoly says to expect plenty of burlesque inspired costumes.

For the men, Stompoly has gotten requests for an Aztec warrior and a few Johnny Depp style Mad Hatter costumes. “All guys like to be

Spartan warriors or pharaohs,” says Stompoly.

The Costume Shop also specializes in make-up.

The costume Stompoly is most prepared for is the zombie. “About two weeks before Halloween, people will come rushing in for zombie make-up.”

Another strangely common request she gets is “smurf makeup.”

For the most part though, this Halloween looks to be a great one for Leg Avenue (the leading company in sexy costumes). So keep your eyes peeled for the more creative of the “sexy” costumes. Who knows, maybe you’ll see a “sexy” pumpkin.

Illustration

by Coatlicue Villanueva, City Times

October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Abducted Continued from Page 1 According to reports Gonzalez later filed with the San Diego Police Department and with family court, she had discovered her class was canceled and was returning to her car at about 5:30 p.m. when Perez confronted her. He wanted to

D.A. Continued from Page 1 “I will work with them,” Dumanis stated during a press conference. “I will talk with them. I have dealt with many victims over the course of over 30 years and I know the pain that they feel. I feel it.”

The press conference

Youth Continued from Page 4 These students, some of whom hold the certificate of performance from City College, plan on earning concentrations in “community youth development and leadership” with their Springfield degrees.

The 2010-11 edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupation Outlook Handbook pegs the median annual wages of these workers at $39,530 as of May 2008.

Watson cautioned that the field’s higher-paying jobs usually require at least a bachelor’s degree.

Youth development is “under-capitalized,” Watson said, meaning it doesn’t get the funding it needs. This limits wages, so people looking for youth work are often after more than “just cashing a paycheck.”

“Usually it’s somebody who has a deep sense of wanting to make a career of helping other people,” Watson added.

STOP

News

talk but Gonzalez repeatedly said no.

As Gonzalez got into her car, Perez moved between her and the door. After repeatedly refusing to speak with him, Perez got angry.

Perez “reached into the car and strangled me with his right hand,”Gonzalez told the county superior court in a request for a restraining order.

Gonzalez briefly lost con-

sciousness and when she came to Perez had pushed her into the passenger’s seat and was pinning her head down as he drove out of the lot. Perez then held Gonzalez captive for two days in motel rooms and in her car, refusing to release her until Thursday, Sept. 23.

That day her parents brought Gonzalez to City College to report the ordeal.

Campus police contacted the

was held to inform the public of the plan to increase early interventions in domestic violence cases.

Gonzalez’s reports were investigated and Perez was initially arrested and booked into jail. He was released after four days when Dumanis dropped the case. Less than three weeks later, Gonzalez was killed in the men’s restroom at City College and Perez, now

charged with her slaying, is believed to be hiding out in Mexico.

Dumanis has repeatedly said she does not publicly comment as to why charges were not filed in any particular case, but she wants to be clear that she understands the family is upset and wants answers as to why their daughter’s assailant wasn’t charged.

“I (will) work with them to

Some HUMS 106 students participated in youth development programs when they where younger and are now looking to give back -- or to provide support that wasn’t there before.

Other students work in fields unrelated to youth work and are considering a “more rewarding and fulfilling career,” Watson said.

“Professor Watson’s HUMS 106 is interactive,” Jill Miller, a class member, said “We talk about our role in society, understanding youth, and moving forward within a system that does not [adequately] value its young people.”

Students pursuing the certificate are encouraged to attend San Diego’s annual Youth Worker Conference, which Watson and Ortega Welch help organize. Attendees hear from experts, discuss trends and the best practices in youth work.

“What we’re trying to do is really develop a community among youth workers,” Watson said.

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parking at Inspiration Point.

“It may not be safe to park here, but it’s free parking, so I have no choice,” Gebretsadik said as he walked from the lot to campus on a recent Wednesday morning.

Erica Sanchez, a student who parks in the lot twice a week, said she sometimes feels unsafe.

“When it’s dark, when I’m by myself, it’s really scary,” Sanchez said.

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answer all their questions in a confidential setting where they can ask anything they want, where their child’s memory is preserved and where the public doesn’t have to air out what happened in a particular case,” Dumanis explained.

City Times attempted to reach out to the Gonzalez family for comment, but calls had not been returned by press time.

file charges. When asked to explain why charges weren’t filed, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office said it does not speak publicly about reasons for rejecting cases.

Authorities now believe Perez killed Gonzalez at City College on Oct. 12.

Yohaness Gebretsadik, a City College student, said news of the Sept. 21 incident wouldn’t deter him from

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SDPD, who sent an officer to interview Gonzalez. The officer’s report concluded that Gonzalez was “kidnapped, assaulted, raped, threatened, and falsely imprisoned by her estranged husband Armando Perez.”

According to KFMB-TV Channel 8, Perez was subsequently jailed for a few days but was released when the San Diego County district attorney’s office declined to

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14

News | Arts

Superman Continued from Page 6 school system of today fails our children, but there is hope. This hope comes in the form of educators and government officials who are trying to change the system.

Geoffrey Canada is one of educators interviewed during the movie and a great example of how the status-quo could be changed.

Canada started working as a teacher and thought he could fix schools within two years,

Press Continued from Page 6 to see your writing in print.

It makes you feel accomplished, which invariably leads you to accomplish even more.� “The model of the Press is to stay small and stay linked to the community,�

Violence Continued from Page 3 The row of T-shirts was strung along the stairway outside Saville Theatre in efforts of making those voices who had previously been silenced

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010 but quickly learned that change takes time.

Yet, he has conceived a system in which low-income children receive all the support they need and make it to college, despite the obstacles they face in their young lives and using the same budget as all other public schools.

Michelle Rhee was appointed chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public school system in 2007, as the 10th superintendent in only seven years. She has had some success changing the system, but is fighting against interest groups.

David Guggenheim, the director of both “Waiting for Superman� and “An Inconvenient Truth,� does what he does extremely well — he shows with statistics and research how big of a problem exists, puts faces to the people suffering and then proves that there is another way.

This documentary is far from dull and will make viewers want to change the system right then and there.

Maybe that is exactly what America needs — people, not just parents, willing to fight for the future of children.

Miller said. He added that “focus(ing) on local writing� is also an element of that model.

Fifty percent of the Journal’s work is done by City students, and the work is handpicked by City students, as well, according to Miller. “It’s very, very rare that a community college would have (a literary press or journal), and it recognizes that

we have this literary community in San Diego and at our college,� Professor Mayhew said. “It’s a real benefit for students to share their work through this Press and through the Journal.�

To purchase work published through City Works Press, or for submission details and deadlines go to www.cityworkspress.org.college.�

by domestic abuse known.

Copeland spoke of empowerment as she explained what she saw as the key issue in intimate yet abusive relationships: leaving the abuser. “What’s most difficult is actually staying away,�

said Copeland.

In addition to the panel’s discussion, booths were set up by organizations such as the Center for Community Solution, which provided literature for those seeking help from domestic violent situations.

Please recycle this paper N A T I O N A L

U N I V E R S I T Y

City Times earns recognition from professionals Reporting team wins paper’s first-ever enterprise award for quake fault stories

By Shane Finneran City Times A four-reporter team from City College — Mark Rivera, Dan Berger, John Balchak and Ernesto Lopez — won an award for enterprising reporting at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ Southern California conference.

The student journalists published articles studying their campus’s vulnerability to earthquake faults. “It was a series of stories in one issue last spring produced by four writers just after the large quake in Baja on Easter,� said City Times adviser Roman Koenig. “Being recognized for our hard work is definitely a blessing,� said Lopez, editor in chief at City Times. “We put a lot of hours into each issue, and we do it with passion.�

The conference, held on Oct. 15 and 16, also recognized outstanding performance in an on-the-

spot newspaper production contest. City Times design editor Anulak Singphiphat received three awards for his work in the categories of News Judgment LayoutTabloid, People’s ChoiceTabloid, and Bring-in Ad. A few days after the JACC conference, City Times staff members were among student honorees at the 37th Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards. The San Diego Press Club hosted the event at the Hall of Champions on Oct. 19.

Lopez and Vanessa Gomez won first place in cover design for their work on “Budgetzilla,� a 2009 piece. “What we produce out of our newsroom never ceases to amaze me,� said Gomez, a City Times copy editor who shares observations from her career as a flight attendant in the paper’s “View From The Top� column. “These awards just encourage us to do better.�

San Diego City College’s

TV program “Newscene� was also recognized by the Press Club. Paul Kruze’s “Chicano Park� won first place in the pre-produced news feature category. “SportsKnight,� created by Eamon Long, Charlie Kenneweg, and Daniel Avila for San Diego City College ITV, finished first among sports programs.

The newspaper’s 2009 work also earned eight awards from the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists at a banquet on July 8.

Among college media, City Times finished second in the Best Newspaper category, behind The Daily Aztec from SDSU. Tom Andrew’s review of the movie “State of Play�received a first place award.

At the 2010 installment of the San Diego County Fair, City Times earned three awards in the Student Showcase, including Best of Show, which Koenig called “a really nice treat.�

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October 26, 2010 | www.sdcitytimes.com

15

sports Men’s soccer defeats Imperial Valley Despite recent adversity, the team has gone on to be a strong force out in the field

By Sidney Bryant City Times The San Diego City College men’s soccer team defeated Imperial Valley 6--0 in a conference game at home on Oct. 22.

However, it’s been a very difficult couple of weeks for the team coach Milton Hidalgo. His father recently passed away, but the Knights have kept his spirit up by being one of the most talented teams he’s ever coached at City College.

Hidalgo has managed to lead the men’s soccer team to a 1st place ranking in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) with an overall record of (12-1-2) and (5-0-1) in conference play.

“Adversity comes in all forms and fashions in life,” Hidalgo said. “You have to take the good with the bad and keep striving.”

“Losing my father was something I had prepared for a few years ago,” Hidalgo said. “He had been fighting a deadly disease for some time now.”

Throughout the season, Coach Hidalgo has gotten consistent effort and hard work from all of his players.

Freshmen forwards Hector Munoz and Javier Pena have played a great part in the dominant wins by the Knights so far this season.

“Coach Hidalgo is a very smart man who knows the game in all phases,” Munoz said. “Having a coach who has

competed on the same level as a player means a lot.”

At the beginning of the season, Hidalgo stressed to his team how important it would be for them to communicate on and off the field.

“I tell my guys all the time, communication is one of the untold keys to eternal success in life,” Hidalgo explained. “To communicate properly with the people you share life with leads to great things.”

When talking about proper communication, just ask six-foot-four sophomore goalkeeper Nick Ybarra. Ybarra is well known for his quick instincts, cunning ability to cover large amounts of ground, and unique way of communicating with his teammates.

Ybarra held seven opponents to no goals seven times this year, while only allowing seven goals throughout 14 games. Ybarra leads the PCAC with 127 saves. As a team, the Knights are scoring a staggering 2.4 goals per game.

“As the season progresses, our guys seem to play stronger and stronger,” assistant coach Hans Witzell said.

“I’m seeing a lot of unique things about this group of young men.”

Hidalgo said he has received positive input from top to bottom on his roster. As a unit, he said he feels his coaching staff and players have what it takes to win the PCAC crown and A San Diego City College player, left, prepares to receive the ball from a teammate during the much more. team’s home game on Oct. 23. Lani Ioane, City Times

Lady Knights stride for breast cancer awareness

By Mollie Shepardson City Times The Lady Knights participated and raised about $4,900 for the 2010 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of San Diego that took place on Oct. 17.

This is the fourth year that the athletic department has come together to participate in the annual event; however, this year was their highest in fundraising. Their goal had been set at $2,500.

According to Academic Counselor and team captain Jennifer Aase the ladies were asked to raise $25 each but through large and small donations alike, the team was able to almost double their original goal.

Although no one in the women’s athletic department is known to have been personally diagnosed, “Almost everyone has been affected by breast cancer, whether a family member or friend has been diagnosed with it, so it is easy to understand the importance of continued research in the area and educating people about early detection,” said Andi Milburn, head women’s soccer coach.

Along with raising money for the American Cancer Society, participating in the walk enables the ladies to

Athletics Director Kathy McGinnis, center, women’s soccer coach Andi Milburn, behind McGinnis to the left, and a group of Lady Knights on Oct. 17, the day of the 2010 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of San Diego. Courtesy photo build “camaraderie as the entire athletic department,” said Athletics Director and breast cancer walk team captain Kathy McGinnis.

Like every year, the Lady Knights gathered for a lockin event the night prior to the walk.

This year, the women gathered in the Golden Gymnasium to watch a movie and play team building activities as a way to “cross team lines,” stated Aase as a way to get to know one another regardless

of which athletic events they participate in at the college.

McGinnis said each of the athletics coaches strives to participate in community outreach activities, but this one in particular is a way to unite the overall spirit of the athletics department.

Milburn said, “The best part about being a captain is that I feel like I am doing something to make a difference ... in the lives of the people that will benefit from the money raised.”

www.sdcitytimes.com | October 26, 2010

16

Focus

Celebration at the farm

By Jessica Potochniak and Delia Castro Correspondents

Top Left: During the Urban Fall Festival, attendees were ser ved rice and beans for free by volunteers Ashley Hill, left, Angel Acuna, center, and Natalia Nunez, right. Top Right: The Floyd and Bob Band entertains the crowd with their soulful acoustics. Bottom Left: Paul Mashka, an Urban Farm manager, sautes harvested greens with seed oil and soy sauce.

Photos by Ernesto Lopez, City Times

The World Cultures and Environmental Stewardship Committee held their annual Fall Festival on Oct. 21 at the Seeds at City Farm.

Promoting sustainability and community, the festival featured many festivities to indoctrinate attendees into the agricultural and community program occurring on campus.

Activities included pumpkin carving, farm tours, hand-made goods from vendors, and music with professor Bob Pruitt, dancing with professor Alicia Rincon and free food from the Cafeteria.

While a means to bring the community of San Diego City College together for the afternoon,

the festival also carried the messages of recycling, conservation, education, awareness and outreach.

“It’s self sustainability that is really important, especially with more (people being) unemployed,” said Norissa Gastelum, member of the new certificate program for sustainable urban agriculture.

One of several Urban Farm managers, Paul Mashka kept busy slicing a medley of freshly harvested greens, sautéing them on a wok with sesame seed oil and soy sauce and garnishing them with sprinkles of sesame seeds.

To collect donations for the farm there were handcrafted coffee mugs and

other objects made by art students available for sale as well as a raffle to win a Victory garden.

Special guest speaker Barry Logan, owner and operator of Escondido farm “La Milpa Organica,” gave a riveting speech about the dangers of the present unsustainable practices of industrial agriculture.

According to Logan, the present food production system is heavily dependent on oil, from the manufacture of pesticides to long distance transportation of foods.

“Plants civilized us, they tamed us, brought us into community with them,” said Logan as he spoke to the group assembled around him about, “creating community on land.”