City Times — March 22, 2011

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Volume 65, Number 10

Ramen for Brown

March 8, 2011

Bookstore policy potentially confusing By Shane Finneran City Times

Kalie Sandstrom (left) and Sidney Gallegos are among dozens of City College students that marched on to Gov. Jerr y Brown’s downtown office on March 2, as part of a protest against budget cuts to education. Troy Bryant Orem, City Times

Students protest governor’s plan to cut millions from education By Ernesto Lopez and Ricky Soltero City Times A few dozen students and some faculty members laid “dead” in Gorton Quad on March 2, part of a statewide protest of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to cut millions from higher education. After the die-in event, a group of students marched to the downtown offices of Brown on 1350 Front St., hoping to deliver $300 worth of Top Ramen soups while chanting “No more budget cuts!” and “What do we want? Education!” The proposed cuts will slash

$500 million from the University of California system, $500 million from the California State University schools and $400 million from community colleges for the next school year. Brown also has proposed increasing fees at community colleges from $26 to $36 per unit. “We’re trying n More to give everyone protest a physical rep- photos resentation of Page 4 what’s happening to our education,” student Angela Dance said. “If we don’t do something, it’s going to get worse,” Dance added. “It’s going to keep happening. A big ball of hell.”

About 50 students and faculty members participated in a die-in event at Gorton Quad on March 2, simulating the death of education. Troy Bryant Orem, City Times Jose Rodriguez, a member of the campus group Bringing Education and Activism Together (BEAT), said that Brown has failed students across the state

and that increasing the cost of education prevents people from finding high-quality jobs. See Ramen, page 13

Women talking openly about sex

‘Vagina Monologues’ actors hold talk-back about womenhood

By Angela d’Avignon Correspondent After the sold-out debut performance, the cast of the ‘Vagina Monologues’ gathered on stage to host a talk back forum the night of Friday Feb. 18. In light of the monologues, collected and arranged by playwright Eve Ensler, the actresses addressed questions from audience members and offered per-

sonal responses. Main discussion points were both the experience of performing real women’s thoughts about womanhood and their own thoughts on the subject of femininity and of course, their vaginas. “This is something young girls need to know about themselves,” said one of the actresses, dressed in red and black matching the cast. “Tell (her) the truth,” she said, responding to a question

about what the play’s overall message would be for a young man. Similarly, another male audience member asked what he should do when his daughter felt too shy to talk about her developing sexuality. “I speak freely about sex,” one actress said. A few of the girls went on to explain the importance of conveying an air of comfort when talking to one’s children about sexuality. “We have to learn

to empower ourselves, so we can empower our youth.” Likewise, a young woman asked the cast if any of them had been transformed by the process of studying and performing other women’s monologues. Rebekah Ensley, who performed “Because He Liked to Look at It,” admitted to being somewhat reserved when See Women, page 13

Nursing student Shantell Lacy attempted to return a textbook at the City College bookstore on Feb. 8 but gave up after speaking to the cashier, who mentioned that the last day for a full refund was Jan. 29. “They should at least give us until the middle of February,” Lacy said. What Lacy didn’t realize — and what the large return-policy sign hanging near the cashier station didn’t mention — is that after Jan. 29, the bookstore will work with customers who believe they deserve their money back. “The store folks make exceptions every day for refunds,” said Nancy Wichmann, bookstore manager for the district. For example, customers who can provide proof that they dropped a class are likely able to return a textbook from that class. A student facing military deployment should also be entitled to a refund. Lacy said she had hoped to get her money back because her professor told her that the book, originally a required text, wasn’t necessary after all. According to Wichmann, the bookstore will try to issue refunds in such situations after consulting with the professor to figure out why the book was originally listed as required. DeeDee Porter, who runs the City College bookstore, reiterated its commitment to serving its student customers. “We will always err on the side of the student,” Porter said. In an email interview, Professor Darius Spearman said some of his students were hesitant to buy books because they were not sure if they were going to be able to add a class. “I had suggested that they just buy the books and follow along with the assignments, assuming that they could return them by the Feb. 4 (add/drop) deadline,” Spearman wrote. Some of his students responded that the bookstore’s return period ended a week earlier, on Jan. 29. Wichmann and Porter explained that — as indicated in the formal refund policy, a half-page blurb available in the bookstore — it’s actually the no-questions-asked See Bookstore, page 14

Though the bookstore’s sign didn’t mention it, students may be eligible for refunds after Januar y 29. Carlos Maia, Correspondent


www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

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Take note Crack City By Michele Suthers

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

n Mar. 8, Tuesday 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Jazz Life: Trumpeter Rebecca Coupe Franks Quartet performs at the Saville Theatre. Students $5 with valid ID. For more information, call (619) 388-3037 or visit jazz88.org.

n Mar. 19, Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. SDSU Open House 2011. Experience student life, take behind-the-scenes tours, and see campus landmarks. For more information, visit explore.sdsu.edu.

n Mar. 9, Wednesday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Language Day Celebration at the Gorton Quad. Ethnic dancers, music and food are in the lineup. For more information, call (619) 388-3353.

n Mar. 23, Wednesday 10 p.m. - 3 p.m. Associated Students and other campus groups present the Health and Environmental Expo at Gorton Quad. For more information, call (619) 288-6211.

n Mar. 11, Friday

8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hermanos Unidos/Brothers United (HUBU): Finding Common Ground Through Identity Development conference in Saville Theatre.

n Mar. 15, Tuesday, 9:40-10:50 a.m. “Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women” documentary at the Saville Theatre. n Mar. 16, Wednesday

12 p.m. Spring Concert Series presents pop indie artist “Kevin Martin & Special Guest” at Gorton Quad. Free!

AS to celebrate Women’s Month

n Mar. 24, Thursday 9:40-10:50 a.m. Gulf: A film about Hurricane Katrina. Room D-121 A/B. Free. For more information, call (619) 388-3676 or visit sdcity.edu/worldcultures.

In 1911, “More than one million women and men attended (event rallies) campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination,” according to www.internationalwomens day.com. March 8 marks the Inter-

n Mar. 30, Wednesday 12 p.m. Spring Concert Series presents rock band “Leyva and the Dead 67’s” perform on Gorton Quad. Free!

The Career Center is offering a workshop March 10 in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), room R-301, for those students looking to learn the do’s and don’ts and tricks to creating a great resume. Joseph D’Ambro, student

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services transfer and career center assistant, said this workshop is available to provide students an opportunity to “work on career applications, get them updated and cleaned up … because many students are looking for better jobs.”

“Going to the resume workshop is the perfect preparation for the upcoming Career Expo (in April),” D’Ambro added. To sign up for the resume workshop call (619) 388-3722 or visit room A-111. Have your e-mail address and student ID number ready.

April is Career Awareness Month, and on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, the career center is set to host the annual Career Expo at Gorton Quad. For more information, email citytran@sdccd.edu or call (619) 388-3722. — Cecilia Areta

HUBU aims to help "students succeed by informing, motivating, and preparing them for success both academically and personally. Nesha Savage, a HUBU coordinator, said the conference will have keynote

speakers from the Hispanic and African-American communities. HUBU held its first conference on Oct. 30 at City College with guest keynote speakers Dr. Edward Bush, Vice President of Student

Services from Riverside City College and President of MiraCosta College Dr. Francisco Rodriguez. For more information and registration, visit www.sdcity. edu/hubu. — Rachel Vazquez

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town. The free event will take place in Saville Theater from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Associated Students administrator Abigail Munoz at abigailmnz@gmail.com or call (691) 388-3412. — Rachel Keown-Burke

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women have faced via personal stories,” according to a flyer for the event. Speakers will include City College professor Maria Garcia; Dr. Shirley Weber, head of the Africana department at SDSU; and Jasmine Guerrero, a director of San Diego’s Friends of Down-

Learn the tricks of creating a resume

n Coming April 1 - 17 “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Saville Theatre.

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March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

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news IT program graduates high achievers By Sonjiala Hotchkiss City Times

Labor Studies student Marco Perez speaks to fellow students on Feb. 18 at a forum addressing the aftermath of Egypt’s overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. Troy Bryant Orem , City Times

In support of Egypt Students get inspiration from revolutionary counterparts By Mark Rivera City Times Students filled a classroom and even clogged the doorway at a Feb. 18 forum on the protests in Egypt. City College organizations Education for All (EFA) and the Socialist Club held the forum, which aimed to show the protests from a different perspective, according to speaker and EFA member Wayne Scherer. During the event, attend-

ees were shown a video from the perspective of the people behind the political protest in Egypt. “It is important to see beyond what is displayed in the mainstream media,” Scherer said in an e-mail interview. “This video in particular gave us the first real account of leaders that organized this successful revolution: the student youth!” Students at the forum clapped and cheered during a scene showing a group of Egyptian protesters breaking through a police barricade that had prevented them from entering Tahrir Square. The forum was held in the classroom of professor Justin Akers, advising

faculty member for the Socialist Club. In an e-mail interview, Akers said various students attended the forum: not just club members but individual students interested in the events occurring abroad. “It showed that there is a lot of interest in the issues and that students want to discuss, analyze, and understand critical issues of the day,” Akers said. “It shows that students are trying to understand for themselves how to make the world a better place.” After the screening, club members spoke about ways in which City College students can relate to the events abroad. “It’s valuable (for students) to get inspiration

from revolutionary counterparts in other regions of the world and to learn from their strategies,” Scherer said. “To have a student-led movement garner popular support and overthrow an oppressive government and violent police system that is supported by the world's strongest superpower ... that’s mind-blowing.” Jovani Sandoval, a student who attended the forum, said he was concerned about how people like him can effect change. “I think it’s up to us as a whole group,” Sandoval said. “It shouldn’t just be a student and teacher involvement, it should be everyone, even people outside of our school, like our parents, cousins, and aunts.”

“I am a product of my environment,” valedictorian Lemmie Donaldson told the audience at the graduation ceremony for City College’s Excellence Through Pride IT and Business Training Program on Feb. 17. Donaldson, one of the program’s 15 graduates, credited relatives, friends, professors, tutors and administrators for their contributions to his success. “Success in higher education really does take a village,” City College President Terrence Burgess said. Professor Rose LaMuraglia showcased the success of the Excellence Through Pride graduates, saying the amount of work they took on was “amazing” and noting that the class completed 31.5 units in less than seven months, with an average

GPA of nearly 3.7. Donaldson was one of three students who graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average. Salutatorians Patrick Armenta and Tyler McLinden also earned 4.0s. “He sacrificed a lot of sleep,” said Donaldson’s wife, Melanie, as she held their infant daughter, Kafina. Donaldson worked part-time while attending classes from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. each weekday and putting in extra effort for the program on nights and weekends. LaMuraglia and professor Dr. Leroy Brady started the Excellence Through Pride program in 2010 with the help of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act training grant. The sevenmonth program trained students to be either help desk support or computer network administrators. See Graduates, page 13

IT and Business Training graduate Lemmie Donaldson (left) receives his certificate from Dr. Leroy Brady on Feb. 17. Donaldson earned valedictorian honors and a 4.0 GPA in the program. Troy Bryant Orem, City Times

Publisher tells students to strive for success By Megan Rose Bartell and Sonjiala Hotchkiss City Times City College business students filled the room Feb. 16 to hear Dr. John Warren, publisher and CEO of San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, during the first of three free Business Networking Breakfasts this spring hosted by Students in Free Enterprise. “All things are possible and you’re only as limited as you make yourself,” said Warren, establishing a key theme of his address. Warren encouraged students to be open to harnessing all their talents. He highlighted the point with an anecdotal story of how his Peruvian Dr. John Warren, CEO of the community publication San Diego maid, who had been a pracVoice & Viewpoint, addresses students at the Feb. 16 Students ticing attorney before immiin Free Enterprise (SIFE) first networking breakfast of the grating to the U.S., eventually started her own cleaning busisemester. Megan Rose Bartell, City Times

ness, refusing to allow a lack of English language skills to keep her from making money. “He’s always a good

“All things are possible and you’re only as limited as you make yourself.” —Dr. John Warren speaker,” said Marie Disnew, administrative assistant at SIFE. “He is a history maker,” Disnew added. “He doesn’t make a lot of noise about it, but he has been involved in historical events and he has done well in the community with the newspaper.” Warren has had 12 careers,

including working in the fields of public administration, politics, law, the military, education and religion. He bought the Voice & Viewpoint as an existing business 28 years ago. “(We) took a community newspaper that was in the Southeast and expanded it to San Diego County, where today we have 87 outlets in 17 cities,” said Warren. Warren stressed the importance of not allowing others to define who you are, saying the Voice & Viewpoint is not a “black newspaper,” as described by others, but rather “a newspaper that serves news from an African-American perspective.” Warren told students to always be open to a networking opportunity, saying you never know who you’re going to meet. When he worked on Capitol Hill, Warren used to

ride the bus with Bob Johnson, owner of Black Entertainment Television, as neither of them had cars at the time. “It’s very unique to see someone who has been around for such a long time and has operated a paper that is very well-renowned in its community,” said student Joseph Cobbs, who is marketing manager for SIFE. “It does give our entrepreneurs the opportunity to find out just what it takes to get into business.”

SIFE Business Networking Breakfast When: Wed. March 16 at 7:45 a.m. Free. Where: Room D-121A Information: (619) 388-3869


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News

www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

Students against budget cuts

Photos by Troy Bryant Orem, City Times

A few dozen students and some faculty members lay “dead” in Gorton Quad on March 2, part of a statewide protest of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to cut millions from higher education. “If we don’t do something, it’s going to get worse,” student Angela Dance said. “It’s going to keep happening. A big ball of hell.” After the die-in event, a group of students marched to the downtown offices of Brown on 1350 Front St., hoping to deliver $300 worth of Top Ramen soups while chanting “No more budget cuts!” and “What do we want? Education!” The proposed cuts will slash $400 million from community colleges for the next school year. Brown also has proposed increasing fees at community colleges from $26 to $36 per unit. — Ernesto Lopez


March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

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arts

‘Hybrid Identities’ Professors screening documentary at local annual Latino Film Festival By Ernesto Lopez City Times Three City College professors are set to screen their documentary “Hybrid Identities: Artistic Voices from the Border” March 19 at the biggest celebration of Latin American cinema in San Diego. The film was a collaborative project across three disTop and Above: Two stills from “Hybrid Identities: Artistic Voices from the Border,” ciplines from San Diego City which was directed by City College professors. The documentar y will be featured at College and student participation; RTVC professor Laura the San Diego Latin Film Festival. Castaneda, English professor Elizabeth Meehan and Spanish professor Antonio Jimenez. Up to 20,000 film-lovers are expected to attend the San Diego Latino Film Festival, March 10 to 20, in a Mission Valley theater. The festival is set to present 180 films plus stars such as Julio Bracho, Demian Bichir, Adal Ramones and Carmen Salinas. Festival-goers will be able to attend afterparties, mingle with celebrities and, most of all, watch feature films, documentaries and shorts from across Latin America, the United States and Spain. “Hybrid Identities” features six artists from Tijuana, who Left to right: Pepe Alvarez (editor), Carlos Alvarez (music, translation), Elizabeth provide not only their art but Cazessus (poet), RTVC professor Laura Castaneda, English professor Elizabeth also their perceptions of the city, and their ability as artists Meehan and Spanish professor Antonio Jimenez. Courtesy photos to transform the very social and political environment. “Hybrid Identities: Artistic Voices from the Border” “We initiated the documentary as a reaction to the Saturday, March 19, 2011 @ 2:30 p.m. negative media stories about Ultrastar Mission Valley Cinemas Hazard Center Tijuana, knowing that our students need to hear positive 7510 Hazard Center Drive stories about Tijuana, the arts For more information about the Latino Film Festival and culture that have long been part of the fabric of this visit: www.sdlatinofilm.com dynamic city,” Meehan said.

“It’s an excellent documentary and it’s timely,” Escalante said last semester when the documentary was being screened at City College’s International Book fair. “Border issues are important and it gives a different point of view... that challenges the stereotypes.” As it does every year, the festival has a special focus and this year is “Hecho en Brazil: a Celebration of Brazilian Cinema” and also the “Jewish Latino Film Showcase.”

“We initiated the documentary as a reaction to the negative media stories about Tijuana.” ­—Elizabeth Meehan, English professor

Ethan van Thillo, executive director at the Media Arts Center San Diego, the organization that presents the festival, said some 120 special guests and celebrities have confirmed their attendance for the 18th annual event, including Xavier Lopez (Chabelo) and Carmen Salinas. “What we do with the festival, an eleven-day event and 180 films and 120 guests, is truly amazing. Other festivals are spending millions,” van Thillo said when comparing his $200,000 budget to other multi-million dollar organizations. He said that attendance has gone up since the festival

began to use multiple screens to show films at the same time. “We are one of the biggest festivals in the country,” he added. Other genres being showcased are Cine Mujer, Cine Gay, Sci Fi, Historical, Horror and Fantasy. Several Latin American films recently submitted to the Oscars will also be featured, 2010 saw Argentine film “Secretos de sus ojos” win the Foreign Language Oscar. “The festival is an experience. Don’t be afraid by the amount of films, just show up to the theater between 6 and 9 any day of the festival and pick one. You will see a great film,” said van Thillo. Van Thillo encourages the San Diego community to give the Latino Film Festival a chance, to check out the films because, “unfortunately,” some of them may never make it to San Diego again or ever be on the Big Screen or on DVD. “(The documentary) should be a positive experience for students and community members. We encourage our City family to turn out and support the festival and the screening of Hybrid Identities,” Meehan said. “It is special to screen in our own back yard,” Castaneda said. “Although I screened a film at the festival in 2008 this time is more special because It was a collaborative effort.” Funding for the documentary was provided in part by the City College Foundation, the Radio TV Department, and the World Cultures Program.


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Arts

www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

The language of photography Photojournalist informs others of violence through images By Alec Fernandes City Times At the crossroads of Central and South America sits Columbia, resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Images of freshly-ground coffee and powdery cocaine come to mind when mentioning Columbia, yet foreigners are far less aware of the bloody internal struggle for these commodities. Pablo Serrano seeks to inform others of the country’s violence using the language of photography. The South American photojournalist visited City College’s Saville Theater on Feb. 28 to talk about the politically unstable nation in a presentation titled “La Otra Cara: Rebellion in Colombia.” The Columbia native moved to San Diego when he was nine years old. Serrano shared his country’s story with his American classmates through vivid photographs of the streets where he grew up. Spreading awareness this way inspired him to later study photography and history in San Francisco. Today Serrano travels around South America to visually document the lives of the people who live there. A silent strength radiates

from Serrano’s close-ups of Columbian citizens who survive in an area controlled by fear and misinformation. The drug cartels have grown so rampant that the country’s leaders are demanding heads. To meet this quota, the local military has been killing civilians and dressing them up as guerilla soldiers — a strategy known as creating “false positives” — all simply to boost reports of cartel deaths. According to Serrano, these reports are misleading propaganda painted with the blood of the innocent. He refuses to let these atrocities be stifled, especially by the censored and internationally owned media. “The people’s biggest weapon is memory,” Serrano said. “From the ’90s until today it’s been a bloodbath in Columbia … we have to keep a record of all these things going on.” City College student Liliana Sanchez agreed that someone needs to stand up and tell the truth in a nation currently running on deception. “The guerilla soldiers and false positives were interesting,” Sanchez said. “It seems like everyone’s lying.” Serrano remembers the country’s political violence in his youth when he would pass time with friends searching for bullets in a soccer field. He claims that most of the war occurs in the Columbian countryside where farmers manufacture narcotics to support their families.

Pablo Serrano’s current photo exhibit “La Otra Cara: Human Rights in Colombia” will be hosted by City College in the Luxe Galler y March 11 to April 16. pabloserrano.org Serrano explained the rural population’s method of cocaine production. Coca leaves are mixed with cement, then gasoline to create a paste that chemists then turn into Columbia’s iconic drug. Columbia is also one of the world’s largest coal producing nations, a leading cause of the country’s contaminated water supply. Large American corporations have been accused of contracting Columbian death squads to prevent labor unions from organizing in the country, which intrigued City

College student Aaron Baker. “I was interested in the US involvement in the country’s corruption, especially corporate involvement like CocaCola and Chiquita Banana,” Baker said. Serrano’s goal is to stop the violence by exposing it through photography, allowing activists around the world to witness the political violence in South America. The Luxe Gallery will showcase Serrano’s work from March 11 to April 16. A Pablo Serrano’s collection shares the stor y of three diffree reception on March 11 ferent communities affected by the violence in Columfrom 6 to 9 p.m. bia. pabloserrano.org

Monologues pack Saville Theatre

Second place winner, Browny Lox, moved audiences with her spoken word performance at “City is Full of Talent” on Feb. 26. Donna Maranto, City Times

City is full of talent By Cecilia Areta City Times The third annual talent show, “City is Full of Talent”, took place at the Saville Theatre on Feb. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. With a total of 22 acts ranging from singing and dancing, to puppet shows and indigenous poetry, City College students demonstrated a variety of talent. The first place winners

were the Holy Bro’s, Theo Rodgers and Dre Da Flame, who performed, “Ain’t No Party Like a Christian Party”. The second place winner was Browny Lox who amazed audiences with her spoken word performance. The third place winner was The Corps hip-hop dance crew who astounded the crowd with their crisp moves. All proceeds made from the show goes towards the

ASG scholarship foundation. Tandy Ward, the creator and coordinator of the City College talent show opened the night of talent by singing “Stand By Me” originally performed by Ben E. King. Subsequent to announcing the judges for the evening: Bonnie Peters, Desiree VanSaanen, Farrell Forman, Gail Rodriguez and Cynthia Michalas. See Talent, page 13

The opening night of City College’s V-day presentation of “The Vagina Monologues” attracted a full house Feb. 18, despite the stormy weather that evening. “The Vagina Monologues” was written by Eve Ensler and is based on a series of interviews with a variety of women about their vaginas. The monologues discuss women’s issues such as rape, abuse, humor, embarrassment, sexuality and, of course, vaginas. The Saville Theatre lobby bustled with attendees visiting booths featuring vendors and informational materials. Attendees also wrote on a poster that asked, “What would your vagina say?” While entering the theater, audience members were given a production program and a purple ribbon paying tribute to those affected by domestic violence. All 282 seats were spoken for on the performance’s opening night and the second night drew another 260 people.

REVIEW

Katrina Cameron 90 percent of the proceeds will be donated towards the scholarship fund for Crystal Gonzales, slain City College student Diana Gonzalez’s daughter. The remaining 10 percent will be donated toward the 2011 Spotlight on Women and Girls of Haiti. The Feb. 18 performance began with director and City College professor Katie Rodda introducing the production itself as well as a video collage that played before the show. The video collage, directed by Robert Sly and RTVC 125, was recorded at the V-day event “Vulvapalooza.” It featured various participants talking about vaginas and how they felt about the vagina, using words such as “beautiful,” “strong,” “like a flower” and “we wouldn’t be here today without one.” The production began with numerous actresses,

most with scripts in hand, walking onto the stage and along the sides of the theater, introducing “The Vagina Monologues.” The two-hour production truly brought the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions. Some performances on the lighter side were sexual or humorous while others on the heavier side were more intense and emotional. A few of the standout performances came from Annie Sidner, Rebekah Ensley and Elizabeth Norvell. The Feb. 18 performance truly felt like it was for Gonzalez, who is believed to have been a victim of domestic violence. I left the theater feeling moved and touched by the powerful stories the women shared. Although I’m sure some of the monologues had the men in the audience cringing in their seats, I felt plenty of positive energy flowing from the women in the crowd. The production achieved its goal of increasing awareness to end domestic violence.


March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Arts

7

Sandler brings back the date movie Adam Sandler has taken his career from “Saturday Night Live” to crass sophomoric films to Oscar contending dramas, and with “Just Go With It,” he has seemingly morphed all of them together. “Just Go With It” is not short on laughs, sophomoric or unexpected, and yet it is just as adept at tugging on your heartstrings. Sandler plays Danny, a plastic surgeon, who uses a fake wedding band to get women to sleep with him. He does this for most of his adult life until he meets Palmer, played by Brooklyn Decker, and thinks he’s met “the One.” The trouble is she sees his wedding ring after they have slept together and leaves him with the task of convincing her that he is going through a divorce. Desperate to keep the woman of his dreams, he convinces his assistant Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) and her two eccentric kids (Baliee Madison and Griffin Gluck) to be his family, so Palmer can meet the woman he is supposedly divorcing. Katherine only agrees to Danny’s plan after he offers her a shopping spree and complete makeover. Her

REVIEW

Tom Andrew children prove to be even shrewder, demanding acting lessons, money and a trip to Hawaii to swim with dolphins. Danny begrudgingly accepts these demands and off they all go to Hawaii. The rest of the film could have been a gimmick but instead delivers most of the film’s big laughs and heartfelt moments. Sandler’s Danny has just the right amount of goofiness and playfulness to make us believe a beautiful girl like Decker could be interested in him. Sandler, now a seasoned actor, gives us a taste of what it’s like to be a controlled actor/comedian. His performance is both funny and heartfelt. Aniston all but steals the film away from everyone else. She shows that she is more than adept at taking what could have been a thankless assistant role by making it into the reason the film works. The extra look here, the subtle sigh there, and then she shows us that she is just as comfortable getting laughs

The romantic-comedy, “Just Go With It” hit theaters Feb. 11 just in time for Valentine’s Day. Sony Pictures just by being goofy and real. It’s a performance like this that makes you wonder why she hasn’t chosen the right vehicle to earn her an Oscar. Both Sandler and Aniston are supported by a very funny and in-control cast. Madison and Gluck are hysterical as Aniston’s chil-

dren and toss out one-liners just as confidently as their adult co-stars. Nick Swardson plays Sandler’s brother with reckless abandonment, and special guest stars such as Kevin Nealon, Rachael Dratch, Dave Matthews and Nicole Kidman round out the hilarity without taking away

from what the film tries to accomplish and does. Dennis Dugan is a veteran actor and director who has thankfully mellowed in his directing style by not allowing a crass tone to take over completely, and has crafted a well-balanced film. The story, written by Allan

Loeb, Timothy Dowling and I.A.L. Diamond, based on the play by Abe Burrows, has some holes and if you really think about it too long it is a bit implausible, but it isn’t going be an Oscar contender, so … just go with it.

New drama proves to be more than a typical cop show

The Strokes’ fourth album “Angles” is the first album to be released by the indie band since the 2006 release of “First Impressions of Earth”. The Strokes band website

The Strokes release a highly anticipated single The Strokes released their much anticipated new single, “Under Cover of Darkness”, from their yet to be released fourth album, “Angles”, via the band’s website and made available as a free download for 48 hours. Inarguably, The Strokes have released two of the best records of the last decade. With “Is this It” and “Room on Fire”, The Strokes were catapulted into the indie stratosphere and led the way in the era’s then booming garage rock revival, with the likes of The Vines and the now defunct White Stripes. Then came the faulty and stutter step of their third album, “First Impressions of Earth”, and The Strokes simply disappeared, leaving us pray to the likes of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. So with good reason, the ridiculous amount of hype surrounding “Under Cover of Darkness” is justified.

REVIEW

Ricky Soltero

“Angles” will be released in the U.S. on March 22. At first glance, the track just seems a return to the classic Strokes sounds. The bouncy and catchy straightforward rock of their debut album, Julian Casablancas’ usual crackling vocals and the jagged guitars, it’s all here but the difference is in the execution. This is not the same twenty-something-year-old

band of “Is this it”, this is a seasoned, well-oiled rock ‘n’ roll machine. The band is in top form, the guitars sound raunchier than ever with the same energy that made them so spectacular in their heyday. The rhythm section cruises through, avoiding the pitfall of overdoing and just keeping it simple while Julian Casablancas’ usual croon is replaced here with a Lou Reed style bravado straight out of Reed’s album “Transformer”. Instead of sounding tired and insecure, the band sounds fresh and lively, putting the bits and pieces of their sound together into a brand new puzzle. By any other band’s standards, this would be a high caliber release, but by The Strokes’ standards, this will be considered a fine effort. Truth be told, this is an amazing release and even if this is See Strokes, page 13

The Irish mob, murders, angry cops and corruption are all part of the explosive mix of “The Chicago Code.” This new drama starring Jennifer Beals, Jason Clark and Matt Lauria enthralled viewers after only three episodes and is rightfully claiming the title of best new midseason drama. As the title suggests, the show is set and shot in Chicago and deals with a topic that this city has become infamous for: corruption. Teresa Colvin (Beals), the new superintendent and therefore head of the entire police force, has made fighting dirty cops and politicians her number one goal. She recruits homicide detective and former partner Jarek Wysocki (Clark) as her eyes and ears out on the street. Wysocki receives the privilege to take any case he wants, and he makes use of

AS SCENE ON SCREEN Christine Klee

this privilege right away, to the dismay of this colleagues. Their main animosity lies in his perceived involvement in Colvin’s clean-up of the force, which involves her ‘promoting’ a veteran detective to “Commander of mops and brooms.” Matt Lauria plays Caleb Evers, the latest in a long list of Wysocki’s partners. Newcomer Devin Kelley shines as the detective’s rookie-cop niece, Vonda Wysocki, while veteran actor Delroy Lindo

“The Chicago Code” has rightfully claimed the title of best new midseason drama. FOX

portrays Alderman Ronin Gibbins, a possibly corrupt city official. The scenes shot on location give the show an authentic feel, as do the actors’ great accents. Part of the authenticity comes from series creator and Illinoisnative Shawn Ryan, best known for his work on “The Shield.” Scenes shot on and around the famous L, the elevated public transportation system, deliver an especially distinct look. Beals shines in her role as the assertive but emotionally involved superintendent. Perhaps one of TV’s most underrated actresses, she delivered breath-taking but ignored performances on “The L Word,” and here, she might finally receive the appreciation she deserves. Clark gives his character the depth to be more than just the stereotypical loner detective who hates everyone, and the cast as a whole seems to thrive on great writing and thrilling storylines, which will certainly turn this show into a favorite with critics and viewers alike. “The Chicago Code” is certainly more than just your typical crime-solving cop show. Viewers never quite know who to trust and are kept on the edge of their seats, not only by the action scenes but also by the tense emotions involved. “The Chicago Code” airs on FOX on Mondays at 9 p.m.


www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

8

life

Erin go bragh St. Patrick Now and Then

More than leprechauns

The legacy of St. Patrick’s Day, from saint to pride

A selection of Irish films for the holiday

By Cecilia V. Areta City Times

By Megan Rose Bartell City Times

Today many Americans presume that St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, is an arbitrary and casual holiday used as an excuse to drink beer and wear green. According to San Diego City College professor Joseph Radzikowski, “It’s a day everyone wants to be Irish.” Many participate in the annual celebration. But what is really behind the traditions of wearing green in prevention of the infamous pinch? What is behind the story of the leprechaun? “Currently, St. Patrick’s Day seems more of a celebration of Irish culture and heritage. It was a Christian religious holiday in honor of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. It seems to have become much more secular these days with parades and community celebrations” said City College professor Susan Hasegawa. So what have Americans made out of this Christian religious holiday? Wearing green was fortified in the American culture when school children started to pinch others who did not wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. Folklore that passed down from Irish ancestors stated wearing green made people invisible to leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch anyone they could see. Fellow student Wendy Janet Rivas said, “I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s by wearing green and I never pinch people”. According to 25 City College students anonymously surveyed, only six claim to still pinch non-green wearers. So luckily for us only a few still keep that tradition.

This March, while planning your devious drinking escapades for St. Patrick’s Day, consider watching one of these Irish-themed films. Whether it’s the Irish brogue, the scenic green countryside or the magical leprechauns, these picks are perfect to watch while you’re curled up on the couch in your green pajamas.

See Patrick, page 14

Walt Disney Productions Darby O’Gill and the Little People This fanciful, family friendly 1959 Walt Disney Classic features Irish Darby O’Gill, who needs the help of leprechaun King Brian. Darby asks Brian to play matchmaker so his daughter Katie will fall in love with the handsome Michael, played by Sean Connery.

Once This 2006 independent romantic musical filmed in Dublin tells the tale of two strangers who meet and create music that expresses their new found love together over the span of just a week’s time.

The Commitments This 1991 musical is based on fictional Jimmy Rabbitte who starts a soul band in Ireland called the Commitments. The band brings classic soul music to Dublin inspiring friends and family, but their rise to popularity is tried by personality clashes amongst the musicians.

In America This 2003 Oscar nominated film tells the story of an Irish family who illegally immigrate to the United States to pursue the father’s American dream of success in the New York theater scene. While living in a flop house, the family makes friends that are helpful in the most unexpected of scenarios.

Waking Ned Divine Set in a tiny town of 52 people in Ireland, this 1998 movie is a zany comedy centered around the fact that the town’s sole national lottery winner is found dead with the ticket in his hand. The town decides to pretend that winner Ned is still alive in order to claim the winnings to split amongst themselves.

Fox Searchlight

St. Patrick

Catholic Online

Be careful what you wish for Leprechaun goes from mischievous imp to terrifying monster “Leprechaun” (1993) hurts so badly you laugh and, by the time it ends, you imagine you enjoyed the pain. Ten years after Dan O’Grady imprisoned a leprechaun (Warwick Davis) in his basement and made off with a pot of gold, snotty teenager Tory (a pre-Friends Jennifer Aniston), moves into his cobwebby farmhouse with her father. Aided by a dim witted trio of house painters, she loses the leprechaun, who embarks upon a murderous rampage to recover his stolen gold. This film takes a stab at originality (ever heard of “death by pogo stick” before?) but plunges instead into absurdity. From gaping plot holes (if O’Grady knows how to kill it, why didn’t he a decade ago instead of trapping it in a crate?) to lines

REVIEW

Layne Deyling

more hideous than Warwick Davis’ blood-crusted fingernails, it epitomizes low-budget ’90s B-movies. Lovers of senseless gore will find Leprechaun up to par, but please don’t hope to be surprised by jump scenes or a clever ending. Most attempts at comedy are as cringe-worthy as the bloodletting and most of the laughs stem from pure mockery. However, somewhere along the way (for heaven’s sake, please don’t ask me where), the characters grow on you. Tory ends up with half a brain to go along with those cute legs. The house painters, whose truck bears the epithet “3

Guys That Paint”, include a quintessential ’90s hottie in a sleeveless vest, a big dumb sweetheart, and a snarky 10-year-old who steals the show with his sass. Together, they bring you to a place where you truly prefer they escape the demented imp and live another day. By the end, you have stopped caring that the clover patch is white dirt lit up by a green spotlight and feel real anxiety as Aniston frantically searches for the ever-elusive four-leaf clover. These characters do avoid some typical pitfalls. For starters, they don’t split up and run, weaponless and screaming, through the woods alone. Excepting the scene where Tory’s father shoves his hand down a knothole in a tree, presumably expecting that it won’t be bitten off, our heroes exhibit noteworthy

sense. They arm themselves with a shotgun and various bludgeoning devices. While unfortunately neither our house painting hicks nor the L.A. princess read enough fairy tales as children to know that leprechauns cannot be beaten to death, they valiantly try. In one memorable scene, we are blessed with relief rarely found in horror flicks when the battered characters seize a chance to beat the crap out of their demon-elf tormentor. All in all, “Leprechaun” is a movie that exists to be made fun of. A sober-minded individual should avoid it like flesh-eating leeches. However, a few friends in a merry mood (and preferably a pint or two for the worse) could find it a grand finish to their Patty’s Day celebration. Actor Warwick Davis

Lions Gate Entertianment


March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Life

9

To fit in, Irish made deal with devil “The Irish are the blacks of Europe,” says the band manager in “The Commitments,” the 1991 movie about his quest to put together a soul act in pale, white Dublin. “Say it loud — I’m black and I’m proud.” Noel Ignatiev, a Massachusetts College of Art history professor and controversial scholar of American race relations, uses that classic line to kick off “How the Irish Became White.” The 1995 book offers an in-depth analysis of America’s assimilation of the millions of Irish who emigrated in the 1800s. Ignatiev’s uncomfortable but ultimately compelling thesis is that the Irish established themselves in America by tolerating and even participating in the persecution of the nation’s blacks. The author notes that, in Ireland, the American practice of slavery was considered an abomination. So Irish icon Daniel O’Connell, a leader of Ireland’s push for independence from England in the mid-1800s, was stunned when the Irish in America rejected his call for support of the abolitionist movement. “Instead of the Irish love of liberty warming America,” writes Ignatiev, “the winds of republican slavery blew back to Ire-

REVIEW

Shane Finneran land.” He argues that immigrants from Ireland were focused on gaining economic and social footholds in their new surroundings. As a result, they generally failed to support anti-slavery efforts and even allied with pro-slavery interests. The sad irony underlying this history is that the Irish were no strangers to persecution, as that line from “The Commitments” attests. Ignatiev describes how Irish Catholics “formed an oppressed race” in their home country. And in the decades leading up to the Civil War, Irish immigrants were usually near the bottom of America’s social ladder, not far above the blacks, who were enslaved in the South and discriminated against in the North. Ignatiev

notes that in the 19th century, Irish were sometimes called “n*****s turned inside out” while black people were referred to as “smoked Irish.” His book displays antebellum-era political cartoons that treat both blacks and Irish with similar contempt. “How the Irish Became White” reads much like “A People’s History of the United States.” Like that Howard Zinn masterpiece, Ignatiev’s See Irish, page 14

How the Irish Became White. Noel Ignatiev

Let’s make some Irish Soda Bread By Layne Deyling

Ingredients:

4-1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten

2 Tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl.

2

5

Soften butter and work it into the flour mixture with your fingers.

3 4

1-3/4 cups buttermilk 4 Tablespoons butter

Dust your hands with flour, then gently knead the dough in the bowl. If the dough feels wet or sticky, add a little more flour. Only knead enough to form the dough into a ball. (Tr y not to over-knead your bread will come out tough.)

6

Beat egg and mix it with buttermilk.

Make a dish in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk/ egg. Mix until the dough is too thick to stir.

Illustrations by Michele Suthers, City Times

Grease an iron skillet or a baking sheet and transfer dough onto it. Make a large X across the top of the dough. (This helps the center cook evenly).

7

Bake for 35-45 minutes. Check to see if your bread is done by sticking a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean, you’re done! If not, bake for five more minutes and check again.


10

Life

www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

Ethiopia in San Diego Muzlta Abyssinian Bistro brings a variety of taste and culture to the dining experience Imagine a restaurant in which food is served without cutlery not just burgers and fries, but entire meals that include seafood, tofu and more. Such an experience might seem strange to many Americans, but it is the traditional way of eating for Ethiopians, offered by the Muzlita Abyssinian Bistro in University Heights. The Ethiopian food served at the bistro is a different, but great, adaptation of well-known food products that most patrons will recognize, from collard greens to leg of lamb. I ordered a mix of vegetarian and seafood dishes. I sampled Prawn Kilwa, which consists of a spicy sauce called Awaze and prawns. The Awaze is a mixture of hot peppers, garlic, ginger, salt and other Ethiopian spices. Also included in the dish was a concoction of

TASTE TEST

Scott McLean

ground chickpeas and spices called Shiro. The entire meal was served on top of bread called Injera, which has the consistency of a very moist sponge and looks like a pancake. By far the most unusual part of the meal, the Injera is used as both the plate and the utensil. The bread has a slightly sweet taste and kind of melts in your mouth, and makes for a fun and unusual dining

experience. The bistro offers a nice variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for all tastes from mild to spicy and moderate in price. The average price of a main course is $13 but can go as high as $21 for the bistro’s Ono Tsebhi main course. The meals at the bistro are typically served family style. This allows for everyone to share and enjoy in a traditional Ethiopian dining experience. If you prefer to have your own plate they will accommodate you and split the meals. The restaurant provides a small and intimate setting, filled with low lights and rich dark woods, which makes the bistro a great place to take a date. The overall dining experience is fun and rewarding and will bring you back for more.

Meals range in price from $12 to $21 4651 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92116 Hours of operation Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Above: Prawn Kilwa and Kantisha Kilwa. Below: Muzlta Bistro located in University Heights. Scott McLean, City Times

4.5 out of 5 stars


March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

11

voice Leave Charlie Sheen alone There is no doubt Charlie Sheen has been on a downward spiral for the last year or so. And in the last few weeks, Sheen has added self-centered ranting to his long list of offenses, from drug binges to presumed hook-ups with prostitutes — or escorts, to be politically correct. Sheen also appears to have lost his hit show “Two and a Half Men” after badmouthing his bosses at CBS. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Charlie. Especially if they pay you $2 million per episode. Which you didn’t deserve at all, by the way. The issue here is more serious than a lot of people care to admit. We are talking about a person’s well being here. Sheen’s personal life is not a scripted reality show. Sheen is another product of Hollywood, another bad boy with plenty of money to party and pay off the people around him. Many media outlets are loving Sheen’s status as the hot mess of the moment. He is bringing in the ratings, which means he’s bringing in the money. But by running footage of Sheen ranting against CBS and his children's mamas, the media is condoning Sheen’s behavior. At what point should we stop giving Sheen cover-

EDITORIAL City Times Editorial Board age? When he actually kills someone or he dies of an overdose? Consumers of media are in part to blame for being so obsessed with Hollywood’s train wrecks. From Lindsay (La Loca) Lohan and Amy Winehouse, we love stories of talented people whose bad behavior puts their futures at risk. Thank goodness Britney Spears seems to be on the road to recovery. It’s okay to love celebrities and even to be obsessed with them. But let’s not condone reckless behavior. Think of Sheen like a brother or child who is going through a rough match. Wouldn’t you want his bad behavior to stop immediately? Let’s feed Sheen positive vibes and encourage him to get help. And this includes the more than one million people following him on Twitter. Stop tossing your panties at Sheen, and quit the instigating. Let’s love Charlie Sheen for his acting and not his bad-boy image. And let’s boycott his sitcom and his films. Maybe feeling the disconnect will help him change for the better.

MCT Campus

Congressman’s crusade against women Planned Parenthood, often the only healthcare resource available to women in low income communities, provides life-saving services such as pregnancy testing, breast exams, HIV tests and cervical cancer screenings. But on Feb. 17, the Republican-run U.S. Congress voted to cut off its funding for no other reason than the religious beliefs of one congressman. Republican Rep. Mike Pence, a long time opponent of Planned Parenthood, led the charge. His amendment

to the H.R.1 Recovery Act would end all federal funding to the women’s health clinic. To say that Pence’s plan is wrong would be an understatement. Pence's amendment is monumentally misguided, misogynistic and disgusting. At the 2010 Values Voter Summit, a convention of sorts for evangelical conservatives, Gabriel Spatuzzi Pence described himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.” abortion. He says that his amendment But Planned Parenthood, aims to end public funding for like Medicaid, is already sub-

BEYOND BELIEF

ject to the Hyde Amendment of 1976, which prevents the use of public money for elective abortions. Before Congress, Pence himself said, “I understand that current laws and regulations prevent (public) funds from directly funding abortions.” Pence cannot stop Planned Parenthood from using public money for abortions, because it isn’t. And he can’t stop the group from performing abortions with private funds. So See Crusade, page 14

San Diego’s food stamps program needs fixing My family is running out of food, but there’s still one more step before we get assistance: investigators from the district attorney’s office must search our house. The investigators finally arrive. They introduce themselves without smiling. I’m not prepared for what is about to happen. The lady opens all the kitchen cabinets while I watch, incredulous. She opens the refrigerator, moves around some contents and takes notes. I don’t know what

CITY TIMES Volume 65, Number 10 March 8, 2011

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she writes, but I’m scared. I need the approval of my application. Otherwise, we are going to end up living in a refugee camp or on the streets. My daughters — ages 1, 4, and 11 — are watching me. They are worried. I try to smile, but they know I’m suffering. It’s the first time they’ve seen me so defenseless. I’m supposed to take care of them. I follow the man to our bathroom. He checks on the toothbrushes, counting them and asking me why there are six instead of just four.

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

Ernesto Lopez Editor-in-Chief

Katrina Cameron Arts Editor

Christine Klee

Shane Finneran Managing Editor

Stephen BoydMorales Features Editor

Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser

Anulak Singphiphat Design Editor Fernando Yates Online Editor

Michele Suthers Chief Illustrator Troy Bryant Orem Photo Editor

Copy Editor

Next, he starts checking on our laundry hamper, looking at my family’s clothes, searching for something that would prove I’m committing fraud. The lady enters our bedroom, where all four of us sleep. She flips over our air mattress and reads the personal papers I keep underneath. The process is denigrating. Tears fall from my eyes. Sandra Galindo But I need the assistance. After 30 minutes of searchI answer that I use two and the other one belongs to my ing and questioning, the invesbrother. He looks at me in dis- tigators finally depart, leaving belief and writes more notes. me on a rollercoaster of emo-

SOCIAL MEDIUM

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

City Times Staff Tom Andrew, Cecilia Areta, Megan Rose Bartell, Sidney Bryant, John-Magus Cambridge, Jose De Los Santos, Layne Deyling, Alec Fernandes, Sandra Galindo, Olivia Holt, Sonjiala Hotchkiss, Ryan Johnson, Rachel Keown-Burke, Scott McLean, Brandon Porras, Mark Rivera, Ricky Soltero, Gabriel Spatuzzi, Joshua Vincent

Correspondents and Contributors Angela d’Avignon, Carlos Maia, Donna Maranto, Blanca Vazquez

tions. But forget about dignity. My daughters need to eat. The Food Research and Action Center recently reported that San Diego — for the fifth year in a row — ranks last among 22 large U.S. cities in terms of the percentage of eligible residents who receive federal food stamps. In 2008 alone, San Diego residents missed out on an estimated $106 million in food-stamp benefits. Our county is the only county in the nation that requires all cash-aid applicants to have their homes

searched by investigators. No warrants are required for these unannounced and humiliating searches. The resulting culture of fear and degradation discourages many eligible participants from seeking help. Despite our abundant resources, some of the most vulnerable people in San Diego wake up and go to bed hungry. Our city’s implementation of the federal food stamps program must be strengthened to better serve those in need.

City Times is published twice monthly during the semester. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, City College administration, faculty and staff or the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. District policy statement | This publication is produced as a learning experience under a San Diego Community College District instructional program. All materials, including opinions expressed herein, are the sole responsibility of the students and should not be interpreted to be those of the college district, its officers or employees. Letters to the editor | Letters to the Editor are welcome, 350 words or less. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation and length. Memberships Journalism Association of Community Colleges California College Media Association Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association


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Voice

www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

Planned Parenthood under attack ‘Why do I have to pay for it?’ Planned Parenthood was a major recipient of Title X funding last year, according to www.thehill. com, receiving a quarter of the $317 million appropriated for Title X. Overall, the organization receives millions of dollars in federal, state and local taxpayer funds each year. But Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization with a huge funding base from individuals, foundations, trusts, and corporations. Does the government need to be giving Planned Parenthood so much money when we have such a huge debt? Our representatives are taking a hard and responsible step in reducing the debt that Congress has created over the past several decades, especially those offices and entitlements that have been shoved down our throats whether we like it or not. De-funding Planned Parenthood is just one tiny piece of the pie. Republican representative Mike Pence of Indiana has introducted legislation that would cut all all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. As I understand the legislation, Planned Parenthood is not being told what it can or cannot do. Instead, Planned Par-

PRO

Cecilia Areta enthood has just been given a pink slip and will have to re-invent itself and reach out to the community for support — which is as it should be. “Nobody is saying Planned Parenthood can’t be the leading advocate of abortion on demand, but why do I have to pay for it?” Pence has asked. In the case of Jane Doe v. Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Ariz. in 2001-02, the court ruled against Planned Parenthood. A 12-year-old girl was being raped and Planned Parenthood knew but did nothing. The girl returned home after one abortion and was impregnated a second time by her foster brother. This type of incident happens frequently, and Pence has highlighted other real cases of abuse and neglect on Planned Parenthood’s part. The list includes failing to report statutory rape, telling clients to lie about their age, and fraudulent accounting and billing. Does this really sound like an organization we need to be funding?

What are your thoughts? Take our online poll on Planned Parenthood @ sdcitytimes.com

Shane Finneran, City Times

‘The Hood’ is the leader in abortions — so what? As a 29-year-old woman who qualifies as low-income, I use Planned Parenthood services. In fact, my friends and I affectionately refer to our local Planned Parenthood as “The Hood.” I am appalled and outraged by the Pence Amendment, which, if passed in the Senate, would irrationally strip current funding of $317 million from publicly funded family planning centers such as Planned Parenthood because they provide abortions. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Pence Amendment prohibits any federal family planning assistance to any entity that performs an abortion or allots funds to another entity that performs abortions. The bill excludes abortions in cases where there is evidence of rape,

incest or the woman’s health is in danger. What is all this ridiculous nonsense? A direct attack on Planned Parenthood, which is barred by law from using federal funds to perform abortions. According to Planned Parenthood, over 90 percent of its services are primary and preventative. The organization serves over 3 million people in the U.S., providing primary and preventative care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, family planning visits, birth control, HIV testing and more. The Guttmacher Institute rocked my world when they estimated that without Title X supported family planning centers providing contraceptive

CON

Megan Rose Bartell services, unintended pregnancies and abortion in the United States would be 33 percent higher. Benjamin Franklin’s age-old axiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” applies perfectly to this issue. According to the Guttmacher Institute, “For every public dollar invested in family planning, $3.74 is saved in Medicaidrelated costs. Title-X supported centers saved tax-payers $3.4 billion in 2008.” Now that we have proof that the mere $317 million to fund Title X is saving us billions, what of the moral dilemmas associated with Planned Parent-

hood? Oh, it’s the “A” word, not one talked about at the dinner table, that’s for sure. Abortion! Yes, that’s right, I’m yelling it. Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leader in abortions. There’s nothing wrong with that. Planned Parenthood is providing a service that is wanted and needed. The overwhelming majority of Planned Parenthood’s clients are low-income women who fall below the poverty level. How will these women get their family planning services if this bill passes? The bottom line is they won’t. The number of unintended pregnancies will rise, the rate of sexually transmitted infections will increase and these social problems will cost taxpayers much more than the $317 million the bill intends to cut.

VOX POPULI Question by Megan Rose Bartell Photos by Troy Bryant Orem

What is your opinion of proposed cuts to Planned Parenthood?

Lee Apodaca, 24 Communications

Nicolas Malo, 18 Cognitive Science

Brennan Maclean, 27 Communications

Gabriela Martinez, 18 Architecture

“Planned Parenthood helps a lot of women in my family who went to it for certain needs, and any funding cut to that program is going to be detrimental.”

“People who can’t afford condoms .... will go to Planned Parenthood, and if they can’t go, then they don’t go anywhere. And then they have kids, and they can’t afford these kids because they can’t afford condoms.”

“I’m against abortion, but I think that other things like contraceptives and preventative care, when it comes to diseases and medicine, is essential.”

“I think it’s a disadvantage for teens that are trying to learn about that stuff. That was the only help for them to help with their sexuality.”


March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Ramen Continued from Page 1 “We as students helped vote Brown into office, and now he is turning his back on us,” Rodriguez said. “Without access to education, we will not have an educated body. We are going to have a bunch of uneducated people with stupid jobs.” The crowd included students from City College as well as from other community colleges and even included students not affected by the proposed increase. “Personally it doesn’t affect me, but it will impact my future,” said Cuyamaca College student and BEAT member Cody McCormack. “It affects all of California.” City College student Patrick Namwenbe also expressed his frustration. “There’s no future without community colleges,” Namwenbe said. “There’s

Strokes Continued from Page 7 not the anthem most fans and critics were expecting, I could not have envisioned anything more exciting than “Under Cover of Darkness.” As Casablancas belts out “I’ve been all around this town/Everybody sing-

News | Arts

no future without us.” Rodriguez said organizers collected $300 worth of Top Ramen because that is the average a student will have to pay more for classes if the cuts to education are approved. The original plan was to deliver the noodles to the governor’s representatives, but due to budget cuts, they were recently vacated from offices in San Diego as well as Los Angeles. “How ridiculous is that?” Rodriguez asked. “California has the eighth largest economy in the world and we cannot afford to have representatives in two of the largest cities in the state.” Larissa Dorman, BEAT’s faculty adviser, said a lot of students hope to transfer but are worried that cuts to classes and services could make it impossible. Dorman noted that a lot of students across the state voted for Brown. She hopes that the governor comes to understand how the cuts will affect the poorest of students.

“This is a real tragedy,” Dorman said. “Students are going to have to keep fighting. This is their battle. “We professors don’t want to see the cuts because it makes it harder for us to do our jobs, especially because we don’t have guaranteed positions.” California State University Chancellor Charles Reed recently said at a Sacramento press conference that the CSU system would not be able to afford most of its degree programs. The press conference also included community colleges Chancellor Jack Scott. He said schools may be forced to turn away more than 350,000 students on top of the 140,000 people turned away this year. The majority of those students couldn’t find class slots or ended up on waiting lists. Despite the budget crisis, University of California President Mark Yudof said raising tuition would be “unpalatable,” a message repeated by Reed.

ing the same song for 10 years,” and leads in to the insanely catchy chorus “I’ll wait for you/Will you wait for me too?” one can only recall the excitement of the release of “Is this it” in 2001 — and how 10 years later, we craved something that has been long gone. By all means, we have waited for them patiently and have been rewarded

with the glorious “Under Cover of Darkness.” Now if only “Angles,” which is due out on March 22, can live up to its lead single, the rock ‘n’ roll astral plane will return balance to the world, at least for the duration of the upcoming “Angles.”

The first-place winners of the Feb. 25 talent show at City College were the Holy Bro’s, who performed “Ain’t No Party Like a Christian Party.” Donna Maranto, Contributor

Talent Continued from Page 6 The show featured a variety of acts. Kathy Robb played the trumpet, accompanied by David Bean on the piano. Freddy Lopez performed spoken word. Rachel Goldman performed an original modern dance, Other talents included Valerie Broesch, who put on

Women Continued from Page 1 she first became involved with the production she initially didn’t want her dad to attend because she was, well, talking about sex. “He’s here tonight,” Ensley said, letting the crowd interject enthusiastically with applause and laughter. “He showed me that I am me,” she said. “It opened up a dialogue and it didn’t make me feel dirty talking about it.” Again and again, both cast and participating audience proved the significance of continuing a community-

Graduates Continued from Page 3

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Directors chose 20 students for the inaugural class out of more than 100 applicants who interviewed for the need-based program, which covered the costs of tuition, books and job placement. “I believe more in myself and find more of a selfworth,” said McLinden. He expressed his appreciation for being given a “second chance to improve and go to school.” Vice President Mary Benard and Randy Barnes, dean of business and information technology, presented some of the graduates

a puppet show, and Tudy, who shared Alaskan poetry, Rodney Reyes mystified the audience with magic tricks. Hannah Lynn sang a halfTagalog, half-English song. Last but not least, hip-hop duo Temp and Ryan performed an original song that the two musicians worked together to create. After all performers had demonstrated what they had to offer for the judges, Bruce

Underhill, last year’s secondplace winner, entertained the crowd by performing two songs with audience participation. By the time the results were tallied, all the talents danced on stage. Although there were only three winners, all the participants received applause for giving it their all and having the guts to go up on stage and strut their stuff.

wide conversation that is about not just sexuality but honesty and authenticity, as well. Not unlike Ensley, Professor Elva Salinas, who performed “The Flood,” spoke of her mother’s influence on her life and in her performance. Being raised in a religious home, Salinas expressed the apparent ambivalence and ultimate freedom of becoming a mother who made sure to talk openly about sex with her own children. In fact, Salinas’ daughter, Aisha Mahler Salinas was among the actresses who shared the stage her. “Are all of you actresses?” someone asked. While it

was unclear who considered themselves stage actresses, one woman explained the impact of performing with or without training. “It’s a joy to be up here and have this experience,” one woman said. Another added, “We’re actually telling a real woman’s story.” With 90 percent of the play’s earnings directed toward a fund for City College Diana Gonzalez’s daughter Crystal, the overall message of the production was one of female empowerment. “I envisioned her in the audience,” an actress said, “I had to remember who I was doing it for.”

with certificates. “We will not disappoint,” said Hernandez, who was excited to start an internship with SettlementOne following graduation. Several graduates will start internships at City College and with San Diego’s Nubia Leadership Academy. “We are celebrating entering the job market,” said Armenta, hitting on a key aim of the program. Brady said that he and LaMuraglia got the idea for the IT training program after noticing that students who took both his business classes and her computer science classes wrote better business plans. The Excellence Through Pride program partnered

with the San Diego Urban League and employment agencies to help graduates find jobs. Brady said the program also uses grant money to pay the cost of up to three IT certification tests for students. Monique’s Gifts and Catering provided food for the event, which was staffed by workers from the Students in Free Enterprise at City College. Graduation ceremonies for the second and third groups of students who entered the Excellence Through Pride IT and Business Training Program will be held on March 17 and June 17, respectively. The ceremonies will take place at 3 p.m. in room D-121.

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News | Life

Patrick Continued from Page 8 One of the most famous symbols of the holiday are leprechauns, thanks to old Irish folklore. According to “St. Patrick’s Day: Parades, Shamrocks, and Leprechauns” by Elaine Landau, the legend is that the fairies pay the leprechauns for their work with golden coins, which the “little people” collect in large pots. These famous “pots of gold” are often associated with leprechauns, and that

Irish Continued from Page 9 book is so fact-packed that it can be hard to enjoy without pausing periodically to come up for air. “Was Huck Irish?” Ignatiev asks in one of the book’s speculative moments. He lists evidence supporting

www.sdcitytimes.com | Month 8, 2011

is how they are seen today. Another traditional symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day is the shamrock, or specifically the four-leaf clover. According to csmonitor.com, legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity. Through the retelling of this story, the shamrock became associated with St. Patrick and Ireland’s con-

version to Christianity. The folklore for four-leaf clovers differs from that of the shamrock because it has no religious beliefs associated with it. It is believed each of the four leaves represents something different: hope, faith, love and happiness. Finding a fourleaf clover is thought to bring someone good luck. So this year, if you want the luck of the Irish, take three steps: wear green, find a four-leaf clover and catch a Leprechaun, if you can.

that theory — but he also says the Irish were certainly not Huckleberry Finn. While Twain’s fictional boy hero eventually chose to risk his own neck to save a runaway slave, Ignatiev thinks Irish immigrants “opted instead for the privileges and burdens of whiteness” in America in the

1800s. History buffs and students of race relations likely will appreciate “How the Irish Became White.” The book spotlights a fascinating period in American history and reminds us that oppression can come from surprising sources, including the oppressed.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

Robert Rush, left, Robert Frierson, center, and Victor Baker — all alumni of the SDSU Omega Psi Phi fraternity — perform a step march at the Black Histor y Month celebration on Feb. 17 at Gorton Quad. Troy Bryant Orem, City Times

CORRECTIOnS An article on Feb. 15 misspelled the first name of City College’s associate student government vice president. She is Marya Edgar, not Mayra Edgar. An article on Feb. 15 about changes in Egypt misspelled the name of a Cairo landmark. It is Tahrir Square, not Tahir Square. An article on Feb. 1 written by Tom Andrew was incorrectly attributed to Tom Andrews. An article on Oct. 26 misspelled the sur-

Bookstore Continued from Page 1 return period that ended on Jan. 29. That period was adjusted in fall 2010, when the district’s bookstores began selling each semester’s textbooks a few weeks earlier

Crusade Continued from Page 11 Pence’s plan will cut funding for Planned Parenthood across the board, effectively shutting the organization down and preventing it from performing abortions of any kind, for any reason, including in cases of rape and incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk. This amendment is not motivated by fiscal concerns, as some conservatives have posited. Planned Parenthood receives only about $75 million in federal funds per year, enough to sustain about four hours of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The amendment is motivated solely by the religious fervor of the evangelical right wing, which seems addicted to imposing its will on the rest of the

Softball Continued from Page 16 third batter. In the bottom of the sixth, Wright hit a solo home run that pushed City College’s lead to 8-0, ending the game due to the mercy rule. “A perfect game is extremely rare,” said coach LeeAnn Taylor. “Most pitchers never achieve it. “It takes a total team

name of a City College professor. She is Lisa Chaddock, not Lisa Shaddock. An article on Oct. 26 attributed an incorrect surname to the proprietor of a boutique called The Rubber Rose. She is Leah Copeland, not Leah Caughlin. An article on Aug. 31 described the size of the fall 2010 expansion of City College’s course offerings incorrectly. The college added 287 extra sections, not 287 extra units.

than usual. The earlier start to selling was required by updates to the Higher Education Act, which governs federal student aid programs. The bookstores at UCSD and SDSU also end their broad return period before the add/drop period ends on their campuses. Those bookstores remain willing to consider issuing

refunds for students who drop classes. Similarly, though some students might not realize it, City College’s bookstore is willing to work with customers who have valid reasons to return textbooks after the initial return deadline. “A lot of my students did not understand that to be the case,” Spearman said.

nation. Many Christian conservatives don’t like the idea of their tax dollars being used to fund any kind of abortions, elective or otherwise. Their gripe is not unreasonable; they are ideologically opposed to abortion, so they don’t want to pay for it. But many Americans who are ideologically opposed to war are still required to fund our efforts in Afghanistan and elsewhere. And like many Americans, I am ideologically opposed to religion, yet my tax dollars are still being used to fill the hole left by tax exemptions for churches. We might not always like how our taxes are spent, but that’s pluralism for you. Some have pointed to the recent accusations of corruption within Planned Parenthood as justification to strip funding from a vital source

of woman’s healthcare. A number of employees have been fired, and if anyone in the organization is guilty of illegal activity, I agree that they should be prosecuted. But the existence of a handful of unscrupulous employees is not cause to shut down the entire organization. We would not shut down the police force because of a few crooked cops, nor would we cut funding to public schools because of a few lascivious teachers. Pence’s plan should be seen for what it is: an attempt to push his religion on the underprivileged women of America, and an example of just how deeply Christian fundamentalism has infiltrated the GOP. The amendment will likely die in the Senate, as it should, but it ought to serve as a warning to the egalitarian voter against the odious mixture of religion and politics.

effort,” Taylor added. “Everyone has to be perfect, not just the pitcher.” In the Knights’ 9-1 victory at Imperial Valley College on March 2, Shafer again did not allow a ball out of the infield. Imperial Valley got their only run in the second inning, off three infield errors and a passed ball. Regarding what these achievements do for Shafer’s game, the coach said, “It should give Hannah tons of confidence, not only in her

ability to be a great pitcher but in the ability of her team behind her to make the plays and get the hits needed to score runs and win.” Shafer has full confidence in the team’s playoff chances. “We’ve been on a hot streak, and if we keep this up, we will win conference and head to state,” she predicted. At press time, the softball team had a conference record of 3-0. To follow the team, visit www.sdcity.edu/ athletics.


March 8, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com

Sports

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Baseball team coaching with community

Several Knights baseball players joined coaches Chris Brown and Aaron Detty to run a clinic for Little League coaches at Morley Field on Feb. 27. The event drew more than 50 coaches from 14 local little leagues. Top: Mitch Williams, kneeling, and Gilbert Guardado, right, share tips on fielding grounders in the outfield. Lower left: Players introduce themselves to Little League coaches. Lower right: Matt Arlington, far left, demonstrates hitting mechanics. Shane Finneran, City Times

Brown’s influence goes beyond field Coach encourages players to succeed both on and off baseball diamond By Joshua Vincent City Times Operating a bulldozer and attending television game shows are not part of the job description for a college baseball coach. For Knights head coach Chris Brown, however, it comes with the territory. One of the ongoing challenges Brown faces is funding City College’s baseball program. In addition to sponsorships, the team attends TV game shows such as

“Let’s Make a Deal” as paid audience members to raise money. All of the fundraising is done during the fall so the team can focus on the season during the spring. Brown was the first head coach at El Paso Community College in Texas. “We built the program from the ground up,” he said. That’s no exaggeration. Brown rented a bulldozer on his credit card to work on the field so his team would have a place to practice and play games. The El Paso team travelled west to play City College, where Brown is now in his 12th year as head coach. “I was encouraged by the challenge,” Brown said of taking the job at City College.

“It’s taken time to bring in better talent.” There are no scholarships available at the community college level. Brown said that emphasizing the strengths of the program and the school are the main focus of his recruiting efforts. For players and parents, the coach is a big factor. “He’s a great coach, a real no-nonsense type of guy,” said Torrey Riggins, father of pitcher Andrew Riggins, who Brown recruited out of high school. “He really looks after the kids.” Brown has international experience as both a coach and player. In 1998, he played shortstop for the Sydney Metros of the Australian Baseball League during their

first season. “We weren’t paid a lot, so I got involved in a youth development program and realized how great it was to coach,” Brown said. “I have a real passion for teaching and coaching kids.” His experience translated into an assistant coaching position with the USA Youth National Team, which he helped guide to a National Championship in 1999 and the Pan-American Championship in 2000. As head coach in 2001, Brown led the 16-and-under team to a World Championship. He remained involved with the team from 2002 to 2005 as a player selection consultant. The Knights are active in

their support of local youth baseball. They host an annual free baseball clinic with the North Park Little League, and youth teams are regularly invited to games. “We try to do as much work in the community as possible,” Brown said. He also noted that Knights pitcher Keegan Yuhl was a member of one of those youth teams several years ago. Brown said he is equally rewarded if a player goes on to be successful on or off the baseball diamond. “I think the game is like life,” Brown said. “(We stress) work ethic, responsibility and the ability to trust oneanother … a lot of the same qualities that are needed in life and in the work force.”

Baseball coach Chris Brown. Gustavo Celarie Brown has coached a number of players that have gone on to four-year colleges as well as professional baseball. Last season, he led the Knights to their first Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title in 18 years.


www.sdcitytimes.com | March 8, 2011

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SPORTS Perfection on the pitcher’s mound Shafer follows perfect game with no-hitter By Ernesto Lopez and Jose De Los Santos City Times

Softball player Hanna Shafer, shown in a recent game, recently pitched a perfect game and a no-hitter. Courtesy photo

Softball pitcher Hanna Shafer has a lot to celebrate: she recently reached a couple of milestones not every player has the honor to claim.

On Feb. 21, Shafer pitched a perfect game, and on March 2, she pitched a no hitter. Against the Brahmas of L.A. Pierce College, Shafer retired all 18 batters she faced, striking out 5 and forcing the other 13 to ground out. “(Last season) we were in a struggle,” said the humble Shafer, who gave credit to her teammates for her recent success. “This season we’re on a roll.” Facing the Brahmas, the Knights outfielders never

even broke a sweat, while consistent defense from infielders such as Brittany Wright and Ashley Whitmore helped Shafer achieve perfection. “I’ve got better defense behind me,” Shafer said. “So I feel more comfortable, if I don’t get a strikeout, I can put the ball on the ground.” In the top of the sixth inning, two L.A. players grounded out to third base before Shafer struck out the See Softball, page 14

Badminton team lives up to expectations

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The San Diego City College badminton team beat the shuttlecock with a vengeance during a Feb. 25 tournament at Grossmont College. The women on the team posted one first-place finish and two second-place finishes, and the men’s side also delivered a second-place finish in singles play. Rosalind Nguyen led the way for the women. Nguyen finished second in singles play. She also earned first place in the doubles bracket with the help of her teammate Tammy Vu. Coach Son Nguyen had pointed out Rosalinda Nguyen as one of the women to be watched. She had placed second in women’s singles play against a top-ranked player from Irvine Valley College. City College’s Kevin Hean also had a great showing. Hean finished in second place in the men’s singles bracket after losing in the final to a player from Grossmont College. All told, the City College team went up against 80 players from 5 other schools, so their strong performances inspire confidence for the remainder of the season. “This year’s team is looking really balanced,” coach Nguyen said. He thinks the team, which consists of 8 women and 12 men, has some great players. City College’s badminton squad has won four Orange Empire Conference Championships in five years, including 2010. The team hopes for another strong showing in the 2011 season, which con- Badminton player Rosalinda Nguyen placed second sists of 16 matches. in singles play during a tournament at Grossmont College on Feb. 25. Troy Bryant Orem, City Times


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