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Volume 66, Number 5
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October 25, 2011
Campus protesters share Border talks similar views as ‘Occupy’ for equality By Jorge Benitez City Times
City College students were inspired by Occupy San Diego protesters and marched around the campus chanting, “Walk out, walk out, walk out for your education.”Fernando Yates, City Times
‘Occupy’ movement continues to make noise though some believe focus has been lost By Sydney Bryant City Times After several weeks of chanting and marching, dozens of people continue the Occupy San Diego protest. Since the initial Oct. 7 march, demonstrators have marched through downtown several times, a man died at the site of the protest, some have been arrested and dozens continue to camp out at the Civic Center Plaza. Mark Elliot, an aspiring journalist, said he believes that, “If we the people come together, we cannot be
defeated.” “Everything we are doing is about peace, love and revolution,” Elliot said, standing in front of the Civic Center Plaza Oct. 19. Participants in the Occupy movement have different reasons for why they are involved. However, they all share one common view: “Human Need, not Corporate Greed,” as many signs proclaimed. Supporters of medical marijuana have joined forces with the Occupy San Diego protesters. Recently the federal gov-
ernment said that it would shut down most medical marijuana dispensaries because they do not comply with federal regulations. “Together we can create embargoes against big corporations. We the people are the 99 percent,” said William West, who advocates for the use of medical marijuana through his website. Not everyone agrees with what has happened since Occupy San Diego started. Megan, a woman in her mid-twenties, who declined to give her last name, said that the movement has shifted away from its focus. “I really want to see the movement keep going,” said Megan, adding that she was worried that issues such as
unemployment, and extreme political views — the main themes in the first days of the movement — have now been replaced by topics such as medical marijuana. The Internet has been Occupy San Diego’s biggest supporter. Social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook have helped the movement expand all over the United States. According to occupysandiego.org, a committee meets at 5 p.m. daily, general assembly meetings are held at 7 p.m., and protesters march every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For the latest information on Occupy San Diego, please visit the website at www.occupysandiego.org
Three experts on the U.S.-Mexico border described the exploitation of undocumented immigrants in the United States and the problems they face when they are deported. Experts Justin Akers Chacon, Victor Clark and Jill Holslin spoke on Oct. 7 at a panel discussion held in Seville Theatre for the 6th Annual San Diego City College International Book Fair. Victor Clark, director of the Binational Center for Human Rights in Tijuana and lecturer in the Latin American Studies Department at San Diego State University, addressed some of the issues undocumented immigrants face. He said, “There is logic in migration, due to the increase in jobs. We want people to work but don’t want them to have privileges. It’s a contradiction.” There are many reported cases of illegal immigrants being treated unfairly. Incidents of illegal immigrants having to work for as many as 60 hours per week while receiving less than minimum wage. Most of the time they are just trying to survive and are left with no option but to take whatever job is offered to them without thinking of the consequences it has on their rights. This year the amount of documented illegal immigrants deported is near
400,000. Many of them faced inhuman situations, according to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “In reaction to the increase in deportations, the Mexican government has launched a program where they offer phone calls, bus rides to Jalisco, Mexico, shelter and hospital centers to help immigrants find their way home,” said Holslin, lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies at San Diego State University. Hoslin has been documenting the construction of the U.S.-Mexico wall. At the end of the discussion a student asked a question which made the experts pause for a moment. “Don’t you think that it is patriotic as Americans to push for a harsh policy on illegal immigration?” the student asked. Justin Akers Chacon, author of “No One is Illegal,” responded to the question by saying, “Patriotism. It is necessary to reclaim it and redefine it. There is a very fine line between being patriotic and humanitarian; these kinds of issues need to be addressed from a human point of view, not patriotic. If not, in response we get groups such as the Minute Men, who are an extremist form of a radical group, hatred inspired.” The second Bi-National Border Conference will be held on Dec. 1 at City College.
Food pantry feeds those in need By Brian Lett Correspondent After a bit of turbulence, this year’s food pantry program at City College is back in action, thanks especially to a successful food drive that concluded Oct. 14 and was hosted by the athletic department. According to Kathy McGinnis, dean of health, exercise science and athletics, the food drive was able to collect 2167 pounds of food — an amount that food pantry coordinators expect should last well into next year. Aside from the athletic department, contributors include Students in Free Enterprise, the college book-
store, and Associated Students. The food pantry, which was established in the spring of 2008, came about after several City College faculty members became increasingly aware of a growing number of hungry students. After numerous surveys and examinations were conducted, an initiative was developed, passed, and eventually manifested into the food pantry program that still exists today. According to Cherie BromleyTaylor, CALWORKS administrative technician and official administrator of the food pantry program, the food pantry has distributed roughly 1,000 lunches to 850 students since being established, with around
300 lunches being distributed this semester alone. Dotti Cordell, director of student health services and one of the founding creators of the program, has nothing but gratitude for the participants and contributors who keep the program alive, as well as satisfaction for how the program has been able to evolve since its induction. “What’s really nice is the kind of people that we have at City, that (the food pantry) has been going on now for a couple years,” Cordell said. “Students can use it when they have to.” Cordell also commented on the steadfast commitment of BromleyTaylor, who was able to maintain
Bormley-Tayler holds a sign in the food pantr y storage room at City College. Nicholas A. Preston, City Times Bromley-Taylor has been highly control when the going got rough. “There were different kinds of revered by fellow participants as leaves and absences…turnover in the heart and soul of the project, administration, lack of people to help dedicating an enormous amount of [prepare] the lunches,” Cordell said. “Cherie has turned all that around.” See Pantr y, page 3
www.sdcitytimes.com | October 25, 2011
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Take Note City Crunch By Nicholas A. Preston
Calendar Compiled by Nicholas A. Preston Get your event in the paper. E-mail us at citytimes@gmail.com or call 619-388-3880
n Oct. 28 - Nov. 13 Smokey Joe’s Café, Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m. and Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m.
Crack City By Michele Suthers
n Nov. 2, Wednesday
Dia de los Muertos D121 A/B – 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
n Oct. 31, Monday Richard Griswold: Chicano Archives D121 a/b – 9:40 a.m.- 10:50 a.m.
Felix Bonomo: Images of Tibet Saville Theatre- 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Halloween Bash Gorton Quad- 10 a.m.
n Nov. 3, Thursday Precious Knowledge: A revolutionary Education with filmmaker Eren McGinnis Saville Theatre- 9:40 – 10:50 a.m.
Fall Concert Series Curran Plaza 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
n Nov. 7, Monday Dreamworlds: desire, Sex, and Power in Music Videos Saville Theatre- 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. n Nov. 8, Tuesday Jazz Live: Sue Palmerand the Four Queens of Boogie Woogie Saville Theatre- 8:00 a.m.– 9:30 p.m. n Nov. 10, Wednesday Laurel Corona: Launch of Finding Emilie Saville Theatre- 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hardware failure blocks access to Blackboard By Fernando Yates City Times
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
A hardware failure at the district information technology center caused the Blackboard Vitsa site to go down. The outage began on the afternoon of Oct.19 after a disk system failed. According to Dave Giberson, instructional design director for San Diego Community College District, the disk system was designed to avoid such failure.
“The failure caused massive damage to the Oracle database that stores and retrieves Blackboard Vista’s data,” said Giberson in an e-mail. A complete restoration from existing backups was required, and began the morning of Oct. 20. The estimated time of completion for the restoration is between Oct. 26 and 27. According to Giberson, Oracle said that there is no way to speed up the restora-
tion process. “This outage has nothing to do with the Blackboard software. It was due to a catastrophic hardware failure in the District IT data center,” said Giberson in an e-mail. At the time of this writing it was not clear whether there would be any data loss when Blackboard is restored. For questions regarding the outage contact Kent Keyser, the director of IT, at kkeyser@sdccd.edu or at (619) 388-6939.
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October 25, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com
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News Unlimited texting and data for $30 By Fernando Yates City Times Students with high phone bills have a new option. T-Mobile and Wal-Mart have partnered to offer a $30 prepaid monthly service plan featuring unlimited texts and data. The plan, which launched Oct. 16, features unlimited data, unlimited text messages and 100 minutes of talk time with 10 cents per minute after the first 100 minutes.
The plan allows a person to use T-Mobile’s 4G network, which uses HSPA+ technology not the faster LTE technology that Verizon uses, for the first 5 gigabytes of data. After first 5 gigabytes of data the user’s speed are lowered to 3G and Edge speeds. This plan does not require a contract with T-Mobile. The plan is sold exclusively in-store at more than 2,200 Wal-Mart stores and online at www.walmart.com and www.T-Mobile.com.
City Times staff wins general excellence award By Fernando Yates City Times City Times recieved a General Excellence award amoung community colleges for its publications from spring semester. That top award was one of several the staff received at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ 2011 SoCal Conference at CSU Fullerton Oct. 14 and 15. The conference gives community college newspaper staffs a chance to compete on site, attend seminars on a variety of topics related to journalism, and provides networking opportunities. City Times placed in several competitions at the conference. Anulak Singphiphat, the current Edit-in-Chief, won second place, and Troy orem, the current Photo Editor, won an honorable
mention in the Tabloid Layout and News Judgment category. Brian Lett placed third in the News Story category and Orem received an honorable mention in the News Photo category. Joseph Stremlau received third place for his entry for the Opinion category, Singphiphat won an honorable mention for his entry to the Ad Design category. Singphiphat and Ernesto Lopez, the former Editor-inChief, were given a second place award for Front Page Layout. These awards are in addition to several awards the “City Times� won over the summer including: Best Newspaper from the Society of Professional Journalist San Diego Pro Chapter in the College Media category and Best in Show from the San Diego County Fair.
Karina Perez, a participant in the Out of Darkness walk, hangs a leaf on the tree for a friend lost to suicide. Latresha Williams
Walk brings suicide to light By Jorge Benitez City Times The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention held its Out of Darkness suicide prevention walk Oct. 15 at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay. This year’s walk honored the lives of service members who were lost to suicide. The event brought in about 800 people and raised about $28,000 in donations A wellness fair was held at the walk; comprised of 35 organizations that are dedicated to helping those who are mentally distressed and
Pantry Continued from Page 1 energy and her own resources to the program. According to sources close to the project, things began to slow after Bromley-Taylor’s
the families that struggle with the loss of a loved one. Preston Philips, news anchor for KGTV 10 News, hosted the event. He gathered everyone around the stage around 8 a.m. for a warm-up before the walk and gave a brief speech about the importance of the event. When the walk started, everyone was smiling and laughing. Erica Mendoza, a 20 year old student from SDSU, said “I lost a very close friend this year in March, he was very close to the family.â€? “It’s been really hard ‌
suicide is not something you think of happening, but it does happen. And that’s the reason why I’m here, because he made me a better person and I miss him so this is a nice way of getting together with friends and family and honor his life,� Mendoza added. At the finish line flowers were handed out, and everyone was guided to the food and refreshments area. Jessica Van Der Stad, Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, took the stage to congratulate all the participants and talk about her experience
before and after joining the foundation. In her speech she gave detail about the loss of her father and how she found strength from that loss. To conclude the day participants, entered a raffle that included gifts and certificates. For more information about Out of the Darkness community walks visit http:// afsp.donordrive.com/
direct involvement was limited as she recovered from knee surgery for several months, and the number of distributors and active coordinators dropped considerably. Jackie Garcia, one of the distributors, was a big part
in maintaining operations in the time following BromleyTaylor’s absence. According to Garcia, Bromley-Taylor has plans to expand the services they offer, including a service which would allow students to bring home bundles of
groceries on top of the emergency kits currently being offered. Those who wish to donate, or students seeking an emergency food kit or other services can visit the CALWORKS office in room L-121 for more details.
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The City Times staff pose with awards won at the 2011 SoCal JACC conference in Fullerton, Calif. on Oct. 15. City Times
Everyday price guarantee valid only on the following packages: DishFAMILY , America ’s Top 120, America ’s Top 120 Plus, America ’s Top 200, America ’s Top 250, DISH America , DISH America Silver, DISH America Gold. BLOCKBUSTER Movie Pass (1 disc at a time): New qualifying DISH Network service activated between 10/01/11 and 1/31/12 will include 3-month bundle. If you activate with a 24-month agreement and minimum of America ’s Top 200 programming package, 12-month bundle included. At end of your promotional period, bundle discounts ($5 on BLOCKBUSTER Movie Pass and $5 on programming package) will end, and you will be charged then-current prices on each component. Requires the following: online DISH Network account for discs by mail; broadband Internet to stream content; HD DVR to stream to TV; HD equipment to receive full range of channels. You can exchange online rentals for free in-store movie rentals at participating BLOCKBUSTER stores. Offer not available in Hawaii , Alaska , Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands. BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C. Š 2011 Blockbuster L.L.C. Digital Home Advantage plan requires 24-month agreement and credit qualification. Cancellation fee of $17.50/mo. remaining applies if service is terminated before end of agreement. After 12 months of programming credits, then-current price will apply. $10/mo HD add-on fee waived for life of current account; requires 24-month agreement, continuous enrollment in AutoPay with Paperless Billing. 3-month premium movie offer value is $99; after 3 free months then-current price applies unless you downgrade. Free Standard Professional Installation only. All equipment is leased and must be returned to DISH Network upon cancellation or unreturned equipment fees apply. Limit 6 leased tuners per account; upfront and monthly fees may apply based on type and number of receivers. HD programming requires HD television. Prices, packages, programming and offers subject to change without notice. Offer available for new and qualified former customers, and subject to terms of applicable Promotional and Residential Customer agreements. Additional restrictions may apply. Offer ends 1/31/12. HBOŽ, CinemaxŽ and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office,Inc. STARZ and related channels and service marks are property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. All new customers are subject to a one time processing fee.
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www.sdcitytimes.com | October 25, 2011
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Life ‘Wearing my helmet saved my life’ By Kevin Stover City Times It is crazy how one person’s actions can impact another person’s financial well being, piece of mind, and happiness so greatly. I was on my motorcycle heading home from a very relaxing yoga class. I needed to get home, change, and head to the Seville theatre to cover a jazz concert for the school paper. I was almost home when I noticed a car about a block and a half ahead of me. It was sitting sideways in the street, half in a parking spot and the other half was in the street. I proceeded with caution as I got closer. I couldn’t figure out what this person was doing. Were they parallel parking, flipping a U-turn, or what? When I was about 6 or 7 car lengths behind him I gave a courtesy honk saying, “I’m coming up behind you.” The driver was still at a dead stop half way in the road. I then shift from the center of the lane to the far left of the lane and continued forward. As I was about to pass the individual in the car, the unthinkable happened. He put the petal to metal and attempted a U-turn right towards me and my oncoming motorcycle. I tried to react by moving into the oncoming lane but it was to late. The front left panel of his car connected with me and my motorcycle
Kevin Stover holds the helmet that bears the marks from his recent motorcyle accident. Stover believes the helmet prevented injuries that could have ended his life. Anulak Singphiphat, City Times and before I could even register what had just happened I was airborne, flying through the air as if gravity was nonexistent. I did a somersault in the air and landed on my head, the rest of my body followed. There I laid on the pavement for a minute as I tried to comprehend what had just happened. I stood up just long enough for my legs to give out. The driver of the car ran out with a look of horror on his face.
All I could think to say was “Call 911! Get me an ambulance.” The ambulance arrived, they loaded me onto a backboard and rushed me to Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. When we arrived at the trauma center they cut all my clothing off and in a blink of an eye I was completely naked. A doctor was asking me questions like “Did you lose consciousness?” and “How fast were you going when he hit you?”
Tips to avoid the flu By Francesca Rodrigues City Times
Flu season is back and with it’s return the sounds of sniffles and coughing. No one likes getting sick, so here are some effective ways to prevent those nasty bugs.
1 2 3 4
At this same time I had needles being stuck into the veins in my arms, a tetanus shot in my left shoulder, and blood work being taken from my left hand. I was having a hard time dealing with all the needles and questions being asked at the same time. In the next room they began a full body cat scan. After the scan they wheeled me into my room, and transported me from the board to a bed. The bed next
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to mine was separated by what looked like an over sized shower curtain. My neighbor was having an argument with the nurse over the amount of pain killers she was feeding him. It was at this point the combination of the arguing, my intense neck, lower back, and leg pain, and the gravity of what had just happened began to make me see double. Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore the nurse injected me with a large needle full of
Dress accordingly to the weather. If it rains, dress like it’s raining. Keep a small umbrella in your car or bag just in case. One day of being caught in the rain could turn into a week with a cold.
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Get vaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “the best way to protect against influenza is to get a flu vaccine every flu season”. Relax. You are more likely to get sick if you have a high level of stress. Wash your hands. Germs are everywhere, washing your hands reduce the spread of germs. Drink lots of fluids. Staying hydrated not only helps you get better, but prevents you from getting sick.
morphine. Then all I saw was clouds. The next thing I remember was when a police officer brought my belongings to my room. I remember seeing my helmet and thinking “That could have been my head”. After this all I could think about was my poor motorcycle. I had just hit my first 1000 miles on the odometer and now it was likely totalled. My mind was running with questions, “How am I going to get to school? How am I going to get anywhere!?!?.” According to the California Highway patrol 2.1 percent of all vehicles registered in California are motorcycles, yet motorcyclists account for 9.4 percent of all traffic fatalities statewide. “The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.” Thinking back to when I was a kid and how I would take my bicycle helmet off as soon as I was out of my mothers site, I realize I am lucky. The statistics are definitely against any motorcyclist involved in a car accident, but they are even more so without your helmet. What I once thought was an inconvenience is now a blessing in my eyes. I live to see another day.
Be active. Exercise and daily physical activity strengthens your heart and immune system.
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Eat well. Eating a health diet provides the body with vitamins and minerals that help the immune system.
If you’re starting to feel ill, stay home. “E-mail your professors and tell them what’s going on,” said Dotti Cordell, of Student Health Services. You can only fight a sickness once you have it, that fight should take place at home, not in astronomy.
Student Health Services Room A-116 Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (619) 388-3450
October 25, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com
Life
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Festival brings focus to campus farming By Jennifer Manalili and Michael Wheeler City Times Seeds at City celebrated their hard work and welcomed in the new season with a fall festival that was held on Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “The farm started 3 years ago and we’ve been having this festival every year since,” said the festival’s organizer and City College dance professor Terry Wilson. The festival included a screening of the food documentary “Nourish,” live music, pumpkin carving, stenciled t-shirts for sale, a raffle and free food, notably tacos and chips and salsa, which were all made with vegetables from the Seeds urban garden. “This is a fantastic festival!” said Galina Banova, a student who took part in festivities by performing street dancing. Art remained a strong note throughout the day’s festivities. Approximately 50 children from the campus’s Child Development Center were on hand for arts and crafts and some faculty members took
part by performing live music. “This celebration is to promote the farm,” said Alexis Tando, a student of Wilson who was volunteering at the festival and serving food. “She funded the whole thing. She’s really dedicated to the farm.” “It celebrates fall and the garden and promotes healthy living,” Connie Nunez, a City student, said. The festival continued its effort to promote an ongoing call for healthy eating by handing out Food Day pamphlets. Food Day, which occurs Oct. 24.,is a nationwide campaign calling for “delicious, healthy, and affordable food produced in a humane way” in place of factory farmed food, and salty, sugary diets that can lead to obesity, heart disease and other health risks. Aside from promoting Food Day and taking part in their own movement to get City students to eat healthier, Seeds even promotes alternative eating by posting healthy recipes on their blog, http://seedsatcityurbanfarm.
blogspot.com. Aundrea Dominguez, an apprentice at the urban farm, said Seeds helps promote an important lesson. “It’s a lesson on how to utilize space and provide fresh, natural fruits and produce.” The urban farm produces a variety of organic produce including lima beans, red kale, squash, lettuce, snap peas, carrots, onions and a host of produce which is available for sale to teachers and students. “There’s great food here,” Wilson said. “I want people to realize that there’s a great
“It celebrates fall and the garden and promotes healthy living,” — Connie Nunez farm on campus.” City College is the first community college in San Diego to offer a hands-on sustainable organic agriculture apprenticeship program. Students who take part are involved in working with professional farmers and learning how to grow and sell organic herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruit. The urban farm was first introduced in June 2008 through a partnership between City College and a network of farmers, chefs, gardeners, teachers and students encouraging the growth and consumption of regional food called the San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project.
Left: The ‘Seeds’ program shows off their hard work, adorning a table at the harvest festival with t-shirts supporting the garden, and plants favored in autumn. Top: City students tr y their hand at pumpkin car ving, seeing who can make the best Jack-O-Lantern. Bottom: ‘Seeds’ volunteers ser ve their fellow students giving them the fixings for a taco at the Oct. 24 festival. Photos by Troy Orem, City Times Seeds held an offcampus fundraising event at Wild Willow Farm Oct. 22. The urban farm is open regularly to visitors Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The farm stand, which is usually located in Curran Plaza, is open each Thurs.
from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information on Seeds @ City or the urban farm visit: http://www.sdcity. edu/SeedsAtCity.
Sometimes you get what you pay for Located on the corner of 8th and C Street is Haji Baba, a Mediterranean restaurant with a party environment and 1.5 star service. If you don’t care how the food tastes and don’t mind waiting around an hour for each order to come to your table, then the Haji Baba is the place for you. I ordered the beef shawarma, which was hard to pronounce but seemed appealing. I asked the waitress what a shawarma was. Her description of the food was as follows: “Thinly cut meat cooked on a spit like a
FRUGAL FOODIE
Robert Whaley kebab, which is then wrapped in Taboon bread with lettuce, tomatoes, hummus, lavash, tahini, and fattoush.” If only the description had been more accurate of what I received: thin strips
Chicken shawarma wrap with a side of fries. Bliss Mellen-Ross, City Times
of tough meat, with about as much flavor as frozen food, wrapped in a wheat flavored tortilla, with lettuce, a few pieces of tomatoes, hummus. To be fair, I didn’t have to spend more than $8 for a plate of food and drink, but I did have to wait about 45 minutes to get it. Had the place been busy I might have understood but my companion and I were alone in the restaurant. To get our drinks refilled we had to stand up and chase the waitress. We paid our check and left in a hurry, our food only half eaten. I am pretty sure I would have preferred a frozen T.V. dinner. I was shocked, I have tried a decent amount of restaurants around our campus now and all of them were quite good. So, I decided to give Haji Baba a second chance. They say “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, shame on me. I’m not going to sugar coat
Beef shawarma wrap with a caesar salad. Bliss Mellon-Ross, City Times
Haji Baba 801 C St. San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 696-0038 it, I came here twice because I couldn’t believe how bad it was the first time. After being seated I ordered quickly and waited for my food. I walked out an hour later.
Hours: Sun 12 p.m.– 12 a.m.; Mon-Thu 11 a.m.–1 a.m.; Fri 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Sat 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
I still hadn’t been served the food I ordered. They do serve beer, wine, and hookah for those looking to make the most of the night they wasted coming to the
Haji Baba. If you are looking for a place that is trying to set a record for the worlds slowest service and overcooked food then this is the place for you.
www.sdcitytimes.com | October 25, 2010
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VOICE The ‘American Dream’ is for everyone As soon as an economic crisis hits, they are always some of the first to get laid off. Janitors all over San Diego are facing tremendous challenges with many positions eliminated and hours reduced. Because many of them are undocumented, they are forced to work long hours and they cannot protest due to fear of deportation. Large retailers, hospitals, banks, malls, grocery stores, and many more, use outside contractors to clean their businesses. But some of those contractors abuse workers, forcing them to perform the work of two or three people, for little pay. Because of their undocumented immigrant status, they are an easy prey for the contractors that find it easy to make money at the expense of helpless people. “I was here two weeks
SOCIAL MEDIUM Sandra Galindo
when I realized the constant abuses. But I’m trapped, I have three kids. Working in these companies, for poor people like me, is like seeing an oasis. It is an illusion, not real.” said 43 year-old custodian that only provided a nickname, “Mara”, one of the many new workers recently hired with lower wages and often working without the basic safety equipment. Undocumented workers are vulnerable to abusive employers and need protection from the abuse that is escalating; psychological
pressure, forced to finish the work of two or more people on time, receiving their earned salary two or three weeks later, and a constant reminder that if they don’t like it they won’t pay them. The unfair labor practices that these groups commit are rarely exposed so the abuse continues. Some of the workers that were interviewed ensure that the constant stress affects the way they perform their work. They all agree that it is good to have a job but their employer’s constant intimidation, lack of breaks and no health insurance, makes it a bittersweet experience. Carlos, another worker from a cleaning crew said he makes $7 an hour — minimum wage in California is $8 an hour — and said that with that money “it is not easy for me to live here, but you do what you have to do, working
CRAZY BY ASSOCIATION By Nicholas Preston
people must make do with a ers for cheap labor. Workers can’t speak up against abuses lower standard of living.” for fear for retaliation.” The United Service Workers West represents more than 40,000 janitors, security officers, airport service workers, and other property service workers across California. In a job with no benefits and endless cuts custodians are not allowed to have a raise, even when many have been working for years. But the janitors are not alone. All over the city, there are According to their website many workers that secretly five months ago, the United have to keep working and Service Workers West, a part accept whatever they are of the Service Employees told to keep their jobs; workInternational Union, stated ers with no voice like housethat “When workers are left keepers, landscape crews behind, forced to work with- and large and small retailers out legal protections and cleaning crews. An article on NJ.com in without a voice on the job, we all lose. Companies can’t January, said that a Seton compete fairly against those Hall University Law School that exploit powerless work- report found that 26 percent
“Working in these companies, for poor people like me, is like seeing an oasis. It is an illusion, not real.” — Mara
of the 113 workers polled at seven New Jersey work sites had been assaulted by their employer and only 14 percent reported the assault to police. Brian Lonegan, a specialist in immigration law, directed a research and said that “just because somebody is undocumented doesn’t mean they have surrendered all legal rights or human dignity. If you work, you get paid.” To prevent an inhumane treatment against immigrants, authorities need to stop employers who profit from these abuses and prosecute the responsible. We need more aggressive efforts to uncover immigration abuses. “We can’t get back on the path to prosperity this way. We can’t sustain the greatness of this country if hardworking people don’t all have a fair chance at the American dream,” SEIU ended.
Reader commentary “Thank goodness you are at City College, and that your ignorance is not disseminated any further. You try to make an (unsubstantiated) point, that tens of thousands of dishonorably charged elements did not get shot or wounded, I will give you that. However, every person who joins our armed forces, does so knowing they will be the first called in the event of a conflict/war, and therefore injuries and death come with the job. As for DADT protecting closeted gay elements from harassment, discrimination, and punishment; my response is that NO ONE should be prosecuted for their sexuality, as long as they dont hurt others. Perhaps the saddest and most ignorant part of your article, is that you fail to provide an international framework and mention so many countries where GLBT members have served openly for years, with no negative effects. Gays who choose to serve their country do not need to be further protected from harm than their straight peers; and should not be singled out due to their sexual orientation. So, thanks but no thanks. The best payback to your article is that, in this day of the internet, your ignorant article will remain, for years, attached to your name.” — Anthony Cunningham
Have a comment? Post it at www.sdcitytimes.com CITY TIMES Volume 66, Number 5 October 25, 2011
www.sdcitytimes.com
Published as: The Jay Sees | 1945-1949 Fortknightly | 1949-1978 City Times | 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks
Anulak Singphiphat Editor-in-Chief
Troy Orem Photo Editor
Fernando Yates Managing Editor
Aida Bustos-Garcia Journalism Adviser
Cecilia Areta Features Editor Jennifer Manalili Arts Editor
How to reach us: City Times San Diego City College 1313 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 Newsroom: T-316
Phone: (619) 388-3880 Fax: (619) 388-3814 E-mail: citytimes@gmail.com
City Times Staff Paulina Aguilar, Tom Andrew, Sydney Bryant, Sandra Galindo, William Harcourt, Bliss Mellen-Ross, Nicholas Preston, Francesca Rodrigues, Pablo Rojo, Joreal Ross, Daniela Solano, Amanda Santomi, Joseph Stremlau, Kevin Stover, Michele Suthers, Lashekita Sutton, Kyle Ward, Robert Whaley, Michael Wheeler, Tiana Wilkins
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 Journalism Program | www.sdcity.edu/journalism Roman S. Koenig, associate professor, journalism and mass communication
October 25, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com
7
Sports
Run, run as fast as you can
From left: Jacqueline Hernandez, Karla Arias and Luz Robledo of the City College’s womens cross countr y team leads the pack in the Knight’s Invitational. Courtesy photos By Cecilia Areta City Times Cross Country is a sport that is seldom highlighted. Whether you think it is worthy of the title of a sport or not, think about running your ultimate best in a 5K race and then give your answer. Each race is different.
You can train on a specific terrain but as women’s head coach Kylie Edwards said, “You can’t really compare cross country races as the courses, conditions, etc. are different.” It is a sport that takes diligence and hard work. The sport is not solely an individual sport, although
the goal of each team member is to beat their personal record, in order for the team to win depends on the order each athlete places, points are tallied and compiled to determine which team racked up the best overall point total. San Diego City College Men and Women’s Cross
Lady Knights join the battle against breast cancer
Country have been training constantly leading to three Championship meets: the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 27, SoCal Championships on Nov. 4 and the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships on Nov. 19. So far men and women’s
have competed in five different invitationals and have gone through over half of their season. On Oct. 14 the XC Knights held their own invitational in Morley Field. The top runner in the women’s division was Jacqueline Hernandez. Cross Country is a sport that welcomes all athletes
of all abilities. The focus of the program is for individual improvement. Every fall semester XC Knights accept new athletes. If you would like to get involve contact head coach Paul Greer for men’s, pgreer@ sdccd.edu or head coach Kylie Edwards for women’s, kedwards@sdccd.edu.
Knights basketball teams plan for slam dunk season By Sydney Bryant City Times The City College women’s and men’s basketball teams begin their season in November. The Lady Knights are starting their season with a new head coach, Brandon Lupian, who was previously the assistant coach in 2009- 10 and is also the current head coach of the men’s tennis team. He has been coaching
at City College since 2007. Mitch Charlens, head coach of the men’s basketball team, is entering his eighth season at the helm. Charlens has won two conference titles during his eight years and is looking to rebound off last year, where the Knights were left out of the state playoffs after finishing second in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. The Knights finished 11-5 in the PCAC with an overall
record of 17-10 last season. The Knights will travel to Mission Viejo Nov. 7, where they will play the Saddleback Gauchos — where Charlens played. This will be an early test for the Knights, since the Gauchos are a preseason topten ranked team in the state. The Lady Knights open their season at the Mesa Tournament which starts Nov. 11. For game schedules visit www.sdcity.edu/athletics.
Sports Lineup Compiled by Nicholas A. Preston Submit events to citytimes@gmail.com or call (619) 388-3880
The San Diego City College women’s soccer team participate in Walk for a Cure on Oct. 16 at Balboa Park. Daniela Solano, City Times
Join our award-winning team in the spring semester and be a part of campus history. Sign up for JOUR 210-A News Paper Production.
n Oct. 28, Friday W. Soccer vs. Southwestern - 3 p.m. M. Soccer vs. Mesa – 3 p.m. W. Volleyball vs. Cuyamaca – 5 p.m.. n Nov. 04, Friday W. Soccer vs. Grossmont – 1 p.m. M. Soccer vs. Palomar – 3 p.m. W. Volleyball vs. Palomar - 5 p.m.
n Nov. 10, Monday M. Soccer vs. Southwestern - 3:15 p.m. W. Soccer vs. Grossmont – 3:15 p.m. W. Volleyball vs. Grossmont - 5:00 p.m.
www.sdcitytimes.com | October 25, 2011
8
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For more information on earning your bachelor’s degree, visit DeVry.edu/cc * Available for those who qualify. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC, www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus – 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211. Program availability varies by location. ©2011 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved.