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Twilight sequel disappoints PAGE 5 Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945
News/Calendar............... 2-3 Life................................... 4 Arts.................................. 5 Voice................................. 6
Volume 66, Number 7
December 6, 2011
Throughout the fall semester students coped with construction which will be stepped up during the winter break. During this period crews will determine if the fault is “potentially active” which may delay the renovation. Anulak Singphiphat, City Times
Is M Building on shaky ground? Crews to study whether fault line under it is active By Amanda Santoni City Times The renovation of the M Building, which currently houses mathematics and science classes, has been halted due to a seismic fault that runs beneath the building. It’s not surprising that various earthquake or seismic
fault zones have been discovered throughout the San Diego region and some run under downtown and City College campus. Building codes in San Diego restrict new buildings from being built within 50 feet of an “active” fault or fault fragment. If a fault is considered “potentially active,” there is no building code restriction. Because City College is partially located in this zone on the west edge of the campus, many of the Propositions S and N projects have
included a fault study. “The main goal is to understand how seismic activity impacts the design and construction of the buildings, so we can provide safe and reliable educational spaces for City College faculty and students,” says Tom Fine, campus project manager. Whether or not a fault is considered “active” is if it’s younger than 11,000 years old. To be able to determine the age of a fault, geologists look at the topmost, unbroken layer of soil.
However, geologists cannot determine the age of a fault if the top most layers are disturbed or are no longer the native soil. When this happens geologists have to dig multiple trenches in hopes of finding the fault again where the native soil has not been disrupted. This poses a problem for the soil around City campus. As we all know there is construction on campus, so the top most layers of soil have been disturbed and are no longer the native soil.
From ‘I don’t know’ to CEO By Nicholas A. Preston City Times
Many state universities have had students that have graduated and moved on to become successful people. What many people don’t realize is that there are several successful CEO’s and entrepreneurs that are the product of two-year community colleges. Before becoming Costco cofounder and CEO, Jim Sinegal, 75, was a shy and unfocused community college student. Sinegal earned an associate’s degree at San Diego Junior College in 1955, which was later renamed San Diego City College. Former City College student and “City College reenergized me for Costco CEO, Jim Sinegal. learning, it made me more educated
and well rounded,” said Sinegal. Now a successful CEO, Sinegal has very fond memories of City College and its campus. “It was small and the campus was shared with San Diego High School, but some of the friends I made there, I still have today,” he said. Sinegal intended to only take one semester of classes at City College, but he ended up liking it so much that he stayed for an extra three semesters and earned his degree. While attending, he was active in intramural sports such as football and basketball. He also enrolled in several classes including: history, political science, business law, math, and psychology. It took hard work and a love for his job to propel Sinegal to a higher
This is the case for the M building. The finding of this faults has delayed the renovations of the M Building. Until the trenches are dug and the age of the fault has been determined and reported, the renovation will be on hold. The trenches (depending on how many have to be dug) will most likely not affect students around City College “We are making every effort to perform the fault study/investigation at a time during the semester when it is least impacting to the
operations of the campus, so it will likely take place over the Winter break.” Fine said when concerns of traffic were expressed to him. Renovation of the M Building involves 1,500 square feet for student support services, new bookstore, common areas and related support space. Work on the remodel of the M Building cannot begin until the Math and Social Sciences Building is complete in the summer of 2013. The project is expected to be completed February 2014.
Costco at a glance • Warehouse store concept began in 1976 with Price Club on Morena Blvd • Costco opened its first store in Seattle in 1983 • Costco and Price Club merged in 1993 • Costco today has 596 stores in 8 countries • Annual revenue for 2010 about $88.9 billion • Biggest seller of all: toilet paper level of achievement. Being a college student that needed money, he took a job at FedMart and fell in love with retail. “I loved my job, so I worked hard and took on more responsibility,” he said. Sinegal has been in the retail business since 1954. In those years, he has lived and learned a lot.
Becoming an entrepreneur is not an easy task. Sinegal worked his way to the top of FedMart under the mentorship of Sol Price, eventually becoming Executive Vice President in charge of merchandising and operations. See CEO, page 3
www.sdcitytimes.com | December 6, 2011
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TAKE NOTE Calendar
Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree at
Azusa Pacific University
Compiled by Fernando Yates Get your event in the paper. E-mail us at citytimes@gmail.com or call 619-388-3880
n Dec. 6, Tuesday First Year Service: Classroom Etiquette A-218 – 1 - 2:30 p.m. n Dec. 7, Wednesday Blood Drive Bring identification Gorton Quad – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Languages Department December Celebration Gorton Quad – 10 a.m. 2:30 p.m. M. Basketball vs. Grossmont Harry West Gym – 5 p.m. Choose from accelerated degrees online or on campus. LIBERAL STUDIES
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
The B.A. in Liberal Studies (LIBS) will prepare you for a career in education. In less than two years, you could be on your way to teaching in your own classroom.
The versatile B.S. in Organizational Leadership (BSOL) makes it easy to take the next step in your career. You will learn relevant business strategies that can empower you to become an effective leader.
n Dec. 8, Thursday De-stress for Finals Gorton Quad – 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMS • Choose to earn your degree online, or attend class only one night a week at a location near you. • Applicants for the Liberal Studies program must be at least 22 years old; Organizational Leadership program applicants must be at least 25.
By Anulak Singphiphat City Times
Find out about the next Liberal Studies or Organizational Leadership program start date. Contact us today! CALL CLICK
The man arrested twice for spying into the womens restroom remains in custody. William Brown, 32, was arrested Oct. 20 after being
(626) 815-5301 www.apu.edu/explore/caps
AZUSA | HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | LOS ANGELES | MURRIETA ORANGE COUNTY | SAN DIEGO |
A.S. Meeting D105A / D106 – 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
n Jan. 4, Wednesday M. Basketball vs. Palomar Harry West Gym – 5 p.m.
n Dec, 17, Saturday Last day of Fall semester
W. Basketball vs. Mesa Harry West Gym – 7 p.m.
n Dec. 13, Tuesday Jazz Live: Doug MacLeod Saville Theatre – 8 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
W. Basketball SDCC Knights Invitational Tournament Harry West Gym – 12 p.m.
n Jan. 13, Friday M. Basketball vs. Imperpial Valley Harry West Gym – 7 p.m.
n Dec. 14, Wednesday M. Basketball vs. Cuyamaca Harry West Gym – 5 p.m.
n Dec. 18, Sunday W. Basketball SDCC Knights Invitational Tournament Harry West Gym – 12 p.m.
n Jan. 20, Friday W. Basketball vs. Grossmont Harry West Gym – 7 p.m.
W. Basketball vs. Rio Hondo Harry West Gym – 7 p.m n Dec. 16, Friday W. Basketball SDCC Knights Invitational Harry West Gym – 11 a.m.
n Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 Campus Closed Campus operations will resume on Jan. 3
n Jan. 23, Monday Spring semester begins n Jan. 25, Wednesday W. Basketball vs. Mira Costa Harry West Gym – 7 p.m.
Peeping Tom remains in custody
• Complete your degree in less than two years.
n Dec. 9, Friday A.S. Metting D-105A/D-106 – 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. M. Basketball vs. Mesa Harry West Gym – 5 p.m.
VENTURA COUNTY | ONLINE
sighted at the Centre City Continuing Education building on the corner of Park Blvd. and Russ Blvd. not in the Fitness Center as previously reported. Centre City offers a variety of vocational and certificate
programs. The office manager was not available for further comments on the situation. The Centre City Continuing Education facilities will be closed for the winter break. The end of the fall semester
there is on Jan. 28. The spring semester will begin on Feb. 1, 2012. For more information regarding vocational and certificate classes offered at Centre City please visit http://sdce.edu/
12697
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
PAY OFF
YOUR EDUCATION Tuition costs shouldn’t stop you from reaching your goals in life. By joining the Army National Guard, you’ll receive the money you need to help pay for college as well as the skills and training you need to get the career you want. If you’re looking to get through college, with the Army National Guard, you can!
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9/1/11 11:03 AM
December 6, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com
News
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ASG embraces the needy, donates goods By Alec Fernandes Correspondent
Website gives residents a voice in the future regional planning of San Diego Daniela Solano, City Times
What should SD be like? Website allows people to vote for how region should grow By Joseph Stremlau City Times If you were in complete control of San Diego, would you be running it differently? San Diego lovers are now able to put in their two cents on what they want San Diego County to look like in the future. The San Diego Foundation, an organization that wishes to improve the quality of life for Greater San
Diego, has started a conversation online where San Diegans can give their input. ShowYourLoveSD.org compiles nearly two years of research and input from the local community. The four categories that people are able to share their voice on are community and culture, jobs and economy, learning, and future scenarios. Hot topics such as redeveloping Qualcomm Stadium, a new university in Chula Vista, and easing height restrictions near the coast will be discussed in the forum. Heading the project is Bill Geppert, a recently retired vice president and
regional manager of Cox Communications. He currently holds the position of acting president of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. “This is an opportunity to have input into our future,” Geppert said. “It’s an opportunity to have a voice about what kind of San Diego we want in the next 40 to 50 years out that our kids and grandkids will live in, where they will live, work and play. It’s the chance to shape what’s possible in the future.”
The interactive website gives a several options so users can express what is most important to them in the future development of the San Diego region. Once a user has completed their “vision of the future” they will be able to compare it with everyone else in the region that has also taken the survey. The website is available in both English and Spanish. When the survey comments have been compiled they will be shared with government officials.
Offer your opinion at ourgreatersandiegovision.org
College students from across San Diego gathered to support the third annual Embrace the Streets event on Nov. 12. The charity drive, hosted by the Embrace organization, provided the local homeless population with blankets, clothing, and food at a distribution site on the corner of 16th Street and Island Avenue. City College students worked with SDSU, UCSD, and USD students to feed the homeless and keep them warm during the cold winter nights. City College gathered goods during its clothing, blanket and sheet drive hosted on campus from Oct. 31 through Nov. 4. Among the City College organizers was Public Relations Officer Juan Carlos Cruz, who believes that being homeless doesn’t take away one’s dignity. “I don’t like to call them homeless,” Cruz said. “I like to call them economically challenged.” Tents were set up at the event so that those in need could shelter themselves from the bad weather.
“The most moving part for me was that it was raining,” Cruz said. “Living on the streets is hard, but no matter what your situation is, there are programs out there that can help.” According to an Embrace press release, “Embrace is a nonprofit organization… [that] creates a community outreach/service-learning model that utilizes college students to remedy problems within civilian and veteran communities on a volunteer basis.” Trung Nguyen, president of the Inter-Club Council at City College, was also present at the event. “[The most meaningful part] was handing out clothes to the homeless,” Nguyen said. “You might think [old clothes] are just trash, but the homeless would be happy to have it.” Those wanting to get involved with the Embrace organization or with other charitable organizations affiliated with City College may contact Cruz at 619-388-3353. “You meet great people and form great relationships,” Cruz said. “I want the school to know that we’re out there kicking ass for our students and the community.”
‘De-stress’ ‘Occupiers’ ponder future before finals By Cecelia Areta City Times
By Jorge Benitez City Times James Dale is not going away. The 24-year-old has been a participant in Occupy San Diego for two months and plans to continue despite the police decision to remove the camp. ¨I’m going to be here until the end,” said Dale on Nov. 28 in front of the Civic Center. “It doesn’t matter if they like it or not.” San Diego police began to clear the dozens of tents that had been set up in front of the center since Oct. 7. Unsanitary conditions and unlawful camping are the main reasons why the camps have been removed. Authorities have closed camps and arrested participants across the country, including Occupy Wall Street, which launched this movement. It is uncertain of what is going to happen next. Protesters are evaluating the situation and deciding what the main goal will be. In San Diego, at least one hundred have been arrested; many claim they have had their belongings taken away
First Year Experience is hosting a “De-stress for Finals” event in Gorton Quad from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Workshops on study skills and relaxation activities will be offered, as well as free yoga and meditation sessions in rooms D-105 and D-102. The Humane Society will also hold a special pet ther-
CEO Continued from Page 1
Ray Lutz defies police instruction and set up a table to register voters Nov. 24. He was arrested the next day for trespassing. Jorge Benitez, City Times and in some cases beaten up by police. Only a few dozen people appear to be committed to continuing the Occupy San Diego effort, Dale being one of them. Originally from Riverside, Dale served in the Army for four years and has been involved in Occupy San Diego for two months.
On the afternoon that Dale spoke, Ray Lutz a former congressional candidate, set up a table to register protesters for voting. Police officers who are under constant surveillance of protesters, immediately jumped in and said that Lutz had no right of having his booth set up in front of Civic Center Plaza.
Lutz argued that he was in private property and that officers could not do anything about it. Lutz was arrested the following day by building guards for trespassing and refusing to leave. Protesters will continue to march and chant, according to Dale and other activists.
He later became an Executive Vice President for the Price Company in 1978. After leaving the Price Company in 1983, Sinegal co-founded Costco with Seattle retailer Jeff Brotman. “I wanted to take a chance to build a business of my own,” he said. Since building a multimillion dollar empire, Sinegal has remained an advocate for low prices and high quality. “That’s the model for a business, better quality and low prices,” he said.
apy session. Vendors like 5-hour Energy and Activate water will be holding booths, as well as giving away free samples. This event is open to all City College students. To secure a spot in one of the sessions or for more information, visit the F.Y.E. office in room L-206, open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 p.m. to 12 p.m.
Today, Costco is valued at over $38 billion. That’s quite a feat for someone with humble community college beginnings. Sinegal also shared some advice that could help out current and future students looking to become entrepreneurs. “Get involved in something that you love and can be passionate about, then find someone in that field that you admire to become your mentor,” he said. Community college is a place for opportunity and advancement. Jim Sinegal shows just what hard work and determination can get you.
www.sdcitytimes.com | December 6, 2011
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Life War, ghosts and helping local veterans By Jennifer Manalili City Times Maurice Martin is a student who has used his past as a veteran to start a second life at City College as director of the campus’s chapter of Veterans for Peace. “He has a tremendous heart,” said J. Allan Ruhman, a Vietnam veteran that met Martin three years ago. “At times it’s hard to imagine he can give so much of himself to others given his own life trials.” Mental illness, homelessness and drug addiction were some of the trails faced by Martin.. These experiences are what allow him to help veterans recover from pain he felt so vividly before. “You can’t read about it in a book, movies do it no justice, speaking of it in stories gives no clue to the horror.” Martin said. Martin was born in Chicago and adopted by a couple in their 60’s, both strong figures in the civil rights movement. While his parents worked, he was shuffled between family members. He found his niche in martial arts but struggled with what he thinks was undiagnosed mental illness. “It led to my parents and
the law to thinking that the Army was a better choice for me. John Wayne movies, the cool uniform and the promises that the recruiters made ... got me in,” Martin said. It’s the same kind of glorified picture of war that he hopes to steer others away from now as he speaks to middle and high school students through the Project on Youth and Non-Military Opportunities and the Education Not Arms Coalition. Martin was 17 when left for South America. He survived his tour but did not return unscathed. “You’re out in the middle of nowhere with equipment to take on just about anything the world has to offer,” Martin said. “…Throw in a little fear, a dash of anger, and retribution and it leaves you with little to hang onto your humanity.” Martin found as a stunt man and as security for a number of major music acts and tours. He traveled the country as a successful martial arts tournament fighter. Along the way he became a father. He lost it all in a “long, agonizing time span” when trauma from the war became too much to bear. Stays in state institutions and jail, the drugs and alco-
Maurice Martin speaks at the Veterans Day event held in Gorton Quad. Troy Orem, City Times hol became part of Martin’s lifeuntil “the nightmares came bleeding through the high.” The end came in the form of a police escorted ambulance heading towards a VA hospital. “I was found hiding in some bushes and holding a knife, ready to pounce on anyone who didn’t care about what I went through,” Martin said.
With the help the unlikely trio, his ex-wife and two exgirlfriends, Martin finally got help. It’s the kind of second chance Martin hopes to help others grasp. “I came to school to learn to ask better questions and not so much in search of answers,” he said. Now, Martin is an Honors student and Treasurer for Phi
Theta Kappa, and member of B.E.A.T. But it’s City’s student chapter of Veterans for Peace that is most important to him. The organization, consisting of veterans of different wars, is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the consequences of war while offering alternatives. “We create a safe harbor. We provide support and
Forty years of hairdos and don’ts By William T. Harcourt City Times City College’s cosmetology program is designed to provide entry-level skills to students who are interested in a career in the cosmetology profession. Students are taught the fundamental practices and procedures of the service by a handful of subject matter experts. One such expert is Constance Calhoun, a professor who’s been teaching cosmetology at City College for the past 19 years. Calhoun was born in Stockton in 1948. She later moved to San Diego after earning an English degree from the University of California Davis and a cosmetology instructor’s license from the state 1970. “By the time I got my bachelor’s degree, I had already been working in cosmetology for over 3 years,” Calhoun said. At 20 years old, Calhoun was already the proud owner of a salon in Stockton, a business she later sold after her move to San Diego. “It became more of a challenge to try to juggle the business and purse a teaching career here. I had to let it go,” Calhoun said. Once in San Diego, she took various teaching jobs in beauty schools across the county and, in 1992, was hired by City College. “There were a lot of differ-
referrals for our veteran students while not leaving our veterans in the civilian community on the streets,” Martin said. Veterans for Peace makes an effort to offer access to clean water, shelter, health care, mentoring and jobs. They also hand out ponchos, back packs, and sleeping bags to the homeless and offer an Adopt a Veteran program. These efforts includes a partnership with Amikas, a helping house for homeless veteran women, and working to bring a Workers Rights Center to campus. Martin is a SDCC Workers Rights Center Intern with AFT and the Employment Rights Center. He also works in prison ministry, inmate reentry and mental health service programs. Flipping what was painful over on itself is the only way Martin has been able to release the pain of his past and save others while also saving himself. “I know where the pot holes are and which roads will cause the least harm and danger... I can point the way,” said Martin. “Sometimes just knowing you are not alone makes all the difference,” he said.
Students armed with language skills speak out By Brennan MacLean City Times
C. Pool gets the flat-iron treatment at the cosmotology lab, where he has been a patron for 15 years. Troy Orem, City Times
ences back then: the students wore more larger hairdos, from the peacock look to the huge updos,” she explains “...now the looks are not all conservative, but more professional; I see more longer hairdos on students these days.” Change has not spared having an effect on gender, as the number of male students in her classes have risen over the years. “I now have about 13 men, of various ages, in my classes, a big difference from when I first started teaching here nearly 20 years ago,” Calhoun said. “My first class at City College had just one male at the time.”
Calhoun passion for teaching is evidently just as strong as her passion for cosmetology. “I always wanted to share my knowledge with up-and-coming cosmetologist,” she said “… with time and experience that I’ve gained in doing so, I know this was what I want to do for the rest of my life.” Calhoun now teaches both intermediate and advance levels of cosmetology, specializing in facial care, hairstyling, and hair cutting studies. She conducts two advance labs in the field, as well. “The [labs] allow students to really learn the proper procedures of actually performing
cosmetology; it sure is a science in its own right,” Calhoun said. Calhoun’s dedication to teaching and her keen attention to her students’ academic needs are quite clear in the way she leads her classes. Her years of knowledge, experience, and dedication to her craft and as an instructor at City College has made her an asset to the college and serves as an inspiration to the students she teaches. “She’s very disciplined,” said Ariel Jackson, a student in Calhoun’s Advance Cosmetology Lab.,”She takes a lot of time to listen to us. She’s just an awesome teacher.”
A classroom on the City College campus houses young, vibrant students striving to obtain a well rounded education. The City foreign languages department encompasses Arabic, Latin, Chinese, French, German, Vietnamese, Japanese, Russian, Tagalog, and Spanish. With many options to choose from, students take language courses for many different reasons. “I believe communication is the key to reducing tension among countries and cultures. I have taken Spanish and Arabic classes. When I meet people from countries that speak these languages, I feel the tension dissipate,” said Laura Tate a Russian 101 student. In the R building, students enrolled in a Russian class prepare for the course instructed by Professor Sofia Laurein, Department Chair of History and Political Science. This introductory Russian 101 course is designed to stimulate student’s minds in a fun and interactive way. Laurein focuses on basic grammatical rules which she says can be slightly tedious. As a way to escape the tedium, Laurein introduces amusing anecdotes that lighten the mood and offer entertainment to the students. “I find her to be more interesting than all of my other instructors at City College. I like her method of teaching and the various topics she discusses,” said Jeffrey Seper, her student. Laurein has been a professor at City College since 2006. She received two degrees in Philology from Odessa State University and See Russian, page 5
December 6, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com
Life/Arts
5
‘Breaking Dawn’ barely bearable “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1” feels just as heavy as it’s lengthy title and doesn’t deliver much. The fourth installment in the “Twilight” series revolves around an idea that seems too far fetched even for a series that relies on larger than life werewolves and vampires that don’t burn but sparkle in the sunlight. The film centers around the birth of a half-vampire, half-human baby. The sequel opens right where it’s predecessor, “Eclipse,” left off as Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her vampire fiancee Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) prepare for their much anticipated wedding. On the other hand, her friend and other suitor werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), has seemingly disappeared, hurt by Bella’s decision to marry Edward and become immortal. For once, everyone is allowed to be happy for at least a little while here. The love triangle that the saga heavily relied on in “New Moon” and “Eclipse” is gone and it’s refreshing to see the series return to it’s vampire/human love story roots from the first “Twilight.” The wedding scene, a beautifully shot slow buildup to the alter, is especially wonderful. The teen angst that was heavily present in the previous films seems to vanish too as Bella and Edward both seem content to finally marry, leave their families behind, and embark on their honeymoon and new lives together. For a brief moment, Bella and Edward are able to spend time like a normal couple but this is also where “Breaking Dawn” takes a sharp turn
Russian Continued from Page 4 a P.h.D in World History from Moscow Humanities University. “ Professor Laurein is one of my favorite professors and has a very good method of teaching a foreign language. I work in the healthcare field and it makes me feel good when I can help patients that speak other languages. I currently speak English, Spanish, and Korean. Russian just seemed like an interesting language to learn,” said Mario Gonzalez her student. Several walks of life cross paths in the classroom. Students taking Russian for mere interest converse with students learning the language for their careers. It’s a mix of varying motivations that come together in a productive, thought provoking way. “The main reason I took Russian 101 was because it seemed the most appropriate foreign language for my degree in aerospace engineering since Russian air and spacecraft tech is as modern as the USA,” said Seper. Foreign language classes at City College offer curriculum ranging from introductory courses to advanced levels of study thus enabling students to expand in their ability to communicate on a global scale.
REVIEW
Jennifer Manalili and goes from being a young adult series to what can be perceived as an argument for anti-abortion and pro-life. Bella and Edward finally consummate their relationship, something three books and movies worth of material have been leading up to, but their carefree time together is short lived as Bella quickly finds out she’s pregnant. Edward becomes fearful because vampire myths say nothing about the possibility of such a child. His wife on the other hand stays determined, adamant that she must keep the baby even if delivering it runs the risk of killing her before Edward can change her into a vampire and save her. The dialogue even reflects this notion as the members of Edward’s family debate whether to refer to Bella’s future child as “the fetus” or “the baby.” Less than an hour into the movie and Stewart’s blushing bride is reduced to a pale, ghastly version of herself. The CGI effects are used well here. As Bella’s pregnancy goes on she grows weaker before the audience’s eyes; her appearance more frail, thin and sickly as the movie goes on. It’s clear that carrying the baby is killing her slowly from the inside out. Meanwhile, the werewolves are reduced to background noise as Jacob leaves his pack and sides with the Cullens, vowing to help them protect Bella from his own family. This alliance is probably disap-
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart return to their roles in the penultimate Twilight film. Summit Entertainment pointing to the small male fan base that “Eclipse” was able to win over last year with it’s action scenes. This time the film packs all but one fight sequence and relies heavily on characters doing a whole lot of nothing as they wait for Bella to go into labor. When the film finally picks up, it nose dives into science fiction territory with a gory, violent birth scene that could even make a few horror movie fans proud and proves impressive even with it’s PG-13 rating restriction. It’s easily the most interesting scene. “Breaking Dawn” could be the best film out of the entire “Twilight’ franchise but that isn’t saying much.
It feels like an entirely different film from the rest of the series and it’s simply hard to believe that this is the direction the story takes. Perhaps this is also why the two male leads, Lautner and Pattinson, seem barely believable in their portrayals even though they’ve endured a series worth of time to get to know their characters. Stewart is the only one who seems to have shown some growth in her acting. Unlike a movie like “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” which was also split into two films, “Breaking Dawn” suffers from a lot of filler and not enough substance to carry it’s running time of two hours.
Where “Potter” was successful because it had many things happening at the same time, “Breaking Dawn” simply has nothing going on. At it’s best, the film’s only triumph is that it’s able to take a ridiculous novel and turn it into a slightly bearable movie going experience. And thanks to director Bill Condon’s (“Dreamgirls,” “Chicago”) help, it all ends with a cliffhanger that is sure to leave the audience wondering what the next and final installment will bring when it’s released next year.
Professor’s novel performed in Saville ‘Finding Emilie’ reading showcases the many talents of City College’s students and faculty By Brennan MacLean Contributer The famous Voltaire and his less known lover Emilie du Chatelet were brought to life in a wonderfully entertaining play featuring City College students and faculty in the Saville Theatre Nov. 14. The event was a showcase of City College’s artistic talents and a celebration of professor Laurel Corona’s novel titled, “Finding Emilie.” Published in April, the fictional book tells a story of Emilie’s daughter Stanislas-Adelaide and her search to learn of her mother who died six days after giving birth. Emilie, a scandalous intellectual of her time in 18th century France, grasped all too well the constraints women faced in the scientific community. Known in history as daughter to the Baron de Breteuil, the principal secretary of ambassadors to Louis XIV, and as Voltaire’s assistant, she had other roles: that of habitual gambler, squanderer, and seductress helped to mold the legacy that is Emilie du Chatelet. She enjoyed intellectual debate, but being a women she was barred from the Academy of Sciences as well as coffeehouses where such conversations took place. Losing no courage, she simply dressed as a man in order to participate. During her time, women did not receive recognition for contributions to science. Eventually, though, she came from behind the shadow of Voltaire and published a great scientific work,
the translation, commentary and mathematical appendices for Newton’s Principia Mathematica. Her inspiring tale motivated Corona to publicize her achievements. “Women in history have contributed so much more than they’re given credit for,” said Corona, a City College humanities professor and an award winning author. The performance began with an informative introduction by the Department Chair of History and Political Science, Sofia Laurein. Her witty presentation helped the audience gain a clear image of who Emilie was.
The show was a staged reading in which actors portrayed the relationship between Voltaire and Emilie. Francois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire was played by Jeff Smith, who said he could relate to his character. “I am actually married to the woman who plays Emilie, she is my wife. We hope this show will awaken people about the book,” he said. Smith’s wife, Sally Tinker Smith felt it was important for the audience to take with them an important moral concerning the role of Emilie. “Women finding their voice and having an interest in science makes me feel grateful. If you have something to say, than say it, you’re free to,” she said. The character of Georges-Louis Leclerc Comte de Buffon was played by a familiar name on campus: Terrence Burgess, president of City College. Buffon was a French naturalist and encyclopedic author in the 18th century. The scene included Buffon and Lili conversing about the classification of a butterfly. Being his first time on stage, Burgess felt he filled his character’s shoes quite uncomfortably. “I practiced wearing high heels. My white wig made it very hot. I was definitely in character. What a great experience. My first time acting in high heels and a wig,” Burgess said. The play was an elegant display of the romance that lasted for fifteen years. Corona’s goal was to bring to life the two famous characters in a way that inspired audiences. “It makes me wonder how many other Emilies there are out there. I would hope for women in the audience to become their own Emilie,” Corona said. Copies of “Finding Emilie” were sold at the show and all proceeds were donated to the City Works publication. Copies of the book are on sale now at bookstores.
www.sdcitytimes.com | December 6, 2011
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VOICE Good customer service is on the customers Customer service is a topic of much heated discussion in the media and with many companies. Service review sites such as Yelp, Angies List and Super Pages make searching for customer friendly businesses much more accessible. When consumers find businesses with services or products that are below satisfactory there can be immediate feedback or retaliation with Facebook posts, Twitter updates, and review site posts. The days of person to person customer service are dead. The boom of modern technology leaves those that yearn for outstanding customer service representatives in the dark. Automated call centers, touch to order kiosks and online purchasing sites don’t require the human interaction that many consumers are used to. Even in many grocery stores there is an option for self-checkout where the customer can bypass the cashier and complete a transaction on their own. Many consumers have become numb to the daily of face to face interactions of making a transaction. There is no friendly greeting at the door, there is no attendant there to help you find the product you desire. Businesses have dropped their customer service model and have replaced it with a transaction efficiency model. You go in, pick out your item, pay and leave. Consumers are so quick to besmirch the name of businesses due to the lack of a great customer service experience, but they do not look at
EDITORIAL City Times Editorial Board
the reality behind an automated checkout counter. When you go to scan your can of Monster you leave the business not thinking anything of the transaction but the fact that you got the product you wanted. If any problems arise from the automated transaction consumers are left with a negative experience. With online shopping consumers can now find exactly what they want online and never have to deal with a single person to get it. A sense of entitlement and availability is created in many consumers mind’s. If a person knows exactly what they want and choose it to buy it in store, problems arise when to store is out of stock. After all the product is available else where, and comparative items are not what are wanted. Regardless of customer service, the patron has had a bad experience. It may not be that customer service is dead but more that we as consumers expect what we want, and we expect it now, because that is what Amazon gives us. For every positive review that is posted for a business there may be five negative review. You may have experienced this phenomenon yourselves. You hear your friends or family members complaining about a product or service before you hear about any good comments they may have about their day.
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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
California DREAM Act supporters rally near Lincoln High in September. Alexandra Mendoza, SanDiegoRed.com
Woman dreams of her future “Que se siente ser legal? (What does it feels like to be legal?)” Susy asked Noel after learning that he became a legal U.S. resident. That’s the type of question an undocumented immigrant asks. The story of Susy, a City College student, is one of living years apart from her mother and coping with being in the country illegally. She is one of thousands of capable students in San Diego County, and millions across the United States living the nightmare of not knowing their future. Susy was 8 years old when her mother emigrated from Guerrero to the United States to search for a bette job to support her two kids, who stayed with their grandmother. Her mother’s absence kept Susy in a state of permanent grief. After two years, she begged her mother to return. Her mother decided that they had to be reunited and arranged for smugglers to bring her into the country. Susy took an airplane trip alone to Tijuana, where she was transported to a dark house. As soon as she walked in,
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SOCIAL MEDIUM
Sandra Galindo
she noticed other children and adults waiting anxiously, many dreaming of reuniting with family, others of earning enough money to send their families. Along the way, the smuggler gave her a new identity and told her to practice words in English and to answer “San Diego” when asked where she was born. Finally after two days, the moment to cross through the port of entry arrived, but the Customs agent did not ask her any questions, and like that she was in. The last stop was at a Jack in the Box. She recognized her mother, who was praying. Hugs, kisses and tears of joy to recover the two years they had lost. But Susy’s new life in San Diego was hard. She had to learn a difficult language and
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new customs. She felt separated from all those people who spoke so differently from her, insensitive to her pain of being ashamed of not being able to communicate. She began to fail in her classes. Someone told Susy that since she had no papers, she would never do anything. That depressed her even more. Fortunately, she met some advisers at her high school that changed her life. They were from the Chicano Student Movement from Aztlan and MEChA and they explained to her how the DREAM Act would help undocumented students to pursue their education. The DREAM Act is a bipartisan legislation that would give undocumented students who grew up in the United States a chance to attend public colleges and universities and apply for public financial aid. The act did not make it into law. A few months ago Gov. Jerry Brown took a stand for immigrants’ rights when he signed the California DREAM Act, a similar legislation to the DREAM Act. Susy is the first in her family to receive a high
school diploma, and the first to go to college. She has become an activist for the rights of undocumented (this is a note for me) students. According to the White House Blog, on December 2010, stated that passing the DREAM Act at the national level will allow students to live up to their fullest potential and contribute to the economic growth of this country. Students like Susy are the future of America. She is a full-time student who plans to enter nursing at UCLA. She and the millions of others will assume the jobs when Baby Boomers retire. Her work as a waitress help pay for books, but she also helps her mother financially. The California DREAM Act is only one of the many steps in the civil rights movement that we need to enact. We need to continue supporting the education of undocumented students in the United States. Ten years have passed since Susy arrived in this country. Susy has become stronger and gained a voice. Susy is taking honors classes and she looks forward to the day she knows what it feels like to be a legal.
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
December 6, 2011 | www.sdcitytimes.com
30-year break is over My name is Michael Wheeler. I am 52 years old and decided to go back to school. I have not been in school since I graduated from San Diego High School in 1978.
PERSPECTIVE Michael Wheeler
This is not what I expected, being disabled with six screws in my lower back after an industrial accident. Being very proud, I decided not to use the services for disabled students at City Collage. Walking to my classes and not being very familiar with the campus is a real struggle for me. I am taking three classes and seeing all the young adults on campus makes me see that it has been a while since I've been in school. I find the young adults are very friendly and outgoing. Sitting through class in pain, taking medication and trying to stay focused, I am getting through the semester with fair grades. For me what I see different in the classroom is the technology that is being used. I am used to doing assignments in class and not so much note taking. Other older students in my classes agree that keeping up with the lectures in class and taking notes at such a fast pace makes it difficult to keep up. The teachers are very aware of the older students in their classes and are willing to work with them before and after class. I am enjoying my first year experience being back in school, it has been worth all I have gone through this semester and I am looking forward to the next semester. Well if you happen to be a bit older and are thinking about returning to school my advice would be to go for it. What do you have to lose? But more importantly what you have to gain?
Voice
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Has customer service died? It is alive and well Customer service isn’t dead. It may be hard to believe, what with so many websites dedicated to customer service ratings, all it takes is a quick scan of the “Yelps” of the Internet to see that the glowing reviews are far more scarce than the scathing ones. Good reviews are such a rarity in fact, review sites like Yelp.com will actually filter out the reviews and responses from people whom open an account just to post a good review, determining these reviews to be most likely a friend or someone who has a vested interest in the place succeeding. Sadly, this means if someone were to log on to give a server a glowing review, it would most likely be rendered invisible to others viewing that particular venue. To put it simply, customer servers that exhibit a complete lack of talent get a big old spotlight, but the ones that do a superb job get relegated to the shadows. One of the main problems with the typical “review” is that it is used to state a problem with that particular venue, and is very rarely implemented in a way to give kudos to the person whom you interacted with. This kind of “reviewing” plagues the marketplace of nearly every service oriented job by only bringing forth the worst of a place of business or a customer server and rendering the positives of a place nonexistent. The detriment with this system, is not the reviews, but the reviewers. Humans as a species
CON
Troy Orem
respond to negative stimuli far more readily than that of positive stimuli. We are much more likely to pursue a course of comment if we have been “mistreated” than if we had been expertly taken care of. Its enough to say people are very unlikely to ask to see their waiters manager if they’ve been doing a good job. There is more to the customer service industry than reviews however, for in its simplest form customer service is the interaction between one person and another. Sadly, reviews tell very little of the actual story. As a society our standards for customer service have been set quite low. Anyone who’s had to be in a Department of Motor Vehicles office for any period of time will know that being amicable is very low on the list of priorities. The “take a number” approach to customer service has left a negative stain on the psyche of wouldbe customers. It doesn’t really matter what the venue is, it doesn’t really matter who the person serving you is, it could be the cashier at a clothing store, or the waiter at a nice family restaurant, people will go out of their way to be downright mean to the person who is tending to their needs. It is this that is really hurting customer service most of all.
*Source: Zogby International
Question by Jorge Benitez Photos by Troy Orem
What do you think about customer service?
Illustration by Anulak Singphiphat, City Times
It is getting worse “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.” This quote by Walt Disney, should resonate to all who interact with customers and wish to succeed. From the outside looking in, business models with slogans such as “Have it your way” (Burger King) and “Expect more” (Wal-mart) you think would have great customer service models. However, Burger King had an 11 percent customer satisfaction rating and Wal-mart scored even lower according to Consumer Reports. This is not to pick on a select two businesses, think of the other times you have had a horrible customer service experience, perhaps it can even be recently. When going through the financial aid office at City College, how long did you wait in line to speak to someone who did not even look at you through the window, only for them to refer you to somewhere else? Some people have come to expect a horrible visit when visiting anything run by the government, however the low levels of customer service definitely don’t stop there. High-end brands as well don’t
PRO
Joseph Stremlau seem to offer any better customer care then their lower competitors. Going to an Apple store recently at Fashion Valley mall not only did I have an hour wait (even after making an appointment online the night before), but was greeted by a rude woman who made me feel as though I was cutting into her time. Too often we let these bad experiences slip by, only to have the next person experience the same service. Bad customer service is all around us and it is only going to escalate with the way we the people react to it. Anyone that argues that customer service is still alive and well must be either working in a customer service job themselves, or haven’t traveled out of their homes for quite some time. This is not promoting you be rude to the worker, however it’s their job to provide a service that results in a good experience. If they say it isn’t their job, don’t you believe that workplace should find someone else who makes it their job?
Guadalupe Cervantes 19 Psychology
Greg 26 Art
David 26 Nursing
“It should be inviting, pleasant and put issues aside because they tend to get angry”
“It depends on their mood; they have to deal with angry customers, and have to react differently”
“People don’t acknowledge you anymore, and everyone has become rude in general”
Jamie Scott 23 years old Child Development “It’s good in general, but not as much as it used to be”
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Life
www.sdcitytimes.com | December 6, 2011
Homeless doesn’t mean helpless
People pass by the collections of carts, blankets and other belongings, that have become the closest thing to a home for those with no home. Troy Orem, City Times By Kevin Stover City Times Jeff Walker remembers the hunger. “When I was hungry and had a long day of job hunting and going to school” he recalled. “Hunger is such a downer, and it makes situations feel so much worse than they really are.” It’s a feeling that dogged Walker for days at a time when he was a City College student 2 years ago. He had returned to San Diego to study, but lacking a job left him homeless and at times hungry. But for several weeks during fall semester 2009 he was struggling to find a job and a place to live, all while trying to get through his courses. Experts say there are around 9,000 homeless people in San Diego county, many of which are downtown alone sleeping in places like under B Street bridge. When speaking with Walker you would never think that at one point in his life he was forced to sleep on couches, floors, and in the worst case scenario his car under the highway on B street right across from the campus. He moved back to San Diego from his mothers house in northern Oregon with hopes of attending San Diego State University, but first he needed to complete a semester at City college before he could be admitted. At the time of his arrival he
had no job, no home, and little money to live off. He attended classes all day and searched for jobs after school. Walker explained “I kept my clothes in the trunk (of my car), and had a folder full of resumes.” He knew if things got to
“Negativity will get you nowhere in life … You never know who is having a low time in their life … My advice is to treat everyone as if they have had struggles in their life just like you, because I bet you they have.”
few lawschools and is trying to decide which is best for him. He is working in real estate and lives in a nice apartment downtown. Like Walker, there are students facing these same hardships everyday at City College. Sgt. Jordan Mirakian of the San Diego City College Police Department believes some homeless may even enroll in a minimum of one class so they have access to the facilities, health care, and Learning Resource Center. Julie Tunnell, accounting professor at City College, was
Walker’s professor during this period of his life. “I remember Jeff as a very intelligent young man with strong analytical skills. He did very well on his exams and papers,”Tunnel said. “Jeff was fairly quiet and soft-spoken, so to learn after the fact that he was facing such tremendous challenges while studying at City College is amazing. I am truly aweinspired to think of all that he accomplished in spite of his extremely difficult living situation. Jeff’s story is incredible and can and does happen at City College,” Tunnell added.
Walker realizes that there are many people out there who have had similar obstacles and much worse, and that many are still in those situations. “My goal would be for everyone to realize that no matter what you want to do in life is possible.” Walker said. “Negativity will get you nowhere in life … You never know who is having a low time in their life … My advice is to treat everyone as if they have had struggles in their life just like you, because I bet you they have.” Once Walker knew that
he had some money coming in he borrowed some money from a friend and moved into a place of his own. Walker described it as the highest point throughout the ordeal. “I got a good laugh when I looked at my closet and thought back to a few weeks before when those same clothes were crammed in my trunk. I realized that I had changed my whole situation from my sole perseverance and determination,” Walker said. “It feels good to see what you are made of as a person and overcome obstacles that seem almost impossible”.
bad he could make a phone call to family members and ask them for some assistance, but that was the last thing he wanted. “I have always believed that as long as I was alive and healthy I was better off than so many people in this world, so everything else was just extra,” Walker said. Today, Walker, age 27, has transferred from City College to San Diego State, and has recently been accepted to a The overpasses near City College ser ve as a shelter for many homeless people. Troy Orem, City Times