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May 8, 2012
UC TAG program to end By Fernando Yates City Times
Professor Ruby Wilson, leads a conga line through Gorton Quad during the Student Project and Research Symposium May 4. Troy Orem, City Times
Expo celebrates learning
Research and projects fill Gorton Quad By Brian Lett City Times
A high-energy exhibition showcasing the variety, shared experiences and scholastic development at City College exploded in a barrage of song, dance and creativity. The event, the 8th Annual Student Project and Research Symposium, was held on May 2 in Gorton quad and orchestrated by a committee of City directors and professors. New to this year’s symposium was the inclusion of the cosmetology department, which presented a fashion showcase about the history of cosmetology. Also present were numerous student created posters and presentations depicting informative research projects with topics ranging from civil rights and liberties to the life cycle of water. The students who researched and created these projects were selected from the classroom in subjects such as economics, english, biology and many others. Whether presenting topics tied to their heritage, like communications and speech pathology student Marco Batani’s poster “Border Education,” or out of interest in the topic, such as economics student Barry Cabistan’s presentation “Smoke Signals: A Signal for Change for Natives in Film,” the myriad displays went a long way to exemplify the versatility and prowess of City’s curriculum. Also represented was the art department. Their corner of the
The program that guarantees admission to transferring community college students to UC San Diego will end 2014. The cancellation of the program is a result of increasingly high volumes of applicants through the program as well steep cuts in state funding to the University of California system, according to administrators. Starting in the early 1980’s, UCSD’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) ensured admission to students from six regional districts who took specific courses and earned a 3.0 grade-point-average. Later the program would form agreements with 33 colleges in the state. Last spring UCSD officials raised the minimum GPA for TAG students to 3.5 from 3.0 in an attempt to lower the number of TAG applicants. Since 2008 the number of TAG applicants has increased to 8,715 in 2011 from 408. See TAG, page 3
AFT suing district for back pay By Benny A McFadden City Times
Cosmetology students use themselves and mannequin heads to demonstrate the different combinations of hairstyles and makeup they can achieve in their classes. Troy Orem, City Times quad displayed student-created masks, pottery and drawings of all types. Center quad was the biggest draw to the exhibition. It was here where the many performances were conducted throughout the event. Included was a martial arts display helmed by professor Jim Colbert, a fully choreographed dance routine performed by professor Ruby Wilson and her Zumba class, the aforementioned cosmetology fashion show, and a poetryreading presentation entitled “Spoken Word.” Rafael Alvarez, the MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) program director and lead organizer for the event, highlighted the mission and
purpose of the symposium. “To bring the learning outside the classroom and share it with the community, and to provide the presenters the opportunity to engage the community and share what they learned,” said Alvarez. “To expose City College.” Heidi Bunkowske, public information officer and member of the organizing committee, concurred with Alavarez, referring to City as “a smorgasbord of things to learn about.” She and Alvarez were excited about the continued success of the event over the years and enjoyed the feedback they were receiving from the students in attendance, particularly from those who were acquainted with the variety of everything offered
at City through their time at the symposium. Such was the sentiment expressed by Nancy Rico, a cosmetology student and participant who said spends most of her time at City closeted away in the V-building’s cosmetology department. Rico said she was introduced to various groups and activities she didn’t know about before coming to the event. Bunkowske additionally commented on Alvarez’s commitment to the project, saying “he brings (the symposium) to life and it wouldn’t be possible without him.” She jokingly added that immediately following the close of this, the eighth event, he’ll likely get straight to work on the ninth.
Part-time district employees who have been working without a contract at San Diego Community College District may receive retroactive pay and be entitled to permanent status thanks to a lawsuit by American Federation of Teachers (AFT) against the district. Wording in the California Education Code section 88003 is what sparked the lawsuit that has been tied up in court since 2009. The code states, “part-time playground positions, apprentices and professional experts employed on a temporary basis for a specific project, regardless of length of employment, shall not be a part of the classified service.” Classified service is the category that defines all employees with permanent contracts. The AFT suit claims the district has used this section of the code to underpay tutors and others with specialized technical skills that are See Union, page 3
www.sdcitytimes.com | May 8, 2012
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TAKE NOTE Inspiring future generations By Sandra Galindo City Times
Ashley Mittelman
Age 16 and graduating By Benny McFadden City Times City College can soon list 16-year-old Ashley Mittelman among its alumni. Mittelman graduated high school with the class of 2011 from Mount Shasta High School in what normally would have been her sophomore year. She achieved this feat by attending College of the Siskiyous, Mount Shasta’s local community college, full time at night after her high school classes. Moving to San Diego has not slowed her down either. She has been accepted on full scholarships to UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD. She will stick with one school this time around, going for a doctorate of pharmacy at UCSD. Psychology, her first choice of major, will be her minor. Mittelman changed her major when she realized being a children’s counselor would not pay as well as going into the pharmaceutical industry. Mittelman looks equally wise to the grades she has pulled her whole life. She carries herself and speaks about the world as if she is already 22, the age she will be when she plans to finish her 6-year doctorate degree. Watching her mother work two full-time jobs when she was a child is what inspired her to want to go to college. “I didn’t want to put my kids through that one day,” said Mittelman, “where I couldn’t even see them.” According to Mittelman, many people from Mount Shasta never leave the area and very few go on to further their education after high school. The drug culture in the small city of a little more than 3,000 people also kept her away from people her own age in her hometown. “I saw that around me. People into drugs. I didn’t want to be a part of that,” she said. The combination of wanting to escape the small town she grew up in with wanting to be the first college graduate in her family was enough to keep pushing her no matter how heavy the workload got. Both of her parents are
immigrants to the United States., her mother from Peru and her father from Holland. The teen speaks fluently in English, Spanish, German and is trying to learn French. “I taught myself German,” Mittelman said matter-offactly, as if learning foreign languages is as easy as her early graduation from City College. “I like to do a lot of work. I do everything quickly and I just like to always have something to do,” Mittelman said. That work ethic and a maturity level beyond her physical age is what Rosemarie Robinson, Mittelman’s first counselor at City, spoke about in an e-mail to “City Times.” “I remember the 16-yearold who sat in my office last summer 2011, who spoke to me. Her mom did not do the talking. Ashley spoke to me about what she had accomplished during her high school years,” said Robinson. She also said that Mittelman is an inspiration and a positive role model in a world sometimes lacking in positive influences. “I watch the news daily. The media shows every day the many destructive things children do. How often do you or I hear about children 16 years old being a success? How often do we hear about academic success?” Along with her academic success, transfer to UCSD and $20,000 scholarship, Mittelman was president of the Future Leader club at City and participated in numerous activities outside of her regular class work. Robinson gives Mittelman credit for locating sponsors and vendors for City’s student relaxation and stress event. Handling stress certainly is something Mittelman knows about. She also warned others who might emulate her achievements to not bite off more than they chew. “I gave up my life to do what I did,” Mittelman said unsympathetically regarding the years she would regularly be in classes twelve hours a day, five days a week. “But I don’t regret it.”
Selena Juarez-Alvarado is a 28-year-old military wife and mother of two daughters, ages 13 and 9 years old. It took her seven years to obtain her degree in Biology and Health with a 3.5 GPA; she is the first college graduate in her family this spring. She has her hands full. With her husband deployed, she takes care of their two kids, has been a full-time student for the last two years, and is the PTA president at Vista La Mesa Academy and Girl Scout leader. Some would consider her lucky because she does not have to work outside the home. But at a young age, she had to make her own decisions and take her future into her hands. She said that at the age of fourteen she left her home due to years of sexual abuse and witnessing domestic violence. She was pregnant with her boyfriend’s child and they decided to live together. Juarez took the birth of her daughter as if she was given a second chance in life. “When I was pregnant, I could feel that mother-daughter love. My daughter saved me; she gave me that love
that I really needed.” She had to mature fast and take control of her own destiny, defying statistics that predicted that the young couple would not survive together. They have been together for 15 years. “I and my husband are very strong; we go hiking, we have dates.” She got her life back on track and is hoping to transfer to Cal State-San Marcos or the nursing program at Grossmont College, whichever comes first. Selena’s goal is to earn a Master’s of Science in nursing and be a nurse practitioner. “I am a scientist, but I am more a people’s person; I am somebody that cares. I chose this career because it is a different kind of interaction. I am going to help sick people in those crucial times.” She was reluctant about participating at the graduation ceremony, but her 13 year-old daughter told her, “Mom, you have to walk.” “I believe that seeing me will inspire other students to think… ‘I can do it too.’ ” And definitely she will be sending them a message about tenacity, hard work and perseverance, but above all, about the importance of education. When asked why she decided to celebrate her grad-
Selena Juarez-Alvarado. Troy Orem, City Times uation in a Chicano-Latina graduation, she said professor Enrique Davalos opened her eyes. “He inspired me with his classes; he made me proud of who I am; of my ethnicity, since we have had so many restrictions.” “I want to inspire my daughters about my culture. I am proud of being a Chicana; but it shouldn’t matter our race, but meeting our goals.” Juarez joined the MESA Program at City College with director Rafael Alvarez. There, he inspired her to want to achieve; it completely changed her outlook in the supporting system at City College.
Juarez says that instructors have a saying at the Mesa Program: “Be a creator and not a victim; making excuses is not going to get you anywhere.” Her husband, Jesus Alvarado, 29, works in a Navy hospital and is taking biology at City College. He will be graduating in fall 2013.
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Profile of Michael Cash
Crack City By Michele Suthers
CALENDAR Compiled by Victor Hernandez Get your event in the paper. Email us at citytimes@gmail.com or call 619-388-3880
n May 9, Wednesday Transfer Success Workshop, 2:00p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at A-103 n May 10, Thursday Seeds@City Farm Stand, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Curran Plaza n May 11, Friday EOPS Graduation Reception, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at D121 A/B Random Acts of Dance, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Saville Theatre, $10
n May 12, Saturday Chicano/Latina Graduation Ceremony, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Gorton Quad
n May 15, Tuesday Jazz Live: Mundell Lowe and Hank Wilder, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Saville Theatre
Random Acts of Dance, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Saville Theatre, $10
n May 16, Wednesday TAG Workshop, 1:30 p.m.3:00 p.m. at A-111 Transfer/ Career Center
n May 13, Sunday Chicano/Latina Graduation, 12:00p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Saville Theatre
n May 17, Thursday Seeds @ City Farm Stand, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Curran Plaza
Graduation Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park Black Graduation Rite of Passage Ceremony, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at D121 A/B n May 18, Friday Graduation 2012, 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. at Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park n May 19, Saturday Spring Semester Ends
May 8, 2012 | www.sdcitytimes.com
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LIFE Writer’s odyssey I first took a creative writing class almost 10 years ago when I was a young, melancholy poet in training. I was insecure and quickly took any negative comments toward my precious creations as a personal affront. I was
PERSPECTIVE Victor Hernandez
certain that any story worthy of being written would very simply have to change the world. Flash forward to the spring semester 2012 at City College. After years of just living, I decided to take my writing seriously again. I challenged myself to take a creative writing class once again, but this time I would follow through with it, to the end. I jumped in and began to write. I treated each assignment as a welcomed challenge and despite my old friends — selfdoubt and procrastination stopped by once in a while — I was able to power through them. I discovered a healthy detachment while editing even my older pieces and a realization that simple, clear language is a much more effective approach at communication than convoluted metaphors and obscurity for the sake of obscurity. I now see editing of creative work as important, if not more so, than the initial inspiration. It becomes less an evaluation of your work as it relates to your ego and more about how good you are at crafting a piece of work. You can have an amazing idea for a story or poem, but if it’s told unsuccessfully, what good is the idea behind it? Part of the requirement for the creative writing class at City is to submit work to be considered for “City Works,” an annual journal published at City. Those pieces chosen by the creative writing students are published in the journal while the ones that are acclaimed also receive a prize. The student winners for the 2012 edition of “City Works” each received $100. Best poem was “Lessons of a Good Mija” by Marisa Davalos, and best fiction was “Only One Son” by Lisa E. Overton. Best creative non-fiction was “Only I Remember Her Last Month” by Cassandra Jones and for best artwork “Ghost in the Machine,” a painting of an eerily empty spacesuit floating in the void by Joshua Wessling won. Brandy Lopez’s cover art of the Greek god Apollo was the winning entry for best cover design.
TAG Continued from Page 1 Both students and officials are upset about the cancellation of the program. “We strongly believe that our local universities, even though they have world-class aspects, still have a commitment and responsibility to service the local community,” said Constance Carroll, chancel-
Union Continued from Page 1 specialized technical skills that are considered professional experts but whose jobs are not really temporary. Jim Mahler, AFT’s guild president, claims some employees in the profes-
The journal contains 47 student pieces, as well as works by local writers. The national award winner, Megan Elliott, was selected by the “City Works” editorial board which is comprised of City faculty and was awarded $100. All of this semester’s efforts will culminate in a student reading that will take place on May 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in D-121 A/B. Artwork will be displayed and the creative writing students will have the chance to read their work in front of an audience. The reading is free and open to anyone. The 2012 “City Works” journal will sell for $6 and will be available at the reading and at the City bookstore. I will be at that reading; reading a poem that I wrote. My goal as a writer is to communicate clearly with a reader, but to do so in a way that is unusual and unexpected. To be selected for inclusion in a journal by a group of other creative individuals whose goals may be similar, if not the same as my own, is a humbling but invigorating experience. I have communicated something that resonates with other people and that to me means a very great deal. I still want to change the world, just on a smaller scale, one reader at a time.
lor of the San Diego Community College District to the “Union-Tribune.” “If the university moves this way, it will be marketing itself to and accepting only the highest. Qualified local students who have promise will be left behind.” Michael Cash, ASG president told the “UnionTribunes,” “On top of the increase in the GPA requirement, this is a further kick in the face. We have a lot
of lower-income students, coming from urban challenges. “This has given a lot of students — your minorities and your socially and economically challenged – hope. If you follow this checklist, if you keep your grades up, you’re going to UCSD. Now they’re taking that hope away.” Cash has been accepted to transfer to San Diego State University.
sional expert category have been considered by the district to be temporary employees, but have been consistently rehired year after year, in some cases as long as two decades. Mahler stated that 50 to 100 part-time district employees that have been working without permanent contracts could be affected
by the court’s final decision, which is expected within six months. Mahler also stated that the amount of money the district might have to pay out is speculative until the judge presiding over the case makes a ruling. District Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Will Surbrook said he could not comment on the case.
I need cable for Hulu? It seems like cord-cutters (people who cut the cord to their cable or satellite providers and consume content through online services) can’t seem to catch a break. Content is either not available, or there is an eight-day delay (how am I supposed to catch up to a show to watch it live if I can watch it legally?), or worse yet the task of having to authenticate a cable or satellite subscription. For many people Hulu seemed like an almost perfect free solution to cutting cable. Yes, people complain about the ads, especially if they have a paid subscription for Hulu Plus, but you are still getting the content you want when you want. There is a rumor floating around that Hulu is looking into adding a subscription verification for some programing. That means that in order to watch certain content you have to confirm that you have cable. This is
BITS & BYTES Fernando Yates
problematic, especially for cord-cutters. Hulu is a joint venture of NBCUniversal, Fox Entertainment Group and DisneyABC Television Group and does not offer any content from premium channels like HBO and Showtime. Between those three companies they own just about all if not all the networks that have content on Hulu, so why does Hulu want to incorporate an HBO Go-like authentication system? It makes sense for HBO to have an authentication system for their online service since they are a premium
channel and they do not provide their content anywhere else. This model has actually worked out fairly well for HBO, but wouldn’t it make more sense to offer HBO Go to anyone who wants to pay for it? Hulu’s model is based on people watching ads, so how does an authentication system help people watch ads? If anything it limits the number of ads people can watch, because they can’t get to the content they want to see. Hulu seems to be a thorn in the side of the companies involved since it conflicts with the traditional television model that generates their large revenues. As a result Hulu tends to have inconvenient changes made to almost try and force you to go back to your TV. Maybe this will work out Hulu, but it just doesn’t seem to make much sense right now.
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4
a year in review nNov.
16- Silvio Berlusconi resigns as Prime Minister of Italy due, in large part, to the European sovereign debt crisis.
nNov.
23- After 11 months of protests in Yemen, Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh signs a deal to transfer power to the vice president, in exchange for legal immunity.
nNov. 26- NATO forces in Afghan-
Building up higher education
nSeveral cranes are being operated to continue the construction projects at
nA Marine in full-dress uniform joins
protesters at Children’s Park during the City College on Aug. 24. Construction projects are planned to be completed by Occupy San Diego demonstration on Oct. 7. Troy Orem, City Times 2017. Troy Orem, City Times
‘This is what democracy looks like’
istan attack a Pakistani checkpost in a friendly fire incident, killing 24 soldiers and wounding 13
‘Don’t glorify war’
nA memorial was
set up to commemorate Jesus A. Suarez Del Solar Navarro, a Marine that lost his life in the Iraq War. Troy Orem, City Times
nMore than 1,400 people expressing a diversity of views march downtown Oct. 7, part of a movement that began in New York weeks ago. Troy Orem, City Times
AUGUST nThe torture of pris-
oners by the United States is a contentious issue across the countr y. In a rally in Washington, D.C. three years ago Zaynab Nawaz, 30, from Virginia, with Amnesty International, expressed her views on the matter. (Jamie Rose/MCT)
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER nThe demonstration that began Oct. 7 at
about 4 p.m. in downtown stemmed from a grassroots movement to “take action against the greed and corruption of the 1 percent” that started at Wall Street several weeks ago.
NOVEMBER
On second thought...
Who turned out the lights? nSan Diego District Attorney Bonnie
Dumanis cancels a visit to campus which was set for Sept. 21, as part of Constitution Week. Illustration by Troy Orem
nThe
San Diego skyline as seen during the Sept. 9 black out that affected over 1.4 million people. Sean M. Haffey / The San Diego Union-Tribune
May 8, 2012 | www.sdcitytimes.com
& Entertainment
A&E1
Ashley Montoya
Brian Kelly
Focusing on greatness By Gardner Stevenett City Times More than 500 entries were accepted from nearly 100 photographers at the Nicky Ollerton annual Juried Student Photography Exhibition. All entrants in the contest are City students. The entries are divided into three categories: commercial and portraiture, fine art and open, and portfolio. The portfolios contain 8 to 12 photographs
united by a common theme Dave Eichinger, a City photography professor, stated that this year featured “a record number of entries.” “We are all really impressed with the quality and the range of the work submitted,” said City photography professor N. David King. The winners of the contest will be chosen by Richard Billick, a photo lab technician from Cal State Los Angeles,
and Daniel Harris, a photography teacher at Poway High School. Cash prizes will be awarded along with prizes contributed from local merchants and sponsors. The show is sponsored by several photography retailers such as Nelson Photo, George’s Camera, Freestyle Photo, NIK Software and more. Last year nearly $5,000 worth of prizes were given out.
Jason Reimer
According to the judges, the quality of the work has been as good or better than photography they’ve seen come from four-year schools. The opening reception for the exhibition will take place May 11 at the Luxe Gallery located on the fifth floor of the V-building from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The artwork will be shown at the gallery throughout the summer. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
John Parsons
More inside n Coming
n Blockbusters
soon, the games of summer
n Student
to look for
photo exhibition gallery More online
See Game Play, page A&E2
Page A&E3
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Arts & Entertainment
www.sdcitytimes.com | May 8, 2012
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These should fill the summer drought Though predominantly the terrain of blockbuster movies, this summer will see the release of a small collection of games that look quite promising. To close out the semester, I’d like to briefly outline my most anticipated games of the summer. Starting the summer off right is “Dragon’s Dogma” from Capcom, releasing less than a week after the end of the semester on May 22, and likely to be my favorite release of the summer. This open-ended epic RPG will be new territory for Capcom, yet from what I’ve seen they have taken many steps in the right direction to mix the tried-and-true staples of the genre (questing, class archetypes, loot, character progression) with a few additions of their own such as the heavy emphasis on teamwork. Players will work with a team composed of various skill sets to combat and interactive with impressive looking adversaries such as griffons, golems and of course, dragons, in a number of innovative ways — such as scrambling atop them “Shadow of the Colossus” style or dispatching them while a member of your team holds them steady. I’ll be looking forward to this one more than any other in the summer months. “The Amazing SpiderMan” releases June 26, coinciding with the movie releasing a few weeks earlier. While some may believe this inclusion to the list is due to a lack of noteworthy summer games, I’m happy to say that’s not the case; I’m actually, genuinely looking forward to this game.
GAME PLAY Brian Lett
This may be surprising considering the constant bombardment of bad SpiderMan games that have plagued the gaming universe. There hasn’t been a good SpiderMan title since “Spider-Man 2” (though admittedly I did not play much of SpiderMan: Shattered Dimensions,” which some people seemed to like), and thankfully this game seems to more heavily favor that game as opposed to the others. No more symbiotic Wolverines to fight, kiddy partnerships with Spidy’s nemeses or time-travelling. “The Amazing Spider-Man” is taking us back to the basics: fighting giant robots in the middle of New York City. Okay, so maybe that’s less canon than fans would hope for, but it still looks good. Also a plus is news that the game will take place after the events in the movie instead of paralleling it, which does wonders to free developers from the constraints of having to rehash a 2-hour movie into a 12 hour game. Though the developing studio, Beenox, is the same responsible for many of those debacles I mentioned, I have high hopes for this one. “Transformers: Fall of Cybertron” releases August 28 and promises much of the
Top: “Dragon’s Dogma” Capcom Bottom: “The Amazing Spider-Man” Beenox same Autobot versus Destructicon warring featured in its predecessor, “Transformers: War for Cybertron.” Transformer fans were (for the most part) pleasantly surprised with the quality of High Moon Studios’ first crack at the popular animated series, released in 2010. Finally, fans were treated with
a Transformers game that was not only worth playing but also satisfying, pushing players through an adequate story campaign playing as both sides as they duked it out on their homeworld. Included in the sequel will be another element from the show: Dinobots. Fans of the show will recognize this
playable race of fearsome robotic dinosaurs allied with the Autobots. In the game this translates to fire-breathing, robot-chomping action once players transform into their prehistoric countparts, and it looks awesome. Towards the end of summer and a few days after the start of the fall semester
the much anticipated “Far Cry 3” will drop, officially releasing Sept. 4. While details are scarce for the time being, the little that I have seen of the game looks mouth-wateringly delicious. “Far Cry 2” was fun and See Games, page A&E4
Students know how to make quality films By Daphne Jauregui City Times In one night, with one five -hour event, the City College Film Society hosted the first San Diego Student Film Festival which took place at the Saville Theatre on April 26. More than 100 people were in attendance. “Millions of dollars are spent each year on the equipment and supplies to create these films that usually just get turned into their class for a grade, now there is a venue to showcase all of this work,” said Paul Giret, the film society’s president and the festival’s director. “It’s a great opportunity for all of the student filmmakers to come together once a year and share their best work with each other and the public.” Around $1,600 was spent to hold the festival. An additional $1,000 was given out to winning filmmakers. While over 65 applicants Emcee Roberto Ramos thanks the audience for their submitted their works only 16 support for the inagural San Diego Student Film Festi- films made it into the top tier val, April 26. Troy Orem, City Times of judging.
Categories included music video, documentary and interview, short fiction film, as well as commercials, promos and PSA. “Sarra and Erric” was the first place $400 winner for short fiction film. This film was from San Diego State University’s Hilary Andrews. City film student John Freeman took first place in PSA and commercials for the piece “Carolina Hererra”. Magdalena Ramirez, an SDSU student, took first place in the music video category for “La Monedita.”. “I admire the work that came out of all these different schools. I admire all the other films and I highly respect all the other filmmakers,” said Ramirez. City’s Film Society produced “Point of Infection” a short zombie movie funded by the Associated Student Government. It was a clear definition of the talent of City students and what they have to offer. The festival not only provided a common meeting
ground for student filmmakers of all kinds, but also a moment of cultural immersion. Joseph Hong, who is a student from Korea, said the event was a whole new experience for him. “It was a great opportunity to see my country from a different perspective. There are big differences between the cultures. They take it very seriously here in college.” said Hong. The top tier judges at the film festival included Devin and Jeanne Scott of the American Dream Cinema, a full service production company located in San Diego that has produced several award winning short films and more than 300 television commercials. The festival showcased work by students from all over the county and provided a way for many local filmmakers to expand their knowledge and identify with other filmmakers of the region. Ethan van Thillo, founder and executive director of the
Media Arts Center of San Diego was one of the keynote speakers at the film festival. “Student film festivals are important opportunities for emerging filmmakers to gain the much needed experience of screening their work in front of an audience, on the big screen,” said van Thillo. “For many students, this might be the first time that they have had the opportunity to get feedback about their work from people other than their family and friends. “This feedback is an important chance to learn and continue to build upon their filmmaking skills.” “I applaud the organizers for taking the time to organize such a great event.” With a large crowd of young energetic and eclectic filmmakers supporting one another in the work they all submitted, it was easy to see the importance holding the festival. The student film festival will become an annual event, opening many doors to San Diego’s talented filmmakers.
May 8, 2012 | www.sdcitytimes.com
Arts & Entertainment
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Blockbusters battle for the records By Tom Andrew City Times
The summer is a time for beaches, long nights outdoors and summer blockbuster films. Here is a rundown of what you can expect to see this summer and what you may want to miss. In May, things get to a good start with the much anticipated superhero film “The Avengers” starring Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlet Johanssen, Samuel Jackson and Chris Evans. This film is already having positive openings overseas, and will most likely do the same here. Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton return to the big screen along with Michelle Pfieffer and Helena Bonham Carter in a remake of a popular and cultish 1970s television show “Dark Shadows.” Bad boy Sasha Baron Cohen (“Borat”) is joined by Anna Faris and John C. Reilly in “The Dictator,” and Will Smith will try to breathe life back into the “Men in Black” franchise with a third installment. Joining him is Tommy Lee Jones, Emma Thompson and Josh Brolin. June gets started off with “Mirror, Mirror’s” rival “Snow White and the Huntsman” starring Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart. This film will be more on the dramatic side. Summer wouldn’t be complete without some kind of beach terror making us wonder just what may be out there. For those willing to waste their money, “Piranha 3DD” comes to theatres starring mainly unknowns and one actor, David Hasselhoff, that you wish was unknown. “Prometheus,” a Ridley Scott film starring Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson and Michael Fassbender seems to be a prequel of sorts to the popular Alien films. The lid on this one has been closed pretty tight which can mean only one of two things; it’s either really bad, or really good.
Top: “Snow White and the Huntsman” Universal Films Left: “The Dark Knight Rises” Warner Bros. Pictures Right: “The Avengers” Walt Disney Pictures “Rock of Ages,” based on the Broadway hit, has an all-star cast including Alec Baldwin, Julianne Hough, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand and yes, Tom Cruise, — and he sings. With other musicals making big news on the big screen, such as “Dreamgirls” and “Chicago,” director Adam Shankman is hoping for the same success with his film. Rounding out the month is Pixar’s “Brave,” with the vocal talents
of Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson and Julie Walters, as well as Steven Soderbergh’s “Magic Mike” starring Channing Tatum. July looks pretty sparse, and that could be due to “The Amazing Spider-man” with Andrew Garfield and “The Dark Knight” with Christian Bale both opening this month. Who would want to open against those films? Whether they are good or not isn’t the issue, they both have established a following and will surely do
quite well since both openings are anticipated. August will give us a few tasty morsels with the Bourne franchise being “reborn” in “The Bourne Legacy” starring Jeremy Renner in the lead role instead of Matt Damon. Also releasing is the remake of Arnold Shwarzenegger’s “Total Recall,” starring Colin Farrell, and “The Expendables 2,” starring Sylvester Stallone, Claude Van Damme, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Bruce Willis
and Arnold himself. The last film that Whitney Houston made will hit the big screen in August as well. It’s called “Sparkle,” and is a remake of the 1970s musical of the same name. Touted as being her big comeback film, most will want to see it now due to her untimely demise. Whatever you chose to see this summer, there is plenty out there to take you out of the heat and away from life, even if for only a few hours.
A smaller film worth watching Director John Madden is no stranger to creating both box office and Oscar gold. With movies like “Shakespeare in Love,” “Proof” and “Mrs. Brown” under his belt it is no doubt he knows what he’s doing. His latest film “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” is based on the novel of the same name by Deborah Moggach and stars some of England’s most respected actors. Dame Judi Dench (James Bond films), Maggie Smith (Harry Potter), Bill Nighy (“Love, Actually”), Tom Wilkinson (“Batman Begins”) and are joined by Dev Patel (“Slumdog Millionaire”), in a film that will leave you wanting more. Seven English elders are individually faced with things in their lives that force them to make changes. Coincidentally they all end up finding their way to a hotel in India, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful. The hotel brochure promises them lush gardens, fully equipped state of the art luxury suites, and amenities all within the walls of a historical Indian building. On their trip to India, they become acquainted with each other. Dench is a recent widow, Smith
THE ANDREWS REVIEW Tom Andrew
needs a hip replacement, Nighy and his wife (Penelope Wilton) are simply looking for an affordable place to live and Wilkinson has just quit his job and is looking to reconnect with where he was raised. The group is rounded out by Ronald Pickup (“Prince of Persia”) and Diana Hardcastle (“The Good Woman”) both looking for love. When they arrive at the hotel, it turns out to be anything but what was promised in the brochure. They are greeted by Sonny, the young and exuberant hotel manager who promises that the hotel will be what was promised, in time. Why they all stay and what happens after would give away too much
Dame Judi Dench stars in “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” Fox Searchlight Pictures here. Just see it. The cast alone should make you want to line up in a snowstorm to see it. The direction, writing and editing are also good reasons to see this film. “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a wonderful film filled with
heart, love and wonder. The brilliant Whether you grab a good friend, cast members work together as if a date, or see it alone, just see it. they have for years and Patel is nothing short of endearing. 5 stars Smith continues to amaze, Dench will make you wish she was a relative, Nighy is stellar and Wilkinson will break your heart.
A&E4
www.sdcitytimes.com | May 8, 2012
Arts & Entertainment
Lolita’s: great food by the ballpark If you’re going to the ball game, or you forgot to get tickets, Lolitas’s taco shop can be a great place to stop and catch the game or just grab a bite. Lolitas’s at the Park, located at 202 park blvd. right across the street from petco park. It is the local chains newest establishment, their other shops located throughout the county. The taco shop has a full mexican menu, with a multitude of burritos, tacos, tostadas, enchiladas and more options. I arrived slightly before noon, while i got a 2 hour parking spot less than a block away, the line was out the door, the lunch rush being filled with everything from suited up business types to concrete caked construction workers. For a place that was packed and only had two registers for you to order at, I was surprised to be standing in front of the cashier within 5 minutes. I ordered the only thing on the menu that i didn’t recog-
Frugal Foodie Bobby Whaley
nize, the Tsunami Burrito. With a soft drink the massive burrito will bring your tab out to $9.21, and this burrito should be plenty to fill you up even if you are burning a lot of calories. The Tsunami Burrito is basically a shrimp burrito combined with a carna asada one, taking the best of both worlds as it is loaded with cheese, and lettuce from the carna asada side of the family and then drowned in sauce from its shrimp burrito taking. The combination of the flavors results in a wave of flavors rushing and overwhelming your mouth. I would have gotten a second one if I hadn’t been so stuffed by the first, the taste is
astounding. However, if you’re allergic to shrimp, or just don’t like huge amounts of sauce, there are many other classic burritos and even some of the more commonly known yet not classic yet styles, such as the 2-1 burrito, which has two taquitos running the length of the burrito as well as all the normal goodies found within a burrito, or the classic california burrito with its well known flavor. The interior of the shop isn’t huge, however the space is well managed, with each table having enough room to be comfortable, but not wasting space. There are long tables tucked into the back of the eating area for larger parties, and booths lining one exterior wall of the building for those wanting a comfy seat. There are counter seats right next to the tap for those who want to get their drinks faster during the game. And happily it won’t matter where you sit since there are plenty of big screen T.V.’s hanging on the walls so you
Tsunami Burrito from Lolita’s. Bobby Whaley, City Times won’t miss a single moment of your sports action. If you would rather stop on the way home to enjoy the delicious flavors offered by Lolita’s has 4 other locations, two in Chula Vista, one in Bonita and the fourth being in
Kearny Mesa. The first Lolitas opened in 1989, and still stands to this day. it has since incorporated and opened up its other shops, and all 8 members of the farfan family work for the company. The corporation
helps out in its communities, donating money to schools and other public organizations. For more information about Lolitas, visit their website at www.lolitasmexicanfood.com.
‘I want to go to there’ Summer concerts that By Troy Orem City Times
The best part many of them have discounts, so check those out before eventuring out. Below is a list of some of the attractions Summer will soon be upon us, and while that are available. Ticket prices, parking the economy is still rocky sometimes you fees, distance and websites are listed. need to treat yourself. Schools out for summer, so go out, have Lucky for us in southern California you fun, and enjoy yourself for a while. have no shortage of selections parks to visit. San Diego Zoo Legoland Ticket prices: Single day adult (12+) $42, Ticket prices: Single Day Adult $72 (13+), Child $32 Child $62 Parking prices: Free Parking Parking prices: Cars: $12 Distance from Downtown: 2.1 mi Distance from Downtown: 34.6 mi www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo http://california.legoland.com Sea World Ticket prices: Single day Adult (12+) $73, Child $65 Parking prices: $14 for cars Distance from Downtown: 7.3 mi http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworldsandiego
Disneyland Ticket price: 1-Day 1-Park Ticket Adult (10+) $80, Children (3+) $74 Parking price: $15 Distance from Downtown: 95.7 mi http://disneyland.disney.go.com
Belmont Park Ticket prices: Single Day $26.95 for people 48 in. and taller, $15.95 for those under 48 in. Parking price: Free Parking Distance from Downtown: 8.4 mi www.belmontpark.com
Disney California Adventure Ticket Price: 1-Day 1-Park Ticket Adult (10+) $80, Children (3+) $74 Parking Price: $15 Distance from Downtown : 95.7 mi http://disneyland.disney.go.com
Knott’s Soak City Ticket Prices : Single Day Adult (12+) $32.99, Child $22.99 (online price for adult ticket $25.99) Parking Prices : Single Day Car $12 Distance from Downtown: 15.5 mi www.soakcitysd.com
Knotts Berry Farm Ticket price: Single Day Adult $57.99, Child $28.99 (online price for adult ticket $36.99) Parking Prices: Car Parking $15 Distance from Downtown: 101 mi www.knotts.com
San Diego Zoo Safari Six Flags MAgic Mountain Ticket prices: Single Day Adult (12+) $42, Ticket Price: Single Day Adult $61.99 (over Child $32 48”), Child (under 48”) $36.99 Parking prices: $10 Parking Price: $15 Distance from Downtown: 31.9 mi Distance from Downtown: 156 mi www.sdzsafaripark.org www.sixflags.com/magicmountain
will please your ears By Jennifer Manalili City Times The summer months can serve as a great opportunity to see live music with many musicians hitting the road and embarking on tours. Luckily, locals don’t have to travel far to see some of their favorite acts in person. A large array of different musicians will be making tour stops in San Diego. Some venues will even provide great deals. Here are just a few. Students who are music lovers don’t have to stray far from campus to catch some performances. City College Jazz Live will hold a series of live performances at the Saville Theatre beginning May 15 with Mundell Lowe. Admission to Jazz Live performances is free to Jazz 88 Members. Non-member general admission is $10 for most shows and student admission is $5 with a valid student ID. A list of performers is available at www.jazz88.org. Temporary parking permits are also available for download and print at the website. The Channel 933 Summer Kickoff concert will take place at the Cricket Wire-
Summer Continued from Page A&E 2 “Far Cry 2” was fun and took immersive detail to a whole new level, but was far from being without a few shortcomings. “Far Cry 3” looks to correct many
less Amphitheatre in Chula Vista on May 11. The lineup includes Maroon 5, Gym Class Heroes, Flo-Rida, Wiz Khalifa, Dev, and The Wanted. The amphitheatre will also play host to a number of different music genres this summer with many acts stopping there including the Beach Boys, Sugarland, Big Time Rush, Kiss and Motley Crue, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Diamond, the Honda Civic Tour featuring Linkin Park and Incubus, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Jason Mraz and the 17th annual Vans Warped Tour. Some concerts will offer special low price lawn ticket packages. For more information visit the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre’s official page on www.livenation.com. The San Diego County Fair will open next month. A number of different artists will take part in the fair’s Toyota Concert Series by performing at the Heineken Grandstand Stage. They include Demi Lovato, comedian Gabriel Iglesias, Switchfoot, Reik, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 2011 “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, KC and the Sunshine Band, Train, the Summer-
land Tour featuring Everclear, Sugar Ray and Lit, Matisyahu and others. The fair will open on June 8 with synthpop band Cobra Starship and close on July 4 with a fireworks show and performance by Weird Al Yankovic. There will be 4 additional stages providing live music. Some performances are free with Fair admission. For more information visit www. sdfair.com. The Del Mar Concert series began in 1994 and will kick off again on July 20. A list of the 10 headlining performers is still being determined. The concert series is free for fans attending the races. All patrons must be 18 years or older. Following the last race, concert prices are $20. For more information visit www.delmarscene.com. Other venues around San Diego providing entertainment will include the Civic Theatre, House of Blues, 4th and B, Humphrey’s By the Bay, Spreckles, Anthology, the Belly Up Tavern and Harrah’s Rincon. The summer time can be a great time for fun and leisure and the city provides a number of ways to be able to see good music and have fun.
of these mistakes — such as eliminating respawning checkpoints and improving multiplayer — as well adding a few new features to further increase the immersion. While “Far Cry 2” was beautiful, “Far Cry 3” pushes the bar further higher and looks absolutely gorgeous, raising
the standards of first-person immersion. So for those twiddling their thumbs waiting for the big drops coming in the fourth quarter of the year, there are other options in the meantime. Afterall, at least one of them has got to be good, right?
May 8, 2012 | www.sdcitytimes.com
5
Is M Building on shaky ground? Janitors rally
downtown for better wages CSUs may not admit students nSan
Diego State Univerisity would be one of many schools in California to Josefina Mendoza, Carmen Sanchez, freeze enrollment if a proposed $200 Raymundo Lopez and Maria I. Venegas million budget cut goes into affect. Throughout the fall semester students coped with construction which will be march for better wages in downtown San stepped up durig the winter break. During this period crews will determine if the Diego, Feb. 24. The demonstration was Courtesy Photo fault is “potentially active” which may delay the renovation. part of a statewide effort to demand Anulak Singphiphat, City Times better contracts for janitors. Sandra US President Barack Obama Gallindo, City Times officially secures Democratic presi-
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dential nomination.
Invisible Children
nSomalia’s
National Theatre is struck by a suicide bomber killing ten people including the presidents of the Somali Olympic Committee and Football Federation.
nThe Lion King becomes highest
grossing Broadway show after overtaking The Phantom of the Opera.
nApple Inc claims a value of $600
nNimaro Grace, a representative for the San Diego-based non-profit organization Invisible Children, spoke Feb. 14
billion making it the largest company by market capitalization in the world.
in the Saville Theatre about her experience in war-torn Uganda. Troy Orem, City Times
Hoops and dreams come true
DECEMBER
FEBRUARY
MARCH nCity
lost an important leader in administration to cancer before the beginning of the spring semester. His name was Jerry Davis.
nAt
least 73 people are killed in the Egyptian football riots in Port Said.
APRIL You’re a good play, Charlie Brown
Jerr y Davis
nTens
of thousands of people are stranded by floods in the Australian states of New South Wales and Toyota recalls 700,000 vehicles over “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Queensland. safety concerns. has its final performances April 27 to Number 23, Stephon Lamar, goes in for a layup during 29 at Saville Theatre. Manuel Rotenberg the Knights game vs. Miramar Jets at the Harr y West Gym. Troy Orem, City Times
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www.sdcitytimes.com | May 8, 2012
6
VOICE Don’t kill with doubt
Mayday on May Day
This election Californians will vote on banning the death penalty. If the measure passes, some 700 inmates would see their death sentences changed to life terms
EDITORIAL City Times Editorial Board
without parole. In addition, those inmates would be relocated from their single-cell rooms back to the general prison population. People may argue that this is a bad initiative and that people on death row should be executed for the heinous crimes they’ve committed; but California has only executed 13 inmates in the past 23 years. What is the point of having a process that is so slow? More importantly, the death penalty defeats the purpose of our justice system. The justice system is in place to provide justice as the name implies, not vengeance. What does execution accomplish other than kill a person and provide vengeance for the victim’s families? While the system is flawed, the point is also to rehabilitate inmates so they will not commit more crimes. Our system does not seem to do that — or at least, not well — when you hear about revolving prison doors and tales of criminals becoming better criminals in prison. If the death penalty is banned in the state the prison will have to do something about their growing prison populations, and rehabilitation would be the only way. More importantly, part of the reason California has executed so few prisoners in the last two decades is because of the appeals process. Let’s face it, people are convicted beyond a reasonable doubt; that is not the same as being convicted with certainty. As forensic technology has improved several convictions have been overturned pardoning inmates, in some cases, decades later. People argue about the high cost of keeping inmates on death row for so long, but they really shouldn’t. It is selfish to think that way. To want swift “justice” at the expense of somebody else’s rights is monstrous. It is very possible that a person could have been wrongfully convicted, as stated before, and that person should have every possible resource to try and prove that person’s innocence.
Protesters used May 1 as a day of action to voice their concerns over education, the economy and budget cuts. At City students join outside of the B building to march to Sherman Heights. Troy Orem, City Times
Medicinal marijuana helped Carolina, a 32 year-old student from City College who refused to be identified, was diagnosed in late 2009 with an early stage of HPV — cervical cancer and was immediately referred to an oncologist who told her she would need a radical hysterectomy. Emotionally overwhelmed by her diagnosis, Carolina, a single parent of two children ages 4 and 12, researched on the disease to find out she was experiencing most of the side effects. After the surgery, she was discharged along with prescriptions for pain killers and antibiotics. “During my first day at home, I spent most of the hours vomiting a dark green liquid and not able to hold even water in my stomach.” She ended up staying in the hospital for two weeks with an IV and a suction tube inserted through her nose into her stomach. The experience was excruciating. Every couple of hours she would have to page the nurse for shots of morphine. “The pain was unbelievable. I couldn’t eat food or drink water. I was away from my children who needed me,” she said. After surviving those traumas,
CITY TIMES
Published as: The Jay Sees | 1945-1949 Fortknightly | 1949-1978 City Times | 1978Volume 66, Number 14 Incorporating the newspapers May 8, 2012 www.sdcitytimes.com Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks
SOCIAL MEDIUM Sandra Galindo
she thought the worst was over. But she was wrong. The worst was yet to come. The doctors recommended that she drop out of school because the treatment was going to debilitate her. She took their advice, dropping all but one class; a Math 46. She then submitted to radiation five days a week, and chemotherapy once a week for approximately two months. “Even the thought of it today still makes me teary eyed, nauseous, and makes my skin crawl,” She said about her chemotherapy. The doctors prescribed different medications for the cure of the chemotherapy and medications for chronic pain, insomnia, stomach aches, nausea and to protect her internal organs. She was filled with disgust towards food and had
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Aida Bustos-Garcia Journalism Adviser
no appetite. She couldn’t sleep and during the day her body felt weighed down and heavy. “I would force myself to get up and care for my children and go to treatments and attend my class. These things were my only motivation. They were what forced me to stay on my feet,” Carolina said. Eventually, she could no longer exist with the way her body and her life were going. That’s when she decided to go to another doctor. She explained her case to him with all its complexities. “That was the best thing I ever could have done,” she said. The doctor was wise enough to recommend that she become a Compassionate User of medical marijuana. Marijuana contains the compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Research has showed that it can help as a pain reliever. It is a mild analgesic that affects parts of the brain that are controlled by anandamide, a neurotransmitter that is believed to play a role in pain sensation, memory, and sleep. Carolina states that “It was a miracle. One small dose of this herbal
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City Times Staff Tom Andrew, Sandra Galindo, Victor Hernandez, Daphne Jauregui, Michael Liggins, Benny A. McFadden, Gardner Stevenett
medication and the nausea and stomach ache were immediately gone. I could eat again, and was able to stop the drastic weight loss that was wasting my body away to nothing.” Within days Carolina was able to stop the pharmaceutical medications, she had more energy; she was able to better attend her family, her education, and her health. She states that to this day, although she still have problems with her appetite, the Compassionate Use of marijuana that the State of California has allowed her has saved her life and increased the quality of the lives of her family. Carolina finished by saying that “I just want to live my life safely and in the best possible health for as long as I have left.” “If the city of San Diego is able to close down all the compassionate use dispensaries, I’m afraid that I might have to go back on all those prescription medications ... If it weren’t for my children, I would almost rather die from it than go through that horrible sickness and all those side effects ever again.”
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.
Anulak Singphiphat Editor-in-Chief
Bobby Whaley Opinion Editor
Fernando Yates Managing Editor
Cecilia Areta Features Editor
Brian Lett Copy Chief
Jennifer Manalili Arts Editor
Memberships | Journalism Association of Community Colleges, California College Media Association, Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association
Troy Orem Design Editor
Cristo DeGuzman Copy Editor
Journalism Program | www.sdcity.edu/journalism Roman S. Koenig, associate professor, journalism and mass communication
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.
May 8, 2012 | www.sdcitytimes.com
Voice
7
The never ending death penalty debate Executions are URBANALITIES By Michele Suthers not worth it California’s capital punishment system is expensive, bias and obsolete. The “Golden State” has the most horrifying death row statistics out of the whole country. California out ranks all the other 49 states when it comes to the number of inmates on death row. According to data released by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, there are currently 723 inmates on death row as of Jan. 1. Though it has the highest amount of convicts in America awaiting execution, California only executes 1 percent of its prisoners. Since 1977, only 13 of the state’s death row inmates have been executed; 20 died of natural causes and 12 convicts have committed suicide. The Death Penalty Information Center of America recently released data showing the true cost of capital punishment. On average $90,000 of taxpayer money is spent per year to support each death row inmate. With 725 inmates currently awaiting execution, that’s $65 million spent annually on capital punishment. Estimates show that the projected cost of a penal system that imposes a maximum of life in prison would be $11.5 million per year. By abolishing the death penalty the state could save at least $53 million annually in tax revenue.With the money saved state legislators could find ways to reinvest that capital into communities in our state that really need it. Gov. Jerry Brown also feels that the death penalty has become a thing of the past. In April of 2011 Gov. Brown canceled construc-
PRO
Michael Liggins tion of a $356 million death row at San Quentin prison. “At a time when children, the disabled and seniors face painful cuts to essential programs, the state of California cannot justify a massive expenditure of public dollars for the worst criminals,” Brown said. The cancellation is set to save California’s general fund $28.5 million a year for 25 years. The cities that spend the most on capital punishment all have high amounts of lower income minority groups; the top ten are Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino, Tulare, Alameda, Contra Costa and Sacramento. According to state records, a resident of Alameda County is nearly eight times more likely to be sentenced to death than a resident of nearby Santa Clara County. Are we not all Californians who live, work and exist in the same place? By initiating a state wide ban of the death penalty law makers would mitigate discrepancies amongst convictions in different counties. We as hard-working taxpayers should not have to fund a penal system that executes the poor yet nurtures the rich. We live in an economy where teachers and police officers are seeing their salaries shrink. It makes no financial sense to spend over $50 million on an execution system that doesn’t work. In order to ensure a stable and progressive state budget, reforms to the California prison system need to be made.
Question by Cecilia Areta Photos by Victor Hernandez
Death penalty or life without parole?
Let’s just do it quicker The death penalty has been controversial for decades. What is wrong with it? Are there times when ending the person’s life, as to not risk the chance of a break out, or paying to imprison them for decades on end, is the best thing to do? Maybe, but that’s up to you. But if we are going to execute prisoners then lets do it quickly. However, with the huge amount of scientific evidence out there combined with things like surveillance, digital footprints and the many other tracking systems out there, we have a much higher degree of certainty than previous generations. Is it 100 percent? No, it is not. If you’re on a jury and you demand 100 percent proof then vote not guilty on everything, because there
is no such thing as a certain conviction, 100 perceent does not exist. For everyone who believes in beyond a reasonable doubt (the criteria on which jurors are asked to judge cases on), 90 percent is beyond reasonable doubt. The major problem with the current death penalty is the appeals process, the unlimited appeals are overkill now. They make it so that a person convicted of the death penalty lives in solitary confinement for 30 years before being executed, if they are ever executed at all. Of course a person should be allowed to appeal if they feel they are wrongly convicted. However if a person is convicted three times in a row then they are out. Why should the country spend hundreds of thou-
CON
Bobby Whaley sands of dollars housing and prosecuting convicted criminals of the same crime over and over? We shouldn’t. If a person is found guilty multiple times of the same crime by a jury of their peers then they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The death penalty’s morality comes down to the the jury that is judging the case. If you agree with it then vote for it and if you don’t agree with it then don’t. However if a state law allows it and a jury deems the death penalty worthy again and again and again, then it should be done. Why spend more to execute someone than imprison
them for life? Don’t leave them in solitary confinement with their own cell and better food service. What’s wrong with general population? Seems like they should be put in the worst confinement seeing as how they received the worst conviction. Should we let them appeal for 30 years of stalling? No, they should be able to appeal, however there needs to be a limit on the number of appeals, something between three and five. Of course there should be time limit to these as well. Perhaps the time period should be as long as 6 months to maybe a year between appeals. However once they have run out of time they should be executed and see justice served as multiple juries of their peers have deemed necessary.
Monica Arriaga, 28 Social Work
Kevin Rowe, 28 Nursing
Nicole Rodriguez, 24 Biology
Paul Valenzuela, 27 Political Science
“Yes, I’m against the death penalty. I think it’s really wrong. I’m very open minded about issues about that. It’s not up to us to decide someone’s fate.”
“No absolutely not. I support capital punishment. It was made for a good reason and serves a good purpose. People ... received that verdict for a reason.”
“In philosophy we were discussing the alternatives ... I believe it is wrong to takes someone’s life and that it’s important to look deeper into each case.”
“... who are we to decide who lives or dies… If I had to pick, I would vote no because we spend more money funding jails then our own schools.”
www.sdcitytimes.com | May 8, 2012
8
SPORTS City baseball already looking to next season By Michael Liggins City Times San Diego City College’s baseball team finished the 2012 season with a 10-15 record. Though the Knights failed to make the playoffs, coach Chris Brown and his players have made great accomplishments. Second baseman, freshman Fabian Casio stepped up to take on the position of lead off hitter. Casio recorded 17 runs, 43 hits and 3 doubles this season. “He had a 19 game hitting streak, I have a feeling that’s a record,” said Brown. Defensively, sophomore Mitch Williams was a stand out for the City College outfield. Williams ended the season with 0 errors, 85 put outs, and a sweet 100 percent fielding percentage. Brown also commended the performance of his pitching staff. Jesse Hernandez, Andrew Macmahon, Alex Bernal and Brent Daugherty all shined on the mound this season. The Knights battled out a grueling 16 inning game against the Palomar Comets April 24. Starting pitcher Jesse Hernandez threw for 13 innings during the game. Unfortunately the Knights lost in the sixteenth inning but the game showed the team’s true character. Brown stresses the importance of community values
Outfielder Justin Guiol sprints across home plate in the Knights home game against Imperial Valley on April 12. Troy Orem, City Times and sportsmanship by having all his players take part in community service programs. Throughout the season, players worked with San Diego youth in baseball development clinics.
The goals of the program was to provide community service, promote baseball, community values and City College. More than 135 coaches from around the county
showed up to Morley Field for the clinic. Brown realizes the importance of developing young baseball players from grass roots programs in order to have them ready to compete at the collegiate level.
With the closing of the season, the Knights say farewell to six sophomores. Hilario Garcia, Adam Tolbert, Harrison Guiol, Kevin Garcia, Mitch Williams and Jessie Hernandez will all be moving
on to bigger endeavors. The coaching staff has already begun scouting for new freshman and Coach Brown is confident in his returners.
Summer’s here, might as well get fit City holds 13th annual charity golf tournament By Daphne Jauregui City Times
By Cecelia Areta City Times City College athletics department held their 13th annual Harry West Golf Tournament at the Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club April 27. Athletics Director Kathy McGinnis and Senior Athletics Clerical Assistant Irene Mello were the primary organizers of the event. Athletic coaches and their staff pitched in and helped with the event as well. This year they welcomed 64 golfers and made about $8,000. Proceeds from the benefit helped raised money to support the athletic department and for the Harry West scholarship, which will be offered in the fall. Harry West was a coach, faculty member and the Associate Dean/Athletic Director at City College from 1964 to 1991. He oversaw the operations of multiple sports and maintained
quality programs. “We started the tournament solely as a fundraiser in 1999 and Harry golfed in the first event. Sadly he passed away in the spring of 2000. That same year we dedicated the tournament in his memory and funded the scholarship,” said McGinnis. The scholarship honors West’s memory and is a lasting tribute to him. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded every spring to a sophomore who has two years of athletic participation at City College. It requires a two page essay answering the questions “How has athletics benefited you in your life?” and “How will you make use of these skills in your future?” Two letters of recommendation are also required upon meeting eligibility. For more information contact Athletics Director Kathy McGinnis by calling (619) 388-3128 or email her at kmcginni@sdccd.edu.
City College students can improve their fitness without spending a lot of money or drastically changing their lifestyles. Paul Greer, City College fitness center director, has some tips that can help you get in shape. A great place to start off could be a local park or school, or better yet the beach. Beach workouts are not only free, they are also fun which will take complaining and hatred towards exercise out of the equation. Outdoor workouts are not only known to improve good physical health but also mental health. According to a 2011 study published in the research journal Environmental Science & Technology, “Compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression, and increased energy.” Greer says that the most important thing you must
Joining classes like cardio kickboxing is an easy way to maintain fitness. Ray Williams, City Times focus on is finding the workout which you enjoy doing, something that is fun and beneficial at the same time. Setting up circuit stations is something Greer suggests while exercising outdoors. Trying a mini triathlon is also another good idea that can help keep you in shape. Another option is joining a fitness club. All it takes is a three second Google search and a little motivation, there is something for everyone. Students can also join fitness boot camps, a sure fire way to get in shape, and fast.
Because of the higher intensity, students can join boot camps when class sessions have ended, just in time to get in shape for upcoming summer days. Greer advises to “set a goal. Make a long term goal and a short term goal. Make it realistic, and make it obtainable.” Last but not least, students who want to go the more traditional route can join the gym and with their membership, be exposed to different classes such as Zumba or yoga.
It is all a matter of “just showing up” as Greer says. Creating a sense of community when working out could help achieve your goals. Be sure to keep at least 2 people you trust aware of your fitness goals. One person should be your confidant. They should be someone you trust to pick you up when you have a setback and at the same time, to encourage you when you are doing well. The second person can be your training partner. This person actually does the workouts with you on a regular basis. Last but not least, setting a non-food reward is something that can help keep you going throughout your exercise regimen without getting in the way of your hard work. Greer stresses, “The greatest motivation for exercise is enjoyment. You have to find something you enjoy because then you will do it. Consistency is the key to success. “Find something you enjoy.”`