2005_0524_CT_v59i12 by City Times Media

CityTimes

www.sdcity.edu/citytimes

Volume 59, Issue 12

Border Voices

Photos depict paradox of border fence Focus, page 10

Serving the San Diego City College community since 1945

May 24-28, 2005

Oh, the places you’ll go ...

Professor remembered for dedication City students have transfer success at four-year schools to students ■ City students get ready for next By Angel Hernandez City College Professor Donald H. Estes died at the age of 68 on May 7 from complications during heart bypass surgery. Mr. Estes contributed as a political science and history professor, where his colleagues claim he put a stamp on the department. After teaching 37 years at City College, Mr. Estes retired in 2003, only to continue teaching part time. His dedication to a lifetime of teaching ultimately portrayed his unprecedented Donald H. Estes drive for education, a legacy he notably demonstrated. “Don felt that education was the way up the social ladder,” said political science professor and friend Myles Clowers. “Once you got to know him, he cared greatly … He was a mentor, scholar, friend,” Clowers added. A considerable profound love for the study of the Japanese American culture was a passion for Mr. Estes. His interest in the Japanese began when he lived through the detainment of Japanese Americans during WWII as a child. Mr. Estes is author of many books relating to the Japanese American experience in San Diego. He is noted for his participation in the documentary titled “The See ESTES, Page 4

By Chris Zimmerman When it comes time to transfer to four-year universities, San Diego City College students have met with success. Within the last few years, six City College students have

been accepted for transfer to Columbia University’s School step in their education. Page 14 of General Studies (GS), an Ivy League university. There California and California have also been success sto- State University schools. ries for City College students Transfering nowadays, transferring to Yale, Harvard isnvolves standing out in the as well as the University of crowd of applications, but

RUNNING FOR MAYOR

there are plenty of things about City students that are attractive to four-year universities admissions departments. According to Curtis Rodg-

See TRANSFER, Page 17

Prop. S promises change for City campus Bond measure brings $685 million to district

Photo by Mike Sullivan

City student declares candidacy Student Les Swazzo, right, shows a City College nursing student where to sign on his petition for candidacy in San Diego’s special mayoral election on July 26. The race was called after current Mayor Dick Murphy resigned. Candidates include Councilwoman Donna Frye, a write-in candidate for mayor who lost to Murphy last November.

By Cindy J. Wimer There are big changes in store for City College thanks to the passage of Proposition S in 2002. San Diego voters approved a $685 million bond issue to improve the Community Colleges and Continuing Education Campuses in the city. A Global Steering Committee was formed to deter- ■ Summer mine how to construction handle the proj- planned for ects. The com- cafe. Page 5 mittee included eighteen different departments made up of staff and faculty. “We had to make sure the redevelopment plan was parallel with the educational plan,” Carol Dexheimer said. “We hired architects who took our ideas and developed a master plan.” Still about one year away from actual construction, the school is in the process of acquiring the additional propSee PROP. S, Page 4

NEWS

City Times

CityCalendar

Compiled by Sandi Garcia Send items to City Times, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101, e-mail citytimes@gmail.com, or call (619) 388-3880

■ MAY 26 Miramar College Class of 2005 Graduation, Hourglass Field, 4 p.m.

admission or free for Jazz 88 members

■ MAY 27 City College Class of 2005 Graduation, Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, 6:30 p.m.

■ JUNE 21 Ronald Muldrow Quintet, presented by Jazz 88, Saville Theatre, 8p.m., $10 general admission or free for Jazz 88 members

■ MAY 28 Mesa College Class of 2005 Graduation, Golden Hall (3rd Ave. & B St..), 4 p.m.

■ JUNE 30 Final transcripts with Spring 2005 grades due to SDSU for Fall 2005 transfer.

■ MAY 30 Last day to sign TSD guaranteed admission agreement to SDSU for Spring 2006 transfer (A-110) ■ MAY 31 Last day to sign TAG guaranteed admission agreement to UCSD for Winter 2006 transfer (A-110) ■ JUNE 7 Joey DeFrancesco Trio, presented by Jazz 88, Saville Theatre, 8 p.m., $10 general

■ JULY 1-31 Application ﬁling period for UC campuses for Winter 2006 transfer. ■ JULY 5 Jack Sheldon, presented by Jazz 88, Saville Theatre, 8 p.m., $10 general admission or free for Jazz 88 members ■ JULY 19 Rachel Z, presented by Jazz 88, Saville Theatre, 8p.m., $10 general admission or free for Jazz 88 members

May 24-28, 2005

City Times wins key grant Campus newspaper now able to upgrade its production equipment with $1,500 CNPA award The California Newspaper Publishers Association has awarded City Times a $1,500 production equipment grant. City Times is one of three college newspapers statewide to receive the award this year. “This grant is a key accomplishment for City Times,” journalism adviser Roman Koenig said. “CNPA’s support is an acknowledgment of the hard work the staff and I have done to rebuild a student newspaper program here at City.” The CNPA provides grants to student papers that are able to successfully demonstrate a need for new or upgraded production equipment to improve their overall production operation. Currently, the 20-member staff City Times publishes 12- to 20-page issues bimonthly using two modern Macintosh computers and one obsolete PC. With the grant, the paper will be able to purchase a third Mac computer

to improve the efficiency of the production process. “Our students have worked hard this year with incredibly limited resources,” Editor-in-Chief Sandi Garcia said. “We don’t even have a fax line in our 12-by12 office. This award will make it possible for more frequent or longer issues next semester.” Koenig was hired as adviser in 2003. Until fall of that year, the paper was published once per month on photocopied 8½-by-11-inch pages. Today, the paper is in printed full-color in standard tabloid format. Administration has also reintroduced “Introduction to Newswriting” (JOUR 200) back into the curriculum at City. In all, there were 35 newspaper entries in this year’s CNPA competition. Three college papers and five high school papers were selected as grant winners. More information about the CPNA is available at www.cnpa.com.

Chancellor named one of ‘10 Coolest Women’ in San Diego Carroll honored by Girl Scouts for being a role model to local girls and for commitment to community service By Sandi Garcia Chancellor Constance Carroll has been named one of San Diego’s “10 Coolest Women” by the Girl Scouts’ San Diego-Imperial Council. She and the other “Cool Women” were honored at the council’s 2005 Volunteer Celebration and Annual Meeting April 19. “A cool woman inspires,” says Girl Scouts CEO Jo Dee Jacobs. “She raises the bar of excellence in her community through her extraordinary service and achievement, both professional and personal. She is an uplifting role model for young girls.” Mary Doyle, the council’s director of communications, adds, “They show each scout how she can be a success in so many areas.” “Cool Women” are selected because the council considers them to be role models who balance work, family, friends, and service, raising the bar of excellence in their communities. Having career success is not enough to named be a “Cool Woman”, commitment to service is essential. Carroll’s commitment to service is clearly evident. She is chair of the Community College Leadership Development Board, a member and former chair of the National Institute for Leadership Development Board of

The Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Photo courtesy of the Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council Escorted by Daisy Girl Scout Aliyah Campbell, Chancellor Constance Carroll accepts a 2005 Cool Woman Award from Girl Scouts CEO Jo Dee Jacob, left, and President Lucy Jackson. Directors, and a member of the Community College Humanities Association Board. Each of the honorees was selected because her achievements reﬂect a particular standard in the Girl Scout Law. Carroll was chosen as the “friendly and

helpful” honoree. Selecting the 10 Coolest Women is a year-long process. Selection committee members clip news stories about interesting San Diego women throughout the year. They also ask the Coolest Women honored in previous years for

suggestions before deciding choosing honorees. The other nine Cool Women of 2005 were Beatriz Barraza (CEO, Colaborativo Saber); Julia Brown (Advisor to the CEO, Amylin Pharmaceuticals); Theresa Drew (Managing Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP); Joyce Gattas (Dean, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, SDSU); Kathy Hansen (CMC, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); Connie Matsui (Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Communication, Idec Pharmaceuticals); Regina Petty (Attorney, Wilson Petty Kosmo & Turner LLP); Phyllis Schwartz (President, NBC 7/39 San Diego); and Fran Styles (former athletic director, Francis Parker School).

May 24-28, 2005

CityNews

City Times

Honors students celebrate their achievements Retiring professor, co-founder of Honors Program, recognized at 18th Annual Honors Banquet By Erin Resnick San Diego City College District students and staff gathered on May 11 for this year’s annual Honors Banquet to acknowledge and commend both Honors recipients, and those who helped advocate their success. This year, the SDCCD Honors Program was made up of more than 800 District Honors students who felt that the standard college curriculum just wasn’t enough to satisfy their need to succeed. Honors students enjoy the beneﬁts of smaller class sizes, more student-teacher interaction, more in depth curriculum and of course the ability

to have “Honors” posted on resumes or college applications. “For me it’s not even about having Honors written on my transcript,” said Honors student Dan Merino, who is currently enrolled in Honors Music 125 taught by Professor Elizabeth Hamilton at Mesa. “Having one on one interaction with my professor on a regular basis, as well as the ability to apply what I’ve learned to everyday life means more to me than being acknowledged,” states Merino. The 18th Annual Honors Reception provided Honors students and faculty with

a catered banquet of food and refreshments. Numerous Honors students were recognized and commended for their acceptance into the universities they had applied for, many of them being Ivy League Schools. Honors program founding faculty member Dr. Herald Kane shared the spotlight alongside of the Honors students, as he announced his retirement after serving over 30 years in the SDCCD District, and over 20 years within the Honors Program. “Of the many things I’ve done professionally, this is the best,” Kane said during a short acceptance speech at the

reception. Kane was known for his undying passion to go above and beyond when it came to learning and especially when dealing with student success. Honors student Pat Patterson told of a time when he received a call from Kane during a Presidents Day Weekend reassuring him that although he was not yet guaranteed admission to the university he’d applied to, Kane was going to see what he could do about getting him in through connections of his own. “I was so touched that Dr. Kane would take the time on a holiday weekend to personally reassure me that he was doing

everything he could to help me out with my acceptance, you don’t see that very often,” Patterson said. Kane went on to stress the importance of personal relationships within the Honors Program and how it’s easy to get too busy to be personable, but how he couldn’t let that happen for the sake of his students. Kane will now venture off to Canada, but will return within the year to teach part time and continue to enlighten the district with his encouraging attitude. He will be greatly missed by both students and faculty.

City students named to prestigious All-California Academic Team Phi Theta Kappa members visit Sacramento to receive award at Capitol

Photo courtesy of Steve Bouscaren Above: City students Sandi Garcia, left, and Mark McGrath, second from left, pose with State Sen. Christine Kehoe and City Professor Steve Bouscaren at Kehoe’s office in Sacramento. Left: City student Mark McGrath takes time to join a protest over proposed cuts in benefits to classified staff at California public schools while attending the All-California Academic Team awards ceremony.

Photo by Sandi Garcia

By Jessie Zechnowitz City College is yielding some quite successful students this year, students are transferring, reaping national honors, and going on to do great things in general. Two students especially, Sandi Garcia and Mark McGrath, were honored in being selected to be on the AllCalifornia Academic Team for 2005. “Phi Theta Kappa all USA academic teams are made up of students nominated from their college...” however, “each community college is limited to nominating two students each year,” said Phi Theta Kappa adviser Cathi Lopez. The criteria for being placed on these teams consists of students’ academic achievements, campus involvement and community service. Both of City’s nominations, Garcia and McGrath, were chosen and honored with a luncheon

in Sacramento. City College President Burgess offered to pay for the students’ ﬂight, with a faculty Adviser, to the capital. Along with the luncheon, the students were also granted appointments with State Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña and State Sen. Christine Keyhoe to discuss any pressing issues that the students felt needed consideration. “I was thrilled because these are two women I respect very much, and it meant a lot to be able to be the face of City College and Phi Theta Kappa for them,” Garcia said. On the way back to their hotel, the students passed a protest by an organization of state education workers against the cuts in funding that the governor was proposing, they joined the rally and marched back to the Capitol. Garcia and McGrath have

both chosen the University of California at Berkeley as their transfer institutions. Garcia has been active in Phi Theta Kappa, holding such titles as the membership and fundraising committee chairperson, vice president of communication, and chapter president. She has also held two regional ofﬁces including south-east district vice president and was just elected the Phi Theta Kappa Nevada/ California Regional Alumni Association’s executive vicepresident for next year. She has been a news and calendar editor for City Times, where she currently is the editor-inchief. Garcia has also received many awards, among them the Honors Book Scholarship, Dean’s List and the Building Industry Association Scholarship. She is the only City See TEAM, page 8

NEWS

City Times

May 24-28, 2005

City College student selected to attend Global Citizenship Conference in Austria

Photo by Sandi Garcia Student Travis Biolette will represent City College at the Salzburg Seminar in Austria.

Prop. S Continued from Page 1 erty needed. According to Dexheimer, “The LRC Down Under Project will be done ﬁrst.” The plan is to actually build permanent classrooms under the LRC building that will accommodate the displaced classes in the L building during construction.

By Donna Maranto Travis Biolette, the newly installed president of Phi Theta Kappa, has been chosen to represent City College at the Salzburg Seminar in Austria, May 29 – June 5. The theme of this year’s seminar is “Global Citizenship: America and the World.” Biolette’s application was initially nominated by Professor Ternot MacRenato, and then endorsed by Dr. Herald Kane, co-chairman of the Honors Department. Founded in 1947, the seminar is a forum for promoting global dialogue on issues of pressing international concern. The Salzburg Seminar is situated in Schloss Leopoldskron, and housed in an 18th century Rococo palace in Salzburg.

Biolette explained his advocacy for peace in an essay submitted with his reasons for wanting to attend the seminar. “I believe that the road to peace on Earth is rooted deeply within all people actively participating as responsible global citizens ... I believe that one day, within our lifetimes, we will see the hope of the visionary John Lennon come into reality as we join together discarding our prejudices for peace.” Biolette said. He further explains that the move towards globalization is a key factor in undermining the devastations of war. “Today, people around the world are becoming more aware than ever of the need to explore the ideals of living in harmony with our neighbors. The

world is being brought together more closely in these times that we live than ever before … My dream is the dream of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This dream however needs to be expanded on a global scale to promote the realization I believe is in us all that there is hope; and hope leads to happiness through accomplishment in civic engagement.” Biolette plans to transfer to the University of California at Berkeley to enter their Peace and Conﬂict Studies major, and then to the United Nations University of Peace in Costa Rica. Biolette joins a students from both Mesa and Miramar Colleges, to represent the District. More information on the Seminar can be found at www.salzburgseminar.org.

The build-out will take place in three phases. Most of the funds that are needed will come from Prop. S, but some will come from alternate funding. The voters were not supportive of money going to athletics or student services, so funds for those projects will have to be raised. One of the plans is to build a pedestrian walking bridge across Park Boulevard. that will connect the athletic area with the rest of the campus.

The campus will be expanding from the current 507,000 square feet to 1,210,000 square feet. Another plan is to increase the current parking capacity from 1,075 stalls to 3,100 stalls. The district is anticipating the number of enrolled students to jump from 14,000 to 25,000, based on the projected population growth of the area.

were built. At that time the mayor of San Diego, Frank Curran, started the redevelopment of downtown, which included City College. Curran Plaza was named after him for his work in giving City College a home. Before City relocated to its current location, the college resided at multiple sites throughout downtown. In the 1970s, the campus expanded signiﬁcantly with the addition of buildings L, C, S, E, H, M, F and D as well as the Phys. Ed Field House. The ETC came in 2000 and the LRC in 2002.

While City College is celebrating 90 years in existence, the ﬁrst buildings on the current site didn’t come until 1956 when the A and T buildings

Estes

Continued from Page 1

Hundred Year Road: Japan to San Diego,” where he elaborates on the rebuilding of Japanese communities after World War II. History Professor Susan Hasegawa said Mr. Estes got satisfaction from teaching. “He had a lifetime commitment to helping people, that was his stimulation,” Hasegawa said.

A graduate of Roosevelt Junior High and San Diego High School, Mr. Estes continued on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s at San Diego State University. His teaching career began at La Jolla High where he was faculty for six years before moving on to City College, where he spent his remaining years. “He was a great teacher, he was tough but fair,” Clowers said. His memorial services where held at the San Diego Buddhist Temple where an outpouring of more than 300 family, friends and faculty attended.

Discounts available for summer fun Want to save some money this summer? Here are two ideas for fun in the sun with discounts available. Head over to Mission Beach and check-out the two new thrill rides, Beach Blaster and CHAOS. Present a valid student ID on June 2 from 4-10

p.m. and save 50 percent on admission. Spend $10 at a Ralphs Supermarket, and you can buy your admission to opening day of the San Diego Couny Fair for just $1! That is a $10 savings per ticket with no limit.

May 24-28, 2005

City Times

NEWS

Major repairs slated for cafeteria over the summer By Cindy J. Wimer A major repair project involving the City College cafeteria is slated to start June 1, and should be completed by August 12. SDCCD has secured state funding from the state in order to repair sewer lines that run under the cafeteria. This project will require the cafeteria ﬂoor to be dug up to a depth of 10-14 feet. This will affect food service during the summer semester.

According to district food supervisor, Gayla Pierce, “We’ve done a lot of planning to ensure that the transition will be as smooth as possible.” She adds that their primary focus is to provide and maintain service for the campus. Students and faculty should be aware that there will be no food service during the week of May 30. Limited service will begin on June 6 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with hours

expanding to 7 p.m. on June 13 when summer session begins. The serving area will be relocated to the upper lounge area of the dinning room. As usual the National Youth Summer Sports Program will have seating priority between 12:45 and 2:00 p.m. The two computer stations on the south end of the Internet Café will be taken to make room for the electronic cash registers.

MESA students calculate victory By Sandi Garcia City College students won the 12th annual MESA Calculator Olympics in an event held on-campus April 30. The students competed by solving technical problems in math, chemistry, and physics. Students from Southwestern College and San Diego State University also participated. “This was the ﬁrst Calculator Olympics title for City College,” said Rafael Alvarez, MESA program director. City students Matthew Riederer, Rumbidzai Muzota, Paul Wisecaver, and Gustavo Andrade were on the team that won ﬁrst place. Another team

from City, which included Joe Ortega, Antonio Fernandez, Arnold Peneda, and Zachary Hearns, placed second. The event was sponsored by Sony, who provided prizes including CD players, $75 in cash, and memory sticks for winning team members. “It was fun and kind of exciting,” Fernandez said, “it was also really hard.’ The 4th annual MESA Robotics Challenge was held in conjunction with the Calculator Olympics. In this event, team members competed in a timed event by building robots with LEGO Mindstorm Robotics kits. A team from

SDSU was the winner in this event, for which they received Sony digital cameras. Arnold Peneda, Marinelle Peneda, and Antonio Fernandez were also on City’s Robotics team. Michelle Scott, a member of City’s team, said the chance of winning is not the only reason for participating in these types of events. “I met a girl who’d participated in this type of competition before, and having it on her resume helped her get a great internship.” She continued that these events give real-life experience, which can make the difference in securing a great job.

“Once the summer school begins we are planning to barbecue in the quad area in front of the D-building on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays,” says Pierce “throughout the summer we will be offering other little goodies and surprises that we hope will offset the inconvenience.” Coolers with a limited variety of canned and bottled bev-

erages will be available as well as grab & go sandwiches and salads. A small selection of microwavable items will also be on hand. The salad bar will be moved, but will be set up as usual for lunch and dinner. Once operations begin, Pierce assures that they will work as quickly as possible to address any unforeseen problems.

�� Preschool substitute programs need aids & teachers! Pay from $7.50 to $10.50

Full/Part-time — Flexible hours Call Jacki Betterton: (858) 565-2144

When it comes to

fighting

hunger and illiteracy in our community...

City’s photo lab undergoes changes By Elizabeth Eross Along with the rest of the college, City’s photo lab is undergoing some renovations. The lab has been painted red to help preserve student photos, and was cleaned and reorganized by faculty and students. Renovations in the works include new digital equipment and computers to respond to

the growth in photo technology, and allowing students working in different mediums to complete projects in the same building, rather then traveling across campus. “This will be the best photo lab on this side of the Mississippi,” said lab assistant Shawn Bigbee. Heads of the photo depart-

ment, David King and David Eichinger, have been looking to upgrade the photo lab for awhile, but endured a lengthy wait for district funding.

SoCal FreeNet helps link communities By Kimmy Humes SoCal FreeNet is a group of self-professed “techies” who provide communities with wireless internet networks. Individual building landowners are required to pay for the initial equipment that is necessary to provide the imme-

diate area with wireless internet, but then the group sets up and maintains the networks. “Basically we’re tech enthusiasts doing this for fun. It’s a hobby for us.” One member of SoCal FreeNet said. According to the Web site, the group is “dedicated to

You can

change

A separate building for the photo department is in talks and a brand new fully operating photo lab is projected to be up and running in the next ﬁve years.

building, deploying, and growing ... to create an empowered, connected society, where technology becomes a community resource.” All one needs to do in order to acquire wireless Internet See LINK, Page 8

bodies, minds, and lives.

Help community outreach agencies and literacy organizations combat continual shortages. Bring non-perishable food items and books to graduation activities or drop them off at designated locations on campus. All items collected will be donated locally. Together, we can all feed a body, and feed a mind. For more information, visit: www.projectgraduation.org or contact:

info@ptkcity.org

All donations will go to the YWCA. A Community Service Initiative of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

Change your

community _

donate

today!

6 May 24-28, 2005

CityVoice

City Times

CityTimes Volume 59, Issue 12 May 24-28, 2005 Published as: The Jay Sees / 1945-1949 Fortknightly / 1949-1978 City Times / 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks Sandi Garcia Editor-in-Chief Manny Lopez Managing Editor Cindy J. Wimer News Editor Kimmy Humes Opinion Editor Lauren Ciallella Erin Resnick Arts Editors Christopher Young Sports Editor Michael Sullivan Photography Editor Keriann Bryan Copy Editor Jordan Banks Circulation Manager City Times Staff Christopher Burt, Shane Crumrine, Jermaine Davis, Elizabeth Eross, Amanda Ewell, Angel Hernandez, Donna Maranto, Terris L.S. Patterson, Johnathan Pivar, Les Swazzo, Alex Tolhurst, Jerry Webber, Jessie Zechnowitz, Chris Zimmerman Kristin Tow Contributor Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser 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. How to reach us: City Times San Diego City College 1313 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 Newsroom: L-125 Phone: (619) 388-3880 E-mail: citytimes@journalist.com Member: Journalism Association of Community Colleges, Associated Collegiate Press and California Newspaper Publishers Association

Photo by Sandi Garcia The fountain at the entrance to Casa de Pico showcases the restaurant’s famous Birdbath Margaritas on May 12, two days before closing permanantly.

Adios, mi amigo! Local favorite is lost Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town closes doors forever Even with the sun shining on such a beautiful day, my heart was breaking. I knew this would be my last meal at Casa de Pico, my favorite restaurant. I tried to show a brave face for my friend Mercedes, whose birthday the eight of us had gathered to celebrate. My ﬁrst visit to Casa de Pico was as a tourist eight years ago. I won’t lie: that one meal may have played a role in why I decided to move here. The birdbath size margaritas, strolling mariachi band, and perfect weather all combined in this magical place to create an air of mystery, romance, and excitement. But this wasn’t just a place

Perspective Sandi Garcia for tourists. Locals came here just as often, if not more so, than their out of town guests. We didn’t mind the wait to get in, usually at least 45 minutes, because we could look in all the colorful shop windows and, for a short while, be surrounded by a crowd of happy people. If we got hungry while we waited, we would simply buy a tortilla from the stand strategically placed half-way through the line. On June 1, many of the shops will reopen behind Casa Guadalajara (one block over),

and later this summer Casa de Pico will reopen at Grossmont Center. In the fall of 2006, Bazaar del Mundo will open at Seaport in the site that once housed the old police headquarters at the Embarcadero. The original architecture at that site will be preserved, and the restaurants Casa de Pico and Casa de Bandini will be housed at this site with additional retail shops (www. bazaardelmundo.com). With Bazaar del Mundo, Diane Powers was already operating the most proﬁtable state park concession in California, but apparently that wasn’t good enough. In their inﬁnite wisdom, the powers

that be in Sacramento decided not to renew Power’s lease last year, opting instead to award it to Delaware North Companies from Buffalo New York. But who is Delaware North? Delaware North is a billion dollar corporation that operates concessions throughout the United States. If you’ve ever bought a hot dog at Petco Park, had a Sky Chefs meal while in ﬂight, or visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida you’ve been their client. They also operate concessions at Yosemite and Seqouia National Parks in California, and Niagara Falls State Park in New York. See BAZAAR, Page 7

May 24-28, 2005

City Times

VOICE

A pack of clones ‘Star Wars’ groupies and other inane acts of bandwagoning With only the glow of their light-savers (candlesticks) to keep them warm, loyal “Star Wars” groupies (aka “Star Whores”) were toughing out another night at their newly appointed station – the movie line. Passing the crowd of “Jedi” and “Dark Side” with mouth agape, I wondered, “Could this really all be for, ‘Revenge of the Sith’?” It seems strange how common this obsessive and cult-like behavior is throughout different pockets of society, causing an off balance type of “mob rule”, deeming what is worthy of being worshipped. “Beatles” fans are the ﬁrst people that come to mind when I think of hysteria, but that music was the opening of a door to years of sexual and emotional repression, which might cause some over excitement. But a Beanie Baby? Tickle me, Elmo? Cabbage Patch Kids? What humanistic release of emotions do these produce? Where does the obsession lie in our nature and

Perspective Lauren Ciallella how does it prey on such large facets of the population? The unbridled enthusiasm surrounding “Revenge of the Sith” was a perfect example of glorifying something that had become much bigger than it’s worth. The built-up hype of the trilogy had managed to form an army of devout followers, gladly paying their hard earned dollars to the first two extremely boring and unmoving episodes. For such highly anticipated features, the characters were flat and the dialogue was painfully non-descript. It held absolutely no emotion and only gave the bare minimum of what was needed to progress the storyline. I was also surprised to find the episodes from the seventies more realistic than the new, computer generated version (I’ll take Chewbacca over Jar-Jar Binks any day).

Homeless in San Diego A person’s own experience can open his eyes to changes that need to be made in our society. My own encounter made me realize that homelessness is one of those areas that need serious attention. I moved to San Diego in the winter of 1999, and by January 2000, I too became homeless, but if you are going to be homeless, this may be the best place to be. Why is the homeless popu-

Del Mundo Continued from page 6 Founded in 1915, Delaware North is very, very good at cre-

Perspective Les Swazzo lation in San Diego growing? And, who are these people? There are probably as many reasons for this as there are homeless people. “San Diego is the second largest city in California.” Just being the second largest city in the state means we would have a large ating proﬁtable tourist attractions. They also seem to have a sense of community support. Their website, www.delawarenorth.com, prominently displays a “global citizenship” policy. It states, “Our global citizenship platform rests on

Photo by Sandi Garcia City Science Club members left their light sabers at home for the opening of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith”. Star Whores chose to ignore the discrepancies in the films because it would mean the loss of something much bigger, an identity. A piece of life wouldn’t make sense, so therefore the crappiness of the movies were ignored (they already read the book five times anyway) and they would be first on line again for Episode III. The part that’s bizarre is when this adoration becomes

part of a belief system and who you are. I think everyone has an interest in a favorite something, even if it’s just having to watch your one show every Thursday night (“Friends” frenzy), but there is a certain line that can be crossed where people substitute these fantasies and obsessions into real life.

concentrating on living life as a Jedi knight. Collecting highly priced Beanie Babies and Cabbage Patch Kids reminds me of an odd type of drug fix, even though the gratification is through acquiring a $7 piece of fabric stuffed with beans and named “Snuffles”. Now, that’s “Chicken Soup for the Soul”.

It doesn’t seem like real issues are close at hand when

Lauren Ciallella is City Times’ arts editor

homeless population. There is more to this. We have to look at why people are homeless here. Let us forget for a moment that many homeless people like great weather, and let us say they are not moving here for that reason. Most people in San Diego work for insufﬁcient wages. In New Jersey, I worked for a grocery store back in the eighties making sixteen dollars an hour. I went to work out here for the same union, in a grocery store and made seven dollars and forty cents. Same

Job! One cause of homelessness reported by cities is cited in a report “low paying jobs”. This was the Mayors’ 16th Annual Survey on “Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities” and San Diego was part of this. If people here cannot afford a place to live, they will have to live on the street. Rent control might solve this problem, but we all should make enough money so we can have a place to live. I found there to be three types of homeless people. One type is people who if not happy

with their situation, are content with being homeless. The second type want to get off the streets and into a place they can call there own. This brings me to the third type of homeless people, the mentally ill or the addicts. What is mental health? “Mental health is how people look at themselves, their lives, and the other people in their lives; evaluate their challenges and problems; and explores choices. This includes han-

three pillars: Environment, Community Support and Social Responsibility. They are all intricately tied together to form the very basis of some of our key values.”

Mundo, which has been an excellent neighbor to all of us for 34-years, let us hope that Delaware North is for real. Delaware North plans to open their concessions, called Plaza del Pasado, in June.

Of course, the tourists will go because it is historic Old Town (and they don’t know any better). But will we?

With the loss of Bazaar del

See HOMELESS, page 8

Sandi Garcia is City Times’ editor-in-chief

City Times

May 24-28, 2005

VOICE / NEWS

A visit with Judy I had the honor to sit down with Judy Forman, who was recently honored by the State of California as Woman of the Year. State Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña also honored her at the Women’s Museum here in San Diego. Saldaña developed and managed several educational and technical job skills programs, including a $1.5 million Technology Workforce Development grant for the San Diego Community College district. One hour turned into the whole afternoon. She talked about everything from growing up in a small town in upstate New York, to her passion in life, people. This is about a woman who is happy mostly when helping others.

Team Continued from Page 3 student ever to be accepted to the prestigious Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley with

Link

Continued from Page 5

net using WiFi technology, is secure funds for the initial equipment and directly ask

Forman says she is the selfappointed Mayor of Golden Hill. Saying Golden Hills after the third time, she said, “Do you see more than one hill?” She is very adamant about her community. Judy is an activist in social and community issues, but most of all, she feels she is a humanist. For over twenty years she has been involved with this San Diego community that overlooks City College. Forman said she has the utmost respect for education in San Diego and her sister Marcia graduated from City College. Education is very

important to her, and half of the staff at the Big Kitchen attends City College. When she is at the Kitchen you can see her feed young kids in the community before they go to school, for free. “Children need a good breakfast so they can do well in school”, she said. These kids come back after school and do work around the restaurant, like sweep the sidewalk. It is wonderful to see her with these kids. Judy was a social worker who worked for years in Detroit, and in many ways she is still doing that work here at the Big Kitchen. As a Jewish woman, Jud said she feels that she too is part of a minority. She grew up to be outspoken and learned late in life about racism. She adds, “I saw racism for the ﬁrst time when I was in college.” Judy has been pro-active all

of her life. She was part of the Civil Rights movement in the ’60s and, Abbie Hoffman was her hero. An icon in the ’60s, he was successful at turning many ﬂower children into political activists. I loved her deﬁnition of a feminist: “It is a verb meaning women of action. At this point we went out to lunch over looking the harbor. This is a favorite spot of hers. She is a powerful lady with strong convictions who has no problems making her point clear. “If I could do anything it would be to write a book about the Big Kitchen. It is a community within a community. The people here for the last 20 years all have done so much for each other it is unbelievable.” As Judy the Beauty would say, tres bien, tres bien!

a 3.74 GPA. McGrath has also been highly active at City and has a background in the Army. He is a veteran of the Airborne Division, Infantry Division, and Long Range reconnaissance. McGrath has been a member

of the Honors Program; Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement (MESA); Phi Theta Kappa, where he served as the director of fundraising last year, and the American Civil Liberties Union. He has been awarded The Chancel-

lor’s Scholarship, Dean’s List, Honors Book Award, and was the Student Commencement Speaker for Graduation 2004. He has a 3.91 GPA and will be majoring in Physics with a minor in Anthropology at UC Berkeley.

SoCal FreeNet. Inﬂux Café, one of the group’s “hot spots,” has startup Internet kits available for $90. Once set up, it picks up a signal, which is then converted into Ethernet, allowing wireless accessible users to

use the Internet. The types of communities the group is eager to involve ﬁrst in the project, are those incorporating a high density of residents, a high demand and a somewhat low income. So far, there are projects in

Golden Hill (which is next door to City College), Sherman Heights and Barrio Logan. More are currently being set up around San Diego.

Perspective Les Swazzo

Les Swazzo is a City Times staff writer

For more information, go to www.socalfreenet.org.

Recycling is good The trees will love you for it. The landﬁlls will love you for it. And City Times will love you for it, because we won’t get complaints about our paper littering the campus.

Homeless Continued from page 7 dling stress, relating to other people, and making decisions” (National Mental Health Information Center). Many homeless have difﬁculty dealing with these problems and some turn to alcohol and drugs. Mental health problems can be anything from addictions to alcohol and drugs to schizophrenia. Unfortunately these people “make up one-third of the homeless population” (The Treatment Advocacy Center). If people on the street are sick, we need to get help for them and get them off the streets. All homeless people are escaping from something, be it society itself or the life they once had. Most want to make it better. Perhaps they just cannot afford to live here. So many questions need answers. Homelessness has never been a top component on the national political agenda, but here in San Diego there are many public and private organizations that offer help. Being on the streets in San Diego for three months I saw many people with these problems and know that there are many organizations to help the homeless. I went to the homeless veterans’ shelter and got a list of all the available assistance they had. This is available to everyone and the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego will show anyone how and where to get help. This organization has been here for almost thirty years and gets a lot of ﬁnancial help from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). In addition to Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, St. Vincent de Paul Village among others in San Diego is willing to help all people who ask for help. St. Vincent De Paul offers meals and bed services. Each day, an average of eight hundred people comes to the village for a meal. St. Vincent De Paul tries not to be called a shelter and chooses to be called a village as you can see by its title. They want people to better themselves by showing them to believe in themselves. Les Swazzo is a City Times staff writer

May 24-28, 2005

CityArts

City Times

Return

of the

Illfonix mixes elements of Jazz, funk, hip-hop and spoken word into a winning combination for San Diego City College radio station KSDS Jazz 88.3

By Jerry Webber rothers and sisters, do you believe? Do you believe in places that touch your heart and stimulate your mind? Or, in this world of prepackaged, same old same old, have you given up on artistic value and depth? Well brothers and sisters, there’s a man and a place that might just put a smile on your face. “Ladies and gentlemen, Bboys and B-girls, welcome to the Illfonix show, and believe what you hear,” DJ Sachamo, the scratchy voiced, host of Illfonix, calls out to his audience as he begins. Illfonix airs every Wednesday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday morning on Jazz 88 radio (KSDS, 88.3 FM). It combines multiple genres of music, with a jazz and soul foundation. Although music is the heart of the show, it also highlights writers, poets, and musicians. DJ Sachamo explains the show in its introduction. “We are the specialty show,

descendant of Mother Jazz, spilling into genres of soul, hip-hop, house and spoken word,” Sachamo explains. “That’s right this is the place to be where jazz legends cross paths with hip-hop scribes,” adds Sachamo. Not just the DJ, Sachamo is also the creative force behind the show. He goes by the title of creative director, which translates to the DJ, producer, engineer, programmer, and in charge of any promotions for the show. Other contributors include Otim Oloya, an occasional co-host and contributing writer and Michelle Sierra, the show’s editor and writer. Lucia Lgk is what Sachamo calls the “cultural aspect” of the show. She keeps the audience updated on important dates in history, reads poetry, or gives a list of local events. Sachamo does not hesitate to give thanks to those who have helped him with the success of the show, but this is his baby. It has grown with him since he was a child. It started with a family that gave him a

Photo by Mike Sullivan DJ Sachamo performs in front of a live audience recently in San Diego. Sachamo is the host of Illfonix, which airs every Wednesday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday morning on Jazz 88 radio (KSDS, 88.3 FM). musical and creative environment. The show is a very personal expression for Sachamo. “It’s in me...It’s been within me, of how I was raised with my family.” The idea for Illfonix came to Sachamo about 10 years ago. Since then he worked to make it a reality, and he has. He says, “this show is my creation, I created everything on it.”

DJ Sachamo’s real name is Eddie Hernandez Jr. The 34-year-old started spinning records as a teenager and has been developing his style and technique ever since. Sachamo has paid his dues working for commercial radio stations, which has left a bad taste in his mouth. “Commercial radio sucks. They tell you what to play. They’re there to make money,” said Sachamo.

Sachamo enjoys the freedom and creative allowance of broadcasting on a non-commercial radio station. “Nobody tells me what to play. Every record I play comes from my room,” Sachamo said. August will be Illphonic’s four year anniversary. “I’m so honored to be on Jazz 88,” See ILLFONIX, Page 12

City Times

CityFocus

May 24-28, 2005

Two men on the Mexican side of the border fence between the United States and Mexico use it as support to stretch out before a late morning jog. The area, known as Playas de Tijuana, is a popular area for recreation and excercise.

An artistic interpretation of a man crossing through the Imperial Desert hangs on the Mexican side of the fence marking the border between the United States and Mexico. Critics of the 10-foot-high steel fence claim it does nothing to deter would-be crossers, but only serves to push them farther east where many succumb to the harsh elements of the Imperial Desert.

A sign hangs on the Mexican side of the border fence commemorating the 10-year anniversary of its construction. The sign reads, “Guardian...aqui empezo. 10 Años despues, 3,000 muertes logró,” which can be translated to, “They began guarding here and 10 years later they’ve achieved 3,000 deaths.”

A line in the sand A look at the Mexico/USA border from both sides Text and photos by Mike Sullivan A woman takes an early morning stroll at Playas de Tijuana on the Mexico side of the border.

May 24-28, 2005

City Times

The 10-foot-high steel fence marking the border between The United States and Mexico viewed from the United States’ side. The fence is over ten years old and is in a state of rapid deterioration due to exposure to the elements.

rom 1993 to 1997, several government programs were initiated in the border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California aimed at addressing the issue of immigrants illegally crossing the international border between the United States and Mexico. In California, this initiative took the form of Operation Gatekeeper. The most visible element of Operation Gatekeeper became the 10-foot-high steel fence constructed in 1994, which marks the border between the United States and Mexico and stretches from the Pacific coast several miles inland. Eleven years later, the fence still stands albeit in a rapidly deteriorating state. Extending several yards into the Pacific, the fence is at the mercy of crashing salt-water waves and blasts of sand-filled wind. Rust eats away at nearly every inch of the fence and has devoured several large holes through it.

Operation Gatekeeper has its share of supporters and detractors. Supporters claim that the fence is an integral part of national security and that it acts as a ﬁrst line of defense against those wishing to enter the country illegally. Critics claim that the fence is ineffective at deterring illegal crossings and that it only serves as an obstacle that forces those intent on crossing the border to do so farther east in the Otay Mesa area where many succumb to the harsh elements of the Imperial Desert.

Two-year-old Peter Rodriguez is seen through a hole in the fence that marks the international border between the United States and Mexico. Peter was enjoying a day at the beach with his family at Playas de Tijuana on the Mexico side of the border.

The issue is certain to remain a highly contested one. Lawmakers are hoping to move forward with a proposed plan to construct a new triple fence to reinforce the old one. The proposal has been met with protests that the construction of such a fence would upset the delicate ecosystem that surrounds the area, including the Tijuana Estuary National Wildlife Refuge, which lies just north of the border on the United States side.

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Gibson patrols the beach on the United States side of the border.

ARTS

City Times

May 24-28, 2005

Illfonix Continued from Page 9 Sachamo said. “Thank God to Jazz 88 for letting my show happen.” Sachamo has received support from some of the Jazz 88 staff. Damaja Le, another DJ on the station, has helped Sachamo improve as a broadcaster. He is not the only one that supports Illfonix. Station Manager Mark DeBoskey is a believer. Along with keeping the show on as part of the KSDS programming, DeBoskey sees a bright future for Illfonix. “We’re working hard to get this show where it needs to be, because it’s got unlimited potential,” said DeBoskey. The numbers are growing. Sachamo is getting positive feedback from people who believe what they hear, and believe in what he is doing. For him that is the payoff, the respect the show is getting. The show is reaching more people and it is growing by word of mouth only, since there are no funds for promotions. Sachamo said he is getting

Photo by Mike Sullivan “People are opening their eyes and their minds and their ears, it’s great,” DJ Sachamo says of his show, Illfonix. a lot of calls from people and all the feedback is positive. He said he also appreciates the variety of people that are responding to the show. He said he hears from professors,

bus drivers, students, and is even getting recognition from City Times. “People are opening their eyes and their minds and their ears, it’s great,” said

Sachamo. It is the totality of the musical experience that Sachamo is shooting for. “For me they’re weapons. The records I have are weap-

ons. I want to make people dance,” explains Sachamo. “You also want to make them think too,” added Sachamo. He will provide the root, a reference point, a foundation, and build off of that. It might play out as a two minute piano riff from Thelonious Monk that turns into the piano intro to a Nas song, inter-related creativity coming from different avenues but arriving at the same place. Sachamo hopes to keep Illfonix going, while staying at KSDS and expanding his audience. The ultimate goal is to be syndicated to other markets but keep his residence at Jazz 88. So brothers and sisters, if you didn’t know, now you do. Believe what you hear. A show like this does exist. Believe what you hear. A distinctive voice is speaking. Believe what you hear. You are listening to music that comes from a creative place, meant to touch and enlighten. If you would like to witness DJ Sachamo in action, he spins every Friday at Kadan’s (30th and Adams Avenue). Sachamo incorporates his mix of jazz, soul and hip-hop with live music.

Spoken poetry keeps the beat for City College students By Jessie Zechnowitz Spoken-word poetry is rapidly emerging as a popular form of selfexpression for students at City College, and beyond. It would hardly be fair to classify spoken-word poetry as “new,” as it’s reminiscent of the beat poets of the ’50s, became prevalent in early ’90s coffee houses, and has close ties to the momentous world of hip hop today — this poetry is more evolved than new. Spoken-word is becoming more available to the youth through TV (shows like the Russell Simmons and Mos Def produced Def Poetry), CDs, magazine, and books. It even showed its head on City’s campus recently as Scott Perry took the mic and spoke a poem with rhythm and intensity during a Resistencia Estudiantil (a student club) event in Gorton Quad. One way to access the scene in San Diego would be to stop by the Voz Alta, a community non-proﬁt organization, and witness “slam.” The San Diego Poetry Slam is held every second and fourth Monday of the month at this venue (1544 Broadway, just blocks

from City College) where poets from all over the county come, watch, and/ or pay $5 to compete. The slam consists of around 10 competitors speaking original poems for an audience of about 50 people. Judges are chosen from the audience at random and give scores from 0-10 as each contestant bares their mind to a willful audience. The buzz in the air is infectious as poets ranging in age from their late teens to their late ’50s speak in rhythm of social injustice, personal pain and growth, religious experiences, and life in general. Richard Colbert, whose stage name is Apollo, is a student at City who takes part in the slam regularly and has been its winner several times. Apollo’s pieces focus on using God as a way out of the drudgery of the everyday grind, and on dismantling the stereotypes that black males, and minorities alike struggle with on a daily basis. Apollo’s poetry is articulate and his booming baritone voice is enough to send you straight home to your pen and spiral notebook. If you plan on tackling the world of spoken- word, Apollo says

the most important thing to remember is to “stand behind what you say, and be real about it — be you.” Another City student, Kuba Wasowski, also attends the slam and says that he takes his inspiration from people like Apollo and other underground poets. Though akin to music, spoken word is different in that it’s not about the instruments or the ﬂash, it’s about the words. Wasowski explains that it’s important for this art form to remain unscathed by the trappings of mainstream music, otherwise people stop doing it for the expressionism and start worrying about contracts and money. “This isn’t about the public. That’s what makes this art form so endearing– it’s about you.” Wasowski says, “Poetry is personal, but when others hear it they tend to appreciate it.” Spoken word allows the student/ teacher/mother/deep-thinker to put together a story of sorts and present

it to an audience, allowing this form of creation to be interactive– a shared experience. Wasowski fully encourages others to try their hand, saying, “Anybody can do it, it’s all about overcoming your fears about speaking on stage,” he says that once you breach the immediate hurtle of the stage; you become comfortable and start to experience a “performance high.” Apollo and Wasowski mention that part of what makes spoken-word poetry so appealing to them is that it’s a form of therapy, a way to get out all of your negativity while creating art. Spoken-word is a double shot of good vibes because it allows the poet to speak in front of a group. There’s something about holding an audience captive that’s uplifting, everyone’s listening to you and there’s no argument or interruption. Apollo and Wasowski feel spoken-word is an excellent outlet, especially for college students who are experiencing a transitional period in their lives.

May 24-28, 2005

City Times

ARTS

‘Sunshine/Noir’ exposes underbelly of the San Diego postcard

Photo by Mike Sullivan Flamenco dancers Stephanie Rey, left, and Barbara Schwatka perform during Language Day on April 21.

Cultural Fair delights students By Erin Resnick Natives from several countries along with City College students and faculty shared various forms of art and cuisine as April 21 brought this year’s annual World Cultures and Language Day to campus. The multi-cultural event, which was held in the Gorton Quad and hosted by the San Diego City College Department of Languages, offered a full day of entertainment. Varied activities from snacking on Mexican sweet bread to watching Flamenco dancers kept the crowd entertained. The food, which was provided by the City College Cafe and by various clubs, consisted of entrees such as tamales, Mexican sweet bread, carne asada, nachos and other entrees mostly of Central American origin including drinks like hermeica and

horchata, which is made from hibiscus ﬂowers being dried and boiled. The singing and dancing started at 10 a.m. sharp and continued until around 2 p.m. Acts included Folk Dancers of Balboa Park, representing Poland, Arabic Belly dancer Judy Skertich, Flamenco dancers Stephania, Gherty, Barbara, Professor Romero-Huerta and singer Charo Monge. Arranged by professor Maria Clara RomeroHuerta, Salsa dancing and a Mariachi group Nuevo California joined the excitement in the early afternoon. “I particularly liked the Mariachi group and the Flamenco dancers who not only danced their part but also dazzled the audience in their picture perfect dresses,” said Paul Modest, a Spanish 101 student.

By Jordan Banks The launching-project for City College’s City Works Press will hit the shelves of San Diego in June. “Sunshine/ Noir” is a multi-genre anthology of creative work from and about San Diego and Tijuana. Edited by Jim Miller with help from the San Diego Writers Collective, S/N explores all aspects of this region, from the gleaming La Jolla light, to the downtown dirt and heartbreaking border. “What’s really beautiful about a place frequently isn’t the way we advertise ourselves.” Miller said adding, “This is a more authentic view of the city than the tourist media version.” Miller is a professor of English at City and has a doctorate in American cultural studies. He began developing the idea and theme for this project with the Collective a couple years ago as they were trying to jumpstart the press. They put a general call out on the press’ website and received about 300 submissions. According to Miller, after sifting through the good and the bad, they ended up bringing together mostly local writers, but also frequent visitors and expatriates with a certain adoration for the city. The sections of the book were then developed from the material they received. The ﬁrst section is called “Border Crossings,” and is about both the literal borders that we use to separate ourselves, and the ﬁgurative

borders of our vastly different cultures. S/N crosses some of these ﬁgurative borders with its eclectic group of “writers brought together in a way you don’t usually see, there’s historical and journalistic pieces along with poetry and ﬁction,” Miller said. In Miller’s introduction to the anthology he wrote, “San Diego is the Anglo Mission fantasy that evolved…(S/ N) explores San Diego and Tijuana’s border culture; San Diego’s multiple identities and lost history; the city’s natural beauty and endangered ecologies …” The anthology also features artwork and photography throughout. Mario Chacon, City’s dean of student affairs, contributed three paintings inspired by a former student who was murdered in a gang related shooting. There will be a small local book tour in June and July as well as showings in the New York Book Expo and the San Diego Open Air Book Fair to try to sell out all 1,500 copies. Sunbuilt is distributing the book so look for it at local bookstores in June. Every penny goes right back into the fund for the next project. The release party and tour opener will be June 11 at the Ice Gallery on 30th Street in North Park at 7 p.m. Ice is owned by Perry Vasquez, who also painted the Dali-esque cover for S/N. For more information, go to www.cityworkspress.org.

‘Assassination’ shows Sean Penn’s further growth as an actor I can’t help it, when I see Sean Penn, I still think “Jeff Spicolli,” despite his efforts in the last 20 years to tackle much more serious roles. As is the case with “The Assassination of Richard Nixon,” his latest movie released on video. Written and directed by newcomer Niels Mueller, it is a sad and almost pathetic tale of a deeply disturbed although somewhat identiﬁable man. Based on actual events and

set in Baltimore 1974, Penn’s character Sam Bycke was a real person who did plot to assassinate President Richard Nixon. Sam is a newly hired ofﬁce furniture salesman who has a boss (Jack Thompson) that’s one of those “say anything to make a sale slick Willy types.” He takes Sam under his wing and tries to teach him the tricks of the trade. The problem is that one of Sam’s many neu-

MovieReview Cindy J. Wimer roses is being honest and this doesn’t ﬁt well with the required rhetoric of a good salesman. Enter Richard Nixon (Who actually only appears on television sets in the background). Sam obsesses over Nixon

who he is convinced is not being honest with Americans about the war. At the same time he is trying to make an “honest living,” his estranged wife (Naomi Watts) is seeing another man. He constantly shows up at the house, or at the bar where she is a cocktail waitress. Sam is also trying to start his own mobile tire business with See PENN, Page 15

14 City Times

CityLife

It’s time

Controversial superintendent named to top education job San Diegan’s know governor’s choice for Education Secretary

For the Class of 2005, it’s time to say goodbye By Sandi Garcia City College’s Class of 2005 will graduate under the stars on May 27, 6:30 p.m., at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion, bringing the college’s 90th Anniversary to an end. This year, of the 1,116 graduates who have earned either associate’s degrees or certiﬁcates, approximately 250 students will participate in the ceremony. This is 150200 students fewer than the average year. Christina Monaco with the Evaluations Ofﬁce says she suspects that participation may have been curbed because of rumors about electrical renovations at the Organ Pavilion not being completed in time for the event. For many graduates, this time is bitter-sweet. While they will move forward into transfer colleges or newer, better jobs, they will leave behind a place that has become more than just school— for some it is a place where they learned their potential. “The best thing about City was discovering how smart I was. I wasn’t this good at stuff in high school,” Dax Balzer says. He is a clear example of what one can achieve at community college, as he served as president of the Science Club, is a member in Phi Theta Kappa, and worked as a peer tutor in the Trio/Aspire program. For the students who are continuing, he adds, “get involved in some kind of campus activity. I didn’t know See GRADUATION, Page 17

May 24-28, 2005

Photo by Terris L.S. Patterson Albert Avila, known to locals as ‘The Sandman’, creates sand art on the boardwalk in Mission Beach.

‘Sandman’ brightens up Mission Beach By Terris L.S. Patterson With the warm spring weather setting in and droves of people taking a daily trek to the beach, Mission Beach’s self-proclaimed “Sandman” provides entertainment and allure to a community whose prime season is rolling in like the waves. Many locals mistake the El Paso, Texas born native for a community or park service employee as he goes about his daily business of sweeping “formations,” pictures drawn with his broom into the windblown sand lining the tarmac, something he has been doing since September of last year when, “one day I was just walking by and felt I had to do something.” Albert Avila creates these formations, which attract plenty of attention especially from children and tourists, purely of his own accord and without ﬁnancial contribution. As he walks around creating his masterpieces, he also collects all the trash

and debris that accumulate in his path, helping to beautify the park. He considers it his “job to keep his area clean and put the cherry on top of the world famous park.” The local lifeguards acknowledge his efforts, waving and saying hello as each drives past him, taking time to thank him for his productive work. His formations, Avila says, are “inspired by the spirits from heaven, a game from the almighty. Even I do not know what I will produce beforehand.” Of the last six months that he has been doing this, he has considered every day to be a new adventure. Going about this daily routine in stress-free fashion, he puts all his trust in his “supervisor.” The formations are supposed to bring happiness and amusement to other people, Avila says, calling himself a “court jester for the people of the world, because everyone is a king of some sort.” He receives personal gratiﬁca-

tion as the people shuffle by, glancing down with perplexed stares as they notice the designs underfoot. The “Sandman” does not consider himself an artist, since he uses a unique medium not normally classified traditionally as art. Of all the people he has spoken with, none can remember another person doing anything similar. Using the blacktop as his canvas and sand as the paint, an 86-year-old woman calls Avila “very clever. I have never seen a man use a broom like a brush.” Avila spent the last 12 months in a Chula Vista park arranging trash into different shapes and styles when he first attracted attention from local and national news media. Univision, a Hispanic television and news channel, aired eight-minute broadcasts on popular shows “Ver Para Creer,” “Caliente” and “Premier Impactico,” showcasing Avila’s talents.

By Angel Hernandez Governor Schwarzenegger appointed former San Diego Superintendent, Alan Bersin, as Secretary for Education to oversee all of California’s K12 education system. Bersin, a former U.S. Attorney with no prior teaching experience, oversaw the San Diego Uniﬁed School district, when his eight year contract, which was scheduled to end in June 06’, was cut-short one year by a settlement between the San Diego School Board and Bersin. Opposition to his education policies by the teachers union and a newly elected school board of trustees sparked his early dismissal. Amidst his departure, Schwarzenegger praised Bersin as a “reformer” and a “great leader with the tremendous qualiﬁcations necessary to guide efforts to make sure California’s kids get a quality education,” the governor said in a press release. News of Bersins promotion alarmed the California Teachers Association. “CTA is disappointed that the governor chose someone who has no track record of building consensus or working with parents and teachers to improve public schools,” said President of the California Teachers Association, Barbara E. Kerr in a press release. As Superintendent of the nation’s second largest public school system, Bersin exercised his campaign for reform with his “blue print for student success,” a campaign See EDUCATION Page 17

LIFE / ARTS

City Times

Need a summer thrill? Try skydiving

People of any age can take a flying leap By Jerry Webber Forty-year-old Teresa Sewell had decided to jump. “I thought about my life. I called all the people I wanted to call, told them I was going to jump,” said Sewell. And jump she did. On Easter Sunday, March 25, Sewell and her mother Mary Tena, 75, made their first jump from an airplane. No age limit. No superhero, daredevil status needed. You can even be afraid of heights. For some people it is their badge of courage, that wild thing that they did once, that no one can ever take away. For others, it is love at first sight, a passion, an addiction. It becomes their life. No matter where you are coming from, or where you are going, skydiving is a life altering experience. “Making that jump into nothing was really an experience of a lifetime,” said Tena. She is not kidding. You climb 13,000 feet in the air. You jump out of a perfectly functioning airplane, immediately reaching speeds of approximately 120 mph. The wind hits your body like a linebacker. It screams in your ear. It makes the skin on your face flap like a tin roof in a tornado. You open your mouth to scream but too much air is coming in to let any out. You arch your body backward, belly to the earth, and you achieve a stable position. The chute gets pulled and your body gets jerked into itself like a minor rear end traffic accident. Then, silence. Everything feels like it comes to a stop. You look around and you can see everything. You realize you are on top

of the world, literally. “It’s adrenaline, but it’s relaxing when you pull your chute,” said Fernando Goncalves, 25. “You feel free, you’re free.” Goncalves understands the experience well. He has made approximately 2,100 jumps. Skydiving has changed his life and he is there to watch it change other lives. Goncalves is a camera flyer. He jumps out of an airplane wearing a video camera and flies around the skydiver to capture their full experience. He enjoys documenting the experience of other people. “I’m going to save this moment. People can see how happy he is, by videoing their jumps,” Goncalves said. “We have people crying and we have people start screaming. We have people quiet, start thinking about their life.” If you are one of those who decides to accept the challenge, and the thrill, that skydiving provides, there will be one final test before you jump. It is when the airplane door opens and the wind comes whipping into the plane. It is that moment that you truly learn something about yourself. Andy Rowell is co-owner of Pacific Coast Skydiving, he puts it this way. “The door opening up is the top of the roller coaster, the clicking’s done and you start to go down,” said Rowell. If you are looking for something to do this summer skydiving might be right for you. Whether it is ultimate thrill ride, or life long hobby, a jump from an airplane will be an experience of a lifetime. The roller coaster has reached its peak. It is ready to drop. The door is open. It is waiting for you.

Penn

childlike manner, someone almost innocent but not quite. There is an unmistakable essence of creepiness about him. This is another story of how a seemingly harmless person can harbor underlying psychosis that don’t come into full effect until multiple life stressors cause them to surface (Think Taxi Driver or Falling Down). Needless to say Sam continues to manifest his paranoia that somehow Richard Nixon is responsible for not only his problems, but all the world’s problems. I enjoyed this movie. I thought it was well-written. Sean Penn really has evolved into one of the ﬁnest dramatic actors of his generation.

Continued from Page 13

his best friend Bonny (Don Cheadle). Through all of this Sam is dictating tapes of his paranoid thoughts, which he mails to his idol, composer Leonard Bernstein (Who did receive tapes from the real Sam Bycke). In one scene, Sam walks into the Black Panthers headquarters and tries to convince them that he too has been persecuted and they should form a group called the “Zebras.” Penn plays Sam with an almost

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May 24-28, 2005

City Times

May 24-28, 2005

City Times

NEWS / LIFE

Transfer

Continued from Page 1

ers, associate dean of admissions at GS, community college students are often a good ﬁt for the university environment. “We’ve found that they have enormous talent,” Rodgers said. He said that community college students are considered non-traditional: they are returning to school after long periods or are coming in from the workforce. “We believe that the same academic program should be available to you as a non-traditional student. We’ve found that some of the best and brightest nontraditional students are at community colleges,” Rodgers said. There are many reasons that community college students are appealing to admissions departments everywhere. According to Duane Short of City College’s transfer center, community college students, and especially City College students, bring diversity to a university campus. “Ethnic and/or racial diversity of course, but also diversity of age, life experience, work history, upbringing, values…second, universities know that community college transfer students come to them prepared to do university level work. Most universities require transfer students to complete at least 60 transferable units at community college. That means these students have already successfully completed the ﬁrst two years of university level work,” Short explained. “What better indication could a university have that a student will be successful in university level work than the fact that they have already been

Education

Continued from Page 14

increasing math and literary scores. According to the Union Tribune, advocates claim his plan did indeed raise test scores, but opponents asserted his achievements came at the price of cutting arts and music programs. City College Professor Ternot MacRenato said “his downfall was lack in diplomatic skills,” although he admires Bersin for his attempt at “trying to do something for education.” “His wife is a millionaire, he had no other interest in becoming Superintendent but to help … I think he meant well but he just didn’t know how to play the game right,” Macrenato said. According to former elected School Board of Trustee of the Poway School District and present City College Professor, Kathleen Zaworski-Burke, said, “it’s a game, and as soon as you start

successful in university level work at the community college?” According to Short, there are many things that an admissions department looks at to make a decision about an application. Some of those things include academics (GPA and honors courses), coursework in the major, extracurricular activities, research or published works, written communication skills, life experience and sometimes test scores. Dr. Harold Kane, City College professor and Honors Program coordinator, said he’s now telling students to do things to stand out. “I emphasize the concept of preparing a portfolio for the university to look at,” Kane said. “I don’t mean that to be literally a printed portfolio…what I’ve been telling people is to consider themselves whole people, don’t just think about the grade point … think of yourself in the act of preparing a portfolio and part of it would be that when you are specifying your major that you have taken all the necessary coursework and even did one or two more (courses).” Kane added: “Take high level courses, demanding courses in other areas … take experiences like the honors experience that emphasizes a certain kind of work: work in small groups so that you are working cooperatively, work closely with a faculty mentor … pick their brains, do lots of reading and lots of writing…learn how to present your knowledge by standing and talking about it, by writing reports, by doing a poster.” According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 70 percent of students who transfer from community colleges to four-year schools ﬁnish their bachelor’s degrees. playing the game, it becomes dangerous.” “I feel, quite frankly, he (Bersin) polarized the district instead of bringing it together … he needed to understand he serves at the pleasure of the board,” said Zaworski. In a letter sent by Bersin to San Diego School staff and teachers, he admits it was difﬁcult to coordinate success. “We have learned through our experience how challenging our mission is to work deeply to improve student achievement,” said Bersin. Bersin studied at Oxford University on a prestigious Rhodes scholarship, graduated from Harvard University and obtained law degree from Yale. He was appointed U.S. attorney prior to his position as Superintendent. “Just because you are well educated does not mean you can run a district, you have to understand the district … at the end of the day you have to think of the students,” said Zaworski.

The San Francisco Chronicle cites the graduation rate for UC students who begin at community colleges is 79.6 percent, slightly higher than the 77.9 percent for students who enroll as

Graduation

Continued from Page 14

I could be a leader until I tried.” Balzer will be transferring to his ﬁrst choice school, Cal Poly San Louis Obispo. The two largest degree programs this year are Liberal Arts (125 degrees) and Transfer Studies (107 degrees). The Transfer Studies degree allows students to participate in commencement exercises, even if they have not completed all requirements for the Liberal Arts degree. This year, the program with the most degree recipients is Nursing, with 57. These graduates will stand

freshmen. For information on universities planning to visit the campus, contact the Transfer Center at (619) 3883722. out at the ceremony as they will be dressed in white caps and gowns while all others are dressed in traditional black regalia. Other popular degree programs include Child Development (54), Business Administration (49), and Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, or AODS (26). Bruce Pinney already had an associate’s degree from Grossmont College, but felt studying AODS at City College would give him more options. He believes, “getting certiﬁed in the AODS program has opened many doors for me— given me an opportunity to pursue a long term career in the ﬁeld of counseling.” He adds that his time at City “has been a good experience.”

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SPORTS

City Times

Badminton makes state Knights ranked 2nd overall in conference By Shane Crumrine The San Diego City women’s badminton team made it to the California State Team Championships with players Lai Nguyen and Helen Phung as team doubles. The Knights were ranked second overall in the Orange Empire Conference trailing the top seed, Irvine Valley

Community College. Tournament rankings are based on overall winning records and season point accumulations. Season scores are averaged by game points won and game points lost. City’s overall record was 43, with 76 points won and 71 points lost. The only other team in the conference to have a bigger win over loss ratio was Irvine Valley with an overwhelming 160 points won and only eight lost.

The 2005 season was Rene Gregorio’s ﬁrst as head coach of the badminton team at City College. Her assistant coach, Nguyen Gregorio, who also happens to be her son, helped to make this year nothing less than outstanding. Doubles team Nguyen and Phung led the Knights to win the consolation bracket placing them in third overall in the California State Championship on March 12.

May 24-28, 2005

Women’s tennis comes up short in bid for state title By Shane Crumrine City College’s women’s tennis doubles team won the Southern California Regional tournament on April 30. The Knights team, Crys Ren and Yoko Anderson, have advanced to the California State championship. Ren and Anderson were the second ranked team at the end of season play and went on to win the Paciﬁc Coast Conference tournament. The team also won the next step on their way to the championships winning the Southern California Regional tournament. In their ﬁrst round match of the state championships,

Green

Continued from Page 20

and meetings, plus seating for 2,000 and dividers to allow multiple activities to be held simultaneously. A mezzanine with a ticket ofﬁce, concession and reception areas will make

Ren and Anderson defeated Cris Jandrea and Danielle Richardson of Cabrillo Community College 6-1. The team lost its next match to Breanna Stowell and Lauren Salgado of Saddleback Community College. To add to the Knights accomplishments this year, Erina Komatsu was awarded the Harry West Scholarship on April 1. The scholarship is a $1000 award given each year to a City student athlete. To qualify for this scholarship you must have at least a 2.5 G.P.A and been selected to the all-conference team at least one time.

the building an attractive venue for other college and community events. The gym will house City’s new ﬁtness specialist certiﬁcate program, and is already scheduled to host the 2006 Orange Empire Badminton Championships and the 2007 California Community College State Badminton Championships.

Corrections

In the May 10-23, 2005, edition of City Times, on page 5 the date of the Chicano/Latino Graduation should have read May 21 in the headline, not May 12; the story itself had the date correct. On page 4 in a photo caption about noted author Chalmers Johnson, Saville Theatre was misspelled. Also, on page 10 in the City Works event story, Erik Lindemann’s name was misspelled. City Times regrets these errors. It is the policy of the City Times to correct errors. Send them to the paper at citytimes@gmail.com or call (619) 388-3880.

CITY COLLEGE BOOKSTORE Your On-Campus Bookstore 619-388-3549

Letters Policy City Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be typewritten (no more than 300-500 words) and must be signed with the author’s ﬁrst and last names, major and phone number. City Times reserves the right to edit letters for space. Send them to City Times, San Diego City College, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101, or by e-mail to citytimes@gmail.com.

May 24-28, 2005

City Times

SPORTS

Olympic runner, former City assistant cross country coach, visits old stomping grounds By Shane Crumrine Olympic marathon silver medalist, and former assistant cross country coach at City College, Mebrahtom Kaflezighi spoke on motivation, culture, and more to a full house in room A-101 on May 10. Kaflezighi moved to the U.S. at the age of seven when his family fled the civil war in their home country Eritrea. When his family settled in San Diego he attended Roosevelt Junior High, where he first learned

of his exceptional talent for running. After running the mile at around five minutes, the P.E. teacher immediately called the coaches at the high school and told them, “We’ve got an Olympian on our hands.” After graduating from San Diego High School, Kaflezighi was awarded a scholarship to UCLA. After running track in high school and college, Kaflezighi hit his peak, winning the 2004 Olym-

pic silver medal in the marathon. Kaflezighi was the first American to earn a medal in marathon running since Frank Shorter won the silver medal in 1976. “The discipline he used, the hard work and overcoming adversity, you can apply that not just to running but to everyday life.” says City’s Cross Country running coach, Paul Greer. When asked about Kaflezighi’s appearance, he said “He is an example of a runner who

took his career to the height, you know, he’s the fastest runner in the world.” “It’s not everyday you get a speaker who speaks on cultural diversity as well as great athletic achievements,” says Greer. The event was sponsored by the World Culture’s program and by the City Fitness Department. During his 90 minute presentation, Kaﬂezighi spoke about his experiences as a child in a new country where he had

Knights baseball looks to next year as rough season comes to close Team ﬁnishes regular season 16-18 overall By Shane Crumrine The San Diego City Knights baseball team had a rough start to their season, but returning stars have the team excited about next year. The Knights lost their last four games after playing well enough to place them in

playoff position with only five games remaining. Palomar Community College, who led the Pacific Coast Conference most of the season, ran away with the PCC championship with an overall record of 268. The Knights finished the regular season at 16-18 overall and 9-16 in conference play. With the majority of the team being freshmen, most of the Knights’ heavy hitters are

returning to the team next season, according to head coach, Chris Brown (completing his sixth season as head coach at SDCC). This includes first baseman, David Dennis, who hit .340 and led the team with seven home runs. Also returning to the in-field is switch hitting, short stop, Pedro Robles, with a .345 average and five home runs. Along with these big bats,

the Knights’ top pitchers will also be back on the mound. Starting pitchers, Eric Billings (3.22 ERA), and J.J. Devilliers are returning, along with their battery-mate catcher, Cody Willis. With four players making it on to the “All PCC Team” two of them freshmen, Coach Brown and his staff have a nice foundation to build on.

to learn a new language, as well as a new culture. He also spoke about his career and the dedication and hard work it took for him to get to where he is. He also compared the hard work, self discipline and believing in yourself that he used for athletics with everyday life, and with goals associated with any aspect of competition. According to Greer, when Kaﬂezighi’s career is over he may be interested in going back to coaching.

Learn what it takes to write the news! Take Journalism 200 this summer. Call (619) 388-4026 for more information.

20 May 24-28, 2005

CitySports

City Goes Green

Photo courtesy Kristin Tow San Diego City College Athletic Director Cassie Macias, right, and Mitch Charlens, head men’s basketball coach, hold samples of the maple SmartWood ﬂoor being installed in the college’s new gymnasium.

City Times

Installation of ‘SmartWood’ floor under way for the new gymnasium Construction on the new City College Harry West Memorial Gym nears completion with the installation of a SmartWood floor. SmartWood is a program of the nonprofit Rainforest Alliance that certifies lumber was harvested from forests meeting the rigorous social and environmental standards stipulated by the Forest Stewardship Council, the world’s leading forestry certification body. Connor Sports Flooring, supplier for City College, was the first Maple Floor Manufacturers’ Association member certified under the worldwide SmartWood program. City College is one of three colleges in the San Diego Community College District, which has a Green Building Policy stipulating that new construction and major renovations funded by a local construction bond conform to sustainable design standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.

While this gymnasium was planned before implementation of that policy, and is not being funded out of the bond, college officials saw an opportunity to infuse an element of “green building” at no additional cost and substituted the SmartWood floor for the conventional floor originally specified. The $9 million, 53,000 square foot gymnasium will open in late summer 2005. It will house a main competition basketball and volleyball court, along with four other regulation volleyball courts, two more regulation basketball courts and a total of eight regulation badminton courts. Athletes will be able to train and compete in this new, fully equipped sports facility with state-of-theart scoreboards and fitness equipment, which also features team rooms, coach and faculty locker rooms, various rooms for equipment and See GREEN, Page 18

Knights men’s baskeball coach gets top honor Mitch Charlens named Paciﬁc Coast Conference coach of the year By Alex Tolhurst San Diego City College men’s basketball coach Mitch Charlens has been named the Paciﬁc Coast Conference Men’s Athletics Coach of the Year. Charlens was chosen from all the coaches in the men’s divisions, of nine colleges that comprise the PCC, ranging from Mira Costa to Imperial Valley. “It’s a great honor,” Charlens says. “I told the team right after I heard the news, and I told them it represents all

the hard work they did this season.” The team clenched the PCC championship with a record of 12-2 in the conference, they went 10-0 at home, won the first round of State Championships, and ended the season with an overall record of 18-10. Knight’s fans know finishing a first season at City like this shows a possibility for a great run of seasons. Charlens had only six weeks to recruit a fresh crop of players and is proud he was able to put such a good team together so quickly. Throughout the season he fought to bring more attention to the basketball program more noticeably on the court than off. After success in the 2003-2004 season at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, he took his team to the

“I told the team right after I heard the news, and I told them it represents all the hard work they did this season.”

Mitch Charlens, men’s basketball coach

Junior College Final Four and ended the season with an outstanding record of 28-3. He coached at Chico State University and San Francisco State University, giving him ﬁve years expe-

rience coaching on the collegiate level. “I didn’t do it alone though,” Charlens says referring to assistant coach Steve Ball. A suiting last name for a man who played for four years at Sonoma State University then went on to be an assistant coach for the next two years. With the new gym under construction and coming off such a stellar season, players for next year’s team are already knocking on Charlens door because they’ve heard City has the best Junior College basketball team in San Diego. College basketball looks forward to an exciting season next year because the returning players know what it takes to win and what it takes to play for a Coach of the Year.