The Telescope 64.13

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

the telescope Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

Vol. 64, No. 13

Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.

Student gov’t tells Calif. to back off

FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE

Gov’t pres. asks lawmakers to not restrict new funds from fee increases

Palomar Foundation frontman Richard Talmo helped the charitable campus group raise $1.9 million in 2010, and donated much of it to students. (Kristen Campbell/The Telescope)

THROUGH DONATIONS, PALOMAR FOUNDATION HELPED STUDENTS BUY BOOKS AND NURSES ADD EQUIPMENT uts to the Palomar budget have come like clockwork in recent years.

But one group on campus has struck back, seeking outside donations to fund scholarships and programs.

The Palomar Foundation, a charitable campus group staffed by volunteers who started raising money back in the mid-1950s, wants to fund student and faculty causes that are often overlooked by the administration. The foundation gave money last year to make Palomar’s online system easier to use, put up the cash to buy expensive simulation equipment to train nursing students, and plans to ramp up its efforts this year through social networks.

Richard Talmo, the foundation’s leader, enjoys what he does. In fact, he helped the group raise $1.9 million in 2010, a hefty sum he plans to use to make a difference at Palomar. “(Palomar) has a strong history of both fundraising and giving,” Talmo said in an interview last week. “(The foundation) is very

transparent in raising and spending money.”

“The biggest job we have here is educating donors about college needs and student needs,” he said.

In recent months, many public colleges reached out to their alumni network to net extra funding, and local schools like San Diego State University sought to stave off painful budget cuts through fundraisers, the New York Times reported. But many institutions are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire additional money from alumni because private universities have gotten to them first.

Here at Palomar, the foundation is responsible for many of the student scholarships, book rental programs and grants that provide departments with new equipment and resources.

Dr. Judy Eckhart, nursing department chair, said the nursing department is able to purchase high-tech simulation manikins thanks to a grant awarded by the foundation.

The simulation lab will provide nursing students with a safe and realistic environment to experience potential patient scenarios.

“I think this will be a very nice set up,”

Eckhart said. “We have been talking right now to the foundation with local community centers because they may also need some training.”

Eckhart added the high-tech lab is essential for students who plan to jump right into a nursing career. She said she the simulation lab will be completed in early May and available for use over the summer.

Talmo -- who has 35 years of fundraising experience--said he would rate the foundation in the top ten among state community colleges for productivity, involvement and money raised.

The group is not immune to the effects of recent state cuts though, he said.

“The foundation is very, very sensitive to the budget cuts we have received,” Talmo said. “We know it’s getting more costly.”

But the organization has been successful in capturing the attention of alumni, despite unsuccessful attempts by other universities. The number of alumni members on the founda-

BY THE NUMBERS...

$1.9m raised in 2010

$800,000 is unrestricted

C

mark saunders The Telescope

turn to

DONATE page 10

Prices lower, hours longer for San Marcos Sprinter, bus One-way train fares dropped by $2, Sprinter to visit Escondido two more times Monday through Thursday

The Sprinter at the Palomar station on Jan. 17. (Trever Reyes/The Telescope)

Students who use public transportation will now have an easier time commuting and cheaper fares.

The North County Transit District has added two trains departing from Escondido weekly, Monday through Thursday. There will also be late night trains on Friday and Saturday nights, with the last train

departing from Oceanside at 11:33 p.m., according to a NCTD press release.

Fares for the Coaster and Breeze will be discounted for one year. Depending on the zone, ticket prices have dropped as much as $2 for oneway riders.

Monthly passes are available for

students for $59 without a student activities card and $47 with a current student activities card, according to Lindsey Koch, student activities coordinator.

Students with questions can contact Lindsey Koch at 760-744-1150 ext. 7509.

—Melina Fickas, The Telescope

Student gov’t president Channing Shattuck at a Jan. 26 meeting of ASG officers.

(Deb Hellman/The Telescope) Joel ramos The Telescope

Palomar’s tuition may increase to $36 a unit next year and the Associated Student Government wants Palomar officials --- not the state --- to control how that money is spent, ASG officials said during a meeting Jan. 26.

ASG President Channing Shattuck spoke about the trip he and other students and staff from six local colleges took to Sacramento last month to lobby for Palomar.

Reporting on advice given by Sacramento lawmakers, Shattuck said, “It doesn’t matter how much the fee per unit increases, we cannot control that. What we can control is where that money is spent.”

With the budget cuts from the state and the proposed $10 fee increase, the ASG is left with the task of getting to the student body and asking the students themselves what they think about it.

Sen. Juan Sanchez said during the meeting, “Students expect a fee increase, but it needs to be something they can plan ahead for.

A $10 fee increase is too high of a jump.”

In the past, the funds generated from fee increases have gone to the state general fund. “What we have the opportunity to do is to make sure that the fee increase, whether it’s $10 or $30, goes toward turn to

ASG page 10

2 [News]

Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

Campus Headlines LGBTQA Resource Center now open Campus officials hold ribbon-cutting ceremony Mark Saunders The Telescope

On Wednesday, Palomar opened the first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning Resource Center in southern California.

The center is also only the third of its kind in the country, according to Monika Brannik, co-chair of Palomar College Committee to Combat Hate. Students and staff who visit the center will find a supportive learning environment and haven to educate against all forms of violence.

“I want you to realize this is for our students,” Brannik said to a crowded ST building courtyard.

The center will offer Palomar students a place where they can feel safe and have a friendly atmosphere for students and staff, according to Dylan McTighe, a student who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“It’s all about togetherness and being part of the school,” McTighe said. “I think people have good vibes over (the center).”

English professor Fergal O’Doherty agreed. O’Doherty said he believes the center will benefit Palomar greatly. “(The center) makes Palomar feel like a really welcoming place,” O’Doherty said. “It’s going to really

make (Palomar) feel like a modern place. It’s clear now to LGBTQ students that we are accepted.”

O’Doherty was a victim of hate crimes last year when he received threatening postcards from an anonymous individual. O’Doherty said in a speech he is thankful for all who supported him and glad to have helped establish a place for students and staff to find acceptance.

“Tomorrow the ribbon will be cut, the center will be open and we will take the next step forward,” John Tortarolo, vice president of human resource services, said in a speech to ceremony attendees.

President Robert Deegan also attended the ribbon cutting to speak on the newly opened center.

“I want the lesbian and gay community to know you are welcomed (here),” Deegan said in a speech.

“We will do anything to support you and assist you to achieve (your) academic goals to the best of our ability.”

Some students at the event said they were pleased to see the center opened but believe the student body will take longer to adjust to the new addition.

“I think it’s going to be big,” student Torri Grimes said. “I hope people will come to educate (themselves) and find acceptance.”

(From left to right) Governing board Trustee Paul McNamara, President Robert Deegan, a student who requested not to be named and PC3H Co-Chairs Monika Brannik and Abbie Cory pose in front of the new LGBTQ Resource Center. (Brian Tierney/The Telescope)

Grimes noted that the conservative demographic of San Marcos and Escondido may lead to some students’ lack of acceptance.

Student Brain Barry said he agreed that LGBTQ needs more exposure on campus to spread its mes-

sage of acceptance.

“I think (LGBTQ) needs to be out there more,” Barry said. “Last semester’s rally had so many people. I just showed up and saw a lot of positive reaction.”

Grimes and Barry agreed, how-

ever, the center is a great addition.

“Palomar is going to be a more positive place,” Grimes said. “People are going to be more educated.”

Contact Mark Saunders, news editor, at msaunders@the-telescope.com

Guitars, other items stolen on campus Holiday toy drive a success Two Ibanez guitars stolen from the Arboretum David Leonard The Telescope

Guitars and other valuables were stolen from two Palomar students Thursday.

The guitars and their cases were stolen from the Arboretum at around 2 p.m., according to Gabe Nelson, the owner of one of the guitars. Nelson and his girlfriend, Lindsey Mayfield, both in the music program at Palomar, were sitting about 20 feet away from the guitars with their backs turned when they were stolen.

“The Arboretum usually seems like such a nice place,” Nelson said by phone Friday. “We had our backs turned for about two to three minutes and they were gone.”

In an email sent to the entire college staff on Thursday the couple described the instruments as Ibanezbrand acoustic-electric guitars, one “black ... with a cutaway and pearl and abalone inlays,” and the other “blue and purple starburst ... (with) pearl and abalone inlays.”

The guitars were stolen in their cases, which contained other personal items including

Mayfield’s school binder and calculus book and Nelson’s black leather wallet and a pair of brown pants.

The wallet contained Nelson’s student identification card, $5 in cash and a library card.

“The cases had a lot of very important items in them,” Mayfield said.

“It had my binder with all my school work and notes, and I can’t replicate those.”

The two reported the theft to the

campus police on Thursday, but said they haven’t heard any news yet on the investigation.

The campus police department did not immediately respond to request for comment Friday afternoon.

This isn’t the first time Nelson and Mayfield were targeted by thieves at Palomar. Mayfield’s bicycle was stolen two semesters ago and Nelson’s wallet and jacket were stolen in the past.

But this time it’s different.

“Basically, we’re in three guitar classes together and we need to find these,” Nelson said, adding that the couple could not afford to buy new guitars.

Any information about the stolen items should be reported to the campus police, who can be reached by phone at 760-744-1150 ext. 2280.

Contact David Leonard, editor in chief, at dleonard@the-telescope.com

Campus police donate 285 toys Joel Ramos The Telescope

Last semester’s ninth annual toy drive almost doubled the toys the police department were able to give out to needy children.

Police Chief Chris Dillard said in 2009 the police department received 285 toys compared to 500 in 2010.

Police did notice a drop in the number of donated gift cards.

They received $200 in the form of gift cards from Target, down from $900 in gift cards from Wal-Mart, Game Stop and Best Buy in 2009.

All 87 kids who received the donations were able to leave with a stack of comic books thanks to the generous donation of 3,000 comics from Sky High Comics.

Mary San Agustin, the director of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services department, said they chose dependent children of students in the EOPS program. Anel Gonzalez of the EOPS department said she was pleased

with the turnout of donations and the way the police department organized the event.

“They did a great job. With their help we had enough toys to give two to each child that attended,” Gonzalez said.

“The kids had a lot of fun, although due to the rain, less people attended than signed up,” said Michelle Tucker, EOPS support staff member.

Tucker went on to thank the ASG for their contribution of pizza and drinks for everyone.

The police department was happy to help those in need.

“The Police Department has been doing the Toy Drive for about as long as the Police Department has been in existence.

We do it out of tradition,” said Police Chief Dillard.

Contact Joel Ramos, staff writer, at jramos@the-telescope.com

(Courtesy Ibanez Guitars/The Telescope)

Children recieved toys and took pictures with Santa during a party held in the Student Union for the Christmas Toy Drive. (Derick Tucker/For The Telescope)

[News] 3

the telescope

News to Know: Youth movement born out of shambles

Men, in the path of an army tank, shout their displeasure with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jan. 30, in Cairo, Egypt. (Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Egypt protests force government response, young turnout proves unfaltering David Leonard The Telescope

In Egypt, where demonstrators have taken to the street en masse to demand the ouster of their long-ruling autocratic president, one group has emerged as vitally important to the future of the nation: the youth.

Last week, protestors numberind in the hundreds of thousands flooded the streets of Egypt’s major cities, Cairo, Alexandria and Suez, and demanded that President Hosni Mubarak step down from his 30-year post as president. The movement was initiated by a group of disenchanted young people, mostly aged between 20 and 30, The New York Times reported on Jan. “The young and educated in Egypt are struggling with the same fears the young and educated here in the U.S. are struggling with,” explained Sharon Allen, a multicultural professor at Palomar who studied in Egypt. For students, “the fear and frustration is a lifetime spent of sacrifice will result in no jobs for them to go to, even with a university education,” she said.

With unemployment topping 9 percent, and economic growth coming to a halt, as Reuters reported from Egypt last year, job prospects in the country are scarce. In this atmosphere a group calling themselves the 6 April Youth Movement rose and organized demonstrators over Facebook, Twitter and other social

networking sites, rallying them into the streets in defiance of a government curfew enforced by a reportedly brutal state police force. The situation escalated when the government cut off internet and cell phone access to most citizens on Jan. 28, though cell towers have since been reactivated.

The youth group’s organizers described its purpose on its Facebook page, writing: “We want to reach to what all Egyptian intellectuals and all national political forces agree upon . . . the release of public freedom and the rules of democratic political practice.”

“I believe these recent protests against Mubarak and his government has been ‘brewing’ so to speak for years,” explained Allen in an email message Jan. The dissent was fueled by Mubarak’s 2005 re-election, decried by many as corrupt, and the 2010 Parliamentary election that swept all but 20 opposition lawmakers out of government, she said.

“Protests were erupting across Egypt in early December 2010 as a result of fraudulent ballot reporting and lack of access to the ballot boxes,” Allen wrote “But U.S. media barely covered it. I wonder why.”

The recent demonstrations were astoundingly large and diverse, as the rich, poor, young, old, secular and religious stood united in the streets against what they described as an unresponsive and corrupt national

A lone protester steps into the path of an oncoming tank near Tahrir Square as demonstrations continued for a sixth straight day,January 30, 2011, in Cairo, Egypt. (Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

leadership headed by Mubarak, many media outlets reported. Demonstrators clashed with police, and gained and lost control of huge parts of the capital and other areas. Chaos reigned many nights, as looters and thugs ransacked national monuments and local shops alike.

Mubarak said he wouldn’t run for

reelection in a Feb. 1 address to the nation after losing the support of the military, a highly respected Egyptian institution, which took to the streets, but refused to fire on protestors.

Demonstrators were not satisfyed, and demanded he leave office immediately as of press time.

“I cannot predict the future, but

Mubarak and his regime will not go silently into the night,” Allen said.

“So, future protests depend on the hearts and minds of the protesters “I do not believe they will go silently into the night either.”

Contact David Leonard, editor in chief, at dleonard@the-telescope.com

New book says first years of college are useless Campus official and student disagrees with researchers’ claims Shaun Kahmann The Telescope

Since early childhood, most student have had drilled into their minds that if they want successful careers, they need college educations. But is the quality of college coursework and curriculum really preparing students for the challenges of the real world? It may not be.

According to data collected by authors Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa in their book, “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses,” overall expectations for reading, writing and comprehension benchmarks have declined in recent decades, and with them, the academic fidelity of the student.

The study contained over 7,000 observations of more than 3,000 students at 27 institutions. The study’s results state that up to 36 percent showed no significant gains in reading, writing or critical thinking skills upon completion of their college careers.

The authors describe the results as “disturbing.”

Palomar officials are not buying the outcome.

“I do not agree with this conclusion,” said Lynda Halttunen, dean of counseling services. “The current bar seems quite high and many students are unable to reach it.”

According to Halttunen, 30 percent of all Palomar students assess at a third grade level and another 40 percent test at or below a sixth

grade level for English and math upon enrollment.

Out of the 14,000 students assessed every year, only 30 percent are ready for college coursework.

“Palomar spend’s a tremendous amount of effort…getting students ready for college level work,” Halttunen said. Arum and Roksa’s book points to students’ study habits.

According to their study, college students spend only 7 percent of their time studying, up to 10 fewer hours than their parents did.

To put that into context, students only work 9 percent and spend 51 percent of their time socializing.

“Our selective public universities lose half of their freshman cohorts by the junior year…” Halttunen said of the college failure

rate.

“Community colleges provide a parallel track whereby community college students can transfer over at the junior level and back-fill slots vacated by students who started as university freshmen and have dropped out,” she said.

Some students agree that their peers are partially to blame.

“It’s up to students if they want to be successful,” said Katrina Nelson, a 20-year-old student in her third year at Palomar.

Nelson added that she keeps a separate notebook for each of her classes and transcribes everything she hears in class.

One student said students’ lack of studying could be because of superfluous classes.

“I don’t need extra math for child development,” said Shannon Perry, a 31-year-old student. She said she feels that aside from her associate’s degree-specific courses, her college experience feels like high school. “[This] feels like sophomore and junior year all over again.”

So who’s to blame? It’s hard to say. But for those of you who might be thinking of dropping your classes, Halttunen thinks that’s a bad idea.

“There is still a rather steep positive correlation between level of education and lifetime earnings,” she said Contact Shaun Kahmann, staff writer, at skahmann@the-telescope.com.

4 [News]

Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

‘Koala’ newspaper draws snickers, scorn at Cal State San Marcos Unofficial campus newspaper publishes ‘lewd’ material, criticized by students and officials for going too far Deborah Sullivan Brennan MCT CAmpus

A new, non-sanctioned student newspaper at Cal State San Marcos, which mocks the university’s Cesar Chavez statue, endorses college drinking and offers tips on dating underage girls, is leaving students divided on whether the satirical tabloid represents parody or prejudice.

The Koala, which began at UC San Diego, nearly 30 years ago pledging “to crush all your hopes and dreams with comedy,” has spawned similar editions at other campuses.

It debuted at Cal State San Marcos last week.

Its opening manifesto, laced with profanity and vulgarities, promises to shake up the university’s “boring, ghostly atmosphere” by promoting a rogue version of school spirit. It quips: “No longer will STUDENTS be afraid TO PUNCH A COP TRYING TO BREAK UP THEIR PARTY AT 10:45.”

Campus officials said the Koala is not an official campus organization and receives no funding from the university.

“It’s protected under the First Amendment, and it doesn’t reflect our values,” such as diversity, inclusiveness and respect, said Cathy Baur, the university’s associate vice president of communications.

“Their content is their own.”

She said the Koala submitted and then withdrew an application to become a student organization.

Koala staffers meeting Thursday it,” said Lyons, a junior in psychol- speech.” declined to comment on their pub- ogy. “I have my right not to be ofStudent Mohammed Shalabi lication. One staffer said he would fended as well as their right to free said the publication “wasn’t bad,” only grant an interview in but said he found the exchange for a six-pack of tone “angry.” beer, a demand that the re“I didn’t underporter rejected. stand why there was As the group tried to so much hate and anelude a photographer, one ger,” he said. staffer grinned, proclaimAnother student, ing, “I feel like a celebrity,” John Perillo, said he before heading to a dorm liked the satirical inroom for a recruiting meettention, but felt the ing at University Village inexperienced writers Apartments. fell short of their goals.

Calls to the original Ko“I think a couple ala’s offices at UCSD were of the writers think not returned. they’re too cool for Students said the pubschool, and they don’t lication generated a buzz know what they’re at the campus earlier this talking about,” he said. week, provoking reactions For instance, he ranging from amusement to said, the party reviews, outrage to ridicule. which detail the al“I thought it was funny,” leged sexual exploits said Makenzie Stade, a of Koala writers, are freshman in kinesiology. “a) made up, and b) “They’re not singling anylame.” one out, so it’s not a big Arcela Nunez, dideal.” rector of the univerKira Lyons said, however, sity’s National Latino that the newspaper preys Resource Center, said on ethnic groups, noting a the newspaper repre“personals ad” that blamed sents a crude version Muslims in obscene terms of political humor. for ruining the experience “It’s just a very of air travel. intolerant way of dis“I think it was insulting cussing current social and I’m really pissed that’s issues, particularly being passed out on my around immigration campus, because there are The Koala’s spring 2010 issue cover. (Courtesy Photo/The Koala UCSD) and cultural relaracist and sexist remarks in tions,” she said. “If it

was satire, then it was very poorly done.”

While the university said the Koala can legally distributed its papers on campus, students are considering other ways to oppose it.

Kit-Bacon Gressitt, a Cal State San Marcos student and freelance writer, said she is lobbying the Koala’s advertisers, which include a book rental business and medical marijuana dispensary, to pull their advertisements.

Greg Block, spokesman for San Diego State University, said the Koala has published on that campus without incident for six or seven years, although it is not allowed to distribute to minors because of the vulgar content. He said the Koala had been an official campus organization but lost its status after violating campus regulations.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t like them, and there’s been discussion among Associated Students about how to get rid of them,” Block said. “The administration always tells them to be really careful because they have a First Amendment right to be here. If you don’t like it, don’t take it.”

He said that while the publication advertises itself as satire, it tries to stir controversy, not so much about issues as about itself.

“Their purpose is to incite,” Block said. “You see students pick it up, and giggle and shake their heads when they read it. People know what the Koala is, and don’t take it seriously.”

Last week is so … come into

last week

the newsroom We’ve decided, sending news off to the press is just too slow these days. By the time anyone gets to read it, more interesting stuff has already happened, and then you’re behind the times.

Nobody wants to be the one who’s still making Monica Lewinski jokes. The Newsroom is our solution. The Newsroom is a constantly updated blog from The Telescope staff with all the latest news from around campus and beyond — but only the stuff that affects us. Come in and look around.

blogs.the-telescope.com/newsroom

[Opinion] 5

the telescope FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

the telescope Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 Vol. 64, No. 13 Palomar College, San Marcos, CA

David Leonard

Editor In Chief

Matthew Slagle

Managing Editor

s e l z z i s f e e b s ’ l l e B e r i f Taco a i d e m under

Mark Saunders

news Editor

Eric Walker

OUR VIEWPOINT

EGYPTIANS: WELCOME TO DEMOCRACY We should support the protestors, who are asking for equality, fairness in laws

Opinion Editor

melina fickas

focus editor

belinda callin

a&e Editor

nick shumate

asst. a&E Editor

matthew slagle

sports editor

kaity bergquist

Asst. sports editor

Sydnie Taylor

Online Editor

laura davis

copy editor

deb hellman

photo editor

sara burbidge

office / ad manager

Charles Steinman

Instructional Asst

Erin Hiro

Journalism Adviser

36 % beef taco-filler s hould no longer pass as fast ‘food’

Staff Writers| Camilo Barrero, Jose

Cantu, Colleen Collins, Juliet Freyermuth, Jeremy Hill, Shaun Kahmann, Jessica McMahan, Margaret Madrid, Vanessa Mujica, Kelli Miller, Johnny Nguyen, Joel Ramos, Anthony Schwartz, Natalie Soldoff

Staff Photographers| Emma

Baldwin, Kristen Campbell, Phyllis Celmer, Rosa Galvan, Chris Gebhardt, Trevor Reyes, Nathan Serrato, LeighAnne Severson, Kiigan Snaer, Brian Tierney

Address |

The Telescope Palomar College 1140 W. Mission Road San Marcos, CA 92069 Newsroom | Room MD-228 Phone | (760) 891-7865 Fax | (760) 891-3401 E-Mail | telescope@palomar.edu Advertising E-MAIL|

telescopead@palomar.edu The Telescope welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters must be typewritten, under 300 words and include the author’s first and last names, major and phone number.

Phone numbers will not be published.

Letters can be e-mailed to telescope@ palomar.edu or delivered to the newsroom in Room MD-228.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters.

Letters must be receieved one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

Associated California Newspaper Collegiate PRess Publishers Association The Telescope is published 11 times per semester. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff members or the governing board trustees.

mark saunders The Telescope

Taco Bell’s popular slogan “Think Outside the Bun” has taken on a whole new meaning.

A lawsuit filed Jan. 21 by Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles law firm alledges that Taco Bell falsely advertises its products as containing seasoned (ground) beef, according to a Jan. 25 article in the Los Angeles Times.

The article also states that the suit, filed on behalf of a Taco Bell patron, does not seek any financial compensation — only that Taco Bell discloses its product’s contents honestly.

“We are asking that they stop saying that they are selling beef,” Miles said in the same LA Times article.

As a college student who values cheap — and tasty — fast food, it is easy to ignore what is really in the food I eat. However, any consumer’s disregard for the contents of their order is no excuse to manipulate or fail to reveal nutritional facts.

Taco Bell refutes the allegations, of course. I’ll spare you the predictable quote from Taco Bell spokesman Rob Poetsch — something about “quality,” “value” and “serving our loyal customers.”

Taco Bell, this is your wake-up call. The American public has endured too many product shortcomings in recent years to allow another common good to threaten consumer’s health.

Everything from dog food to SpaghettiO’s and Tylenol to Toyota automobiles have fallen victim to sudden recall notices. Taco Bell better be ready to abide by health guidelines or lose customers.

The taco giant still has also neglected the lawsuit’s claim that their beef filling falls below the Department of Agriculture’s 40 percent beef requirement for beef filling. This is a generous requirement to begin with so there is no excuse why this benchmark has not been reached. That they do not deny it, though, is a massive betrayal and insult to their “valued” customers.

It couldn’t hurt Taco Bell’s chances to do some damage control now instead of flatly denying claims. January has been an eventful month for the fast food chain. An argument between two Taco Bell employees in Louisiana ended with a woman arrested and a man sent to a nearby hospital, according the Louisiana’s L’Observateur.Taco Bell was also one of the notable sponsors who pulled advertising in response to MTV’s controversial program, “Skins.”

Speaking for myself, Taco Bell has lost a customer. No more soft tacos, no more Crunch Wrap Supremes. It’s time for consumers to start demanding more from food providers large and small. This starts with you, Taco Bell.

The majority of fast food eaters are likely to correctly assume why Taco Bell offers cheap food.

But if Taco Bell is too afraid to disclose the nutritional value of its food, I don’t want to find out what I’ve accepted as “delicious” all these years.

Ignorance will no longer be accepted as bliss.

Contact Mark Saunders, news editor, at msaunders@the-telescope.com.

As many Arab leaders find themselves besieged by protestors demanding more freedoms, it’s important for us in America to remember why we’re free today.

Once, our young nation was ruled by a heavy hand, and our brave citizenry rose up to demand their “inalienable rights” be respected. All people everywhere in the world should have that same opportunity.

Demonstrators in Egypt forced their autocratic and repressive president, Hosni Mubarak, to refuse a reelection bid last week, effectively ending his oppressive 30-year grip on power. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians flooded the streets for days in opposition to Mubarak’s restrictive and repressive tactics, and through sheer numbers won the support of their country’s most respected institution, the military.

The movement was led by disenchanted youth who were born into an Egyptian police state, where a long-standing martial law forbids meetings of four or more unrelated people, and restricts their right to demand change in government.

As the protests began to ramp up, President Barack Obama and his advisers chose to support their longtime ally, Mubarak, over the people. In an address to the world, and through his subordinates, Obama showed callous disregard for the right of the Egyptian people to seek freedom. (Obama did relent eventually, demanding a change in leadership, but only after days of hesitation.)

It’s shocking and patently unfair that our own government officials, whose speeches are peppered with references to the great freedoms we Americans too often take for granted, would not stand behind a popular democratic movement.

We, as members of the Palomar community, Americans and free people must support the right of the Egyptian people, and people everywhere, to seek a better life for themselves. In our age of technology and innovation, nobody should find themselves under the thumb of an unresponsive government.

We must also remember that young people have real power.

While worlds away, Egyptian youth and Palomar students are very different. “The young and educated in Egypt are struggling with the same fears the young and educated here in the U.S. are struggling with,” Professor Sharon Allen, who studied in Egypt, told us last week.

The struggles they face—a faltering job market, slow-growing economy and increasingly expensive tuition rates—sound familiar, even thousands of miles away.

So, as pundits and spinsters question whether the ouster of an “important ally” like Mubarak will derail the United States’ interests overseas, remember what those people in the streets are asking for: equality, fairness, and freedom from repression.

That’s not too much to ask.

6

Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

[A&E] 7

the telescope artist e h t f o e t y E s rti a the f o e y E

Album cover courtesy of EMI music.

Pop folk album A+ strikes gold Camilo Barrero The Telescope

Six albums after and The Decemberists still got it. Lyrics full of rustic poetry and music that carries you away even in the most hectic moment of the day.

“The King is Dead” is the sixth production from the Oregon band that was released on Jan. 18, 2011 on Capital Records.

Still fresh to see it by the numbers, but surely a surprising record that will pay back.

With a 12-track production and five-minute-long songs, The Decemberists redefined themselves and changed the structure and length of their songs; maybe a strong feature of the band but something that needed to be modified.

Some would say changing the way they used to do their music could cost them unconditional love from some fans.For others it was the only way to bring their talent to a greater audience and regain fans that were tired of listening to albums that needed to be played front to back to be understood.

The album, recorded in a period of six weeks at Pendarvis farm in Portland, Ore., captures the sense of freedom and the country sounds are evident from the first song, the prevalence of still guitar is greater than previous albums and the storytelling is still present.

Anecdotes on their songs about drunk mariners and perfect crimes were themes they used on previous

albums that is not as accentuated on this production, but with “The King is Dead” they managed to put the elegance of their lyrics ,with lots of quirky words, and the beauty of their music in a more understandable format to new listeners without becoming a one-verse, one-chorus band.

For Colin Meloy, singer and songwriter of the band, one of the biggest influences for the record was R.E.M.’s guitarist Peter Buck who joined in three songs playing different instruments and adding a particular feeling to each number.

Their first single “Down by the Water” was released late 2010 and since then, along with a couple of songs played on shows, a more commercial sound was announced.

Part of this could be justified on the talent of the band spreading throughout the years or perhaps as Meloy commented on a video interview for Fuse On Demand a couple years ago, music piracy really benefited them and made them more popular among new audiences making them take a new path.

Overall “The King is Dead” is a strong composition that holds balance between songs that keep a fastpaced rhythm and don’t fall too far into country style like “Don’t Carry It All” and “This Is Why We Fight” and songs that make you want to lay your head back and relax like “June Hymn” or “January Hymn.”

Contact Camilo Barrero, staff writer, at cbarreor@the-telescope.com

Mark your calendar Recommended shows: Wed. Feb. 9

Murder by Death (Rock) @ Casbah in Little Italy

Wed. Feb. 9

Bushwalla (Rock) @ the Belly Up in Solana Beach

Thurs. Feb. 10

Cee Lo Green (Hip Hop/Pop) @ Flux in Downtown

Fri. Feb 11

Film School (Indie) @ Casbah in Little Italy

Sun. Feb.13

The Decemberists (Indie rock) @ House of Blues, Downtown

Get your culture on: Menopause The Musical Feb. 8-11 Two shows daily @ the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot fkashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more.

Open Mic Night 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday @ Glassless minds in Oceanside.

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Swim Instructors Wanted Instructors $12–$19/hour Customer Service $10/hour Contact Brett at (760) 744-7946

xx Entertainment 8|[A&E]

Monday, CHANGE||THISXXXUV, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2011

The deaf like it loud ~nick schumate

The Black Keys under the desert sky Music is a raw expression of emotion and creativity; a self-given gift blind to ethnicity, religion or social standard. A special relationship is crafted between those who play and those who listen, giving music a depth difficult to explain but easily felt.

Imagine this: Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Kanye West, Mumford and Sons, The Strokes, Steve Angelo Animal Collective and the band I’m looking forward most to seeing – The BLACK KEYS! You know what I’m talking about.

To borrow a line from the movie Dumb and Dumber, “A place where the beer flows like wine, where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I’m talking about a little place called…”

COACHELLA! Joel Ramos Coachella is a three-day music The Telescope festival in the desert of Southern California where artists, entertainStudents of all ages and backers and fans come together to celgrounds came together through ebrate human artistic inovation. their passion for photography at the So, if you have never heard of student photo show held on Jan. 28. the Black Keys you need to do three At the San Marcos Community Centhings. ter, 45 Palomar photography stuFirst, reassess your life. Period. dents from beginning to advanced Second, ask your friend, you students in all kinds of work from know, the one who is always up on digital photography to commercial what’s new in the music world and photography showcased their work. find out where they get new music The show will be on display until from.

Feb. 28.The artist reception was put It’s usually a website or a podcast, on by Palomar photography instrucwhich are wonderful because they tor, Donna Cosentino. are uncensored, hundreds of choices “One of the things I like is the to choose from and, for podcasts, the high quality of work even though running time ranges anywhere from they’re students,” Palomar profesone song to an hour-long show. sor Robert Barry said.

Podcasts I like are All Song ConAbove: Joanne Fry next to her artwork Christina Dugdale’s “Mac Red” sidered by NPR music and Sound “Salutations from a Past Life” framed in sold to Will Gibson for $45, her comOptions put on by Chicago’s WBEZ. mercial photography instructor.

There are a few TV shows that a vintage window frame. Below: Palomar The piece is an archival pigment can provide some new tracks like the Photography professor Will Gibson and on print depicting two pictures: one action sports TV channel Fuel does student Rom Ham discuss a photograph on the right in which a girl applies a a decent job. There are some other by student Christina Dugdale, “Mac Red,” seductive shade of red lipstick and random music shows but the inter- at the San Marcos Civic Center Palomar photography show reception, Friday Jan. one on the left where the same girl web is your best route. sits on a couch with a guy whose I have my headphones in almost 28. (Trever Reyes/The Telescope) any time I’m awake, giving me plenty of time during the week to hear new tunes.

The third thing you need to do is actually listen to the Black Keys.

The best way to prepare for this larger-than-life festival is to find a good home theater system and get the song “Strange Times” by the Black Keys off the album Attack & Release. Turn up the volume and lay your head on the ground near the subwoofer, hit the play button and close your eyes.

Next, imagine you’re surrounded by 100,000 people.When that bass comes stomping its way in and the distorted guitar riff melts the air, the pillars of the earth are going to shake the night of April 14.

What makes a music festival like Coachella such a unique experience is the outrageous amount of people you are surrounded by.

This event, where so many gather to take part in this human construct, shows the depth and magnitude of what we, as a race, are capable of.

I hope to see you under the desert Poetry slam artist SuperB (middle) recites spoken word poems to Professor Joseph night sky.

Limer(left) and his Political Science class in MD - 315 on Jan. 27. He came to demonstrate Cheers and thanks for listening. unique styles of public speaking. (Johnny Nguyen/The Telescope) Hit Nick up at nshumate@the-telescope.com

Rec center showcases student art flabbergasted face is covered in kisses while she is smoking a cigarette.

“I like the imperfections, the mistakes. I’m in the process of goofing off with the camera,” Fry said.

Her piece titled “Salutations from a Past Life” was framed with a vintage window frame and depicted the eccentric, nude woman behind a veil of a lace window curtain.

Jun Akahane created a box camera with which he took the nightmare picture titled “Phantasmagoria.” He depicted the staircase behind the Howard Brubeck Theatre in mist and dark lighting.

“I will miss this one, but I got $70 for it,” Akahane said.

Gerald Long got his start in photography later in life while in Arizona looking at rocks.

“I saw a polished rock and photographed it up close, it looked like a nebula from outer space and ever since then I’ve looked for different things that I can photograph and manipulate in Photoshop to look like pictures resembling celestial bodies,” Long said.

Long has been a Palomar student for 15 years and has been taking photography for two years.

“The show let the students experience having their work displayed in a professional setting,” according to Barry. He also commented about the last show the same student work was in, at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, “[It] was way above standard compared to the work of the professional photographers.”

Contact Joel Ramos, staff writer, at jramos@the-telescope.com

Above: Gerald Long next to his photograph “Spacescape IX.” (Trever Reyes/The Telescope)

Professor invites poet to ryhme on politics Maggie Madrid The Telescope

Professor Joseph Limer has found a creative way to get his students talking about what matters to them. Poetry.

In between debates about Supreme Court cases, he encourages his students to recite poetry, rants, and haikus in front of the class for extra credit, and for self-expression.

“Expression is important. Everyone has a voice and I am just providing an opportunity for them to express it,” Limer said.

Limer invited spoken word poet, SuperB, to speak in his political science class.

“I invited SuperB because he is one of the best poets in the Inland Empire,” Limer said. “He came out for free because he believes in education.”

SuperB performed three poems about the future, the things he miss-

es from childhood, and his struggle of being a Filipino living among African Americans and hispanics.

“I learned to read books by the cover, I learned racism doesn’t start with hate, it starts with the misunderstanding fear of another,” SuperB recited passionately in one of his poems.

Students snapped during SuperB’s performance, which in poetry culture means they agreed or related to something he said.

“Poetry is like a glimpse in a person’s life, it’s like getting inside their head for a moment,” said Josh Moon, a student from Limer’s class.

SuperB, a two-time Inland Empire Grand Slam Champion, said he accepted the invitation to Palomar without hesitation. He wanted to support Limer’s vision.

“He is trying to bring arts into political science and into school. That is dope!” SuperB said.

Contact Maggie Madrid, staff writer, at mmadrid@the-telescope.com

the telescope

Starting the semester off right

Palomar student Janelle Phillips studies marine biology on the San Marcos campus. Experts suggest studying for an hour everyday. (Nathan Serrato/The Telescope)

Tips to have a successful semester and get good grades Juliet Freyermuth The Telescope

Helpful Workshops

Imagine walking into a final exam refreshed and energized, with the confidence that you are going to do well on the test. Late night cram sessions fueled by lattes with an extra shot of espresso are now replaced by a couple of hours of review followed by curling up on the couch and watching TV. Think it is impossible? It can be done if you start the semester off right. By employing good study habits, planning your educational path, and utilizing the free resources the college provides, you can improve your grades while reducing stress.

Note Taking 5 p.m., Feb. 17 500B, Escondido Campus Test Taking Strategies 4:30 p.m., March 2 500B, Escondido Campus

Take your foundation classes first

Math, English and reading classes are essential to take in the first semester of college.

“Students should always begin with their foundation classes before taking classes for their major,” explained Counselor Jo-Anne Lesser. “If they aren’t reading at a college level, they are going to struggle.”

Be tenacious

Math professor Perri Brock describes her successful students as tenacious.

“They don’t let something get by them without making sure they get it,” Brock said.

Recent Phi Theta Kappa inductee Shauna Kearns does unassigned math problems as well as assigned.

“If the assignment is all the odd (problems), then I do all the even ones, too,” Kearns said.

Utilize office hours

Contact Sarah Moore for more information at smoore2@palomar.edu with students on an individual basis. During the meeting, students can get extra help on assignments as well as a better understanding of what is expected of them.

“The office hour is a time for consultation,” Brock said. “If you think of a class as a group lesson, then think of the office hour as a private lesson.”

See a counselor often

to students and help you with any personal matters that may affect your schoolwork.

“We have training in academic, career, transfer and personal counseling,” Lesser explained.

Take advantage of free workshops

Math professor Mona Ellis urges students who feel they aren’t good at math to take the free Math Anxiety Workshop offered on Feb. 12. It teaches students study and test taking techniques as well as stress reduction. For more information, contact Lesser at 760-7441150 ext. 2654.

The counseling center also offers many free workshops for students throughout the semester. Visit their website at http://www. palomar.edu/counseling for information about upcoming workshops.

Do the chapter tests

Both Ellis and Brock suggest that students treat the chapter tests in their textbooks as if they were the actual test. During this practice test, only use the materials that you would be allowed to use in class. In addition, limit yourself to 50 minutes to complete the test.

“Students who take chapter tests tend to do well on the tests,” Ellis explained.

Visit the Writing Center

The Writing Center can help you with every stage of writing an essay. Writing Center Dirctor, Gary Zacharias can help you come up with ideas and research as well as help you with your grammar. For more information, call 760-7441150 ext. 2778 or visit the Drop-In Lab located at MB-3.

Counselors can help you choose which classProfessors set aside time each week to meet es to take, inform you of the resources offered Contact Juliet Freymuth, staff writer, at jfreymuth@the-telescope.com

Relaxed retro returns Spring fashion trends take fashonistas back in time Natalie Soldoff The Telescope

Get ready to start rolling back in time because this year’s newest fashions are going retro.

Spring runways in Milan and New York featured designers showing new ensembles with old style.

Designers have taken lightweight fabrics and colors familiar to spring fashion and mixed them with looks we are used to seeing only on old album covers, according to Palomar’s Fashion Department.

Fashion professors and students said this fashion season will include pieces that echo trends from the last 50 years. Top sellers in your favorite stores will be strongly influenced by

clothing from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s for both men and women.

Clothing and textile major Nika Levinson pointed out that the 1970s revival is going to be big: “Sequins are in and looks with bellbottoms are in…check your parents’ closets for these styles; they did grow up back then.”

Chetna Bhatt, a Palomar fashion instructor and designer, has the rundown on what women will want in their wardrobes for the coming months. Bhatt said dresses will be “tailored and boxed silhouettes in purples and black.” Picture fitted waists with full skirts, pencil dresses and mod short styles from the 1960s.

Pieces to mix into your current wardrobe include “short or flowing skirts with sashes tied around the waist,” according to Bhatt. “Printed fabrics for tops with plain bottoms to offset prints. Incorporate pale colors and delicate fabrics into tops.”

Nika Levinson suggested trying floral patterns with a bohemian feel.

Bhatt refers to Zandra Rhodes’ clothing line when it comes to pants.

“We’ve created Mama Mia pants…they’re like an exaggerated bellbottom,” Bhatt said. “Wear them in black or dark colors with glitter.”

Don’t feel comfortable jumping into the disco era’s most famous fad?

Just pop on a pair of light colored jeans or dark slacks with a slight flare for a little 1970s vibe.

Men’s fashion is a mixture of casual styles featuring simple and brilliant colors. Fashion major Nick Marmolejo points to comfortable, classic fabrics with splashes of edgy

shades and patterns in the spring.

“I’d say guys’ styles are going to have a lot of casual and plain shirts…the occasional bright splash,” he said.

Designers Armani and Prada mixed basic white and black with accessories in colors like lime or yellow. Look for these styles at stores like H&M, American Apparel and Nordstrom.

Marmolejo suggested men’s shoes are going to feature more organic materials such as canvas, linen and even rope. Look for sneakers featuring soles and laces that look like twine or straw. He said the styles should be “laid-back and comfy.”

This season’s styles will offer a delicate balance of yesterday and today.The most important part of fashion is to find your individual identity and have fun with current trends.

Contact Natalie Soldoff, staff writer, at nsoldoff@the-telescope.com

[Focus] 9 Drink of the Week:

The AM/PM

The AM/PM and ingredients for the drink.

(LeighAnne Severson/The Telescope) Ingredients: 1 ¼ oz whipped cream vodka ¼ oz Baileys 2 parts orange juice ½ cup of ice Are you in need of a refreshing alcoholic beverage to wind down from the busy school week? Well, if you’re 21 or older we’ve got a solution that will leave your taste buds begging for more!

Created by one of Ocean House’s legendary bartenders in North County, the AM/PM cocktail features an oh-so-delicious taste; you’ll forget it’s infused with liquor!

Combining the sweet tastes of Baileys, orange juice and whipped cream vodka, the AM/PM is often referred to as an Orange Julius with a kick.

The resemblance is so identical, it’s as if you could purchase it at your local AM/PM—hence the name.

While this cocktail can be enjoyed in many different ways, the best way to do it is poolside, bronzing with your friends and enjoying the refreshing weather.

And if you’re drink-making inclined, hey, don’t sweat it! The AM/ PM is easy as one, two, three.

Remember not to indulge in too many of these scrumptious treats, as your relaxing Saturday could quickly be turned into a hung-over Sunday.

Enjoy!

Note: It is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages if you are under the age of 21.

Student Michael Searle is wearing the spring trend of men’s cloth shoes. (Bianca Moseley/ The Telescope)

10 [News]

Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

donate

ASG

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1 offsetting the budget cuts proposed by the state,” Shattuck said.

He added that there is a new “census date” that lawmakers are proposing where Palomar will only receive funding based on student enrollment on the last day of classes. Staff salaries will not be cut, but the funding will affect student services and activities at Palomar.

ASG senators also discussed briefly the college hiring any new staff this year other than those replacing retiring faculty “Only retiring faculty will be replaced, maintaining the 72:25 ration of fulltime to part-time staff,” Sherry Titus, ASG advisor, said.

Contact Joel Ramos, staff writer, at jramos@the-telescope.com

Richard Talmo, foundation director, pushed to find possible alum donors online, and plans to use Facebook and Twitter to connect to sources. “Donors have become so sophisticated. They like earmarking their money,” he said. (Kristen Campbell/The Telescope) tion’s board, members who decide where to distribute funds, have increased since Talmo took up a position there four years ago.

“The number of alumni on my board has increased by 50 percent,” Talmo said. “The number of people in the alumni association has increased.”

Now, with the advent of social networking, the group is hoping to attract donors online and ask them to contribute, Talmo said.

Introducing social networking resources into the foundation’s game plan could help Palomar reach more alumni and community members, who would like to donate to Palomar, he suggested.

“If we could establish alumni on Facebook (we) could grow a group,” Talmo said, noting President Barak Obama’s successful

internet campaign for funding during his 2008 election campaign.

“And that group could be called to arms.”

The most popular of the foundation’s fundraising efforts is the annual golf tournament and gala, held in June and November respectively.

These two events average $300,000 by themselves, Talmo said.

Of the money the foundation netted in 2010, $800,000 dollars were classified as unrestricted.

This unrestricted money makes it easier for the foundation board to provide funds for scholarships, and grants for students and staff. “(The foundation) needs to expand unrestricted and grants eligible funds,” Talmo said.

“Donors have become so so-

phisticated. They like earmarking their money.”

Overall, Talmo said the foundation is pushing against the traditional fundraising trends. Through use of alumni discovery--tracking down Palomar graduates who left before electronic record keeping—and estate planning--persons leaving money to the campus after they pass—the group introduced new opportunities for Palomar to stay afloat during the current economic downturn.

“We are pushing up against the norm of what people see as normal fundraising,” Talmo said.

“We’re just scratching the surface. I have seen nothing but improvement.”

Contact Mark Saunders, news editor, at msaunders@the-telescope.com

Shattuck explained the outcome of his Sacramento trip to lobby lawmakers at a Jan. 26 meeting. He asked students to make the same requests. (Deb Hellman/The Telescope)

BORED IN NORTH COUNTY? check out

the pulse

Yeah, we’ve all sat at home on a Saturday night trying to figure out what’s going on. So The Telescope’s arts & entertainment staff got together and made The Pulse, a blog to keep you up to date on what’s happening in the local entertainment scene. Clubs, plays, limited-run movies, museums — you might not like everything, but you’re bound to find something for you. Log on and stop being bored.

blogs.the-telescope.com/pulse

[Sports] 11

the telescope

Men’s golf prepares to succeed in conference Kelli miller The Telescope

With high hopes for the 2011 season, Coach Mark Halda is preparing his men’s golf for success, with the ultimate goal being to win the Orange Empire Conference and advancing on and win CCCAA State Championships.

Although last season fell short of his goal to take state, Halda said he is still very proud of his team for “realistically having a chance at it.”

To be successful this season it is a must for the Comets to play smart and strive to perform better.

Halda stressed the importance of how team chemistry and dynamics are essential to win this season. “Not playing as a team could cost us a match,” Halda said.

Although last year’s star player Sejun Yoon, will not be returning, Halda said he is very confident with the mental makeup of this year’s team.

“The talent is unproven, but it’s there.”

Returning golfer Christpher Serylo, who red-shirted last season, said he is impressed with the chemistry the team has displayed. Serylo has been playing the sport for 16 years and considers himself a lifer. His main goal for this season is to “win, win, win.”

New to the team are freshmen Jake Mancini and Trevor Robertson.

Mancini, who has been playing golf since his freshman year of high school, said he hopes to “earn respect for his quality of play” this season.

Robertson has been playing golf for five years and is confident with this season’s solid team.

Both players expressed how timing and playing consistently are vital to winning. Ironically Mancini and Robertson, who are very close friends, played golf for rival high schools.

While Halda said he believes that the course itself is the opponent, “Orange Coast College, Santiago Canyon College and Cypress College the three teams to beat.”

Contact Kelli Miller, staff writer, at kmiller@the-telescope.com

Young volleyball team brings excitement and confidence kaity bergquist The Telescope

With only two returners from last season, the Comets’ men’s volleyball team is full of freshmen and energy.

In the preseason tournament that Palomar hosted on Jan. 22, the men made it to the finals. “This is the first year that we ever did that, so it’s a good stepping stone for us to see where we are right now,” Head Coach Bjorn Dahl said, “but we still have a lot of work to maintain that level.”

The tournament helped the team to realize their true potential.

“It’s definitely given us a lot more confidence,” said middle blocker James Owens about the tournament. “Finishing second out of like nine teams, all of them good too, we now know that we can hang in there with every team that we play against.”

Being one of the more “veteran” players, the pressure is on for sophomore Owens. “Everyone on the team kind of looks up to me,” he said, “so I need to make sure that I work hard in practice and during game times.”

Dahl said he believes that the confidence booster from the tournament will help them immensely. “Now you add the ability to grovel or battle, with the willingness to work hard and get into a sys-

tem,” he said. “That’s going to win us a lot of games.”

Last year, the Comets made it into the playoffs, but lost to the eventual champs.

“That’s the thing that we want to build on: first getting there, and then winning a match.” Dahl said.

Dahl thinks that the teamwork of the team is going to be key to their success.

“They’re all really engaged, and it’s a good group,” he said. “They’re physically trying hard, and they’re mentally trying to change themselves to get in our system.”

The season opened on Feb. 5 against Los Angeles Pierce and Santa Monica at the Palomar Dome.

Freshman Ricardo Ramirez said that one of the best parts about being on the team is the escape it provides from the everyday grind.

“Getting your mind off of school and stuff, it’s nice to get away for a couple of hours and just focus on volleyball,” he said.

“We’re not going to be a team that has big monsters in every position; we just have to be more efficient than the other teams out there,” Dahl said. “I think we’re on the track to do that, but it’s still early.”

Contact Kaity Bergquist, assistant sports editor, at kbergquist@the-telescope.com

Palomar freshman Mark Lorack runs through drills with the men’s volleyball team on Jan. 28. (Deb Hellman/The Telescope)

Women’s tennis seeks third consecutive title anthony schwartz The Telescope

Freshman, Mardee Littrell practiced Jan. 28 (Deb Hellman/The Telescope)

Hey, these games were all last week! get with it at

the watercooler Sports happen all the time at Palomar — why wait for next week to find out what’s happening at our school? Why even wait a day? The Watercooler is a blog by The Telescope’s sports staff that’s updated constantly with the latest news about Palomar athletics. And because it’s maintained by dedicated sports journalists, you can count on the The Watercooler to bring you the in-depth, reliable information you expect from your sports news. Check it out — get your head in the game.

blogs.the-telescope.com/watercooler

With complete team overhauls being all too common in the community college athletic atmosphere, Coach Ronnie Mancao and the Palomar women’s tennis team will seek its third consecutive Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title despite lack of returning players.

“Every year there’s almost a complete changeover,” Mancao said.

“We are losing players every year, especially if they’re champions or the higher-skilled players on our team,” Mancao said.

Team co-captain Tori VandeVegte and Brea Bentley are the only two players who returned to Palomar from last year’s team that

consisted entirely of freshmen.

Last year’s freshman standout Brooke McBride, who finished last year with a flawless 15-0 record, was one and done at Palomar after transferring to four-year Cal State Sonoma.

To replace McBride, Palomar will look to freshman and co-captain Mardee Littrell out of Valley Center High School, the projected number one for the Comets.

Recruiting solely from the North County area, assistant coach Tom Yancey has helped build a team with good chemistry with a roster of former high school rivals.

“I met them all through high school and they really weren’t my favorites,” freshman Ruthie Rodriguez said.

“It’s kind of funny. We all come together now as a team.”

Mancao said this year’s team will

have more depth than before, especially on courts five and six.

“Often time championships are won by the bottom lineup,” Mancao said.

“We always look for wins at the five and six courts along with the number three court in doubles. We need to win points in five matches and that’s three matches already.”

Mancao said that in a recent PCAC coaches meeting, the consensus among the coaches was Palomar and their rival Grossmont were the teams to beat this year in conference.

Before matching up with Grossmont and the rest of the PCAC, the Comets will play a tough out-of-conference schedule, which includes opening with last year’s state champions Saddleback College.

Contact Anthony Schwartz, staff writer, at aschwartz@the-telescope.com

12 [Sports]

the telescope Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

Baseball look to best last year’s team

Track and Field poised to be best, biggest yet On the strength of 11 transfers, the Comets Margaret madrid The Telescope

In its fourth season, the Palomar women’s track and field team is prepared, focused and hoping to remedy the past.

Last year, the Comets lost in both conference and regional meets but, according to Coach Jennifer Williams, they are going to change this year.

“Our goal is to win the Pacific Conference Championships,” she said.

The Comets have come very close to winning conference and regionals in the past few seasons and are aiming to beat their rivals, Southwestern, this year.

“We have placed second to Southwestern in two out of three years we have had a team,” Coach Williams said.

Their numbers might help them win; this season’s track and field team has 30 members, including sprinters, distance runners, throwers and jumpers, making this its largest team yet.

“We would like to take as many athletes to So Cal Regionals and the California State meet as we can,” Coach Williams said.

The teams key runners are Jacqueline Kaste and Demi Lucero according to Coach Williams.

Kaste is a returning cross-country runner, who was picked to be a Women’s Athlete of the Week by the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference in 2010. Freshman Lucero is a new runner for the Comets.

“This team is the most talented out of the 10 years I have been coaching track,” Coach Williams said.

Sprints and jumps coach Larry Hall agreed.

“This is the team that is going to put Palomar back on the map,” he said.

Contact Margaret Madrid, staff writer, at mmadrid@the-telescope.com

look to improve on last year’s playoff trip kaity bergquist The Telescope

Most players on the Comets’ baseball team will eventually transfer to a four-year school.

So Head Coach Buck Taylor, entering his fifth season heading up the team, aims to keep things as con-

Husband signed with Santa Clara University, outfielder Jeremy Cline signed with Lewis-Clark State, and pitcher Ryan Wilkins signed with North Carolina State.

Last year, the Comets made it to the super-regionals, but couldn’t keep the momentum going.

“We had been playing so well, it was bound to happen,” Taylor said.

Jon Davis (left), a sophomore transfer from Cal State Fullerton, and Casey Muñoz (right) a sophomore transfer from Oklahoma State, practice with other members Palomar’s baseball team on Jan. 26, 2011. (Deb Hellman/ The Telescope)

Contact Kaity Bergquist, assistant sports editor, at kbergquist@the-telescope.com

Softball team preparing to take on conference Returning 7 players, Comets look to repeat as conference champs matthew slagle The Telescope

The Lacey Craft era started with a win, then for the night cap, another win, with the Comets outscoring their two opponents by 35-0.

“I think that we had two great wins this weekend,” Craft said. “I think we were all very excited, and anxious to play our first game because we had been training since the summer, so it was fun to get out there.

“But then to have back-to-back wins like that was probably even more exciting for us.”

Despite the great start to the season Craft said they can’t lean on the wins too much.

“I think our goal is not necessarily to play off those wins too much, but Palomar’s Elena Jefferson run sprints during to keep improving and stay focused practice at CSUSM’s Mangrum Track on Jan. on our goals throughout the season 26, 2011. (Kristen Campbell/ The Telescope) and get better.”

Sports On Deck

sistent as possible.

“We try to set this up just like a four-year program,” Taylor said, “so when they transfer to a four-year school, there’s not a big transition.”

Taylor has four players who have already signed with schools and will transfer at the end of the season. Shortstop Tyler Bernard signed with Virginia Tech, catcher Casey

“We just made a couple of errors that cost it.”

Wilkins, the Comets’ number one pitcher last season, said he thinks that this year’s team is better than last year’s.

“We just need to find it at the end like we did last year,” he said. “We got hot at the right time.”

The Comets have been ranked No. 4 in Southern California by the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association.

“We’re a talented bunch,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of kids from a lot of good college programs, but playing experience-wise, we’re young.”

Pitcher Justin Bellez said he is excited about playing for the Comets.

“I’m just going to do whatever I can to contribute,” he said. “I like the fact that Palomar is generally good at baseball, so I’m excited to be on a good team.”

“The overall goal is to make these guys better husbands, better fathers when they grow up,” Taylor said.

“It’s not just baseball; it’s life lessons, and we want our kids to represent the program and the college well.”

The Comets opened the season on Feb. 3 against San BernardinoValley in Palm Desert.

“Our first goal is to win conference,” Taylor said. “Our second goal is to make it to the Final Four, and our ultimate goal is to make it to the state championship.”

“We’re just going to do what we’ve always done,” Taylor said. “We grind on them on practice, make sure they’re getting the fundamentals.”

This season the Comets are led by sophomore pitcher and third baseman Danielle LeBeau, who last year posted a 2.73 ERA with nine wins and 88 strikeouts in the pitching circle, while batting at a .506 clip with 42 hits and 26 RBI in 30 games.

While those stats are impressive, what is even more impressive is the fact that LeBeau wants to improve even more this season.

“I have a lot to improve on,” LeBeau said. “The mental game always can use improvement. And then physically, always getting better.”

Also leading the Comets into the 2011 season is transfer player MonicaVillarreal who was 20-5 with a 1.28 ERA and 176 strikeouts for William Penn University.

After winning its first two games the team is focused on the rest of the season and performing up to their expectations.

“I think one of our major goals this season is to win conference,” Craft said. “We didn’t win conference last year and this year, we want to take that title back. That’s going to be a huge goal for us.”

LeBeau agreed: “Well, team goals, (get a) conference title for Lacey. So we really want to get that for her.”

But for a program that has 28 con-

Comets pitcher Danielle LeBeau is on the mound during practice on Jan. 26, 2011 at the softball field on San Marcos campus. (Deb Hellman/ The Telescope) ference championships, and eight state championships, the regular season is all about preparing for the post season.

“All these games before conference play are what are hopefully going to prepare us for conference,” Craft said. “That’s what we want to build on.”

“Keep playing everybody as tough as we can and as competitively as we can, while still staying focused on that goal to be even more competitive when we get to conference.”

Fri., Feb. 11

Tue., Feb. 8

Wed., Feb. 9

Wed., Feb. 9

Santa Ana 3 p.m.

Softball Field

Orange Coast 2 p.m.

Myers Field

Southwestern 5 p.m.

Palomar Dome

Softball

Baseball

Men’s Basketball

Contact Matthew Slagle, managing and sports editor, at mslagle@the-telescope.com

Women’s Basketball

San Diego Mesa 5 p.m.

Palomar Dome