The Telescope 62.15

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF. MONDAY MARCH 2, 2009

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

VOL. 62, NO. 15

the-telescope.com

Students speak out against tuition raises MAGGIE AVANTS AND MELISSA JARRED THE TELESCOPE

Community college students across the state are launching in a letter-writing campaign urging California legislators to support funding for their schools.

“Part of democracy is exercising your First Amendment right,” said Robert Frederick, Associated Student Government president. “This is a great opportunity for students to do this. It’s very simple. All they have to do is sign it and we do the rest for them.”

ASG senators are taking turns setting up a table equipped with the letters and list of each district’s legislators. Once the letters are signed, ASG senators are responsible for mailing or faxing the letters to each of the students’ respective assemblymen or women. At press time, roughly 40 letters had already been sent to legislators.

According to Frederick, the ASG started the letter-writing campaign to give students a voice.

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“We didn’t want to voice the opinion of the whole student body,” he said.

“It’s their choice; we’re just giving them access to it.”

Students who signed the letters voiced their opinions about recent suggestions from the California Legislative Analysts Office to raise college tuition to $30 a unit.

“It’s pretty i n t e re s t i n g that it jumped up to $30,” said radio and television student Matt O’Brien.

“They have had hikes before by $2 or $5 but bigger — Robert Frederick hikes like this ASG President clearly show that they need money.”

Emilie Vurick said she came to Palomar because it was more affordable for her. She signed the letter to let state leaders kow she is against the tuition hikes.

“If I had money, I would go to a bigger university, a better one,” Vurick said. “People don’t have a lot of money right now and they are taking advantage of us.”

And although previous budget pro-

Part of democracy is exercising your First Amendment right. This is a great opportunity for students to do this.

| THE TELESCOPE Student Carlos Pablo signs the letter to the opposing college budget cuts.

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posals included a 50 percent tuition hike and the elimination of the Cal Grant B, these are no longer being considered.Community colleges across the state are still experiencing a 1 percent cut in cost-of-living, which amounts to $1.2 million for Palomar College alone, according to Frederick.

“Even though we now know tuition won’t be raised,” Frederick said. “It is still important for legislators to know where students stand.”

He said that due to the cuts, colleges are cutting back on instruction as they can’t afford to instruct students, but enrollment is still going up.

Students such as O’Brien said they know the school is operating with limited funds.

“Most of the departments are on the lowest possible budget,” O’Brien said.

“Knowing this, I don’t think a tuition hike would have ‘broke’ me, but it would have made things tighter.”

Frederick said the letter writing campaign will force legislators to look at the importance of community colleges, especially in this recession.

“We’re showing them that our future preference is for no additional cuts to community colleges,” he said.

For more information on the letter writing campaign, contact the ASG office at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2689 or visit their Web site at palomar.edu/asg.

Drought could lead to water rationing SARA BURBIDGE

SHAUN KAHMANN THE TELESCOPE

to cut water supply due to the drought.

With the less than 1 percent of “In anticipation of reductions Earth’s usable water being quick- called for by wholesalers, the City ly extinguished, residents of San is preparing for mandatory water Diego County may soon have less conservation and water allocaaccess to water, according to city tions, depending on the severity officials. of the cutback.” Genersoso said.

With a record drought in 2007 California’s main water distriand a dry 2008-2009 winter sea- bution systems, The State Water son in spite of the recent rain, Project and the Central Valley California’s water supply is Project were both developed in depleting faster than its natural the early to mid 20th century and rate of replacement. were not designed to account for Agriculture and wildlife suffer modern usage. as California’s distribution infraAccording to a report released structure barely manages to sup- by the Westlands Water District, a ply the state with enough water private organization that supplies to keep residents’ toilets flushing. water to farmlands and homeWith California’s staple sources owners statewide, 2007 saw a 25 nearing depletion, Californians percent decrease in full-time onare beginning to dip into emer- farm jobs. gency water In 2008, sources in there was a order to keep decrease of 65 water flowing percent, leavto its 38 miling a comlion residents; bined total of sources that 460,000 acres are meant to unfarmed and support resi$2.6 billion in dents through combined revcatastrophe.

— Luis Generoso enue loss.

According According to San Diego Water Resource Manager to San Diego officials the water resource manager Luis problem is going to get worse.

Generoso, San Diego is preparing Mike Wade, executive director

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The city is preparing for mandatory water conservation and water allocation.

OPINION

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Baseball salaries need a cap PAGE 4

of the California Farm Water Coalition, said farms across California have experienced reduced water supplies ranging from 30 to 100 percent.

Statewide on-farm job losses are expected to reach 80 percent by year’s end.

Although water makes up over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, less than 1 percent of it is fresh and usable, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric association, however science may be able to make more of it usable.

One solution being explored is desalination, the process of taking the salt out of the seawater and distilling it into a drinkable form. According to an article on the “Scientific America” Web site, there are two main methods: thermal distillation and membrane separation.

Thermal distillation harnesses heat to separate salt from seawater through evaporation. The evaporated water is captured and when it is condensed it is in a drinkable form.

Membrane separation involves a process called reverse osmosis, salt is filtered from water by pushing it through a semipermeable membrane.

“In either desalination process,

ENTERTAINMENT

“Street Fight” stands the test of time PAGE 7

ROB BACON | THE TELESCOPE

Lake Hodges Reservoir is currently at 69 percent capacity. All the reservoirs in San Diego County are similarly low due to the drought. you can start with seawater with about 3.5 percent salt and produce really fresh drinking water that is about 10 times fresher than premium bottled water,” said Al Trujillo, professor of oceanography at Palomar College.

Although methods for removing salt from seawater have existed for years, the energy required to run such a facility always made

FOCUS

Tips for managing your credit PAGE 8

it more costly than simply relying on sources like river or ground water.

A shrinking supply and higher costs have rekindled interest in desalination locally, with Poseidon Resources’ the Carlsbad Desalination Project. According to its Web site, the construction will begin this year and it should be operational by 2011.

SPORTS

Comets win back-to-back championships PAGE 12

2 | CAMPUS BEAT

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

CAMPUS CALENDAR

Palomar celebrates Black History Month

Monday, March 2

The cell phone and lawn mowers have something in common. Their creators.

In Honor of Black History Month, the Associated Student Government held a Black History event Feb. 25 in the Student Union Quad. Representatives from various clubs and departments across the campus attended.

“What black history is all about is educating people about the black culture in American History,” said Shaun Briggs, senator of the ASG. “My goal is to have 30 different posters of 30 famous people that really deserverecognition.”

“The event gives the BSU a chance to mingle and mix with the community,” said Andrew Edwards,president of the Black Student Union at Palomar.

Black History Month is a national holiday designed to pay tribute to the achievements, contributions, and progress of blacks in America. Contributions include the cell phone created by Henry T. Sampson in 1971 and the lawn mower created by L.A. Burr in 1889.

The holiday was created in 1926 under direct supervision of Carter G. Woodson as a way to record the undocumented history of blacks.

Black History Month originally began as Negro History week and was celebrated during the second week in February, to coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Not until 1976 did it grow to encompass the whole month of February as it does currently.

FREE HIV TESTING Palomar College Health Services, in a co-venture with North County Health Services, is offering students free HIV testing on the first Monday of each month.

The screening will take place from noon to 4 p.m. in the Health Services Department on the San Marcos Campus. Appointments are also available.

Tuesday, March 3 FOREIGN FILM SERIES “Live-In Maid” starring Norma Aleandro and filmed in Argentina and Spain (2004), will be shown at 6:30 p.m. in room P-32. Written and directed by Jorge Gaggero, the film is in Spanish but will be subtitled.

Wednesday, March 4 CAMPUS EXPLORATIONS Speaker Katy French, a Palomar library faculty member, will discuss “Am I Really Saving the Planet? How to Become an Informed Citizen” from 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. in P-32.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG STUDIES

Students to attend Powwow in NM

Several members of Palomar College’s Native American Student Alliance are planning to attend the Gathering of Nations, which is the largest Powwow in North America.

This year the celebration is taking place during April in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Native Americans from around the world will be gathering there to celebrate.

Among other events NASA are planning to attend, include a trip to Yosemite National Park and a leadership conference for Native students.

General meetings for NASA are Tuesdays at 8 a.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. in the American Indian Studies Department in P8.

For more information on the Native American Student Alliance, contact the American Indian Studies Department at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2425.

Students can save big with ID card

Palomar College Student Identification Card offers savings on campus and off.

Using the ID card on campus can garner the user free cups of coffee, soft drinks, cookies and fruit. There are also many free on-campus services that come with the card, such as free fax services, Scantrons and photocopies.

The card also gives admission to campuswide events like the Cookie Jar in SU-202, Women’s History Events, C/W Day and Cesar Chavez Day. Palomar College students can use the ID card to purchase movie tickets at a discounted price of $6 for movies over 12 days old and $7 for new releases at several local area movie theaters such as Edward’s, Regal and United Artists.

The discounted movie tickets can be purchased on campus at the Office of Student Affairs located in room SU-201.

Even local restaurants like Mr. Taco and Oasis Frozen Yogurt offer a 20 percent discount for students if they show there ID card when they make their purchase.

Universal Studios offers general admission tickets for $49, a savings of $18 for students with a valid Palomar ID card.

CAMPUS WEATHER Monday, March 2

Pompoms away

The AODS program will hold an information session on March 4 from 6-7 p.m. in room NS 359. Students will learn about the program, and the certification requirements to become a substance abuse counselor.

ROB BACON | THE TELESCOPE

EARTH SCIENCE MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Palomar cheerleaders rally for the women's basketball team in its 12th straight win on Feb. 14 at the Dome against the Southwestern Jaguars.The Comets won the next two games to finish the regular season.

Geoscience Connection, Palomar College’s Earth Sciences Club, is hosting its first field trip of the semester to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on March 6. It will include the IMAX movie “Wild Ocean,” as well as a tour of the Space Center’s many handson exhibits.

After the film, the group will visit current exhibits in the Space Center, including “Giant Worlds,” “SOWATT” and “Tinkering,” Tickets are $10 per person, to be paid at the time of arrival to the center.

For more information or to sign up for the field trip, please e-mail the club at geoconnection@gmail.com.

Students do not have to be members of Palomar students with an interest in Earth Sciences are invited to experience the ocean the club to attend field trip. The last day to sign up is March 3. the IMAX way this week.

The cost of the Palomar ID card is $15 for the 2009 spring semester. It can be purchased online, and then picked up in room SU104. The card must be renewed each semester.

For more information on purchasing and using the Palomar ID card to its fullest potential, students may visit the Student Activities Office in the Student Union Building in room SU-201, or call (760) 744-1150, extension 2594.

Field trip offered by Geoscience Club

Police Blotter

ijuana and went to investigate.

The second incident occurred when police found two male students, one of whom was smoking.The two were in the back of a van in San Marcos parking lot 9. The second case happened on the evening of the 10.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

IDENTITYTHEFT

Palomar police arrested someone at the transit center on Feb. 2. Campus Police received a call around 8 p.m. reporting that someone was passed out near the restrooms. Upon the police’s arrival, the suspect smelled strongly of alcohol and was taken to Vista County Jail.

A Palomar student attempted to use another’s Social Security Number when registering for classes. Police caught the perpetrator and the case is still under investigation. Officials reported that there are a lot of factors when dealing with identity theft cases.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA

SHOPLIFTING

Campus Police have cited two students for smoking marijuana. The two cases were unrelated. The first, which occurred on the evening of Feb. 4, involved one male student smoking in the Arboretum. Police had received a call that reported the smell of mar-

Cheryl Smith, a Palomar student, was arrested on Feb. 10 for allegedly attempting to steal $945 worth of books from the campus bookstore. She was arrested and booked into the Vista County Jail. The case is still under investigation.

Tuesday, March 3

Thursday, March 5 The Earth, Space and Aviation Sciences and Geosciences Connection will be showing “Hurricane Katrina: The Storm that Drowned a City” from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in NS-125.

CONCERT HOUR This week the improvisational duo Kaiborg will perform at 12:30 p.m. in Performance Lab D-10. It will feature Jeff Kaiser on quartertone trumpet and laptop, along with David Borgo on saxophones, electric wind instrument and laptop. This event is free of charge and all are invited.

Friday, March 6 BOY GETS GIRL The Palomar Performing Arts Department presents a story about a blind date gone wrong, which then turns into an examination of stalking, sexism and the nature of romantic pursuit. online at can be purchased Tickets palomarperforms.com or by calling (760) 744-1150, ext.

2453. The show begins at 8 p.m. in the Howard Brubeck Theatre.

Saturday, March 7 IMAGES OF THE FIGURE Stop by the Boehm Gallery to view dynamic local art by “West Coast Drawing.” The exhibit focuses on the human body, and uses paper, canvas and even PVC. Call (760) 744-1150, ext. 2304 for gallery hours. The exhibit runs through April 4.

What’s up?

Do you know something we should cover? Let us know. To submit story tips or events for the campus calendar, e-mail us at telescope@palomar.edu or call (760) 891-7865.

Wednesday, March 4

Thursday, March 5

Friday, March 6

Saturday, March 7

78˚/49˚

76/51˚

76˚/53˚

65˚/52˚

60/54˚

58˚/50˚

SUNNY

MOSTLY SUNNY

PARTLY CLOUDY

RAIN

RAIN

RAIN

Sunday, March 8

57˚/48˚ PARTLY CLOUDY

NEWS | 3

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Magazine looks for writers JARRED POWELL THE TELESCOPE

Bravura, Palomar College’s literary publication, is currently looking for works done by students to publish in their 2009 edition, according to advisers.

Every year, the Palomar English Department produces a publication called Bravura, which is a collection of poetry, short stories, photos, fiction and non-fiction writing by Palomar students, according to Bravura advisers, Rocco Versaci and Carlton Smith.

“This is its 45th year of the Bravura,” Versaci said. “It started as a journal to feature student work from the English department.”

“It’s become an exciting place to talk about writing, to write and celebrate the excitement of written word,” Smith said.

And the publication has moved to the Internet.

“We have expanded the print journal its own Web site to have www.bravura.com to place stories that don’t make the Bravura,” Smith said.

Students who want to be part of the Bravura editorial staff can enroll in English 137, offered every spring.

“I joined the Bravura because of Carlton and I love to write,” Bravura editor Breelyn Burns said. “I write poetry because it comes natural to me.”

The most submitted entries to the Bravura are poetry and short

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stories.

The class is unique in that it doesn’t operate like a normal class. The class mostly works independently, according to Versaci and Smith.

“The teachers allow us to be honest in our critique of other’s work,” editor Raheem Rhem said.

Versaci and Smith are even involved in the recruiting process.

On Jan. 28, the Bravura staff attempted to recruit students to the Bravura by having a Poetry Slam in the student union. Bravura editors read poetry they had written themselves.

Even though the students in the student union had other agendas, they took time to listen to what the students at the Bravura had to say.

“I had no idea what the Bravura was until today,” nearby student Taylor Roach said.

To submit writing to be published in the Bravura, either e-mail it to the Bravura through the Web site or drop it off to Versaci’s office in ST-31. Writing experience is not required to write in the Bravura.

At the end of the semester, the Bravura staff holds a banquet award ceremony where they give out awards for the top three stories and poems. The winners also receive a cash prize for their efforts.

The Bravura comes out in April and can be picked up at several locations on campus for free.

JML Copyediting/Proofreading Hand in written work with perfect punctuation,spelling,grammar. j.logue@cox.net (760) 732-1380

Stay up to date.

Find out what’s happening at Palomar.

the-telescope.com

PAT CUBEL| THE TELESCOPE

Alejandra Ruiz and Blanca Soto celebrate after participating in the MEChA Clubs mock wedding ceremonies performed by Palomar’s own faux priest Alberto Carmona at Club Rush on Feb. 12.

Palomar clubs strut their stuff ROBIN WITT THE TELESCOPE

You don’t have to be black to join the Black Student Union, Christian to join the Jesus Club, or skinny to join the Fashion Club.

This is some of the information available to students at Club Rush on Feb. 12.

Representatives from 20 Palomar College clubs set up tables in front of the Student Union to promote their organizations.

Palomar student Ryan Koenig said one club he is considering, is the Anime Club.

“It could be really fun hanging out with people the same as you,” Koenig said.

“You could do it at home, but it is not the same as watching with others.”

The Anime Club is for fans of Japanese animation. The club screens Anime episodes from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays in P-15. For more information visit clubs.palomar.edu/anime.

Members of the Jesus Club study the Bible, socialize and pray as a group.

Breakfast and devotionals are held in the Student Union from 7 to 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Bible studies are from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays.

For more information contact: theJESUSclub.collegechurch@gmail.com.

According to club President Desiree Cadman-Mendoza, Fashion Club members are encouraged to pursue additional education in fashion and take part in com-

munity service.

Upcoming events include participating in Escondido Fashion Week and making shirts for children at an orphanage in Tecate, Mexico. For more information contact Desiree Cadman-Mendoza at Deziray_jcm@hotmail.com.

According to club President Andrew Edwards, the Black Student Union is about diversity and learning from each other. The club focuses on black history, culture and building awareness.

Membership is open to all students. For more information contact Andrew Edwards at Karrot12003@yahoo.com.

The main goals of MEChA, are to promote higher education and build awareness of Chicano culture and history.

The group works with local high schools to encourage students to pursue a college education. They also participate in cultural celebrations like the Day of the Dead Festival in Oceanside. All students are welcome to join. Contact Blanca Soto for more information at herlindaandrade@ yahoo.com A complete list of over 40 Palomar clubs can be accessed from the quick links menu on the Palomar College homepage at www.palomar.edu. Students interested in forming a new club can contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Marilyn Lunde, staff assistant for the Office of Student Affairs said clubs enhance students’ experience of college and provide “the extra stuff you don’t get in the classroom.”

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| OPINION

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

OUR VIEWPOINT

Water management needs to be improved, and quickly As water resources become scarcer as time goes on, San Diego County prepares to reduce water use and considers the implementation of rationing and mandatory cutbacks. Unfortunately, residents continue to squander what little they have left, be it the result of leaky plumbing or simple negligence.

Is the comfort and relaxation of an hour-long shower really worth the cost? Residents need to start considering the implications of the growing crisis.

With the brief incidents of rain still in recent memory, it’s easy to become complacent that the drought is over. However, over the past three years there have been record-breaking droughts and exceedingly dry seasons, and California is running out of natural water sources. In fact, this is the first time since 1992 that water issues have been severe enough to warrant even considering rationing in San Diego County.

Desalination is an option, but an expensive one, and the economic situation is just as bad as the water shortage. Researchers believe they can have more efficient desalination plants by 2011, but as of now it’s far more cost-effective to use rivers and groundwater: sources which are becoming rapidly depleted.

The agriculture industry is taking a massive hit as well, due to being unable to water crops and keep livestock hydrated. The California Farm Water Coalition has said that farming job losses could reach up to 80 percent.

It is sometimes said that the “common man” needs to do little since the farmers are the ones taking up most of the water, but if this is the cost of cutting back, perhaps this “common man” could and should help out after all.

The government will do what it can, but in the meantime it falls upon the ordinary citizens to do the same. We need to be more careful with faucets, take shorter showers and waste less water on plants, toothbrushing and dishwashing. Over-flushing of toilets is something to look out for as well. Many carwashes, especially those done at home, end up wasting massive amounts of water.

Certainly, we all need water to survive and function.

But if we don’t start being more careful about how we use it, we could quickly get in deep trouble.

Perhaps we already are. But it’s not too late to help.

POLLING PALOMAR What are your thoughts on stem cell research?

Results from last poll (as of Feb. 3)

To participate in polls, go to www.the-telescope.com.

MONDAY MARCH 2, 2009

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

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.

ADDRESS | The Telescope, Palomar College 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 NEWSROOM | Room MB-1 PHONE | (760) 891-7865 FAX| (760) 891-3401 E-MAIL | telescope@palomar.edu ADVERTISING E-MAIL | telescopead@palomar.edu

JOSEPH BONNET | THE TELESCOPE

Baseball salaries need caps

Are players being paid more than they’re worth?

MATT WADLEIGH THE TELESCOPE

of a salary cap lets the owners spend as much money as they want, or, in some cases, as much Baseball player Mark Teixeira money as they themselves can recently signed a contract for spend. It does seem rather easy to eight years with the New York assume that the more money spent, the more championships Yankees worth $181 million.

Player Alex Rodriguez signed a you get. This is true at times: just 10-year, $250 million contract look at the Yankees, Dodgers and with the Yankees just a few years Red Sox. On the other side of the specago as well. the Rockies, the There are many other major trum, leaguers who have contracts in Diamondbacks, and the Rays the hundreds of millions of dol- have all been to World Series lars like this, such as CC Sabathia. within the past eight years and Baseball is not so demanding they have three of the lowest payand stressful that these players rolls in baseball. But with the Yankees, should be makThey are not getting Tigers and ing $20 million a Mets havyear. Many pro- paid...to give heart ing a comfessional players bined paymake a ridicu- transplants, or to run the of lous amount of country... They are playing roll $485 milmoney for what baseball. lion, it they do.

We are suffering through an really makes us think about someeconomic crisis — a depression — thing: Why is there no salary cap and many of these owners are in baseball?

Hockey, football and basketball dishing out contracts to players where they make $20 million a have a salary cap, making competition a little easier, since they all year to play a game.

They are not getting paid $20 have to spend under a certain million a year to give heart trans- amount. The New York Yankees plants, or to run the country, or have a payroll of $209 million in even to ensure our country’s safe- 2008 alone. Rodriguez made $25 million, a number that not even ty. They are playing baseball.

Major League Baseball is the the world’s best doctors earn only professional major sport annually.

Someone needs to do somewithout a salary cap. The absence

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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 MB-1.

VOLUME 62 NUMBER 15

EDITOR IN CHIEF | CRYSTAL EVANS NEWS EDITOR | MELISSA LERAY ASST. NEWS EDITOR | MAGGIE AVANTS OPINION EDITOR | ERIC WALKER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR | ALEJANDRA JACKSON FOCUS EDITOR | KELLEY FOYT SPORTS EDITOR | JARRED POWELL PHOTO EDITOR | ROBERT BACON COPY EDITOR | ERIC WALKER AD MANAGER | CRYSTAL EVANS DISTRIBUTION MANAGER | KEVIN THOMPSON INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS | CHARLES STEINMAN, MATT NULL ONLINE EDITOR | ANTHONY SCHWARTZ JOURNALISM ADVISER | ERIN HIRO PHOTOJOURNALISM ADVISER | PAUL STACHELEK

thing about the spending of money on major league baseball players. The commissioner and the league owners need to have a meeting and have a salary cap placed on this sport.

It is ridiculous that the owners would sign one player to a contract for eight years, where they would pay him $181 million. That is only one player: that still leaves 24 to pay.

Instead of doing that and signing that one player, managers could sign maybe six or seven other players with the same amount of money. The Yankees, some would say, have bought championships, winning 28 national titles in their history. But no amount of trophies is worth squandering that much money every season.

Millions and millions of dollars are being cut from the California education and schools, and these owners are paying a player $22 million a year to play baseball for six months. Baseball is quickly becoming a game of money.

America’s pastime is becoming all about the cash, and it is getting out of hand.

That salary cap needs to be talked about and should seriously be considered.

If not, then America’s pastime may just become America’s National Bank.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters. Letters must be received one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

STAFF WRITERS | HEATHER CAMERON, SHAWNNA CLEARY, ANDRE COLEY, PAT CUBEL, SHOKO HACHIYA, NIGEL HARRIS, MELISSA JARRETT, SHAUN KAHMANN, BARBARA ANN MAC LAREN, CHRIS MEYER, CASEY OLAYA, CYRILA RICHARDSON, TYPHANIE SHARFNER, JAVIER TOVAR, LESETT TUNNELL, KARA VERMEULEN, MATT WADLEIGH, GRAIANNE WARD, ROBIN WITT STAFF CARTOONISTS | JOSEPH BONNET

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS | HUGH COX, PAT CUBEL, CIARA KEITH

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

SPEAK OUT!

Ask Aunt Gertrude

Are you doing anything to conserve water? Are you concerned about it?

Dear Aunt Gertrude:

I have been going out with my boyfriend for about a year. He’s a really nice guy, and shows me he cares all the time.

However, three months ago he got a car — or as he would put it, a 1987 Porsche 928 S4. I know this because The Car is all he ever wants to talk about, and frankly, I now know more about fuel injection, high-performance V8s, suspension systems and all-wheel drive than I ever wanted to.

He makes me take off my shoes and put on slippers before I get into the car so I don’t damage the “vintage floor mats.” We went to a party, and had to park three streets away because the purple flowers on the trees might damage his “custom electric blue paint job.” We always park at the edge of a lot to avoid dings. And don’t get me started on how much money he’s dropped in a Porsche performance garage in La Jolla.

I really like him, but I can’t handle being second to an inanimate object!

Driven to Distraction

“

— Hugh Gerhardt,coach

“

I don’t waste as much as I used to. I pour my bottled water in a cup and don’t drink from the bottle. I don’t run the shower for 10 minutes before I get in.

If you would like to Ask Aunt Gertrude, send your question to askauntgertie@aol.com

”

—Adrian Pascal,criminal justice

Common sense missing in Obama bailout There's a reason that English is the most widely spoken language on the planet: It’s the most highly adaptable, capable of evolving to meet new needs in the blink of an eye. For example: Just last year, offering mortgages at a cheaperthan-market teaser interest rate with little or no money down was known as “predatory lending.”

But conditions changed — specifically, the party occupying the White House — and now we call that style of lending “national policy.”

The new definition was provided by Predator-in-Chief Barack Obama last week while making his daily announcement of a new bailout plan, this one for homeowners who took on mortgages they can’t afford during banking’s go-go days earlier this decade.

Offering them cheaper new terms on their loans — at taxpayer expense, of course — will help us bolster “those core values of common sense and responsibility, those are the values that have defined this nation,” Obama said.

Only churlish Language Nazis would quibble with those bold new definitions of common sense and responsibility, much less note the extraordinary resemblance between Obama’s mortgage-lending practices and those of the reptilian bankers he denounced so often during his presidential campaign: • Down payments? We don’t need no stinking down payments!

Just like the bankers, who lured customers with deals that required no money upfront (at the height of the mortgage boom in 2005, 43 percent of first-time buyers didn’t put down a single penny), Obama’s plan doesn’t call for the traditional 20 percent down. Instead, homeowners will be allowed to borrow more than their houses are actually worth.

”

—Jon Fields,political science

”

If you make your boyfriend choose between you and the car, you will lose. Just as men may never understand the importance of shoes, we tend to not understand the connection a man has with his dream car.

Count your lucky stars that he is going through this now and not in his late 40s. If you care about him, be patient: Eventually he will come to his senses, probably after the car gets keyed or gets a crack in its windshield.

Boys love their toys, but eventually lose interest and move on.

If you don’t care about him, just remember the old riddle about the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine: With a Porsche, the prick is on the inside.

Just a week ago, being upside down — owing more on your loan than the market value of your house — was considered economically debilitating; now it makes you a prime customer.

• Hey kid, wanna smoke some mortgage crack? The first rock is free! Through a combination of government subsidies and armtwisting of banks, the Obama plan will slash interest rates — in some cases, probably to less than 3 percent — until a borrower’s payments are no more than 31 percent of his gross income ... for the first five years.Then the interest rate jumps to market levels. A week ago, that was known as an “exploding adjustable-rate mortgage,” because so many of the people who took them got financially blown up.

To be perfectly fair, there’s a big difference between Obama’s ARMs and the ones the banks offered — instead of the banks being on the hook when the hapless borrower goes delinquent on his payments, you will. Obama’s plan calls for the government to spend $200 billon buying up these loans through its mortgage zombies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. You may recall that Fannie and Freddie went broke in September because they held so many worthless mortgages and had to be propped up with $200 billion in taxpayer money. But what’s another bailout among friends?

I hope Obama keeps his checkbook handy, because it’s almost certain he’ll be needing it again soon.We already know that trying to raise delinquent borrowers from the dead doesn’t work, because banks have been trying like crazy to do it, with practically no success.

Contrary to what you see in old Frank Capra movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” banks don’t like to foreclose on homeowners. It’s messy, expensive and time-con-

“

You never know when we’ll have a serious shortage. I take five minute showers, I dry shave...Yes, but it’s in the back of my mind.

No. It’s a phony argument. Most of the water used is by agriculture. And I hate people who use bottled water. Twenty-five percent of it is tap water.

Dear Driven:

GLENN GARVIN MCT CAMPUS

OPINION | 5

suming, and they almost always lose money when they re-sell the house. In 2007, when the mortgage crisis began, banks immediately began trying to keep their customers from defaulting, offering better interest rates, lower payments over a longer period, and sometimes even reducing the principals of loans.

Result: The government’s own statistics show that, of the borrowers whose loans were adjusted in the first six months of 2008, half were delinquent again within six months. By eight months, the figure was up to 58 percent.

Obama, in announcing his mortgage program last week, argued that the defaults were brought on by rising unemployment. To some extent, that’s certainly true, though it’s hard to see how his new E-Z Payment Plan is going to help that problem — surely the president isn’t planning to give loans to people who are jobless?

But the harsh truth is that most foreclosures are directed against people who should never have gotten loans in the first place. A study unveiled earlier this month

by Federal Reserve economist Sean Chu and two University of Minnesota colleagues, Patrick Bajari and Minjung Park, shows that fully half the increase in defaults since 2006 is among borrowers with lousy credit scores who wouldn’t have been eligible for mortgages before the credit binge began.

When people have too little salary and too much debt to pay for their homes, lending them more money is no act of kindness, either to them or the taxpayers who will foot the bill. It’s more like waking up with a hangover and trying to cure it with a shot of Jack Daniel’s — you’re just postponing the pain.

And that’s true no matter how many new pages you add to your dictionary.

“

I’m not drinking so much — we try to cut down on the dishwashing. It’s a problem. Why do you need to water your grass when it’s raining?

”

—Andrew Edwards,English

“

I don’t use my dishwasher; I don’t wash my car. I heard peeing in the shower saves water.

“

”— Reece Alnas,film

I’m not particularly concerned. I’ve always taken quick showers, military style.

”

— David Hemesatch,philosophy

GRAPHIC BY MCT CAMPUS

6

| ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT’S HAPPENING Monday, March. 2

Who: Busta Rhymes w/ Dago Baves, U-N-I, and Diz Gibran What: Rap/Hip-Hop Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $26-45 More info: (619) 299-BLUE

Wednesday, March. 4 Who: Rhythm and the Method w/ Chimney Fish, The Greens of Mind and Mary Dolan What: Rock / Blues / Indie Where: Belly Up Tavern Cost: $8 More info: (858)481-8140

Wednesday, March. 4 Who: Automatic Loveletter, A Cursive Memory, Tickle Me Pink, Stereo Summer, The Alert Signal What: Rock/Alternative Where: Soma Cost: $10-15.50 More info: www.somasd.com

Thursday, March. 5 Who: Taylor Hicks w/ The Styletones What: Soul/Pop Where: Belly Up Tavern Cost: $35-37 More info: (858)481-8140

Friday, March. 6 Who: Jimmy Eat World w/ No Knife What: Alternative/Punk Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $32.50-$37.50 More info: (619) 299-BLUE

Sunday, March. 8 Who: G. Love & Special Sauce w/ Eric Hutchinson What: Alternative Blues/Hip-Hop Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $22.50-$25.50 More info: (619) 299-BLUE

Sunday, March. 8 Who: Slipknot w/ Coheed andCambria, and Trivium What: Rock Where: Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl Cost: $29.75-$49.50 More info: www.livenation.com

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, MARCH. 2, 2009

Palomer faculty plays with fire SHAUN KAHMANN THE TELESCOPE

On any afternoon you may enter the Student Services building on the main campus and find the mild mannered Katherine Khaskin, Palomar’s veterans’ affairs advisor, studiously pouring over files in her office. You would never know that beyond her unassuming appearance and the sterile construct of her workplace that she is leading a double-life.

After work, she is a fire dancer.

Fire dancing’s origins lie with the ancient New Zealand warriors known as the Imari. The Imari trained their younger generation for combat by taking branches from trees and attaching heavy coconuts to the ends and lighting them on fire.

Today’s fire dances use an assortment of tools including poi, a flail-like instrument that is spun using both hands, fire hoola-hoops and staffs.

Born in eastern Kazakhstan, Khaskin was already a student of the martial arts before she discovered the concept of combining fire with dance while visiting her brother in Hawaii. She saw two men spinning fire staffs and it inspired her to give it a try.

“It never occurred to me to set my bamboo staff on fire. I was like ‘I’ve gotta do this,’” Khaskin said. “I ripped up an old t-shirt, wrapped it around my staff, bought a couple of gallons of gas and set light to it.”

Khaskin was 16 when she came to the United States and eventually joined the U.S. Marines.

After being stationed in

COURTESY PHOTO

Palomar Veterans Affairs Adviser, Katherine Khaskin, performs with her dance troupe “Unifer”. Khaskin discovered fire dancing while in Hawaii.

Japan she transferred to California where she first became aware of Palomar and enrolled. She later transferred and graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

In the midst of all this she never gave up fire-dancing and is now a part of a professional dance troupe called “Unifier.”

She describes how they got their start.

“The first time I got paid to perform was at a lesbian couple’s 25th anniversary. They hired three fire dancers [including] me and my best friend.”

After their performance, the couple laid out a spread of jewelry that was to be their payment. Both Katherine and her

friend picked a necklace. When they realized they picked the same one, they shared a bonding moment.

“When we realized we both picked the same necklace it was like an ‘Ah-ha’ moment [for us] and we decided to go into business together.” Khaskin said.

Khaskin has been performing with an assortment of tools such as poi, hoola-hoops, staffs, fireswords and fans for over six years. And although fire dancing can be very dangerous, she has only ever suffered minor burns.

“I’ve burned myself twice,” Khaskin said. “I burned myself on the hand, I don’t have any scars but it was pretty gnarly [laughs]. I’ve [also] seen people

torch their faces while fire breathing. [Burning off] their eye brows and eye lashes.”

Her troupe has performed at Knotts Berry Farm and Mardi gras and offer private performances for parties and corporate functions for fees ranging from $500-$5,000 depending on the type of performance.

For the biggest package viewers receive an hour-long play featuring costumes, stilt-walkers, fully choreographed fight sequences and a story. “[Fire dancing] is energetic movement,” she said. “Your poi, staff or hula-hoop becomes an extension of yourself. Once you master your own body and overcome your fears it [can be] very meditative.”

Laughs few and far between in cheer flick “Fired Up” SARA BURBIDGE THE TELESCOPE

Bathroom’.”

Roemer comes off as naïve and homely but nevertheless, her “How do you spell Fired Up?” character turns Shawn Brady’s “F.U. ” chant 300 cheerleaders. head from day one. What she FU stands for Fired Up doesn’t know is, Nick and Shawn Cheerleading University, a place plan to eat and run. They decide where cheerleaders convene in that going to friends party is the summertime to train and more important than the third compete.To the girls, cheer camp week of cheer camp and competis a safe place where they can let ing in the Regional South their guard down, watch and Eastern Illinois Cheerleading recite line-for-line “Bring It On” Championship.

As the boys start their training on a big screen and cheer until they realize the girls lack confitheir faces turn blue.

Enter: Tigers football high dence, they tell them to, “Bet big school stars Nick Brady (Eric or go home.” Nick and Shawn Olsen) and Shawn Colfax must take their own advice, how(Nicholas D’Agosto). The duo ever, when its time to go along plan on avoiding getting their with their original plan and go butts kicked in their two-week- home early.

Jokes in “Fired Up” run the long football camp by going to the girls cheerleading team gamut with gay jokes, foreign camp and chase some tail, but jokes, political jokes, sexist cheer captain, Carly, (Sarah jokes, movie reference jokes and play on the fact that Roemer), is too smart to the audience knows believe the boys really MOVIE REVIEW what to expect from want to cheer so they ‘Fired Up’ the characters and convince the cheer coach the plot. and the rest of the team HH OUT OF FOUR STARS Character developmembers they are the ment was minimal only chance the Tigers STARRING: Eric Olson, because these teens Nicholas D’Agosto, Sarah have to place above last. all fit a stereotypes.

When they arrive at Roemer All the characters cheer camp, all they see RATED: PG-13 seem to have some are bodies flailing and unique quirk that skin flashing. From their perspective, cheer camp is like a allow, within seconds of screen “hot chick produce aisle.”The time, one to deduce what it boys agree their only rule is: no would be like to look at the chargetting with girls from their own acters Facebook page. The plot is team. “Do not poop where you typical, there are a few obstacles eat, that is why there are no to overcome and a love story restaurants called ‘The mixed in which can all be seen in

COURTESY PHOTO

Nicholas D’Agosto (left) and Eric Olsen star as two jocks hiding out forthe summer at cheer camp.

the trailer. It seems like they tried too hard to label the film as not just another cheerleading movie or chick flick.

Olsen, 31, seems comfortable playing teenage Nick Brady, having played smaller parts in “Beerfest” and “Not Another Teen Movie,” but it almost seems like he is past his prime playing a lead role for the first time in this genre. The blond actor seems to be trying to channel a combination of Jim Carrey and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Roemer is seen as an up-andcoming actress in Hollywood but her dry acting and lack of sex appeal in “Fired Up” could stunt her career and portray what she has done so far as a series of

lucky breaks. If she isn’t careful it could force her back to modeling.

Stealing Roemer’s thunder in the movie and in interviews is AnnaLynne McCord, who plays bad girl, Gwyneth, the captain of the Panthers, rival team of the Tigers is best known for her work on “Nip/Tuck” and the new “90210.” She is hot and funny and even though her acting career is just getting off the ground, her future looks bright.

“Fired Up” won’t go right to the top but it is certainly worth renting. The jokes are funny but it is another disposable teen movie that doesn’t have the staying power of movies like “Juno” or “Knocked Up.”

ENTERTAINMENT | 7

MONDAY, MARCH. 2, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

“Street Fighter”K.O’s the fighting game competition SHAUN KAHMANN THE TELESCOPE

SHO-RYU-KEN! If you don’t know what that means then you’ve probably never played a “Street Fighter” game. And if you’ve never played “Street Fighter,” then you’ve never played many video games.

“Street Fighter IV” is not only the latest entry in one of most celebrated video game series of all time, but reestablishes it as the king of all fighters.

When it was released in 1987, “Street Fighter” reinvented the way unarmed combat was approached in games. Not only for future fighting games, but for all games spanning from “Final Fight” and “Streets of Rage” to modern games like “God of War,” whose throwchains and combos could have been lifted straight form Capcom’s play-book.

Thanks to the popularity of “Street Fighter II” and countless spin-offs like “Super Street Fighter” and iterations featurCOURTESY PHOTO ing characters spanning nerd The fourth installment in the “Street Fighter” franchise,“Street Fighter IV”, provides the new generation of gamers not only with improved 3D graphics but superb online play as well. popculture like the X-Men, it has taken the venerated series more than two decades to reach mode features story lines for arcade. All of the new charac- game play. The timing for cer- your opponent the whole round, each character including anime ters feel like legitimate con- tain moves feels so different but if they pull one and you’re its fourth incarnation.

Beginning with the good, intros and endings that give you tenders that can stand next to that many combos that used to in the midst of an animation, it’s small pieces of the old favorites like Ken and Guile. work no longer do. Attacks feel lights-out Gracey.

“Street Fighter IV’s” Now for the negative: If you noticeably slower than in the 2D Although the online matches graphics and presenta- VIDEO GAME REVIEW game’s larger story.

And then there’s the are hard-core fan of the series, iterations of the series and the a bit hard to get into. And that tion are excellent. The online play.

“Street Fighter IV” has a few quarter-circle special attacks catchy J-pop tune plays on eeriopening intro featuring Online matches are quirks that might alienate you. that are a staple of the series ly long so keep the mute button the Japanese pop tune as smooth as The first thing you’ll probably don’t feel as consistently easy to handy.

“Indestructible” and freshly notice is the complete inability pull off while special throws E.Honda’s Sure, it would be easy to comthe gorgeous CG intro waxed back. Head to throw. Sure, you’ll eventually seem almost too easy. plain about how 90 percent of will immediately put and shoulders above realize you now have to press Another hang-up comes in the online players are afraid to play you in the mood to dragStreet Fighter IV “Virtua Fighter 5” two buttons instead of one to form of “ultra-moves.” Sure, as anyone but Ken. Or how on-uppercut someone.

HHHH and “Soul Calibur perform a throw, but you’ll still these things are entertaining almost all of the secret characThe 3D graphics lend OUT OF FOUR STARS IV” and comparable find yourself trying to do it the the first time you pull them off, ters are basically Ken-clones to buckets of personality Publisher to “HD Remix” but old way. Overcoming two but the more experienced you a greater or lesser extent. But to the characters. The Capcom with more features decades of conditioning is hard. become the more infuriating don’t wait for Blockbuster to look of “HOLY ****” on like stat tracking, What’s likely to be the biggest they are. They are like the have a copy in stock, just buy characters’ faces when you’re about to hit them with a super- leader-boards and the ability to hang-up for seasoned players is “Street Fighter” equivalent of the game. It’s concentrated hapmove they know they can’t allow people to challenge you not so much the new polygonal the blueshells from “Mario piness wrapped around a fist, block is priceless. The Arcade while you play through the graphics, but how they affect Kart” — you can be trouncing set ablaze and aimed skyward.

Beyond ‘OK’ now for Jon McLaughlin TYLER ROSS FOR THE TELESCOPE

Imagine rock legend Billy Joel being mixed with a modern pop-rock piano-driven sense of style.Visualize a crowded room full of onlooking faces screaming with poured-out emotion. The atmosphere is explosive as the lyrics prevail gracefully over enchanting melodies. The vibe Jon McLaughlin displays on stage goes beyond any pop-rock artist.

Classically trained musically, his unique craft creates a compelling sound, which keeps audiences wanting more long after the curtain closes. Touring with a rigorous schedule has helped land the Midwest palatable sex symbol a supporting act for such spotlighted greats; Kelly Clarkson, O.A.R., Live, Sister Hazel, Paolo Nutini and Matt Wertz.

After almost six solid years of recording and touring, he has proved his success as a musician. Selling hundreds of tickets across the U.S. and doubling his fan base, McLaughlin continues to increase his popularity.

As an independent artist, he has released three records. His latest effort, “Ok Now,” is with iconic record label Island Records. The first single, “Beating My Heart” off the 2008 record, plays throughout the pop radio circuits and in numerous fashion department stores. The song carries a heart-pumping, up-tempo beat, while his jubilant natural vocals ascend through the clouds over a fantasy-

like piano.

“Ok Now” features 11 extraordinary well-written tracks, which will have you searching for the repeat button. The main focus of his writing derives from personal experiences and his intuition towards growing up. He provides his listeners with an insight to the teeter-totter style of life in which everyone can relate.

McLaughlin grew up in Anderson, Ind., located northeast of Indianapolis. The city is well known for its positive slogan, “performance, talent and inspiration.” Indiana is best known for producing music icons such as John Cougar Mellencamp, David Lee Roth, the Jackson family and Christian rock sensation Jeremy Camp.

Filling big shoes doesn’t intimidate McLaughlin as he constantly increases his public image.

He has already provided music for “Scrubs,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” and the feature film “Georgia Rule.” He even made an on-screen appearance and performance of the song “So Close” in the Oscar-nominated Disney movie “Enchanted”, which he later performed at the 80th Academy Awards.

His intimate reputation returns through his unique combination of conversation and music.

At the end of February McLaughlin set the stage at San Diego’s famous music venue SOMA to remind audiences why his record continues to sell more than 15,000 copies.

| FOCUS Finding ways to manage your credit 8

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

LESETTE TUNNELL THE TELESCOPE

Students are coming out of college with more than a degree these days.

With a dwindling economy and increasing need for money, college students find it easy to get a credit card to solve their problems. However, after college these students are often left with substantial debt or low credit scores.

There are ways for students to responsibly manage their credit throughout school to avoid troubles after.

CreditKarma.com is a proconsumer credit score company that is useful and informative.

The San Francisco-based company is aimed at educating credit card users about the habits that shape their credit scores.

Credit cards can be helpful to start building credit at a young age and also beneficial for emergencies. It’s crucial to remember that credit cards can affect an individual’s future.

Credit scores are a summary of a person’s credit activity. It shows how many credit cards they own, if they pay their bills on time and the substantial size of their debt.

These credit scores help companies determine how large of a credit line they can extend out in confidence that that person will pay it back. Lenders, who aren’t necessarily just banks, generally use an individual’s credit score in order to see who is eligible for a loan, determine the rate for the loan and for deciding limits.

The range for credit scores is 300–850, with 300 is on the low end of the credit spectrum and 850 is a perfect score. Credit scores are crucial to almost all aspects of life. A person can

use them for taking out loans and mortgages, and for your interest rate.

Americans can receive one free credit report annually from Experian, TransUnion or Equifax, the three major credit bureaus in the United States.

Access to your credit report is available on the Web site annualcreditreport.com.

So what does credit mean for college students? How do you support yourself through college but avoid damaging your credit scores?

Ken Lin, CEO of Credit Karma believes this Web site is especially useful to college students who are just figuring out how credit works and may be surprised at how challenging credit can be.

CreditKarma.com is a comfree Web site. pletely Generally, most companies that can be used to access a score range from $10-$30 a month.

Credit Karma uses a completely sponsored Web site to pay for the services that it gives to its customers.

Credit Karma offers a credit score simulator on its Web site.

After figuring out an individual’s credit score, one can input any type of activity such as late payment, applying for another credit card or paying your credit card monthly on time. The sight then generates how many points that would affect the overall credit score.

“Credit is very individualized, if a person with a good credit score is declined for a credit card it will only affect them by three points, but if a person with a moderate credit score is declined it can deduct up to 25 points,” Lin said.

By Credit Karma calculating these “what if” scenarios, students can know exactly what a certain action will do to their score without being surprised later when numerous trivial

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ROB BACON

| THE TELESCOPE

The current economic crisis amplifies the blessings and curses of credit. There are resources available at Palomar to help manage credit. actions ended up amounting to a lot.

There are 14 different scenarios someone can enter into the simulator and the generator will take all aspects into consideration, including student loans.

The Web site also has articles that explain to consumers ways

to improve their overall credit score, and which actions to avoid. “[CreditKarma] is a Web site to educate and enlighten people on how credit scores work, especially because the average college credit card stays with a person up to 10 years after graduating before being paid

off,” Lin said.

Students will no longer be lost when trying to figure out finances if they take advantage of the cost free tools out there to assist them.

With the correct information and guidance, students can reap the rewards of a good credit score after graduation.

FOCUS | 9

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Service provides win-win situations JAVIER TOVAR THE TELESCOPE

Whether the economy is in full throttle or a recession, students and staff are encouraged to participate in community service.

Upon his election, President Barack Obama made a call for all Americans to engage in service to their community.

“When you choose to serve [...] you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans,” according to the Obama and Biden Web site change.gov.

Students can benefit from giving by building an enhanced resume, which will prove beneficial when the time comes to transfer to a university or to find a job.

Dr. Kathleen Grove, a sociology professor at Palomar, recommends that students take the knowledge they gain in the classroom and apply it to serve the community. Students can then reverse this logic and take the knowledge gained in the community and apply it to the classroom.

Contributing to the commuPHOTO BY ROB BACON | THE TELESCOPE nity is a gain to both society and the individual. For those Palomar student, Derrick Fritz (right) serves the community by tutoring local high school students such as Urber Rivera (left) of Rancho students looking for a job, vol- Buena Vista High School. There are various community service opportunities for students available throughout North County. unteering can open doors by teacher, he or she can volun- dents have not forgotten where at Capital University. m e e t i n g teer for pro- they have come from and that From the coast to the hills in potential grams like they know where they are North San Diego County, stuemployers, P a l o m a r going. dents have a wide variety of and through C o l l e g e ’s “Your role in your communi- options to choose from when it networking.

G E A R - U P ty is the sum of your experi- comes to serving the communiStudents are where some- ences. [...] Each day you are ty. encouraged to Kennedy As John F. — Carla Daniels one can vol- responsible in small ways to participate to many people. [...] Like it or not, announced in his inaugural Assistant Director at Capital University unteer with organizatutor stu- each one of us is a leader in speech in 1961, “my fellow tions where they can apply dents in the local San Marcos some way and for some one,” Americans: ask now what your their passion. and Vista high schools. said Carla Daniels, an Assistant country can do for you – ask For example, if a student is Donating time to the commu- Director of Community Service what you can do for your considering becoming a nity can demonstrate that stu- and Leadership Development country.”

“

Each one of us is a leader in some way.

”

Community Service Opportunities in North County • North County Community Services NCCS is a program committed to supporting families.Volunteers can work at a food bank or donate food from a food drive. There are also special events, such as marathons that people can either participate in or volunteer for.

For more information, go to www.sdnccs.org or call (760) 471-5483

• San Diego Coastkeeper San Diego Coastkeeper works to protect the county’s coast. Both volunteer work and internships are available.

Volunteers can contribute their time at beach cleanups, education programs, special event coordination and more.

An events calendar is available online.

For more information, go to www.sdbaykeeper.org or call (619) 758-7743

• Interfaith Community Services This program works to promote understanding and respect among different faiths.Volunteer opportunities are listed on the Web site, which include preparing and serving breakfast, fire prevention projects, computer lab assistants and more.

For more information, go to www.Interfaithservices.org or call (760) 489-6380

For more community service ideas, be sure to visit thetelescope.com

How to be noticed by potential employers KARA VERMEULEN THE TELESCOPE

Objective: To obtain a job anywhere.

In the current economic condition, that is easier said than done. Since October of 2007 unemployment has risen to 6.7 percent and the number of people unemployed with a bachelor’s degree or above is up 1.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With such a competitive job market it is more important than ever to have a strong resume.

“A resume is the first, and sometimes the only impression a candidate can make,” said Liz Sigal, manager of human resources at the San Diego Padres.

Creating a resume may seem like an overwhelming task but

several resources are available to help.

The Career Center at Palomar College has an online resume tutorial, resume books, templates and career counselors available by appointment.

Collegegrad.com is an entrylevel career Web site geared specifically toward college students. It has a section dedicated to resumes and also has advice on cover letters, job searching and interview preparation.

Below are some general areas that should be included on all resumes: 1) Contact information: Use your full and proper name, for example use Robert not Bobby.

Make sure you have your current address, phone number and e-mail listed.

Now is the time to ditch your

clever email address for something more professional.

2) Objective: When applying for a job, make it clear that your objective is to get the position.

Not every hiring manager is a fan of objective statements, so if you include one make sure it is clear, concise and appropriate for the position you are applying for.

3) Work Experience: Start with your most recent position and work backward chronologically.

Include your dates of employment, job title, name of the company and duties performed. This is also the place you should list relevant internship and volunteer work.

4) Education & Training: List the places of higher education where you have received a degree or are working toward a

degree. Technical training and certifications are appropriate in this section too.

Include the area of study and any honors distinctions. If a job requires a specific degree it may be helpful to list some of the coursework taken and grades received.

5) Skills & Abilities/ Professional Organizations: This is an area where you can highlight your personal skills that makes you specially suited for the position.

For example, traits such as being detailed orientated or possessing good teamwork abilities are relevant. Belonging to a career-related organization should be listed as well.

You can 6) References: either list your references or state that references are available upon request.

More than likely the employ-

HEY, READERS Are you gay or lesbian? Or were you a teen parent? If so, we want to hear your story.

er will eventually ask for references, so including them from the start of the application process can be beneficial.

Keep the resume about one page in length. Employers do not have a lot of time to review each resume. Sigal said that it usually takes her less than a minute to decide if a resume is worth a longer look.

Once you have created your resume, be sure to proofread!

Nothing is more embarrassing than a spelling error or typo.

Save your resume in a format that is easy to send to employers.

Your resume is a representation of yourself to a prospective employer, so it should not be taken lightly. Building and updating your resume is an ongoing process, but investing the time can make you stand out in the crowd.

WRITE US: telescope@ palomar.edu

10 | DIVERSIONS

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

Horoscopes

By Linda C. Black

March 2 - March 8

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Aries (March 21-April 19)

It's usually good to talk things over. There are occasions, howevYour forward progress is temer, when it's better to stay quiet. porarily halted. Make adaptaPostpone a discussion about tions to your plans, cutting costs finances for now. Concentrate on and increasing profits. Cut the doing your job. frills. Get serious and prosper.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) If at first you don't succeed, wait a little while longer.

Conditions are changing in your favor. You should be able to tell when this happens. The whole world will get brighterer.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Someone you know has very strong opinions, with which you don't agree. You don't need to mention that again. This jerk is obviously not listening. He or she is too busy shouting. Stay cool.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Sagittarius (Nov.22-Dec.21) Proceed with caution for a while longer. Clear your desk before you begin a new project or adventure. If you don't, you'll have an awful mess to deal with when you get back.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Jot down a few notes about being frugal to include in the book you're writing. List all the things a person should not do.

Like, don't go grocery shopping while you're hungry. Don't you do that, either.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

It's fun to speculate, but don't make a big investment in something that hasn't been proven yet.

Sure, it would be nice if it works, but you'd better make sure it does before you put your money there.

Capricorn (Dec.22-Jan.19) It's hard for you to say no to just about anything your loved ones want. Don't let them use your generosity against you. Instead of paying for everything, teach them how to do business.

Aquarius (Jan.20-Feb.18)

You have plenty to say, but you Don't believe everything you may feel like nobody's listening. hear, especially now. Do the math yourself to figure out if the pro- Write it all down. This could be the basis of your next book or posal will work. proposal. Review it before you go public.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Delays in receiving necessary materials could mess up your Something you were worried work schedule.Things you expect about proves to be untrue. This is in the mail could also be delayed.

Make sure to back up everything sort of embarrassing, if you were taken in. Don't dwell too much on on your computer, too. the negative. Be thankful another fear has been quelled.

11 | COMET SPORTS

MONDAY, MARCH. 2, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Dynamic end for a Dynamic Duo JARRED POWELL THE TELESCOPE

The Comets played their final game of the season on Feb.21,beating visiting Cuyamaca at the Dome.

For two players, this marked the end of a long journey that started in Escondido.

It was here that future Comets Theo Overstreet and Richard LaFleur first met. They started playing basketball in the sixth grade.

There was open-run basketball at Rincon Middle School in Escondido. This is where LaFleur and Overstreet developed their love for the game.

“After Mr. Smith’s class we all used to go play open run at the school,” LaFleur said.

Overstreet agreed.

“It was like four or five people playing after school. We were just having fun and that’s when we developed a love for the game,” Overstreet said.

They became teammates and later friends.

“We were teammates on the court,” Overstreet said. “Off the court, we had a different group of friends so we did weren’t as close as we are now.”

They are so close now, that on home games at the Dome, LaFleur and Overstreet will ride together to the games despite the fact that their parents attend each game.

“It just happened that every year we would end up on the same team,” LaFleur said. “We never

planned it. It would just happen that way.”

They continued to play on the same team through high school, where they were standout players at Escondido High School. Former Palomar College player Paul Baldwin coached them at Escondido.

“Both were good students,” Baldwin said. “These were coachable, respectful young men with good attitudes. Both were a pleasure to have on my team.”

LaFleur and Overstreet were also camp counselors for Baldwin.

“They both helped in my youth basketball camps teaching younger kids,” Baldwin said.

Overstreet and LaFleur played varsity three years and started their junior and senior years of high school.

“Our best times in high school were winning two league titles and going to CIF playoffs where we lost, LaFleur said.

LaFleur was a two-time first team All Conference performer and also was named Escondido High Athlete of the Year his senior season.

Overstreet also played three years varsity, and was also a first team All Conference league player his junior and senior seasons. He was named Player of the Year in the Valley League, All CIF San Diego section and team MVP his senior year at Escondido High School.

The duos parents have built of relationship as a result of their

sons.

“It’s been a thrill to watch Richard and Theo grow up together and play the game the right way,” Gary Overstreet said.

They both enrolled at Palomar due to a lack of scholarship offers elsewhere.

“I will miss the time spent off the court with Richard and Theo,” Palomar coach John O’Neill said.

“Both have matured greatly while at Palomar and become fine young men. They are both fine examples of what we would like all our players in our program to become: leaders, players and students.”

At times, they lean on each other to contribute to the team’s success.

This year, the Comets improved by winning five more games than they did last year and three more conference games than.

Despite the team’s improvement, they are each other’s worse critics.

“Richards my go-to person,” Overstreet said. “I trust him more than anyone else on the team.”

“We’ll play off of each other and give each other a look to where were like, come on lets go or he’ll tell me, I’m gonna look for you next time down the court,” LaFleur said.

This style of play between two individuals is reserved for NBA players Chris Webber and Juwan Howard.

With their careers at Palomar behind them, they hope to go to a four-year school.

“I’m thinking a package deal myself,” Overstreet said. ”We’ve come this far together, why end it.”

ROB BACON| THE TELESCOPE

Theo Overstreet (12) and Richard LaFleur (34) of the Comets in their last home game

COMET SPORTS |

MONDAY, MARCH 2 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

SPORTS ON DECK

Monday, March 2 GOLF Palomar vs. Santiago Canyon 11 a.m. at El Prado Golf Course

Tuesday, March 3 BASEBALL Grossmont vs. Palomar 2 p.m. at Palomar

Wednesday, March 4 SOFTBALL Palomar vs. Imperial Valley 1 p.m. at Palomar

Thursday, March 5 BASEBALL Imperial Valley vs. Palomar 2 p.m. at Imperial Valley

SOFTBALL San Diego City vs. Palomar 3 p.m. at Palomar

Friday, March 6 SOFTBALL Mt. SAC vs. Palomar at Mt. SAC TBD Santa Ana v.s Palomar at Mt. SAC TBD

Saturday, March 7 BASEBALL Imperial Valley vs. Palomar noon at Palomar

Comets win back-to-back championships CHRIS MEYER THE TELESCOPE

The Palomar women’s basketball team capped its season off with its 31st consecutive conference victory on Feb. 21 with a 7154 victory over Imperial Valley.

Sophomore guard Katie Girten lead the Comets with 20 points and seven rebounds and sophomore forward Kristin Marquardt finished with a double-double scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Comets are now 26-4 and 10-0 in the Pacific Coast Conference.

“Its feels pretty incredible,” Girten said. “I mean, going two years undefeated in conference and having to do it and doing it the way we did it, it feels really good and now we’re going to take that next step and win state.”

Palomar had already clinched the Pacific Coast Conference title in its previous game.

The Comets started the game off slower than usual allowing Imperial Valley to stay within reach for the first 5:45 minutes of the first half. Tied 11-11, Palomar stepped it up and began to pull away from the Arabs.

Coach Sherri Jennum’s two star sophomores played a big factor in the first half with Girten spotting up on the outside when the Comets drove to the basket.

Marquardt was both a scoring threat and was able to pull down double digit rebounds, something Jennum stressed needed to happen for the team to be more successful.

The Comets also had contributions from the guard position with freshman Kiara Stinson’s court vision and speed on the fast break and freshman Melanie Wilkerson’s leadership off the bench. Stinson and Wilkerson’s driving to the basket contributed to a lot of open shots on the perimeter that Girten and company were able to take advantage of during the game.

Stinson flew across the court, creating many fast break opportunities for the Comets that

ROB BACON| THE TELESCOPE

Palomar’s Melanie Jasmine Rice (42) jumps high to score two points for the Comets during a decisive home win versus Imperial Valley helped them go into halftime up by 17 points.

Palomar never looked back after taking the lead into halftime and made the game unreachable for Imperial Valley in the second half as the Comets went on to add to a winning

streak that they said is an exciting feat for them.

“I think coming to Palomar was the best decision in my life,” said Girten, in response to how much has changed since she was recruited out of Westview High by then head coach Sherry Titus.

“I’ve learned so much and developed as a player in every aspect.”

After Titus’ departure, Jennum has improved the program to a gaudy 53-10 in the past two seasons including back-toback PCC titles.

Beach City College earlier.

Eldridge said they do play two games a day all the time but pitcher Chelsea Blackman had to do all the pitching, which is impressive.

Eldridge was especially happy with Shawna Barrow, who was replaced to third base just recently and played and hit well.

Barrow, who was icing her right knee after the game, said she hasn’t played third base for a while so it takes time to acclimate. But she was happy about her batting.

She hit three for two and one walk. And one three-base hit led the team to get two points.

“The team is in a good mood,” Barrow said. “We are excited about the season. We are ready to play.”

Palomar took the field first.

Pa l o m a r ’s p i t ch e r, C h e l s e a Blackman, took ground out and did not allow Citrus to score. In offense, Andi Anti hit a two-base to the left field. Kristin Dahil hit between right and center and scored the first point of the game.

In the second inning,Citrus showed a good offense and scored two points.They used a pinch runner, and scored by a following

two-base hit. The next batter sent a runner to third base by a bunt, and the runner came back home.

The Comets performed even better offense. Barrow hit three base hits and two runners came back home. Then, Citrus changed the left-handed pitcher to a righthanded pitcher. But Palomar adjusted soon and scored one more point by Sarah Blahos’ sacrifice fly to center.

In the third inning, Palomar kept performing good defense.

Shortstop Anti handled ground balls well and covered an error.

The catcher, Andrea Nedden caught a base steal.

On the other hand, Citrus showed some errors in defense.

Nedden walked first. The second and the right misscommunicated and dropped a fly. But Palomar could not take an advantage of it.

Although Blackman allowed one walk, she took three out easily by a pitcher fly, ground ball to first and third.

Palomar did not score in fourth inning.

In the fifth inning, Anti hit to center and stole a second base.

Following two sacrifice flys made her comeback home. Amanda

Avila’s home-run added one more point.

In the sixth inning, Citrus scored one point by two hits and one walk. But it did not continue.

In offense, Palomar had three runners on the base, and Andrea Nedden’s sacrifice fly to the left added one point. Then, Amanda Avilia hit to center and added two more points.

Palomar performed good defense in seventh inning and finished the game. The pitcher, Blackman threw the entire game without losing concentration. She did not allow Citrus to hit consequently and allowed only three walks.

In an earlier game, the Comets beat Long Beach City 7-4.

Palomar broke a 4-4 tie in the third inning when they scored three runs in the sixth inning.

Anti led the inning off and later scored on a double. Anti led the team, going 4-4 for the game with a stolen base.

Barrow was 2-3 with a stolen base, an RBI and a steal. Donna Blackwood went 3-4 with a walk, an RBI and a steal.

The Comets record is 7- 6 on the year.

Comets Sports in Brief For updated Comet scores, go to www.the-telescope.com.

Comets named to Pacific Coast All Conference team

Katie Girten was named Pacific Coast Conference player of the year as voted by coaches in the league and was also named to the All-State team.

Kristin Marquardt and Kiara Stinson were also named to the All-conference first team. Sophomore JaDawn Holler and freshman Lauren Matheney were honorable mentions for Palomar.

Theo Overstreet and Richard LaFleur were named first team all Conference by conference coaches in men’s basketball.

Forrester to transfer to fouryear college

Football puntor Britton Forester will transfer to a fouryear school at the end of the spring semester by signing with Arkansas. Forester averaged 36.2 on 42 punts for the Comets this season. He tied a school single

12

game record with five punts inside the 10-yard line in a game against Orange Coast on Nov. 8.

Forester also tied Matt Kovacevich record when he had 16 of his punts land inside the 20 - yard line. This will be the seventh Comet football player to transfer to a four-year school this year.

Comets beat Citrus in a doubleheader

The Comets women’s softball team beat Citrus by 9-3 on Feb. 21.

While Palomar was focused, Citrus could not perform consistent offense and Palomar did not waste opportunities, especially when there were runners on base.

“Citrus is a good team, so it is a good sign we were able to beat them,” Head coach Mark Eldridge said the team had good offense and defense but there were a few injured players, which required position replacement.

It was the second game of the day as Palomar played Long