The Telescope 62.9 by The Telescope

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF.

MONDAY NOV. 17, 2008

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

VOL. 62, NO. 9

the-telescope.com

Palomar launches Palomar celebrates Veterans green campaign KELLEY FOYT THE TELESCOPE

The 2B Clean and Green mission is a program designed to encourage Palomar students to make a positive impact on their environment. Student and staff can form teams receive points for certain clean-up activities around the campus. Harder tasks receive more points. The points are tallied up each month and the leading team is announced. In April 2009, the final points will be tallied up and the winner will be announced in a ceremony. “With a cleaner and greener campus, [we] will influence and affect the nature of the students and staff, as well as the morale of any representative of Palomar College,” said Armando Telles, an Associated Student Government senator and one of the leaders of the campus 2B

Clean and Green mission. “To not see cigarette butts, to not have trash in the bushes, to have just a cleaner campus, [we] would positively influence the perception and the consciousness of being from Palomar College. “It would also contribute to a greener environment.” The campaign started as an idea by Sherry Titus, the Palomar Student Affairs administrator, and Nancy Morgan, from Mission Federal Credit Union. The pair brainstormed ways that they could help Palomar students, and came up with the idea for 2B Clean and Green. Mission Federal Credit Union now funds the campaign. 2B Clean and Green runs on the activities of teams. Teams can have up to five members, and can be comprised of students and/or staff. Clubs, organizations, departments and groups of friends are

Cheerleaders are back

TURN TO CAMPAIGN PAGE 3

KELLEY FOYT THE TELESCOPE

After a four-year break from the United Spirit Association Nationals, the Palomar cheerleading team plans on entering the 2009 competitions. The last time the Palomar squad competed was in 2005, when they placed fifth. This year the team is practicing with a new coach. They said they have the talent and drive to compete in the upcoming events. The 2009 USA Nationals will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center March 29 and 30 and the event is open to the public. “Commitment is higher and the talent base is a lot better than previous years.,” The team’s head coach, Jaime Arroyo, said. “We have practice at 6 in the morning, so I think that that alone shows a lot of commitment. The potential of the team is a lot better than it was before.” Prior to 2005, the cheer team was open to anyone. In 2006 the team turned into a class and students had to have a full schedule in order to participate. Arroyo said students with little motivation joined the class. Arroyo, who has worked with the Palomar team since 2006, explained that one of the hardest aspects of building a strong team this year was YUKIE ZUILL | THE TELESCOPE “recruiting solid students with the skill and ability to be a part of the Cheerleaders prepare to cheer at sporting events TURN TO CHEERLEADERS PAGE 3 and at competition during an early morning practice.

OPINION

ENTERTAINMENT Obama: America’s change

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P!nk’s divorce inspires new album PAGE 7

KELLY RICHARDSON | THE TELESCOPE

Larry Cilestio, an Army Corps veteran from World War II and a former prisoner of war, speaks to Palomar students each year at the Veterans Day event. Palomar College has the largest number of enrolled veterans of any community college in the country.

Economic crisis hits cash-strapped students TONY PUGH MCT CAMPUS

On a recent Thursday evening, Neal Theobald, Indiana University’s vice chancellor for budget administration, received a sobering letter from Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of student loans. “Sallie Mae has made the difficult decision to tighten the underwriting on all our private student loan products, which will require applicants to meet higher credit standards,” wrote Sallie Mae Executive Vice President Barry Feierstein. The lending giant also announced plans to raise its

loan pricing. At a time when student financial-aid requests nationwide are up 16 percent, Sallie Mae’s decision to make fewer loans at a higher price will deepen the financial pain of parents and students who already are struggling to pay for college educations. Historically, when the economy starts to tank, students return to higher education in greater numbers. “But with the credit crunch and money tight and the economy so bad, I think it’s going to be difficult for students and families to pay that college tuition,” said

Roger J. Thompson, IU’s vice provost for enrollment management. “I talk to parents fairly regularly, and they’re struggling.” Amanda Daugherty was just a toddler when her father died, and she was still in high school when ovarian cancer took her mother's life. Now only two months shy of her master’s degree in public health, the 24-yearold Lafayette, Ind., native owes nearly $70,000 after financing almost all of her six-year college education with student loans. TURN TO CRISIS PAGE 3

SPORTS

FOCUS Nursing is hard but rewarding PAGE 5

Women’s volleyball on a streak PAGE 8

2 | CAMPUS BEAT

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, NOV. 17, 2008

College application help now available

CAMPUS CALENDAR

For students planning on transferring in the fall of 2009 to either the University of California system or the California State University system, the Transfer Center offers workshops to help with the confusing applications. Before attending the workshops, students are required to have begun the application process and must have all of their transcripts and advanced placement testing results, if they received college credit for them, on file at Palomar College. The workshops are offered multiple times during the semester.The remaining workshops for CSU applications are 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 and 19. The last workshop for UC applications is at 1 p.m.on Nov.20.The workshops are held in the Transfer Center in SSC-24 and are one hour in length. Students are required to sign up for the workshops either in person at the Transfer Center or by calling the Transfer Center at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2552. The CSU application filing period is Oct. 1 through Nov. 30,2008,and students can apply at www.csumentor.edu. The UC application filing period is Nov.1 through 30 and applications can be filled out at www.universityofcalifornia.edu.

Tuesday, Nov. 18 ELECTRO ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL Award-winning electro acoustic composer and Palomar College professor, Madelyn Byrne will be directing an Electro Acoustic Music Festival. She will be accompanied by fellow professor Lily Glass. The performance will be from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Performance Lab. For more information contact Kimberly Loya at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2316.

BLOOD DRIVE The Health Center and Phi Theta Kappa will be sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Lot 11. To make an appointment sign up at www.givelife.org with the code Palomar SM or call the Health Center at (760) 7441150, ext. 2380. For more information contact Yvette Martinez at (760)-744-1150, ext. 2380 or at ymartinez@palomar.edu.

FREE FILM SERIES Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet star in “Mysterious Skin” as two men who find each other and form a friendship. Together they come to terms with the sexual abuse they suffered as children. The screening will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in room P-32. Children will not be permitted at the screening. For more information contact Robert Sheppard at (760)-744-1150, ext. 2444 or e-mail him at rsheppard@palomar.edu.

Smoking ban brings money issues to play With the decision to ban smoke in certain parts of the campus, several concerns were raised, one of which being who would pay for the signage that designate the new smoking areas. This is one of the issues that the Associated Student Government discussed in its meeting Nov. 5. When the 2008-09 ASG senate banned smoking on the Palomar College campus, they did not discuss whether the ASG or Facilities would be responsible for paying for the signage totaling almost $3,000. Because ASG’s debt cannot be transferred from year to year, this year’s ASG passed a motion to inform the Facilities Department that they will not be paying for the signs. A senator from the ASG will also be at the Campus Police meeting on Nov. 20 to discuss the issue of enforcing the new ban. In keeping with their desire to increase their awareness on campus, the ASG also decided to have a representative go to the assessment tests and speak to incoming students before the test and tell them about the ASG and about the various things the campus has to offer them. During the meeting ,following a short,question-and-answer session and a vote, the ASG made student, Shaun Briggs, their newest Senator.

Library drinks policy changed The San Marcos campus is now allowing drinks in the library. Beverages must have screw-on caps or be lidded cups. The rule change only applies on the second and third floors; the electronic/tutoring floor will still not allow drinks. Palomar wants to be more in line with its sister schools, CSU and Mira Mesa College. Lemonade, soda and coffee mugs are okay as long as they have a top. Cans of soda, open cups and mugs are not allowed.Food is also not allowed. The original rules were made because rats, fire-brats (silverfish-like insects),book lice,and other vermin attracted by the crumbs attacked the books. The library staff members expect students

YUKIE ZUILL | THE TELESCOPE

“Live art”

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM DAY

Palomar art teacher Lily Meek performs a live art piece with a movie she created that was projected over her. Faculty still art pieces will be on display in the Boehm Gallery through Dec. 13.

Students and faculty from Palomar packed to act responsibly and to not bring alcohol in. The library faculty was persuaded to change into the Governing Board room to hear the rules because of student comments on long Doolittle speak. “I was a little bit lost during some of the lechours studying and not being able to drink anyture, but by the end, felt I had a more clearer thing. The policy was enacted Nov. 1. understanding of his work,” said one student. Doolittle’s primary research is focused around the evolution of protein structure and function. He also focuses a large part of his research to blood clotting and its affects. Doolittle is one of the first researchers to use computers as an aid in characterizing proteins. He studied at Harvard and graduated in 1962 Russell Doolittle, a Research Professor at with a doctorate in biochemistry. the center for molecular genetics,University of California, San Diego, spoke of his life’s work studying Gene Duplication at Palomar College on Nov. 6. During the hour-long lecture he explained how the process works and why it is so important in science. Extended Opportunity Programs And “Gene duplication is at the heart of evoluServices is attempting to collect 300 bastion,” Doolittle said. Doolittle explained that gene duplication kets worth of food to give out to low-income comes in all sizes. From small portions of a Palomar students and their families on Nov. gene all the way up to entire chromosomes, or 24 and 25 for its 22nd Annual EOP&S even, entire genomes. He stated that they Thanksgiving Day Drive. EOP&S needs donations of canned vegoccur in all organisms and that most are useetables, canned fruits, desserts, cooking less and gradually lost by natural selection. He went on to say that gene and protein spices, condiments, turkey cooking accesfamilies are the result of numerous past gene sories, juices, soda, macaroni and cheese, duplications. Many of our physiological func- chicken broth, Jell-O, dried fruit, cooking oil, tions are best explained by the existence of stuffing, marshmallows, salad dressing, cake mix, sugar, gravy and other many closely related proteins. “Gene duplication is what allows us to be Thanksgiving meal items. Perishable items such as turkeys, bread, complex,” Doolittle said. After his lecture, Doolittle opened the floor fruit, vegetables, butter and pies are to only be delivered on Nov. 24. for questions and comments. EOP&S will also be accepting cash donaOne student asked Doolittle what his greatest accomplishment was; he laughed and tions and gift certificates. Donations can be responded with “read my book.” He then said dropped off in TCA-1 through Nov. 24. For more information contact Anel his wife was in the back row, so of course he should say “she is” one of his greatest accom- Gonzales at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2239 or email at agonzalez@palomar.edu. plishments.

Research professor speaks at Palomar

CAMPUS WEATHER

Holiday food drive seeks donations

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Thursday, Nov. 20

Friday, Nov. 21

79˚/49˚

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SUNNY

MOSTLY SUNNY

SUNNY

Monday, Nov. 17

Wednesday, Nov. 19 Palomar’s Geographic Information System program will be hosting the GIS Day Celebration. This event will give students an opportunity to meet with professionals in the field of geographic information systems and learn about GIS certification at Palomar. The event will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in NS-135. Reserve a space by calling (760) 744-1150, ext. 3652 or e-mail Wing Cheung at wcheung@palomar.edu. Admission is free.

Thursday, Nov. 20 INFORMATIONAL MEETING There will be an informational meeting from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in SSC-1 concerning the spring 2009 Study Abroad Program’s trip to Salamanca, Spain. Students will get the chance learn more about the program and meet Dr. Lee Kerckhove, who will be teaching in Salamanca.

ELECTRONIC MUSIC ENSEMBLE Professor Madelyn Byrne will be directing student composers as they perform original multimedia compositions. The performance will be from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Performance Lab and general admission is $5. For tickets call (760) 744-1150, ext. 2453 or purchase them online at www.palomarperforms.com.

CONCERT HOUR The Palomar Electronic Music Ensemble will be performing from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in D-10. For more information contact Kimberly Loya at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2316 or e-mail her at kloya@palomar.edu.

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.

MONDAY, NOV 17, 2008 | THE TELESCOPE

CHEERLEADERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

competitive cheerleading team.” “[Palomar] has a really good team this year. We have a good core group of people…everyone wants to dedicate their time and effort,” said Sarah Danover, the team’s current captain and member of the squad for three years. Both Arroyo and Danover said despite the team’s problems in previous years, the level of commitment and the potential of the team will lead them to perform extremely well this season. “What sets us apart from other teams is that we’re kind of like the dysfunctional family that loves each other…We’re unique and we end up functioning as a whole to come together,” said Arya Etenae-Haeri, a freshman member of the team. “Our team’s potential is basically unlimited. We’re raw, and we’re on edge.”

CAMPAIGN

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all encouraged to join. Telles said that a lot of clubs have broken into several groups of five and signed up. Students can also join a team as an individual. Two Palomar students, Maria Flores and Janamae Abiaro, participate in the campaign as Team Equinox. Flores and Abiaro won the contest for the design of 2B Clean and Green’s logo. “We saw the flier, and we both like art. So we brainstormed and designed it,” Flores said. Abiaro explained that they had had “some idea of the program but [they] weren’t involved in it” prior to designing the logo. Now they are both active members. “It’s a fun thing to do with a group of friends,” Flores said. Abiaro added that the program is rewarding, and “the more you give, the more you get.” As of Oct. 27, teams have a schedule to complete tasks. Due to both student and staff schedules,

The team’s potential isn’t the only aspect that makes Palomar’s squad unique. “Palomar College has a strong tradition of being very competitive and being successful at it,”Arroyo said.“We have 30 years of competing, and in those 30 years, [we have] numerous amounts of first and second and third place trophies. And I think what is keeping this program alive is that tradition.” There are 28 members of the cheerleading team. Approximately 20 of those students will be competing in the USA Nationals. The squad currently performs at the football games and will later perform at the basketball games.The team is required to meet school requirements of supporting athletic teams. Arroyo said that the cheer class is opened up in the spring semester, and he encourages interested students to try out for the team. Practices are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

task assignments are currently only assigned on Fridays and Saturdays. Telles said that the main goal of the campaign “is to affect all those here at Palomar, but it also has a greater scope. We all have a responsibility and we all have the influence to create change. Palomar is simply the starting point.” Teams are allotted points for hour increments of clean-up activities. Examples of activities include gum removal, cleaning recycling bins, picking up trash around the campus and cleaning the Child Development Center. Teams sign up and then come in at certain times for each supervised event. Points are awarded based on how much is accomplished and how tedious the task was. “This is not just a Palomar campaign,” Telles said. “With a little time, we really can make a difference on how our surroundings look and contribute to the well-being of the environment.” There are currently about a dozen teams. Both students and staff are encouraged to join the campaign. For more information, email mission_2B_cleanandgreen@yahoo.com.

CRISIS

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The enormity of her debt first hit Daugherty last year after she received — for the first time — a bank statement that tallied all her loans, which then totaled nearly $60,000. “I kinda freaked out,” she recalled. “I saw it, and my stomach just turned. It almost didn’t seem real.” Her more immediate concern is finding a position in the ultra-tight job market. Daugherty’s already applied for more than 15 without success. “I think there’s going to be cutbacks in funding and I feel like people won't be as willing to hire new people into organizations,” she said. After graduation, Daugherty will continue working part time in the university communications department and waiting on tables at Mother Bear’s pizzeria. Claire Miller, a freshman who buses tables at the restaurant, said that her mother, a paramedic, had taken a second job to help pay the tuition for her

NEWS | 3 four children. “All of us have jobs while we're in college because it helps (our parents) out tremendously. I might have to take on more shifts to help them because the economy now is just going down and everyone is feeling the effects of it,” Miller said. Antane Armstrong, a waitress, left IU because of money problems. She's trying to save enough to re-enroll, but her goal has become harder to reach. Armstrong typically gets the standard 15 to 17 percent tip, with a few who always leave 10 percent. “Now the 10 percenters are tipping 5 percent, and everybody else has gone down to 10,” Armstrong said. Hostess Laura Cole, a 19-year-old sophomore, had a trust fund that was supposed to help her with college, but because it’s invested in the stock market, it’s been losing value. “I’m under 21, so I can’t touch my mutual fund, so I just sit back and watch it fail,” Cole said. Her brother’s fund dropped to $20,000 from $40,000 in a matter of months, she said.

| OPINION

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, NOV. 17, 2008

America’s first black president about time JARRED POWELL THE TELESCOPE

Obama chooses personnel wisely

GRAPHIC BY MCT CAMPUS

CHICAGO TRIBUNE MCT CAMPUS

President-elect Barack Obama’s first personnel decision sends a strong signal that he plans to be a pragmatic, get-it-done leader. You can expect that Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s choice for chief of staff, won’t let the next White House get bogged down in ideological warfare. Emanuel helped secure a Democratic majority in the House two years ago by recruiting a broad mix of candidates, including fiscal conservatives and some Democrats who oppose abortion rights and support gun rights. That angered some on the left, but it got the job done. That will also figure in the shaping of an Obama agenda. The fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition counts 49 House Democrats in its membership — and they will press the next president to set a centrist course. President Bill Clinton had most of his success when he did just that. Emanuel can counsel Obama from his experience as an adviser in the Clinton administration. He has absorbed the lessons of how to move into the White House — and how not to do it. Emanuel saw how Clinton stumbled out of the gate, struggling to fill his Cabinet and name a White House staff. Clinton let his first weeks in office be defined by those missteps and a battle over gays in the military — the famous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Emanuel was there as Republicans took Congress in 1994, and he helped bring Clinton back — in large part by breaking the Democratic mold and working with Republicans on free trade and welfare reform. Emanuel’s a creative thinker but he’s no ideologue, unless his ideology is winning. He won’t be shy about jousting with Democrats in Congress who try to push Obama too far to the left. So, good start. If Obama wants to get beyond red states and blue states, he could help himself by choosing a Cabinet that has more than a token Republican. Here’s a start: Persuade Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay. Gates has earned high marks from Democrats and Republicans for his leadership. He has overseen the successful troop surge in Iraq and has a strong strategic sense of what needs to be done to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He would give sound advice on how to carefully reduce U.S. troop strength in Iraq, without sacrificing the security gains made there. Getting Gates to stay would be a powerful signal to America — and the world — that Obama won’t back down in the war on terror. It would also be an encouraging sign that he is serious about governing in a bipartisan way. It’s encouraging to hear some of the other high-profile names with GOP ties that have been floated as possible Obama choices: former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Sen. Dick Lugar of Indiana, Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, chairman of the Sept. 11 commission. Any of them would serve this nation, and its global interests, with distinction. Of course, that’s all a matter of speculation, which is just about all everybody on the outside can do while Obama makes decisions.

Being president of the United States is a lofty goal. It’s the most stressful job by far in the United States of America. Every citizen and non-citizen’s life is in your hands. This has been a position that has been so far out of the reach of black America that we can’t see it in the rear view mirror. Those thoughts were erased on Nov. 4 when Sen. Barack Obama won the Presidential Election. Let me just break everything down from a black American point of view. Growing up as a black American isn’t the easiest thing to do. I should know; I have been doing it for 32 years. The color of your skin is a strike against you. You have to compete twice as hard as others to get what you want in certain cases. You can be a victim of stereotyping individuals. As a friend of mine once said, “You’re never going to beat white people at anything. If you have six and they have five, they still will win. You can’t beat whites at anything but you can knock them out.” I used to say the Pledge of Allegiance in school until I was told to listen to the words. The words just don’t apply to black America. The founding fathers never intended African Americans (or Native Americans for that matter) to be major players when it came to making decisions in this country. They even ignored slavery in order to keep

the southern states happy and keep the original 13 colonies together. Blacks are always told we can do or be anything we want to be when we grow up. We’re told we could be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, judge and athlete. We’re told we can do anything, but being president is far from the list. Black Americans have been oppressed for so long that President is seemingly unthinkable. Jesse Jackson tried running for president in 1984 and 1988 but he was defeated in the Democratic nomination process. Was it because of his skin color? The highest position that a black American has held in office is the Secretary of State that was held first by retired Gen. Colin Powell, then by Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

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Now here we are, on the brink of one of our own quarterbacking the world.

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I’ll admit it; I got emotional when I saw Obama win the election. I voted for the first time that day and witnessed history: something that I never thought I would ever see in my lifetime. A black man will be President of the United States. I was happy, excited and humbled. As happy as I was, I was also saying in the same breath, “It’s

about time.” When I was younger, I used to play football. I was told I could play any position I wanted, except quarterback. If you follow football, quarterback is the most important position on the football field. He’s the thinker of the team. He is the coach on the field. He can think independently. I’m good enough to run with a football or catch a football, but I’m not good enough to throw it. I can’t control a team. I’m too erratic for that. Now here we are, on the brink of one of our own quarterbacking the world. It’s not the ending though, it’s just the beginning. I’m very proud to be an American right now. I can tell my son and daughter, you can be the President of the United States and feel it’s attainable. Obama you earned this, it wasn’t given to you. Now make us proud, because your people will be the first to put you in line first. Stayed tuned — the best is yet to come. Before everyone goes berserk over what I just said, I know he’s biracial. However, on his birth certificate, what does it say under race? It says the same thing that my biracial son’s and daughter’s birth certificates say. That’s right; he’s black. Even if his mother was white, his skin is black and he’s had to endure the same things and stereotypes that fully black Americans have. White America wasn’t saying he was white when he was a senator, so keep your mouths shut now that he’s president.

GRAPHIC BY MCT CAMPUS

MONDAY NOV. 17, 2008

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

VOLUME 62 NUMBER 9

STAFF WRITERS |MAGGIE AVANTS, ERIN BRADLEY, ALEX BREIDENTHAL, MELISSA CASTON, PHILLIP CORBIN, SHAWNNA CLEARY, JOSE GUILLEN, NIGEL HARRIS, PETER KIM, DIEGO LECCA, ALFONSO MARTINEZ, CHRIS MEYER, EMILY MIKSAK, MARK NOTARIAN, MELISSA RAYMOND, CYRILA RICHARDSON, TYPHANIE SHARFNER, VICTORIA TROUPE, MATT WADLEIGH, GRAIANNE WARD

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. 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.

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FOCUS| Palomar nursing students, no easy job 5

MONDAY, NOV 17, 2008 | THE TELESCOPE

MAGGIE AVANTS THE TELESCOPE

Palomar College is home to one of the most respected nursing programs in San Diego County. It is a rigorous, two-year program that only accepts a select few each semester. The NA building is home to Palomar nursing students between classes and hectic interning schedules at local hospitals to study together and practice their bedside manner on mannequins. “It’s like one big family,” said first-year nursing student Jessica Castro. “Divide and conquer. It’s impossible to do all of the work alone.” Castro and fellow nursing student Tania Skerrett said they realized during the first week of school that they would need to split up a lot of the work, and they had no choice but to work as a group. Even when they are not at school, they are busy trying to balance their time between their

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families, work and their clinical internships. Castro admitted that sometimes finding this balance can be difficult. She typically gets to school at 8 a.m. and doesn’t leave until 4 or 5 p.m. Then she goes home to cook dinner for her husband and try to get some exercise in before studying until midnight. “This is a 40-hour week for the students,” said Palomar Nursing Education Department Chairperson Judy Eckhart. “If you have a 40-hour job for school, you can’t work another 40-hour job. They try and invariably they run into to trouble. It’s really tough, but they’re trying to get that balance, between the money they need to survive, and the time they need for school.” But make no mistake: These students want to be exactly where they are. Castro was on the waiting list for two and a half years before receiving a letter inviting her to join the Palomar nursing program. Due to the wait, she and her husband moved to Hawaii — where she is from — and she tried

to get into some nursing programs there. However, the wait was just as long. Then she received the letter and she headed back to attend Palomar. “I have always wanted to do medical work, so I surrounded myself in that atmosphere,” Castro said, who already has a bachelor’s degree in applied health from Azusa Pacific University. She is currently employed at Scripps Clinic where she works one day a week. “Some students work 20 hours a week. I don’t know how they do it. It is frustrating, exciting and nerve-wracking,” sometimes Castro said, “but I’m happy to be in this program.” Castro said she is grateful that she doesn’t have children right now, but she admires to those who do and are in the program with her. “This is the toughest thing they will ever do in their lives,” Eckhart said, “but it is worth it.” The students have two years to complete the program, and they do not offer it on a part-time

basis. Students must go through the four semesters concurrently, if they have a crisis and need to drop out, they have to return to the waiting list. With so much on the line, second-semester student Elizabeth Saez said she admits she has had a tough first semester. She was working full-time as a single mother of seven kids, and she was going to school. She decided this semester to only work one 12hour shift a week at her job as an EMT at Palomar Hospital. “My work is my second family, my classmates my third,” Saez said. She waited two years on the waiting list to get into the program, but said she waited a lot longer than that to be where she is today. After getting a divorce eight years ago, she had to work to support her kids. “That is why it has taken me so long,” Saez said. “I always wanted to be a nurse, but I was a victim of domestic violence. My husband wouldn’t let me go to school.” Saez, 43, waited until he was gone, and she plans on heading to California State University San Marcos after Palomar to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She would spend 45 hours a week studying and in class, sometimes not going to bed until midnight or 1 a.m. — only to have to get up at 5 a.m. to be at the hospital for her clinical internship. Laboratory assistant Regina Bohorquez, a registered nurse who works

with the students in the lab, knows firsthand the difficulty of the program. She remembers when she went through the program herself, graduating from it in 1992. During that time in her life, she had a daughter in high school and a daughter in college. It was hard with older children, she said, and imagined it would have been even harder with younger children. She worked at Palomar Hospital and a blood bank after going through the program, but she is glad to be back at her alma mater. “Palomar nursing graduates have a great reputation, they are well-respected in the community,” she said. Most of the students agreed that they were here because of the good things they had heard about the program. “The program is really hard and really strict but they put out good nurses,” Castro said. “We’ve heard it even from orientation. Palomar has a really good pass rate.” There are only 184 spaces available in the program. If the students make it through the rigorous two years, they receive an associate’s degree in nursing, but they must keep a GPA of at least 2.0 throughout. “We have a big mentor list,” Eckhart said. Beginning students can get encouragement from current students, and there is a phone list that the department posts. Returning students volunteer to mentor new students and they hold meetings once every other week, she explained. “It’s kind of a support group,” Eckhart said. “They tell them ‘you’re on track, this is doable, let go of the housework, etc.’”

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6 | DIVERSIONS

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy

MONDAY, NOV. 17, 2008 | THE TELESCOPE xkcd

by Tim Rickard

by Randall Munroe (xkcd.com)

Horoscopes By Linda C. Black

Nov. 17

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You have just about everything you need, and if you don't, you can get it. You have so much, you could even put away some for the winter. If you haven't done this before, you'll be amazed at how good it feels.

Use your imagination to figure out what's required, and to provide it. If you can do this, and you probably can, great wealth will come to you.That has worked forever, and it still works.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Learn from a valued coach and friend. It could be anything from a favorite recipe to a formula for a happy life. Actually, those could even be combined.Ask and ye shall receive.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Conditions are still good for increasing your income. Put in for that raise, promotion, new client or better job. If you don't have anything in mind, get busy with that, first.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You're awesome. Others are impressed with your stamina and wit.You're a driving force in your team's performance, and what they accomplish makes you look good. It's win-win.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Make money by cutting your expenses. Stop subscriptions to magazines you don't read, and review your interest rates. Make sure you're paying the least and earning the most.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

"Do what you love and the money will follow." You've heard that before. This time, it could actually happen. It won't hurt your enjoyment one bit if you're doing it professionally.

Again, you need to delegate everything you can. Replace yourself with a person who does these chores better than you do. Create jobs all around you. It could take three or four to do what you do.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Go over the coming week's assignments before you get into them. You love surprises, but not if it's a rush order that's overdue. Take a few moments to prepare, to avoid embarrassment.

Keep pushing as long as you can; by tomorrow, your enthusiasm for repetitious tasks will definitely start to wane. Be looking around for a helper. Having one will make this job a lot more fun.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Meetings should go well, especially those involving planning. People will be practical and unusually efficient. It's even possible to get things done with a committee.

They say if you do what you love, the money will follow. This is based on the theory that you can get very good at whatever you love doing. There will still be work involved, though.

ENTERTAINMENT | 7

MONDAY, NOV. 17, 2008 | THE TELESCOPE

WHAT’S HAPPENING

‘Committed’

Provocative and funny Mathews connected that experience with one he had while fishing with his fathers and his friends one day. He and his “Committed” is an exciting, father’s friends caught a fish graphic, hilarious book that and let it flounder, laughing you won’t want to put down. It’s over it, as it lay scared and extreme. Author Dan Mathews breathless. He could relate to holds back nothing. If you can’t the fish. That’s when he decidhandle it then put the book ed not to eat meat anymore. down, but if you can you’re in It is Mathews’ experiences for a treat. that keep “Committed” enterEach chapter boasts adven- taining. His mother not only turous stories that exposed him and his make you want to get brothers to world BOOK REVIEW out and live a crazy issues, she also taught life like he did. The them about transvesbook is full of initiatites and hermaphrotive, comedic events, dites. She encouraged situations, serious them to bring in stray unpredictability and animals off the street some juicy celebrities even though no ani‘Committed’ sprinkled in on the mals were allowed. top. This activity managed HHHH OUT OF FOUR STARS As a vice president to evolve into a little for PETA he’s taken kennel they kept Dan Mathew on various roles. One going even after they example being when got booted out of he portrayed Chris P. Carrot in their apartment. St. Louis when children Mathews lived his life as a attacked him by wielding punk rocker for a while, always baloney and stuffing it down challenged authority, and was his costume. This is just one of arrested over 20 times. The the ways he has helped support book has very strong opinions PETA’s cause. about celebrities that disregard Mathews also tackles grow- the treatment of animals, but ing up gay during the 1970s always gives them a chance to and 1980s in his latest book. He change their minds. The stunts references how the AIDS epi- he and his friends pull are too demic affected him and how he delicious to spoil; and the lost some friends. He explains descriptions of exactly what how his friends and experi- happens to those scrumptious ences brought color to his life. animals we all love to gobble After being punched in the up is enough to make you want stomach and gasping for air to reconsider that order of eggs while bullies laughed over him, and sausage. With that said, GRAIANNE WARD THE TELESCOPE

Wednesday, Nov. 19 Who: The Rodney Crowell Acoustic Trio What: Country Where: Belly Up Tavern Cost: $25-$27 More info: (858) 481-8140

Thursday, Nov. 20 Who: Alejandra Guzman What: Latin Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $57.50-$82.50 More info: (619) 299-BLUE

Saturday, Nov. 22 COURTESY PHOTO | MCT CAMPUS

The Vice President of PETA, Dan Mathew, released a memoir titled,“Committed.” In his book he reveals his wild roller coaster ride to the top of the PETA organization. Mathew doesn’t preach, he teaches. There are some lulls in the story. Although the detail and phrasing are excellent sometimes Mathew just needs to get to the point. His continuous teasers are overdone at times. Each chapter’s introduction hits you in the face. Some of the language and sarcasm he uses is very strong. It’s a controversial book because it goes against the norms and could surely spark a heated debate. As Tommy Lee said, “If you read only one book this year

(like me) THIS IS IT.” Aside from the PETA message you get caught up in the whirlwind of his life. How flexible his life is and the doors his decisions opened up for him, both inspire you to do the same for yourself. Even if you were a carnivore you’d love this book. His personality translated into his writing will have you rolling on the floor, laughing out loud. The hardest thing in the world for you to do would be to put the book down and attend to your own life because you’ll be so in love with his.

P!nk reveals pain

break. P!nk’s recent divorce inspired many of the songs and give insight to her personal life. Since this theme is so universal, P!nk’s new album titled it should appeal to almost every“Funhouse” finally hit stores on one. This album has very good Oct. 28. The album “Funhouse” lyrics that are deeply moving is a great album packed with and very private. attitude and emotion. With its If there is one thing about universal themes, this album will “Funhouse” that is disappointbe enjoyed by many. ing, it is that the majority of the “Funhouse” is somewhat of a songs are very slow, and personal album focusare about bad breakups ing on her private life and relationships. There MUSIC REVIEW as well as her public should be more of a life. This album has a variety between slow more rock/acoustic songs and upbeat dance sound than her older songs. For example, albums, which were P!nk’s last album had a more pop. P!nk teamed lot of good upbeat songs up with the hit makers mixed with the slower Max Martin and Billy songs. It made for a very Mann, as well as others. ‘Funhouse’ good mix. P!nk almost This album is predicted always delivers great HHH to be a hit. P!nk has OUT OF FOUR STARS dance songs, so it would already sold 22 million have been nice to see P!nk albums worldwide. more on this new The theme of the album. album seems to be the album Overall, about life in general: love, hate, the good times and the bad “Funhouse” is an excellent one. times. P!nk’s hit “So What” is Even though the main theme is definitely the most upbeat song heartbreak, it is easy to relate to on the record. It has been called and beautifully written. This the “divorce ballad.” The other album is totally different than songs are much more slow paced anything P!nk has done before in and are about the pain of heart- the past, but that’s not bad. EMILY MIKSAK THE TELESCOPE

Who: Buckethead What: Heavy Alternative Where: House of Blues Anaheim Cost: $20-$22.50 More info: (714) 778-BLUE

Sunday, Nov. 23 Who: The Misfits What: Punk Where: House of Blues Anaheim Cost: $20-$22.50 More info: (714) 778-BLUE

Monday, Nov. 24 Who: Eric Benet What: R&B/Jazz Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $23.50-$41 More info: (619) 299-BLUE

Tuesday, Nov. 25 Who: Celine Dion What: Pop Where: San Diego Sports Arena Cost: $59-$254 More info: www.sandiegoarena.com

Wednesday, Nov. 26 Who: Buck-O-Nine What: Ska Where: Belly Up Tavern Cost: $10-$20 More info: (858) 481-8140

Friday, Nov. 28 Who: Cheech & Chong What: Comedy Where: Copley Symphony Hall Cost: $39.50-$59.50 More info: www.livenation.com

|COMET SPORTS Palomar beats Pirates,look toward postseason 8

MONDAY, NOV. 17, 2008 | THE TELESCOPE

BRANDON MAGOSKI | THE TELESCOPE

Comet quarterback Matt Christian was 13-of-26 with 288 yards and two touchdowns in Palomar’s 41-14 win over Orange Coast College, the last regular season game this year. PETER KIM THE TELESCOPE

The Comets kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Orange Coast College Pirates 41-14 in the Comets’ regular season finale Nov. 8. With the COMETS 41 the victory, PIRATES 14 C o m e t s improved their chances for the postseason as an at-large team for a bowl game.

“They’re a good team, and they have a good strong defense,” coach Joe Early said. “It was a great win. Our defense got dialed in and we were able to get two big plays on fourth down.” Up 21-14 early in the second half, the Comets made a gutsy call, going for it fourth down around midfield. Christian used a hard count in an attempt to draw the Pirates defense offsides. When that failed, Christian had to call timeout. Palomar came out of the timeout with the

offense lined up and decided to go for it anyway, leading to freshmen running back Tyler Lavea busting through the line for a 65-yard touchdown run. “They stacked the line, and you know Taylor (Centell), he gave me a great block, and then I just took off,” Lavea said. It was a pivotal moment in the game, setting the tone for the rest of the half and the Comets were in control of the game for good from that point on. Lavea rushed for 133 yards and two

touchdowns on 10 carries. With his 180 allpurpose yards performance, Lavea was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week. It did not look good early as the Comets struggled, turning the ball over twice on their first three possessions. Orange Coast took advantage of the miscues, and scored two touchdowns, jumping to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter. On the ensuing drive, quarterback Matt Christian scrambled to avoid defenders and found Martavious Lee who got behind coverage for a 44-yard touchdown. Lee would catch another touchdown later in the second quarter, tying the game at 14-14. Lee finished with four receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The Comets’ took the lead when Lavea scored on a 24 yard run. “The play was designed to go left, but I saw the defense was there and cut it back to the right and then back left and I was able to score,” Lavea said. “The linemen made it easy, they did a great job.” The defense settled in and came up big not allowing the Pirates to score again after falling behind early.Their play can be summed up by a key series in the second half. It was first down and the Pirates were on the two-yard line and appeared to be on the verge of scoring. However, the Comets stopped them on four straight plays taking over possession, maintaining the large lead, and keeping the game out of reach. The Comets had 544 total yards of offense by taking advantage of their opportunities scoring six touchdowns. Christian managed the game nicely, going 13-for-26 passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The running game was just as effective with 267 yards and four touchdowns. After the game, the Comets started a bye week as other teams finish the regular season. “We’ll use this bye to rest up and get healthy,” Early said. “We just have to wait and see how the rest of the games play out.”

COMET SPORTS IN BRIEF

Comets start year with win against Imperial Valley

The Palomar men’s basketball team opened the season upsetting No. 8 Irvine Valley 77-73 Nov. 7 at the Dome in the season opener for both teams. “Anytime you win your season opener against a good team like Irvine Valley it’s a good thing,” Assistant coach Brad Hollingsworth said. “It’s a twoyear institution and we got new guys coming in all the time and we try to work with them and make them better.” The Comets shot 54.8 percent from the field and hit 14-of-27 3-pointers in the defeat of the Lasers. “We played great,” Guard Ross Williams said. “We had our ups and downs and everything. It showed how much of a team we are.” Williams led the way for the Comets with 18 points, making 8 of 10 free throw. Kristoff Thande had 14 points, going 4 for 5 on three point shots, Kevin Deeb had 11, and Richard LaFleur and Adrian Lopez had 10 each. The Lasers got off to a pair of 7- 0 runs, taking a 14-6 lead within the first 5 minutes. Palomar trailed the entire first

half before going on a 14-2 run over the span of 5:32 in the first half, tying the game at 23 apiece. The Comets took the lead and went into the half leading 30-25. The Comets were also without starting point guard Jose Orona, who is ineligible for the season. “We have other guys who can play,” Hollingsworth said. “We can’t dwell in the past.”

Palomar women’s volleyball wins 12th straight

The Palomar women’s volleyball team easily defeated the Southwestern Jaguars Nov. 5 in straight sets (25-15, 25-14, 256). The win was the team’s 12th consecutive victory and increased its Pacific Coast Conference record to 8-0 on the season. The Comets also improved to 17-3 on the season and maintained a No. 4 state ranking in the California Community Colleges Athletic Association’s polls. The Comets began the game with lots of enthusiasm and high energy as they jumped out to an early 2-0 in the first game. “They were trying to move people around a bit and they

were kind of not sure exactly where they were supposed to be,” coach Karl Seiler said. Those problems would stack up against the Jaguars on two separate occasions where they would accumulate back-to-back alignment faults in the first game and various others throughout. “We knew at the beginning of the game that they were going to be trying a lot of new things because they haven’t been very successful,” Angela Hardy said. Hardy finished the game with nine digs. Aimee Bird led with 11 digs and 26 assists. Audrey Green and Cashel White handled the offense with six and five kills respectively. Palomar’s Shelly Morton struggled early with keeping up the pace of the game and coming up short hitting the net. She came back strong in the second and third game. That preparation along with adjusting to some of their warm up routines and focusing on other important areas have changed for the Comets, but the wins keep on coming. “We’re all on the same track, we all know what we need to do to get to state,” Hardy said. The Comets defeated San Diego City (25-13, 24-20, 25-16) two days later to extend the winning streak to 13.

JACKIE PHILLIPS | THE TELESCOPE

Palomar’s Stephanie Haley spiked the ball against Southwestern as the Comets defeated the Jaguars in straight sets. The Comets extended their winning streak to 12 with the win.