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PALOMAR SWIM TEAM DOMINATES
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The Palomar women’s team placed second behind Grossmont in conference with the men’s swim team finishing first in the conference • Page 14
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the telescope Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper
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Vol. 68, No. 14 • Monday, April 27, 2015
Retirement incentive delayed for employees, need further analysis SUSAN WHALEY THE TELESCOPE
Miller said they shut the water off in the south area and because the trees were stressed out they ended up being killed by bark beetles. To lose the trees in the Arboretum “would be a real tragic loss for the community,” Miller said. One thing that sets Palomar aside is their own water well. The well, located at the south end of campus, accounts for one-third of irrigation water used on campus. Miller said they are looking into two more wells on campus: one in Lot 12 where the new parking structure will be located and one by the baseball field in the new athletics complex by Lot 9. “Our goal right now is to do all our irrigating with well water,” Miller said.
Many faculty, staff and administrators at Palomar College were looking forward to getting a hefty bonus for retiring early at the end of the semester. This may not be the case any longer. During the April 13 Governing Board meeting, the board decided to postpone the approval of the Supplementary Early Retirement Plan, also referred to as the SERP because it might not save the college money. The board will make its final decision whether to approve the SERP on April 28. The SERP is a bonus incentive of 75 percent of a person’s annual salary offered to those who chose to retire early. It was approved by the board on Sept. 9, 2014, under certain conditions; one being that it would save Palomar money over a period of five years. Across Palomar a total of 89 people signed up to retire, while the District only projected 68 people would. Governing Board President John Halcon said the board decided to postpone the approval of the SERP because they didn’t have enough time to look over the documents carefully. He said they are very complex documents concerning the analysis over how it would affect the district financially and didn’t want to rush.
JUMP TO WATER PAGE 3
JUMP TO RETIRE PAGE 3
A sprinkler turns on in the Palomar College Arboretum to water vegetation around 3 p.m. on April 15 • Belen Ladd/The Telescope
How Palomar College is conserving water on campus SUSAN WHALEY THE TELESCOPE
California is suffering through an extreme drought which is why Gov. Jerry Brown imposed mandatory water restrictions. This includes not only residential and commercial, but school campuses as well. Palomar College officials say they are adhering to the restrictions and conserving water on campus as best they can. Although the most recent restrictions were not announced until April 1, Palomar has been implementing ways to conserve water since Spring 2014, according to Facilities Director Chris Miller. The college uses around 40,000 units of water per year, Miller said. According to the Vallecitos Water
District, the company Palomar goes through in San Marcos for its water services, one unit of water is 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons. Miller said irrigation is where Palomar can do more in reducing water use. He said Palomar doesn’t waste much drinking water or water for flushing toilets. What Palomar is doing to reduce its water use: • Dropped irrigation run times to three times a week except from November to May only once per week. • Replaced old sprinklers with newer technology that saves water better. Older style, rotary sprinklers that haven’t been replaced yet use a half gallon of water per minute. Miller said they only run these for 10 minutes. • Limited irrigation times to before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Grounds department began to inspect for overspray. • Looking into replacing lessused lawns for synthetic turf. The grass between the HS and MD buildings has already been replaced. A big challenge for conserving water is the Arboretum and all the construction on campus, Miller said. Construction takes a lot of water and Palomar has a significant amount of construction happening now. A new library, parking structure and athletics complex are all big projects. He said the Arboretum is a difficult area to meet some of the restrictions because without water the plants and trees may die. The school is already seeing how the impact to the area as a byproduct of the restrictions.
Palomar student dies in car accident leaving behind girlfriend, daughter STEVEN BURIEK THE TELESCOPE
Palomar College student Andrew Truesdell, 23, died in a car crash in Rancho Bernardo on April 6, leaving behind his longtime girlfriend and 3-year-old daughter. According to CBS News, Andrew lost control of his vehicle, hit a curb and then slammed into a tree near Bernardo Heights
Parkway and Avenida Venusto. Police said he was speeding when he lost control of the car. Andrew’s girlfriend Alexandria Stolle, 23, told reporters the tires on his car were bald and that he was on his way to get them replaced. Between the two of them, they at times had five jobs. Both attended Palomar College and were doing everything they could to make ends meet. During their last
conversation, they talked about getting married. On Stolle’s Facebook page, friends wrote and shared poems to pay tribute to their lost friend, father, son and future husband. “Always in our hopes and never left behind Dreams unattainable, A friend like Andrew is one we must all find Another life gone now, So lost and confused,
But in all our hearts he will always be there.” -Travis Hamilton Facebook messages with condolences from friends and family covered Alexandria’s wall. Messages were even sent from strangers such as Allan Evens, a bystander from the houses near the accident posted a song, Wiz Khalifa’s, “See You Again” with a message. “I didn’t know you at all, but
this all happened on my street. I want to tell you my heart is with you and your kid. Andrew is looking down smiling and no longer in pain! Just know that he will be there for when you see him again.” Stolle and her daughter have a gofundme.com account under the name Andrew Truesdell’s Daughter started to help raise money for support. SBURIEK@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
2 • NEWS
Monday, April 27, 2015
PLACE TO RELAX
Discovery Lake in San Marcos. Turn to page 9 for a complete story and more photos on the best places to relax in North County. • Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope
UPCOMING EVENTS
Companies looking to hire will be on campus
Come to the Student Union and Student Services buildings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 29 to take part in Palomar’s annual Job Expo. Last year’s event drew 50 companies and organizations all looking to hire and this year is sure to offer more of the same. For more information contact Pippa Pierce at (760)744-1150 ext. 3125 or email ppierce@palomar. edu. Also check out www.palomar. edu/counseling/careercenter/ for more information to help you as you plan for the future.
Take part in the blood drive to receive a T-shirt
Donate blood for a good cause and get a free T-shirt. It’s Blood Drive Week at Palomar. Come to the bloodmobile located in Parking Lot 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from April 27 to May 1 to donate. Extended hours are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. Stop by the Health Center (located across from the Natural Sciences building) to schedule your appointment or call (760)744-1150 ext. 2380. Blood Drive Week is hosted by Palomar’s Health Services Center and the Fire Club.
Chamber Singers concert free of charge to public
Every Thursday afternoon, Palomar College hosts Concert Hour: a weekly performance series spotlighting professional, as well as student musicians doing what they do best. Concert Hour is proud to present the Palomar Chamber Singers, in a performance directed by Sally Husch Dean. This performance is free, and will be held at 12:30 p.m. on April 30 in the Performance Lab (D-10) on Palomar’s main campus. For more information, visit http://palomarperforms.com, or call (760)744-1150 ext. 2317.
Relieve finals stress during DeStress Fest
Finals are rapidly approaching, which also means so is the stress that comes with it. The Office of Student Affairs is putting on DeStress Fest at Palomar. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 11 in the Student Union you can enjoy this event designed to help relieve the stress and anxiety that may build up around this time of year. If stress is not on your mind, you can still take a break from studying and final projects to grab a free lunch at the Student Activities booth with your student activity card. For more information contact Lindsay Kretchman at (760) 7441550 ext. 2594 or visit www2.palo-
mar.edu/pages/studentaffairs.
Faculty Dance Concert showcases variety
Want to see your professors take the stage? The Palomar Performing Arts faculty will be presenting a number of dance pieces during the Faculty Dance Concert at 7 p.m. on May 1 and May 2 and 2 p.m. on May 3 in the Howard Brubeck Theatre. According to the Performing Arts website, the dance concert will feature a variety of styles including ballet, musical theater, tap, jazz, Hawaiian/Tahitian, Middle Eastern, ballroom, hip-hop, and modern dance, in a lively production guaranteed to showcase the creativity and diversity of the department. Tickets range from $10 to $15 and are available for sale through the performing arts website at http://www2.palomar.edu/performingarts/. For more information contact the performing arts at (760)7441153 ext. 2453.
Water bottle refilling locations on campus Water bottle refilling stations on Palomar’s main campus will be put in all the new buildings, according to Associated Student Government President Mario Gaspar. The endeavor began with the student government funds and now Facilities has taken over the project.
Humanities Building
Student Union
Students will perform their musical talent
Palomar Performing Arts will present the Music Students Honor Recital from 12:30 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. on May 7 in the Howard Brubeck Theatre. Come hear the hardworking students perform for the audience, demonstrating what they have learned from the Performing Arts Department. It is free for the general public to come and watch. For more information contact Randy Hoffman at (760)744-1150 ext. 2317 or visit www.palomarperforms.com.
Student’s original fashion designs to debut Palomar’s Fashion Merchandising and Design program will be hosting their annual MODA fashion show. This year it is titled “Global View Fashion Show.” The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 8 at the California Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Tickets are available at the California Center for the Arts ticket office and the Palomar College box office. The cost is $15 Orchestra, $12 Mezzanine and $20 at the door. For more information contact the Fashion Department at (760) 744-1150 ext. 2349. The California Center for the Arts is located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, Calif. 92025.
Howard Brubeck Theatre
NEWS • 3
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WATER
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the telescope
Focused On Palomar Monday, April 27, 2015 Vol. 68, No. 14 Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.
SUSAN WHALEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MIKE PETERSON MANAGING EDITOR & OPINION EDITOR CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK SPORTS EDITOR JOEL VAUGHN CO-A&E EDITOR STEVEN BURIEK CO-A&E EDITOR KIRK MATTU ONLINE EDITOR STEPHEN DAVIS PHOTO EDITOR JOHN LUCIA CARTOONIST ERIN HIRO ADVISER DEB HELLMAN BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF WRITERS MIKE ADAMS, LEAH BAENA, PETER BRIGHT, BROOKE CRAWFORD, TAMARA EAKINS, RODNEY FIGUEROA, JODY JOHNSON, MICHAEL HAMERSCHLAG, FERN MENEZES, FAYE NOUROLLAHI, CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ, ED ROSA, AMBER ROSARIO, ALEXANDRA ROTHMAN, ROBERT RUKAVINA, JOE SANDOVAL, ROMA WATKINS, KRISTINA WALTON, ZACHARY WATSON PHOTOGRAPHERS JACOB BANKS, EVAN CAST, CASEY COUSINS, DIRK CALLUM, PHILIP FARRY, ADAM GUERRERO, MEREDITH JAMES, SETH JONES, MICHAEL KAPLAN, DANIEL KRESGE, BELEN LADD, PAUL NELSON, JUSTIN SUMSTINE, RICARDO TORRES ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 W. MISSION ROAD, SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 PHONE / 760-891-7865 NEWSROOM / H-103 WEBSITE/ WWW.THE-TELESCOPE.COM FACEBOOK/ SEARCH “THE TELESCOPE” TWITTER/ @TELESCOPENEWS EMAIL/ EDITOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM AD EMAIL/ ADS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM 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 SHOULD BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM. 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 THE TELESCOPE IS PUBLISHED 8 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. ASSOCIATED COLLEGE PRESS
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He also mentioned the plan is to drill the additional well by Lot 12 before the parking structure is started so it can be used during construction. Another future option to conserve water on campus is rainwater harvesting. Miller said they plan to implement that method in the area between the TLC and NS buildings, which should be started this year. During a Governing Board meeting earlier this month Trustee Chadwick asked Ron Perez, vice president of finance and administrative services, if nearby residents were upset about Palomar using well water. He said there haven’t been any complaints from the community. Miller said he isn’t aware of any other wells nearby and doesn’t think drilling more wells will affect the surrounding area because they will go about 1,000 feet deep. Miller also said students call in when they notice water is being wasted or a malfunctioning sprinkler. You can contact the facilities department at (760)744-1150 ext. 2629. Turn to page 8 to read two opposing sides to the mandatory restrictions. Check the-telescope.com for further updates on this story. SWHALEY@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Palomar College Governing Board members. Photo courtesy of Palomar Public Affairs
RETIRE
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With 18 more classified staff retiring than projected and a smaller savings than projected as well, this leaves many faculty and staff concerned if the vacant positions will be filled in a timely manner. Aaron Holmes, Council of Classified Employees president, said during the meeting the assumptions don’t add up to what he received back in July. The classified staff only agreed to the SERP if the vacant positions would be filled as quickly as possible for the 201516 year. Now, it seems with the analysis given, classified staff
won’t be hired for nine months. Holmes urged the Governing Board to review the numbers to make sure it not only saves the District money, but so classified staff won’t be left 45 people short for nine months. When the SERP was in its negotiating phase last year it was decided that it will only get approved by the Governing Board if it will save the District money in the long run. According to an April 15 email sent out by Shannon Lienhart, co-president of the faculty union, the district can only offer the SERP if it saves the college money or else it “opens the District up to liability for awarding a gift of public funds.” Faculty and staff had until
April 3 to sign up and names will stay confidential until the board passes the SERP, according to Laura Gropen Public Affairs director. Breakdown of employees who applied for SERP: • 28 faculty • 9 Educational Administrators • 45 Classified Non-Management • 7 Classified Administrators Palomar President Robert Deegan, Vice President of Instruction Berta Cuaron and Vice President of Human Resources John Tortarolo, as well as a few deans, officially announced their decision to retire months in advance. SWHALEY@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Faculty working to fix employee hiring process FERN MENEZES THE TELESCOPE
Hiring a new faculty member is not an easy process at Palomar College, officials say. It takes lots of paperwork and committee meetings. With a large number of faculty considering taking an early retirement package this semester, the focus on how Palomar hires new professors has come under scrutiny. The first step: a group called the Program Review and Planning, meets to review the various departments at Palomar and asks their staff to consider their needs, strengths, and challenges. Next, another group, called the Instructional Planning Council, nicknamed IPC, will ask the departments if a new hire is needed. “Almost everyone says yes,” said IPC member and English professor Barbara Kelber. Kelber added that along with
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hiring, her group is reviewing and revising the full-time and parttime faculty hiring policy, AP 7120. Current policy has IPC review the hiring requests and determine if the department will actually benefit by the addition of a new instructor. A list from the IPC is presented, usually in the spring, of which departments are allowed to hire a new faculty member. It all hinges on the Faculty Obligation Number, FON. This number is determined by the State of California. All colleges are required to maintain a specific number of faculty staff based on the funds received from the government. According to Kelber, the FON seems to be getting smaller each year. That means the number of full-time staff is decreasing which necessitates the hiring of parttime instructors. Therefore the
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number of full-time instructors is getting smaller. “I can see why it’s easier to manage a lot of part-time people than to contend with the power that coheres in tenured faculty,” Kelber said. “It allows us to speak from a place of confidence and power.” When the FON is determined, usually late summer, the college administrators let everyone know how many new faculty members will be hired. Kelber stated that new verbiage is being added to the hiring policy to allow flexibility in hiring so the process can begin prior to receiving the FON, which usually comes mid-August. The process is nation-wide and begins with an on-line application, which is reviewed by Human Resources. It is their job to review each candidates’ application for completeness and then forward to the appropriate hiring committee. Any problems with the process
of hiring is brought to the Faculty Senate and resolved in a timely manner. This year is a difficult year for Palomar in that many employees are taking part in an early retirement inentive proposal. Palomar’s president, a few vice presidents and multiple deans have announced their retirement earlier in the year. Kelber had this to say about Palomar’s recovery: “I worry about our programs and our comprehensiveness. It’s not just the issue of our SERP (Supplemental Employment Retirement Program), it’s the combination of issues in terms of the state policy, new laws, repeatability, a cap on units, we have programs under serious pressure. “I’m very sad,” she added. “It’s my heart-felt desire to see us recover but I think a lot of things are working against us.” FMENEZES@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
4 • NEWS
Monday, April 27, 2015
Speech and debate team named fourth in nation ERIN ESKENS THE TELESCOPE
Tired eyes filled the room as Palomar’s speech and debate team returned from a triumphant trip at a national speech and debate tournament. This is the first team meeting post-tournament and with very little rest between the nine-day tournament and school, the team is exhausted but no worse for wear. The team took home three bronze medals, one silver medal and one gold medal from the Community College National Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio. Their success earned them a national silver medal overall for the debate, and earned Palomar a spot as the Number 4 in the nation for speech and debate among community colleges. After a three-hour delay with their flight coming home from Cleveland and landing back in California around midnight on a Monday, those who participated in the national championship have gone through a bit of a whirlwind, they said. The tournament overall was “long but fun,” first-year team member Emily Martinez said.
However, the five wins, including one gold, are enough to keep them going. The team is preparing for a “victory lap” circuit as staff adviser and professor Brandan Whearty calls it. They have worked hard for their wins and they are eager to show them off. The tournament was not without its challenges though. The team had to persevere through unexpected absences and illness. Whearty could only attend about half of the tournament due to an unexpected family emergency. He flew with the team to Cleveland but had to leave four days into the debate. That did not slow the team down, though, and he was still there for his students. Ever dedicated, he was able to give guidance and coach team members through email and phone calls. The judging panel at the tournament was the “toughest judging pool in the United States” and was “no holds barred,” as described by Whearty, who was visibly beaming. “Our goal was top five, not top five perfect,” he continued, obviously proud that despite all the challenges, the team met their goal. Genevieve Mason, the silver medal winner for her limited prep debate,
Photo courtesy of Speech and Debate Team
got sick during her debates and had to drop out of the final two rounds. “The early rounds are where it matters,” she said, talking about her strategy.
Thanks to her skill and cunning, her scores in the first four rounds were enough for her to finish strong and take home a silver medal. Monica Eslamian touched on her strategy as well, called “sneaky,” something that Palomar is known for. “We try to find holes in the resolution and find as many loopholes as we can without being abusive,” she said, adding that the tactic leaves her competitors unprepared and unable to poke holes in her argument. While this sneaky strategy caused a bit of an uproar, it was enough to
send her into the final rounds undefeated and for her to take home the gold in the NFA Lincoln Douglas category. This tournament marked the end of the speech and debate season and many students find themselves going through “debate withdrawals.” Even after a long nine days together, the sense of camaraderie between team members is palpable. Bronze winner AJ Valenzuela likened speech and debate to “track and field for thinkers.” EESKENS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Inside look: Palomar speech and debate gold medal winner SEAN HORGAN THE TELESCOPE
The saying, actions are stronger than words, does not apply to one speech and debate member. Monica Eslamian has been on Palomar’s speech and debate team since Fall 2013. She is one of the leaders of the team, and she is currently one of the strongest members, her coaches said. Eslamian has been doing speech and debate since high school, where she got into it accidently. According to Eslamian, in the first two rounds of the competition she froze, but then, after a while, she excelled. “It came naturally to me,” Eslamian said. “I was always good at making arguments … I would see the teacher writing something on the board (in class) and I would think to myself, ‘I could make an argument out of that.’” Currently, Eslamian is thinking about transferring to either Northern Arizona University, San Diego State University or University of California San Diego where she will pursue pre law. Her ultimate goal is to be a corporate lawyer.
Eslamian also received a $10,000 scholarship to Grand Canyon University, but she explained that she did not wish to go there. Chris Lowry, assistant director of the Speech and Debate team, said he is not remorseful about Eslamian transferring. Lowry said that one of the team’s main goals is to help kids transfer to other schools. He also added that many former teammates return later to help out the team, and he hopes that Eslamian will come back to help. Lowry described Eslamian as someone who excels at helping people, friendly and very competitive. He added that she was also good at helping her teammates form their strategies. “She is a good returning member that helps her teammates,” Lowry said. Eslamian also has many other hobbies besides speech and debate. She also likes to work out at the gym, read science fiction and fantasy and play video games like “League of Legends.” Eslamian recently retured from a national tournament in Cleveland and won a gold medal.
OPINION • 5
the-telescope.com EDITORIAL
THE CRITICAL COMMENT
Early retirement not planned properly
Don’t judge a candidate by their gender
Although Palomar had good intentions when they offered the supplementary early retirement plan (SERP), they screwed up in three big ways. The SERP, also known as a golden handshake, is a money-saving initiative that would offer monetary incentives to staff who retire early. It is part of a larger plan to get Palomar out of its overspending streak. But the plan was pulled from the Governing Board agenda at the last minute during the April 14 meeting. Officials said they found that the plan might actually cost the college more money than it would save. First mistake: Lack of transparency There have been complaints that the SERP lacked transparency. There were no clear plans or budget numbers, nor were there any advertised, public meetings to educate staff about the initiative. The plan was also disorganized. The process for the initiative was unclear, and there wasn’t any opportunity for input from the public. Replacement plans for vacated staff positions were unclear. Second mistake: Tardiness Second problem, the entire process was too late. There were plenty of time constraints involved with its approval. There simply wasn’t enough time for anyone to properly analyze the numbers. Although there has been plenty of discussion about the SERP throughout the year, the deadline for actual retirees was this month, way too late to look at who was actually retiring and what that would mean for staffing college wide. It was late enough to put everyone involved in a bad spot. Third mistake: No replacement plan On top of that, enough time, energy and publicity hasn’t been spent on how to replace the vacated positions. Hiring committees are long processes, and with the deadline for the SERP so late in the year, we couldn’t have expected there to be ample time to rehire faculty and staff. How is this going to affect the college’s dedication to the “educational excellence” that appears in their mission statement? Palomar officials in charge of the SERP should have planned better. They shouldn’t have made retirement promises they weren’t willing to keep if things went sour. We urge school officials to find the best way out of this mess, keeping the staff, faculty and students in mind. If the SERP is no longer a viable plan for saving money, they should scrap that initiative and plan for one that actually works. EDITOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Funny, especially when you consider that when the last president started an unnecessary war, we didn’t blame it on his testosterone.
MIKE PETERSON THE TELESCOPE
Stop saying that a woman shouldn’t be president. We have a long history of progress in this country, but we are still incredibly biased. Sadder still, most of us have blinders on when it comes to noticing our biases. Across the country, there has been backlash against Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid. Too often, these negative comments focus not on her policies or reputation, but on the simple fact that she is a woman. One female CEO, named Cheryl Rios, stated that a woman shouldn’t ever be president. She stated that women have “different hormones” and can’t be trusted to act rationally and should not start wars, lest they start unnecessary ones.
Any predictions about a woman’s performance as president of the U.S. is purely unfounded speculation. Let’s just gloss over the fact that men and women do have essentially the same hormones, just in different amounts. We can’t expect everyone’s opinion to be factually accurate. We shouldn’t be reducing our political candidates to their basic biochemistry. Out of the 44 presidents that we’ve had in this country, 43 have been white, mostly Christian men. In that same span of time, as George Carlin famously said, we’ve averaged a major war every 20 years. The Whiskey Rebellion, the Bay of Pigs, Watergate, the Iran-Contra
affair. These are blunders that occurred when men were in office. Are we really saying that whatever happens under a female president is somehow going to be worse? We don’t have any anecdotal evidence about how a woman is going to be in office. Any predictions about a woman’s performance as president of the U.S. is purely unfounded speculation. The fact is that most of the arguments against women holding positions of power are largely archaic and derived from religious roots. As far as governing, these arguments should be irrelevant in a nation whose founders cautioned against marrying the church and the state. But even if religion is an important part of the political culture (it’s been said that atheists are unelectable in our nation), we should look at things in perspective. Many people criticize predominantly Islamic nations as being prejudiced against women. While in some cases this may be true, we tend to ignore the fact that Muslim nations like Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey and Bangladesh either have or have had female prime ministers. Egypt’s ministry of justice allows female rulers and judges. Other Muslim majority nations
like Kosovo, Afghanistan and Jordan have all had women in positions of power. Although traditional Muslim doctrine dictates that a woman’s place is as a mother and wife, these nations have incorporated more progressive and Western ideals in their opinion on women leaders. Why can’t we do the same? We should be concerned that we are somehow stuck farther in the past than these arguably more conservative countries. America has made history time and time again. Unfortunately, at this point, if we were to elect a female president, we’d be a few decades behind the curve. Asking whether or not America is ready for a female president is laughable. America is ready for a good president, whether or not she is a woman should be the smallest factor considered. On the other end of the spectrum, we shouldn’t elect Hillary Clinton simply because she happens to be female. When looking at presidential candidates like Clinton, we should be scrutinizing her beliefs, policies and track record. What we shouldn’t do is judge her potential presidency because of her gender. MPETERSON@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Campus clubs should be accepting of all types of students TAMARA EAKINS THE TELESCOPE
Social clubs on campus should strive to accept all types of students. For almost as long as schools and campuses have existed, so have social clubs. They were created in order to bring students together through common interests, while instilling a sense of community in the minds of those who chose to participate in them. The dictionary definition of the word club is “an association or organization dedicated to a particular interest or activity. With this in mind, let’s ask the question: Should social clubs on campus be allowed to deny access to others or should it be mandated that they allow anyone to participate simply by signing up? On high school campuses, social clubs can be created easily by any student. All that is necessary in order to do so is the approval of a teacher who is willing to supervise, as well as an available, accommodating location on campus. These clubs accept all students interested in joining without any requirements or prerequisites other than an honest desire to participate. This leniency tends to be encouraging to students when they begin making their decision of whether or not to join. College campuses, however, are much more strict and selective in regards to clubs. In order for a club to be created and recognized on campus, a Club Application Packet (about thirty-two pages in length) must be filled out and turned in to the Office of Student Affairs to be
Photo illustration • Stephen Davis/The Telescope
reviewed. After this has been completed, the decided club president is notified whether the application has been accepted or denied. In order to join many of the approved clubs, students must meet the club requirements rather than be accepted based on their pure interest in the club alone. For some Palomar students, the necessity to meet expectations in order to participate in a group is daunting and can influence their decision to attempt to join the club altogether. “It can be intimidating,” Alyssa Bonna, a young English major at Palomar College said. “I am relatively reserved, but when the campus has a Club Rush in the beginning of the semester I sometimes
will walk around and take a look at the options. It always seems like the club leaders are a little judgmental and closed off when they are supposed to be encouraging.” Though unintentional, the fact that students feel unsettled when deciding whether or not to participate in a campus club is an issue that should be addressed. In order for college campuses to create a better sense of community and common interest, social clubs should be banned from limiting access and should instead encourage the participation of any and all students. This not only would benefit the student body, but the campus as a whole. It is a known fact that participating in extracurricular activities
while in college is a positive addition to your resume and an important factor when applying for both internships and jobs. According to research done by the National Center of Educational Statistics, statistics suggest that participation in extracurricular activities and social clubs may increase students sense of engagement and attachment to their school, and thereby decrease the likelihood of academic failure and dropping out entirely. Also, students who do get involved on campus are 83 percent more likely to be chosen for an internship and then hired. If the participation in extracurricular activities and social clubs does, in fact, help students and their success in both school and future careers, then the open acceptance of students of all types and availability of such clubs should become an important necessity on campuses nationwide. To accept others into social groups based on prerequisites written up by their peers is a sure way to make those who do not meet expectations feel inadequate and unworthy. Campus clubs should be welcoming to all students without bias or necessary requirements. A simple signature showing interest should be more than enough to be accepted into any social group. Unity, acceptance and community is what keeps college campus’ thriving, without these three things the college experience would not be half of what students hope for. TEAKINS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
6 • OPINION
Monday, April 27, 2015
Stoners kill medical pot legitimacy JOEL VAUGHN THE TELESCOPE
Nicki Minaj. • Photo courtesy of wallpapercolor.net.
Music lyrics affect us more than we know ALEXANDRA ROTHMAN THE TELESCOPE
Music has a greater effect then we know. Long before artists like Chris Brown, Robin Thicke or Eminem were around, the music industry has been plagued by violent lyrics and misogynistic messages. Whether it be promoting them as nothing more than sexual objects, devaluing them if they don’t fit the “ideal” body shape or degrading them in a violent way, our media has not just tolerated, but rather has promoted the mistreatment of women. The question that remains is this: what effect do these lyrics have on our every day lives? Partnership Against Domestic Violence reports that every nine seconds, an act of domestic violence is committed. One can only wonder if this could have anything to do with the incredibly violent musical hits that are almost impossible to tune out. A song by the worldwide known artist Jimi Hendrix called “Hey Joe” goes “Hey Joe, I said where you going with that gun in your hand? I’m going down to shoot my old lady.” Or Eminem’s song “Criminal,” with lines like “Half the shit I say, I just make it up to make you mad, so kill my white, naked ass. And if it’s not a rapper that I make it as, Imma be a fucking rapist in a Jason mask.” According to both the Huffington Post, the New York Times, and the Center for Justice Bureau, one out of five women will be raped in their lifetimes. It is almost impossible to ignore that some of the most successful and high selling artists of our time have these messages being sent out without even the slightest bit of hesitation. In addition to lyrics that promote violence and dominance, a large percentage of popular music sexualizes women. It’s a struggle to turn on the radio to a pop or hiphop station without being greeted by lyrics from the hit song “Truffle Butter” that go “Can I hit it in the bathroom? Put your hands on the toilet. I put one leg on the tub. But bitch you dancing with the stars, I ain’t nothin’ like your last dude, what’s his name? Not important. I bought some cocaine if you snortin.’ And she became a vacuum, put it on my dick like carpet, Suck the white off like white chocolate.” It is no wonder that women are afraid to walk home at night, cat-
calling is becoming a catastrophic problem. A 2014 report by the organization Stop Street Harassment shows that 65 percent of all American women have endured a form of vocal harassment, and 41 percent have been touched or followed. The music industry is teaching us that women should be treated as nothing but sex dolls that were created to please and fulfill the needs of men. A question remains: Do these artists have a responsibility to monitor what they say? In an interview on “60 Minutes” between Eminem and Anderson Cooper, Eminem denies any sort of responsibility and effect that his music may have on young teens. “It’s your job to parent them (your children),” he says. “If you’re a parent, be a parent.” He uses the excuse “It’s my art.” Yet, just because it is considered art, does not mean it is any less destructive. Parents have the majority of the responsibility to monitor what their children listen to, but once a kid turns 18 or 19 and goes off to college, that monitoring stops. But what about women in the industry? Are they to not go without blame? One could only wonder if maybe lyrics would not be so demeaning and negative if women did not allow themselves to be talked to that way. Yet, this seems to be a double-edged sword. Women should be allowed to express their sexuality for themselves, but in turn, does that give men an excuse to oversexualize them? In an interview with Miley Cyrus, she was told “You and Justin Bieber are not a good influence on the youth.” She replies, “Excuse me? We are not parents of anyone!” She has a valid point, but is this an excuse? Nicki Minaj, for example, promotes feminism, staying in school, being honest, and reinforces the idea that girls should dress and act for themselves, and not for anyone else. Yet, in almost every one of her songs, she refers to other women as “bitches,” “hoes” and “sluts.” Talk about a mixed message. As the music industry has changed and progressed, so has the morals and standards that society accepts. One can only wonder what the future holds in the way that our culture reacts to these ever changing messages. AROTHMAN@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
The only way we will ever have a legitimate medical marijuana industry in California is if we separate and legalize the recreational aspects of it. As a recreational cannabis consumer, the ability to have easy access to legal marijuana is an opportunity that is too good to pass up. The only problem is that to have access to the goods this business provides, you need to tell a couple white lies, such as whether or not you have a serious medical condition. Unfortunately, these white lies are a burden on the people who, on a medical level, would benefit from marijuana. The best solution to alleviate this burden is to legalize the ganga for the recreational user and make cannabis a medical industry for the patient. In a nutshell the way medical cannabis is set up in California is its own biggest obstacle. This is largely due to the ease of access to the recreational crowd. This issue could easily be fixed by a legitimate recreational cannabis industry along side a medical industry that’s actually geared toward people with serious medical conditions. Proposition 215 (medical cannabis) was seemingly intended for the ease of access to medical cannabis for people with chronic pain and other serious illnesses. Fortunately and unfortunately the terms of the proposition are extremely loose, specifically “any other illness.” This allows physicians, who specifically work in the medical cannabis industry, to give out medical marijuana recommendations to treat something on the same level of medical severity as a stubbed toe. If you go into your average pot shop here in the North County area, you’ll see a cross section of two different types of patients. On one side you have a lady with cancer who is looking for a legitimate
JOHN’S CORNER
Cartoon by John Lucia/The Telescope
A wide variety of medicinal marijuana buds are made available for patients at a medical marijuana dispensary.• Genaro Molina/MCT
In a nutshell, the way medical cannabis is set up in California is its own biggest obstacle. alternative or companion medication to what drugs she is currently prescribed, on the other is a dude in a Bob Marley shirt looking to score an eighth of some True OG Kush for $40. Neither of these groups of people are doing anything wrong, it’s just that the current industry has to cater to both. Having a medical industry that caters to the recreational user in theory weakens the black market distribution of cannabis, hence making purchasing cannabis safer and eliminating a portion of the profit that would otherwise go to criminal institutions. The problem is that it also serves to delegitimize cannabis as a medicine.
The best solution is to separate these two demographics into their own industries. Have it so that the lady with cancer can actually get her medical cannabis covered by her insurance and have easy access to pharmaceutical grade cannabis and cannabis byproducts. Recreational use of marijuana should be legalized to the general population, so that the need for a black market for cannabis is still eliminated. Separating industries would hopefully create a well-respected and actually helpful medical industry, as well as a profitable and consumer friendly recreational industry. If you don’t have a serious medical condition and want to get high as legally as possible, then by all means get a medical marijuana recommendation. Just be aware that a push for a recreational industry would both benefit you as a consumer and the individual who actually could use it as a medicine. JVAUGHN@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
OPINION • 7
the-telescope.com
How a plant-based diet could be better for you KRISTINA WALTON THE TELESCOPE
There are many reasons to become a vegan. For many people the main reason is due to the unethical treatment of animals worldwide; veganism combats animal cruelty as well as animal exploitation. By choosing to become a vegan you will also become healthier, look younger and feel energized. To become a vegan you must first implement many changes to your diet and your lifestyle. The elimination of all foods that originate from an animal, such as meat, seafood, cheese, milk, eggs, and gelatin are the first steps to becoming a vegan. Vegan diets are naturally low in saturated and trans fats, therefore reducing the risks of heart disease as well as many types of cancer. Before making any decisions on becoming vegan first you must consult with your doctor about any health concerns or issues you may have prior to your transitioning into this new lifestyle. In some cases where individuals have not consulted with their dietitian or researched veganism properly; a vegan diet might limit the intake of some of the nutrients that our bodies need, in turn hindering our bodies’ abilities to absorb nutrients more efficiently. For you to receive your bodies’ daily vitamins and minerals you must first research and speak with your dietitian. Weight Loss You may inadvertently experience weight loss when first transforming into a vegan. There are a wide variety of plant-based species producing an overabundance of fruits, vegetables and legumes.
Romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumber, tomato, and cauliflower salad. • Stephen Davis/The Telescope
With these plant-based foods being lower in calories, it is easier to lose weight and not feel deprived. For example, to lose one pound it requires a deficit of 3,500 calories. If your newly implemented vegan diet eliminates 300 calories from your daily intake, you may inadvertently lose more than three pounds per month. Add nuts, avocados and coconut milk to your diet; by providing healthy vegan fats to your diet, you are better able to ensure that you consume enough calories to maintain a healthy weight. Nutrient absorption Increasing your vitamin C intake will also aid in maintaining a healthier body. By consuming more
citrus fruits such as oranges, tangelos, lemons and limes the body is better armed against bacteria. Spinach, broccoli and kale are rich in calcium, but these foods have food components that inhibit some of the calcium absorption. To better absorb these nutrients it is always best to drink plenty of water and use olive oil as a dressing in your salad, as this will aid in your bodies digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals. Since some micronutrients from plant-based foods are hard for your body to utilize, your doctor may suggest taking certain supplements to further increase your vitamin and mineral intake while following a vegan diet.
Digestion A sudden increase in plant-based foods greatly increases your fiber intake. While your body needs fiber for normal digestion, too much in a small amount of time may have a negative influence on your body in turn wreaking havoc on your digestive tract. You may experience uncomfortable bloating, diarrhea, gas and even constipation. To better equip yourself against these negative experiences, drink plenty of water throughout the day, ensuring that your body is well hydrated and better able to aid your digestive enzymes to break down the fibrous foods. Another important thing to remember is to have a food chart
that explains what foods must be eaten first such as fruits before vegetables. For example, an apple would require 20 to 30 minutes to digest, while broccoli or potatoes would require 40 to 50 minutes. When you consume foods in the wrong order this causes a blockage to take place causing more stress on the body than is needed, therefore resulting in bloating and stomach aches. Another thing to remember is to not consume too much fiber when first venturing into this new diet; your body must first learn to adapt to this new lifestyle. As a result it may take several weeks for your body to recreate new digestive enzymes to be more adequate to this lifestyle. Deficient protein sources Proteins may either be complete or incomplete. Complete proteins provide all of the nearly two dozen types of amino acids your body needs. Animal-based foods and seafood provide complete proteins, with many individuals stating that your vegan diet does not allow you obtain all the necessary amino acids you may rest assured that there are certain foods known as miracle plants such as edamame also known as soybeans. By including some form of soybean dish into your daily diet you are better able to maintain a healthier body. Remember a vegan diet is not for everyone. If you wish to eat more vegan foods to become healthier but would still wish to consume some non-vegan dishes, this is fine, do not feel discouraged if you are unable to become a fully-fledged vegan. KWALTON@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
New ‘Daily Show’ host can take show in new direction RODNEY FIGUEROA THE TELESCOPE
“The Daily Show” has found a replacement for the legendary Jon Stewart. Late last month, the New York Times confirmed that Trevor Noah, a relatively unknown South African comic, and recent on air contributor to “The Daily Show” is poised to take the reins of the show upon Stewart’s exit. The timing couldn’t come any better for the show. As reported earlier, Jon Stewart is bidding farewell to “The Daily Show” after nearly 16 years of political jabs, call-outs and argumentative boxing with any and all political pundits. It’s a storied career spanning most of our memories of the show. Noah has been somewhat of an unknown comedian for a majority of his career, originally hosting a radio show in South Africa aimed at youth culture and entertainment at the age of 18. Leveraging his natural charisma and sense of comedy, Noah hosted several kinds of television shows and variety programs which were popular with UK Audiences: Shows like “Run The Adventure” from 20042006, “The Real Goboza” in 2008 and many other shows which never actu-
ally made it across the ocean to the United States. Regardless, many people in Europe became familiar with Noah’s comedic talent and delivery. In 2007, Noah relinquished his personal radio program to focus more on his comedic delivery and style, working almost exclusively out of South Africa, his humor trended toward joking about aspects of his surroundings and heritage. It’s Noah’s heritage that would help him push the envelope considerably in his career. The progeny of a Black South African mother and a White South African Father of Swiss and German Descent during the Apartheid-era rule in the region, his background shaped many of his political and comedic views. His observations on race relations and global ethnicity are the general focus of his comedy. His personal interest in global culture eventually led Noah to becoming a polyglot, well versed in many languages including English, German, Xhosa, isiZulu, Sotho, and Afrikaans. The decision to include Noah into “The Daily Show” stemmed from being part of several comedy sketches back in December 2014. Stewart took notice of Noah’s comedy routines and Comedy Central extended a job offer
Photo courtesy of Comedy Central
as a contributor to the show. When it was announced Stewart would vacate the position after the current year ended, the search began for a replacement. Michele Ganeless, the current Pres-
ident of Comedy Central made a public statement in regards to Noah’s rapid promotion, “We talked to women. We talked to men. We found in Trevor the best person for the job.” The speed of the selection shocked long-time fans who were looking for a more methodical approach to the replacement. Ganeless also commented on the decision: “You don’t hope to find the next Jon Stewart — there is no next Jon Stewart. So, our goal was to find someone who brings something really exciting and new and different.” Noah expects a torrent of criticism with many fans still questioning the quick nomination of the young comedian. With the internet gossip bubbling and reaching a fevered pitch, several Tweets Mr. Noah made some time ago targeting women and Jewish people have surfaced and caused a substantial amount of turmoil. So much so that Stewart had to intervene in the drama and issue a call for sanity in regards to some of Noah’s off-color commentary. Stewart joked that Noah “will earn your trust and respect ... or not. Just as I earned your trust and respect ... or did not. Or sometimes earned it and then lost it and then kind of got it back and then it was like, ‘F*** that guy!’”
Noah also defended himself on Twitter regarding the jokes, “To reduce my views to a handful of jokes that didn’t land is not a true reflection of my character, nor my evolution as a comedian.” Comedy Central is also currently echoing Stewart’s support for the young comic, and that they must if they hope for Noah to have any shot of reaching the same kind of heights that Stewart did in his tenure with “The Daily Show.” Truly, it would be a difficult chore to replace someone who has been sitting on “The Daily Show” bench for as long as Stewart. Noah has his work cut out for him too. An audience that seeks the same kind of adherence to the same show structure that Stewart so deftly applied to his show will not be so quick to budge if Noah should falter. The wound is still fresh for those liberal leaning fans, but maybe this change will spark a little more controversy and a little more discussion among long time fans. It aims to be an interesting change when Stewart steps down at a yet undisclosed time later this year. RFIGUEROA@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
8 • OPINION
Monday, April 27, 2015
Controversy surrounds California’s water restrictions PRO
Green lawns or drinking water, it’s our choice MICHAEL HAMERSCHLAG THE TELESCOPE
Kiss your green lawns goodbye The water you drink every day may have been drunk by the dinosaurs. The amount of water on earth has stayed the same for over four billion years and is constantly being recycled. Getting access to clean, dependable water supplies is vital to the survival of the human species. We need to change the way we use water and the amount of water we use as climate change (or just a really bad drought) changes the amount of water that California can provide. When I first visited Palm Springs, I was amazed at the plants and grass inside the beautiful resorts that looked like a lush jungle like landscape. It was common sense to me that it was not possible to grow these plants without importing water from somewhere else. Up until now this water has mainly come from the Colorado River and the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. When I moved to San Diego, I loved how everyone’s lawn was green and beautiful and the weather was perfect. Driving outside of neighborhoods, especially through Marine Air Station Miramar, I never noticed how there was no grass and there were no trees. I mean, I noticed but it did not completely occur to me that the green lawns and beautiful vegetation surrounding San Diego homes was an aberration. The local water supply did not support the type of plants that were being grown. This could only mean one thing, that the water was imported from somewhere else. As long as the mountains have a large snowpack that helps feed the rivers and streams and aqueducts, which transport water to San Diego, this is generally not a problem. Everyone gets enough water. We are lucky in the United States that we do not know what it is like to turn on our
water faucet and get nothing. California depends on the snowpack in the mountains to get through the hot summer and dry autumn. According to a USA Today article published on April 1, 2015, California snowpack levels were at 6 percent of normal for the end of March. Reservoir levels are at their lowest since the 1950s. Just drive past Lake Hodges in Escondido and look out at it. It’s gone from the freeway. You can’t see it. Not only are we not getting enough rainfall, but the rainfall we do get has not been converted to snow in our mountains due to higher than normal winter temperatures in those mountains. I remember when I first moved to California from New Jersey how impressed I was with Big Bear Mountain. It could be seen from Fallbrook covered in snow and it looked amazing! I have not seen Big Bear look like that for a couple of years now. No snow in the mountains means no water to get us through the summer. This all brings me to that fact that we have to conserve water. The biggest use of water (besides farming and feeding cattle) is our landscaping. If everyone voluntarily used less water there would be no need for restrictions. Unfortunately, many people do not seem to take the drought seriously or think it is some conspiracy aligned with climate change to take their guns. In these times it is the government’s responsibility to place limits on how much water everyone can use to ensure that we never turn on our faucets and nothing comes out. Water is a finite resource and until we begin building desalinization plants like they have in the Middle East we will have to use our precious water resources wisely. Having green lawns just does not seem that important. MHAMERSCHLAG@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
CON
Mandatory restrictions is not the most elegant solution FERN MENEZES THE TELESCOPE
Careful planning and implementation are the keys missing from California’s plan to become sustainable. California’s current population is over 38 million people, each person using an estimated 80 to 100 gallons of water each day. According to American Farmland Trust there’s over 100 million acres of farmland in California used for agriculture, crops and grazing. The people account for only 20 percent of the potable water usage and agriculture is accountable for 80 percent. Mandatory water restrictions are now in place for all of California. Agriculture usage and environmental usage are exempt. It is important for the farmers to get the water they need; after all they help supply the world with food. But some crops should be sacrificed. We can’t live without food or water, although we can live without almonds. Almond trees can quite a long time to mature, and require more water than other trees. Also, almond production has tripled in the past 15 years in California. California has been deep in the midst of a drought for the last four years, and it’s getting worse each year. This is said to be the worst drought since the beginning of record keeping. Alas, Gov. Jerry Brown has a plan. It begins with asking the cities and citizens to cut back on their water usage. As of April 18, the State Water Resources Control Board released the mandated water cutbacks showing that San Diego will be required to cut back by 16 percent. Originally Brown mandated a 25 percent reduction in water use and after the letters of objection came pouring in, this figure was revised and calculated according to each city’s water use at the end of 2013. The citizens of California, especially in San Diego County, are al-
ready environmentally conscious of every move that’s made: are we green, how big our carbon footprint is, recycle, use non-GMO, don’t use plastic and now decrease our water usage and let our yards die. The people want to help, what more can be done? Considering the number of droughts in the past, what has the state government done within the last three decades to avoid this situation? The last dam to be built was completed 36 years ago in 1979. Proposition One, which passed in November 2014, is a $7.5 billion bond to allow for more dams, financial support, tools, technical support and to give more support at the local levels for the development of water management, is not going to help us right now. Prop One is a part of Brown’s California Water Action Plan to make California sustainable in ground water management. Information about Browns’ plan can be found at resources.ca.gov/california_water_action_plan. Do we need more dams? We already have 1,250 dams. Prop One might cover the cost of one dam. It takes approximately eight to 10 years to build a dam – and that’s after all the surveys have been completed prior to the actual construction. With the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Clean Water Act and the California Environmental Quality Act of 1968 we can expect the process of finding the right spot to build a reservoir to furnish municipal water, hydroelectricity and manage flood control to be a long and arduous one. Some are thinking desalination plants will be the answer. There are three working plants in California, with 15 more proposed. The largest plant is in Carlsbad, Calif. and is set to open 2016. Built by Poseidon Water based in Boston, Mass., it will produce 50 million gallons a day, supplying the San Diego area with 7 percent of their potable water.
Desalination is not new, it has been used for many years, beginning in ships to convert seawater to fresh water. At desalination plants the fresh water is stored and released into the municipal water system. You can power 28,500 homes with the energy it takes to run the plant per day. In an article written by Paul Rogers and printed in the Mercury News, Carlsbad went through six years of battling for permits and 14 lawsuits and appeals before they could break ground. In 1991 the taxpayers of Santa Barbara paid $34 million to build a desalination plant only to shut it down after 4 months – when it began to rain. The cost of the water was too great compared to municipal water. Saudi Arabia and Israel have been successful with their desalination plants; it is the primary source for water in both countries. Careful planning and implementation are the keys missing from California’s plan to become sustainable. Many millions of dollars have been used up by departments within the state only to reach dead ends or be stopped by environmentalists. It’s not a supply and demand issue, it’s politics. It’s not about the smelt, which are not indigenous to California and which the environmentalist say are necessary to maintain the ecosystem in the Delta, and it’s not about the agricultural demands. It’s the lack of planning. There should have been some accountability after the drought in the 1970s. We cannot sustain life, be self-sufficient and preserve the future if there is no viable long term plan in place that will last through the generations that come after us. FMENEZES@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Background illustration by Joel Vaughn/The Telescope
SPEAKOUT
How do you feel about the California water restrictions?
“I think California should cut back.”
“I think that’s fine, nobody needs to be taking a 30 minute shower. I work in a (animal) shelter so when they clean they use a hose in the kennels. I don’t know how they would cut back.”
“This whole conservation of water is backward – they should be replenishing the water supply and one of the best ways would be desalination, taking the ocean water and making it safe to drink.”
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic. It should have been done way before this. I think it’s a little too late ‘cause we are running out of water very, very fast..”
“I work in a restaurant. We are not allowed to serve anyone water. They have to ask for it so it makes my job a lot easier.”
BRANDON YOUK, BIOLOGY
SIERRA MCKINLEY, PRE-VET
JEREMY MERCADO, BIOLOGY
NICOLA HOPWOOD, FASHION MERCHANDISING
TANARAT CROWE, NURSING
A&E • 9
the-telescope.com
The Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens in Encinitas provide a space where people can meditate or just enjoy the serenity of the grounds, as in this photo taken in mid-March at the Gardens in Encinitas. • Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope
Five prime places to relax in North County CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ THE TELESCOPE
With Spring Break long gone and only three weeks left in the semester, students at Palomar will be starting the last push to get assignments done, finish major projects, hope for extra credit and otherwise do everything possible to either keep up or bring up their grades. Brace yourselves, finals are coming. This can be a hectic time, so if you’re feeling stressed, burnt out, or
just stuck half-way through your research paper it may be a good idea to plan a study break and take some time out to relax. Luckily, living in North San Diego County it’s possible to find a number of unique spots to unwind that will appeal to people with different interests and cost next to nothing. So, without further ado, here are your top five new places to relax, spanning some of the different communities of North County.
JUMP TO RELAX PAGE 10
Enjoy some sandwiches in the rustic atmosphere of the Yellow Deli. Pictured are the Reuben and Yoga Vista Special (l-r), eaten on April 2 in Vista. • Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope
Visitors at Lakeview Park in San Marcos explore the small dock that juts out into Discovery Lake. • Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope
People of all ages visit the Oceanside Pier at night to fish or just take in the calm of the coast. • Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope
10 • A&E
Monday, April 27, 2015
RELAX
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Best place to relax outdoors: Lakeview Park, San Marcos A number of local parks can be found throughout the county, but Lakeview Park makes the list for its accessibility to the Palomar community and various opportunities for relaxation. Located only seven minutes from Palomar College, this park offers something for everyone. The facilities include a small picnic area, shaded benches to sit and read or take in the tranquil surroundings, and a fountain that doubles as a splash pad (though this feature is temporarily closed down due to drought). Those with young children will appreciate the small playground that sits on elevated ground and away from trails and areas of traffic. But what really sets Lakeview apart, is its 5-acre lake and flat trail loop where park-goers can bike, run, or simply walk and enjoy the sounds of the lake’s ecosystem. Trail buffs may hike up to Double Peak, as there is a trail that connects both parks. After all, exercise is an effective way to decrease stress. With so many offerings it seems that this park would be a hectic place to visit, but the trails and open spaces keep any one area from becoming congested. Even the trails themselves are wide enough for cyclists and runners to comfortably pass people walking. ProTip: For some inspiring views and cool photo ops, take the trail uphill or walk down to the dock on the northwestern edge of the lake. For more information, including directions to the park, visit the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation website. Best place to relax at night: Oceanside Pier The Oceanside Pier serves as great spot for anyone in need of a break after the sun sets Said to be the longest wooden pier in the West Coast, the Oceanside Pier essentially provides a 1,942-foot, welllit walkway for folks to take a stroll under the calm of the mild coastal night. A variety of people actually visit the pier at night (and the adjacent
North County locals, Doug Mau and his family, relax on the sand accompanied by their dogs during an April afternoon at Dog Beach, Del Mar. • Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope
bonfire pits), from fishermen to families, to college students, surfers, tourists, and couples young and old, so there is always something to watch. Yet the pier rarely feels crowded, and despite higher numbers of people on some summer nights, the mood among pier-goers is always calm and even friendly. You’ll find that your mind gradually clears as you pass by all these unknown companions. Now if you prefer something with more action, don’t count this spot out yet. Fishing is allowed on the pier, and while there are a few rules to follow, no license is required. This provides a convenient opportunity for those who enjoy this activity as well as for those who would like to try something new. The best nights to fish remain unknown to this writer, but if you figure them out you can join the other folks who line the length of the pier to fish into the late hours, as the pier is open 24 hours a day. ProTip: Bring a friend. While the area is relatively safe, there is a greater feeling of safety at night when you have company. Moreover, the length of the pier allows for just enough quality time to chat with others, always a great way to sort out your thoughts and reduce stress. Most unique place to zen: The Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens, Encinitas If you prefer to relax through selfintrospection, you might find the lush gardens of the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) center to be your new favorite place to decompress. Located in Encinitas, the gardens are a sort of oasis hidden at the edge of the county. Those who visit will find themselves surrounded by a variety of flowering plants, trees and other greenery clearly inspired by a love of nature. The garden is sectioned
into a few different areas that provide visitors with spaces to meditate or just relax for a little while. These spots include an overlook with a view to the ocean, a series of pools (including a koi pond) connected by small waterfalls, a number of partly secluded nooks with benches to sit, and a couple of spots of historical interest. A series of narrow paths connect each area of the garden, most of it shaded by trees that envelop the grounds, giving the feeling of being away in a private retreat. The garden is part of the Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat and Hermitage grounds that sit on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean along K Street in Encinitas. The center was founded in 1937 by Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, a spiritual teacher who helped introduce the practice of meditation to the U.S. in the 1920s. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because Swami’s Beach, located next to the center, was nicknamed and later formally named after him. According to information provided by the SRF, Yogananda intended the peacefulness of the grounds to be shared with others and as such the gardens are open free of charge to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (although donations are welcome). ProTip: According to a center staff person, the number of visitors has increased significantly in recent times, so if you’re looking for a more secluded opportunity, it would be best to visit on a weekday, when less people might be visiting. Indeed if you visit on a Saturday, you’ll find a steady flow of casual visitors that increases as late afternoon sets in. However, most people maintain courteous levels of noise for those that come to meditate.
Most relaxing place to grab a bite: The Yellow Deli, Vista Going out to grab a bite can make a great way to take a break. But if you want to eat somewhere where the atmosphere itself enhances tranquility, the Yellow Deli may be the place to go. Located in downtown Vista, the Yellow Deli is something of a hidden hometown character; it forms a unique part of it, yet stays away from the fray. Indeed, when you’re inside it’s hard to believe one of the city’s busiest roads runs one street over. The feel of this two-story eatery is cozy and quite serene. It has the look of a small, intimate country villa, with a rustic interior that’s illuminated by warm lighting. Perfect for enjoying a hot tea study break. As the name implies, the Yellow Deli specializes in sandwiches but also offers other light foods and a fairly large selection of drinks that include fresh fruit juices, teas and mate. The menu stands out in that a lot of the food is reported to be made fresh, often with organic or locally-grown ingredients. In fact, the people who run the restaurant reportedly bake the sandwich breads themselves. The menu also includes vegetarian options and with names such as “Yoga Vista Special,” you get a real feeling that this is a place to find healthy options. One last contributor to the calm of this spot is the staff itself. The folks that work at the Yellow Deli are all members of a communal religious group who, if anything, are known for serving visitors in a mellow and pleasant manner. Even during busy times you’d be hard-pressed to find stressed out servers rushing around the restaurant. And the attitude can be contagious; it’s hard not to respond equally calm to such interaction.
ProTip: The wait to be seated can be long during peak times, so plan accordingly. Additionally, this may also be a good place to get some late-night food as it is open 24 hours a day on Monday through Thursday. Best place to relax with your best bud: Dog Beach (North Beach), Del Mar. According to studies, spending time with dogs can promotes stress relief in people, so what better way to unwind than to spend a day at the beach with these four-legged companions? Thus, the last place on this list goes to North Beach, also known as Dog Beach in Del Mar. Dog Beach is precisely what it sounds like: a place where people can take their pooches to run around freely and spend some time together. Here you’ll find a number of people and their canine companions playing, walking, or simply sitting on the sand and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere that the beach offers. As one human visitor put it, “it’s definitely a great place to relax.” While some parks and other dogfriendly open spaces are available in North County, Dog Beach takes the recognition as a favorite due to its truly open space. Really, the only thing that fences in visitors is the ocean. Dogs are allowed off-leash during most of the year, from the day after Labor Day through June 15 and many take full advantage of the opportunity. But even with the number of loose canines, owner responsibility keeps the beach an enjoyable place to visit. Now those who don’t own a dog needn’t feel left out. The North Beach area is a nice spot to walk or jog and connects directly to the Main Del Mar Beach Area, which includes two coastal parks. But with the beautiful coast that distinguishes our county, it is difficult to find a beach that doesn’t inspire relaxation. ProTip: Parking may be difficult to find, so try to take the first spot you find along Camino Del Mar after you cross the San Dieguito Lagoon outlet overpass (you’ll see the Del Mar Fairgrounds to the East). Additionally, check out the city of Del Mar’s website for the complete rules regarding Dog Beach at http://www.delmar.ca.us. CRODRIGUEZ@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
It doesn’t have feeling, it doesn’t stop, ‘It Follows’ builds tension JOEL VAUGHN THE TELESCOPE
“It Follows” dredges up horror tropes of the 1980s to bring us a fresh departure from the jump scare-laden horror films of today. The film follows Jay, a fairly normal girl who is dating a boy named Hugh. Little does she know that Hugh has something that he passed on to her. Now it follows her. “It Follows” holds to the ambiguity of its monster throughout most of the movie and this works to great effect. It preys on the fear of the unknown. The only thing you and the film’s characters know is that it walks toward you, it can take the shape of anyone, you die once it touches you, and then it’s on to kill the person who had it before you. The beginning of “It Follows” is fairly quiet in comparison to the majority of its run time. It’s reminiscent
to the beginning of “Blue Velvet,” due to its quirky sense of slightly skewed normality. It’s tonally off-putting in the best way possible. Once it has passed that the film is a slow boiling pot of anxiety with a sprinkle of terror. But only a sprinkle, unfortunately. “It Follows” isn’t the most frightening film. This is partly due to the film being so dependent on its sound design rather than visual cues. While there is certainly some very unnerving imagery in the forms the thing that is following Jay takes, it’s never really enough to give you long lasting chills. But this lack of visual fright is made up for in audio-induced, pulsepounding tension. Droning synth and pulsating bass reminiscent of John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” and other horror films of the late 1970s and early 1980s, serve to break the quiet moments in the film. They signal and
Makida Monroe in ‘It Follows’ • Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media
escalate the coming of danger. The pounding footstep-esque base that plays whenever it is getting close is enough to leave you clenching your teeth and gripping your sweaty palms. However, it is arguable that the movie uses its sound design as a crutch, seeing as how the film would be a fraction of what it is without it. The film also manages to make
good use of its quiet moments as well. The thing that is after Jay doesn’t run - it slowly follows. This allows for the characters to actually have down time without breaking the films own logic. These quiet moments allow for both character development and a chance to build tension by letting them get careless without feeling as though it’s out of character with the rest of the
film. This would bring us to the film’s characters. While they’re all certainly character tropes of 1980s horror, they’re treated with more respect than they would be in other films. They don’t feel like they are being punished for some wrongdoing, rather they feel like their hardship is completely circumstantial. But that also leads us to one of the film’s bigger faults: the supporting characters. While they’re not bad, they’re certainly forgettable. Nothing really noteworthy happens to most of them and their acting isn’t particularly good either. They’re kind of just along for the ride. While “It Follows” doesn’t possess all the heart pounding horror of the films it tries to emulate, it’s certainly more memorable than its modernday low budget horror movie peers. JVAUGHN@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
A&E • 11
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Ceramic artist unsure how to mold his future career SUSAN WHALEY THE TELESCOPE
The decision whether to follow your passion or pursue a career with financial stability is never easy. Pursuing a technical degree may make sense, however, the love for art isn’t always easy to leave behind. And that’s why one Palomar student returned. Bob McAleese is a 24-year-old ceramic student who just returned to college after taking time off. His passion for ceramics happened almost by accident. When he needed an elective in high school and the drawing class was full, he was introduced to the ceramics teacher and enrolled in the class. “I got the bug,” McAleese said. In his last semester of high school he dropped calculus and doubled on ceramics. Then McAleese began his journey at Palomar in 2008 doing four semesters in a row of business and ceramics classes. When he was ready to transfer to pursue a business degree, plans changed and McAleese chose a different path. He stayed home and began working full-time as a manager at a tuxedo shop and stopped doing ceramics. That’s where the split happened, he said. When it came down to deciding what to do with the future, which route to take, it was a challenge and one he continues to struggle with. “I’m still doing the soul searching for which route I want go and taking everything that comes with it,” McAleese said. Sasha Jonestein, associate professor of art ceramics, has known McAleese for nearly seven years. She has been his professor every semester he took ceramics at Palomar. “It’s a hard field to commit to ... it’s not an easy road so it took him some time to decide where his commitments lie,” Jonestein said. He stayed in the position of store manager until 2011 when he decided to quit and begin to rekindle the flame he turned away from - ceram-
Palomar ceramic student Bob McAleese talks about his craft and motivations. • Stephen Davis/ The Telescope
ics. He said not being expressive is difficult for him. Having support really helps make the decision easier and without that life’s tough, it can be lonely, McAleese said. The main support in his life is his mom. She saw a skill in him early on and has always stood in his corner, believing he could make it happen, McAleese said. He also has an older sister, Tina,
and a newborn nephew. He said he always keeps family in the back of his mind. He lost his father when he was young and having a newborn baby in the family reflects new life to begin a new journey. He likes to push more out of himself to bring out the childhood playfulness that ceramics can incorporate. Essentially it’s mud and earth that can be played with. McAleese said it has been difficult
coming back to ceramics after dropping it and has encountered resistance. His solution was to create his own personal space at home, cleaning out the garage and organizing. Despite having his own studio, he enjoys being at Palomar because his people are here, he said. Working in a garage alone is so different. At Palomar, being around others, the triumphs and failures are all shared and they are bountiful here. Making art is a community activity and everyone in the studio relies on each other. There is only one professor, and a lot of students need help, so McAleese spends a lot time tutoring the less advanced students on how to use the wheel, Jonestein said. He is not only thoughtful and considerate toward others, but also patient which reflects who he is as an artist, she added. What he does isn’t easy because he works with such large objects, sometimes 10 to 15 pounds. Throwing that much clay takes skill and strength, which McAleese has, she added. Even two pounds of clay can whip people around on the wheel. McAleese also has a strong world view that is embedded in his vessels, Jonestein added. “He isn’t interested in making dinner bowls,” she said. He is interested in making vessels as a representation of the self. The idea of using recycled clay interests McAleese. Many times a piece doesn’t work out for someone, either from collapsing or a simple slip of the hand, and the clay gets thrown in a bucket. Then McAleese comes along and takes the “broken dreams” out of the slop bucket and gives the clay energy and a new life. “He really thinks about what it means for that clay to be re-transformed and converted to something else,” Jonestein said. Even in his own pieces, he tries to work with the flaws. Once, someone knocked into one of his vessels
he had spent hours on, and he ended keeping it and working with it. “He didn’t get mad, he embraced the experience,” Jonestein said. He asks himself how he will respond, then incorporates that experience into the life of the object. McAleese said he wants to celebrate the flaws. It’s fun but also a frustrating process. When a pot breaks, it’s not the end of the world. A pot can always be made again, unlike certain things in life. You can’t always turn your back, you have to just deal with it, McAleese said. He said he gravitates toward ceramics to tune out the world. He is sensitive to the feelings of others, especially when they are having a bad day, and when he feels the pulsating clay between his fingers, it helps him feel present in the moment. McAleese is still undecided on his future plans. He is almost done with the classes he needs to transfer yet he still feels the rippling between art and a business degree. “If i were to pursue the business degree, i would still have art on the back burner, but that’s the question, do I want to take it off the back burner and make it my focus,” McAleese asks himself. He plans to be at Palomar next semester, as he is in the process of training to be head studio tech. He said he hopes one day to financially provide for his future family with his art. He said that may make him ignorant. But he believes that when you withhold gratification and apply good energy to the things you love, the possibilities are endless. Even though he isn’t happy about leaving a good paying job, art is where his soul is, McAleese said. McAleese will have his work shown in both the student art and craft sale from April 22 to 25 and the opening for a student art exhibition and open house on April 24. McAleese will have his work shown in the student art and craft sale till May 8. SWHALEY@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
ALBUM REVIEW
Capsula keeps rock ‘n’ roll more alive than dead on new live LP EDWARD ROSA THE TELESCOPE
“Dead or Alive” is the first live LP from red hot rock ‘n’ roll outfit Capsula. Live is how I discovered them, and if you haven’t done the same, now is a hell of a time to do so. The record captures the vibrant, raw energy that they bring to the stage in a fantastic collection of songs that span their career. It has often been lamented in recent times that rock & roll is dead, or dying. “Dead or Alive” renders the question immediately moot. Capsula is a power trio comprised of Martin Guevarra (vox/guitar), Coni Duchess (vox/bass), and Ignacio Guantxe (drums). Originating in Buenos Aries, Argentina, the band later relocated to Bilbao, Spain where they are currently headquartered. Although the band seems to spend so much time on the
road, one questions how much time they actually get to spend there. The band started when Martin and Coni met and bonded over their love of David Bowie and Lou Reed. Not bad fuel for starting a rock ‘n’ roll fire by any means. But they were merely the accelerant that would propel the band to generate the explosively combustible music they create. Frequently the subject of praise from music critics attending festivals that the band plays, Capsulas’ live show can’t be hyped enough. One hits a point where the hyperbole spewed forth upon any wouldbe convert becomes inefficacious as a result of the volume of said praise. The only thing for it is to go to the show. I defy any fan of live rock music to not fall in love with this band by the end of their first song. Now that isn’t to say that this is one of those situations in which a band is fun live, but
Cápsula. Photo courtesy Dena Flows • Flickr Commons
then fails to deliver on record. On the contrary, Capsulas’ records are some of the most vital collections of real rock ‘n’ roll out there. They just also happen to be able to blow your mind again in a live setting. That is why “Dead or Alive” is such a great record. You get the best of both worlds ... almost. Nothing
other than going to another show can truly recreate that feeling. The taste of gin and beer. The intoxicating mix of the smell of cigarettes and cloves wafting through the night air that intermittently breezes through the club. Air which you cherish the arrival of so sweetly because the heat generated by the crush of
bodies in front of the stage is keeping the ambient temperature in the room slightly warmer than that which you dressed for. And of course rock ‘n’ roll. Raw, real and loud as hell. The most vital positive force known to humankind. At the end of the night, you exit the club. It’s way later than you should be up, you are drenched in sweat with no clue how much of it is actually yours, you bought one more drink than you should have, your ears are ringing, and your throat is raw from screaming in approval all night. And you are still smiling the next day. That is Capsula. Their music isn’t just great, it’s necessary. “Dead or Alive” is a crucial chronicle of one of the most incendiary bands out there at the zenith of their vitality. “Dead or Alive” from Capsula. Don’t forget about it, get about it. EROSA@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
12 • A&E
Monday, April 27, 2015
Steph Johnson Trio fills theater with funk and soul AMBER ROSARIO THE TELESCOPE
Palomar’s Performing Arts department consistently puts on Concert Hour performances for Palomar students and others who simply love music to enjoy. The Steph Johnson Trio can be added to that list of those great performances. On April 16, The Steph Johnson Trio electrified the stage at Palomar’s Howard Brubeck Theatre with a captivating soulful jazz performance. Making up this Trio is Steph Johnson, the vocals and guitarist of the group, Rob Thorsen, who mans the upright bass and the young Fernando Gomez, who dominates the drums. This trio is a down right a harmonious masterpiece full of soul, jazz and funk that is insanely fun to watch. Ellen Weller, Palomar music professor, introduced the trio to the audience and fervently explained her praises for the group. Even stating that the lead vocalist, Steph Johnson, “had a ear for music unlike any other she had seen before.” This introduction left us all intrigued for the sensory indulgence our ears were about to go through. The trio started with a bang, performing Thelonious Monk’s, “Straight, No Chaser.” Johnson and Thorsen had an amazing chemistry between one another that only elevated this song and let’s not forget to mention drummer, Fernando Gomez, his drum solo that left the audience clapping for more, from
Steph Johnson Trio in performance in the Howard Brubeck Theatre on April 16. • Amber Rosario/The Telescope
an upbeat Monk funk to melodic oceanic tune by Chico Pinhiero. Pinhiero’s “Tempestade,” really displayed Thorsen’s skill on the upright bass. The smooth tune with a Latin flare was mesmerizing. Almost as captivating as the fact that Johnson sang the entire song in Portuguese while killing it on the guitar. The gradual rise from a relaxing tone to upbeat jazz, high-
lighting bass and percussion, really highlighted the entire groups talents. The Southern California group plays effortlessly together, which as a viewer was perfect because it allowed the audience to take the group in as a whole. No specific individual’s talent drowned out the others. Throughout the entire perfor-
mance Johnson’s captivating spirit as a performer was undeniable. Whether it was an original piece or a cover, she left every ounce of herself in each song. “ It was really interesting how she (Johnson) captured the audience, it was special.” Keyry Diaz, a Palomar student, said after the show. After a couple of standards Johnson prefaced an original piece
titled, “The Big Life,” by explaining to the audience that she wishes someone told her to just do what she loved from the start. In a bold move, Johnson left her job in banking to pursue music full time. This inspired the song, “The Big Life,” and it became obvious it held a deep meaning for Johnson as she sway from side to side on the stage belting out the big lyrics of the soulful tune. Standard after standard delivered emotion as well as the previous one. The culmination of the performance came however when the trio performed their original standard, “Happy People.” While fighting back her emotions, Johnson shared that her mother was not doing well so this song would be especially important to her. The rest of the trio gave her encouragement as the song began to fill the room. The slower melody and haunting lyrics were a juxtaposition to the title of the song, yet the song felt like an inclusion in Johnson’s deepest feelings. The guitar, the bass and the drums all captured the essence of the song so well. A couple seconds into the entire performance and it was no secret the talent this trio holds. Each member performed with their whole being and it was entrancing. Musicians like the Steph Johnson Trio are important to see. They bring an organic prowess to jazz that is often unheard through their performance that feel so personal. AROSARIO@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Five life-enhancing benefits of reading books regularly STEVEN BURIEK THE TELESCOPE
Roughly 42 percent of students will never open up a book after they graduate. This is a staggering statistic that would decrease if the populace knew the benefits of reading books. A couple inches of stacked paper printed with exposition can give rise to a heap of benefits. Studies have shown that reading a book for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels up to 68 percent, improve writing skills, and even prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. Here are five reasons why reading books on the daily is an advantageous and beneficial practice for all individuals. 1) Books are a means of escape. “No two persons ever read the same book.” –American writer, literary and social critic, Edmund Wilson. Diving and immersing your mind in literature is an escape from the daily strains of life. A story of fairy tale, Scifi, murder mystery, or even bibliographies with exceptional individuals living astonishing lives feed our appetite for entertainment and fantasizing. Each piece of literature is a look into the mind of another, into another realm, and we are given the opportunity to translate those words and stories into a cinematic movie in our own heads. Words are specific to every individual’s paradigm and have the effect of being translated and visualized
based on the understanding thereof. Books enable us to fly the coop from the everyday routine. With the perpetual smorgasbord of lit available to cut into, any prose that fits your fancy can be satisfied, and every escape imaginable obtained with each flip of a page or scroll of a mouse. 2) Reading enhances the creative mind and imagination. “A book is a device to ignite the imagination.” – English playwright, screenwriter, actor and author, Alan Bennett. Our brains are constantly yearning for stimulation, for a way to be exercised and built into a finely tuned machine of imagination and creativity. Those that read regularly have more potential to think up what has not been thought of before. They gain insight and tap into the uncharted spaces in their minds, which allow alternate views of life and fantasy to be shed so they may grow and develop, squeezing out the creative juices original to each individual. 3) Communication skills will wax strong. “As vocabulary is reduced, so are the number of feelings you can express, the number of events you can describe, the number of the things you can identify! Not only understanding is limited, but also experience. Man grows by language. Whenever he limits language he retrogresses!” – American Writer of Science Fiction, Sherri S. Tepper. Reading enhances your vocabulary. As long as you are reading
Photo courtesy Flickr Commons
around college-level reading, you are bound to cross paths with new and interesting words. The level of communication with fellow human beings will be enhanced exponentially with the new level of verbiage and confidence you will possess in the written and spoken word. Always carry around a dictionary or thesaurus when reading, so when that foreign word crosses your line of sight, a quick look up will bring a new addition to your vocabulary. Chances are there will be an opportunity to use the word in future conversation. The more efficient your communication becomes, the more you will be able to express yourself with confidence in a clear and succinct manner. 4) Brain Power. “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn the more places you’ll go.” -
Children’s book writer, Dr. Suess. Books provision all-encompassing knowledge of the past, present and future. If you wish to learn something, chances are you will find what you’re looking for in some book or reading material. Reading the right material will open doors to a vast amount of knowledge, and with knowledge comes power and success. Blogs, Tweets and summarized internet regurgitations will not provide the amount of in-depth reading or knowledge that a book provides. These social windows were made for ease of access and quick assimilation of information with easy of the main points and snippets. Fully enveloping in the whole enchilada of a book is more beneficial to the cognitive functions of the brain. Reading a book doesn’t dumb us down with the summarized type of
reading that the Internet provides. It is a focused and in-depth method of absorbing information, without the constant distraction of bombarding ads and activity that lures the eyes away. Those who read books are more focused, and less neurotic. 5) People who read are much more interesting. “If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.” – American essayist, lecturer and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. People who read are just more exposed to the world, they travel all ends of the earth with stories of far away places, and the content fiction or non-fiction absorbed through reading gives them an intriguing magnetism. They are knowledgeable, creative and much more likely to hold an interesting and stimulating conversation. These people never lose ground on what to talk about because of the copious amounts of information and exposure they receive from literature. As well as being filled with a wide array of subject matter floating in their minds, habitual readers are usually more inquisitive and curious in regards to many of life’s question. They are constantly seeking out new and unexplored prose filled with new ideas that broaden their mind. Through reading, they expand their reach of connecting with a myriad of people, groups and new experiences derivative of their reading habits. SBURIEK@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
NEWS • 13
the-telescope.com
Student president election uncontested Malik Spence
Michael Nagtalon
I’d like to make it (associated student government) more attractive so we can obtain more people in ASG.
To get them (students) heard, we need to get out there and provide that personal touch ...
MALIK SPENCE • STUDENT
MICHAEL NAGTALON • STUDENT
Running for student president
Running for student senator
Candidates speak during forum on intentions to represent students CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK THE TELESCOPE
Palomar’s Associated Student Government held an open forum on April 20 for students to question potential candidates for next year’s student government. Next semester there are 14 senator positions available, president and vice president. The forum was hosted by current vice president Michael Dentoni who asked presidential candidate Malik Spence and senatorial candidate Michael Nagtalon questions about their plans for ASG and how to make students more aware of its presence.
Spence, currently a senator in ASG, was very prompt about his answer. “While holding a position (in ASG) is already fulfilling, I’d like to make it more attractive so we can obtain more people in ASG,” Spence said. Nagtalon, who currently serves in the Inter-Club Council (ICC), felt that the ASG needs to make students aware they have a voice, so they would feel more engaged in the school. “To get them to be heard, we need to get out there and provide that personal touch; you know, value their time,” Nagtalon said. Both candidates have been heav-
ily involved with ASG throughout the year; Spence said he started off as a delegate before being promoted to senator in February. Nagtalon said he has been to every ASG meeting this year; paying attention to how they run the group and getting a feel for how the ASG is involved in student affairs. When asked about how they would handle controversial matter such as the gender neutral bathrooms, both were very delicate in their responses. “You want a neutral approach to things; get as many viewpoints as possible. You’re not going to appease everyone but you want to make a decision that is best for the
Transfer workshop on campus informs students about options JOSEPH SANDOVAL THE TELESCOPE
Palomar College had a transfer workshop April 14 to help guide students around the ins and outs of transferring to a 4-year college. Elvia Nunez is the Transfer Center director and she talked about the basics of transferring to a 4-year university to a University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and out of state schools. Claudia Nunez is a sophomore at Palomar College and said she is looking to transfer to a four-year university but isn’t sure where. “The workshop really helped me out what I need to do so I can go to a 4-year university,” Claudia said. “The transfer counselors taught me to keep my options open and figure out what path is easiest to get me into a four-year university.” Transferring to any of these schools can be difficult, which is why there is a sheet called Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). What this form does is guide community college student on how to attend a four-year university by taking General Education (GE) and prep classes to take. The workshop counselors informed students that one way you can find out if any of your college credits are transferable is to check out assists.org. This site can help you find out what classes you have to
take to be able to go to a four-year university. To transfer to a UC school, you’ll need to have 60-transfer credits that go hand-in-hand with your degree, with a minimum 2.4 GPA. If you were to follow the (IGETC), you would have a pattern tag, which means you are guaranteed to get into six of the nine UC schools. Those six UC’s are Davis, Irvine (who requires a minimum of a 3.4 GPA), Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. CSU schools require you to have 60 transferable credits, a minimum 2.0 GPA, complete the golden four classes, and 30 GE units. The golden four classes are oral communication, critical thinking, math, and English. The form that guides you to CSU schools is called California State University General Education Guide and helps you take the classes you need to go to a state school. These is a total of 23 CSU schools to choose from. Out-of-state schools and private schools don’t have a form to guide you. They require a minimum of transfer level units, English and math requirements and SAT scores. Some out of state schools have a Western Exchange (WUE) scholarship. With this scholarship, some out of state schools can be a lot cheaper than California universities. For more information, visit http://www.palomar. edu/counseling/transfercenter/. JSANDOVAL@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
students,” Spence said. Nagtalon agreed, but added to it. “There’s a certain empathy you have to have in every situation. At best, you want to make a decision that is best for the students...after all, that’s who we’re serving,” Nagtalon said. After the forum concluded, Dentoni expressed his confidence in the people running for ASG. “Being in ASG is a challenge in itself; from what I’ve seen, Malik and Michael tend to respond well to challenges,” Dentoni said, pointing out to their involvement in helping to plan student activities on campus.
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CBULLOCK@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
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14 • SPORTS
Monday, April 27, 2015
Swim team makes waves at PCAC tournament CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK THE TELESCOPE
Palomar’s swimming teams made a splash at the PCAC Swim Championships April 16-18 at Wallace Memorial Pool. The men’s team won the PCAC championships in dominating fashion, scoring 821 points during the three-day meet. San Diego Mesa finished the meet in second place with 761 points, followed by Grossmont with 723 and Southwestern College with 320. Sophomore Rich Farley, who also was a member of the PCAC champion men’s water polo team, was a triple event winner during the meet. Farley won the 500-yard freestyle, 200 and 100-yard freestyle; these exploits led him to be named the PCAC
Men’s Co-Swimmer of the Year. The women’s swim team finished the meet with 581 points, which was good enough to place them second in the conference. The eventual winners, Grossmont, won the conference and the meet with 892 points. San Diego Mesa with 530 and Southwestern with 391 round out the rest. On the women’s side, Kendyl Mundt and Morgan Brown finished first and second in the 200-yard butterfly. Mundt set a meet record in her win, finishing with a time of 2:23.40. The teams won’t get much of a chance to celebrate. They still have one more meet left, the CCCAA Swim Championship in Monterey Park April 30 through May 2. CBULLOCK@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Top: Palomar’s Morgan Brown swims the 100-yard butterfly on the first day of the PCAC Championships held at Wallace Memorial Pool on April 17. Brown won her heat with a time of 1:07 to advance to the April 18 finals. Above Right: Palomar’s Paul Lee competes in the 200-yard butterfly event held April 18 at Wallace Memorial Pool. The Comets hosted the 2015 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s swimming-diving championships. Bottom Right: Palomar’s Landon Van Horn competes in the 100-yard freestyle held April 18 at Wallace Memorial Pool. The men’s team took home the PCAC Championship after winning firts place at the PCAC Swim Championships. Bottom Left: Palomar’s Paulina Dehaan (L) won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 1:00. Palomar Swim Coach Jem McAdams (R) presented Dehaan with her first place medal Friday 18 April at the Wallace Memorial Pool. Photos by Philip Farry/ The Telescope
SPORTS • 15
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Think before you post: An athlete’s guide to social media etiquette AMBER ROSARIO THE TELESCOPE
Palomar's Lee Lee Tomlinson (center) with Head Coach Leigh Marshall (left), Assistant Coach Damian Cephas (top), and Assistant Coach Chris Kroesch (right) on April 8 in the Dome prior to signing her letter of intent to Presentation College located in Aberdeen, S.D., on a basketball scholarship. • Stephen Davis/The Telescope
PALOMAR COLLEGE SPORTS ON THE GO
Tomlinson, Sumpter sign letters of intent
Palomar women’s basketball has another reason to celebrate after their best season in history. Sophomore guards Lee Lee Tomlinson and Daijon Sumpter have accepted basketball scholarships to Presentation College and Bethel College, respectively. Presentation College, located in Aberdeen, S.D., finished the 201415 season 8-17. Bethel College, a Christian school in Newton, Kan., finished 10-18, but had the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Player of the Year in April, Harpe. Tomlinson, who originally came from Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, finished her sophomore season averaging 2.9 points per game to go along with 2.1 assists per game. Her biggest contributions, however, were on defense. She finished fourth on the team with 34 steals. Sumpter, a product of Fallbrook High School, was primarily a bench player in her two years at Palomar. She finished her season averaging 1.5 points per game and had 10 steals.
Young wins twice at PCAC Championship; track and field falls short of title
Palomar women’s track and field
team didn’t finish with the results they wanted, but they did take home a few first place titles. The Comets finished fourth out of six teams at the PCAC Track and Field Championships at San Diego Mesa’s Merrill Douglas Stadium April 18. Southwestern won the meet with 260 points, followed by Mesa at 179. Cuyamaca finished third with 89, with San Bernardino Valley 76 and Chaffey College 18 taking the final two spots. For the Comets, De’ondra Young won in both the hammer throw and shot put. Young, a freshman out of Vista Murrieta High School, won the hammer throw with a distance of 167 feet, 3.08 inches. The throw was actually the second best in both the men’s and women’s categories. In the shot put, she won with a throw of 37 feet, 0.49 inches. Teammate Simone Everett finished in second place in both events, but finished first in the discus throw with a distance of 118 feet, 10.77 inches. The team’s other first place finish came from Jessica Betancourt, who won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:55.04. Sarah Martinez placed fifth with a time of 12:54.59.
“Disney is making a movie about Mo’ne Davis? WHAT A JOKE. That slut got rocked by Nevada.” Those were the exact words used in a tweet by Bloomsburg University’s first baseman Joey Casselberry about America’s sweetheart, Little League pitcher Mo’ne Davis. This jarringly insensitive tweet resulted in Casselberry’s immediate removal from Bloomsburg’s baseball team, a tarnished reputation and a wave of Internet backlash that accused Casselberry of being racist, sexist, and completely insensitive, among other things. This is a prime example of how college athletes should not use social media. As with many college athletes before Casselberry, one misstep of social media use and that’s the end of their college career as they know it. You see, when you sign on the dotted line to compete in college athletics, at any level, you contractually take on the responsibility of properly representing your school in the best manner possible. Coaches, mentors and alumni all take turns hammering into their athletes’ heads the guidelines of proper sportsmanlike conduct year after year. Yet somehow this message still falls on deaf ears. Having heard these same warnings in my four years of competing in collegiate track and field, here’s
a more digestible guideline to keep in mind when it comes to being a college athlete using social media. 1) Think before you post. You’ve heard the old adage ‘think before you speak’. In this day in age, it is important to think before you post. Ask yourself one of these two questions before you post to social media: What would a recruit think? Would my grandma be ashamed? I guarantee you will know if that post is post-worthy.
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2) The Internet is Forever. Keep in mind what you post to social media and the Internet lasts forever; it’s never completely gone even if you think you have deleted it. That means someone can read that really stupid tweet you posted at 3 a.m. after a night out and, just like that, your collegiate career is over. So, instead of posting it and regretting it later, don’t do it at all. 3) No Alcohol.
Inevitably, due to the nature of college, at some point in time you will find yourself in the presence of alcohol, or other drugs. As tempting as it may be, it is your responsibility as a college athlete to conduct yourself correctly. Posting pictures with alcohol while representing your team or school is a huge mistake and drunken selfies are just as bad. Stay away from the alcohol when posting to social media. They leave a bad impression, can lead to suspension and not to mention most colleges have random drug testing for their athletes. 4) No Ignorance. As you can see in the case of Joey Casselberry, ignorance is rarely tolerated in college sports. Never vent your ignorant kitchen table talk onto social media because now, more than ever, it will not be tolerated. In fact, listed within Palomar’s Athletic Department general information, it is very clear that “making public statements that are derogatory, controversial or outside the college’s accepted media policy is unacceptable behavior.” A huge goal of being a college level athlete is to compete to your full potential and show the world exactly why your team is the best. Take these four simple guidelines and use it to eliminate making mistakes, like Casselberry, and think before you post! AROSARIO@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
COMPILED BY CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK
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Fell in love with the game
JOSEPH SANDOVAL THE TELESCOPE
Palomar’s De’ondra Young (center) and Simone Everett (second from left) finished first and second in the hammer throw and shot put during the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Track and Field Championship held April 18 at Mesa College. • Philip Farry/The Telescope
As a child I was a big baseball fan, and I played baseball from the age of 5 to the age of 12. I never thought I would stop playing the sport of baseball, I loved it too much. But then I fell in love with hockey. My last year of Little League, I told myself, “Baseball is too boring. I want to play a sport that is entertaining.” I knew I wasn’t going to go far with baseball because I just wasn’t good. I took some time off from baseball to really figure out if I wanted to continue playing. One night, I sat and watched a hockey game with my dad and after seeing how the sport was played made me realize that hockey was going to be the next sport I would play.
In the sixth grade, my middle school was trying to start a hockey team and I wanted to play on the team. At first, I was second guessing if I should play but my dad encouraged me, saying “I saw you lose the love for the (baseball) game ... so try out for the hockey team.” The following weekend I did. It was my first time playing. The years went on and I never stopped. I still continue to play with either hockey friends or in a league. What the sport really did for me was teach me to never give up on anything that I love or am passionate about. Playing hockey prepared me for Palomar College, with the hard situations hockey hands to me by making fast and good decisions. How it compares to Palomar is I have to make good decisions or else I won’t be able to transfer out.
Hockey taught me how to work hard. In school, I have learned that you have to take classes that prepare you for your career. With hockey, I played on teams that prepared me for the next level and really pushed me to do my best. Hockey has helped me focus on my goals. In my professional life, I want to be a sports broadcast journalist. When I play hockey, it reminds me that all of the ends and outs of the game are what lead to a win. Palomar helps me take the classes I need to take to transfer to a 4-year university and get a grasp if I really want to be a sport broadcast journalist. And whenever I am stressed out, I can take my challenges to the ice. JSANDOVAL@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
16 • SPORTS
Monday, April 27, 2015
PCAC tennis says hello to Bettina Olah MIKE ADAMS THE TELESCOPE
For freshman tennis standout Bettina Olah, the game has been on her mind from the beginning. First picking up a racket and playing at age 2, she was on the court before she could tie her own tennis shoes. Since arriving at Palomar, Olah has been outstanding, splitting four matches against the two-time reigning PCAC champion, Grossmont’s Jaella Conway (winning twice and losing twice, with the second loss in the PCAC singles championship). With the first loss coming against the No. 5 player in the state at the time in just her second match, Olah’s adjustment to college-level competition has come with ease. Being recognized as a PCAC Women’s Athlete of the Week earlier in March for her victory over Conway came as a surprise to Olah. “I didn’t know I could get an award,” said Olah with a laugh after winning her double and singles matches in straight sets on April 2. For Ronnie Mancao, head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams, the opportunity to coach Olah is something he’s been happy to have . “Bettina is unique. She’s very talented and has been taught well in the past. She already has the strokes so mainly we work on the tactics and strategy of the game,” Mancao said. Having a very successful time during his 15-year tenure as coach, including winning multiple conference championships and the 2011 ITA Region 1 Women’s Coach of the Year award, Mancao sees the potential Olah has and mentioned that a few 4-year
universities were already monitoring her progress. While excelling individually, Olah was also not hesitant to speak about the love she has for her teammates, something that seems to be reciprocated throughout the squad as freshman Rebecca Benson attests. “In the beginning none of us knew each other at all, but when there’s only four people on a team it’s hard not to become super close. We’re like a family, all of our personalities work really well together,” Benson said. Olah also appreciates the help she gets from the only sophomore and returning player on the team, Teresa de Anda. “She is amazing. She tells us what it was like last year and how to prepare,” Olah said of her doubles partner. Olah has been preparing for this most of her life. Starting lessons at age 7, she moved from Barnes Tennis Academy in La Jolla to the ISA Academy in Rancho Santa Fe at 13. During this time, Olah was traveling to Los Angeles and Arizona for tournaments quite often. Olah was homeschooled her freshman year of high school before going to San Marcos and eventually transferring and graduating from Twin Oaks High School. She chose to take a two-year break from the sport from ages 16 to 18 to refocus and prioritize her education, she said. After the drain of playing consistently for the majority of her life, she
felt that a break was much needed. “Those two years off helped me find myself and get away from being just a tennis player,” Olah said. Academically, Olah is enjoying her time at Palomar, taking multiple courses with the goal of earning a major in kinesiology. While still unsure about her future occupation, Olah knows that an advancement in her tennis career is in the near future. Getting back into her old form wasn’t a long process for Olah to pick up again as she just restarted training in January. With a smooth serve, quick backhand, and competitive streak, the left-hander is relishing her chance at Palomar. To her teammates, Olah seemed reserved at first but as the season went along she has shown herself to be spirited and upbeat all the time. “Bettina is very competitive and shows no hesitation,” said teammate Christina Nguyen, a freshman international transfer student from Vietnam. With that level of intensity and the camaraderie that they have, the quality of the team has been greatly boosted. MADAMS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
Palomar’s Bettina Olah returns a serve in the first set against San Diego City College. Olah won her match 6-1, 6-1 held March 17 at Palomar. The Comets beat the Knights 6-3 and improved their record to 5-8 (5-5 in conference). • Philip Farry/The Telescope
Looking for a good hangover cure? Try the headstand pose SUSAN WHALEY THE TELESCOPE
After doing yoga for a while, you may want to try something new and challenging. A headstand is the perfect technique for a more fun, invigorating yoga session, that also has many benefits to the body and mind. Headstands are good for flushing out toxins, so it is especially helpful during cold season, according to “Yoga Cures” by Tara Stiles. It is also beneficial for curing hangovers, which can be a nasty waste of a day to any college student. Although, I don’t know how many hungover people want to be upside down; at least give it a try. It can’t be promised this will cure you, but if it does nothing else, it flushes out negative thoughts and worries that linger in the mind. Headstands can get the blood circulating in your body and head, which is a perfect way to start your day before school. The traditional way of doing a headstand is using the forearms as a foundation, but as a beginner it is easy to start by using your palms to balance. It takes a lot of practice and patience to fully master the headstand technique. Begin by sitting on your heels. Interlace your fin-
gers and lay your head in your hands for support. Stand up while still keeping your head on the floor and legs straight, with toes touching the ground. Feel this preparation pose out and when you’re ready, slowly walk your feet closer to your body to ailgn your body. Start by kicking one leg up at a time to get the balance. You will find where your center of gravity needs to be to keep the legs up and straight. When you are ready to get your legs in the air remember two things: 1: Don’t push pressure on your head. Use your arms for a foundation and use the strength of your core to center your balance. 2: Breathe in. Breathe out. Push all the toxicity out. It also helps to stare at an object in front of you not moving. Be careful of your neck with the headstand. Lay in Child’s Pose for a minute after the a headstand to relieve pressure or tension in the neck. If it’s painful, don’t try the headstand. With finals coming up, getting sick from a cold or losing an entire day to a hangover can hopefully be avoided or at least lessened with doing headstands. SWHALEY@THE-TEESCOPE.COM
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AND GET PREPARED FOR OUR GRADUATION EDITION OF THE Yoga headstand pose demonstrated by Telescope staff writer Amber Rosario. • Stephen Davis/The Telescope
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