ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
All You Need Is One Stop At Miami Dade College
This issue marks The Reporter’s one year anniversary of being a publication. Take a look at what the inaugural editorial staff has to say. PAGES 8-9
Student Athlete Spotlight
Single Stop USA offers students free financial advice, benefits screenings and tax preparations.
Marifranchi Rodriguez, Miami Dade College volleyball middle blocker is considered one of the top players in the nation.
TURN TO NEWS, PAGE 5
TURN TO SPORTS, PAGE 11
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.
4VOL. 2, ISSUE 4—OCT. 4, 2011 www.mdc.edu/thereporter
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MIAMI CULINARY INSTITUTE
Culinary Institute Students Earn Coats More than 100 students from the Miami Culinary Institute officially received their chef coats at the School’s Inaugural Chef Coat Ceremony on Sept. 23. By Akeem Brunson akeem.brunson001@mymdc.net A chef’s coat wears its work — each stain is earned. On Sept. 23 more than 100 students at Miami Dade College’s Miami Culinary Institute officially received their coats at the college’s Inaugural Chef Coat Ceremony. “The coat to me was like a coming of age,” said Karina Gonzalez who received her chef’s coat during the ceremony. “It symbolizes the beginning of my career, something I want to do for the rest of my life.” Students receiving their coats
during the event had already completed their preliminary lecture courses. They began hands-on learning Sept. 26. The ceremony marked the start of an intense, but educationally enriching journey for the prospective chefs, said Chef John Richards, the MCI Director. “It really takes a lot of hard work and support,” Richards said. “They are going to emerge in a sustainable culinary education and have a true world-class experience in food culture innovation.” Gonzalez is like many of her classmates. Her passion for the culinary field started young. She is recent graduate of Robert Morgan Educational Center’s culinary program. That program allowed her to gain some stains on her wardrobe. TURN TO COATS, PAGE 5
PARKING
Too Many Students, Too Little Parking Students at Miami Dade College struggle with parking availability. According to records, there are more students than there are designated parking spaces. By Monique O. Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net Jenny Lazo gets to school at 7:30 a.m. to attend a 9 a.m. class. Despite her efforts, she still struggles with getting there on time. “There is never any parking. I have to circle that parking lot so many times,” said Lazo, a 21-yearold InterAmerican Campus student. “And by the time you arrive at the gate, the guard tells you that there are no more spots, to keep going around the block. I always end up being late.” Lazo’s problem is a common theme across Miami Dade College’s eight campuses and one outreach center. There is a higher demand for parking spaces than available parking spots.
INDEX: PLEASE RECYCLE
BRIEFING
For fall 2010, the College reported 117,317 enrolled students and 16,424 parking spaces available college-wide, according to David M. Kaiser, the College’s director of institutional research and David Barcus, the College’s district planner. Not all of those students drive, nor are they on campus at the same time. However, many face the same parking gridlock, particularly in the morning. At Wolfson Campus, during the morning rush, cars are often seen jostling for space and lines routinely snake out of the garage, waiting for their turn to enter. At Kendall Campus, many commuters who can’t find parking are forced to improvise—parking on the grass. Students at various campuses said the situation can get so frustrating that sometimes they give up and pay for parking in private lots. Wolfson Campus parking TURN TO PARKING, PAGE 7
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NEWS
JOSUE MOLINA / THE REPORTER
HOMESTEAD CAMPUS
School Of Aviation Allows Students To Soar Miami Dade College’s School of Aviation partners with Dean International Flight Training School and Wayman Aviation in order for students to complete their flight requirements. By Melissa Adan melissa.adan001@mymdc.net What do New Orleans Saints football player Jimmy Graham, Florida State Representative Frank Artiles and NBC Miami Chief Meteorologist John Morales have in common? They have all trained at the Dean International Flight Training School located at KendallTamiami Executive Airport in Miami.The school offers private pilot, instrument and commercial, multi- and single-engine training to students
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SPORTS
Got News? Let Us Know. Contact Us:
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11
A&E
VIDEO | Visit us online for an Inside look at the Eig-Watson School of Aviation at Miami Dade College’s Homestead Campus. www.mdc.edu/thereporter
looking to pursue an aviation career. Now Miami Dade College students will be able to share in that experience. On Aug.22, MDC’s Eig-Watson School of Aviation at Homestead Campus signed an agreement with Dean International and Wayman Aviation, a flight school at Opa-Locka Executive Airport. The agreement is expected to boost the enrollment of the College’s aviation program.Students in the program can earn their Associate in Science degree in professional pilot technology. TURN TO AVIATION, PAGE 7
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THE REPORTER IS THE FREE BIWEEKLY STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE. ALL CONTENT IS PRODUCED BY MDC STUDENTS. THE REPORTER IS A PUBLIC FORUM FOR EXPRESSION.
2 BRIEFING | OCT. 4, 2011
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// BRIEFING Melissa Adan, Briefing Editor  // 
T (305) 237-2715 
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B melissa.adan001@mymdc.net
First Annual Learning Fair to be held in Kendall
Critical Language Scholarship Now Open
MDC Receives $3 Million from Department of Energy
On Oct. 8 Miami Dade College will be hosting the First Annual Miami-Dade Es El Moment: Feria Para Aprender, or The Learning Fair. It will be held at Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104 St., in the gymnasium, building 7000. The event will go on from 12 p.m. through 5 p.m. The Spanish language education program was created five years ago with an aim to increase parental involvement and college readiness in Latino communities. Thousands of free books and hundreds of educational exhibits will be available to the public, including activities regarding students educational path and how to seek financial aid. The event is free and open to the public. It will be presented by CommuniCard, Univision 23 Miami, Univision Radios stations and MDC.
The Council of American Overseas Research Center has recently begun to accept 2012 applicants for the Critical Language Scholarship. The program provides a chance for students to study in one of thirteen foreign countries the program supports, for seven to ten weeks. Qualified students will receive full living and travel expenses as well as a full paid trip to Washington D.C. for orientation. To be eligible to apply students must be a U.S. Citizen, be at least 18 years old, and be enrolled at an undergraduate or graduate level degree-granting program. Undergraduate students must have at least one year completed by the summer of 2012. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy notified Miami Dade College’s School of Engineering and Technology that they received a $3 million grant to train students in the nuclear industry. The award is an eight-year grant. Students apply through the program to work in nuclear facilities and obtain scholarships and fellowships to attend. “It’s wonderful,� said Director of School of Engineering + Technology Richard White. “The first part [students get] is tuition paid for and the second part is a fellowship paid for to work in the summer in the Department of Energy laboratories across the United States with professionals.�
—Maria A. Moscoso For more information, Visit: www.FeriaParaAprender.com
National Cyber Security Awareness Month Information Technology, the network services department at North Campus, will host an event in October as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The IT Department will host a presentation in Room 4208 at North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27 Ave., on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. The department plans to educate students on measures they can take to make sure their private information is safe online so that they do not fall victim to phishing scams or information theft. A brochure with the “Do’s and Don’ts� of information security will be provided. —Christian Portilla For more information, contact: infosec@mdc.edu reportspam@spam.mdc.edu
Ed Calle Promoted at North Campus Jazz artist and former music professor at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus, Eduardo J. Calle, 51, has been named Chairman of the Arts and Philosophy Department at North Campus. Calle is a two-time Latin Grammy nominee and coordinator of the Latin Jazz Festival at the KendCALLE all Campus. He has been at MDC since 2004, teaching music business and song recording courses. He is also part of the AfroCuban funk band PALO! “The department is the home of Music, Dance, Theater, Art, Photography, Humanities, and Philosophy,� Calle said. “It is a large responsibility, but we have a great team.� —Jose Prado
—Igor Argibay For more information, visit: clscholarship.org
MDC Offers Early Childhood Education Bachelor Starting in January of 2012, Miami Dade College will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. The degree is a 120 credit hour program for students interested in a certification in Preschool, Pre-K and Primary areas. English for Speakers of Other Languages, Pre-K Disabilities and Reading endorsements will also be included. The approximate student cost is projected to be $11,883.36. That does not include special fees. —Gabriela Reyes For more information, contact: Office of Academic Programs T(305) 237-3715
MDC Student wins $1,000 Scholarship Alyssa Guiterrez, an accounting major and Honors College student at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship was awarded by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), a nonprofit organization whose primary GUITIERREZ goal is to encourage scholarship opportunities among two-year college students. Guiterrez entered the “Coca Cola Leadership for Promise� scholarship, a scholarship that allows new PTK members to use their scholarship money while attending a twoyear community college. Eligibility requirements include: Being a current PTK member and having a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the time of the application is entered. —Morena Guerrero For more information, visit: http://www.ptk.org
—Annette Dominguez
Maria Elvira Salazar Speaks at Homestead
Community Blood Centers Visit MDC
Journalist Maria Elvira Salazar will be speaking at the Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace. on Oct. 6 at an event titled “Live snapshot of a Hispanic TV personality.â€? Salazar, who most recently hosted the show Maria Elvira Live on Mega TV, has worked as a television reporter SALAZAR for almost 27 years. She will be speaking at the Homestead Campus in Room F222 from 9:50 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Among her achievements, Salazar was the first Hispanic correspondent for CNN; she has won five Emmys and has written a book in Spanish, “Si Dios contigo, ÂżQuien contra ti?,â€? which translates to “If God is with you, then who is against you.â€? In addition, Salazar was one of the first reporters on the Spanish International Network known today as Univision. The event will be hosted by professor Yanely Cordero. It is free and open to the public.
Community Blood Centers of South Florida will have their bloodmobiles at all Miami Dade College campuses at various dates from October through December. Students will be able to donate blood from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. at each location. “We always need O- or O+ blood types,� said Nieves Losa, Vice President of Operations for CBCSF, “But we mostly need O-.� If you do not know your blood type, simple blood tests are held to find out your blood type and determine whether or not you are eligible to donate. Students who donate will become eligible to apply for scholarship programs at MDC offered by CBCSF. They will also get T-shirts, sub sandwiches, and other free items depending on the location.
—Jael Teme For more information, contact: Richard White T(305) -237- 3735 rwhite@mdc.edu
For more information, contact: Nicole Bryant nbryant@mdc.edu T(305) 237-5223
New Student Councils Created Two new councils were created at Kendall Campus under the Student Government Association—the Campus Activities Board and the Council of Students Organizations. The CAB will work with students to plan diverse activities for the Kendall Campus, such as concerts and special events. The council works directly with MDC administrators. Meanwhile, the CSO’s hopes to get clubs to participate more in activities offered on campus. Leslie Wilson will serve as the adviser for CSO and Shirley Armenteros as the adviser for CAB. Interested students can fill out an applications in Room 126. —Jael Teme For more information contact: Kendall Campus SGA T(305) 237-2722
InterAmerican Campus to Host Boot Camp The Student Life Department at the InterAmerican Campus is sponsoring a series of Boot Camp sessions to bring awareness to the importance of physical fitness and exercise. The Boot Camp classes are being held at InterAmerican Campus, 627 S.W. 27 Ave., in Building 401, on Oct. 3, 5, 10, and 12 from 12 p.m. -1:30p.m. “We started offering these fitness sessions for students during the Spring 2011 term and found that students really appreciated the opportunity to work off some stress and learn good techniques,� said Director of Student Life at InterAmerican Campus, Antonio Delgado. —Amy Zuckerman For more information, contact: InterAmerican Campus Student Life T(305) 237-6163 istudentlife@mdc.edu
MDC Offers a Trip to Italy Miami Dade College is offering an educational trip to Italy next year from April 29 to May 7. The trip will be open to all MDC students or recent graduates currently attending Florida International University. The group will travel to Italian cities Venice, Assisi, Florence, and Rome. A visit to the Galileo museum in Florence has been planned. Informational meetings will be held at Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104 St., on Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. in Room 2111 and at 7 p.m. in Room 6346. —Alexandra Dalpe For more information, contact: Professor Georgina Hart ghart@mdc.edu Professor Maria Mari mmari@mdc.edu
Spring Term Registration Beginning on Oct. 10 information on student registration appointments for the Spring term will be available through student’s MYMDC.net student e-mail account. Spring Registration begins on Oct. 17 for students in The Honors College and New World School of the Arts as well as students who are: enrolled in a bachelor’s program, applied for graduation, veteran’s, in the School for Advanced Studies, or an enrolled degreeseeking student with 45 or greater number of credits completed toward their degree. Registration begins on Oct. 18 for currently enrolled degreeseeking students with 30 or greater number of credits completed toward their degree. On Oct. 19 registration begins for currently enrolled degreeseeking students with 15 or greater number of credits completed toward their degree. All other students such as, non-degree-seeking students,
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—Brandon Lopez For more information, contact: Nieves Losa T(305) 398-5640
Meet the Author at Homestead Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace, will be hosting a “Meet the Author� event on Oct. 10. Miami Herald columnist and features writer Fabiola Santiago will discuss her work, and offer tips on story writing. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room F222. SANTIAGO Santiago, who has a book called “Reclaiming Paris,� has worked at the Miami Herald since 1980. She also is the author of essays, poetry and short fiction. The event is free and open to the public. It will be hosted by professor Jose Blanco. —Jael Teme For more information, contact: Nicole Bryant nbryant@mdc.edu T(305) 237-5223
non-credit students, transient students, High School Dual Enrollment, and early admission students have open registration on Oct. 20. —Annaliese Garcia
To register, students are to go online to the MDC student portal http://www.mdc.edu/current/ and click on the Register, Add/ Drop Classes link on the left hand menu. For more information,contact: Advisement Offices and the Admissions and Registration Departments Hialeah Campus: T(305) 237-8775 Homestead Campus: T(305) 237-5555 InterAmerican Campus: T(305) 237-6045 Kendall Campus: T(305) 237-2222 Medical Center Campus: T(305) 237-4160 North Campus: T(305) 237-1425 West Campus: T (305) 237-8947 Wolfson Campus: T(305) 237-3077
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OCT. 4, 2011 | BRIEFING
THE REPORTER
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1 MARK PULASKI / THE REPORTER
2 ELISA DURAN / THE REPORTER
3 BRANDON LOPEZ / THE REPORTER
4 ELISA DURAN / THE REPORTER
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Thieves in the Night: Rap duo Black Star, consisting of members Mos Def and Talib Kweli, performed on Sept. 27 at the Fillmore on Miami Beach.
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Meet the President: On Sept. 28, Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón held an open forum for students at North Campus. Padrón plans to visit all eight campuses during the next few weeks.
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Chinese Harvest Moon Festival: Dozens of students celebrated the Harvest Moon Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 21, hosted by the Confucius Institute at Wolfson Campus. Performances included Chinese folk dancers, acrobatic performances, sword performances and much more. Students also had the opportunity to have tea and moon cake, as well as have their name written in Chinese.
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Journalism Speaker Series: On Sept. 24, Belkys Nerey, co-anchor for WSVN 7 News, kicked off the Journalism Speaker Series at Miami Dade College’s North Campus. She shared her experience as a broadcast journalist in the field.
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Barry is one-on-one attention As an award-winning news anchor for 610 WIOD-AM, Nathalie Rodriguez speaks to thousands of South Floridians each morning. She credits BARRY UNIVERSITY’S communication program with opening her eyes to the various avenues available in the field. “You can’t beat BARRY’S one-on-one attention and top-of-the-line education. BARRY is a part of me forever.”
www.barry.edu/DadeCom
Nathalie Rodriguez News Anchor 610 WIOD-AM
Bachelor’s and master’s programs in broadcast communication and public relations Real world experiences • Intimate learning environment • Dynamic, accessible faculty Main Campus: 11300 NE Second Avenue • Miami Shores, Florida 33161-6695 • 800-695-2279
OCT. 4, 2011 | NEWS
THE REPORTER FREE SCREENINGS
Program Aids In Finding Resources
// NEWS Monique O. Madan, Editor-in-Chief  // 
T (305) 237-1253 
// 
B monique.madan001@mymdc.net
‰‰ Single Stop USA offers MDC students and their families free screenings for resources such as food stamps, financial counseling, health insurance, legal advice, psychological counseling referrals, and tax preparations. By Paul Vila paul.vila001@mymdc.net
CHANELL QUINONES / THE REPORTER
Kitchen Confidential: The first class of the Miami Culinary Institute received their chef coats during the inaugural ceremony in building 1 of Miami Dade’s Wolfson Campus on Sept. 23.
Miami Culinary Students Honored With Coats FROM COATS, FRONT
“As a high school student I won a tomato contest that allowed me to be on a Canadian food network with famous chef Lynn Crawford,� Gonzalez said. “My winning preparation was a tomato, grilled chicken and basil dish.� In the contest, students had to prepare nutritiously balanced dishes with tomatoes from the contest sponsor, Teena’s Pride, a
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500 acre vegetable farm located in Homestead. Gonzalez, is excited to get the fire started at the MCI. “This college, it’s definitely not your regular school,� Gonzalez said. “It’s different.� Collen Engle, chef instructor at MCI, believes the ceremony brought students, their families, and the community closer. “This is a very uniting ceremony,� Engle said. “It makes it much
more special for the families to see what we have arranged and how truly important it is to the students.� Staff Writer Kirsten Rincon contributed to this report. Miami Culinary Institute 415 NE 2nd Avenue #9104 T(305)237-3276 http://www.miamidadeculinary. com/
Marguerite Meraud, a nursing major at North Campus, is one of many students searching for financial assistance. “I used to get Medicaid, but now that my son’s 18 they cut it off,� Meraud said. She turned to Single Stop USA, a service at the College that offers eligible students free screenings for resources such as food stamps, financial counseling, health insurance, legal advice, psychological counseling referrals, and tax preparations, for help. “Someone from Single Stop came to one of my classes and explained the program to us,� Meraud said. “I’ve been with them for the past three months in order to file my request to reclaim my Medicaid.� Single Stop USA was launched at Miami Dade College in October 2010. Its a non-profit organization whose main goal is to ensure that households are kept financially stable. Since January, they have served more than 2,000 students at MDC— a $3.62 million value of benefits and services, according to Barbara Pryor, the Director for Single Stop USA’s offices at MDC. Offices are currently located at North and Wolfson campuses, as well as at the Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center. “There is government money for government benefits that gets left on the table every year,� said Janet Zoglin a Miami-based Single Stop consultant. “People don’t claim
VIDEO | Visit us online for a peek inside Single Stop USA at Miami Dade College. www.mdc.edu/thereporter
that money because if you go to a federal aid office you have to wait three hours and the people don’t treat you right sometimes. People get frustrated.� In response to this, the Benefits Enrollment Network (BEN) was created. BEN is a computer program that does a rapid screening for people to determine the benefits that they are eligible for. After the screening process, Single Stop helps the individuals apply for the benefits they qualify for. Pryor says she has noted the increasing number of students and their families using the resources available at Single Stop, despite second thoughts about the success of the program. “We were a little nervous, usually when students think of government benefits or food stamps there’s a negative connotation associated with that,� Pryor said. “But just assisting students, we’ve been able to make a name for ourselves and established our existence on campus.� Jarrid L. Smith, an AmeriCorps VISTA Program Leader for Single Stop, says he’s heard just about everything. “If you’re looking for heartening examples, I’ve got them,� Smith said. “A student in his early thirties came in about a month ago, I walked up to him and asked how I could help. He said ‘yes, I’m hungry.’ This student was from Texas and he had spent all of his money on his courses. He had no family here. We were able to connect him to soup kitchens and other forms of food resources.� For more information, contact: Barbara Pryor, Single Stop Director bpryor@mdc.edu T(305)237-1444 http://www.mdc.edu/main/ singlestop/
TEXTING
National Distracted Driving Campaign Targets College ‰‰ Florida’s Department of Transportation works with Miami Dade College to promote the nationwide campaign, Put It Down.
FACTS: DISTRACTED DRIVING
20%
By Brittany Esquijarosa Britt.esquijarosa001@mymdc.net Two years ago, an estimated 5,479 people were killed in the United States due to distracted drivers—most of them involving texting and driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Texting while driving still remains legal in Florida. “The reality is, that by the time 2011’s statistics roll around, many more people will have been killed,� said David Ramil, Public Information Officer for the Department of Transportation’s District 6. In an effort to curb texting while driving, the Florida DOT has been working with Miami Dade College and schools across the state to promote the nationwide
Percent of injury crashes in 2009 were due to distracted driving
5,479
People killed in the United States due to distracted drivers
995
Number of deaths that involved cell phone use by drivers under the age of twenty.
Using a cell phone while driving delays the driver’s reaction as much as when having a blood alcohol level at the legal limit of 0.8% GRAPHIC BY: ORIANA FERNANDEZ—SOURCE: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION campaign, Put It Down. The campaign was introduced to MDC students in early September by the DOT’s District 6 team. Officers hosted a table at each campus where they explained the hazards of texting and driving, gave away items, and had students sign petition cards pledging to put their cell phones down while driving. “By signing the petition card, students are making a
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commitment not only to themselves but to their family and friends to seriously put it down,� Wolfson Campus Student Life Director Teresa Reigosa said. The United States Department of Transportation, whose other campaigns include Click It Or Ticket and You Drink You Lose, is focusing on getting texting and driving to become banned altogether. “Technology has changed the game. This wasn’t an issue 10 years
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ago. Today it’s one of the greatest distractions on the road,� Ramil said. Increasing death and accident rates throughout the years are what have transformed texting and driving into such a frownedupon act. Research shows that 20% of injury crashes in 2009 were due to distracted driving; 995 of those involved cell phone use by drivers under the age of twenty, according
to NHTSA. NHTSA studies also show that using a cell phone while driving delays the driver’s reaction as much as having a blood alcohol level at the legal limit of 0.8%. “I do it all the time. I’ve never gotten into an accident or been pulled over, so I tend to never think twice about it,� nineteenyear-old Kendall Campus student Rosalba Daniel said. Although texting and driving is illegal in certain states, the Preemption Law prohibits localities from enacting distracted driving bans in Florida. “We just want to get people to understand that this is a growing problem,� Ramil said. “People aren’t aware that a simple text such as ‘I’ll meet you in five minutes’ can potentially cost them their life.� Florida Department of Transportation - District 6 T(305) 470-5335
FAU Day
SPRING APPLICATION DEADLINE NOV. 15
Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus 8FEOFTEBZ 0DUPCFS t B N o Q N In front of MDC’s Admissions Office This is your opportunity to learn about our programs, the admissions process, scholarships, on-campus activities, student services and so much more!
Join us for FREE refreshments & giveaways. WWW FAU EDU ADMISSIONS s
OCT. 4, 2011 | NEWS
THE REPORTER
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HOMESTEAD CAMPUS
School Of Aviation Signs Partnership FROM AVIATION, FRONT
ROBERTO PORTAL / THE REPORTER
SNAPSHOT Hula Time: Kendall Campus student Natasha Franco hula-hoops as a demonstration for new club called “MDC Flow” at Club Rush on Sept. 28. Students were able to visit club booths and find out about information about all the organizations on campus.
“We are super excited,” said Robert Dean, President of Dean International. “This agreement opens up the doors for so many things. Our biggest goal is to see students accomplish something.” Jose Chen, 27, is one such example. Chen graduated from MDC’s aviation school five years ago with a flight license and an Associate in Science degree in professional pilot technology. He also has a bachelor’s degree from Embry Riddle— one of the nation’s top aeronautical universities. Chen is currently a program coordinator at MDC’s Eig-Watson School of Aviation “Flying is definitely a passion I have,” Chen said. MDC’s School of Aviation program has been around for 46 years with the intentions of preparing pilots to fly around the globe. Tuition to attend Eig-Watson School of Aviation is $105.48 per credit hour, compared with other aeronautical institutions such as Embry Riddle that charge $1,195 per-credit-hour. Miami Dade College’s program also offers an in-house scholarship to students, ranging from $5,000 to $7,000. “We are the most affordable school in the nation,” Chen said,
“because we provide the ground training and students do the flight training with the flight school.” Aviation students begin their two-year program at the College by selecting one of three majors: professional pilot technology, aviation administration and aviation maintenance management. Each of these programs offers students the opportunity to become an air traffic controller. After students complete their groundwork at the college, they move on to their flight school training. “The flight training takes around five to six months to do a full course,” Dean said. “If students want to, they can start flying their first year, and can complete their associate degree in just one year.” Once students graduate, it is recommended that they obtain a bachelor’s of Applied Science in Supervision and Management at MDC. To experience the training aviation students receive, The Reporter participated in a flight lesson with the president of Dean International. Dean explained, more than a thousand feet above the air, why he loves flying. “I get to go home every day and I get to see the world,” Dean said. “It’s a dream with an airplane.”
PARKING
MDC Student Population Outnumbers Parking Spaces Institutional Research
FROM PARKING, FRONT
attendant Nancy Jimenez said she routinely feels the heat associated with the lack of parking space. “It’s a headache,” Jimenez said. “I know its frustrating for them, but its frustrating for me too. I’m the one that has to tell them that there is no more space in the lot. Imagine, people get rude and angry.” College Provost Rolando Montoya says parking is a national problem at many institutions. “Yes, we have a parking problem,” Montoya said. “This is why we are building several facilities at different campuses.” Hialeah Campus will commence construction of a parking garage that will accommodate 900 parking spots. The project is expected to be completed prior to the end of 2012, according to Vice Provost Patrick Rebull. “At our Wolfson Campus we are just now starting the design effort for a new parking garage to be located adjacent to the New World; it will accommodate 482 new parking spaces. It’s expected to be completed by the end of 2012,” Rebull said. “We will also be paving the currently vacant parcel of property just south of NE 3rd St. and east of NE 2nd Ave. to provide 74 new parking spaces. This additional parking lot will be completed prior to the Book Fair beginning on Nov. 14.” West Campus expects to start construction before the end of the
Here’s a breakdown of how many spaces are available at parking lots and garages across Miami Dade College. Statistics are current as of 2010. Campus
Students Enrolled Fall 2010 (Credit and Noncredit)
Parking Capacity in Parking Lots And Garages
North
25,506
5,651 Lot Spaces
Kendall
36,373
4,257 Lot Spaces, 728 Garage Spaces
Wolfson
22,761
445 Lot Spaces, 2,262 Garage Spaces
Medical
3,275
551 Lot Spaces
Homestead
5,523
510 Lot Spaces
InterAmerican
10,159
200 Lot Spaces, 400 Garage Spaces
Hialeah
6,508
783 Lot Spaces
West
5,326
581 Lot Spaces
MEEC
1,886
56 Lot Spaces
CHANELL QUINONES / THE REPORTER
Parking Pains: Students wait in line for parking at InterAmerican Campus. Records show that students outnumber the parking spaces at Miami Dade College.
year on a parking garage that will accommodate 1,830 vehicles. The Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, a North Campus outreach branch, added a new parking lot this fall semester that accommodates 56 vehicles. “Believe it or not, it makes a significant difference. It used to be really bad.” said H. Leigh Toney, the Meek Center’s executive director. “It’s an improvement because students are parking closer to the building. No one will argue that this is not a good thing.” Students that attend the Meek Center also have the option of
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*Chart depicts fall semester 2010 statistics provided by David M. Kaiser, the College’s director of institutional research and David Barcus, the College’s district planner.
parking at four other locations that have arrangements with the College, such as Walgreen’s, Edison Gardens Apartments, the Martin Luther King public lot and the U.S. Post Office. A shuttle service is a available. Last January, Kendall Campus gained 200 parking spaces when they added a lot on campus, Lot 16, located between the softball field and lot seven. Students insist that is not enough. “I have to go hunt people, chase them down, ask them if they’re leaving,” said Stephanie De la
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Rosa, a 19-year-old Kendall Campus student. “Like four songs later, I’m still looking for a spot.” Montoya says that sometimes students need to be patient and park farther away. “Although parking is difficult on certain days and at certain times at some campuses, the search of available spaces does not take hours,” Montoya said. “Sometimes drivers need to park on the upper levels of parking garages.” This fall, the College instituted a $3 per-credit-hour access and parking fee. The fee is now part of tuition, to all students—residents
and non-residents—regardless of whether they own a vehicle or take public transportation. Montoya says the funds generated by the access and parking fee will contribute to the operational expenses of the parking facilities, not toward building additional parking lots or garages. Students like Alexandra Aleksandrova are not happy about that. “If I’m paying a parking fee, then I expect better parking,”said Aleksandrova a student at the InterAmerican Campus, “or at least a parking spot.”
8 THE REPORTER | OCT. 4, 2011
VIDEO | Visit us online for an exclusive group inteview with The Reporter’s first editorial board. www.mdc.edu/ thereporter
THE REPORTER ONE Y
The Reporter is proud to announce that today, Oct. 4, 2011, marks our one-year anniversary. This college-wide student publication is the culmination of the many years of service of three former campus newspapers: North’s The Falcon Times, Kendall’s Catalyst and Wolfson’s Metropolis. We aim to continue to build upon the strong foundation built by our parent publications and hope that this marks but the first year in a long line of future volumes of The Reporter. We will continue to seize the truth and deliver it every two weeks to the racks and in the hands of you, the students, faculty and staff of Miami Dade College. Below are the accounts of the inaugural editorial staff of The Reporter.
ANNIVERSARY
A Year Too Fast The first editor-in-chief of The Reporter describes her first year’s experience as a merged publication.
By Monique O. Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net I have become very acquainted with the word “deadline.” I’ve learned that its first four letters are an understatement. This year, sometimes being dead sounded more pleasant than striving to make deadline. I didn’t plan on this, you know. I expected to be normal. An average college freshman, with feasible responsibilities. Perhaps a student reporter that turned in stories and then went to the movies. Maybe someone who didn’t have 90 people on her mind at the same time right before she rests her head on the pillow—and then gets a call from a staff member for help at 2:21 a.m. I thought I’d cover one campus—but I thought wrong. I was slammed with seven more. The Reporter newsroom—where black coffee runs strong and creamer is non-existent—has become my home. However, everyone knows “home” comes with both comfort and chaos. Luckily, my hair is still partially there. I’m taking biotin because I’m shedding from stress, but hey, at least I can say I’ve seen it all. In one year I’ve seen four staff members exchange clothing with a colleague—from shoes to pants to blouse to jewelry—because the reporter had an unexpected
interview with a city commissioner, and she had sweatpants on that day. I’ve seen photographers roll in mud and chase fires just to get that perfect shot. I’ve gotten yelled at by high-profile individuals, had the opportunity to dig up criminal records and have gotten doors slammed in my face. I’ve witnessed editors interview famous musicians such as Bizzy Bone, 50 Cent and Iggy Pop, and seen reporters shoot video from an airplane. I’ve had people offer me a clementine, rather than an orange, and have gotten chastised for not knowing the difference. I’ve seen the staff invest blood, sacrifice showers, skip meals and go delirious after 24 hours of not sleeping. Here, not only have I learned about journalism and reporting, but I’ve learned about others and myself. I’ve been pushed and shoved into really getting to know what I’m capable of. I’ve earned a family here. A union that is unbreakable, with the same goal—to produce a paper that will inform. And being part of that first family fuels me to be more passionate about what I do. In one year, I’ve been blessed to lead a staff that has tested my patience, made me break down in tears, engraved a smile on my face yet still manages to make me whisper at the end of each day: “It was all worth it.” Being editor-in-chief has opened my eyes to what things are really about. I’ve learned that no one is going to care about my skyrocketing GPA, or the number of clubs I join, or the billions of organizations I claim to contribute to. What does matter to me is knowing that immersing myself in The Reporter has made me a better me—exercising my passion and commitment, and given me the chance to experience the violent, intense field of journalism. Although I don’t have all the answers, The Reporter has armed me with the confidence and the heart to ask all the questions—especially the tough ones.
“ “ “
To be the first to do something is nice; to be the first something to be proud of. The group of students that starting The Reporter gave their heart to this project. overcame them. They exceeded expectations, but ne better. They raised the bar of what student journalism should be. They sacrificed their personal lives for something they arguments and disagreements, they believed in one another and the student body. And for that, they will forever be part of the lega
Manolo Barco served as the adviser to The Reporter during its inaugural year. He is still the paper’s adviser.
Being part of the The Reporter for me was a unique e never been part of a group or anything in my life that until I joined [The Reporter.] On a weekly basis each o together a newspaper. What made it more exciting w the first-ever staff, and we were asked to carry forwa regime. It was hard work, but at the same time I learned a lot and also almost like a movie or reality show. On a daily basis we dealt for each other, from lunches to coffee time, to disagreements, an were also moments when we celebrated anytime one of us accomplished something
Hector Gonzalez served as sports editor to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Gonzalez is currently studying prin University.
The Reporter was an interesting experience for me. W was the only designer, so I was tasked with setting up paper. I think this experience was one of those few tim career where they were given a blank slate and told t especially in design, one’s decisions are based on thi in the case of The Reporter, there wasn’t any “prior.” It was an int to give this paper an identity that students across the College wo importantly, I think I became very aware of who I was as a design as a professional are literally in print. That pushed me to always improve, innovate and become a more efficient designer.”
Lazaro Gamio served as art director to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Gamio is currently majoring in Electro the Arts.
“
I’ve always loved a good story, and the one attraction their were many stories that just need to be discover me with the opportunity to discover. I’m an extremely art of capturing a story as an image. I always told pho work with the paper that they are journalists too. Rep quotes and statistics to support their article and tell their story. B only have one shot. Our shot must show the story in a way that b article for readers. As the [North Campus] photo editor [during T year I’ve gained a new sense of camaraderie. Capto Veritas.”
Akeem Brunson served as North Campus photo editor to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Brunson is currently th
www.mdc.edu/thereporter
The Reporter
@TheReporter_MDC
OCT. 4, 2011 | THE REPORTER 9
YEAR ANNIVERSARY
“
I never thought that a newspaper would give me so much to be thankful for. In my time at The Reporter, I got a family and the experience I needed to continue to my future endeavors. As a writer, I learned about timeliness, that a deadline is a deadline and if its not met, it can cost you everything. As an editor, however, I learned about teamwork and how when one of your colleagues is falling behind, it’s okay to go back and help them. The support that I got while on The Reporter can’t be found anywhere else. Whenever someone felt down, or doubted themselves, the quick remedy was to get on a desk and do the chicken dance. I really hope that that tradition continues. The stories that I’ve written, the interviews I’ve conducted and the experiences we shared, will always stay with me. Our conference trips—unforgettable. Our inside jokes—incomprehensible. I can honestly say that I feel fortunate to have been on the first staff of .” Monica Suarez served as briefing editor to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Suarez is currently studying Broadcast Journalism in the Honors College at Miami Dade College.
to do it and do it well, is t were charged with . They faced obstacles and ever stopped striving for m at Miami Dade College y all believed in. Despite d their mission—informing acy of The Reporter.”
experience because I’ve meant so much to me, of us worked hard to put was the fact that we were ard the torch for a new d now it’s paying off. It was lt with each other, cared nd breakfast clubs. There g big.”
nt journalism at Florida International
Within the inaugural staff, I p the visual look for the mes in any designer’s to go nuts. Often, ings that have come prior; teresting experience ould respond to. More ner. All of my shortcomings d streamline; and ultimately
“
Working on The Reporter really made me understand what journalism is all about: persistence, aspiration, late nights, a lot of coffee and working as a team. This paper was my first taste of journalism and has truly prepared me for what’s to come in my future as a professional journalist. I can honestly say that because of my experience with the paper, I feel confident in my journalism work and I know I have what it takes to be a reporter. I am forever thankful for the work experience that I received, but most importantly for the people that I met while working there. I met life-time friends, people that have pushed me because they know they can, people that have made me want to be better and most importantly people that have faith in me. Thank you The Reporter for changing my life and for being a memory that I will hold forever in my heart. ‘For The Reporter, I’m Alexandra de Armas.’ ” Alexandra de Armas served as North Campus bureau chief to The Reporter during its inaugural year. De Armas is currently currently majoring in Telecommunications at the University of Florida.
“
Working till 5 a.m. and photographing three U.S. presidents was never part of the plan, but it all happened because of The Reporter. You’d think we’d get tired eventually. Or get bored. Unlike most sane folk, we didn’t, and we worked through all our obstacles, lack of sleep and junk-food spoiled appetites. Methodically, we worked as a team, and in the end of the day, we put out a product we could all be proud of. Our determination was unmatched, only paralleled by our passion towards helping each other with one common goal: publish a darn good newspaper, which I believe we did. No one can ever take away The Reporter’s identity, because we built it from the ground up with every painstaking hour, story, photo and word we’ve ever deposited and I’m confident it’ll live on in the same light for years to come.” Gregory Castillo served as Kendall Campus bureau chief to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Castillo is currently majoring in Culinary Arts Management at the Miami Culinary Institute at Miami Dade College.
“
The day I first walked into the newsroom was a life-changing experience for me. While I was a contributing member of The Falcon Times, it was once we consolidated to form The Reporter that I really felt a new sense of camaraderie with my colleagues. My fellow staff members became an extended family to me, and The Reporter was our newborn child to raise. With every issue to hit the racks, I feel more and more proud of what we have created. I, along my fellow staff members, have sacrificed blood, sweat and tears—literally—to make this publication the powerhouse it is today. Even with my eyes swollen and red from the many hours lost sleep and my fingers black from the distribution of the thousands of copies that have passed through my hands, it all becomes worth it when I see someone sitting there with their face buried in the latest issue. Just as I will always be a part of The Reporter, it will always be a part of me.”
onic Media at New World School of
Mark Pulaski served as Arts & Entertainment Editor to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Pulaski is currently the Wolfson Campus Bureau Chief at The Reporter.
n to news for me was that red. The Reporter provided y visual person; I love the otographers wanting to porters find the facts, But for photojournalists, we brings more insight to the The Reporter’s] inaugural
Being part of The Reporter was an honor, a privilege and a challenge among other things. It was a place where one could grow not only as a journalist but as a person as well. The newsroom was the place where I first realized that I wanted to be a journalist. It was the first real taste of journalism. It was also the place where I met some of the most amazing people whom I can call good friends. The Reporter represents more than all eight MDC campuses’; it represents all of its students. The deadlines, long nights and coffee breaks have prepared me for the real world. I can now say that I am capable to do more than before and overcome any challenge that approaches me. The Reporter will forever be one of the most memorable experiences I have had.
he multimedia editor at The Reporter.
“
Anna Carabeo served as multimedia editor to The Reporter during its inaugural year. Carabeo is currently majoring in Telecommunications at the University of Florida.
www.mdc.edu/thereporter
The Reporter
@TheReporter_MDC
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Create YOUR FUTURE. Andrea Penoyer is not your typical working mom. After all, not all moms have their lives filmed for a reality TV show. But even with raising a son and working for the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s anti-crime unit, all the while being part of TLC’s Police Women of Broward County, she is able to pursue her second degree from BARRY UNIVERSITY. “Barry makes it possible with evening and weekend classes that are convenient for me.”
www.barry.edu/MDC
ANDREA PENOYER TLC’s Police Women of Broward County Bachelor of Public Administration, 2010 Current Master of Public Administration student
BARRY UNIVERSITY is the second-largest private, Catholic university in the Southeast • Main campus in Miami Shores, Florida, offering more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in: Arts and Sciences • Business • Education • Health Sciences • Human Performance and Leisure Sciences • Law • Podiatric Medicine • Public Administration • Social Work • Day, evening, and weekend classes at sites throughout Florida *Not all programs offered at all off-campus sites
NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY Known for developing leaders, managers, & entrepreneurs.
11 SPORTS | OCT. 4, 2011
THE REPORTER
// SPORTS Monique O. Madan, Editor-in-Chief //
T (305) 237-1253
//
B monique.madan001@mymdc.net
VOLLEYBALL
Undergraduate Program n Academic transfer scholarships up to $7,500/yr. n Business Club Scholarships for members of the American Marketing Association, Colligate DECA, Phi Theta Kappa, and SIFE n Over 90% employment rate n Learn from faculty who are successful executives and entrepreneurs n Intercollegiate athletics n Additional scholarships and financial aid available to those who qualify Majors: Accounting Advertising & Marketing Aftermarket Management Automotive Retail Management Entertainment, Sport & Promotion Management Finance Entrepreneurship Hotel, Restaurant, & Resort Management International Business Management Marketing
Adult Degree BBA Program n n n
Earn your business degree in Management Evening, weekend, and online course options Expert faculty with real-world experience
Continue on to earn your MBA from the DeVos Graduate School of Management located on our campus.
Call, Click, or Visit Today! 800.622.9000 | www.northwood.edu
Lady Shark Ranks Among Top Prospects In Nation Miami Dade College volleyball player Marifranchi Rodriguez ranks as one of the best volleyball prospects in the nation. By Roberto Portal roberto.portal001@mymdc.net At 6 feet 3 inches tall, 21-yearold Miami Dade College volleyball player Marifranchi Rodriguez is an imposing figure on the volleyball court. The middle blocker, who led the Sharks to a 35-2 record last year, is considered one of the best players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and a top prospect nation-wide. “Even though she’s only a sophomore, she’s getting a lot of attention from scouts from some of the Top 25 universities in the nation,” Head Volleyball Coach Origines Benoit said. Among those schools keeping an eye on Rodriguez are local institutions such as the University of Miami, St. Thomas University and Barry University. “I’ve been playing for seven years. Volleyball has formed my life, it’s molded me, it’s in me,” Rodriguez said. “Because of it, so many doors have opened for me.” Rodriguez developed a love for the game when she was 14. Her passion for the sport began to grow when she was selected to represent the Dominican Republic at the age of 17. “My team trusts in me, and I trust in them,” Rodriguez said. Her roommate and teammate Suramys Acosta says that Rodriguez is above all a very good friend. “It’s very difficult to adapt to life here in the United States,” said Acosta, who was a member of the Cuban national volleyball team before defecting a little more than a year ago.“Ever since I got here, she has been there for me. She helps me whenever a problem comes up and makes sure I’m
GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER
Next Level: Marifranchi Rodriguez, a sophomore middle blocker on the Miami Dade College volleyball team secured the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week honors on Sept. 14. doing okay.” Rodriguez is an international relations major at Wolfson Campus and plans to pursue a future in business. “Even though she is producing a lot of talk among scouts for the Class of 2012, they might have to wait,” Benoit said. Rodriguez plans to continue working on her English-language skills at MDC before pursuing her athletic career with a Division I
school. Even though she misses her family, Rodriguez says she continues to apply herself both on the court and in the classroom. “The only hard part is that I’m apart from my family. I miss them too much. There are times where you miss having someone to take care of you when you come home tired. I really miss my mom’s sancocho, [a typical Dominican dish],” Rodriguez said.
VOLEYBALL ROUNDUP
6-3
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APPETIZING.
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5-0
Lady Sharks’ overall record
Lady Sharks’ conference record
Sept. 20
Sept. 27
The women’s volleyball team beat Broward College 25-7, 25-22, 20-15. Marifranchi Rodriguez: 11 kills/6 blocks, 20 digs, and one ace Brittany-Ce’celia Spencer: five kills, and four blocks Marty Poole: 29 assist, one ace, six digs, and one block
The Lady Sharks beat Indian River State College 25-17, 25-22, 25-17. Marifranchi Rodriguez: 17 kills, 14 digs, and two aces Latrice Johnson: nine kills, and eight digs Suramy Acosta: five kills, 20 assists, two digs and one ace.
VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE Oct. 4 | Palm Beach State College | MDC Kendall | 7 p.m. Oct. 7-8 | Tournament | Manatee, Florida | TBA Oct. 11 | Brevard College | Titusville, Florida | 6 p.m. Oct. 14 | Tournament | Jacksonville, Florida | TBA Oct. 15 | Tournament | Jacksonville, Florida | TBA Oct. 18 | Broward College | Davie, Florida | 7 p.m.
SOURCE: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MIAMI DADE COLLEGE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.
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At Marymount Manhattan, students are given the chance to live and learn in the world’s
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greatest city with the comfort of knowing that a nurturing community is behind them every step of the way. Place your students in the best of all possible worlds.
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Choose MDC for your degree! Bachelor’s degrees available in Education Electronics Engineering Technology Film, Television & Digital Production Nursing Physician Assistant Studies Public Safety Management Supervision and Management You can use what you’ve already learned – transfer credits from the A.S., A.A.S. and A.A. degrees! www.mdcbachelorsdegree.com
The Power of Opportunity
OCT. 4, 2011 | A&E
THE REPORTER
// A&E Mark Pulaski, A&E Editor //
T (305) 237-7464
NETFLIX RESURRECTION As a new feature in The Reporter, we bring you the Netflix Resurrection, where we recommend and review an independent film from the past that you may have missed. //
B mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net
Smart Stoner Film Showcases Duality Edward Norton plays twin brothers in the indie flick Leaves of Grass, a beautiful blend of genres directed by Tim Blake Nelson. By Mark Pulaski mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net
COURTESY OF EPIC GAMES
Stellar Showdown: Gears of War 3, the grand finale to the top-selling franchise, is a masterpiece that wraps up the storyline set by the first two releases and features a masterful multiplayer experience. GAME REVIEW
Gears Of War 3 Brings An Epic Conclusion To The Franchise Gamers get in gear for a new edition of Gears of War, which proves that it deserves the title of the most anticipated video game of 2011. By Rafael Tur rafael.tur001@mymdc.net Rifles with chainsaws, huge leviathan battles, a butt-load of bullets and the worst luck in any story. Gears of War 3 brings back the testosterone after two years of waiting. The most anticipated video game of 2011, Gears 3 is just the fix anyone needs if they can’t get enough of a brutal battlefield and freak foes both on and off-line. The single player campaign takes place about a year or two after the first sequel. The Locust—an army of reptile humanoids—have broken down into settlements since the Cogs—human coalition soldiers—blew up the land above their massive underground lair. The threat from the mutated
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Unique Experience Near West Campus Bubble Cafe & Tea Lounge offers a nice, quiet place to study while enjoying their specialty bubble teas, paninis and wraps. By Jaime Gutierrez jaime.gutierrez004@mymdc.net If you are in need of a quick bite in the morning, a mid-day meal or just a small, quiet spot to study for class near the West Campus, then Bubble Cafe & Tea Lounge is the
13
locust lambent (AKA glowies) is increasing as the planet Sera’s underground emulsion infects all living organisms with zombie-like behavior, attacking both Locust and humans. After Gears 2, Chairman of the army Richard Prescott disappears then returns with a message to Marcus Fenix—the main protagonist—from his father, Adam, who was supposedly dead for more than 15 years. Your mission is to find Adam Fenix and win the war. You’ll fight along-side Delta Squad’s Cole, Baird and Dom for the third game, making one hell of a journey through this post-apocalyptic world to win the fight for survival of your species and pay a heavy price. The online multiplayer is another masterpiece of its own. The signature horde mode, where you can make a final stand against endless hordes of enemies in “Beast Mode” is beefed up with more features for surviving and even more ways to
place for you. The family-run cafe, located only a block away from the campus, offers the perfect place to have a hot or cold aromatic tea. Add a panini or wrap of your choice, and for an affordable price of less than $8.99, you have a satisfying meal. As an added bonus, all MDC students and staff with valid ID will receive a 10% discount on their bill if they are paying in cash. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Bubble Cafe makes it very accessible to all students no matter what time their classes are. Wi-Fi is available upon request which makes studying that much easier. Bubble Cafe has a variety of teas that are served fresh with tapioca pearls or lychee jelly. Panini breads are baked fresh every morning to assure great taste.
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The Reporter
execute somebody. And for you Gears fans, Horde mode goes up to wave 100 this time. The player versus player experience is at it’s best with new weapons like a huge sniper rifle called “one-shot”, new maps like a bombed-out supermarket called “Check-out” and plenty of unlockable player and gun skins to keep the ranking system exciting and much more rewarding. I’m a big Call of Duty fan but I cancelled my Modern Warfare 3 reservation to buy this, and why not? The awesome story can be played with friends and the multiplayer is better than malt liquor on your porch on a Saturday night. No doubt, this game is going to win several awards.
Leaves of Grass is a brilliant independent drama/comedy starring Edward Norton opposite Edward Norton. That’s no typo; Norton plays twin brothers Bill and Brady Kincaid. It’s quite an interesting dual-role situation for Norton because of the difference in each character. Bill leaves his small town—and his southern drawl—behind to become a professor of the classics at Brown University, while Brady stays behind and devotes his intelligence toward green. That is, he grows some of the highest grade marijuana in the state. Bill, seemingly ashamed of his roots, only returns home when he learns of a family tragedy. What happens after is a twisted tale of deceit involving
5 out of 5
GEARS OF WAR 3—XBOX 360— Epic Games—Rated M
COURTESY OF MILLENNIUM PICTURES
ADAJAH CODIO / THE REPORTER
@TheReporter_MDC
LEAVES OF GRASS—directed by Tim Blake Nelson—starring Edward Norton, Keri Russell, and Richard Dreyfuss—105 minutes
Double Take: Edward Norton takes on the duel role of brothers Bill and Brady Kincaid for Leaves of Grass.
Good Grub: Bubble Cafe & Tea Lounge offers paninis, wraps and bubble tea at an affordable price. They use only organic vegetables for their soups, wraps, and paninis and they also create homemade sauce ready to serve fresh with the meal of your choice. My personal favorite is the smoked turkey breast panini with
a Jewish businessman/drug kingpin named Pug Rothbaum (Richard Dreyfuss). Pay special attention to awkward orthodontist Ken Feinman, played perfectly by Josh Pais, as he takes a large detour through the film but manages to spring back up and have a major impact on the outcome of the story. Director Tim Blake Nelson, who also plays Brady’s drug peddling sidekick, did an excellent job creating a story that transcends traditional genres. The film starts off on the more comedic side but takes a tragic turn toward the dark side. It is this mix that makes the film masterfully mimic reality. Nelson did a great job in selecting the finest from each blend and rolling it nicely into one tight package. I definitely recommend taking the time to fire it up.
Hollander cheese and their homemade raspberry sauce. Add the Kiwi tea and you have a delicious and original meal. “I thrive on assuring my customers have a unique experience,” manager Rebeca Alvarado said.
“We are a one-of-a-kind spot in Miami; no one else serves the teas or paninis we do”. By the taste and looks of things, I would have to agree. Not only are the teas unique, but the lounge itself has the awe factor. Their interior design is all hand-crafted, from roof to wall design, all concepts come from family ideas that have been passed down through the years. Bubble Cafe & Tea Lounge is a great spot where you not only get a variety of delicious foods and teas, but truly a bang for your buck.
4 out of 5
Bubble Cafe & Tea Lounge 11402 NW 41st St, Suite #105, Doral, FL 33178 T(305) 722-0501
14 A&E | OCT. 4, 2011
THE REPORTER
POLITICAL BANTER: NEW LEGISLATION MANDATES DRUG TESTING WELFARE RECIPIENTS Testing Welfare Recipients Ups Spending A liberal view point on Rick Scott’s new law concerning welfare benefits, drug testing, and it’s negative effects on taxpayers.
There are many paths to become an Army officer including ROTC, Officer Candidate School (OCS) or the Direct Commission Program. To learn more, call 305-438-0193 today.
NEW Microbiology and Cell Science Bachelor of Science Degree Program
A unique partnership between the University of Florida and Miami Dade College
Prepare yourself for medical, pharmacy or dental school or a career in microbiology! Earn a degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida without leaving Miami Dade County. This off-campus program is a unique blend of online courses and live laboratory classes conducted by UF faculty at Miami Dade’s North Campus’ science complex. Same UF faculty and same UF classes as Gainesville. Spring 2012 admission's deadline is September 15 Fall 2012 admission's deadline is March 1st For more information visit our website microcell.ufl.edu/Students/offcampus Or email Adam Jordan at adamj@ufl.edu
RICH.
New Law Can Save Lives And Money A conservative opinion reflecting on the positive outcome of drug testing welfare recipients.
By Cassandra Bazile Cassandra.bazile002@mymdc.net
By Rafael Tur Rafael.Tur001@mymdc.net
Rick Scott signed a legislation, taking effect as of July 1, that forces the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to conduct drug tests on adults applying for welfare. This law, according to Rick Scott, is suppose to lower unnecessary spending of tax payer dollars. The plan sounds like a good idea; however, the cons outweigh the pros. For Scott to assume that welfare recipients are using tax money to buy drugs is completely absurd. For a bill such as this to be implemented valid proof is needed. Another horrible aspect of the implementation of this bill is the rise in cost. According to the new law, for every negative result, the government will have to reimburse the money to the tested individual. It sounds like a fair deal, but that money comes right out of the taxpayer's pocket. The Tampa Tribune revealed that 96 percent of welfare recipients tested negative for drug abuse. This means we have to attend to the drug screening cost of 96 percent of the people who passed the test. If Rick Scott wants to argue about saving money for Florida, then he should find other means; for instance, cutting from his own bonus. Concerning those individuals that receive welfare, the money is not for them but for their children. If, by any chance, someone fails the drug screening, the government is taking money away from children who are affected by their parents’ lack of responsibility. The bill states that if a parent fails the drug test they can find someone else to redeem the money for their children. Until we have statistical proof welfare recipients use tax money to buy drugs, they should start looking for another scapegoat for Florida's financial instability.
Conservatives have always wanted a smaller government, and liberals want a big strong compassionate government. Our conservative governor, Rick Scott, signed into law early July a strict policy mandating all applicants of T.A.N.F, better known as welfare, to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits. He also paraded the idea it would save tax-payers money. However, the law seems to be more of a formality than anything else. Working people are drugtested all the time and it does not seem to be a problem. After all, my mom would not have given me an allowance if I were spending it on dope. The American Civil Liberties Union, a leftist organization, quickly pounced with a lawsuit against Scott. In their opinion, the new law is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment, which is what guards citizens against unreasonable search and seizures. If the government is paying your bills then it does have a right to know what your doing with it's money. Insinuating the poor are somehow synonymous with drug addicts is false according to studies proving there is no significant difference between the amount of drug users of lower-class and middleclass citizens. What about the children whose parents fail the drug test? TANF will allow the parent to find another recipient for the child’s welfare. If the parent is unable to select a drug-free third party recipient for the child's benefits—well then we may have a serious drug-problem on our hands. Teddy Roosevelt created an official welfare system in 1935 to keep millions of families from starving to death during the Great Depression. Government assistance during this recession, which supposedly ended in June of 2009, is pivotal and people need it. Dope is not a civil right.
MARLINS
New Logo Strikes Out Leaked Miami Marlins logo causes negative feedback from disgruntled fans. By Mark Pulaski Mark.Pulaski001@mymdc.net I’ve been a Marlins fan since the very beginning. I’ve been in the stands through our losing seasons, sitting with what sometimes felt like about 100 fans. I’ve watched year after year as we have acted almost as an elevated minor league team, raising young stars only to ship them off to prosper on other teams. I was in attendance for the entire 1997 postseason, right up to the moment when a leaping Craig Counsell crossed home plate. I was watching in 2003 when we took home our second championship in our first decade of existence.
I am one of the few true fans this team has. Rain or shine, I will be there. So you can imagine how happy I was when I learned that we were getting a new stadium. I’ve been patiently counting down the days until I set foot inside the glorious new ballpark, away from the scorching heat of Sun Life Stadium. I knew that the move would bring about a name change, and I was completely fine with having to say Miami Marlins from here on out. After all, I love alliteration. I couldn’t be happier.
Then came the leak of the alleged new logo and my happiness soon faded. I sincerely hope that this new logo is only a joke. But judging by the way Marlins president David Samson responded when asked about it, it looks like this is the real deal, folks. Why the front office has decided to turn the boys in teal into tri-colored terrors is beyond me. What was wrong with keeping the color-scheme and changing the F to an M? That’s the only change that was necessary. Teal made perfect sense; it’s actually a color found on a Marlin. Not to mention that all current Marlins fans already have a wardrobe filled with black, white and teal. I thought we had some of the best looking uniforms in Major League Baseball. Why change to this pastel abomination? With the flamboyance of the Marlins new logo, I hope Hanley, LoMo and JJ can get used to a symbol that looks like something inspired by a Romero Britto nightmare.
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OCT. 4, 2011 | FORUM
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TECHNOLOGY
The eBook Revolution The swift take down of book-selling giant Borders Group, Inc. drew a significant amount of attention toward its effects on small scale sellers such as the Miami Dade College bookstore.
By Igor Argibay igor.argibay001@mymdc.net When a giant collapses, the shock waves of its fall can be felt during the aftermath. But what if others begin to fall with it? What if it’s an extinction?
Traditional paperback and hardcover books are becoming an endangered species because eBooks are drastically evolving from its paperheavy predecessor. The closing of the book-chain giant Borders has left many to speculate that eBooks are the cause. Borders, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, has begun to liquidate their stores. With the book industry becoming Play-Dough during a generation of stifling technology, Borders is too slow to keep up the pace with the new kids on the block. Students on campus have been impacted by technology’s turn on paper books as well. “In the case of carrying large textbooks— where I'll often need to carry multiple books at any one time—I would prefer the use of eBbooks,” Scott Cercy, a psychology major at Miami Dade College said. Miami Dade College has cut its bookstores working hours this year. With more students
VOX POPULI: E-BOOKS
buying their textbooks online and uploading them to their computers, what’s the point of keeping the store open during dead hours? Amazon announced that they nearly sold double the number of eBooks as opposed to the number of paperback books and hardcover books combined, further proof that people are beginning to understand the practicality of virtual books. Why not? If it’s more conventional, isn’t it more practical? Well, some believe otherwise. “eBooks take away the feel of books,” said Jessica Meszaros, a mass-communications major. “We cannot become dependent on technology if it still has the capability to fail on us.” Is the traditional way of reading hopping on one leg? Is it just a matter of time before printed books become the next vinyl record or VCR tape? In a world where science and practicality are beginning to reign over religion and tradition; the revolution of books seems to be a battle already won.
With the growing popularity of e-books, and the closing of big name booksellers, we asked fellow peers if they prefer the new e-book trend or the old traditional textbooks.
“I prefer e-books because you can just bring a computer to school and you have everything right on there.”
“I prefer textbooks. I’ve had them since elementary school. Not to mention, the world’s getting a little too electronic for me.”
“Textbooks are just easier for me. I guess I’m just old school. I can carry them around and they don’t need electricity.”
Marc Cabanas, 18, Undecided Major at Kendall Campus
Rachelle Petit, 18, Commercial & Graphic Arts major at North Campus
Reynaldo Gordillo, 24, Architecture major at Kendall Campus
“It depends on the course; for things like math and things dealing with number I prefer eBooks. For anything like English or courses like it I prefer textbooks.” Jonathan Lehrman, 18, Biology major at North Campus
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