The Connection Vol. 56 Issue 3 10/14/2010

Page 1

Hawks split two with a win and loss

Sanchez gets the boot

SPORTS } Pages 6 & 7

Oodles of noodles at Noodles & Co.

OPINION } Page 2

FEATURES } Page 4

The Connection The student voice of Cosumnes River College since 1970

Volume 59, Issue 3

www.crcconnection.com

October 14, 2010

Club fair aims to capture student attention Raynisha Taltoan Connection Staff Students came together at the Club Activities Fair event in hopes of raising school spirit as well as collecting votes to be the winner for best club, on Oct. 7. There were tables bearing fliers and information regarding various clubs, as well as huge poster designs declaring a club’s name, such as the Anime Club, the Make Beats Not Beat Downs Club and the Brothers and Sisters Club to name a few. The walkway along the quad and surrounding areas were filled with a windy breeze, smells of food from all different cultures, while music played through blaring speakers. Many clubs on campus were present for the event with a message to put out to students or who simply just wanted more support and increased membership. Most believed the fair would be a good way to make students more knowledgeable of what is happening on campus. “Anything you can do to bring life to the campus will help,” said Eartha Williams, commissioner of public relations on the student senate, in regards to what she was looking to achieve at the fair. She expressed enthusiasm on wanting to get more student participation on campus.

Sana Abebrabbo, a member of the Muslim Student Association, really wanted to spread the word about what Islam really is. She said people have a stereotype about Islam due to the media, but that is a misconception. “The religion is based on peace,” Abebrabbo said in regard to the rising perception of Islam as a war-inclined, fundamentalist religion. Abebrabbo said the club is a good source to retrieve information on a religion that many students may not understand. Each club’s goal was to gain more members and so they used the fair as publicity. They had banners, sign-up sheets and even some people screaming while dressed in costumes and wigs, all aimed to attain votes while having fun. “So far a good turn out, a bit of a challenge though,” said Dylan Lawton member of the club Brothers and Sisters. One student was surprised in how the event affected her. Ayana Hudson, 20, human services major, said she initially came for the food but she learned a lot. Hudson didn’t know there were so many things you could be a part of on campus. Though she’s only at CRC for one semester, felt strongly about the Associated Student Government.

Mikha Collins | The Connection

The Associated Student Government table was a crowd favorite on Oct. 7 as they sold fresh fruit smoothies at the Club Activities Fair.

>> CLUB FAIR, page 8

Campus responds to recent ‘Transfer Day’ colleges reach out to student body ‘Obamacare’ additions Alex Mosqueda Connection Staff More than 50 universities participated in Cosumnes River College’s annual Transfer Day on Oct. 6. Many schools, from California State University, Sacramento to the University of Nevada, Reno, welcomed CRC students to learn more about their prospective university. “Some people don’t realize that community college is typically a stepping stone for a lot of students,” said Karl Cameron, an admissions representative from the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego. “This event really is a good opportunity for them to get the information that they need to eventually move on.” The 50 plus universities set up booths with representatives answering an assortment of questions from interested students. Along with counselors and representatives, many brochures filled with information ranging from tuition, undergraduate programs and housing were handed out. “I remember at my high school we didn’t have real representatives from colleges come and talk to us,” said Paul Burgos, a 19-year-old undecided major. “I’ve only been here 20 minutes and I’ve learned way more than I did in my senior year.” While Burgos joined the mob in front of Cogswell Polytechnical College’s table, it was clear that many shared Burgos’ enthusiasm. Many of the

representatives said they were pleased with CRC’s student participation. “It’s not every day that you get to speak with an actual counselor from a school you’re interested in,” said California State University, Monterey Bay admissions counselor, Maria Cejea. “So it’s good to see that many students are taking advantage of this occasion and getting all the essentials that will help them.” Aside from providing answers on the general questions, the counselors and representatives offered their own personal advice as well. Cameron recommends that community college students take all their general education classes and see what they like. He said that students can figure what electives to take through their G.E. courses. “Sometimes students don’t see that G.E. classes could lead you to something that you like,” Cameron said. “But then again, that’s part of the whole learning experience.” A few students were already wellinformed on their preferred school, but they still explored the services that were being offered. Several pointed out that there was some information available that wasn’t available on a university’s website. San Francisco State University provided a handout on recommended classes for any given major. When a student would approach SFSU’s table, the counselor would ask what major they were interested in pursuing and then gave them the >> TRANSFER DAY, page 8

Johny Garcia Connection Staff

Numerous presidents have tried to restructure health care in America, but President Barack Obama took the first steps by getting the Affordable Care Act pushed through Congress and put into effect Sept. 23. There have been a number of changes recently instituted. Changes include more than 2,000 businesses received help insuring retirees, one million seniors received $250 checks for prescription drugs, insurers must pay for preventative services. Additionally, individuals under the age of 26 can now be

covered by their parent’s health insurance, according to whitehouse.gov. Allowing students to stay on their parent’s insurance until they’re 26 as opposed to when they finish school is wise, given current economic circumstances, said Michelle Barkley, Cosumnes River College’s nurse. “It will take students even longer to graduate and enter the work force,” since college courses are disappearing, Barkley said. “Twenty six is a more appropriate cutoff age for students.” Barkley said medical costs are expensive, even for insured people. >> HEALTH, page 8

Assembly bill eases student ability to transfer quickly Raynisha Taltoan Connection Staff There is something to talk about amongst community college students due to a new bill passed, called the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sept. 29. Senate Bill 1440, better known as the STAR act, is said to speed up the transfer process, alleviate a lot of frustration and put an end to students taking unnecessary and non-transferable classes. It also allows the state to save up to an estimated $160 million annually just by the transfer process being more efficient, according to the official fact sheet of Sen. Alex Padilla, author of the bill.

The idea is to first mandate California community colleges to actually create A.A. degrees that transfer to California State Universities. The new bill will enable students who complete 60 transferable units guaranteed admission to the CSU of their choice, according to a press release by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Students have largely welcomed the changes upon hearing of the STAR Act, as there are many who have seen that the needs of higher education are being ignored or losing priority within the administration’s concerns. Nakia Zinsky, 18, bio-life conservation major, was happy to hear the bill was >> STAR, page 8

Opinion

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October 14, 2010

EDITORIAL

CSU’s look for students who stand out As the end of the year nears, so are fall transfer admissions for 2011. With that in mind, it was recently reported 23 California State University’s campuses will be able to admit 10,000 more students to the spring semester that had originally been cut off due to funds, according to an article from the KPBS radio station website. But the stimulus package this year made it possible. Although spring semester admissions may be closed for 2011, there is still time for fall 2011 and the following spring semester of 2012 to make your application look better than the others. Not only is it more difficult now for students to get the classes they need to transfer, but also to get into the college of their choice. The CSU school systems are becoming impacted by the increased number of qualified applicants that have far exceeded the available slots in a certain major, AT A GLANCE according to the California State University website. This is due to The Issue: As more people the fact CSU’s not only have to return to school the com- look at incoming transfer applipetition rises with CSU’s cants, but also current enrolled students waiting to be in the major becoming impacted. and anyone on the waiting list for Our View: We need to go that major. Having this “major impacabove the beyond the average application requir- tion” as the CSU refers to it, this ments in order to keep up impaction then forces the applicant, if not accepted to become with the competition. apart of the waiting list till another slot opens. Agree? Disagree? It is quite frustrating to the Send comments to average student to have to deal connect@crc.losrios.edu with this, but the fact of the reality is we are in an economy far in debt and there are only so many resources out there. When it comes to school and finding a job, it has always been a competitive field but now more than ever we as students need to go far above and beyond the average requirements. Completing all the required courses, taking enough credits and getting a decent grade point average will not cut it if you want to get into the university of your choice. If you are a political science major join the associated student government, give yourself experience in the field. Consider studying abroad. It is much cheaper to do at a community college, and it shows the school you are trying to expand your horizons on education and learn about other cultures. Or even become the president of your favorite club. These colleges are looking for well-rounded students who are willing to take on a challenge. Even having a part-time job shows you understand how to manage your time. Or do a paid or unpaid internship showing you are trying to gain skills in the field you are pursuing to be more knowledgeable and competitive out in the work field. This is our time, as students, to truly shine and not let such hard times bring us down, but rather make us stronger and rise up. We need to become innovate leaders in order to help bring up this economy. We are the future and there is no day like today.

The Connection Co-Editors-in-Chief Opinion Editor Features Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Online Editor Copy Editors Production Manager Faculty Adviser

Holly Sanderson & Cory Fong Alex Mosqueda Holly Sanderson Jarrad Hicks Alycia Lourim Cory Fong Maria Zavala & Kelsey Simpson Mikha Collins Rubina Gulati

The Connection is an award-winning newspaper published bi-weekly by the Journalism 400 newspaper production class. Editorials and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff or faculty of CRC or the Los Rios Community College District. The Connection is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC). Staff Writers/Photographers/Graphic Artists: Troy Davis, Carlo Dela Cruz, Demitri Fellines, Johny Garcia, Tracy Gilkerson, Markie Jewell, Rodrick Lewis, Cynthia Mach, Varsha Narayan, Alyssa Novak, Unique Pierre-Cody, Drew Pitts, Alena Slater, Raynisha Taltoan, Jackie Tse, Branden Wiens Telephone Fax Website E-mail Send letters to

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Sanchez’s comment causes uproar Holly Sanderson Connection Staff Rick Sanchez, an anchor for CNN, was fired Oct. 1 for making alleged anti-semitic comments about Jon Stewart, a popular political satirist and host of “The Daily Show.” In a satellite radio broadcast, Sanchez called Stewart a “bigot,” and followed this statement arguing he was because he did not accept anyone else who was “different than him,” meaning anyone who is not Jewish. He then went on to imply that the majority of the media is controlled by Jews, and understating the hardships they have endured as a minority group. And this was where CNN drew the line, as they rightfully should have. Sarcasm or not, Sanchez attacked Stewart’s racial background, which is the definition of “unprofessional.” This is not a question of whether Sanchez was a good or bad person, because he was not fired for morality. This is whether Sanchez was violating the professional standards he was held to. Sanchez’s job description, much like Stewart’s, is to simply comment or criticize society and the people contributing to it. This leaves a perfect amount of room for criticism on just about anything or anyone. Sanchez has every right to criticize Stewart, but not on his ethnicity. He can freely criticize Stewart’s ideas, theories or methods of conduct pertaining to his profession. Accusations of this sort are perfectly reasonable; everyone deserves to be judged and critiqued in the professional world. However, when critiquing any individual, it is

utterly distasteful to base your accusations on their racial background. Race and ethnicity do not play any role in one’s success, since it is something the individual cannot control. Ethnic background is not a choice, it is a birthright. Stewart cannot help that he is of Jewish descent, just as Sanchez cannot control that he was born of Hispanic descent. Sanchez simply should’ve known better given his professional background. In addition, his accusations had no factual evidence to even create a convincing argument. When challenged as to why Sanchez claimed Stewart was a bigot, he couldn’t come up with any substantial evidence. He could have easily targeted his liberal political views to argue his claim, but instead he focused on his race. There is only so much mudslinging that can be accepted, and CNN reacted to the situation appropriately. Sanchez was an anchor, one of the faces of CNN. Sanchez should have been more responsible with his career, knowing any word that comes out of his mouth is subject to criticism. More importantly, he is subject to any disciplinary action his company feels necessary, including termination of his job. Opinion is a powerful weapon and should be used with caution. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but there is an appropriate time and place for it. No matter what your position is in the workplace, there are levels of professionalism that are expected. And logically, the higher the position, the higher the expectations are. This is why the application of personal opinion is important. While they may not break your bones, words do hurt and leave lasting impressions.

Insults replace campaign issues Johny Garcia Connection Staff You’re watching your favorite show when, during a commercial break, you hear, “Did you know that John Doe hates teachers? Vote for Lemony Snicket, the candidate who cares.” The things I want to hear from a political candidate, their experience, goals and plans to make their community better, seem to always get pushed aside for a different, more childish approach known as slam campaigning. Slam campaigning is when a commercial is sponsored by candidate A and is solely aimed at destroying the reputation of candidate B. Slam campaigning by a political candidate shows the general public absolutely nothing about why that candidate should win the election. Instead, it gives the general public the impression that perhaps the candidate doing the slam campaigning has no qualifications for the desired political position. Slam campaigning makes me think to myself, “Maybe this candidate has no plan for the future, no relevant experiences, and no business running for this position in the first place.” Imagine a debate between two candidates, where a question is asked about how the candidates plan to deal with the rising level of unemployment and a candidate responds, “Well, I have no clue, but did you know that my opponent was once caught running a red light twenty years ago?” Slam campaigning is the equivalent to an answer like that in a debate. It is lacking higher levels of thinking, ignoring the true problem and embarrassing. Slam campaigning is an attempt to gain politi-

cal momentum with hatred of something or someone and fear of what might happen if he or she is not elected. Adolf Hitler gained his power in Germany by doing just this. Hitler blamed the problems Germany was experiencing, according to the Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History. “He played masterfully on the public’s fears and resentments, which were numerous after Germany’s defeat,” according to BEWH. “Hitler’s message was built on absolutes: those who oppose us are traitors; those who support us are patriots.” When political candidates resort to slam campaigning they are attempting to lead with fear and hatred, as Hitler did. Although the fear and hatred we see nowadays is obviously not as strong as the fear and hatred that Hitler promoted, the idea behind the slam campaigning is the same. They believe if they get the general public to see them as the saviors, then the public will definitely vote for them, regardless of reality. Politicians who resort to slam campaigning are not confident in their own ideas. If a politician truly believed that his or her own ideas about how to fix any and all problems were the best, then he or she wouldn’t be afraid to publicly state them in a commercial of some sort and let them be compared to hisor her opponent’s ideas. Every time some kind of election rolls around, I hope that this time things will be different. I tell myself that this time I will be bombarded with plans about the future as opposed to embarrassing facts about candidates. Unfortunately, the juvenile tactics of politicians continue to disappoint me. By the looks of it I’ll be crossing my fingers for a long time.

Opinion

October 14, 2010

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‘Medal of Honor’ titles are not inappropriate Carlo Dela Cruz Connection Staff The recently released shooting video game “Medal of Honor” has been rebooted from World War II battles to the current war in the Middle East. Unfortunately, controversy has emerged primarily for an extremist organization. Taking place during the early stages in the conflict in Afghanistan back in 2001, Medal of Honor stars fictional soldiers from the United States Army. Including infantry and special forces operators fighting against the insurgency in the country. In the multiplayer mode, one group of players takes control of the U.S. Army while the other group assumes the roles of the terrorists who were once called the Taliban. The name would be the center of controversy as it appeared on national television and is currently not to be sold in video game stores located on United States military bases. Just weeks before the release, developer Danger Close had to change the text displaying Taliban to “OPFOR,” short for opposing force. Game play wise, nothing has been sacrificed but when it’s marketed as being authentic, why rename the terrorists? The Taliban name should be left as originally intended to accommodate the game’s accuracy. Reasons behind their views were that it was distasteful towards the men and

women in uniform who are still fighting overseas. They don’t seem to be aware that many games before the “Medal of Honor” reboot use the ongoing conflict as either directly based off it or as inspiration. Most notably, the recent entries in the successful shooter franchise “Call of Duty”, subtitled ,“Modern Warfare”, has levels and assets featuring terrorists that can be mistaken as the Taliban or other rebels. No controversy has been received They don’t for containing such intend to content though. attack the Does the actual United States or name need to be promote their the conduit to reach insurgency, controversial levels? If so, that’s just the enemies completely unnecesare merely sary. programmed Being a video avatars taking game, it’s not inherthe form of ently harmful and terrorists. it’s only intended to entertain people who want to experience it. Even if people are not aware of the issue, they will guess the enemies are the Taliban. The name shouldn’t be harmful when the oppositions are fundamentally the same before the controversy. Although the terrorists in “Medal of Honor” are representations of the actual insurgents that still exist, they do not have the same intentions as their real life counterparts.

As enemies in the single player mode of “Medal of Honor”, they are programmed only to prevent the player from progressing into the levels. Players in the role of the Taliban in the muli-player settings only want to beat the other team by means of accumulating kills, or attacking or defending objectives. They don’t intend to attack the United States or promote their insurgency, the enemies are merely programmed avatars tak-

ing the form of terrorists. Players assuming the role in the multiplayer, only care about winning a match and having a fun experience in the game. People have to understand that it’s a game and not the actual war and if they don’t like it, they have the freedom to not buy or care about it. For others who want it, they should experience the game as originally intended, even if it’s just one word.

Fallen soldier’s family challenges First Amendment Mikha Collins Connection Staff One of the best parts about living in America is that our freedoms are protected by the Constitution. But what happens when those freedoms butt heads with each other? It seems we’ll find out soon in a new case that just reached the Supreme Court on Oct.6. The case of Snyder v. Phelps has fallen into the lap of the Supreme Court after years of struggling for a final verdict. Albert Snyder, the father of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, sued Fred Phelps and the members of his church for picketing at his son’s funeral. Phelps is the founder of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., where his family makes up most of its members. There they believe God is punishing troops for America’s tolerance of homosexuality. Therefore they picket military funerals, even if the officer wasn’t gay, according to an article in Time magazine. The family members and guests of the funeral were devastated when they saw the picketers waving signs on television, saying things like ‘You’re going to hell,’ and

HAWK TALK

‘Thank God for 9/11’. And who wouldn’t be angry at the people who disrespected the memory of a cherished son that had been killed while serving in Iraq? Yet this issue has gone from being a case between a grieving family and heartless protesters to an all out battle It may be a between the right difficult pill to to peaceful asswallow, but since sembly and the the Westboro right to freedom picketers of speech. Both are followed the rules rights protectand didn’t break ed by the First any laws while Amendment. protesting, they This may should be seem like an easy protected by the decision because First Amendment. who would side with the Phelps, who use hatemongering to spread their beliefs? Morally, Snyder and his family deserve to win every penny the Phelps have. Unfortunately the First Amendment doesn’t take anyone’s feelings into consideration.

It may be a difficult pill to swallow, but since the Westboro picketers followed the rules and didn’t break any laws while protesting, they should be protected by the First Amendment. Hold on, before you throw the newspaper down in disgust, let me explain. Our First Amendment rights, particularly the freedom of speech, are some of our most precious freedoms, and, like all precious things, must be protected. Encouraging censorship is a dangerous road to travel because once begun where does it end? Even though the Phelps said horrible things to attract public attention to themselves, they still have the right to say it. Lawfully, you can’t stop someone from saying things just because you don’t want to hear it. Of course, Snyder had every right to sue the Phelps. However I’m not convinced that his case is strong enough to win. According to Time magazine, a major hole in his case against Phelps is the fact that Snyder’s right to peaceful assembly wasn’t really affected. Snyder didn’t see the picketers in person, only on television afterward. He may argue that the protestor’s

presence disrupted the funeral but if they were there lawfully, where does his argument stand? Other difficult cases on the topic of free speech have made it as far as the Supreme Court before, with free speech coming out the victor. For example, in 1977, in National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie. The court sided with a group of NeoNazis who wanted to march wearing swastikas through the village of Skokie, Ill., a Jewish community that housed Holocaust survivors, according to the Legal Information Institute. Other issues, like pornography, Ku Klux Klan speeches and flag burnings, have all have won cases protecting their First Amendment rights. I don’t think Snyder’s case will be the one that cracks the intimidating wall that protects our freedom of speech. In the end, of course, it is up to the Supreme Court justices to wade through law books and come up with a verdict on this difficult issue, and I wish them luck. I am certainly glad that the weight of this decision falls on stronger shoulders than mine.

With both football season and baseball playoffs starting, which do you prefer to watch?

“Baseball. Because I like baseball.” Beverley Williams, 64 Social Sciences

Compiled by Johny Garcia and Photos by Unique Pierre-Cody

“I’d watch NFL football. I think it has more action.” Mong Yang, 18 Undecided

“I watch football more than I watch baseball. Baseball just isn’t really a contact sport.” Jesse Thibodeaux, 19 Nursing

“Football. I love football players. I love them.” DeQuila Myles, 24 Theater Arts

Features

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October 14, 2010

Carlo Dela Cruz | The Connection The American menu features the “Wisconsin Mac & Cheese” made with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese with meatballs on the side.

Oodles of noodles from around the world Johny Garcia Connection Staff If you haven’t tried Noodles and Company then you have been missing out. The restaurant, located right next Borders in Elk Grove, will soon become one of your new favorite spots with its scrumptious food and welcoming atmosphere. Noodles and Company’s menu offers a variety of food to choose from. They serve noodles, soups, salads and sandwiches based off of three different regions: Asia, the Mediterranean, and America. With a variety of dishes to choose from, their food is guaranteed to “hit the spot.” The menu is designed with all eaters in mind. They have dishes that will satisfy both vegetarians and meat lovers alike, such as spaghetti and meatballs or Thai curry soup. While their prices are not as low as fast food prices, they are still reasonable. The prices for the pasta and soup are $4.25 for a small and $5.25 for a large. The sandwiches range from $5.75 to $6.95. Although the prices are low, the amount of food isn’t. I couldn’t finish the large bowl of pasta I ordered because there was so much food in it. The dishes I’ve tried so far, the buttered noodles and the pesto cavatappi, tasted great. I could tell they weren’t simply microwaved, but instead cooked with fresh ingredients. Even the leftovers I heated up the following day kept their taste. Accompanying my great meal was a great seating arrangement. The interior of the restaurant was comfortable, with booth seating, tables and even an outdoor patio area available. The abundance of natural light and classy silverware gave the restaurant a sophisticated touch. The restaurant felt very clean, and reminded me of an IKEA. Adding to the experience was the fantastic customer service.To my surprise, when I arrived, Adam Vincent, the general manager, was helping wrap the utensils in napkins. One employee was wearing a pin on her hat, which Vincent said she earned because she helped a guest who was outside of the restaurant even though she wasn’t even on the clock. My trip to Noodles and Company was worth every penny. The next time you are out with friends and everybody is avoiding the question of where to eat, choose Noodles and Company. It’s not a fast food place, but more like a ma-and-pa shop, complete with fresh ingredients, a comfortable feel and genuine care from the employees.

Courtesy Photo of Columbia Pictures

Eisenberg makes Social Network ‘like’able Varsha Narayan Connection Staff We live in a world where “Facebook me” isn’t an uncommon phrase. In the movie “The Social Network,” we are introduced to the story behind the popular social networking site. Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake and directed by David Fincher, this is arguably one of the best films of the year. “The Social Network” gives an in-depth look at the beginning of Facebook and the controversy surrounding it. It focuses a great deal on Mark Zuckerberg, played by Eisenberg, and his relationships with the other characters in the movie. In the movie, Zuckerberg is portrayed as an arrogant jerk who is too smart for his own good. This affects many of his relationships in the film. A big portion of the movie focuses on the relationship between Zuckerberg and co-founder, Eduardo Saverin, played by Andrew Garfield. The irony is that while Zuckerberg had over 500 million friends on Facebook, he wasn’t as fortunate in reality. The movie went back and forth between the courtroom, where Zuckerberg was in the middle of two lawsuits against him, and the dorm room where Facebook was created. While flashbacks in films tend to get confusing, Fincher did a great job at keeping things as clear as

possible throughout the story. Almost every scene in the film was intense and impressive, but a scene between Zuckerberg and Saverin after a falling out really packed an emotional punch. The film did a good job at showcasing the acting skills of Jesse Eisenberg, who has also starred in “Zombieland” and “Adventure Land,” and newcomer Andrew Garfield. When it was announced that a movie based on Facebook was being made, many were turned off by the idea. It sounded like a ridiculous concept. However, when the trailers were released, Eisenberg’s acting really drew viewers in. It was the actors who made this movie worth watching. Viewers will no doubt be taken aback by Eisenberg’s performance. He stole every scene with his facial expressions and his brilliant ability to go from a tense moment in a scene to a completely sarcastic one. His ability to go beyond the script and bring the character to life was remarkable. Justin Timberlake also gave a brilliant performance, which wasn’t expected looking at his past work in “Alpha Dog.” “The Social Network” gets five out of five stars and deserves every one of them. With an amazing script, jaw dropping performances, and brilliant direction, this is no doubt one of the best films of the year. Overall, viewers will “like” it.

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake Directed by: David Fincher Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 120 min.

Author’s Score

Annual scholarship fashion show has something for everyone Alex Mosqueda Connection Staff Whether your interests are in food, fashion or music, the Cosumnes River College Annual Scholarship Fashion Show/ Luncheon will surely grab many people’s interests. Normally held in the CRC cafeteria, the Patrons Club will hold its popular event on Oct. 23 at Elk Grove High School, with tickets on sale for $30. The change of venue is due to the ongoing construction at CRC. The main goal of the Patrons Club has been the same for more than 40 years, to raise funds to provide scholarships for qualifying students attending CRC. The Patrons Club offers scholarships in a variety of subjects such as Business Science, Visual and Performing Arts and even Math and Engineering. Bonnie Williamson, a Patrons Club member, said the Fashion Show/Luncheon is one of the Patrons Club’s most popular events because it displays CRC’s creativity. “Personally, I like this fundraiser because it provides many opportunities for guests to enjoy by experiencing the fruits of our labor first hand,” Williamson said.

Many of the main attractions of the fundraiser are put on by various departments at CRC. “Personally, I The entire menu will be like this fundprepared by the CRC Culinary raiser because it Arts Department and is also provides many directed by Professor Cynthia opportunities for Torres. guests to enjoy The food is also served and selected by Torres’ by experiencing students, which has been a the fruits of our tradition for many years Willabor first hand” liamson said. Yet while guests might start off focusing on the Bonnie impressive menu, eventually Williamson they will have to shift their Club Member attention to the music entertainment. This year’s event will also feature music conducted by Professor Kathryn Smith and the CRC Small Ensemble. Finally there is the main attraction, the fashion show, which will be featuring garments provided by Chico’s at The Pavillions shopping center in Sacramento. The clothing includes different outfits for both

casual and evening wear. In addition to the fashion show, all the clothing is modeled by CRC faculty, including CRC President, Deborah Travis. Even though the fundraiser is held to display the work of many CRC departments, Williamson doesn’t want people to forget the occasion’s main purpose. “The CRC Patrons Club wants students to know that our mission is to help provide students in need of financial assistance,” Williamson said. “We want to help them continue their education at Cosumnes River College through the scholarship process.” Williamson said the fashion show is the Patrons Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, so they are encouraging many to attend despite the change in venue. Williamson also said that it is a guarantee that anybody who attends will find something they will enjoy. The Patrons Club appeals to the community by also hosting a silent auction and a raffle. “The donations from the community are appreciated,” Williamson said. “And remember there is something for everybody to enjoy.”

Features

October 14, 2010 Carlo Dela Cruz Connection Staff The Surgery and Emergency Services Pavilion in the University of California Davis compiled a 32foot tall mural created by Cosumnes River College art instructor Yoshio Taylor. Titled “Resurgence,� Taylor said he hopes that people are greeted by the mural’s relaxing imagery of waterfalls and lively flora when entering the facility. What got you into art? Initially in high school, I wanted to become an architect but eventually it bounced back to different places where I wanted to do graphical art, fine art, painting and sculpting. I also wanted to become a teacher so I took a lot of classes. What does “Resurgence� symbolize? Water is a heavy element in the mural as they can represent calm feelings. You cannot just have a simple pond. A waterfall has a more uplifting and strong impact so I latched on to it along with other supporting elements like herbal flowers. How did you get approached to do the mural? I was selected as one of the four finalists to do separate wall projects throughout the medical building. One came from Oregon, another from San Francisco while two including me from Sacramento. How was the creation process? It took 18 months to create the handmade tiles which are not easy. I had to work in parts as my studio wasn’t big enough to put all together. The final piece had a total of 544 tiles weighing all together about 500 pounds of clay. For people who visit the medical facility and see the mural, what do you want them to see? To counter the possible chaotic nature for a building named the Surgery and Emergency Services Pavilion, I wanted to create a soothing feeling while giving them strength during the worst.

5

One-act play awakens the past Mikha Collins Connection Staff The normally quiet Art Quad became a time capsule of sorts as the drama department attempted to take its audience back to the simpler times of the 1940s with their first one-act play on Oct. 6 and 7. “Ascension Day,� written by Timothy Mason and directed by Gail Dartez, tells the story of nine teenagers attending a bible-camp found on the shore of Lake Wissota in Wisconsin. Even though the camp is dedicated to higher worship studies, the somewhat resistant teenagers manage to churn up enough drama with raging hormones and alien sightings. However, the story focuses mainly on the relationship between two sisters: Branden Wiens | The Connection Faith, played by Ronnie D. Fowler, and Charity, played by Celina Peterson, left, and Kaela Harrison perform a scene in Timothy Mason’s “Ascension Day� on Oct. 7 in the Cosumnes River College art quad. Kelly McConnen. During their week at open courtyard, the cast provided every time they do it,� Hayes said. camp, the two sisters end up making chairs, blankets and umbrellas to comOf the entire production, the decisions that will affect their relation- bat the sun. acting is what really stood out. Even ship for the rest of their lives. Using The crowd ranged from the curi- though many of the student actors music and dialogue, the production ous to supporters of friends to those were on stage for the first time, acrecreates the troubles and life issues who just attended to earn class credit. cording to the cast biographies, it was that teenager’s from the 1940s faced. Angileena Hayes, a 20-year-old obvious that they put their best into The cast made the most of the engineering major, was there to sup- this production. small space available to them by hav- port friend Philip Hernandez, who With a balance of funny and seriing a simple stage consisting of a black played Westley. ous moments, “Ascension Day� brings backdrop, some black set boxes for “The director did a wonderful job to life the lives of teenagers living durseating and very few props. For the with scene transitions. They get better ing uncertain times. comfort of the audience sitting in the

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Pinkberry offers delicious alternatives to ice cream

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You walk into the curiously named shop, and the first thing that catches your eye is the bright colored walls, the trendy music and the colorful furniture. By the time you get to the counter your foot is automatically tapping a beat. Welcome to Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt restaurant in Elk Grove. Step up the counter, and along with an assortment of toppings, a helpful Pinkberry logo gives you advice on “How to Pinkberry.� These directions helpfully explain to newcomers how to order. The staff offered samples of the varying flavors of yogurt they have, ranging from chocolate to pomegranate. At first I was leaning towards pomegranate, but original really caught my taste buds. After throwing on some mangoes, kiwis, mochi and a waffle cookie, I was all set. After selecting your flavor, size, and whatever toppings you like, ranging from fresh fruit to Fruity Pebbles, you take your rather artful creation and sit down at one of the few tables, and all that’s left to do is simply enjoy it. The flavors were outstanding, and I found that the original yogurt really has a great way of being a good base for the fresh fruit mixed in. While eating your yogurt concoction, one really has a chance to take in all that the visual treats that were featured in the restaurant.

Pinkberry really sets itself apart by offering a genuinely different setting than other yogurt shops located in and around Elk Grove. Rather than trying to look like a traditional ice cream parlor, the store tries to convince you that it’s not a yogurt shop at all.  The lighting was impressive, but simple, and adds to the lightweight atmosphere the restaurant provides. The best way to describe it is as the opposite of a certain extremely popular Seattlebased coffee shop. Not too moody, or serious of a place, rather much more light and airy, with bright blues and greens dominating the walls and ceiling. Pinkberry certainly was worth all the hype that has been building since its recent opening. With a tasty menu, and an atmosphere that can’t be beat, this really is a great alternative to a coffee shop or a sushi bar, or even a traditional restaurant in some circumstances.  It certainly is a great place to go on a date without breaking the bank. I spent about $5.50 for a medium-sized yogurt plus the toppings, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. It’s a great value for what you get- a colorful restaurant with all the toppings. In every way, Pinkberry is a welcomed addition to the ever-growing Elk Grove cityscape.

Sports

6

October 14, 2010

CRC dominated over the Sequoias in 4-0 win Drew Pitts Connection Staff The men’s soccer team was ready for action and came through with a dominating 4-0 win over College of the Sequoias. Freshman forward Siaka Konneh led the way with two goals. Coach Ron Preble said despite having injuries and small mistakes that held them back early in the season, his Hawks were capable of the type of performance displayed against College of Sequoias. “We have been injured since preseason and now are starting to s t a b i l i z e ,” “It felt good. Preble said. P r e b l e We are also said going to try “keeping concentration to be more and not giving consistent goals away” and get would give to the the Hawks s u c c e s s , playoffs.” and that’s exactly what Daniel happened. Ramos T h e Hawks started out with great energy. Sophomore Evan Koris set up sophomore Samuel Gonzales for a near goal that missed. Konneh started the Hawks offensive onslaught with a great shot that slammed into the net to give CRC the early 1-0 lead. While the goal excited the

Unique Pierre-Cody | The Connection

On Oct. 5 at Cosumnes River College, Sophomore midfielder Daniel Ramirez dribbles the ball up field past a Sequioas Giant player. crowd, it also set the tempo for the rest of the match as the Hawks continued to attack the net and put pressure on College of the Sequoias defenders. “We were smart with the ball and attacked from different spots,” said Preble. Freshman Cuauhtemoc Rincon followed up with

another goal that gave the Hawks a comfortable 2-0 lead. Defender Daniel Ramos added another goal, furthering them into the lead. “It felt good. We are going to try to be more consistent and get to the playoffs,” Ramos said. Konneh was not done

either and added his second goal of the day, making it a long day for Sequoias goalkeeper Antonio Diaz. Hard work was a major reason why the Hawks were able to maintain their energy level and play well, said Konneh. “We ran 11 miles this week and eight miles last

week,” Konneh said. “I could go another hour, and likewise with the rest of the team.” Other teammates agreed that their hard work paid off in the game. “Everybody did their job, put in effort and played with heart,” said freshman Alan Salcedo.

Sports

October 14, 2010

7

Delta buries Hawks with a late penalty kick, 1-0 Kelsey Simpson Connection Staff The men’s soccer team lost 1-0 to San Joaquin Delta College Oct. 8. Cosumnes River College had a rough start, gaining and then losing control of the ball while remaining mostly on their side of the field. Throughout the first half, several Hawk players got injured, including forward Siaka Konneh, hurt his leg and ended up leaving the game. Konneh was healthy enough to come back into the game for CRC in the second half. By the end of the first half, neither team scored, but the strength of Delta’s teamwork overpowered the Hawks, especially running into the second half. Corner kicks Hawks taken by forward Jose Garcia and defender Edgar Lepe both missed in the first half, while Delta’s corner kicks missed in the second half. With a minute to go in the

second half, Delta scored their only penalty kick, providing a victory for their team. By the end of the game, the Hawks ended up with seven yellow cards while Delta received only one. “We created at least four chances to score in the first half,� said coach Ron Preble. “And another three in the second. We just didn’t execute it.� Preble spoke highly of Delta’s performance on the field. “I think they [Delta] played a little bit better soccer than us,� Preble said. “We’ll just be a little bit more prepared next time.� With this loss, the Hawks will have to bounce back and prepare themselves for their next match against Taft College on Oct. 12. The Hawks said they took this match as a learning experience, with intentions of working harder for the rest of the season. “We’re way better than that,� Konneh said. “We’re definitely going to practice much harder, and (we’re) not touch the ball for a few days.�

MEN’S SOCCER Opponent Santa Rosa CC San Francisco American River Fresno City Modesto JC

Branden Wiens | The Connection

Forward Samuel Gonzales, left, races to retake the ball during the Hawks 1-0 loss at home to San Joaquin Delta College Oct. 8.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Location

Date/Time

CRC CRC ARC Fresno CRC

10/15 - 4 p.m. 10/19 - 4 p.m. 10/22 - 4 p.m. 10/26 - 4 p.m. 10/29 - 4 p.m.

Opponent Sacramento City Modesto JC San Joaquin Delta Diablo Valley Santa Rosa

Location

Date/Time

CRC Modesto CRC Pleasant Hill CRC

10/15 - 6:30 p.m. 10/20 - 6:30 p.m. 10/27 - 6:30 p.m. 10/29 - 6:30 p.m. 11/3 - 6:30 p.m.

Returning volleyball player Jessica Scalzitti in the spotlight Raynisha Taltoan Connection Staff As one of the only two returning players to the volleyball team at Cosumnes River College, Hawks sophomore Jessica Scalzitti said she was passionate about being a team player. The 22-year-old early childhood education major also said she grew up playing sports. When did you start playing volleyball? When I was in junior high school. What drew you to volleyball? In junior high school, my English teacher was a volleyball coach. He knew I wanted to play a sport but didn’t know which one. The first year I got into the game, I was the manager and I liked the pace of the game so I decided to play. What do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself teaching and owning my own home. What has playing volleyball added to your life? I play multiple sports. This is the first time playing a sport that’s all girls, all the time. The team gets really close. It creates a bond and a support system. Just being part of a team and the feeling of not wanting to let your team down.

PAY OFF

Is there anything you want to improve on? I would like to improve on my accuracy and consistency on the court. Being able to come back from being down in points. Also being able to execute at the drop of a dime.

YOUR EDUCATION Tuition costs shouldn’t stop you from reaching your goals in life. By joining the Army National Guard, you’ll receive the money you need to help pay for college as well as the skills and training you need to get the career you want. If you’re looking to get through college, with the Army National Guard, you can!

C ALIFOR

SSG Javier Machado 916-320-8459 .!4)/.!,'5!2$ COM s '/ '5!2$

What motivates you? My teammates motivate me. Being part of a team is a really special thing.

NIA

News

8

October 14, 2010

STAR Act: state’s legislation vital Health: students weigh benefits of health reforms to student transfer options Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

“I was told this summer from a cancer survivor that a CT Scan of their head cost $9,000,” Barkley said. “This person had health insurance. Imagine needing a scan and not being covered.” Athena Alboro, a 20-year-old biological science major, said current unemployment levels make passing the ACA even more of a priority. “It’s hard to find available jobs right now and without a job and any of those benefits it gets even harder to get health insurance,” Alboro said. Students said the ACA would help some struggling students. “It would mean a lot to those of my friends that are struggling from paying their own health insurance right now,” Alboro said. Christina Vue, a 17-year-old veterinarian major, said she likes the ACA because it will cutback the power of insurance

companies that are able to drop coverage or not pay for certain treatments. “If a person wants health insurance why would you just drop them?” Vue asked. “Their power is just too high.” Stephan Starnes, 20, undecided major, said greedy companies might attempt to abuse the ACA. “In theory it is good that it passed, but it has potential to be abused by the health insurance companies,” Starnes said. Obama said the things he did may have been unpopular but were the right things to do nevertheless. “I’m thinking about the next generation and there are a lot of folks out there who are thinking about the next election,” Obama answered in a town hall meeting monitored by CNBC on Sept. 20. “I knew they weren’t popular, but they were the right thing to do, and that’s got to be my top priority.”

signed but surprised in the direction the Schwarzenegger administration is going. “The one good thing they’ve done in years,” Zinsky said. She expressed that her major isn’t being offered at CRC, so she is only taking her general education classes on campus and has to go else where for others. Zinsky is hoping the bill will in some way be of help to her. Fellow student Genesis Hayes, 25, human services major, is also accepting of the bill. “I’m surprised Schwarzenegger is even doing anything for education, but I’m happy they’re going to guarantee transition,” Hayes said. Not all people attending community college want to transfer, but this is something that could only help students, Hayes said. “It’ll encourage people into getting their bachelor’s degree,” Hayes said. Most students are anticipating the

arrival of the bill being put into action, which is set to roll out in fall of 2011. “I will definitely utilize this because I’m on a time factor,” said Nicholas Faulkner, 23, sociology major. Meanwhile, members of the state legislature will pursue the advancement of another initiative in the form of Assembly Bill 2302. AB 2302, authored by Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), aims to push the University of California system to develop a transfer associate degree pathway similar to that of SB 1440, according to a press release from The Campaign for College Opportunity. Gov. Schwarzenegger, in a statement, said that SB 1440 was a positive move in advancing the needs of college students. “Guaranteeing admission into a CSU for any community college student who completes the newly established transfer degree under SB 1440 is a monumental step forward for California’s higher education system,” Schwarzenegger said.

Transfer Day: participants felt Club Fair: student awareness of student attendance lacking club diversity increases Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

necessary information. “I was really interested in transferring to University of San Francisco,” said 23year-old biology major, Amanda Finch. “They don’t have any estimates on their housing on the website but after seeing their prices here I think I might consider a State University instead.”

Despite the large turnout, many of the university representatives said they would have liked to see even more students attend. “We’re not here because we’re required to,” Cejea said. “We’re here because we want to help and really this is your day, and it’s up to you to take the initiative.”

“If I was staying here longer I’d join ASG,” Hudson said. To bring a close to the fair there was a homecoming-like parade, with participants dressed in orange and blue to represent CRC’s school colors. Club members walked side by side in a line, holding their banners in a last attempt to

7441 West Stockton Boulevard

(intersection of Cosumnes River Blvd & Bruceville Road)

get votes in support of their club. Overall, participants considered the even to be a success. “Students can walk through and see clubs they did not know existed,” said Veronica Bryant, senator of business and family services. “They can also vote, which let’s students know they have a voice.”

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