Etera
Eastfield College
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Volume 47, Issue 3
Bigger and Brighter State Fair brings new additions to an old tradition See page 7
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NEWS
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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The Et Cetera
Holmes expert talks stories, adaptations By Victor Martinez and James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
In the 1929 novel “The Maltese Falcon,” the Eastfield common book for 2015, author Dashiell Hammett created an iconic, hard-boiled detective with Sam Spade, who was later immortalized on film by Humphrey Bogart. But no detective outshines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes when it comes to name recognition and pop-culture exposure. According to Holmes expert Leslie S. Klinger, who recently visited the campus as a part of the common book activities, Doyle created an international sensation and ignited a genre when the first novel featuring the character and sidekick Dr. John Watson, “A Study in Scarlet,” appeared in Beeton’s Christmas Annual in 1887. “It was Harry Potter on steroids,” he said. “It was immensely popular.” Klinger spoke twice Sept. 29 to audiences of more than 100 students, faculty and staff. Readers in the late 1880s were rabid for criminal stories, Klinger said. People followed real-life crime and regularly read publications about executions.
Common Book Holmes, a London-based “consulting detective” with abilities that sometimes seemed superhuman, caught the imagination of the masses. The character used logic and forensic science and adopted numerous disguises to solve his mysteries. Holmes and Watson have remained popular over the decades through various incarnations. Recent additions include two movies starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, a BBC television series with Benedict Cumberbatch, a CBS television show with a female Watson and the 2015 film “Mr. Holmes,” featuring Sir Ian McKellen as the aging detective grappling with an unsolved case and his unreliable memory. “Every adaptation seems to focus on a different aspect of Holmes and Watson,” Klinger said. Klinger, who served as an adviser on the film “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” talked about the extensive history of the Holmes stories and the many theories sur-
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Sherlock Holmes expert Leslie S. Klinger discusses the history of Sherlock Holmes and author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
rounding the detective. One theory suggests that the original stories were written by a Dr. Watson and published under the name of Arthur Conan Doyle because Doyle was a
recognized name. “One question that I usually get … somewhere in the presentation is whether Sherlock Holmes is real or a fictional character,” Klinger said.
“The answer is yes.” Doyle said that Holmes was inspired by Joseph Bell, a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for whom he had worked as a clerk.
Art sleuths separate forgeries from treasures By Hunter Cave etc4640@dcccd.edu
Like a detective searching for clues in a crime scene, art authentication expert Meredith Meuwly uses acute observation, scientific testing and background checks to appraise artwork and memorabilia. Meuwly is the director of appraisal services at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, where she has a unique job. “People pay me to tell them what their stuff is worth,” she said. “To be their detective … to find out what they have. I chose this because it was a good mix of my art history background and business. I liked the ‘Why does this equate this value?’ ‘What are economic trends?” In honor of the 2015-2016 common book “The Maltese Falcon,” Meuwly decided to share her passion with about 65 attendees in her “Fakes and Forgeries” presentation last Wednesday. There are several methods used to deduce the authenticity and value of various items. Meuwly said factual information, such as publicity photos or statements from the artist, ath-
lete or other person of significance, is useful to determine an item’s relationship to the person. If there is no such information, she searches for physical evidence through signature analysis, scientific testing, X-rays and infrared scanning. These forensic methods establish the age of the item being appraised and what materials and tools were used to make it. If a contradiction is found, the item is likely a forgery. Each test has limitations, so provenance and scholarly opinion are also valuable resources. Receipts help appraisers follow the collectible’s “paper trail,” hopefully leading to the original owner or creator. When verifying a piece of artwork, Meuwly looks for a catalogue raisonne, a book that records every known piece of work an artist has created. The author of the raisonne is often contacted to verify the piece. While contacting experts of the artist, such as family and scholars, can be very helpful, Meuwly said their opinions should be evaluated with caution. Family members might authenticate an artist’s work for financial gain, regardless of whether or not they actually created it.
Scholars may cause more problems and confusion with their disagreeing opinions, shipping costs and changing reputations. Some have even destroyed pieces they deem inauthentic, preventing further research and inciting clients to file lawsuits for destruction of property. Meuwly concluded her presentation with a sample case study: the coveted falcon figurine from the 1941 film adaptation of “The Maltese Falcon” starring Humphrey Bogart. One of two known figurines used for the film was auctioned at Bonhams in November 2013, measuring 12 inches high and weighing about 45 pounds. The falcon’s description states, “cast lead with dark patina, figure of a falcon on a pedestal with smooth breast feathers, almond eyes and rounded tail feathers. With Warner Bros. prop department inventory number ‘WB 90067’ to rear tail feathers and underside. Some scratches to head and chest, lower right tail feather visibly bent.” “The tail feathers were bent because Bogart did drop the piece … and he hurt his toes,” Meuwly said. Identifying features such as this can help determine if the falcon is genuine. The falcon was
compared to still images from the film, which confirmed a match. The piece sold for $4 million. Executive Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Courtney Carter-Harbour, who organized the event, said the presentation exceeded her expectations. Carter-Harbour praised Meuwly for her “ability to connect with the students, to engage and excite them” about the art appraisal profession. Meuwly earned her bachelor’s degree in classical studies and art history from Duke University in 2000 and a master’s degree in modern art, connoisseurship and the history of the art market from Christie’s Education in 2001. She also works as an appraiser for PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow,” where she has valued many treasures, including a “black forest carved wood clock, ca. 1890” valued at $3,000-$6,000 and a “Handel bronze lamp, ca. 1900” valued at $1,500-$2,000. In 2015, the International Society of Appraisers honored Meuwly with the Distinguished Service Award “for her contributions and dedication to the field of personal property appraisals.”
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Enrollment dips for first time since 2011
sion, some of those classes that all incoming freshmen are going to take,” he said. Some administrators believe that the recent economic recovery has played a part in the decrease. With national unemployment down from 5.9 percent to 5.1 percent since last year, it appears some are going to work instead of attending college. “The economy gets a little bit
better, and there are some number of people who are less likely to feel the need to go back and get a little more education to better themselves in their job or to get another job,” Walker said. “That’s not to say we should just accept that, and we don’t because there’s a lot of people here in this community that we just haven’t reached yet.” Bellamy said the biggest hit in career technologies has been with second-year students, possibly due to the improving job market. “They have some skills. They were able to get a job, so they didn’t come back,” Bellamy said. “In the past, we have always seen that when the economy is good, students don’t seek education. That’s a standard. That’s something we almost see cyclical throughout the different times.” Conway has charged all college employees with proposing new ways to recruit and retain students. “There’s not just one answer,” she said. “When our enrollment kept going up and up, people asked, ‘What are you doing?’ “There wasn’t one answer. There were multiple things we were doing. We’ve sort of had to get our own reality check and say “It’s time to get back out into this community.’ ”
adviser to the college’s LULAC club, said she worries such attitudes about immigration will also harm those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows children brought into the country before turning 16 to apply for legal status. “With people like Trump out there gaining support, it is very scary,” Reguero said. “He is trying to not only take away things that we have already gotten, but stop us from going forward.” Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both support immigration reform that would create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents. Other Republican candidates oppose Trump’s plan to deport 11 million immigrants, but most place border security as a high priority. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has distanced himself from a bipartisan immigration-reform bill that he coauthored in 2013. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Gov. Chris
Christie of New Jersey and businesswoman Carly Fiorina oppose a pathway to citizenship. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has backed legislation that would allow children brought into the country by family members to attain citizenship but has promised to secure the border. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina place border security as a higher priority than reform plans. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson advocates allowing immigrants already living in the U.S. to enroll in a “guest worker” program. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has proposed reform that stops short of legal status for people in the country illegally. Ohio Gov. John Kasick has said he would consider a pathway to citizenship but does not like the idea. Former New York Gov. George Pataki has proposed legal residency for immigrants after 200 hours of service.
By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
A drop in enrollment has prompted minor budget cuts in some areas of the college’s academic divisions. Enrollment fell from 15,000 in fall 2014 to 14,251 in fall 2015, a difference of 5.3 percent. This drop is the first since President Jean Conway was appointed at Eastfield in 2011. Since then, enrollment had increased at Eastfield even as other campuses in the Dallas County Community College District faced dropoffs. Conway said students and faculty are not expected to see any effects of the decrease at this time. An Enrollment Research Task Force of college employees is looking into the issue. “The task force has just been charged two weeks ago,” Conway said. “We don’t know exactly what they’ll come up with in their research.” To offset the decrease, departments were asked to cut 5 percent from select areas. Most divisions applied the cuts to administrative functions such as office supplies. “We’re looking at making the adjustments in the things that prob-
PARKER WARD /THE ET CETERA
ably don’t affect these students that much, and the faculty are given what they need,” Executive Dean of Career Technologies Johnnie Bellamy said. “Maybe there’s a little bit of fat we can trim off of supplies we don’t need.” Faculty have already started making adjustments to the way they use supplies. “In our division, we tried to make certain that the brunt, the most of that 5 percent reduction, was in
things like the use of the copy machine,” Executive Dean of Social Sciences Mike Walker said. “Faculty have been very on board, too. … They’ll find that maybe there’s more than one thing we can put online or on a screen instead of paper.” Walker said freshman-level classes have seen the biggest drops in enrollment. “Some of the hardest hit classes were like History 1301 for our divi-
Immigration tops list of presidential election issues By Juanita Hernandez etc4640@dcccd.edu
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories exploring issues in the 2016 presidential election. Immigration has emerged as the dominant domestic-policy campaign issue for candidates seeking the presidency in 2016. Republican candidate Donald Trump has attracted attention for his call to refuse citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to non-citizens. He has promised, if he is elected, to fight to revoke their citizenship and deport anyone living illegally in the country. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also opposes automatic citizenship for these children, dubbed anchor babies by opponents who say their parents use the children’s births in an attempt to stay in the U.S. “It goes against the 14th Amendment,” said Eastfield’s League of United Latin American Citizens
President Herlinda Resendiz. “By (Trump) fighting for this, it’s clear that he doesn’t know his amendments.” The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States. Opponents say “anchor babies” unfairly help their undocumented parents benefit from government programs such as food stamps and Medicaid and improve their chances of obtaining legal status. “My father is Mexican and my mother is white,” freshman Sendi Cardoza said. “They got married in Mexico, and he waited to enter the U.S. legally. “Sure it wasn’t easy or cheap, but they did things the right way. And if my parents were able to do so, I feel like everyone else should be able to do the same.” According to the Center for Immigration Studies, nearly 300,000 children are born to undocumented parents in the United States every year. After age 21, children born in the United States may petition for
EDUARDO ORTEGA /THE ET CETERA
their non-citizen parents to obtain legal status. History professor Kat Reguero,
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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Sugar skulls, salsa highlight ‘fiesta’ By Andrea Carrizales etc4640@dcccd.edu
Eastfield kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 16 with a “Dieciseis” celebration of Mexican Independence Day at the Pleasant Grove campus. During October, the Office of Student Engagement and Retention is hosting a variety of events designed to celebrate Hispanic heritage and inspire students with the merging of academic studies and cultural diversity. Although the national celebrations end on Oct. 15, the college will continue celebrating until Nov. 12, when students from the Spanish Honors classes will have their final oral presentations, open to the public. As a different take on the yearly celebrations, OSER is adopting “Energizing our Nation’s Diversity” as the theme for the month. Its main goal is to promote cultural diversity and encourage a broader perspective among students, OSER Dean Courtney Carter-Harbour said. Carter-Harbour said she is especially excited for the visit of Latino slam poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo on Oct. 27. A native of East Dallas, Zihuatanejo grew up in “El Barrio,” and his early experiences in Hispanic culture
ET CETERA FILE PHOTO
Dancers from the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico perform during the 2013 Hispanic Heritage celebration. The dancers will return for a performance on Oct. 12 in the Lower Courtyard.
are present in his poems, written in English. “I’m excited about that connection with our students,” Carter-Harbour said. “This is someone who has pursued a career in the arts and achieved success. He is very talented and he comes from this neighborhood,. So I think it will be inspiring for our students to hear him talk about his journey but then also perform some of his works.” Zihuatanejo has appeared on HBO’s “Def Poet” and is a National Poetry Slam finalist. In 2008, he won the Individual World Poetry Slam
Championship. A salsa-tasting with Chef Lydia Gonzales on Oct. 21 is another event that has members of the Hispanic Heritage committee — responsible for the planning of the events — excited. “They’re going to have salsas from different areas of the world and will give lectures about the origins of salsa and why things are created to taste a certain way from certain regions of the world,” committee member Philip Bueno said. Gonzales’ presentation will inform students about different global
Editorial Policy
Univision hosts newscast on Pleasant Grove campus
The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District. The Et Cetera is published every two weeks—except December, January and summer months—by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. Additional copies are available in Room N-240. Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters will be edited for profanity and vulgarity, Associated Press style, grammar, libel and space when needed. The content will remain that of the author. Letters considered for publication must be 250 words or fewer. Letters may be delivered to Room N-240 or sent to etc4640@dcccd. edu. First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO BY ALEJANDRA ROSAS
ingredients and tastes. “I think she’ll do a good job really broadening our perspective from a culinary point of view,” Carter-Harbour said. On Nov. 2, Eastfield will celebrate “Dia de los Muertos,” or Day of the Dead. This is a day for people to pay tribute to family and friends who have died. At first a Mexican holiday, this practice has extended into Brazil and Spain and is acknowledged in many other countries around the world. On that day, OSER will have a Hispanic heritage trivia game and traditional Mexican sugar skulls for students in the Pit. Students will have the chance to see traditional folklorico dances on Oct. 12. Existing campus activities such as the Recital Series and the Foreign Film Series will feature live music and a movie presentation on Oct. 14 and 15, respectively, to commemorate Hispanic culture. Events involving academics include an Economics of Immigration panel on Oct. 7 and a presentation on “Dia de los Muertos” by history professor Kat Reguero on Oct. 28. Hispanic Heritage Month was proclaimed a national celebration in 1968. Eastfield began celebrating when the college opened its doors in 1970.
DAVID SANCHEZ/THE ET CETERA
Univision presented its local 5 p.m. newscast live from Eastfield’s Pleasant Grove campus on Oct.1. News anchors Angel Pedrero and Wendy Cruz hosted the show. The segment opened with the story of the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, where nine people were murdered. Univision reached out to students at the Pleasant Grove campus to ask how they felt about safety on campus. Anchor Andrea Rega reported speaking to students who confirmed feeling safe. The network also launched the “Quiero Aprender” or “I Want to Learn” campaign dedicated to promoting the importance of education among the Hispanic community. The campaign is giving away a $5,000 scholarship each month through December. Students must create a photo, video or social media post illustrating or describing what motivates them to pursue education or what would make a positive impact on their education, school, community and future. Post submissions to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #QuieroAprender or upload posts to getschooled.com/Univision. — Juanita Hernandez
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PUT IT ON YOUR
Calendar October
Wed
7
Healthy Living fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Pit and C-135 Get $18 flu shots sponsored by the Health Center, 2-6 p.m., C-139
Fri
9
Introduction to video production presented by Sarah Sheldon, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., L-208 Counseling and Advising: What's the Difference? presented by Katie Neff, 11:30 a.m-12:30 p.m,
Tue
Cyberbulling workshop, presented by counselor Katie Neff, 11 a.m.
Wed
Hispanic Heritage Month concert series with Havana, 12:30-1:30 p.m, Performance Hall
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Completion Center, Commitment Week: Career Planning, OSER will be giving away prizes, 12:30 p.m. -2 p.m., C-237A
Thur
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Breast Cancer Awareness Walk sponsored by the Health Center, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Fireside Lounge Completion Center: Commitment Week, Texas A&M Commerce info sessions about completing associates degrees or certificates, lunch provided, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., C-135
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Wednesday,October 7, 2015
Perot naturalist educates on health
By Juanita Hernandez etc4640@dcccd.edu
If you were handed a patient’s vital signs data and X-rays, could you make a diagnosis? Students at the Pleasant Grove campus were taught to evaluate such data about hypothetical patients as well as themselves during a presentation Sept. 30 by the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Lead naturalist educator Jessie Crowley, who has worked for the museum for more than three years writing the biology curriculums and working with the museum’s animal collection, gave the presentation Diagnosis: The Body in Question, which teaches the importance of listening to our bodies and understanding vital signs. Before starting the class, Crowley figures out the student’s comprehension level on health topics. “Besides waiting a long time, what else happens at an emergency room?” she asks. In an emergency room, patients usually wait, a nurse takes their vital signs and then they wait again. Crowley said that vital signs help nurses determine whether patient need to be seen immediately or if they can wait. Crowley then placed the 24 students in groups of four, supplying each with a clear plastic box. The boxes contained stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and forehead thermometers. Crowley set her phone timer to 15 seconds and instructed the students to count the number of breaths they take. She then added another 15 seconds and asked students to count their pulse on their wrists or necks. The purpose is to familiarize the students with what is considered normal and what should be of concern. Many people do not understand how these functions work or how to read them, Crow-
JUANITA HERNANDEZ/THE ET CETERA
Jessie Crowley of the Perot Museum speaks to students at the Pleasant Grove campus.
ley said. The class is then taken into a deeper level of experimentation. Each group receives a hypothetical patient file. Crowley tasks the students to diagnose the patient using vital signs and X-rays. “I think it is very important for us to know what’s going on with our bodies at all times,” freshman Alexia Jimenez said. “I don’t think people understand how beautiful and important our bodies are. I think things like this … open our minds.” Although the class consisted of only one health major, all of the students appeared engaged and participated in the class. Crowley moved through the room and answered questions.
NEWS
Brief
Giving life
Art show focuses on photos Beginning Oct. 15, Eastfield will host a photography exhibition titled “Sensuous World” in F-219C. The exhibition runs through Nov. 20.
Completion Center: Transfer Fair, more than 45 universities will be in attendence, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., the Pit
“She was explaining everything with such detail ... She didn’t just assume we knew everything because we are college students,” freshman Imelda Diaz said. “If Jessie were to teach a class, I would take it.” A medical education can take many years, but Crowley said that volunteering can help students decide if they should pursue health as a career. Prior to deciding on a health education path, Crowley said she wanted to become a veterinarian. Volunteering helped her decide. “I think that volunteering your time is a great way to start,” she said. “It gives you a step above people that don’t.”
Artist Kalee Appleton will speak about the featured artwork at 2:15 p.m. Oct. 22 in F-218. Kate Palmer Albers, assistant professor of art history at the University of Arizona, will lecture at 9 a.m. in G-101.
Hispanic Heritage Month Foreign Film Series: 'Valentin', 12:30-1:50 p.m., C-237
Fri
Photoshop 3 presented by David Danforth, 10:3011:30 a.m.
Mon
Common book: The Science Behind Law and Order panel presentation, 9:05-10:35 a.m., G-101
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Building Credit presented by Ke'shun Walker, 12:30-1:30 p.m., L-208
ANDREA CARIZALES/THE ET CETERA
Leslie Mendoza gives blood for the first time Sept. 24. Blood collected during the drive will help 168 patients, Health Center Director Cynthia Taylor said. The next drive is Nov. 17.
Join us! Every other Wednesday @ 2 p.m. Room C-297
Life &Arts
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Private art collection arrives at college By Aisha Davis etc4640@dcccd.edu
JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA
Above, Terry Nowell introduces the exhibit. Right, "The Outer Space Theme Project" by Brooks Yeomans.
MOVIE REVIEW
Paintings and sculptures from the private collections of Terry Nowell, Karol Howard and George Morton will be on display in H-100 through Nov. 20. The exhibit, titled Haints, Saints and Spirits of the South, features work from self-taught artists. According to Nowell, each piece tells a story derived from its creator. Andy Don Emmons of Fairfield has been drawing and painting for over 30 years. Emmons got into folk art in college and began gluing magazine cut-outs to his pieces, lending a distinctive signature to his work. “I made most of these with watercolor paint I bought from the dollar store,” Emmons said. “I made about 500 to 600 drawings over a 10-year period. Art was my therapy.” He went on to explain how the drawings were like “social commentary” which came from “divine imagination.” Due to carpal tunnel syndrome, Emmons now paints exclusively. Despite the new medium, his rugged art style remains. Nowell spoke about many of the artists featured in the exhibit during a guest lecture in the gallery. “Most of the artists within this collection are self-taught,” he said. “You see, art cannot be taught. Art is visionary.” Nowell spoke of French painter and sculptor Jean Dubuffet, who fancied art created by psychiatric patients. This type of art is called outsider art, or art brut. Nowell shared how Dubuffet felt that isolation was a factor which helped both the patients and
the artists in the gallery create their paintings. Another addition to the exhibit is the work of sculptor Burgess Dulaney. A Mississippi native, Dulaney made his sculptures out of mud from his yard. He would take out the impurities by hand and used marbles for the eyes of each figure. Dulaney, who only ever had a dozen sculptures on display, never called himself an artist. He gave away many of his pieces for free until his brother-inlaw began charging for them. Nadine Freeman, Dulaney’s great-niece, said her family only owns one of his sculptures: a small dragon. Many pictures of his pieces are documented in the 1974 book “Baking in the Sun.”
‘Martian’ quick-witted, run time too long
By David Silva etc4640@dcccd.edu
With help over 140 million miles away, astronaut Mark Watney fights to avoid being the first human to die on Mars in Ridley Scott’s new sci-fi drama “The Martian,” based off of Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. The film revolves around Watney, an astronaut and botanist played by Matt Damon, who is left stranded on Mars after a storm seperates him from his fellow crewmates and almost ends his life. Watney has to survive on the foreign planet with limited resources and find a way to make contact with Earth in order to be rescued. The movie also stars Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean and Donald Glover. Scott is the creator of many successful movies such as Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down and American Gangster. However, he has recently made some very costly mishaps in the form
of 2013’s “The Counselor” (and if you haven’t heard of it, lucky you) and the disasters that were “Exodus: Gods and Kings” and “Child 44” in 2014. These films were largely harassed by critics and quickly overlooked by audiences abroad. "Martian," however, looks to be his much-awaited comeback to the sci-fi genre after 30 years, and to the pleasure of many fans, he has delivered a fun and clever motion picture. Damon shines as the quick-witted botanist, and manages to embody his resilience very well. Every time Damon is on screen he dominates with his humor and (forgive the pun) down-to-earth persona. Watney is given a marginal chance of survival in the hostile and lifeless planet but attempts to construct a system of food and water as well as making various attempts to communicate with NASA.
The nerdiest of hearts will flutter as Watney elaborately utilizes his vast knowledge of botany and technology. Scott’s cinematography has always been of the highest quality. He compliments the astronaut’s isolation with a very realistic Mars setting. Scott also allows Damon to carry most of the film. When the film focuses on the characters on Earth, however, the tempo starts to slow down for too long. The biggest flaw of this film is the run time. Clocking in at two hours and twenty-one minutes, I highly advise you to opt for the smaller drink of soda. The run time seems to weigh down on everyone, excluding Damon. It seems that Scott did not want to leave out anything from the novel, a decision that at a point drags the audience across some fairly predictable story plot. Although Scott has managed to enlist all-star performers, some actors
COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
Mark Watney (Matt Damon) must sustain life on Mars after a storm isolates him from his crewmates.
(Sean Bean, most of the Watney’s crew) only seem to overcrowd the film. Although it’s far from perfect, Scott’s cinematography is highly enjoyable, the complex tasks that
Watney ventures through are fascinating. The wit and resilience showcased by Watney throughout the film make this movie an entertaining ride well worth the night out.
LIFE&ARTS Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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The Et Cetera
Brand new activities keep Big Tex young
Every fall, the State Fair provides fun for people all over the Metroplex. This year, enjoy fair favorites like a ride on the Ferris wheel or a look at the newest cars in the auto show while taking advantage of the newest additions such as the Beer Haven and the Big Texas Music concert series. Even the most devoted fairgoers will find something new and exciting this time around. — Compiled by Parker Ward and Andrea Carrizales
Beer Haven
This outdoor bar on wheels offers 60 different draft taps every day. Primarily serving local craft brews, it offers special Texas- and fair-themed drinks such as the Community Beer Co.’s Funnel Cake Ale, a finalist in last year’s Big Tex Choice Awards. The Beer Haven will be at the fair through Oct. 18. During the weekends, the bar hosts live music and entertainment at the base of the Texas Star Ferris wheel. On Saturdays, local brewmasters offer tours showcasing their work. On the last weekend of the fair, the trucks will move into the Cotton Bowl for the Texas Craft Beer Festival, where more than 70 state breweries will talk to beer newbies and connoisseurs alike.
Big Texas Music
From pop to classical and country music, the Big Texas Music series of concerts has something for everyone every day of the fair, featuring notable musicians from all over the state. Entrance fees are included with fair admission. To see the full schedule of performances, visit bigtex.com/bigtexasmusic/
Thrifty Thursdays
Save money and enjoy select food items at a discount every Thursday. From funnel cakes to corny dogs, this is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of the State Fair while on a student budget.
Mundo Latino — Guitarras de Mexico
Adding a distinct Latin flair just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, Guitarras de Mexico features performances from guitarists and ensembles. Guitar makers from Paracho, Michoacan — the “guitar capital of Mexico” — will demonstrate their knowledge and craftsmanship to visitors. This exhibit is part of the annual series of Mundo Latino events and will be open daily in the Women’s Museum.
Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation
The revamped Fair Park fountain system will put on a nightly water and light show with dancers, acrobats and pop music to complement the art deco architecture. The 16-minute show will start at 8 p.m. every night in the Esplanade. Photos by Alejandra Rosas — Illustration by Jonathan Wences
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LIFE&ARTS
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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The Et Cetera
A BOOK TO CONSIDER
‘Girl’ returns to bookstores without her creator By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
The world seems to love Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series. Although Larsson died before the first book was even released, his name has become known internationally for his literary work. His publishers saw this and have decided the series must go on. It is rare for a foreign book series to become an instant classic in America. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” translated from Swedish, did just that. The foreign film adaptation was also a success. The struggles of investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander captivated Americans. The books were such a huge success that after the dead author’s final entry was released, Swedish publishers Norstedts Forlag decided that was no reason to end the series. They brought in David Lagercrantz to continue Larsson’s legacy with the latest installation,
“The Girl in the Spider’s Web.”
Plot Larsson’s original trilogy follows the story of Blomkvist and Salander in a double mission to find a girl missing for nearly 40 years and clear Blomkvist's name of criminal charges. The fourth book, set chronologically after the third, starts late at night as Blomkvist receives a phone call from an anonymous source with information that is somehow vital to the United States. Blomkvist, looking for a scoop for his political magazine, turns to Salander, who has her own unknown agenda. The tip leads Blomkvist and Salander into a web of powerful people looking to keep the information secret. Reviews The characters and their story in the original trilogy were praised by fans for their depth and ability to captivate readers. Slander’s
troubled past involving sexual abuse at a young age and Blomkvist’s dedication to his investigative journalism paint the dark and complex tapestry of the trilogy. Lagercrantz’s contribution to the series, “The Girl in the Spider’s Web,” has received mixed reviews. Critics claim that Lagercrantz handled the characters poorly, while those who have praised the fourth installation of the series have claimed they are as captivating as ever. USA Today says fans can rest easy because
Salander is “in good hands” and calls the story “a bloody, twisty thrill ride.” The Washington Post, however, described it as “disjointed and annoying,” despite the idea being “fitfully interesting.” Controversy The decision made by Norstedts Forlag to release a fourth book from a different author has caused controversy among fans and reviewers alike. Because the series was so beloved, many fans questioned a new author’s ability to maintain the story and the characters. They also questioned if Larsson wanted the series to continue. Some criticized the decision to continue in light of legal battles between Larsson’s family and longtime girlfriend over the rights to his work. His family won. It is unclear if the series will have a fifth installment, but the latest book seems to leave an opening for a follow-up.
MUSIC REVIEW
Deafheaven impresses, blends multiple rock genres By Jon Aguirre etc4640@dcccd.edu
Deafheaven is one of the biggest names in black metal. The San Francisco-based band is often called “black metal for people who don’t like black metal,” and I think this is true. Deafheaven’s accessibility shows in its latest album, “New Bermuda,” as well in its 2013 breakout sophomore release, “Sunbather,” a beautiful album that combined elements from shoegaze — a subgenre where vocals are put lower in the mix and used as a tool for melody, so the lyrics typically don’t matter — and postrock. “New Bermuda” is close to the same style as
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“Sunbather” but with dirtier vocals, harsher guitars and harder drums. In typical shoegaze fashion, all the noise in this album might make the listener miss the beautiful background melodies. Its influence is apparent in every song, while the post-rock elements are less prevalent in this album than “Sunbather.” In “Sunbather,” the post-rock songs are used as breaks from the intense black metal. In “New Bermuda,” these breaks have been removed, but the lack of post-rock does not hurt the album much. A full copy and paste of their last
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album would be trite. “New Bermuda” starts off with a droning sound and church bells in the song “Brought to the Water” and wastes no time getting to the hard metal we come to expect from Deafheaven. It’s here where we get our first sign that this album is going to be different. The vocals are one of the highest things in the mix and sound growlier than ever. One of the biggest problems I have with Deafheaven is that they use a lot of fade-outs. The last song on the album, “Gifts for the Earth,” has a fade-out in the last song, which rarely works for me. It feels anticlimactic and leaves me wanting more. But there are other things on this album that make up for it. In the song “Come Back,” Deafheaven shows its skill at blending ugly, harsh metal with pretty, easy listening. This is used in most of the songs on the album, but it does not feel overused. I am sure it would not work as well if another band tried this technique. The fast song “Luna” is contrasted by the slow “Baby Blue,” but both are reminiscent of the work of big '80s thrash metal bands such as Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. “Baby Blue” uses a riff that sounds like it would be straight out of that era of metal, and “Luna” reminds me of the speed of Slayer. “Baby Blue” also pays homage to the postrock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The end of the song samples a pre-recorded message from some kind of traffic report. In the Godspeed You! Black Emperor song “Storm,” there is a pre-recorded message of a gas station announcement. This is not new to Deafheaven
COURTESY OF ANTI RECORDS
Deafheaven's new album blends different sounds for a unique listening experience.
because the idea was repeatedly used on its last album. I think the best use of guitars on the album happens on the closer track “Gifts for the Earth.” Not only does it have a fantastic riff, but it also has other solos going on below the surface that you have to listen for. This is what gives “New Bermuda” its replay value. You can listen to it again and again and find new stuff such as little melodies in the cluster of guitars. “New Bermuda” is a full album with a length of about 45 minutes. It only includes five songs, but each is an average of nine minutes long. Even with these extended song lengths, I never felt like I was on a song for too long because it’s constantly changing. If anything, I want the songs to be drawn out a little more. This album isn’t for everybody, but if you’re a fan of metal, I would seriously recommend Deafheaven and this album.
Sports
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Soccer vs. Mountain View Soccer vs. Richland Volleyball vs. Arlington Baptist Volleyball vs. Mountain View
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Eastfield makes history with win over Richland By Gabriel Flores etc4640@dcccd.edu
The pitch fell silent as Eastfield’s Hazel Espinoza lined up to take a crucial penalty kick with just under 11 minutes to play in the first half of a top-10 clash against Richland on Sept. 25. Espinoza rifled her shot low and to the right, freezing the keeper, who watched helplessly as the ball struck the back of the net. The goal propelled the fourthranked Harvesters to a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish as they knocked off No. 8 Richland on its home field. It marked the first win over the Lady Thunderducks in Eastfield history and gave the Harvesters (7-1, 3-0) sole possession of first place atop the Region V standings. “It’s a big win for our program,” Eastfield coach Dustin Stein said. “If you can beat Richland, you can beat anybody in the country. They’re always in the mix for a national title, so beating them shows that we’re on the right path.” After the game Espinoza admitted that she, like many of her teammates, was nervous coming into the matchup. However, she seemed unaffected by the most crucial point in the game, scoring for the sixth time this season.
“I just tried to focus on placement and being calm,” she said. “I was trying to picture where I wanted to put it.” Sophomore midfielder Miriam Mendoza said she always has confidence in Espinoza and the rest of her team in penalty kick situations. “Whoever is up there will put it in the back of the net,” she said. After the goal, the Harvesters seemed quicker, swarming to the ball, and rooting out the Thunderduck attack with a number of tackles and interceptions. “The defense was a confidence boost,” said Eastfield sophomore keeper Abigayle Cantrell, who only had to fend off two shots because of her team’s performance. Eastfield played the game without starting midfielder Karlee Hickson, who was nursing a sprained ankle. Still, the Harvesters were able to play at their pace with precise passing and ball movement. Historically, Richland has dominated the region. However, Stein wanted his team focused on the now. “History is history,” he said. “I didn’t feel like an underdog. They needed to knock us off.” Eastfield nearly defeated Richland last season, losing 2-1 after relinquishing a 1-0 first-half lead. “It feels so good to beat Richland,” said Cantrell, breathing a sigh of re-
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lief, who was on the field during the tough loss last season. After the game, Stein made it clear to his players that there is still much work to be done and urged them to keep it all in perspective. “You haven’t won anything yet,” he said to his team while huddled in celebration. The road to New Jersey for the national tournament is paved with tough opponents, including a rematch with Richland at home Oct. 13.
BRIANNA HARMON/THE ETCETERA
Above, Elizabeth Cobar fends off a Richland player in a game between the two top-10 teams Sept. 25. Above left, Brenda Aguilar goes up for a header.
“That win did nothing more for us than beating Cedar Valley or beating Mountain View,” Stein said. “They all
count the same in the standings. Our goal is to be the No 1 seed in our district tournament.”
SPORTS
Briefs Lay named Player of Week
Penalty kick pays off for Espinoza
Outside hitter Karina Lay was named Metro Athletic Conference Player of the Week for Sept. 13-19. Lay is a freshman and has averaged 8.13 digs per set and 3.13 kills per set, and 30.8 percent of her digs were converted into kills. Lay is a Frisco native and graduated from Liberty High School. During the week of Sept. 13-19, Eastfield Lay played Southwestern Christian College and Dallas Christian College. “I think it’s a real honor because I had a injury, so getting back was a big deal for me,” Lay said. “Then getting the award made me want to keep pushing and keep doing better.”
Forward Hazel Espinoza has named the Division III player of the Week for Region V for Sept. 20-26. Espinoza found the back of the net twice that week. One of the goals was a game-winning penalty kick against No. 8 Richland, handing them their first conference loss since the 2012-2013 season. “I’m glad I helped the team to get that win against Richland,” Espinoza said. “It was really important for us. We have never beat Richland before.”
Basketball team starts new season Eastfield basketball season opened Oct. 1. The Harvesters first scrimmages will be held Oct. 9-10 in a five-game tournament at Marcus High School and Lewisville High School.
Espinoza
Intramural, pick-up games begin Intramural sports have kicked off for the semester. Soccer will be playing at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays on the soccer fields behind G building. Tennis players will meet at the tennis courts to compete at 12:30 p.m. Fridays.
There will also be two basketball tournaments on Oct. 10 and Nov. 21. Any full- or part-time students may participate as well as staff and faculty members. Each team will have three players. Table tennis will take place at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in P building. For information, email contact Larry Jefferson at larryjefferson@dcccd.edu. For those who don’t want to be on a team and compete in intramural sports but want to play basketball, faculty, staff and students are invited to play co-ed games at 7 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the gym.
North Lake to help former Eastfield athlete North Lake will host Eastfield on Oct. 15, a match that will also benefit former Eastfield volleyball player Blanca Saavadra. North Lake coach Cathy Carter is a close friend of Saavadra, who played for the Harvesters during the 2006-07 season. North Lake will be accepting donations and have prizes and a raffle to help Saavadra, who has cancer and is undergoing her final round of chemotherapy. —Compiled by Brianna Harmon
SPORTS
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Professor coaches volleyball
By Brianna Harmon etc4640@dcccd.edu
Kat Reguero left her history classroom Sept. 22, pinned a giant orange bow to her head and stepped onto the sidelines of the volleyball court. “Good job,” she shouted as the Harvester team took the court. “Way to go.” Reguero was the first guest coach of the season for Eastfield in their conference opener against Brookhaven. Brookhaven opened the season ranked No. 1 in the National Junior Athletic Association Division III. “I was very excited when I first found out she was going to be our guest coach,” freshman setter Zelda Ortiz said. “I love her in the classroom, and I knew I’d love her on the court. She comes to the games and supports us, and I can always hear her voice. And that makes my heart smile.” Reguero teaches History 1301 and 1302, and created a civil rights class and developed the curriculum for it. “It was a different spin. I’ve never had a teacher come be a coach for us,” freshman Madi Wenrick said. “So it’s cool. She is really upbeat and positive all the time, and it’s different from
most coaches because coaches aren’t positive all the time.” Coach Brandon Crisp asked Reguero to be the guest coach after a game. She accepted immediately. “I had zero reservations,” she said. “I was super excited.” Nerves started to plague her on game day but evaporated when she reached the locker room. “Oh my god, your bow,” one girl cried. “They were super cute and super excited to see me,” Reguero said. “It made me feel like this is where I belong and that I’m going to have a great night.” Reguero stayed with the team while they reviewed scouting reports and mentally prepared for the game. Each player sat at a desk and read through a binder filled with facts about their opponents. “For us in the stands it honestly looks like when the ball comes to you that you just hit it,” Reguero said. But she saw how much more the players put into their play. “They are very skilled and good listeners,” she said. “They are very dedicated. They throw their bodies out there. They are sliding across the floor. They are amazing.”
Reguero tried the keep the Harvesters’ spirits high as Brookhaven dominated the match. “We were losing really bad in the game, and she told us that great people are made from great moments and for us to go get that great moment,” Ortiz said. “That made my eyes tear up because it’s the truth. And to hear her say that from her perspective just really lifted everything off my shoulders and made me feel OK.” Eastfield lost the match to Brookhaven 3-0, with game scores of 14-25, 21-25, 7-25. Crisp created the guest coach program to give faculty and staff the chance to see the work that goes into the games and to become better acquainted with the athletes. Basketball coach Anthony Fletcher has invited guest coaches for his team’s season, which starts Oct. 30. Guest coaches for future games are Amy Vance, associate dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; Judith Dumont, acting executive dean of Workforce, Corporate and Continuing Education; adviser Corey Loverson, admissions specialist Simon Ozuna and police Lt. Timothy Ellington.
BRIANNA HARMON/THE ET CETERA
History professor Kat Reguero cheers on the volleyball team while serving as guest coach in the conference opener against Brookhaven on Sept. 22.
Reguero encourages others to get involved with the teams. “They will find it really rewarding,” she said. “I mean these girls are
amazing. It’s one thing to have them in the classroom. I’ve only had them three weeks. I feel like I know them now and how dedicated they are.”
Explore the opportunities and discover the difference at A&M-Commerce. > Presentations for freshmen and transfer students covering admissions, residential living & learning, financial aid and scholarships > Meet faculty, staff and students > Bilingual sessions by Hispanic Outreach
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Wrapup The Et Cetera
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Fake Friends By Chelsea Chizoba
Animal Droppings By Michelle Chase
Trivia Bits
Zek and Slik By Matthew Rohan
Sudoku
1.What president’s diary entries were so short the Massachusetts Historical Society could fit them within Twitter’s character limits? A) John Quincy Adams B) Ulysses S. Grant C) Andrew Jackson D) Woodrow Wilson In a light year, light travels nearly six trillion miles. Approximately how far does light travel in a nanosecond? A) One inch B) One foot C) One mile
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