News: Haitian IBO club hosts cultural event
Class of 2008 graduates at the James L. Knight Center.
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Features: New feeders allow students and animals to interact Page 8
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THE FALCON TIMES THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MIAMI DADE COLLEGE NORTH CAMPUS SINCE 1961 THEFALCONTIMES@HOTMAIL.COM
VOLUME 45, ISSUE 15
JUNE 23, 2008
Rowing team races against time
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff DRAGON ROW: MDC’s rowing team prepares to begin their first race of the day on May 31 at the Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. This was the fifth year MDC participated in the event.
Julie Selva Staff Writer Miami Dade College student rowers placed second at the Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in May. The competition marked the fifth straight year the college participated in
the event. Students and faculty members from the North, Homestead, Hialeah, Kendall, Interamerican, and Medical campuses competed. Each team consisted of about 16-20 paddlers, including the drummer, and the person steering the boat. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival divides teams into categories depending
on experience. The groups were listed as A, B, C, and D. Miami Dade College, a beginning squad, was placed in category C. During the first race, MDCʼs team finished in first place with a time of 1:48:19. They went against teams “The Force” and the Miami-Dade Police Department. “The first race is the qualifying race
based on the time,” said team captain Poll Duran. Maria Lopez, a Hialeah Campus student and a participant in the event, said rowing is a very challenging sport. “It was not as easy as it looked,” she said. GO TO BOAT RACE, PAGE 2
Students look to the future with GED diplomas Jessica Tejeda Staff Writer Miami Dade College held its 10th General Education Diploma (GED) graduation ceremony at the North Campus in early May. The program, which began in 1998, was originally only available at the Kendall Campus; itʼs now also offered at five of MDCʼs campuses: North, Wolfson, Homestead and InterAmerican. For the past three years, 600 students have received their GED through the program and moved on to further their education by taking courses at the college level. Director of Adult Education Susan Dow said she has worked very closely with students to ensure that they continue on their path of education. “Most students that are getting their
GED have a lot of life obstacles that have gotten in their way, whether it was having children or taking care of personal problems,” said Dow. “The professors and I try our hardest to keep them on track.” Jacqueline Cooney, a student speaker at the class of 2008 ceremony, said she has great plans for her future. She is pursuing her bachelorʼs in business management at Kaplan University and wants to own a non-profit business in the future. According to Cooney, “Without all the help and support I got from the online professor Karen Miller, I would have never finished my GED. She never gave up on me, and [she] is the reason I got my degree.” At the ceremony, North Campus President Dr. Jose Vicente introduced this yearʼs guest speaker, T. Willard Fair, board chair for the Florida Department GO TO GED, PAGE 3
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff GRADUATES: GED students applaud during the end of the graduation ceremony, which took place at the Lehman Theater in building 5.
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June 23, 2008
NEWS
Dragon Boat Race was ‘excellent outcome’ Student life director Jaime Anzalotta and MDC students have high hopes for future races FROM BOAT RACE, FRONT PAGE The team had five practices in the Miami Rowing Club prior to the race. Their teamwork and rehearsed skills were really tested in the second race. “Itʼs not about strength. Itʼs about your ores coming out and pulling out of the water at the same time,” said Sonia Fajardo, a nursing major. At noon, Miami Dade College was up for the second race, but they werenʼt as successful as the first race. The team came in fourth place, going against the “Southern Dragons”, Ocean Bank, and “Young and Rowing.” Fajardo, who has experience in rowing from Barry University, said that she was confident that as long as the team maintained its ores in unison, they could have won. “We had a bad start, we were crooked,” said Fajardo. Lance McGibbon, a recent MDC graduate and former president of the North Campusʼ Student Government Association, said the team lost because of confusion at
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff THE RACE BEGINS: The rowing team of Miami Dade College gets off to a bad start in the second race. The team finished fourth in the second race but managed an overall finish of second place.
the beginning of the race. “We werenʼt ready when they pulled the trigger”, he said. Although the team came in fourth place during the second race with a time of 1:46:11, they finished two seconds faster than the first race. “Itʼs not about the place that you come in, but the time that you take,” said Duran. Another team that was present during the festival was the Save Our Sisters team (S.O.S.). They called themselves the “pink lady dragons”. They were all breast cancer survivors who were advocating a healthier lifestyle. They were uniformed with their own customized pink paddles and outfits. The MDC team had five practices at the Miami Rowing Club prior to the race, where they learned how to row correctly and work together as a team. Jaime Anzalotta, the director of Student Life at the North Campus, said the students were exposed to a whole new experience. “It was an excellent outcome; students were able to interact,” said Anzalotta. “It was a collegewide interaction that promoted team work, commitment, and dedication.”
University application fees don a hefty price tag Michael Finch Staff Writer Every year, students matriculate to colleges and universities from Miami Dade College, only to enter into the taxing and competitive process of transferring. Application fees, transcripts, and postage costs peak at roughly $80 to $100 per school. For some students who apply to as many as four to seven schools, the price for transitioning to a desired college or university can come with a hefty price tag. “Since Iʼm in the Honors College, I used the stipend they give us to offset some of the costs,” said political science
major Binsen Gonzalez, who received a scholarship to Emerson College. “I donʼt oppose paying because the colleges are providing a service.” To many students, this time of the year proves to be challenging as they await college acceptance letters, which usually begin to filter out in May. “Youʼre really trying to stand out. Therefore, you have to raise your level of competence,” said international relations and political science major Sebastian Velasquez. “If you challenge yourself to take more classes and join more organizations, the universities see you as an asset.” Velasquez worked two jobs and was part of five school organizations while taking
19 credits during the spring semester. “I see everything as a challenge,” he said. “The process is very long and it all depends on your timing.” Top tier schools have long been sought after, offering students the prestige of an Ivy League education. Cornell University received 30,149 applications for admission to the class of 2011, topping all of the ten ivies. However, one ivy league institution, Harvard University, stunned many transfer students hoping to find a place there next fall when they sent rejection letters stating that the institution would not be accepting transfer students this year. “I was particularly upset with Harvard. They said they were not accepting any
In Short...
transfer students this year because they did not realize they would have an influx of freshmen this year,” Gonzalez said. Issues like this are normal for students every year. “I recommend meeting with the transfer coordinator, so if there is a trend in the college market you will be knowledgeable of it,” said Sherry Rix, the transfer coordinator at Miami Dade College North Campus. “That way, you wonʼt have to deal with receiving rejection letters.” Rix also said that visiting career services will help the department figure out the needs of students. “Students donʼt know what we know, and we donʼt know what students need to know unless they visit career services.”
By Laura C. Morel Editor in Chief
Miami Dade College has new channel that airs in more than 500,000 homes
Dallas Morning News reporter and former TV host to speak with students
Miami Dade College now has its own television channel, MDC-TV. The showʼs studios are located at the North and Homestead Campuses. The channel, directed by MDCʼs School of Entertainment and Design Technology, can be viewed by cable viewers in more than 500,000 households
Miami Dade College will host its next presentation of the Journalism Speaker Series at the Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Avenue, on June 24. The event will take place from noon
to 1:30 p.m. and will be in Room 2106. The speakers will be political reporter David Angelo Levinthal from the Dallas Morning News, and former Primer Impacto anchor Mercedes Soler.
David Levinthal
Mercedes Soler
throughout Miami-Dade County. The show airs on MDC-TV in English, Spanish, and Creole.MDC-TV can be viewed daily from 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. Itʼs latest features include a website, “www.mdc.edu/mdctv,” where videos can be watched.
American’s College Crime Watch and MDC North unite to improve safety Miami Dade College North Campus and the Youth Crime Watch of Americaʼs College Crime Watch are now working together to make the campus safer for the student body. Chief of Public Safety Therese Homer and chairperson of the School of Justice
Debbie Goodman, will serve as advisers for the organization. As part of the agreement, the North Campusʼ Crime Watch will have a monthly conference with other Crime Watch sites. For more information, contact Chief Homer at (305) 237-8060.
June 23, 2008
NEWS
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Graduation is ‘simply the beginning’ for students FROM GED, FRONT PAGE of Education and president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Miami. He told the students who were sitting in the center of the auditorium to look to the right and left sides of the auditorium and thank the people watching them graduate, because they were very much a part of them getting their GED. “One of the things that make you successful are the sacrifices others make for you,” he said. As Fair concluded his speech, he left the graduates with one last thought: “This is simply the beginning. What you have now is what will get you started.” The ceremony was only the beginning for many students. Laura Elsworth, a former GED graduate, said it opened many doors and many opportunities for her at Miami Dade College. She is now the student government association president
at the Homestead Campus and is an honor student. Coming from the Dominican Republic at a young age and overcoming many family problems, she pushed herself until she completed her GED. Elsworth is now working on hr associateʼs degree in nursing. “After getting my GED, I knew I wanted to only further my education more and enrolled at Miami Dade College,” Elsworth said. According to Dow there are many ingredients that make up successful programs. In the three years that Dow has been the director of adult education, about 600 students have received their GED. Dow believes the numbers can be higher. “It involves good teaching, good software for students to be able to interact online and study, and most importantly, the GED program at Miami Dade College gives students a place to study in an adult atmosphere,” said Dow.
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff PROUD MOMENT: GED graduates walk the stage to receive their diplomas and shake hands with North Campus President Dr. Jose Vicente.
Caribbean culture celebrated during Haitian Flag Day Titiana McMurray Staff Writer Miami Dade College students gathered to unwind in a colorful scenery to celebrate Haitian Flag Day last month. The event, held in the building four breezeway, was sponsored by the Haitian IBO Club. The organization is a union of Haitian students that focuses on their Caribbean culture through education, social events, and community service.
“There are a lack of Haitians that are not familiar with their culture and this event is a way for them to expand their knowledge.” Club president Fritzgerald Chevalier “Many Haitians at Miami Dade College are unaware of the club which can help Haitians increase their understanding about their culture,” said club member
Mellisa Lafontant. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the Haitian culture by enjoying ethnic food, art, and to acquire knowledge about the countryʼs heritage. “There are [many] Haitians that are not familiar with their culture and this event is a way for them to expand their knowledge,” said Haitian IBO Club president Fritzgerald Chevalier. Throughout the event, there was a variety of food being served, such as beans and rice, baked chicken, and plantains. An expedition of different Haitian paintings, hats, and clothing were also on display for MDC students to view. Lasaundria Pough, a business administration major, said the event was very organized and it was a great kick-off for the summer semester. “I enjoyed the attire of the Haitian
colors that were worn by numerous MDC students,” Pough said. Some club members participated in a dance called folklore and a skit which reflected the history of Haiti. There were other group performances by Bongo Lion, Maverick, Sun Love, and H2O. The event featured guest speaker Farrah Larrius and club member NirvaManouche Pierre who sang the Haitian and American national anthems. “The event was very educational and hopefully this event continues each year,” said Samone Brown, a criminal justice major. “It is a nice touch for the guest speaker to lecture in Creole and the food was delicious.” Shelton Douthett, an art design major, also applauded the event. “[It] was successful because it gives me a better understanding of the Haitian culture.”
Rachel Santos/Falcon Staff
Rachel Santos/Falcon Staff HAITIAN PRIDE: Students express to the audience how much their Haitian background and culture means to them.
Rachel Santos/Falcon Staff CULTURE EXCHANGE: (Top) Eight students hold hands as they do a skit during Haitian Flag Day. (Bottom) A Haitian folklore song is performed during the event.
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June 23, 2008
A Day To Remember ‘This milestone is one that generates great pride’
Carlos Llano/Media Relations MILESTONE MOMENT: The 1,014 graduates that walked during the graduation ceremony listen as their administrators and keynote speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, addressed them for the last time.
Laura C. Morel & Melissa Cabrera Staff Writers Samuel Davisʼ life changed forever on a rain-slicked road in the Bahamas 30 years ago. While working as a police officer he was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him with severe damage to his spinal cord. Disabled and walking with the assistance of a cane, he was discharged from the force. Then while working at The Crystal Place Hotel Warehouse he was accidentally pinned against a wall by a forklift. The accident left him a quadriplegic. But Davis, 60, didnʼt let lifeʼs setbacks stop him. Last month, Davis was among 1,014 North Campus students that walked during commencement May 3 at the James L. Knight International Center. He earned his bachelorʼs degree in exceptional students education. “It was difficult,” Davis said. “[But] if
youʼre disabled, itʼs not a death warrant.” For many others, gradutaion was also the culmination to their hard work. “It was pretty surreal,” said Ashley Shepple, an Honors College student. “ I had no idea how it was going to feel.” The ceremony was a colorful parade. It began with the presentation of the international flags by the JROTC of Miami Carol City Senior High School. “This milestone is one that generates great pride,” said North Campus President Dr. Jose Vicente. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, said it was great to see the 6,000 people- graduates, their families and friends- cheering. “It was a wonderful reaction when the U.S. flag was shown,” Pelosi said. “We are the home of the brave and the free.” Pelosi also said to the graduates that their diversity is what makes the United States what it is today. “Many people that come to our shores make America more American because they bring their hopes and aspirations to make the future better for the next
Carlos Llano/Media Relations
Carlos Llano/Media Relations COMMENCEMENT: (Top) Graduate Samuel Davis shakes hands with Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. (Bottom) Pelosi addresses the graduating class of 2008.
Carlos Llano/Media Relations GRADUATION CELEBRATION: A dancer performs down the aisles of the graduation ceremony.
generations,” Pelosi said. After Pelosiʼs speech, the voices of the North Campus Chamber Singers echoed throughout the auditorium as they sang, “You Raise Me Up,” made popular by singer-songwriter Josh Groban. The graduating class heard their Student Government Association President Lance McGibbon address them for the last time. “I am proud to be part of this graduating class of achievers,” McGibbon said. The funeral services major told his classmates that this graduation was just the
start toward reaching ther dreams. “Our journey has just begun,” he said. “We are celebrities today, and tomorrow we will be heroes to the world.” Meanwhile, Davis knows his journey is not yet complete. With his diploma in tow, he is now looking for work. Graduation, he hopes, will be his ticket forward. “I want people to look beyond the wheelchair and see a mind standing up,” Davis said. “All I need is someone to give me a chance to make a difference.”
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June 23, 2008
OPINION
THE FALCON TIMES 11380 N.W. 27 Avenue, Room 4209 Miami, FL 33167 (305) 237-1254 Fax: (305) 237-8262
Editorial Board Editor in Chief Laura C. Morel Managing Editor Anahi Cortada Greg Torrales Advertising Manager
Staff Lauren Bernal Melissa Cabrera Wendy Edmund Michael Finch Daniel Masip Akeem Mayers Titiana McMurray David OʼConnor Belkis Perez Rachel Santos Julie Selva Erik Steinhardt Jessica Tejeda
Manolo Barco
Adviser
The Falcon Times is published by the students of Miami Dade College North Campus. All decisions regarding content are made by student editors.The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty, or student body.
Advertising Information For ad information, contact Advertising Manager Greg Torrales at (786) 237- 8414, or gregoryj.torrales001@mymdc. net. Letters to the Editor The Falcon Times welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions should be 300 words or less and must be typed. The writer must sign their full name, phone number, address, student number, and e-mail address on the letter in order to be considered. Faculty and staff should include the title, department, and extension. All letters are subject to editing. Letters can be sent via e-mail to thefalcontimes@hotmail. com, with the subject: letter to the editor. Corrections Found an error in the newspaper? Feel free to voice your concerns by e-mailing us at thefalcontimes@hotmail.com
Gas prices continue to skyrocket Drivers begin to think of ways to reduce mileage on their vehicles David O Connor Columnist
A
ndrea Rivera works across from Miami Dade College. Very skillful in customer service, she is not the type of person that is easily flustered. However, one mention of the recent fuel costs, and this BP gas station employee changes her tone. “The prices are crazy,” Rivera said. As a business administration major, she should understand the economics behind paying $4 for a gallon of gas. In the midst of rising fuel costs, the top five oil companies made record profits in 2007. In the first quarter of this year, as gas was going over $3 a gallon, BP and Shell, two of the largest oil companies, made 63 percent and 25 percent in extra earnings. For Shell, the resulting $9.08 billion is a new standard in company profit. Oil companies are not the only part of the increasing prices.
“I don’t drive endlessly as much. I like to know exactly where the address is, as opposed to just looking for it.” Engineering major Alex Cost According to the U.S Department of Energy, each dollar of gas can be broken down in at least six ways: the price of crude (unrefined oil), refining expenses, distribution costs, marketing costs, taxes, and the final markup at your local gas station. This last step is where the Shells and BPs of the world make their gas money, and it usually isnʼt more than about 40 cents per gallon. The large majority of the money is actually spent on the crude, with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) having the most control. The amount of oil from the member countries (and a few
nonmembers) determines the price of a barrel of oil. A barrel of raw crude must be refined to be useable, adding a few cents to the end userʼs price. The journey from the wells to the final destination, and the cost of marketing this to the consumer is also added to the expense. Lastly, the government taxes it on the federal and state levels, amounting to an additional $1 or so for every $4 of gas. Obviously, other factors also contribute to expensive gas. War in oil-exporting countries, alternative fuels, and even the weather can inflate prices. On an individual level, simple habits can defend against rising
prices. The easiest tip is to simply obey the rules. One advantage of highway speed limits that are set at 55 MPH is because anything over this rate greatly reduces the mileage on most cars. For the majority of vehicles, 38 mph is the ideal speed for the best fuel economy, and unsurprisingly a speed limit of 40 mph is very common around MDC. Along with obeying the rules, maintaining the car is another simple, but effective way to save on gas; keeping tires inflated properly, tuning the engine, and cleaning the air filter all help. All this will improve the mileage of those school-bound vehicles. Alex Cost, an engineering major, perhaps has the simplest tip of all; a response to the skyrocketing prices. “I donʼt drive endlessly as much. I like to know exactly where the address is, as opposed to just looking for it,” said Cost. With the advent of a “Mapquested” world, this is something almost anyone can do.
By Akeem Mayers
June 23, 2008
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OPINION
Presidential flaws become more apparent After months of campaigning, Americans learn more about Republican and Democratic candidates Erik Steinhardt Columnist
A
Illustration by Akeem Mayers
s the race for the democratic ticket makes slow progress, we learn more and more about the presidential hopefuls. Scraping the surface, we have learned exactly how much they care about the working class American. John McCain seems to think Americans use too much health care. So, he will implement a plan to make health care less affordable so Americans use less. Now of course, I understand where McCain is coming from. If you make health care easily accessible, people will care less about their health because of that extra cushion. But what about my co-worker who has been struggling for the past three weeks with the flu? A process that would
have taken three days to kick with antibiotics is now costing him non-paid sick hours and my own health, after I received the same symptoms. But McCain doesnʼt need to appeal to the working class, because thatʼs just not what Republicans do. Republicans donʼt generally like to stick their hands in the economy and they think citizens need to pick themselves up rather than have the government do any of the work. And this is great in theory because it only makes those who do pick themselves up stronger. But shame on the Democratic Party for screwing up every chance theyʼve had to appeal to the working American. Hillary Clinton keeps giving the Republicans a reason to pick on her. I can visualize the rightwing ad of her pounding back beers while her “who do you want to answer the phone at 2 in the morning” sound byte plays in the background. Clinton claims Barack Obama has shamed the American people with his comments about Middle America clinging to guns and religion. But doesnʼt it seem timely that she always attacks Obama after the right wing has already taken the first
Illustration by Akeem Mayers
jab? Obama is, and always will be, an elitist. Not that I have any problem with elitism. I mean, hell, I am the center of my own attention. The world will always revolve around me. This is the nature of human beings. But I have put my priorities straight and it seems like this is something Obama has yet to do. While he speaks of change for the working person, he goes to billionairesʼ homes and gives them private speeches that are closed off to the press. For someone who wants to make corporate spending and lobbying transparent, this doesnʼt seem like a good doing this for their own personal reasons. example. When the unexpected happens, and an independent This is not so much a commentary on the candidates, candidate makes it all the way to the White House, we but one on the people who are voting for them. Americans know democracy has truly taken the correct turn. are blinded by the big guns at the podiums. You think you With that being said, I leave with a quote by Douglas hear an issue in your interest, and some mumbo-jumbo Adams. about how there is a dilemma with no solution, are two “It is a well-known fact that those people who must different things. want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to All of the Democratic and Republican candidates lie. Both sides say do it... anyone who is capable of getting themselves made what they think the people want to hear. It is obvious that all of them are President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”
? k n i h T u o Y o D t a
Wh
Betzabe Gonzalez Engineering Major, 18
Tana Kahn Music Education Major, 21
“It is very unfair, especially for international students. I had no idea it would get this expensive when I signed up for this. Personally, I have to make a decision between how many credits I can take. It’s crazy.”
“I think it’s crazy. I think registrations is about $50 now. One day, I went to register and without thinking, I just pulled out $20 to pay for my registration.”
Photos by Laura C. Morel; interviews by Wendy Edmund
Tuition Increase
Lina Avila Pharmacy Major, 18
“I think they shouldn’t do it. Financial aid and other scholarships are hard to get. It’s just making it harder for us. It’s limiting the amount of classes we can take.”
Alexandria Smith Journalism Major, 18
“I think it’s unfortunate for students who want a college education to not be able to because the cost is too high. The only thing students at this college can do is to be more active, whether it be working or trying to get scholarships.”
June 23, 2008
ENTERTAINMENT
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Latin band takes the stage: Daniel Masip Staff Writer The Arch Creek Plaza retirement center in North Miami Beach is hardly the type of performance venue that rock bands brag about. But to upstart musicians like Vecinos de la Noche, an energetic quintet, which includes two Miami Dade College North Campus students, every gig is important. And every crowd is an opportunity to win more fans -- even when the audience more closely resembles your grandparents than your friends. “Just looking at their eyes getting delighted by the sound of our performance made our day,” said Jose Flores when describing the bandʼs unique performance at the retirement home. “This is an experience the band will never forget.” Vecinos de la Noche (Neighbors of the Night) surfaced in the summer of 2005, when a pair of neighbors, Flores and Alvaro Trujillo, blended their musical talents and started composing together. They have been searching for a record deal ever since. The group, which some have compared to hispanic super band, Maná, consists of lead singer, Flores, guitarist, Trujillo, violinist, Mauricio Ducuara, drummer, Daniel Acero, and bass player Ismat Rolon. Little by little, Vecinos de la Noche has been picking up traction.
In the summer of 2007, the band scored their first gig, opening a fashion show at “Rumrunners” in Cape Coral. Their resume also includes performances at Club Macarena and at Miami Dade College North Campus as part of the “Hispanic Voices” celebration. Despite the bandʼs age differences, group members range in age from 22 to 35 years old, they have found a musical harmony that works. Their varied backgrounds -- band members are from Colombia, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico - has allowed them to blend their musical styles into a sound that mixes pop and rock with a Latin twist. “Some people describe our music to be of the ʻsoothingʼ kind, while others call it ʻfoot-stompingʼ,” Flores said. Vecinos de la Noche is expanding their fan base by putting their music on their “MySpace” homepage (http://www. myspace.com/vecinosdelanoche). They said they have garnered many new fans from South America because of the outlet. Karina Vasquez, a fan of Vecinos de la Noche from Venezuela, loves their sound. “I believe they are a quality Latin band to listen to,” Vasquez said. “They provide todayʼs youth with positive messages such as determination and sacrifice in which to live by.” Music with a message is what the band says their music is all about. One of the first songs composed by Vecinos de la Noche, “Bajo la Luz de la
Photo courtesy of: “Vecinos de la Noche” NEIGHBORS OF THE NIGHT: Left to Right: Alvaro Trujillo, Jose Flores, Mauricio Ducuara, Ismat Rolon, Daniel Acero.
Ciudad” (“Under the City Lights”), has a hidden meaning that touches each band memberʼs life and the difficulties they are going through to reach stardom. “This song exposes the truth behind the struggles of how Latin Americans or any type of immigrant has to endure in order to be successful in life,” Acero said. “One has to leave family members and other treasured possessions behind. If one remains strong, the person will be successful in whatever he/she does.” Vecinos de la Noche say itʼs an honor to be compared by fans to such popular Latin bands such as Heroes del Silencio and Enanitos Verdes, but they want to carve
out their own identity. They will continue to be influenced, they say, by listening to a wide variety of music, that includes the thundering roar of mild/heavy rock to the calming sound of tropical/salsa rhythms. “The band likes to approach different methods of composition when it comes to our music,” Trujillo said. “We want our fans to always remember us now and forever for our own unique style of music.” Vecinos de la Nocheʼs next performance will be July 31 at 9 p.m. at Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, during “Rock the Dock.”
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June 23, 2008
FEATURES
A Thousand Words Swimsuit craze takes over summer
True Colors
Lauren Bernal Columnist
S
ummer 2008 is finally here, which means itʼs time to go out and find the perfect swimsuit. This season, the swimsuit styles are bountiful and range from full piece, to cutouts, and the always popular bikini. As for the color, black is always the most popular, although fun patterns, and soft but flirty colors are in this season as well. “I really wish that they sold sexier full piece swimsuits these days,” said nursing major Amanda Babin. “I donʼt always feel comfortable wearing a string bikini.” The solution to that problem is simple. This season the vintage style, full piece swimsuits are really cute. And of course, Marilyn Monroe always looked fabulous in them. Besides being sexy (in a classy way), these vintage suits offer a conservative look as well. Urban Outfitters has full piece and cut-out swimsuits ranging from $50 and up, depending on the brand and style. Some of the suits might be a bit pricey. But it is well worth it for a quality swimsuit that will last you a couple of summers. As for those who donʼt mind showing a bit more skin, a new style of swimsuits are lingerie inspired looks. Look for suits with lace trim and bra tops, along with neutral and soft colors. Also, the skirt and boy short bottoms are coming back in style, so look out for them. Other than the swimsuit itself, you have to make sure you are looking stylish on your way to the beach with a feminine summer dress or a pair of board shorts. Pacific Sunwear has board shorts that are still femininelooking, and at a low price. If you are looking for the perfect summer dress, try stores like Loehmannʼs and Marshallʼs which offer you the same name-brand clothes, but at a lower price. Remember, have fun with your style, and donʼt be afraid to try a new look. The itsy bitsy, teenie weenie bikini can get old after a while.
Interested in... Writing? Photography? Drawing? Then pass by The Falcon Times office in 4209. Let your voice be heard. For more information, call (305) 237-1253.
“I see your true colors and that’s why I love you so don’t be afraid to let them show your true colors true colors are beautiful like a rainbow...” Singer Cyndi Lauper
Laura C. Morel/Falcon Staff
Koi fish and turtles in the lake get a treat Feeders provide a new way for students to unwind around campus Belkis Perez Staff Writer Need a place to unwind, do homework, or have lunch? Miami Dade College North Campus has new feeders around the lake that allow students to feed the koi fish and turtles. The lake at the North Campus is home to more than 100 koi fish which were donated by Philip Marraccini in June of 2007. The idea to install the feeders was born when several faculty and staff saw students feeding the fish bread. “[We thought] it would be a better idea to provide students with nutritious foods for the fish and turtles,” said dean of administration Cristina Mateo. The food is provided in the feeders for a charge of 25 cents per handful. The money collected from the feeders will be used to replenish the food and maintain the lake. Mass communications major Charlotte Mitchell said she would be willing to spend money to feed the fish and turtles. “This funding is needed in order to maintain the lake and the animals,” Mitchell said. The feeders have already been refilled several times after weeks of being installed. “The animals need to eat [because] they are creatures of God,” said nursing major Norma LaRose. Some faculty and students feel enjoyment from feeding the fish and turtles. “It brings back childhood memories and brought much excitement,” said Yaremis Ponce, assistant to the dean of administration. While many students feel the feeders are a great way to bond with nature, others
feel the feeders serve no purpose. “The lake is well sustained, they donʼt need the food,” said Rigoberto Mejia, an art major. “The fish and turtles in the lake can find food within the ecosystem they live in.” Mitchell, though, believes it is a good idea that the feeders have been put all around the lake. “We wouldnʼt voluntarily give food to the turtles and fish if the resources werenʼt available. This is due to the students not thinking about the ecosystem in the lake,” said Mitchell. Biology professor Steven Ritter said the animals in the lake donʼt need the support of the feeders. “The feeders arenʼt necessarily needed,” he said. “The lake can sustain itself.”
But Ritter said the new addition to the lake has been successful so far. “Students feel a sense of ownership toward the lake and this is due to the feeders,” Ritter said. While the food being distributed in the feeders is good for the ecosystem in the lake, there are many other things being done to help enhance the appeal of the area. For instance, the swings and benches all around the lake can be sponsored by family or faculty. The sponsorship of each swing or bench will go toward the preservation of the lake and its surroundings. The feeders will continue to be available for students. “It is beneficial to us,” said LaRose. “Itʼs a stress reliever to feed the fish and turtles and to enjoy the lake.”
Belkis Perez/Falcon Staff FOOD FOR THOUGHT: With the new feeders, students can feed turtles like this one throughout the lake located at Miami Dade College North Campus.