Viewpoints 12/1

December 1, 2011

Vol. xxxVIVI, No. 7

An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving as the voice of the students since 1922.

Riverside, CA | www.viewpointsonline.org

Riverside City College

Festival lights up Riverside

inscape story see Pages 8-9 For a

Allison Perez / PHOTO EDITOR

Celebrate the holidays: Riverside community members flock to the Mission Inn to watch the opening ceremony of the Festival of Lights.

Zelda is back page 7

Golden West Bowl champs page 15

Bud Tedesco page 11

2 | December 1, 2011

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

Financially safe for the time being Nita gandhi News editor

TV’s ‘Mythbusters’ come to Riverside Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, stars of Discovery Channel’s popular show “Mythbusters” will perform experiments and hold a Q & A session at the Fox Performing Arts Center on Jan. 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $115.

Best view for the Tournament of Roses Riverside City College students, faculty, staff and their families will be able to see the 123rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade from a grandstand on 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena on Jan. 2, 2012.

There are 102 tickets available for $100 each and are first come, first serve.

The package includes grandstand seating, official Rose Parade program and charter bus transportation to and from the event.

The bus will meet on the RCC campus in parking lot E near Saunders Street and Terracina Drive at 5:10 a.m. and depart at 5:30 a.m.

Payment must be received by Dec. 2. and checks should be payable to ASRCC. For more information, contact Denise Terrazas in the RCC presidents office at 951-222-8455 or denise.terrazas@rcc.edu.

Become a world traveler Riverside City College’s study abroad program will once again travel to Beijing, China, for the spring 2012 semester.

Courses in world, human and physical geography, music and jazz appreciation, multicultural music and Mandarin Chinese will be offered.

The $6,999 price includes round-trip airfare, double occupancy in dorm accommodations, transfers, daily breakfast and lunch, medical and travel insurance, arrival and departure receptions, orientation materials and excursions. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

For more details contact Jan Schall at 951-222-8430, email at jan.schall@rcc. edu or go to Quadrangle room 100.

Calling all student filmmakers The Riverside International Film Festival will be hosting a college night at the festival April 20-29, 2012.

Students may submit a documentary, short, animation and feature film by Dec. 31 with a $15 fee or by the final deadline on Feb. 15, 2012 for $25.

Include: Blu-Ray or DVD labeled with permanent marker, filmmaker/director/ producer biography (50 words), a brief synopsis (50 words), artwork or still picture from the film and headshots of film maker/director/producer, with the category, who submitted, college name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

Send the above information to RIFF College Night 989 Talcey Terrace, Riverside, 92506.

For more information on the festival or film submission e-mail professor Buckholz at buckholz@calbaptist.edu or professor Martinez at cmartgoz@aol.com.

Travel back to the Victorian era Riverside once again celebrates all things Dickensian and Victorian with the Dickens Festival. The event takes place Jan. 7-8, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center.

There will be lectures on Dickens, H.G. Wells, Mark Twain and Edgar Allen Poe, as well as a pub, marketplace and a dance hall. Guests can also enjoy themed teas at First Congregational Church, crafts for children and a fashion show of “Famous and Infamous Victorians.”

For more information go to dickensfest.com.

Important dates to remember Here are a few important dates for winter and spring 2012.

Winter 2012: admission application closes Dec. 19, fee payments must be made

by Dec. 20, classes in session Jan. 3-Feb. 12, graduation applications are accepted Jan. 3-Feb. 1.

Spring 2012: admission application deadline Jan. 29, 2012, classes in session Feb. 13-June 8

News

With the final budget report for the 2011-2012 fiscal year submitted, the Financial Services department at Riverside City College seems to not be affected by any cuts.

Elizabeth Hilton, the director of Student Financial Aid Services at RCC said that Financial Services is not affected by the budget and will continue to serve students with their financial needs.

“When it comes to the impact on the availability of funding from the state and federal government we try to have as minimal impact on students as possible,” Hilton said. “We are bound by what they provide for us.”

The financial aid office processes awards of federal and state aid to students with waivers and grants.

“The federal government did have some pretty dramatic cuts to some of our what they call ‘campus based funding,’ which is the work study program and the federal (state university) grant,” Hilton said. “That’s the cut on their side.”

“We try to work with the funds available to us to get it out to as many students as possible, try and keep it on-campus as much as possible,” she said.

According to Hilton, the issues with state funding has not yet affected students.

According to the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget, $49,337,725 is going to be given in student federal grants and $2 million from the state of California student grants.

Hilton said that the department is a part of a categorical grant from the state and has to meet different obligations to get the funding. The department reaches out to people like the mayor of Riverside for a grant during the winter semester. They also work the students to get scholarships to pay for classes.

The National Guard put out a new grant program from the state that the department jumped on to give to students.

Funding is based on the student population of the college. In the budget report, it states that a full-time student is defined as: “One full-time equivalent student represents 525 class (contact) hours of student instruction/activity in credit and noncredit courses.”

The number of students attending the college is determined by the actual count for each class hour of attendance or by the census periods that they have.

The budget report gives a gloomy outlook for the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget.

In the budget report it states, “as suggested herein, the state’s budget situation is likely to deteriorate. Further, our budgetary problems are three fold. We must confront decreasing budgets from the state. We must confront built-in cost escalation in our expenditure budgets, most of which were introduced in better times. And, we must redress a budgetary imbalance whereby ongoing budget issues are being addressed by onetime budget solutions.”

Hilton said that the Financial Aid department watches the state legislatures very closely to make sure that students are receiving their aid.

“We watch the legislature very closely to communicate back to them if we see any changes that they are proposing that are going to impact our students,” Hilton said. “We are very vocal with our region and through our associations that if we see something out there, proposals for the Board of Governors’ waiver or a state grant that we really fight on the students behalf to minimize the impact.”

The Financial Aid department has had cuts. However, they have been working hard not to let the cuts affect the department from providing financial aid to students.

“We haven’t, at Riverside, cut our hours additionally as far as students services as compared to the other colleges,” Hilton said.

“We have actually increased our amount of customer services availability, counters to try and keep service available.” “(We) really try and stream lining processes so that students aren’t impacted at all by the cuts to the college,” she said.

Despite the cuts to the budget of each department, the cuts have not reached any grants given to students.

Hilton said the department is trying to keep the impact of the budget cuts away from students who are receiving financial aid, and can keep serving the students financial needs.

For more information on financial a i d , g o t o w w w. r c c . e d u / s e r v i c e s / studentFinancialServices/.

Viewpoints

Opinions Serving students since 1922

Viewpoints Staff

December 1, 2011 | 3

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Javier Cabrera (951) 222-8495 viewpoints@rcc.edu eic@viewpointsonline.org MANAGING EDITOR Dora Yrigoyen 951-222-8488 managingeditor@viewpointsonline.org ADVERTISING Leah Frost 951-222-8488 ads@viewpointsonline.org FACULTY ADVISERS Allan Lovelace Dan Evans NEWS EDITOR Nita Gandhi news@viewpointsonline.org

SPORTS EDITOR Jisel Wilson sports@viewpointsonline.org

PHOTO EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR Allison Perez Destiny Rivera photo@viewpointsonline.org features@viewpointsonline.org Allison Perez / Photo Editor

Brewing Battles: In order to save their eduction, students must fight against the Task Force.

Community colleges under attack

OPINIONS EDITOR INSCAPE EDITOR Joanna Cosper Yasmeen Salama opinions@viewpointsonline.org inscape@viewpointsonline.org

STAFF Francisco Acosta Chad Arias Kelley Collins Ana Contreras Araceli Diaz Matthew Dziak Sam Finch Dominique Franklin Danny Heflin Phillip Hutchinson Jarred Jackson

Lizbeth Landeros Christina Melgoza Victor Mora Karissa Rivera Rafael Rodriguez Laith Salama Kathryn Shepherd Dylan Slusser Dominique Smith Glen Willett Jacob Willson

Ever heard of the California Community College Student Success Task Force? If not, there might be a very valid reason for that.

This organization plans to upheave the community college system that all students currently take part in and replace it with something that can turn away at least 200,000 students who don’t fit the criteria.

Let it be known that the Task Force represents the greatest threat to community college campuses as its main hope is to dismantle the very foundation of the education students need.

If this organization really had the best intentions for the student body in mind, then why does it shy away from mainstream coverage?

The report the Task Force released in September, entitled “Refocusing California Community Colleges Toward Student Success,” shines a light on what not to do with the community college system, and that is to never take the opportunity of education away from the students.

All across California, a major battle is brewing between community colleges and this dreadful Task Force. Why is that?

For starters, the Task Force is planning to send a total of 22 recommendations in the hopes of being written into statewide legislation.

One such recommendation from this organization would disassemble non-credit courses at not only Riverside City College, but to all community colleges within California.

Here’s another example that ought to get your blood boiling. For those of you that wish to take classes outside of a strict educational plan that emphasizes two-year transfer,

LETTERS TO THE

EDITOR

Letters to the editor should be kept to 250 words or less. Deliver letters to the Viewpoints office in the room behind the Assessment Building. Viewpoints reserves the right to edit letters for space and to reject libelous or obscene letters. Letters to the editor and columns represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire Viewpoints staff, Viewpoints faculty advisers, student government, faculty, administration nor the Board of Trustees.

prepare yourselves for a shocking surprise.

The Task Force has also proposed that community colleges charge students out of state tuition in order to demolish the concept of community based learning.

To put it into perspective, you’ll be barred from being able to take classes that interest you outside your field of major. Unless, of course, you don’t mind being penalized as a result.

You read that right. Despite however long you’ve been a California citizen, you’ll still be charged out of state tuition.

In these difficult times, how can something like this even be recommended, let alone be taken seriously by the state legislature?

“Some of the problems the Task Force identifies are not new to California colleges and are legitimate issues.

But the solutions they offer go too far, and are simply a way of ‘giving up’ on scores of students who depend of our colleges,” said Joe Fitzgerald, the editor in chief of The Guardsman at City College of San Francisco.

These actions would cripple the community college system. For RCC students, this affects their education and rights to access it.

In other words, the recommendations listed by the Task Force are unfair to students throughout California.

“We are a system that takes pride in service the most diverse student population in the nation, and we value that diversity as our biggest asset,” the report says.

If there was any truth to that statement, this report wouldn’t exist in the first place, nor would the Task Force feel it necessary to berate Californian students and deny them the education they need and deserve.

Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints student editorial board.

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Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. © 2011 by the Viewpoints staff, Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA. 92506-0528. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the Viewpoints Editor-in-Chief.

Viewpoints

4 | December 1, 2011

Opinions

Serving students since 1922

Occupiers have nothing to lose Chad Arias Editor’s assistant America, land of the greed, home of the slave, if the founding fathers could see what our nation has turned into they would not doubt convulsively vomit.

The ideals of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and so many others have been lost in the hustle and bustle of our materialistic ways.

Our elected officials are in bed with corporations for their personal gain at the expense of the every day citizen.

While the majority of the public is plugged into the “matrix” the few who have awoken banded together to start the occupy movement.

Nearly three months ago the first wave of protestors set out to remind America what it has been missing, a voice.

Hundreds at first then thousands later flooded the streets of numerous cities in the U.S. Opposers scoffed and spewed ignorance at the movement yet here we are three months later still

carrying the message.

As of late the cities being occupied have started to grow weary of the constant demonstrations.

Excuses such as public health and safety have been used to justify the coming evictions.

Many camps have told officials that they are not going anywhere.

Physical altercations have yet to escalade leaving the movement true to its roots, a non violent means of protesting.

Criticizers of the movement can’t deny the immense determination that these occupiers are showing.

One might say it takes a level of insanity to spend over 100 days camping in a tent.

New York City in winter time is no paradise, but there they sit driven by hope, inspired by change.

Every night when the oblivious public goes to sleep in their nice warm beds think of the thousands of Americans sleeping in tents across the nation, they are fighting for you.

The occupy movement has continued to evolve through its existence.

California has witnessed the movement spread through UC campuses by the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the ’60s.

Illustration by Dylan Slusser The UC Davis “pepper spray” incident has brought a fire storm of bad press on law enforcement and the universities chancellor.

Keep in mind that these are students who were harmed not your run of the mill occupier.

With every act of police brutality more and more students are joining the demonstrations.

The real mystery is why so many congressmen and elected officials are opposed to the occupy movement.

They ponder why the people are so upset when the government proves to be ineffective time and time again.

Democrat and Republican politicians argue over petty details while the working class citizen sinks deeper into the muck.

How dare they criticize the

citizens who elected them.

In three months we’ve seen more action from the occupy movement than our own government.

People forget the very ideals that this country was founded on.

Didn’t everybody learn about the American Revolution?

Our country was founded on the backs of rebels who died fighting the very tyranny we are witnessing today.

Jefferson sought to have government that supported the people not oppressed them.

The Constitution talks about the separation between church and state, but what about the separation of corporation and state.

When the men we vote for stab us in the back what choice do we have other than to take to

the streets.

The flower power and civil rights movements brought change to our nation in all positive ways.

The occupy movement has sought to continue the charge into a bright new future.

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

These words spoken by Jefferson ring through the notion that the occupy movement is valid and should be respected by those in power.

There is no way of foreseeing what the occupy movement will evolve into but the one constant is change.

Many will seek to tear them down but how do you stop individuals with nothing to lose?

California braces for another round of tuition increases

Dominique Franklin Staff writer Surprise! More tuition increases are approaching, and they’re headed your way.

I t ’s d e f i n i t e l y n o t t h e enlightening news other surprises tend to be. To some people, it’s not even a surprise.

One thing is for certain: California State and University of California campuses will undoubtedly enact another tuition increase.

Recently in a meeting held in Long Beach, the Cal State trustees voted in a 9-6 decision to increase the tuition of the universities by another 9 percent, or roughly $500, for the fall quarter. This increase pushes the cost of tuition for Cal States to just under $6000.

On the same day that the vote took place, a march had been planned by ReFund California, an activist group made up of students, teachers and faculty.

Naturally, the idea of crashing the vote became a much better idea than continuing to march. The coalition displayed a more direct, “take it to the man” approach instead.

The vote had to be taken behind doors, away from the public eye, due to chanting, whistle blowing, and general protesting near the area.

Fifty protestors stood outside holding signs and making a serious attempt to enter the building.

Some got close by breaking the glass door that served as a barrier, causing the on-site law patrol to use tear gas as a way to keep the trustees safe inside.

The vote comes during a time when University of California and Cal State leaders are being pressured by the protesting group to oppose the further education cuts and increase in student fees.

At the same time, trustees were being asked to approve a

budget that includes a general fund increase of $333 million.

We can see which way their vote went.

The increase in tuition will be used to fund student access, course sections, and student services.

“I understand why people are frustrated,” said Assistant Chancellor Robert Turnage in response to the protestors. “A lot of this energy is misplaced.

It needs to be directed at people who have decision-making power over taxes.”

The chancellor’s response to the protests does have merit, though. The one thing that could have stopped the tuition increases from even happening in the first place would have been for the state to increase funding for universities.

The board plans to ask the California legislature for $138 million in January, which will effectively get rid of the need to increase the tuition across the 23 campuses.

If the state legislature denies the trustees request, then the ninth tuition increase on Cal

Dylan Slusser / Illustrator

Expensive Mistakes: Students from Cal State and UC campuses are angered by

Governor Jerry Brown’s irresponsibility in regard to the lack of state funds for schools.

State campuses in nine years will continue as planned.

In the creation of a more equal tax structure, California should be able to find a better foundation to meet its growing fiscal needs.

The nonpartisan fiscal analyst for California projected that the state will meet a debt of $13 billion in the next 18 months.

This will ultimately mean more budget cuts and another potential fee increase for Cal State and University of California campuses.

While the protest was a great start in voicing the concerns of many students and faculty, it being directed at the trustees was not a good call.

The disruptive actions that took place outside of the meeting did not help the cause.

Instead of the media taking notice to the fiscal challenges of California universities, headlines have instead blown up with pictures of the violence, with little attention to the issue at hand.

It’s noble for protestors to show support for a belief that is widely held in California.

However, when that support is shown towards the wrong people in a negative light, it is counteractive, especially when protesters turn violent.

There is absolutely no doubt that reform needs to happen in California.

Legislators need to realize that the price of college is much too high during such hard times as this.

Fully understanding the issue is a key component to creating a good protest, but this seemed to be missing from the gathering outside

the trustee meeting.

In the past, protests have been devoted toward raising awareness of the limitation of classes, but now, even that is being redirected.

Someone should be at least a little appreciative for the small steps that are being taken.

While we do live in a tough time, every Californian should still be willing to contribute their fair amount.

That being said, the top 1 percent should pay their fair share, but not just for the educational future of California.

Their contribution will help with the state’s budget issues on a whole, from job creation to decreasing the level of poverty within the state.

Given California’s future economic situation, it is likely that tuition increases will continue and the budget cuts will not subside.

This is something every student needs to understand in order to prepare themselves against it.

Although an increase of taxes across the board could potentially save a tense situation, the likelihood of that happening is slim.

Even the mere suggestion of raising taxes, especially in today’s financial situation, is practically political suicide.

If nothing else, students should keep an open mind towards going to a school outside the state of California.

While leaving the nest is never easy, some schools outside California actually offer a lower tuition cost than in-state California universities.

That figure, however, is disregarding future budget cuts, if these cuts are to even happen.

Viewpoints

Opinions

December 1, 2011 | 5

Serving students since 1922

Politicians refuse to help Americans Chad Arias Editor’s assistant Don’t we all miss the days when America’s biggest issue was whether or not President Clinton had sexual relations with another woman while in office?

The economy was booming, America was at relative peace and the divide between Republicans and Democrats was not as noticeable as it is now.

Those were the last golden years before America plummeted into this recession that has both political parties pointing fingers at each other instead of taking actions.

In the last four years, the economy has continued to decline with no sign of letting up.

Americans have looked to our elected officials for an escape route, but instead, they found a yard of school boys bickering over who gets to be the team captain.

It’s time like these that the American people expect Republican and Democratic leaders to set aside their own ideals and agendas in order to move forward and get this country out of this recession.

This process, however, can only start when each elected officials takes responsibility for his actions.

No such man or party is entirely guilty for the way things turned out, but that’s no reason to remain stationary and point the finger of blame at someone else.

During the 1990s and the early 2000s, American citizens forgot how to live within their means by taking out huge loans to buy houses they couldn’t afford.

Banks, fueled by the continual hunger for more and more money, were there to give ill-advised loans to customers they knew couldn’t, and wouldn’t, pay up.

Eventually, the housing market crashed, which then left many people upside down on their mortgages with no money to pay back their loans.

The banks are then out billions of dollars and in turn, they file for bankruptcy. This, to be honest, is irony at its finest.

Anyway, President Barack Obama immediately bails out the financial industry to the tune of $700 billion in tax payer money at the start of his presidency.

The circle of guilt continues to roll.

Now that the blame game is over, let’s get down to business and find a common solution that both Republicans and Democrats can agree upon.

Nov. 23 was the deadline for the twelve member bipartisan committee to come to an agreement about cutting at least $1.5 trillion over the next ten years from the federal budget.

The committee featured six Republicans and six Democrats hoping a compromise could be made. The deadline passed without an agreement being reached, thus making it a failure.

Once again, our elected congressmen let down the very citizens who voted them into office.

This immature behavior is to be expected from children, but to have this behavior coming from our own congressmen is simply

Dylan Slusser / Illustrator

The Elective approach: Despite America’s worsening economic condition, Democrats and Republicans turn their attention away to prepare for the 2012 presidential elections. outrageous.

Politicians are from the upper class and have no real motivation to move out of the stalemate this country finds itself in.

Despite however much they may address the media and claim to be working on the situation at hand, these men seem to be more content to lounge around in their million dollar homes with their luxury cars and accessories instead of putting forth any real effort to fix this country’s condition.

The American people, on the other hand, are not so fortunate to be blessed with these commodities.

While the two parties argue in Washington, the unemployment rate in California is still at 12 percent.

The poverty level is approximately at 16.3 percent while our state debt has increased

to about $50 trillion, according to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission. How is that possible?

The Occupy Wall Street movement has sprung up in hope of acquiring change through peaceful demonstrations.

The movement is by the people for the people and in short, their motive is simple.

Occupiers are individuals who, for the last four years, have watched the government bicker over who caused the recession rather than work together to find a solution.

Action needs to be taken in order for America to revive itself.

When elected officials fail to appease the people, wrath, rage and public outcry will flood the streets.

Overall, the continually

increasing drift between Republicans and Democrats is ripping this nation apart.

Compromises must be made in order to ensure that every citizen is initialed to a “fair deal.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was able to save the United States back in the late 1930s.

There is still hope twinkling in our eyes for the Obama administration to do just the same and help turn this country around from the abyss it seems to be traveling toward.

The rifts between the two parties have left the people in the middle with unanswered prayers.

The way out of this abyss starts with the first step towards the light.

Whether by a glimmering candidate or the torch of a protestor, America will prevail.

It’s time for students to look inward for real change

Dominique Smith Staff writer California’s state budget is in a record state of decline.

Ta l k s a r o u n d R i v e r s i d e Community College District have matriculated into major conflicts, with most of the blame lingering above the administration, and is that fair?

Is it fair to point the fingers at any one during these socioeconomic problems?

Or should we look in-ward, not just into faculties or professors or even clubs and associations on campus, but every student who attends RCCD and other students at the 112 community colleges in California.

Students may want to be here, many have gotten multiple degrees or they could just be a student here to collect money or insurance

benefits. Maybe, just maybe, you don’t care. For some students, it’s just something to do.

RCC students may not know that behind the scenes there are people working round the clock to find the best option for students and their studies.

Mark Selleck, for instance, has not only been fighting to keep the faculty protected under contract by serving as the vice president of the Faculty Association and Grievance Chair.

He has also been honoring his duty as a responsible professor by sticking with his class and educating the enrolled students.

This is a person who sees why students have been having a hard time being in class.

“There are students who simply can’t afford it or they have jobs, or they have children, or they have family members that are sick,” Selleck said. In other words, he understands that there are reasons behind a student’s behavior.

Many members of the student body were first time voters during the 2008 campaign, many of them voted for the changes that they are mad about.

The reason why the senate and

the government are not listening to students, is because many students haven’t cared for so long about the future, that law makers started making decision for them.

Many students come here every day with passion to be a part of the student body, but they lack the support, they lack the resources, or they lack the abilities to stay in these classes. In their case, defeat is the only thing they can accept.

Students seem to have a jaded mentality when it comes to education.

It is not something someone just gives to someone; that person has to work at it.

It’s like expecting to just lose weight after two weeks of working out. You’re not going to see any kind of results unless you put for the effort. Only then will you see the change.

Students will not get a degree by enrolling in 12 units and only completing five of them because they didn’t like the professor.

The 2012 fiscal year is a month away from starting and these changes to the RCCD budget will start in-acting, people are outside camping in the streets demanding

change, asking law makers to change their mind.

It seems everyone has shortterm memory when it comes to realizing those people were voted for. Everyone’s to blame for the fact that these lawmakers even get a say in the future.

It’s because most people stand silent out of fear or a lack of understanding.

Californians are literally the walking dead in regard to the situations at hand.

With the minimum wage at $8 an hour, the work and the types of hours that are required of most students make it difficult for them to maintain and keep up with a steady course load during school.

If we all want the same thing, which is a better education, and a clean and safe place to go to school, then working together is going to have to be the main focus and priority.

In response to the recent wave of budget cuts, the less classes available, the more students will drop out of RCC. This hinders their goals of a higher education The students and the teachers are the ones that have to carry the burden of these budget cuts.

One thing is definitely for sure: it’s time to wake up. Life is happening at a rapid pace.

Community colleges, Cal States and University of California campuses are going to be harder to get into, and a student’s acceptance rate won’t depend on how active they may be or how fantastically well-written their acceptance essays may be.

In the end, it will be based on numbers and capacity. It may be too late to even stop this from happening.

Instead of placing the blame and pointing fingers on every level and tier, there needs to be a revolution.

Speak up and go to the meetings, for example. Let your presence be known because the less students that care for their education, the more policy makers will continue to count their money and limit your future.

These lawmakers can’t keep getting away with forcing the educational institutions to pinch their funds and cut beneficial programs.

To them, this is a game of political chess and education is in the cross fire.

Viewpoints

6 | December 1, 2011

Inscape

Serving students since 1922

Robot Expo shows future of technology DYlan Slusser Editor’s Assistant All ages of admirers flocked to the Riverside Woodcrest Community Library for the third annual Robot Expo on the afternoon of Nov. 19.

Hosted and organized by the Riverside Robotics Society and Servo Magazine, the expo drew a couple of hundred attendees.

Thomas Messirschmidt, president of the Riverside Robotics Society and event coordinator, entertained the crowd of kids, students and parents at regular intervals with the amazing display of a robot Elvis, so life-like that it appeared to be a co-host at first.

The community library was buzzing with the tech people of today and tomorrow.

“We are really pleased with the great turnout and the variety of people,” Messirschmidt said.

“We are here to inspire the kids of the Inland Empire. We would like to see more kids grow up to be engineers, mathematicians and scientists,” he said.

Attractions dazzled at every turn, everywhere attendees looked there was something different to see.

A life-size R2D2 scurried around, much to the delight of the crowd.

A seven-foot tall Robby the Robot and a couple Terminator models were in attendance as a displays along with a full-size Wall-E replica.

An interactive target-guided

and sounds, demonstrating the creativity of the engineers present and delighting the kids.

His R2D2 has been filmed for Like many presenters, Senna nerf gun that shot at wiggling kids, and an arena for dueling VH1, MTV, Access Hollywood likes to inspire the kids.

“I’m always looking for that robots that expo goers had brought and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Senna exudes enthusiasm for ‘aha! I think I can do that too!’ from home, added to the already magnificent collection of robots robotics and engineering through moment from the kids,” he said.

“That’s really what I’m here and robot-themed attractions at his excited demeanor and in his words of advice. for.” the event.

“The greatest time to get into The efforts of the presenters In 2003, presenter Mike Senna built an exact working replica tech is now,” Senna said. “Build bore enlivened fruit from their of R2D2 from the “Star Wars your stuff. Go through the failures. audience.

Referring to the R2D2, 8-yearSaga,” that was only missing its Don’t quit. Just keep trying to companion C3PO to complete the build that same part. Each time old Jason Bernhard of Corona you succeed, you build a new skill. said, “It makes me want to build display.

The R2D2 is so authentic When you stack those new skills a robot!”

Jason and his 9-year-old friend that Lucasfilm asked Senna to atop one another, one day you will represent the company on TV and find that you know what you’re Ryan Cowling had been asking doing,” he said. his father Gregg Bernhard about a other promotional events.

circuit board as they walked back to their car from the Expo.

“We got a circuit board around last Christmas time. Now I think they’re ready to get into it,” said Bernhard.

Robotic Elvis softly crooned “Hound Dog” from across the courtyard as presenter and Mount San Antonio College student, Patrick Kwong delved into the questions he brought with him out to the event, that expressed the curiosi.

“What planning is involved in the wiring and programs? How do I determine how much power will need to be drawn?” Kwong said.

“I want to know everything about how the whole circuitry systems work.”

Other young minds came for inspiration. “I’m getting some ideas for a Physics project I’m doing,” said Patrick Weidhase, a Riverside King High school student. “The engineering skills here are very interesting. The Wall-E and R2D2 robots are impressive.”

Even the more skeptical were impressed with the event.

“I thought it was going to be stupid but it is really cool,” said Alana McKesson, another Riverside King High school student.

So even for those who had never been, the event surpassed expectations, inspired children and adults alike to pursue their dreams, and demonstrated the wave of future for technology.

though true artists have found ways to pursue their passions regardless of their circumstances.

Take third-world countries for example. How many performers come out of those nations?

They are often too concerned with putting food on the table to worry about whether they can accurately portray emotion for the next Broadway hit.

But here in the United States every other person has at the very least taken piano lessons at some point in their lives.

So this is the first time in a long time that the U.S. has seen the arts impacted to such a degree, where now children can’t afford to take piano lessons, or their school doesn’t offer band or drama classes anymore.

At RCC, the board has done its best to preserve as many programs as possible, but though many of the programs are still available to students, they have significantly reduced what the programs offer.

Take the music department for instance.

Charlie Richard, a professor of Music at RCC, said that all the departments travel money was cut

to tell students that not only do you have to make your own costumes, and dance without live musicians, but now you have to cut rehearsal time in half.”

It all brings up the question “what is the future of performing arts?” At this rate, students will eventually see a complete absence of arts in the schools.

But the thing about art is that it cannot be suppressed.

“Often times, you have to create something with little or no funding,” Chenoweth said, and the dance department is doing just that.

If the deaf composer Beethoven taught musicians anything, it’s that music cannot be suppressed either.

“When you’re dealing with music, someone once told me you can teach music in a tent as well as a grand hall,” Mayse said. “It won’t stop people who want to play.”

Despite three consecutive years of cuts and the loss of the very steps that make musicians great, Richard said it “hasn’t affected (the students) performance yet.”

Hopefully, it never will.

dylan Slusser / editor’s assistant

where’s c3Po?: A life-size model R2D2 impressed event attendees with its realistic look

Performing arts holding on despite budget cuts

Yasmeen salama Inscape editor Ever since the economic crisis began back in 2007, schools of all sorts, from elementary to high school to major colleges and universities have been cut to pieces in an attempt to compensate for the lack of funding.

Every educational department has been hit, cut, slashed, shuffled around, and otherwise hacked at just to meet the budget.

But one of the programs that got hit the hardest is the Performing Arts programs, and Riverside City College is no exception.

Some schools have done away with drama, band, orchestra, and classes that teach these subjects without the performance side.

Other schools have been holding on to the programs with their teeth.

Now, granted, it is arguable that among all the classes offered at schools perhaps the fine arts classes are at the bottom of the priority list.

After all, art is something that throughout the ages has only really thrived in a thriving society,

about two years ago.

“We had to cut a lot of classes and lost all our part-time faculty,” he said.

The loss of travel money, extra classes and faculty has essentially translated into a cut in opportunities for RCC’s aspiring musicians to grow.

“We lost that extra educational step to challenge musicians,” Richard said.

RCC’s orchestra, conducted by associate professor of music Kevin A. Mayse, said that many of the out-of-state competitions and performances that the orchestra used to attend are no longer feasible with the current budget.

But overall, Mayse said that the music program has held up as well as it can.

The dance department is another story.

Where other performing arts departments cut part-time faculty, dance, a relatively recent addition to the performing arts genre, and previously considered a physical education class, cut its full-time faculty.

Rita Chenoweth, an associate professor of dance, said that her

department has been cut down to a skeleton.

In addition to class cuts and reduced staff, Chenoweth said the department had to cut productions down from “a high of four to a low of two” and even that amount is starting to seem threatened.

The most important part of the performing arts departments is the actual performances, which not only gives the students the chance to demonstrate what they’ve been learning, but also provides the experience of being in front of an audience and dressing in full costume.

“We can’t call it a performing arts department if you don’t have any more performances,” Chenoweth said.

The performances themselves have also seen a significant setback.

Associate professor of dance, Mark Haines, said that the budget deficit “effects the students more than it effects (faculty).”

The department no longer has the funds to provide costumes, live music or even sufficient practice time for his students.

“The students are having to fill in the gaps,” he said. “It’s difficult

Viewpoints

December 1, 2011 | 7

Serving students since 1922

Inscape

‘Muppets’ is a gift to loyal fans

nita ghandi news editor Seeing “The Muppets” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Nov. 22 brings fans back to watching old reruns of the classic TV show.

Hosted by Radio Disney, the station crew was at the theater giving away prizes and showing the latest dance moves to the kids in the audience.

There was an even mix of adults and children in the audience that night, demonstrating the wide range of people who love the Muppets.

Most of the children there were too young to know the television variety show that ran from 1976 to 1981 on CBS with its crazy cast of characters. But to the adults this movie was like a step back in time.

In the new movie, the Muppets still have it!

There was a mix of comedy, drama, live action, music, chickens, explosions and good helping of nostalgia.

The film follows the story of a new member of the Muppet cast, Walter, and his brother Gary.

Walter wanted to be part of the show since first seeing it in the ’70s and is their biggest fan.

Gary, played by actor Jason Segel who wrote, starred and produced the movie, wants to take his girlfriend Mary (Amy

Adams) to Los Angeles to see the sights and get away from their hometown, Smalltown, USA which encompasses the stereotypical image of a 1950s, “Leave it to Beaver” town.

Gary and Mary take Walter along for the trip to see the old Muppet studios to find that it is a rundown, rusty studio with hardly anyone there.

While on the tour, Walter sneaks into Kermit’s office and finds out that the greedy oil tycoon Tex Richman, played by Chris Cooper, wants to buy the studio and turn it into an oil field when the original contract expires.

Devastated by this news, Walter, Gary and Mary set out to find Kermit the Frog, only to discover he lives in the Muppet mansion, depressed with nothing but his memories and paintings of the crew from the show and movies.

With enough convincing and a musical number, Kermit and his new friends set out to find the crazy cast of characters from the show and put on a telethon to raise $10 million to buy the studio from Richman.

The movie featured just about every Muppet ever seen in the original show. Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Rowlf, Scooter, Swedish Chef, Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Animal, Sam Eagle, Sweetums, Miss Piggy and the rest of the

Walt Disney Pictures

‘it’s time to start the music’: Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are joined by all their

Muppet friends in a rendition of the classic “Rainbow Connection.” gang. rebrand them as The Moopets with learn and love “The Muppets” just There were many celebrity new characters with an edge for a as the older generation did. cameos including Jack Black, new generation. The Moopets are “The Muppets” grossed $42 Emily Blunt, Dave Grohl, Sarah a tribute band that with the help million over the Thanksgiving Silverman, Zack Galifianakis, of Richman can brand themselves weekend and came in second to Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, as The Muppets and no longer “Breaking Dawn.”

Mickey Rooney and a few others have to hide behind their blatantly It is clear that Segel captured who the Muppets encounter on the derivative name. his own personal innocence as he way to save their studio.

This, of course, is the worst wrote the character Walter and his Cooper as Richman was thing that could happen. love for the Muppets to make the hilarious as the villain who lost The Muppets are perfect movie a homage to the nostalgia of his laugh. He even pulled off just the way they are with their the Muppets in its early days. singing a rap song complete with quirkiness and good philosophies With the movie Segel has showgirls. with music, such as “Rainbow successfully brought back the Richman wants the name of Connection.”

Muppets to a new audience, and The Muppets in an attempt to The new generation can still reconnected with the old.

New ‘Zelda’ demonstrates what motion controller can do

laith salama Staff Writer

From one of the most celebrated video game franchises in history, on the day of its 25th birthday, a game that needs no introduction but got one anyway, ladies and gentlemen, “The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword!”

The game is offered the regular way, in the usual game box, or as a package with a custom golden triforce controller and a 25th anniversary orchestra CD featuring medleys of all the best Zelda music since “Ocarina of Time.”

The story line is the classic tale of good versus evil as all games of the franchise are, but this time the iconic main character, Link, knows the damsel in distress personally.

Link, as always, is the legendary hero prophesized by the gods in the scriptures of old, said to rescue the princess and save the world from certain darkness, live happily ever after, the whole thing.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Zelda has always stuck to a formula, remained committed to the same general idea for the Zelda games, with little twists and surprises and they are doing a great job.

This Zelda’s little surprises come from the Wii motion technology more than anything else.

Alas, players are in haste to find their childhood friend and sweet princess Zelda who has disappeared in a vortex of evil.

Players meet up with the familiar races of people like the

Gorons but are also treated to a new sets of races like the Kikwei and many others as they learn more about the prophecy.

It almost feels like this game is supposed to be the beginning, the origins of the world of Zelda.

As soon as the game starts it establishes relationships, personalities and expectations.

Gamers will be thrust back into the world of Zelda and feel compelled to save their childhood friend.

Now, the game itself is no ordinary Zelda game, not just in the adjustments to the story but also in the gameplay.

It utilizes the Wii’s motion technology to its fullest known potential without completely ruining it.

The Wii as we all know hasn’t been getting a good rap lately, and Zelda is its savior.

It’s a game-like, game-type game that isn’t just another way to demonstrate what a Wii remote is, like all the repackaged versions of “Wii Sports.”

These mechanics are entirely new and actually fit with what the Wii remote was designed to do in the first place, as if the games finally caught up with Nintendo’s technology.

Link still moves with the joystick, in fact everything is relatively the same, until you get into the flying, on a new set of creatures that kind of replace Link’s old horse Epona, and the gadgets.

Flying requires the player to position the Wii remote in the

direction they want to fly, which is hard at first but players get used to it.

Each tool Link has requires the player to do something different with the controller.

It aims, it moves, it grabs, it is essentially an extension of your hand, which is what it was designed to be in the first place, except that now it actually works.

Link’s sword will move exactly the way that the player moves it.

The action is set up so that players can evaluate their enemy, look for an opening and strike.

Not an uncommon mechanic, but a unique take.

Most games make the opening easy to spot, for instance dancing around the enemy until he starts laughing.

In “Skyward Sword,” players see where the enemy is blocking, what he’s protecting and he moves according to the player’s movements. In other word’s he’s intelligent!

But most importantly, it works.

Everything sounds great but one might think it’s too good to be true.

Well, if fans set their hopes too high, they will unfortunately be disappointed, because the technology is pushed past the bar and it’s impressive none the less.

This game feels like a mixture of every Zelda game ever made.

The look is very classic to the games Super Nintendo roots while it plays out like “Ocarina of Time,” it’s slightly more cartoony like “The Windwaker” while adding a little bit of an original twist to it.

gamespress

The controller works: The Wii finally perfected its motion controller with “Zelda’s” unique style of gaming.

And it’s an anticipated, respected game that fans have been waiting for.

Finally fans can come back to their old pal Nintendo for another round of saving Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda is in a league of its own and

“Skyward Sword” lives up to that reputation.

Not once has the franchise ever let gamers down and this one is just another title that reminds gamers Zelda is there for them, has been for 25 years and will be for a long time to come.

Viewpoints

8 | December 1, 2011

December 1, 2011 | 9

Serving students since 1922

Festival of lights kicks off holiday season It’s that time of the year again. It’s time to get out the Christmas tree, the house lights, and start building some gingerbread houses with the kids. And for the last 19 years, Riverside’s Mission Inn added to these long standing traditions with its Festival of Lights.

The holiday spectacle once again illuminated the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa with $3.5 million worth of light bulbs and spectacular fireworks.

The annual festival began the day after Thanksgiving, with a celebratory lighting ceremony featuring a full fireworks display.

Festival of Lights hosts one of the largest collections of lights in the nation.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Riverside to watch the opening ceremony and what better way to kick off the holiday season after being stuffed with turkey and mashed potatoes?

“We are delighted to bring the Festival of Lights back,” said Mission Inn owner Duane Roberts.

“The awe and excitement in the community are the reason we have made this event into such a long-running annual tradition,” he said.

“It brings great joy to all that experience the Festival of Lights, which is the true meaning of the holiday spirit.”

Thousands of visitors cheered as the switch-on ceremony and fireworks show kicked off the holiday season of Riverside’s Festival of Lights.

Riverside provides a chance to experience the most dazzling holiday spectacle in southern California.

Last year’s festival drew more than 250,000 visitors and this year looks like it may match that.

It also features holiday-themed vendors every night, offering specialty food and gift items.

Visitors can find a variety of options for dining and unique shopping, as always at the Mission Inn, but during the holidays,

Ana contreras Staff Writer

it is all themed to bring out the joy of the season.

Many family-friendly activities take place during the festival as well such as games, ice skating and a visit with Santa Claus.

Riverside Festival of Lights allows everyone no matter what age to enjoy the magic of the holidays.

But the main attraction of the event is definitely the Mission Inn itself.

Embellished with sparkling lights and holiday trimmings, the building lights up the night with more things to see with every look.

More than 400 characters, including tinkering elves, angels, toy soldiers, carolers, large nutcrackers, and animals adorn the inn, and though they can be a bit creepy, they are beautifully dressed and artistically displayed.

Many animated characters can be seen caroling on the roof and balconies of the hotel.

It is hard to miss Santa climbing the chimney on the roof as well.

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa features an elaborately decorated Christmas tree, that would make anyone’s home tree look dwarfed.

The magic continues at an outdoor ice skating rink, located on Main Street Riverside between University and Mission Inn Ave.

With free holiday entertainment, carriage rides, and ice skating, this is a good family event.

The festival has been recognized as one of the most impressive holiday light displays in the country.

The Festival of Lights Committee, consisting of community volunteers and local businesses, put in many long hours to coordinate the Ceremony.

The Festival of Lights Switch-On Ceremony launched six weeks of outdoor winter wonderland festivities for all to enjoy.

Viewing the lights and festivities are just one part of holidays at The Mission Inn. “Really nice place especially during Christmas time,” said Ji O, a community member attending the festival.

“They decorate the hotel with lights and even the outside (is a) nice place to walk around with a special someone across a street from the hotel during winter,” O said.

“They have outdoor ice skating area and cool antique place to look around,” O said.

Attendee Monica Espy said that the event offered a release from everyday life.

“This weekend is our first time at this amazing landmark hotel. This is a great place to reward yourself with a much needed break,” Espy said.

“I cannot believe that this is just located in Riverside, few minutes from Los Angeles, and I felt that during my stay this little town is not even in California,” she said.

The event and all its festivities are scheduled to continue through Jan. 8, 2012 and it not an event people will want to miss.

California Baptist University

allison perez/ Photo Editor

Lighting the way: Families and community members walk down the lit walk ways of the Mission Inn and enjoy the awing light spectacular.

What is your purpose?

We believe that God created you for a purpose. You may not know exactly what that purpose is but you know it exists and you know college can help you discover and live it.

That is what more than 5,000 students do every day at CBU. Students from across the the world travel here to prepare for careers as diverse as electrical engineering, music, applied theology, and nursing.

With more than 100 majors and concentrations to choose from, you’re sure to find one that equips you for success in your career and, more importantly, in your calling.

allison perez / photo editor

City Aglow: The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa lights adds an new tradition to “Black Friday” with its annual Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

10 | December 1, 2011

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

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December 1, 2011 | 11

Serving students since 1922

From the set to the classroom Bud Tedesco continues to impart decades of production experience upon RCC students Samuel Finch Staff Writer Retirement is merely another step in a long journey for Bud Tedesco.

After 23 years of teaching television and film production at Riverside City College, Tedesco retired to part time teaching at the end of the last academic year in June.

His days starting off as an adjunct instructor in 1988 were not his first at RCC, however.

Tedesco, a Riverside native, first walked the grounds as a student in 1957.

“At that time my focus was an acting career. Big mistake,” he said with a grin. “Even though I thought I was pretty good and I won a lot of awards and scholarships, it’s really tough trying to break into the Hollywood scene as an actor.”

Still he studied and acted in productions such as “Oklahoma!” on campus to further his dreams.

Then he landed the role of male lead in the play “The Seven Year Itch” where he met his wife of 55 years, Melanie, who was the female lead until an accident forced her to drop out.

Despite the separation, they were soon married and Tedesco transferred to the Pasadena Playhouse to continue his studies while Melanie worked to keep them afloat. Times were tough but they persisted.

After graduating from the Pasadena Playhouse, Tedesco was contacted about an opening on the page staff at ABC, a great opportunity to network and make contacts.

He applied and was interviewed by another graduate of the Playhouse who promptly asked when he could begin.

“They kind of give you two years to do that and if you haven’t really made any contacts, nice working with you,” Tedesco said with a laugh, “and you’re let go.”

“

Kathryn Shepherd / Staff Photographer

still rolling: Bud Tedesco has been teaching the ins and outs of TV and film production for over 20 years.

And then another opportunity arose.

“At that time they were looking to replace a weekly children’s show at ABC, so I submitted a story idea that we thought would make a cute little children’s show and it was accepted,” he said.

No longer a stranger to the process of producing a television program, Tedesco began work with other professionals with whom he had established contacts over the years.

“We got the show under way and by the time our first air date was scheduled, we had about five or six shows in the can,” he said.

The show, -- Bud Tedesco entitled “Domingo,” began in 1972 and featured the adventures of several marionette puppets, including a goat who ran off to join the Navy in one episode shot on an aircraft carrier. Another episode starred one of Tedesco’s childhood heroes, Roy Rogers.

“Domingo” ran for roughly seven years. In the meantime, Tedesco worked on a variety

“Since time is money, you don’t have a lot of time to sit around and contemplate and take forever to make decisions. ”

Fortunately, Tedesco was able to secure a position after about a year and a half in the film editing department where he worked his way up the ranks from apprentice to assistant to full-fledged film editor, a position he held for roughly 10 years.

From there his focus shifted from acting to working behind the scenes.

of other projects, including a documentary on aging.

During his time at ABC, he and Melanie purchased a plot of land in Idaho on which they designed and built an A-frame home over the course of eight years.

They have now spent approximately 42 summers enjoying the Idaho wilderness, riding ATVs and fishing.

In 1981, after nearly 20 years at ABC, Tedesco decided it was time for something different and stepped back.

He spent more time with his wife, who had also spent many years working on movies and television shows, and began working on his hobby of restoring old muscle cars.

After some time off, Tedesco took the next step in his journey in 1988 when he was invited

by RCC’s drama coach at the time to speak to students about television.

“He asked me if I would be interested in teaching because they were trying to start a television department here and I thought it sounded kind of interesting and I said OK,” he said.

“I was hired about six months later,” he continued. “There were one or two classes in television production at that time and since then we’ve developed about 25 classes in television production.

We offer a degree and two

certificates.”

It was difficult to adjust to the public sector at first.

“In the private sector, you have to make a profit and things are done on a timely basis because everything is based on ratings and money,” Tedesco said.

“Since time is money, you don’t have a lot of time to sit around and contemplate and take forever to make decisions. You make decisions quickly. You learn to do that and you become much more proficient.”

In addition to the change of pace, Tedesco’s new coworkers were an adjustment.

“It’s different when you work with students because they’re still learning and you have to kind of keep that in mind,” he said.

“I used to take students on a tour through Warner Brothers,” Tedesco said on teaching students punctuality. “One of the studios, just above their sound studio, has a little plaque that reads ‘You’re late once, it’s only human. You’re late twice, you’re history. That’s the way it is.”

Through it all, however, Tedesco worked to build a department that would produce skilled workers.

“The most important thing is that we want to turn out students who can be employed,” he said.

Among those turned out by the program stand individuals such as

Clayton Sandell, who now works as a reporter for ABC News.

“I think the greatest satisfaction is when you get phone calls from those like Clayton Sandell saying ‘I’m working at ABC’ or my two former students who are now employed at MTV or students who have started their own production companies,” Tedesco said.

“Then I know what we’ve done in the past is working and it does change their lives because they’re either able to go and work in the industry or they can transfer to a university and be so far advanced.”

Many former students r e m e m b e r Te d e s c o ’s w a r m p e r s o n a l i t y, e s p e c i a l l y h i s perpetual offer to buy pizza for those who can film their weekly news programs in one take. This reward has been amended slightly over the years.

“What I do now is taco night,” he said with a smile. “We go to El Torito for taco Tuesday and if they can do the show in one take, the tacos are on me.”

Retirement is certainly not the end of the road for Tedesco.

“Probably as long as I can find my way to class,” he answered when asked how long he hopes to continue teaching. “I do enjoy it, I really do. I get a lot of satisfaction seeing story ideas submitted at the beginning of the semester on the screen.”

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

12 | December 1, 2011

Features

Spontaneous dance for travelers Jacob Willson Asst. photo editor All was normal at Ontario International Airport, until the music started and one by one the dancers came out.

Travelers got a free show Nov. 4 during the wait to pick up their luggage at baggage claim. A group of dancers disguised as travelers and tourists took off their disguises and broke out into dance in the middle of the airport.

The flash dance was a promotion for an event called “Get Our Kids Grooving” and to raise awareness for childhood obesity hosted by Molina Healthcare.

The event was held Nov. 5 in the Inland Center Mall, and involved teaching approximately 300 people an easy-to-learn routine from world-renowned hip hop choreographer Milo Levell.

This event is trying to show that any activity, like dancing, can get people fit.

According to Molina Healthcare’s website, it has grown into one of the leaders in providing quality healthcare for financially vulnerable individuals and families.

Molina Healthcare arranges for the delivery of healthcare services or offers health information management solutions for nearly 4.3 million individuals and families who receive their care through Medicaid, Medicare and other government funded programs in 16 states.

Staff and travelers alike did not know what to think about what was going on.

“Number one, I don’t even know what it is,” said Tim Brady, a clerk for US airways, when asked about the dancers. “But all I know is I like the music and I saw the kids dancing; I mean, the kids are great.”

After being told about the details of the event that they’re promoting the reactions were very excited.

“I think that’s great,” Brady said. “More power to them.”

Many around had smiles and continued to watch as the dancers performed.

Jan Tkaczyk, a retired school psychologist of 35 years

Jacob Willson / Asst. photo editor

After arrival: The Get Kids Grooving dancers perform for unexpected travelers at the baggage claim. and guidance director from Massachusetts, was one such traveler, sitting in the corner seat of the waiting room, with a big grin as she watched.

“I thought it was terrific; I love the spontaneity, fun, energetic,”

Tkaczyk said. “I love the whole idea of kids, good health and good healthy decisions.”

“One of the programs I supported for 35 years was healthy decision making in your eating and in all aspects of your health,”

Tkaczyk said.

Tkaczyk said kids will make healthy choices when they are allowed to do something that gets them excited.

All the travelers and tourists in the room were electric and excited

Jacob Willson / Asst. Photo Editor

Dancing for a cause: Milo Levell leads the dancers during their routine at the Ontario International Airport that put a smile on travelers’ faces.

about the dancers. There were smiles all around the airport.

Modonna Arellan was an unsuspecting viewer as well.

“I loved it; it was good. It was interesting,” Arellan said.

“I just sat down and you started dancing.”

She was also very excited about the event that was being promoted, like the others who heard about the event.

“I think it’s awesome, if you get kids to do other things other than being on the streets,” Arellan said.

She also explained that she had just recently been hired on to another organization that is also involved in similar events, and as she began to talk to Loreani Guadalupe who is the public relations specialist for Molina Healthcare, in hopes to work together on future events.

Information about the Get Our Kids Grooving event is available at facebook.com/MolinaHealth, information about Molina Healthcare is available at www. molinahealthcare.com

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December 1, 2011 | 13

Serving students since 1922

Features

Creativity expressed through words Sarah Evangelista Special to Viewpoints Warm, chewy and jazzy.

Ask Jazzy Smith to describe herself and she’d say just that.

Smith, 20, a student in her second year at Riverside City College, is part of the Honors Program, a past member of Alpha Gamma Sigma and as of the fall 2011 semester, the founder of the Stay Classy Creative Writing Club.

The club, in its first semester at RCC, aims to build a community of writers and non-writers alike.

“It’s about finding your identity,” said Smith of the club.

“It’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin.”

Assistant professor Jo ScottCoe is the club’s adviser. As a writer herself, Scott-Coe says she was motivated to participate in the club’s formation in an effort to put her money where her mouth is.

“I wanted to develop a community where people could express themselves through written word,” Smith said.

Her motivation to start the club is two-fold. She not only wanted to start a club because of the community, but also because of a positive experience she had at a writer’s workshop at Mt. San Antonio College.

“They were exposing really personal writing,” she said. “I just thought, why can’t we can’t we have it here at RCC?” Smith’s major is creative writing, another reason for her having founded the Stay Classy Creative Writing Club.

Smith says writers such as John Donne and Margaret Atwood, her professors and the classes she is enrolled in inspire her writing,

which is comprised of poems and short stories.

Specifically, Smith cites Donne’s poem “The Sun Rising” as her favorite.

Her writing serves as an example for all students, whether writers or not, to join the club. She says she finds the most inspiration in new concepts she learns in class.

“I just learned about doubleconsciousness and I’m an AsianAmerican and it talks about whether are you Asian first or White first,” Smith said of her latest source of inspiration.

What one first notices about Smith is her voice, or the lack of it. It is a contrast to the description of her as “jazzy.”

Her voice is barely audible over the chatter of students in the Honors Lounge.

Club members, when asked what it’s like having Smith as the club’s president, are quick to comment on her strengths.

“She’s always open to new ideas,” said Dale Ford, a member of the club. “She’s really one of the most receptive people in the club.”

Carla Jara, a member of the club who takes photos of events in an unofficial capacity, echoes the sentiment.

“She is an amazing president,” Jara said. “She takes everybody’s ideas into consideration.”

Smith, however, is learning first hand the ups and downs of starting a club on campus.

Especially when it comes to organization and her leadership ability.

Recently, the club had a reelection for officers due to elected officers who, according to Smith, were not up to par with their

duties.

Smith isn’t fazed by the fact that officers had to be re-elected so close to the beginning of the semester, and instead sees the silver lining.

“It was a kind of a benefit because I guess it was a good filter,” Smith said. “The second round of people you could see who was really determined.”

When asked what she believes is her weakness when it comes to being the president of a new club, Smith admits that she is not as assertive as she’d like to be.

“I want people to feel comfortable, but I think I have to draw the line and say what’s not allowed and what is,” she said.

Smith becomes animated, and her eyes widen, as she speaks on how the club deviates from a traditional club and where the club is going.

Smith, as well as Jara and Ford, say that the club is run more like a workshop than a traditional club.

“It’s definitely a little bit different because a lot of what we do is create and share our own stuff,” Ford said. “It’s really awesome that we can hear each other, and hear each other’s voices, and sort of build off of that and compare it to our own.”

The club is falling into its own rhythm with weekly meetings and the Open Mic Nights that are set to be a monthly fixture.

The Open Mic Nights are open to all individuals, not just students of RCC, in an effort to connect the community with the club.

Still, members of the club have hopes of the club expanding its activities.

Jara said she hopes to one day have authors come to the club to do a reading or talk about their work,

Louise Daniels of students with different types of majors and backgrounds.”

“It is a really rewarding experience,” he said.

Students were given the choice to present their research through an oral presentation or poster presentation. Malcomb and Daniels were two of at least one hundred students presenting through a poster.

“I was really nervous,” Daniels said of being a part of the conference.

Malcomb and Daniels said they chose a poster because they have been presenting their research through one all summer while they were a part of the “Building Bridges across Riverside” program at UC Riverside.

Brent Malcomb Malcomb did his research on “The Effects of pH on Perchlorate Biodegradation,” while Daniels did her research on “Fate, Transport, and Removal of Nanoparticles in Groundwater.”

Daniels said her research will be a part of another student’s research which will be getting published.

“It speaks very highly of the quality of Louise and Brent’s research that they were invited to present,” said Heather Smith.

Smith is the students’ professor and one of the advisers overseeing the “Building Bridges across Riverside” program.

Visit www. viewpointsonline.org to read the full article

Serious science researching

Javier Cabrera Editor in chief

Many Riverside City College students are focused on transferring to a four-year university while others are working to earn an Associate’s degree prior to transferring.

But there is a small group of students who are doing more than that.

These RCC students are working with UC Riverside students and professors from both colleges on undergraduate researches.

Brent Malcomb and Louise Daniels are the two RCC students from the Science Technology Engineer and Math, who have been working on undergraduate researches and recently returned from the Southern California Conference of Undergraduate Research.

The conference, which was held at Mt. San Antonio College this year, serves host to the best research, scholarships and creative activities in the region for the following disciplines: arts, humanities, social studies, natural science and applied science.

“It is really big,” Malcomb said.

“It is really diverse with all types

while Ford says he would like to do a few more workshops and interact with community writers.

Smith, for her part, is emphatic about the club being about people and community, and that everyone, whether a writer or not, is welcome.

“It really means a lot to me because it’s not about getting published or about trying to look good,” Smith said. “This club, that’s not what it’s all about.”

Scott-Coe agrees.

“It’s not always about the writing,” Scott-Coe said. “Creative Writing Club is really about community, and about expression, and also about safety.”

Smith makes it clear that the club is about people and not for her own benefit.

“This isn’t for me; this isn’t for one person, it’s for all of us,” Smith said. “I just want people to feel comfortable with themselves.”

The attitude Smith has about the club carries into the classroom.

“What most impressive about

Jazzy Smith her is that she was not there for the grade,” Scott-Coe said. “That’s very rare.”

What’s next for Jazzy Smith?

She plans on applying for transfer this fall to a four-year university, with her top choice being the University of California, Berkeley.

But for right now, Smith has her schedule full with the classes she is in and promoting the club.

How does Smith plan on gaining new members?

Two words: flash mob.

14 | December 1, 2011

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

RCC is a state champion once again

Riverside City College women’s water polo defeats Golden West in the state finals match javier Cabrera Editor in Chief While the minutes counted down to the end of the state championship match Nov. 19, Ashley Fedler shot a backhanded goal that put the Riverside City College women’s water polo team up, 6-4, against Golden West College.

The goal would secure RCC’s second consecutive state title and the Tigers’ fourth state championship in the past six years.

The Tigers had a lot going for them leading up to their state championship final against Golden West since RCC was able to defeat Golden West twice in the past two weekends.

Riverside defeated Golden West Nov. 5 in the Orange Empire Conference championship match, 6-5, in overtime and again in the Southern California championship match, 9-4, Nov. 12.

In an in-studio interview with Viewpoints prior to the start of the state championship finals, RCC’s goalkeeper Andrea Antonissen talked about how the momentum was in the Tigers favor.

“I feel like we are always going to have that advantage because we are the better team,” she said. “We have determination and drive to go win.”

But before RCC could meet Golden West in the state finals, both teams had to get past the two top teams from the North, No. 1 Merced College and No. 2 Diablo Valley College.

Golden West defeated Merced College easily with a 14-4 win while RCC was able to beat Diablo Valley College easily too, with an 11-4 victory.

Surprisingly although Riverside handled Diablo Valley so easy, David Almquist, coach of RCC, said they never prepared for the team. All of RCC’s preparations were focused on Golden West.

“We have been training for Golden West for 45 days,” he said.

“Because we knew we couldn’t win state unless we beat them.”

“We know their plays better than they do,” Almquist said. “We were calling out their plays before they even ran them.”

Almquist said the team spent five minutes on preparing for

Allison Perez / photo editor

The best in the state: Riverside City College women’s water polo poses with its 2011 state championship title Nov.

19, after defeating Golden West College, 6-4, at Cerritos College.

Diablo Valley College because get the win for Riverside. they were only focus on this With 12 saves in the match, one finals match against Golden Antonissen received the Most West.

Valuable Player award for the state The Tigers began celebrating championship finals. winning their second consecutive “I felt that my defense was state championship by pushing good to give me (the opponent’s) coach Almquist and Doug Finfrock bad shots and I am a good enough into the pool with the team where goalie to get those,” she said they hugged and cheered in joy. about if she felt any pressure in “I am really excited,” said the match.

Brooke Koralewski, defender for As back-to-back women’s RCC, who had two goals in the water polo state champions, state championship match.

Riverside made history as it is only “I am proud of my team all the second team to accomplish together,” she said. the task.

Two goals by Koralewski and “It is really hard,” Almquist Alison Glaser, defender of RCC, said. “I have been coaching for in the third quarter were the ones 39 years and I never won backthat gave RCC a 5-2 lead heading to-back.” into the fourth.

As state champions during “Our main focus is to score their freshman year, Koralewski, early because the earlier you score, Fedler, Caroline Teets and Tara the more goals you can put up Scheibeler have already said (and) the more it makes the other Riverside is going to win a third team to quit,” Glaser said. straight state championship next Although RCC gained a big season. lead, Golden West was able to get But in the meantime, RCC is back into the match as it scored a excited winning back-to-back.

Allison Perez / Photo Editor late goal in the third period then “I am very pleased to win two more goals in the fourth. (the state title twice in a row),” Most valuable player: Andrea Antonissen, goalkeeper Then eventually that set up the Almquist said. “Because I never for RCC, had 12 saves against Golden West College in the state championship finals Nov. 19. big important play Fedler made to done it.”

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

Sports

December 1, 2011 | 15

Undefeated champion Matthew Dziak Asst. sports editor

Football

Women’s Water Polo

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Season Record Season Record 31-1 11-0 Conference: Conference: 5-1 5-0 2011 Golden State Bowl 2011 state champion champion

Season Record 5-2 Conference: 0-0 Next game: At Saddleback College Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.

Season Record 3-5 Conference: 0-0 Next game: Vs. San Bernardino Valley at LA Valley Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.

Football

Feb. 23

at Sacramento City 6 p.m.

Sept. 10 RCC 53 San Barnardino Valley 6 Feb. 24 Sept. 17 RCC 73 Victorville City College 7 Feb. 25

at Sacramento City 4 p.m.

Sept. 24 RCC 29 Mt. San Antonio 26 Oct. 1 RCC 68 Chaffey College 14

Feb. 28

vs. Mt. SAC 6 p.m.

March 1

at Santa Ana 2 p.m.

Oct. 8

RCC 38 Citrus College 24

March 3

at Cypress 12 p.m.

Oct. 15 Oct. 22

RCC 61 Orange Coast College 17 March 6 March 8 RCC 44 Golden West 13

Oct. 29

RCC 35 Santa Ana 27

March 10 vs. Irvine Valley 12 p.m.

Nov. 5

RCC 44 Palm Desert 31

March 13 vs. Orange Coast 2 p.m.

Nov. 12

RCC 59 Southwestern 24

March 15 at Saddleback 2 p.m.

Nov. 19

RCC 31 Saddleback 14

March 20 vs. Santa Ana 2 p.m.

at Sacramento City 12 p.m.

vs. Fullerton 2 p.m. vs. Golden West 2 p.m.

March 22 at Santa Ana 2 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Nov. 10

RCC 53 Foothill 57

Nov. 11

RCC 78 Merced 60

Nov. 12

RCC 86 Merritt 71

Nov. 18

RCC 75 Pasadena 64

Nov. 19

RCC 67 Mt. SAC 77

Nov. 20

RCC 73 El Camino Compton 57

Nov. 22

RCC 57 Miramar 53

Dec. 8

vs. Mt. SAC at Saddleback

Dec. 8

at Modesto 4 p.m.

Dec. 16

at Modesto 4 p.m.

Jan. 4

at Cypress 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 6

vs. Fullerton 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 13

vs. Santa Ana 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 18

vs. Irvine Valley 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 20

at Orange Coast 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 25

vs. Saddleback 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 27

vs. Cypress 7: 30 p.m.

Feb. 1

at Fullerton 7: 30 p.m.

Feb. 8

at Santa Ana 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10

at Irvine Valley 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 15

vs. Orange Coast 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 17

at Saddleback 7:30 p.m.

Baseball

March 24 vs. Cypress 12 p.m.

March 27 at Cypress 2 p.m.

March 29 at Fullerton 2 p.m.

March 30 vs. Fullerton 2 p.m.

April 4

vs. Santa Barbara 5 p.m.

April 5

vs. Cerro Coso 6 p.m.

Baseball

Men’s Water Polo

Season Record 0-0 Conference: 0-0

Season Record 11-18 Conference: 3-1

Women’s Water Polo Sept. 14 Sept. 16

RCC 19 Saddleback 5 RCC 19 Sierra 2

Sept. 17

RCC 12 Ventura 5 RCC 10 Cerritos 1

Sept. 21

RCC 12 San Diego Mesa 3

Sept. 28

RCC 19 Santa Ana 0

Sept. 30

RCC 9 Fullerton 5 RCC 14 Foothill 3

Oct. 1

RCC 18 Cuesta 5 RCC 6 Golden West 4

Oct. 12

RCC 9 Long Beach 4

Oct. 14

RCC 13 Cypress 4 RCC 9 American River 2

Oct. 19

RCC 10 Long Beach 2

Oct. 21

RCC 9 Cypress 4 RCC 10 Chabot 7 RCC 8 Long Beach 5

Women’s Basketball Nov. 11

RCC 40 Mt. SAC 58

Nov. 12

RCC 76 Miracosta 52

Nov. 13

RCC 47 San Joaquin Delta 56

Nov. 17

RCC 61 Solano 68

Nov. 18

RCC 61 Cerritos 84

Nov. 25

RCC 73 Merced 65

Nov. 26

RCC 79 Orange Coast 55

Nov. 27

RCC 49 Santa Rosa 63

Dec. 1

Gilcrest Invitational at Sequoias

Dec. 9

Monarch Classic at L.A. Valley

Dec. 28

Ventura Holiday Tournament

Jan. 4

at Cypress 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 6

vs. Fullerton 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13

vs. Santa Ana 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18

vs. Irvine valley 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 20

at Orange Coast 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3

vs. East Los Angeles 5 p.m.

Jan, 25

vs. Saddleback 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4

vs. Compton 5 p.m.

Jan. 27

vs. Cypress 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 7

vs. Cuesta 1 p.m.

Feb. 1

at Fullerton 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 10

vs. Fresno 6 p.m.

Feb. 8

at Santa Ana 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 11

vs. Fresno 1 p.m.

Feb. 10

at Irvine Valley 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 16

vs. Western Nevada 6 p.m.

Feb. 15

vs. Orange Coast 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 17

vs. Western Nevada 6 p.m.

Feb. 17

at Saddleback 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 18

vs. Western Nevada 1 p.m.

Feb. 21

at Mt. SAC 6 p.m.

Oct. 26

RCC 8 Orange Coast 5

Nov. 5

RCC 6 Golden West 5 F/OT

Nov. 12

RCC 9 Golden West 4

Nov. 18

RCC 11 Diablo Valley College 4

Nov. 19

RCC 6 Golden West 4

Men’s Water Polo Sept. 16

RCC 14 Cuesta 18

Sept. 17

RCC 11 Diablo Valley 21 RCC 5 Los Angeles Valley 14

Sept. 21

RCC 20 Santa Ana 5

Sept. 28

RCC 20 Fullerton 6

Sept. 30

RCC 9 Fresno Pacific 13 RCC 7 Concordia University 17

Oct. 7-8

RCC 21 Palomar 16 RCC 9 Cerritos 8 RCC 8 Long Beach City 11 RCC 9 Cuesta 12

Oct. 14

RCC 7 LBC 16

Oct. 19

RCC 13 Golden West 17

Oct. 21

RCC 7 Long Beach City 19

Oct. 26

RCC 9 Orange Coast 12

Nov. 5

RCC 10 Golden West 20

Nov. 11

RCC 9 Cuesta 14

Capping off a perfect (11-0) season, the Riverside City College football team defeated the Saddleback College Gauchos in the Golden State Bowl, 31-14.

The Tigers jumped out to an early first quarter lead after an E.J. Schexnayder 30-yard touchdown run, which was set up by a Bruce Jones interception that was returned 55 yards.

Sadale Foster, who finished with six receptions for 51 yards, added a 22-yard touchdown reception from Dalton Livingston to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead.

The Gauchos (8-3) responded when Rodney Woodland caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Gomez cutting the lead to 14-7.

With 20 seconds left in the first half, Jameel Erving stepped in-front of a Gaucho receiver and intercepted Gomez’s pass.

Following the interception, Livingston was able to scramble for 15 yards, setting up Wesley Feer for a 39-yard field goal connection as time expired giving the Tigers a 17-14 halftime lead.

In the second half, running back Andre Hunt put the team on his back scoring on a 41-yard run to extend the Tiger lead to 24-14. Remarkably, Hunt outgained Livingston’s passing yards (120), earning himself offensive player of the game in his final game at Riverside, finishing with 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

“When they called my number I made sure I played my part to play hard and pull out this win,” Hunt said.

The Tiger’s rushed for an astounding 292 yards as Livingston added 74 yards and recorded the longest run of the game on a quarterback draw for 43 yards.

“The defense played man coverage leaving the middle wide open,” Livingston said. “We called design quarterback draws and the offensive line picked up their blocks and the rest was all green from there so I kept running.”

Livingston, a Texas native and captain of the team, was left out of the bowl game awards, but was named Eastern Conference offensive player of the year just days prior to the game finishing the season with 2,623 yards passing and 31 touchdowns.

Enough could not be said about the stingy Tiger defense, which sacked Gomez an astounding nine times, had three interceptions, and also forced four fumbles. The Tigers shut out the Gauchos in the second half, outscoring Saddleback 14-0.

Sophomore linebacker Zaire Anderson, a Philadelphia native, was named Most Valuable Player of the game recording a game high 12 tackles adding three sacks and forcing two fumbles.

Anderson, who is being recruited by the Nebraska Cornhuskers, was also named Eastern Conference defensive player of the year leading the Tigers with 95 tackles on the season.

“I was able to make plays and play my part on this team,” Anderson said. “It felt good to get recognized but it was more important to get this win against a really good team.”

Not to be outdone, linebacker Will Smith, not to be confused with another Philadelphia native and “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” racked up eight tackles and recovered both of Anderson’s forced fumbles, earning himself defensive player of the game.

The Gauchos attempt at a comeback was stifled by the Tigers who forced fumbles on each of the final three possessions for the Gauchos, sealing the victory and extending the Tigers nation high win streak to 19 games.

“This is back-to -back bowl victories for us,” Foster said.

“I want to thank my teammates for everything they have done, believing in me and this team.”

In two years under coach Tom Craft, the sophomore players finished 21-1 and had only one loss on the road against two-time defending state champion Mt. San Antonio College, which they were able to avenge this year in a 29-26 win back in September.

Craft earned himself Eastern Conference coach of the year for the second consecutive season as well.

The only remaining news for the Tigers is the anticipation of which players will receive division one NCAA scholarship offers and where they will continue their football careers.

It is only the second time in school history that the Tigers football team finished a season undefeated and the 11-0 record for the 2011 Riverside City College football team will be a legacy left behind for eternity.

Viewpoints

16 | December 1, 2011

Serving students since 1922

Inscape

Orchestra brings Beethoven to RCC yasmeen salama inscape editor First, a single violinist warmed up on the stage, going through basic musical scales.

Then a horn sounded in the back, contrasting horribly with the violin.

One instrument after another, Seventh Day Baptist Church soon filled with a cacophony of disjointed sounds as Riverside City College’s Symphony Orchestra warmed up for its first and only performance of the fall semester.

And then the concert master, Mischa Lakirovich, stepped onto the stage and after a brief applause, the sounds of the chattering audience slowly dissipated until the room went completely silent.

The concert master sounded a single note on his violin and the other musicians echoed it.

Suddenly all those dissonant sounds came together to produce a solid musical line, and with it began the performance.

Kevin A. Mayse, an associate professor of music at RCC, conducted the orchestra and chose all the pieces performed on the night, featuring violins, violas, cellos, oboes, horns, flutes, trombones, timpani, and many others.

Mayse began the performance with a lively, bright piece by American composer Aaron Copland entitled “An Outdoor

Overture.”

As its name states, the piece does accurately encompass the beauty and tranquility of the outdoors, and it provided a pleasant opener to a pleasant evening.

In the spirit of the holidays, the orchestra performed “Greensleeves” next, which has to be one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, dating back to the 1700s.

The arrangement featured a solo flutist for portions of the song and it would not have been the same without the gentle strumming of the harp to compliment the piece.

“Night on Bald Mountain” may not ring a bell for most people. But Disney’s “Fantasia” or Disneyland Resort’s night-time spectacular “Fantasmic” probably does.

This piece was featured in both as a theme that captured the menacing, but artistic Disney villains but without the visuals to go along with it, the piece sounds a lot more frightening than Disney made it out to be.

With the last note of that number, followed by a brief intermission, the orchestra then pulled out a piece that people usually have to pay a hefty price to hear live: the full arrangement of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2.”

Arranged into four movements, the second half of the performance

courtesy of RCC symphony Orchestra

until the fourth movement: From Aaron Copland to Beethoven, RCC symphony

orchestra took the audience back to the times of 30-minute masterpieces. was comprised solely of this became easy to zone out, fidget, or loved Beethoven,” said Mayse, who has conducted the RCC masterpiece. just lose focus on the piece.

Though the audience could As musically amazing as the orchestra for the past 11 years and not hold its applause until the song is, for today’s audience, is still going strong.

“I try to program something end of the fourth movement, people are used to three to five new for the audience, do different the symphony moved through it minute songs. fluidly.

But a 30-minute song? It is pieces that contrast each other.”

With special thanks to RCC’s N o w, u n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e definitely a recipe for nodding Applied Music Faculty, RCC problem with classical music off. is that there is often times no But for those members of the Symphony Orchestra wrapped up discernible melody to follow and audience with a more classical the evening with the final, epic Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2” is ear, it was simply a treat to hear fourth movement of “Symphony No. 2” and earned a long, one such piece. an entire Beethoven piece.

By the third movement, it “It’s great music, I’ve always enthusiastic applause.