Viewpoints 12-03-2009 Issue

December 3, 2009 An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving students since 1922. Vol. xxxVIII, No. 7

Riverside’s holiday glow Riverside, CA | www.viewpointsonline.org

First Copy Free | Additional copies 25 cents

For an

INSIDE’R STORY see Page 20

Khai Le / Online Editor

A Riverside Wonderland: The Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside will be on display from Nov. 27 - Jan. 3. The festival offers visitors a look

at the Mission Inn decorated with lights, a skating rink, live entertainment, and dining and shopping.

2 | December 3, 2009

Viewpoints

Help to halt hunger

Serving students since 1922

News

Joshua serrano staff writer

Save some cash for the holidays Prepare early for classes this year!

Shop online at the RCC bookstore this winter session and receive programs for your computer or laptop at a discounted price.

Visit the student offers link at the bookstore’s Web site for these ongoing deals before the seasonal deals end!

Warm up for winter session The 2010 winter schedule is now available online for RCC students.

Due to budget reductions, many classes have been cut. However, WebAdvisor is available at student disposal to check open classes, registration dates and any holds that may be on their personal student accounts.

Booklets will not be sent out for winter session this year, so be proactive in getting online and registering for necessary classes!

Don’t get left in the cold Be sure to pay those fees for the winter session on time!

Any students who register on or before Dec. 22 must pay their fees no later than Dec. 22.

Students who are scheduled for registration Dec. 23 through the end of fall semester must pay their fees the same day that they register.

Remember, if payments are late or not made, students will be dropped from their registered classes.

RCC practices staying safe On Dec. 7, students, staff, and faculty can brush up on their “avoiding an active shooter” skills.

From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in CACT-2, participants will receive information as to how to “detect, delay and possibly defeat” a shooter through lectures, small group discussions and activities.

To register email Sherry Stone at sherry,stone@rcc.edu course title, date of attendance, first and last name, and email address. For questions call (951) 2228566.

Prepare yourself for disaster Become prepared for a disaster by taking the Disaster Preparedness course with Standardized Emergency Management, the National Incident Management System, and the Incident Command System on Wed., Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m in the Business Education building-10.

Attendees will learn steps to prepare their homes, families, workspace or car for a disaster.

Course is available online or for face to face training. For face to face training, email Sherry Stone at sherry.stone@rcc.edu with information regarding course title, date of attendance, first and last name, and email address. For questions call (951)

Get ready for a major field trip Students! If you are a criminal justice, nursing, psychology, or public administration major then this tour to the Federal Correctional Complex in Victorville is for you!

The Transfer/Career Center will be providing the opportunity for students to talk one on one with professionals in the stated majors on Jan. 29, 2010 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For any students who are interested in participating in the tour, please call the Transfer/Career Center at (951)222-8072 or (951)222-8446 for further information.

Although the United States is often credited with being one of the most wealthy countries, many of it’s resident’s face the everyday struggle of persistant hunger.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that in 2009 of the estimated 49 million people living in food insecure households (up from 36.2 million in 2008), 32.4 million are adults (14.4 percent of all adults) and 16.7 million are children (22.5 percent of all children).

17.3 million people lived in households that were considered to have “very low food security”, a USDA term that means one or more people in the household were hungry over the course of the year because of the inability to afford enough food.

Very low food security had been getting progressively worse even before the recession.

The number of people belonging to the insufficient food category in 2009 is more than double what it was in 2000.

The USDA defines hunger as the uneasy or painful sensation caused by lack of food.

When referring to hunger in America, it pertains to the inability of people to obtain sufficient food for their household.

Some people may find themselves skipping meals or cutting back on the quality or quantity of food they purchase at the stores to accomodate their difficult financial situations.

This recurring and involuntary lack of access to food can lead to malnutrition over time.

The ability to obtain enough food for an active, healthy life is the most basic of human needs.

Food insecure households cannot achieve this fundamental element of well-being.

They are the ones in our country most likely to be hungry, undernourished, in poor health and in the most need of assistance.

A high number of food insecure households in a nation with our economic plenty means that the fruits of our economy, and the benefits of public and private programs for needy people are not yet reaching millions of low-income people who are at great risk.

Luckily there are programs that are available to people of low income to help assist them during their time of need.

Through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, schools provide

over 87,000 schools with nutritious meals for students of all ages, allowing them to work to the best of their potential and excell academically.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program is another program provided by Riverside County.

This is the only program that provides funding for meals served in a childcare catering to children ranging up to age 13 and also impaired adults.

The Food Stamp program provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help participants buy the nutritious foods their family needs for a better diet.

There is no time limit for Food Stamps.

Those enrolled in the Food Stamp program can receive the stamps for the extended period of time each individual is qualified for.

With Food Stamps, participants can choose the foods they buy at any authorized supermarket, grocery store or certified farmers’ market.

The amount of Food Stamps each individual is granted depends on their specific income and personal expenses.

Many people who work full time even qualify for the program.

Another option for those who are struggling with hunger are temporary food facilities. These food facilities are set up at a fixed location for a maximum of 25 days over a 90 day period.

However, food facilities must be sanctioned and of a civic, political, public or educational nature.

Examples of temporary food facilities are state and county fairs, city festivals, circuses and other public gathering events that are approved by the Environmental Health Department Riverside County nutrition services offer a food assistance network that offers a toll free helpline that provides referrals to food assistance sites countywide.

The helpline promotes nutrition education and increased physical activity to food bank participants in an effort to improve family access to healthy foods.

The program is open to all Riverside county residents, particularly pregnant women and families with children through 5 years of age.

Interested individuals can apply for food assistance programs at their local Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).

Web Exclusives ‘New Moon’ review New pink technology Christmas at the Plaza ‘Twilight’ ruins relationships

Viewpoints

December 3, 2009 | 3

Serving students since 1922

News

Riverside gets involved in ‘Giving Back’ Aubrianna Plavajka Staff Writer

fatima ramsey Staff Writer The flyer read, “Giving Back” and that is exactly what some locals decided to do.

For the last six years, the City of Riverside’s Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department has organized and put on a food drive to help those who are unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal.

First time volunteer, Barbara Campbell, elaborated on the type of items people would be receiving.

“Those in need will be given a turkey, gift bags and traditional Thanksgiving foods,” Campbell said.

Campbell was part of three generations who attended to give support and to give back to the community. She volunteered with her daughter, Tina Gullage, and granddaughter, Kaylee Tracht.

Others like Terenesha Wave and Lynn McDuffie, both first time volunteers, also made volunteering a family affair.

Wave volunteered after being influenced by her brother and McDuffie was present with her young son.

“My brother told me to volunteer because it’d be fun to give back,” Wave said. “And it really has been.”

Wave assisted in checking in event attendees at the front entrance.

McDuffie also enjoyed the experience of giving back to her community.

“I like helping people, meeting new people and having fun giving back,” McDuffie said. “I will definitely volunteer again.”

Iliana Mendoza also found fun in giving back. The first time volunteer helped by passing out gift bags.

“It makes me feel good inside to know that I helped put a smile on someones face,” Mendoza said.

“I will come back next year and do

brandon morgan / Staff Photographer

hard at work: Riverside volunteers gather together to sort through bags of donations in order to put together Thanksgiving care packages for those who need some extra help during the holidays.

it all over again.”

Not only was the event significant for those who volunteered, it helps those in need.

Resident, Winil Vaughn, says the help given out to the community by this event is worth coming back for.

Vaughn is a 65-year-old returning event attendee, who has been receiving Thanksgiving baskets for the past three years.

“This event has helped my family and I for three years now, and we are so grateful for the community,” Vaughn said.

“Without them our Thanksgiving

wouldn’t be possible. At my age it is hard to be able to afford all the things needed for a decent Thanksgiving, but thank the Lord for the community that blesses us with a big help every year.”

The event not only brings returning members, but as word spreads each year, the attending crowd grows.

Vanessa McGregor is a new resident to California. She recently moved from New York to live with her family members due to financial trouble she was having back home.

McGregor heard about the event from an announcement

brandon morgan / Staff Photographer

worth the wait: Lines curve around University Ave. as families and friends gather together to receive gift baskets donated by the Riverside community.

at her church, that also gave Thanksgiving baskets out.

McGregor had arrived to her church after all of the baskets had been distributed.

A member of the church informed McGregor and other attendees that if they did not receive a basket, they could get one at the Giving Back to the Community event.

“This is my first time coming here to receive a basket for Thanksgiving,” McGregor said.

“Everyone here is so nice, not like New York.”

“I appreciate all the help I am receiving from the community,” McGregor said. “They don’t even know me and they are helping

me.”

“Giving Back” took precaution against not having enough baskets.

In between dance performances, group exercise and Christmas music, the emcee urged vendors and guests to use their cell phones to call friends and tell them about the event and also to donate anything extra they had to make sure they reached quota.

The Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department will continue their traditional contribution in giving back to the community by bringing smiles to all of those who need an extra helping hand during the holiday season.

brandon morgan / staff photographer

precious packaging: Donated packages line the hallway

of the Cesar Chavez Community Center.

Viewpoints

An interview fit for a president Serving students since 1922

4 | December 3, 2009

stephanie holland editor in chief

Riverside City College President Jan Muto sat down for an interview to discuss the difficulties of the fall semester and how they will impact the spring.

How will the UC fee increase affect RCC students?

I do believe it will have an effect and I’m hoping that it’s not a deleterious one.

One of my greatest concerns is how a restriction of attendance at UC and CSU impacts RCC, by students who would have gone to UC or CSU now choosing RCC and that displacing students for whom RCC is their first choice.

So we’re going to be working very hard at not having that happen.

We have qualified for a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant through the National League of Cities to plan for a proposal for $3 million over three years to assist students between the ages of 16 and 26 who are from under represented, low income at risk students that would help balance some of that access issue. I’m hoping it won’t prevent access to those folks, but we have a plan just in case.

Can you tell us about the plan?

Sure, we’ve got a group of people under the leadership of Dr. Shelagh Camak, whose the vice president of Workforce Development, working with the mayor’s office and Economic Development Association, employers and social service agencies in the area to come up with a method of assisting students in assessing their goals and needs... infrastructure for students who never thought college was an option, who may also only need one or two courses to get into the career field that they want to or who just need some skill gap closing, particularly math or writing, but who also don’t know the range of career opportunities open to them.

They don’t necessarily believe that those career opportunities are open to them. It’s also working with employers locally to help identify employment opportunities.

Can we expect the same kind of madness with class cuts and not getting into classes like the fall semester, and if so what was learned from then that could make this time easier?

There was a terrible convergence of events, between student fees going up in the summer, to the state legislature’s delay in approving the budget, also the ultimate delay impact of that budget and what that meant for our institution, which was about $6.5 million for us. Our schedules had already been in print, students had already begun registering.

So here’s what was learned, make the cuts. Under Chancellor Gray we will be making those decisions well in advance. We have made provisions for the spring semester prior to the schedule

going into print.

We are hopeful and Dr. Gray is hopeful that we won’t have to cut additional sections next fall. That’s our goal. But it’s really about making sure that we communicate with students early, often and in a variety of ways and really for us to operate at greater efficiency.

At our institution, RCC cut 220 sections for the fall semester, which was about 12 percent of our offerings, our enrollment went up and our courses were loading at about 95 and 100 percent.

It tells you that we weren’t as efficient, but it also tells you that we were putting our resources in some areas that would have been better served in other areas in terms of course offerings.

The big news is that we’re looking ahead this time.

Was canceling the winter semester ever an option for saving money? Is cutting summer an option?

Cutting winter was part of the discussion early on, but we realized that the decision would have been made too late, that it would affect students who were planning on using winter session as part of their matriculation to graduate and transfer.

We are curtailing the number of offerings, but we’re not cutting it out.

There are also programs for which cutting winter all together would be very problematic, for example nursing and some of other technical areas that require that time for students to meet the competency levels that they’re required to meet.

And we are curtailing summer in advance. We’re not cutting it, but we are curtailing it.

How will the lack of parking be handled?

As you know, we’re landlocked on this campus, we don’t have a lot of space around us that we can move into because of residences and businesses, but we have secured a parking lot downtown that’s on the bus line, and we’re also looking at the possibility of running a shuttle back and forth and the possibility of offering a discounted parking fee for that area that has an additional 300 spaces, which should get us right to what we need.

Sticking with transportation, the RTA Go Pass program has been really successful, but it’s slated to come to an end. Is there any way that it is going to continue to help out students?

I really hope it is, and I know that the chancellor and his staff are looking at how we might be able to promote that, because it is a very beneficial program for students in particular.

As you know, legislation was just passed last year, thanks to the students at RCC, that allowed for a nominal fee to be charged to support that program, so I think that that may be the way that it’s supported.

This recession has been hard on college students because so

many colleges are cutting back on their services and courses, that can lower morale and make people give up on getting an education, what would you tell them to assuage their fears and keep them involved in getting an education?

You’re absolutely right. Now is the time for us to hang together, particularly the community college role in helping people move from where they are to where they want to be in life.

I’m confident that President Obama is routing more funds to community colleges and that those are going to be routed and managed in very significant ways to help people who are some of the hardest hit in these economic times, so I’m confident that we will actually move forward.

California’s a little behind in terms of the economic slump because it hit us later than it hit some others. So we can’t feel a false sense of security, but we do need to make sure that we’re marshalling all our resources and that, importantly, we aren’t wasting resources.

But I’m very heartened by the attitude of pretty much everyone I encounter either in the community or associated with this college who are still willing to help or keep them hopeful.

When the fee increases at the UC campuses were announced, students immediately mobilized.

They were protesting and making their voices heard.

Do you recommend that they continue to get their voices out there so that those making the decisions will know how their decisions are affecting them?

Absolutely, the students this fall hosted a rally downtown, which I was very proud of our students for having such a large role in that and connecting with UC students on that as well.

I think it’s imperative that students of all ages or anyone associated with education let their legislators know, this is the impact it has.

I think it’s better to do that up front before they start making the decisions about the budget, rather than waiting until after the cuts have happened or waiting until after the fees have had to be increased.

So I would argue that now is the time that students and people who care about education make sure that their legislators understand this is how I feel.

I voted you in office and this is what I think should happen. It’s the American way.

Nearing the end of your first year, are there any moments that stand out or any funny stories that come to mind?

Some of the most heartwarming stories have to do with a parent and a child when I see them together on campus and find out the lengths to which they’re going to come to school.

I ride around in my golf cart and I usually pick people up who need a ride and I picked up this

News

older lady and gentleman and I said where are you heading. They said to the bookstore, and I said hop on I’ll give you a ride.

So as we’re talking, she said ,“I’m 74, I’m one of your oldest students and I’m taking an online class...she said I take one almost every semester.”

I thought there’s a lesson... she’s reinforcing to all of us the importance of staying fresh, staying new and being around other people

who appreciate learning.

Yours is obviously a stressful job. What do you do to keep from going crazy?

I love my job; it’s really not all that stressful. I have chocolate in my office that we eat on a regular basis, I have a fountain on my patio that we listen to. Mostly I play computer games when I’m home... and I bake, which is one of the best stress relievers I have.

For video of the full interview go to Viewpoints Online

Viewpoints

A new Trustee for RCC jessica denilofs Staff Writer

Following the resignation of Riverside Community College District student trustee Brianna Duru, a special election was held Nov. 16 and 17 to find her replacement.

The trustee represents students at all three RCCD campuses.

The trustee’s job is to bring about change to the student body by submitting student questions and concerns to the Board of Trustees.

Candidates who ran for the position were Josue Landa from the Riverside campus and Stephen Bishop from the Moreno Valley campus.

Around 300 students voted in the election, and Bishop was voted the victor with a score of 196 to 89 votes.

“I feel very excited about winning the election,” Bishop said.

“I am grateful for all of the support from my friends and fellow student leaders.”

“I’m glad I was just able to run, I saw a rare opportunity arise so I took it,” Landa said.

Landa said he won’t be running again.

“Stephen seems very cooperative and willing to work with the people, which is great and is what we need,” Landa said.

Kyle Knowlton, RCC Student, voiced his concern over the lack of

December 3, 2009 | 5

Serving students since 1922

News

campaigning.“I didn’t even know there was an election, I’d probably have voted if I’d known and if there was more of a campaign,” said Knowlton.

Amanda Know, RCC Student, agreed that there was a lack of information supplied to students.

“I saw a sign for the election, but I didn’t know who was running, or really what a student trustee did, so I didn’t vote,” Know said.

It was decided to have the election as soon as possible so there would be representation for the students.

But because the election was so rushed some students felt there wasn’t enough of a campaign for the candidates, so they didn’t know who to vote for. However, YouTube videos were posted for the candidates.

I s r a e l L a n d a , ASR C C president, commented on the voting turn out.

“You’re never going to be able to get everyone to vote, you can try and try, but it won’t happen. People don’t realize how much power they have,” Landa said.

Bishop has been acknowledged by the board as the new Student Trustee, but he won’t be sworn in until spring 2010.

“The RCCD Board of Trustees places a high value on student input. I am truly honored to serve my fellow students in this manner as their representative on the board,” Bishop said.

dorothea samuel / staff photographer

decisions, decisions: Members of student government meet to discuss the new Student

Trustee for the Riverside Community College District.

Bishop was the Moreno Valley Student Commencement Speaker and served as a Moreno Valley campus Senator, specifically as the Legislative Committee Chairman.

He was also the vice president of the Associated Students of Moreno Valley.

As the vice president, Bishop served on the RCCD Board of Trustees’ Shared Governance Committee.

“These positions gave me the experience in both campus and district levels of student government that I need,” Bishop said.

Francisco Porras, ASRCC Vice President, also commented on the two individuals who ran for Student Trustee this fall.

“Stephen is willing to listen, and to be at the forefront of everything,” Landa said.

“We had two really good

candidates. I’ve been working with both of them, so I knew that either would make a good Student Trustee,” Porras said.

Bishop said his first point of action will be to meet with the student government during the winter session.

“This will serve as both training to new student leaders and as a transition meeting for me and the District Executive Board,” Bishop said.

H1N1 vaccination shortages give health services headaches

lauren garcia asst news editor

Vaccinations! Get your free vaccinations!

H1N1 flu vaccinations were given out for free Nov. 10 to anyone who came through the door from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

No other medical appointments were taken as the entire day was dedicated to distributing the H1N1 vaccines as well as giving out the $10 seasonal flu vaccines.

Monique Caro, student at RCC, had mixed emotions towards the vaccines. “It depends at how you look at it. I’m sure it’s good for some individuals, but people will get sick no matter what, sometimes even from the vaccine,” Caro said.

“It really depends on how you take care of yourself.”

Between the three campuses a total of 1600 vaccinations were supposed to be available, however campuses ended up 1200 short.

Director of health services, Renee Kimberling, said that throughout the district the 400 vaccinations were given out to the students and staff members of all three RCC campuses.

The Riverside campus received 250 vaccines, Moreno Valley received 75 and Norco received 50. The distribution of the vaccinations to the three campuses was administered by the State of California and came from the company calpanflu.org, the official organization where vaccines are ordered and approved by the state to be shipped.The vaccinations were given out in hospital clinics

to all students, faculty, staff and adult family members until the supply was exhausted.

“We didn’t turn anyone away,” Kimberling said. “I hope that when more vaccinations are received all students and staff will get vaccinated.”

Kimberling stated specific groups of people who are encouraged to get vaccinated are those who live with or provide care for infants younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, people six months through 24 years of age, and people 25 years through 64 years of age who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications such as diabetes or asthma.

Despite the recommendations for pregnant women to get immunized, vaccines were not specifically prepared for this group.

Women who are breastfeeding and young children were not admitted.

Additional vaccinations are expected to be delivered to all campuses soon.When the RCC health services receives a date as to when the remaining vaccinations will be received, an email will go out notifying students and staff members as to where and when they can receive the vaccine.

To avoid risk in the meantime, remember to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Use soap and water when washing hands, and avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth as often as possible.

Viewpoints

6 | December 3, 2009

Serving students since 1922

Instructors harmonize to help Brandon Morgan Staff Photographer

What happens when you combine an equal amount of dedication and motivation? Nine times out of 10, the answer is success.

Juliana Quinones, a student musician here at Riverside City College, is nothing short of a perfect example.

Quinones, 24, has always had a passion for music.

Debbie Eyer, her middle school band director, was the one who motivated her at a young age to pursue music.

It was that same motivation that contributed to the two awards she received: The John Phillip Sousa Music Award, and later, The High School Directors Award.

But, the road to becoming a successful French horn player and earning more awards would not nearly be as smooth as the first.

Her life took an unexpected turn when she began attending RCC. Not only did she lose her job, but she also fell into a substantial amount of credit card debt.

“I was using my credit card for everything but what I was

supposed to be using it for,” she said.

“I was using it for everyday things like groceries and gas instead of saving it for the occasional need or emergency,” Quinones said.

“Credit bureaus kept calling me and I just didn’t know what to do anymore.”

As a result of the depression and hardship that followed, she suffered a nervous breakdown.

She said this was the lowest point in her life.

It’s darkest before the dawn, and in her case, times had to get worse before they got better.

“Marty Rhees, my private horn instructor, always encouraged me to stop making excuses and hold myself accountable,” she said.

Once she had that motivation to coincide with her love for music, she never looked back.

Monica Delgadillo-Flores, the dean of Student Services at RCC, provided her with scholarship funds and directed her to a counselor.

She received another big surprise when Kevin Mayse, one of her band instructors, credited her with the Brass Quintet scholarship along with the Jazz Scholarship.

Both of which helped her with funds for school and the essentials

she would need to succeed in music.

During this bumpy road to success, there was still one thing missing: employment.

It was the most generous Mayse to her rescue once again. He offered her a position as the Music program’s librarian to help her get back on her feet financially.

He knew she had the potential, but she just needed the motivation from all the right sources.

His goal was to help her succeed in any way he could.

Quinones is now succeeding more than ever.

She is a great player and a member of five different ensembles on campus, which can be a very difficult task.

“If you view everything as a performance, you’ll always be prepared,” Quinones said.

Her love for music is enlightening.

“I love Strauss and I admire Chet Baker, but nothing puts me in the mood like Miles Davis,” Quiuones said.

“I don’t know where I’d be without music,” she said. “I’d probably be in a mental institution.

We can say so much in music that we can’t say verbally.”

Brandon Morgan / Staff Photographer

Success: With help and support, Juliana Quinones has a

job and excels as a RCC student musician.

If she could change one from Valley View High School attribute to improve her skills, it in 2003, plans on transferring to the California State University in would be to practice more.

Regardless of how she felt either Long Beach or Fullerton in about her own talent or success, the near future.

She looks forward to receiving Richards knew that she was her bachelors’ degree in Music the student who deserved to be Education and returning to school recognized. to earn her teaching credentials.

Quinones, who graduated

Artistic inspiration found through dance instructor Michaela O’Malley Special to Viewpoints The process of finding inspiration for a work of art can be the most difficult task for any artists.

It is finding that one item, person, people or event that will turn on the light bulb in the artists’ head.

Robin Ybarra, a Riverside student who attends Otis College of Art and Design, majoring in Fine Arts, specifically painting,

said that she always knew she was an artist.

“What if I told you that art is simply observing? Art is just noticing the world around you,” Ybarra said.

She uses this quote for inspiration when trying to find ideas for new art projects.

Ybarra used the concept of observation when she attended the dance class of RCC Dance Associate Professor, Mark Haines’ to photograph dancers for her photography class.

Michaela O’MaLLey / Special to Viewpoints

Noticing the World: Artist Robin Ybarra finds sources of creativity through observation.

“I wanted to capture the body in its most organic forms and moments,” Ybarra said.

“I went in there taking pictures for a photo class and it inspired me to create sculpture which is not what I intended to do,” Ybarra said.

“So, I think it inspired me in sculpture more than photography which was my original idea,” she continued.

Ybarra was not surprised by being inspired by another type of artist than those that surround her at school.

“I like to get inspiration from all forms of art and from people you least expect,” she said.

“Professional artists or people who just consider themselves as Sunday painters.”

Haines was also not surprised

by Ybarra’s inspiration from the movement.

“Of course I am flattered, but now wholly surprised,” Haines said.

“Although I can only speak for myself, I think most artists can find inspiration in other artists’ work,” he said. “I have a rather large collection of art books at home that I look through all the time for inspiration.”

He stated that he often finds inspiration from sculpture, paintings, and especially photography.

As Ybarra watched the class, she found a common ground with the dancers when she related her painting process to the dancer’s movement.

“When I paint, I paint big,” she said. “When you paint big a lot of your body goes into that. You are painting with your whole body.”

She said its literally “putting yourself into the painting, stepping on the canvas, working all around it.”

She found the similarites between movements involved in painting and dancing intriguing.

“I figured dance being obviously based on movement would reflect how you would approach a painting in a way.

When I saw it, I fell in love with it,” Ybarra said.

Haines was a little surprised as to how Ybarra connected with the process because the piece Haines is currently working on was unfinished at the time.

“I think that she, as an artist herself, intrinsically understands the importance of the process when creating a new work and found it interesting to see the dancers and myself go through the trails and tribulations of ‘trying things out,’” Haines said.

Although the process of creating pieces of art can be similar for most artists Haines pointed out thadance is different.

“Dance is a social event -- it requires other humans to make it work, whereas, sculpture or painting only requires the artist and the materials needed to make the art,” Haines said.

Haines feels the difference between the process of painting and dance is what may have intrigued Ybarra.

With both artists intrigued in each other’s work, shouldn’t this call for collaboration?

“It might be fun to work with someone like Robin on a dance piece,” Haines said.

“I think visual artists are natural organizers,” he continued.

“They seem to know where to put things in space which is not always true for choreographers,” noted Haines.

He said that they also “tend to be good at movement creation as opposed to movement placement.”

To many people, it seems that artists always find inspiration from things around them not having to do with art.

But what the artists are really looking for is hanging right next to them, dancing right next to them or creating right next to them.

Whether it be a photograph, a song, a piece of art or a compelling person.

Inspiration, artists say, is everywhere.

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

Features

Food gives hope

Andrew kendall staff writer It’s the magic of the holidays that can compel some individuals to give back; however, some volunteers are compelled to help all year, not just during the holidays.

Second Harvest Food Bank volunteers in Riverside refuse to focus purely on the holidays, but rather on each day that the year has to offer.

Opening in 1980, Second Harvest was a result of a chain reaction in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas as increasing concerns about the hunger and food waste rose.

Recent statistics from the comptroller general’s office indicate that up to 27 percent of the food processed for sale in the United States is wasted and this is enough to feed millions.

According to a detailed flier about the company, “Hunger in the two county region of Southern California has been an ongoing problem since the Food Bank began operation in 1980.”

The volunteers working to fight against hunger give their hard work and dedication to Second Harvest.

“I think the fact that Second Harvest focuses more on each day of the year then just focusing on the holidays proves that there are still genuine people in the world,” said Jackie Samples, Riverside City College student.

“This was my first time volunteering here. It’s really

awesome to see people come together to help other people,” Samples continued. “I think people should volunteer here because it feels good to give back to people who may be a bit less fortunate than you.”

Most people see the Food bank service as TV paints it, but this place works to try and fight hunger each day instead of random periods of time.

Donations are sometimes received from local grocery stores, but surprisingly most of the stores are donated about the holidays.

“Holiday specific items generally are donated post holiday because they didn’t sell,” said Executive Director Daryl Brock.

“We work to have donations from the industry throughout the year, but the food drives tend to focus around Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Second Harvest Food Bank is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Volunteers are welcome during those hours,” said Brock.

“Volunteers have no time limit and can volunteer as long as their schedule allows.”

Another way that Second Harvest breaks the barriers that TV may paint of the “average food bank” is that this place isn’t a kitchen serving food.

Second Harvest is a warehouse and most volunteer jobs include organizing and sorting product.

“While they [volunteers] do help, understanding what the

food bank is all about I think is more important than their actual volunteer time,” Brock said.

Second Harvest focuses on providing food assistance to notfor-profit companies serving the needy throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Through the work of volunteers and generous businesses, such as grocery stores with extra food items, the entire product within the warehouse is donated by corporations.

“It really is nice knowing that there are still companies out there that work out of the kindness of their own hearts,” said Lauren Woodfield. “It makes you grateful for not only what you have, but for what you can do for other people.”

Second Harvest food bank proves that not only do their company helps focus more on each day of an individual’s life when it comes to hunger, but have a clear commitment to the Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“Knowing that we are able to help people in a way and on such a scale is always totally amazing,” Brock said.

“Being the source of food for 250-300,000 people per month and knowing that without us they would be in more critical situations with no place to get help is the most rewarding thing we do for me,” he said.

Second Harvest Food Bank accepts food donations all year long.

December 3, 2009 | 7

8 | December 3, 2009

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

Viewpoints

Trapeze school defies gravity

December 3, 2009 | 9

Serving students since 1922

Features

jackie adams asst. features editor

While some people have BBQ’s in their backyard, a patio set or maybe even a pool, Dave Ayers, 63, has a two story trapeze rig in his.

For the past seven years “Trapeze High” has operated on Ayer’s almost two-acre backyard in Escondido.

For $50, people from any walk of life can get a one and half hour lesson to not only learn how to swing from the trapeze, but how to do tricks as well.

“It’s perceived as an extreme sport, so a lot of people are hesitant to come out because they feel they can’t do it physically, or emotionally they aren’t up to it,” Ayers said. “But for many people, trapeze can be a very positive life changing experience. It’s the best way to get high.”

A couple of yards away, three San Diego State students are doing backflips through the air, and hanging upside down by their knees.

“It’s their first day here.” Ayers said with pride. “It’s a really easy sport, like swimming is really easy, but you’re not going to be Michael Phelps without really working hard.”

It does seem intimidating, from climbing the narrow ladder that goes two stories straight up, to standing on the small platform, leaning out over the ground, grabbing the bar with both hands and jumping.

But for most people the most intimidating part is letting go of the bar once you’re flying in the air, and trusting that the net will safely catch you when you’re done free falling.

A couple of students from Trapeze High are working at Ringling Brothers right now, but most customers are regular people who are just looking for a day of fun.

People wanting to have a unique birthday party or a fun team building exercises can bring their friends and family to the rig for a 90 minute workout.

“Any excuse to be outside and play, that’s the reason for a party here,” Ayers said.

The thrilling sport seems to

Flying high: Adam Storr, a Trapeze High student, takes a daring leap from the rig. be growing in popularity daily, so much so that Ayers opened a new school in Del Mar fairgrounds on November 13, and is in negotiations to open another one in Escondido next year.

The new school in Del Mar is structured under a nonprofit and is called “Circus Fund.”

Among the programs offered is the J.A.K.E scholarship fund, in memory of Ayer’s 19-yearold son, Jacob Ayers, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in September.

The programs allow lowincome children the opportunity to learn how to fly trapeze, and the main goals are to help children and adolescents build confidence and encourage healthy life choices.

Doing a backflip on their first day flying can enforce the idea that a child is capable of succeeding, show them the thrill they can get from exercise, and hopefully encourage them to try other positive activities.

“It’s one of the best physical activities that you can do, it works

every muscle in your body and your mind. It’s exhilarating, its confidence building,” Ayers said.

“It’s super safe,“ Ayers said.

“You have safety lines, you’ve got two or three people taking care of you the whole time. That’s why you can send your little kids here, or you could send grandma here.

I’m doing a birthday party with a grandma in a couple of weeks, and she’s in her 80s.“ The first time Ayers flew trapeze he was 47.

“For me it changed my life.”

Ayers said.

He had suffered a nearly crippling back injury when he was 9 years old, and lived with severe pain his whole life.

Six months after he began flying trapeze, his back fixed itself.

“Everything I have, my property, my wife (she and I met on a trapeze), everything I have I owe to trapeze,” Ayers said. “For me, it means everything and I’m going to keep on doing it until I can’t climb a ladder anymore.”

jackie adams / asst. Features editor

jackie adams / asst. featuresEditor

Showing off: Adam Storr shows how much he has learned

by performing a trick on the trapeze rig.

10 | December 3, 2009

W

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

The Vice Project: What would you give up?

hat defines a vice? Is it something bad for you or perhaps something you can’t live without? And what happens when you decide to give up these vices? The Vice Project is an experiment that works to answer these questions.

For one week 15 editors and writers gave up a piece of themselves to find out if these daily transgressions qualify as true vices or if they’re just another part of the daily routine.

The vices ranged from television to meat, with each staffer choosing their own vice.

As an avid gamer, staff writer Adrian Pascua was nervous about giving up video games for an entire week.

“It was hard because all the best games came out that week,” Pascua said.

Though playing video games may not seem like a vice in the traditional sense, for Pascua it is an integral part of his routine.

Sociologist and Riverisde City College instructor Eric Vega says that these vices are so much a part of our routine that eliminating them can lead to a general sense of disorientation.

Assistant Inscape editor Christina Espinoza decided to give up coffee, which she has become accustomed to drinking on a daily basis.

In the early stages of the experiment, her lack of caffeine led to severe headaches and a much more tired existence.

“I felt tired, weak, unmotivated and slightly depressed,” Espinoza said.

As the body becomes accustomed to a daily dose of a certain chemical, be it caffeine or sugar, cutting it off cold turkey can inspire surprising results.

Opinions editor Corinne Love, who is known to love her sweets gave up sugar products including cakes, pies, cookies and soda. She was taken aback by her body’s reaction to the lack sugar.

“Without sugar I was more alert.” Love said, “The chemicals in my brain were more focused.”

There is also the added effect that reducing our exposure to certain distractions can save money.

“I had more money since I wasn’t wasting it on cupcakes and candy, it gets expensive after a while,” Love said.

Many of the participants chose to give up technological vices like television and the internet.

“Technological proliferation has given people something new to become addicted to,” Vega said.

December 3, 2009 | 11

“The internet is such an available distraction, but going without it made me more focused,” Editor In Chief Stephanie Holland said.

Many of these vices can really be categorized as habits and when they are taken away that space must be filled with something else.

“Disrupting the routine creates a chance to save money,” Vega said.

“Eliminating it leaves an empty space.”

Since I couldn’t beat up anybody virtually, I beat them up physically and spent more time doing karate,” Pascua said.

Of course the idea of the experiment was to see what the participants would learn about themselves from changing their daily routines and taking away their favorite habits.

“Even though I like cookies, candy and cupcakes, I don’t need to have them all the time,” Love said. “I was sort of eating them because they were there.”

There is also the idea that making a small change is the first step to an overall change in how we see ourselves.

Visit www.tinyurl.com/viceproject to see the Vice Project

Illustration by Vanessa Soto

12 | December 3, 2009

Viewpoints

opinions Serving students since 1922

Viewpoints Staff

EDITORIAL

No taxation without education

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stephanie Holland (951) 222-8495 viewpoints@rcc.edu eic@viewpointsonline.org MANAGING EDITOR Erene Abdelmeseeh (951) 222-8488 managingeditor@viewpointsonline.org

University of California decision to raise fees causes students to revolt against uncaring administration

ADVERTISING MANAGER Vanessa Soto (951) 222-8488 viewpoints.ads@gmail.com

The current recession that the United States finds itself mired in is like the gift that keeps on giving.

As if unemployment and the state’s ever increasing deficit weren’t enough to deal with, college students in California must now deal with an increase in fees at University of California campuses.

On Nov. 19, UC regents voted to increase fees by 32 percent. Not 5 or 10 percent, but, 32 percent.

That’s a truly ridiculous amount of money to ask of college students, many of whom are already struggling.

For California residents, the increase will begin in January 2010 with a mid-year fee hike of $585 for undergrads and graduate professional degree students and $111 for graduate academic degree students.

Then, beginning in summer 2010, for the 20102011 academic year, fees will go up another $1,334.

During a finance committee hearing, UC President Mark Yudof said, “We’re being forced to impose a user tax on our students and their families.”

He added, “This is a tax necessary because our political leaders have failed to adequately fund public higher education.”

Really, a tax on education.

We just assumed the tuition was the tax everyone paid to have a higher education.

The regents have said that financial aid opportunities will be expanded to cover the new fees; however, many aid programs are already stretched to the max and can’t accommodate all the new applicants they will now receive.

What this fee hike does is price many students out of a college education.

In response to the news, students began protesting at many UC campuses. At UCLA where the regents were meeting, students rallied outside the meeting and a group of students locked themselves inside one building to make their point.

The only vote against the increase was that of student regent Jesse Bernal who felt that the burden of the budget crisis should not be carried exclusively by students, but spread evenly among fee increases, staff furloughs and cutbacks.

The effect of this decision on Riverside City College students will most likely be felt in the spring semester when students who can no longer afford to go to UC colleges return to RCC to continue their educations.

FACULTY ADVISERS Allan Lovelace Dan Evans

INSCAPE EDITOR ONLINE EDITOR Robert Johnston Khai Le admin@viewpointsonline.org inscape@viewpointsonline.org NEWS EDITOR Amy Warshauer news@viewpointsonline.org

“

INSIDER EDITOR Sandra Diaz insider@viewpointsonline.org

OPINIONS EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR Chanelle Williams Corinne Love opinions@viewpointsonline.org features@viewpointsonline.org SPORTS EDITOR Javier Cabrera sports@viewpointsonline.org

“That’s a truly ridiculous amount of money to ask of college students...”

STAFF Jackie Adams Jessica Denilofs Megan Evans Christina Espinoza Lauren Garcia Ricky Holmes Sade Hurst Andrew Kendall John Kilgore Stacy Lee Phillip Levin

John Mendoza Brandon Morgan Adrian Pascua Aubrianna Plavajka Fatima Ramsey Ashley Robinson Dorothea Samuel Joshua Serrano Alexandra Tanner Daniel Torres

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.

Member:

California Newspaper Publishers Association

Journalism Association of Community Colleges

Associated Collegiate Press

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

viewpoints R

I

V

Unfortunately, RCC is in the midst of its own budget crisis and cannot realistically support the influx of new students.

“One of my greatest concerns is how a restriction of attendance at UC and CSU impacts RCC, by students who would have gone to UC or CSU now choosing RCC and that displacing students for whom RCC is their first choice,” RCC President Jan Muto said.

A fee increase also will impede anyone trying to transfer from RCC to a UC. If a student’s whole college plan was centered around transferring to a UC and that option was taken away, what could they do?

Many UC institutions are renowned for their research opportunities and accomplished arts programs. For students in these disciplines, giving up is not an option.

University administrators seem completely oblivious to the ramifications of their decision, suggesting that students turn to their parents, financial aid or part-time jobs.

The reality of the situation is that most students are already working full-time and cannot depend on help from parents who are struggling to get by.

Perhaps the most heinous part of this decision is that administrators have raised fees while cutting classes and programs at the same time.

So students are expected to pay more for less.

If you went to the grocery store and they charged you $200 for a $100 worth of food, you would be livid and you sure wouldn’t go back to that store anymore.

Well for students at UC colleges, they don’t have a choice, they either pay or starve. Or in other words, pay or drop out of school and try to find another way to finish their education.

The real damage of this crisis is in the continuing psychological damage that it will do to college students.

As more classes are cut and fees are raised, students will eventually become tired of the constant hurdles they must jump and give up on getting a degree and settle for whatever they feel they can live with.

California cannot afford to deter anymore individuals from getting higher education degrees.

College is supposed to be where young people figure who they’ll become in the future.

Well apparently the students at UCLA, UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley have decided to become students who stand up for themselves and their classmates.

Maybe the UC regents should take note and start displaying a little loyalty to the students who make their colleges such exceptional institutions.

E

R

S

I

D

E

C

I

T

Vol. XXXVIII, No. 7

Y

C

O

L

L

E

G

E

December 3, 2009

Reach us: PHONE: (951) 222-8488 E-mail: viewpoints@rcc.edu Editor in Chief PHONE: (951) 222-8495

Printing Schedule

Copy deadline: Photo deadline: Ad deadline: Next issue:

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

9 9 9 16

Viewpoints is a public forum, First Amendment newspaper.

Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. © 2009 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

December 3, 2009 | 13

Libraries forced into silence Serving students since 1922

Opinions

corinne love opinions editor S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a ’s public libraries are feeling the chokehold of California’s financial difficulties.

Cities like Colton, Ventura and Palm Springs public libraries are all facing major budget cuts which in turn, is slashing back library hours and even shutting them down.

This budget cut is happening at a time, when because of economic hard times, many libraries are experiencing a surge of users.

Libraries have long been sacred grounds for finding books for children, copy machines and internet access.

The idea of closing them is beyond silly, it’s ghastly.

Libraries might not be the most happening place to be on a Saturday night, but many people can recall when a library was there when they needed it.

Families, students, instructors and the everyday person all come to depend on libraries for one need or the other.

Due to the economic slump, many people have reduced costs in every aspect of their lives.

Instead of buying the latest paperback novel, such as Sarah

Palin’s novel “Going Rogue,” a library patron could check out the book, without handing out the $20 to $25 for a hardcover.

If I were even remotely interested in reading Palin’s book, I would undoubtedly check it out free of charge from a library.

Not only do libraries allow patrons the opportunity to “test drive” many new books before committing to buy them, historically, libraries are research centers.

Students from almost every educational level, come to a library to search reference books, internet access and periodicals that may not be available at the school library.

More recently, people have been using libraries for personal matters.

Matters such as copying and faxing documents.

The Los Angeles Times reported that many people have been using the services to assist with finding jobs.

It was also reported that 17 million people used a public library in California this year.

One would think with all the benefits that the library obviously offers, cutting hours and shutting down the doors would just be backwards.

However, counties can no longer afford to keep some libraries open.

In Ventura, the state funding for its public libraries dropped from $1.1 million in 2000, to $149,000 this year, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

wikimedia commons

shelf life: Due to state and local budget cuts, some California public libraries are being forced into temporary closure, reduced worker shifts and elimination of public services.

That’s a dramatic decrease in funding.

With such a decrease in funding, many libraries have probably pulled back their intake of new books.

A trickle down effect, this could mean that public libraries will have to be much more selective in which books make it to shelves.

Across the board, libraries are cutting staff, using more volunteers and having patrons using self check out services.

In Colton’s case, deciding to close the library was an action that needed to be taken.

Even if it is an action that needed to be taken, it still seems like a last resort.

Perhaps patrons have taken their libraries for granted, in assuming that they will always be there. Citizens however aren’t idly waiting for a reply though.

As of Dec.1, the Colton public library, through the outpour of community opinion, re-opened.

Yet there are significant drawbacks.

The library is now open six days a week.

The Homework Assistance and Adult Literacy programs that were available have now been removed.

California is in a financial clout, and of course cutbacks need to be made.

However, it’s a bit tiring that the first services to be cut are the ones that the community needs.

‘When the levees broke:’ Katrina vs. The United States

sade hurst Staff Writer Hurricane Katrina is by far the worse storm that our generation has seen in America.

The levees fell and disaster struck.

It is no wonder that a Judge decided that the U.S. government neglected the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

It has been four years since the catastrophic storm Katrina hit the state of Louisiana.

Since then the state has been trying to rebuild itself but the government has not been making it easy at all.

We have seen in the media that a majority of Hurricane Katrina’s victims have been left hopeless.

Some of the houses that need to be rebuilt are not even finished and FEMA wanted to take away citizen’s trailers.

Over the time of four years, the government has slowly been helping out the victims of Katrina.

Sadly, they have been acting

as slow as the time it took to help the victims when the hurricane took place.

The process may speed up with the transition of a new administration, but the victims are still waiting and watching.

Now there is hope for those who have lost tremendously during the hurricane.

Some victims have sued the United States.

The lawsuit was filed as a case of negligence, because of how the levees were built.

Expert engineers explained that the levees were poorly made by the Army Corps Engineers and should have not been destroyed in the way that they were during the hurricane.

Not to mention the construction of the levees was paid for by the tax dollars of Louisiana residents.

The judge agreed that the victims were neglected by the engineers and they could be awarded up to $720,000.

Some may say that it was crazy to sue the government, but in a situation like this, it was necessary.

The courage that a group displays against their own government to call them out claiming that they were neglected was a bold yet necessary act.

It was especially bold to file the lawsuit because of the situation that many of the victims are in.

To sit down and worry about whether or not they were going to win and continue trying to rebuild their homes must have taken time.

The lawsuit shows that the government needs to assume responsibility for the way they handled the situation.

Also it showed a sign of hope for those who lost their homes and are still trying to rebuild.

It took the push of the media to demand that the government pay attention to what they are doing to the victims.

Louisiana has been treated like an unloved stepchild.

When other catastrophic storms happen in other countries, the government is quick to move in, giving aid and restoring that country.

Should the government get a seminar simply to remind them that it was their fault so many people lost their homes and for some, even their family?

Only during election season or some event when politicians are supposed to look good do we see someone in the government standing up for these victims.

There are probably a few politicians who do want to help out, but they are few.

Not enough is not being done for these victims.

Negligence has been the biggest trend before and after

Hurricane Katrina and it’s about time that some one recognized it.

This lawsuit will only solve a little of the victims issues.

There is not enough money in the world to make up for what they lost.

The fortunate part is that it has helped most of their houses to be completely rebuilt.

For those a part of the group that filed the lawsuit they can recover quickly.

Hopefully, they are days away from being finished with their homes.

Unfortunately, for those who did not file the lawsuit, they have to wait and continue battling with themselves and the government to restore their house.

The victims that decided to

stay in Lousiana rather than move, still have to encounter bumps down the road.

Maybe the order of the judge may have woke up the right people to help these victims rather than playing by the book and adding more stress to their lives.

But we can only hope, which isn’t much if we look at our nation’s history of assisting with the recovery process of their own country.

Maybe this may make the government pay attention to previous mistakes like Katrina.

If this is supposed to be the year of change for America (especially the government), then they should help out the areas that were destroyed at the expense of neglect.

For Opinions stories on new technology and “Twilight,” go to Viewpoints Online

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

14 | December 3, 2009

Opinions

Game face on: gender battles alexandra tanner Staff Writer Sexism today emphasizes the competitiveness of women.

Sometimes competition between women is just a personality difference that can easily escalate to all aspects ones lifestyle.

Even if the competitiveness doesn’t last long term, women will do almost anything to be better than one another even if it’s not a noticeable difference to others.

Men stereotypically compete most in sports and the corporate world.

They also like to prove who’s the most intelligent if they’re in a social gathering, whether it’s a party or the classroom setting so long as there are women observers.

Women contrast this type of behavior by concerning themselves with who’s wearing the best clothes and who’s better looking.

We’ve all noticed the times have changed.

In media such as film or television, women are sometimes portrayed as deceitful, argumentative, and selfish.

Women seem to always want things to work out in their best

interest or will do anything to feel as though they’ve accomplished a goal.

It seems as though men have created these roles for women. It’s a gender stereotype.

A woman’s competitive nature is seen as passive aggressiveness.

An example of all this of competition can be found in TV shows like “Gossip Girl,” with character Blair Waldorf.

Waldorf is a competitive, selfish and jealous character on the show who is always looking for a way to be the Queen of all that sparkles and speaks in Manhattan.

I played flag football all four years of high school at the private academy I attended.

Freshman year I thought “It’s just a bunch of girls running around on a field, how bad could it be?” I didn’t give them enough credit.

During the four seasons of being on a flag football team I started out timid because of what I thought I already knew about myself and girls in general, I was wrong.

By the end of the seasons, my senior year, we had had so many casualties Loma Linda hospital nurses probably went running when they heard our games were in the upcoming weeks.

During those four years I became a team captain. Girls from my team, and others from the surrounding cities, made frequent trips to Loma Linda University

vh1 press

boys & girls: Cast members of VH1’s reality show “I Want To Work For Diddy,” emphasize the gender differences in competitive spirit.

Medical Center.

These visits were a product of broken collarbones, torn ACLs, broken arms, broken fingers, fractured wrists, and mild concussions.

To observers like parents on the sidelines, the injuries were just a result of participating in a contact sport. But for the girls on the field they knew what they were doing.

Because of their drive to win, taking an opponent out of the game even if it meant physical damage, was the way to do it.

On the first game I played, I learned how to take a blow to my body by another girl three times my size and remain standing.

Most importantly, I learned the dangerous competitiveness of high school girls.

The broken collarbones and concussions were results of girls finding a hate for each other while engaged in the sport.

The desire to win at something for girls is always higher than it is for guys.

The only time I’ve really known

guys to get too competitively involved is when they’re challenged by a female.

Fighting and bickering that goes on between girls, even if it isn’t verbally, isn’t right.

We’ve began to make spectacles of ourselves and now sexism is taking a new angle on our overall image.

Women should not be seen as conniving or vengeful just because of this stereotype.

This is what woman have fought for so hard in the past.

Mammogram guidelines: One size does not fit all

megan evans Staff Writer The Republicans and Democrats have begun a new political war.

The two parties have found something better to argue about, mammograms.

The debate about health insurance is old news.

The U.S. Preventive Task force released new clinical guidelines in mid November.

These guidelines recommended that women over the age of 50 receive mammograms every other year rather than every year.

The task force also stated that women ages 40-49 go without annual mammograms unless they have certain risk factors such as genetic mutations or a family history of breast cancer that would make them more susceptible to the disease.

These new guidelines have started up the new political debate on whether or not these “findings” are just a new way of cutting medical costs.

Some Republicans in Congress are using these recommendations to argue their point about the healthcare reform.

Some state that this is just another way of having the government get in between a patient and their physician.

Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn stated, “this is how rationing begins.”

She referred to the guidelines as “the toe in the edge of the water.”

The U.S. Preventive task force intentions are in a good place.

These clinical guidelines were released to give women under the age of 50 more choices in terms of frequency and timing of mammograms.

They were meant to show the full benefits and risks of receiving them.

These recommended guidelines are not mandatory, and should not be a one size fits all kind of thing.

One thing is certain, if a woman decides it is of her best interest to receive a mammogram every year from ages 40-49, there should be no hesitation.

But before any decisions are made, the “Balance of Harms and Benefits” must be brought up.

According to the U.S. Preventive Task Force, “Harms of screening include psychological harms, additional medical visits, imaging, and biopsies in women without cancer, inconvenience due to false-positive screening results, harms of unnecessary treatment, and radiation exposure.

Harms seem moderate for each

age group.”

For women ages 40-49, mammograms have a minimal success rate in reducing the risk of breast cancer.

According to the U.S. Preventive Task Force, annual mammograms for women ages 40-49 reduce the risk of breast cancer death by 15%, leaving the other 85% to clear mammograms or false positives.

One huge and unmistakable problem with mammograms today is the high number of falsepositives.

These cases of false diagnosis are scary to say the least.

In contrast to the U.S. Preventive Task Force, a recent article by CNN stated that for women ages 40-49, mammograms save only one life out of every 1,399.

Even though this number is far less than 15 percent, one life saved is worth the cost of psychological harm and unnecessary treatment of these women.

These recent studies come as a surprise to many women, especially with the breast cancer awareness movement within recent years.

But one thing is simple.

Mammograms have been saving lives for years, and are an important tool for discovering breast cancer in patients who are unaware of the disease.

It is imperative that women speak with their physician, review

family history for breast cancer, and come up with an individualized decision that will replace these guidelines.

Mammography screenings should be personalized to fit every woman, no matter what the case.

For women at higher risk of breast cancer, or a family history of breast cancer, annual routine mammograms should begin in thier 40‘s.

While women at a low risk or average risk of breast cancer should be generally based on personal decisions.

These guidelines have fired up a new political debate, and have kept many women wondering if these recommendations were released based on recent news of healthcare reform.

However the media and public misinterpreted these new guidelines when it came to money.

The U.S. Preventive Task Force did not take cost into consideration when publishing these findings.

These recommendations have worked wonderfully for the Republicans, who argue that these guidelines are just one step closer to universal healthcare.

While Democrats say the guidelines mean nothing.

But for those women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in their 40’s, or maybe even 20’s and 30’s, these new guidelines are the new hot topic.

These women argue that mammograms are an essential

tool in discovering and diagnosing breast cancer.

And for those women whose lives were saved by the mammograms, they make a point that cannot be argued.

Even with the cost of falsepositives, saving a few lives is worth it.

The most frightening thing about these guidelines is what insurance company’s decide to do with them.

They may argue that since these guidelines recommend fewer mammogram screenings, they won’t be obligated to pay for more than the recommended amount.

In this case, women who are at a higher risk of breast cancer become endangered.

If the insurance company’s are not obligated to pay for mammograms upon a patients request, then a woman may go for a long period of time and not know she has breast cancer.

This would put her life in jeopardy and would increase the amount of breast cancer deaths in America.

These guidelines should in no way determine when women should begin mammography screenings, and should not be used for insurance company’s to cut healthcare costs.

Whatever the case, women should follow their instincts and receive mammograms based on personal decision making, and not a one size fits all guideline.

Viewpoints

December 3, 2009 | 15

Serving students since 1922

Valve kills it with “Left 4 Dead 2” adrian pascua Staff Writer Imagine a world where a disease that causes the dead to rise again has run rampant. You and three other survivors are the only ones left alive who are immune to the disease, what do you do?

Short answer: cure the disease one bullet at a time.

“Left 4 Dead 2” puts the player in the middle of a Zombie apocalypse where the player has no choice but to take out the infected as best as they can.

Valve has nailed it with this game. Teamwork is essential for survival, and it’s crucial that you keep your teammates alive.

As your numbers start to dwindle down, survival starts becoming a big issue.

In the campaign co-op modes this becomes extremely crucial since beating a scenario becomes extremely dependentt on how well the team can work together.

So that means there’s no room for show boating. The fewer team mates you have to watch your back, the more likely you are to get picked off by a horde of zombies.

Each scenario is tied in together unlike the original “Left 4 Dead.”

In the original, the player could pick any scenario and it would play like its own storyline.

In “Left 4 Dead 2” the player

Image courtesy of: Games Press still has the option of picking the scenario, but if they play in order there is a more complete story than the original game had.

If a player feels the game isn’t hard enough, they can try the new realism mode. A mode where team work is the most essential in survival and dying is not an option.

In realism mode, players will play through the campaign scenarios, but once a member of the team dies, they stay dead.

So, staying alive is extremely reliant on how well you keep each

other alive.

The newest feature is the use of melee weapons.

Players have the chance to use everything from frying pans to chains as their choice of weapon instead of just a regular hand gun that must be reloaded only after so many shots.

Thi ngs like swords and machetes are completely ammoless and have no need to be reloaded, so feel free to cut down as many of the infected as you see fit.

After you put some of the undead back in their graves via

melee, players will notice how much more colorful their screens can get after killing 10 or 20 zombies by hand.

Not only do players get the chance to do things like bash in zombie brains, but Valve has added several new weapons to the arsenal of zombie butt kicking.

Such weapons like semi automatic sniper rifles to replace the single shot bolt action rifles, when translated means that mowing down the dead at longer range can happen a lot faster and is a lot more accurate at a closer

range.

There are AK- 47’s for those more panicked moments where you just have to kill a zombie.

A tactical shotgun was also added for the times when players become constantly surrounded with hordes of enemies.

The crown jewel of all these weapons is the grenade launcher.

It may be slow and have a single round, but taking out large groups are what this bad boy is good for.

Since Valve decided to upgrade all the new features on the game, they also decided to add more “specialized” zombies.

The original cast of zombies has invited new friends, such as the Charger, who can plow through your team and send them flying while effectively pounding one team member to death.

The Spitter discharges burning goo through the mouth that can cause damage to any of the survivors that touch it.

Finally, the Jockey, who jumps on a team member’s back, takes control of them and separates them from the rest of the team.

“Left 4 Dead” has become one of the hit games of Valve’s since “Counter-Strike.”

With the release of “Left 4 Dead 2” gamers are not to be left hungry for action, as this game is the nail in the coffin for most zombie games out right now.

Wii get together with old friends Mario and Luigi

phillip levin asst. inscape editor

More than 20 years later and the classic Mario formula still works.

“New Super Mario Bros.

Wii” is the first console Mario 2D sidescroller since the Super Nintendo days.

The game takes the same game play fundamentals of the original “Super Mario Bros.” games you grew up with and adds a few touches of new here and there.

The name of the game is as simple but as fun as ever.

The goal is to make your way across 2D levels filled with obstacles in the form of platforms, gaps and enemies.

There was never anything particularly complex about “Mario” back in the day, but the series always proved instantly entertaining.

The same is true of Nintendo’s latest game.

While “New Super Mario Bros. Wii” relies on the tried-and-

true game play of its predecessors, it’s not a remake or a port.

It’s a totally new game, featuring new levels and a mix of both old and new power-ups.

Examples of new power-ups include the Ice Flower, which is the polar opposite of the classic Fire Flower, and the Penguin Suit, which lets you run across ice without slipping.

“New Super Mario Bros. Wii” can be played solo, but up to four gamers total can play together.

With other players on screen, the dynamic of the game shifts a little but it’s still the same classic “Mario” experience for the most part.

With other players running through the levels, there’s a simultaneous addition of cooperative and competitive themes.

On one hand, you must cooperate with each other to make it to the end of the level, but at the same time, you’re competing for power-ups as well as space on

the level.

The rapidness of going back and forth between working together and competing is certainly a novelty. The game has the whole “the more, the merrier” thing going for it.

However, there are times when it can be a little chaotic and frustrating. Even if all players agree to play as a team, there are bound to be accidental situations of screwing each other over.

For example, you’ll often have situations where one player accidentally jumps and lands on the head of another, sending that players plummeting downward into an abyss.

Initially, the stupidity of these situations is kind of funny, but after a while, it can become a little frustrating – especially during the more difficult levels later in the game.

Four-player “Mario” is a blast, but there’s something to be enjoyed about playing with just two or even three players.

It’s a little less chaotic, but still fun. Thankfully, there’s the option of playing with whatever number of players between one and four you like most.

It’s rather difficult to pinpoint many shortcomings with “New Super Mario Bros. Wii.” However, if you want to nitpick, you’ll find small stuff, like the fact that player three and four get stuck with the same character, Toad, with only differing colors to distinguish the characters from Mario and Luigi.

A bigger disappointment is that Nintendo

failed to include online play for the game, which just doesn’t make sense. For a multiplayer game, online play is common sense.

Yet Nintendo didn’t do it. It’s ridiculous, really.

That said, the game revives something that the advent of online gaming has essentially killed. You know, the old-school experience of a few people gathered around a TV, playing an awesome game together. If you consider this, it makes a little sense why there’s no online mode here.

“New Super Mario Bros. Wii” doesn’t really do anything to wow you, but it does win you over with its combination of nostalgic game play and its novelty of transforming classic “Mario” into a multiplayer experience. This is a totally entertaining, fun video game that can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

16 | December 3, 2009

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

Viewpoints

December 3, 2009 | 17

Serving students since 1922

Javier cabrera / Sports editor

Taking a Break from the Playoffs: Riverside City College’s No. 6 Nicole Cunningham catches her breath along with teammates after Santa

Taste of defeat in Santa Monica Monica unsuccessfully missed a goal opportunity in the 2-0 loss in Santa Monica on Nov. 21.

Women’s soccer made playoffs for the second time in team history to be knocked out quickly javier cabrera Sports editor The Riverside City College women’s soccer team had a successful season, as they made the playoffs for the second time in the team’s history.

Riverside qualified to play in the post-season after finishing 114-6, ranking them No. 17 statewide and No. 4 in the Orange Empire Conference.

Ranked No. 10 in the southern region, Riverside had a first round playoff match with No. 7 from the region, Santa Monica College.

RCC should have had a great feeling heading into the game, because in the past five years the No. 10 seed had beaten the No. 7 seed three times.

The last time this happen was in 2006, No. 10 Moorpark defeated No. 7 Long Beach, 2-1.

Also the last time Santa Monica was No. 7 in 2005, No. 10 seed Mt. San Antonio defeated them, 3-2.

Unfortunately these statistics did not continue for Riverside, because Santa Monica defeated RCC, 2-0, on Nov. 21.

Playing in a chilly clear night in Santa Monica, the RCC women’s soccer team made sure to work on agility, ball control and shooting in their pregame workouts.

RCC took these steps loosen

up the muscles and prevent any serious injuries that can occur in cold like temperatures.

On the road trip to Santa Monica, Riverside was joined by a handful of supporters as they cheered on the team throughout the game.

Riverside fell behind quickly after Santa Monica kicked in a ball that was fumbled by goalkeeper, Christina Beckerle, in the first six minutes.

Beckerle was not discouraged giving up a misplayed ball, because later in the first half she was heard screaming, “Act like you want it,” to her teammates.

RCC was unsuccessful in putting the ball anywhere near the Santa Monica goal box for the majority of the first half.

They did get an opportunity to shoot at the goal when they received a corner kick, but other than a couple of shots at Santa Monica’s goal, Santa Monica won the first half and took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half was better for Riverside in offense, because the team had a lot more opportunities to score.

Opportunities are one thing and finishing them is another thing, but RCC was unable to get any straight shot towards the goal.

Riverside either rushed open

shots or they were unable to beat the opponent to the ball.

The team looked like it had no confidence since the whistle blew to start the game.

Along with displeased from the Riverside supporters and satisfied Santa Monica supporters in the stands, Santa Monica had no sweat controlling the game throughout.

RCC’s Midfielder Taylor Kincherlow did what she could to monivate her teammates, as she yelled in plea to her teammates to “Not give up, we are still in this game.”

In fustration of not having calls go her way, Kincherlow recieved

a yellow card for a foul against a Santa Monica player.

Many supporters for Santa Monica booed Kincherlow, but cheered once they yellow card was pulled out from the referee.

It was one of many plays t h a t s h o o k R C C o ff t h e i r concentration.

The game was in the books after Santa Monica scored their second goal of the game to win, 2-0.

Riverside’s confidence sanked once they went down 2-0, but the team did not give up because it continued to challenge every ball up to the end of the game.

The California Community C o l l e g e S o c c e r m e n ’s a n d women’s state finals will be held at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, CA between Dec. 4-6.

The final four in the men’s bracket includes Taft College and Fresno City College from the North and Santa Ana College and Mt. San Antonio College from the South.

The final four in the women’s bracket includes American River College and Cosumnes River College from the North and Santiago Canyon College and Ventura College from the South.

Keep up with the latest sports news on and off campus at Viewpoints Online and

viewpointssports.blogspot.com

18 | December 3, 2009

Sports

Title hopes disappear to old foes Water polo lost in state finals against Golden West ricky holmes Staff Writer

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Basketball Season Record Overall: 3-2

Season Record Overall: 4-2

Next Game: 40th Wells Fargo Holiday Classic at RCC

Next Game: 12/11 at Cerritos

Men’s Basketball Nov. 13 RCC 66 Monterey 53 Nov. 14 RCC 60 Foothill 55 Nov. 15 RCC 59 San Jose City 66 Nov. 27 RCC 106 Chemeketa 60 Nov. 28 RCC 65 Southern Idaho 82 Dec. 4

Rancho Vista Shootout

Dec. 8

40th Wells Fargo Tournament

Dec. 12 At Oxnard 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 Imperial Valley Holiday Classic Jan. 6

At Orange Coast 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 8

At Santa Ana 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 13 Vs. Irvine Valley 5:30 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Waterpolo

Women’s Waterpolo

Volleyball

Season Record Overall: 11-4-6 Conference: 8-3-5

Season Record Overall: 20-15 Conference: 4-1

Season Record Overall: 29-3 Conference: 5-1

Season Record Overall: 17-11 Conference: 8-6

Women’s Soccer Oct. 9

RCC 2 Saddleback 1

Sept. 19 RCC 17 Cuesta 12

Oct. 13

RCC 0 Santiago Canyon 1

Sept. 23 RCC 12 Golden West 17

Oct. 16

RCC 1 Orange Coast 1

Sept. 25 RCC 10 Mt. San Antonio 7

Oct. 20

RCC 1 Santa Ana 1

Sept. 25 RCC 10 Cal Baptist 12

Oct. 27

RCC 3 Irvine Valley 1

Sept. 26 RCC 13 La Verne 8

Oct. 30

RCC 4 Fullerton 0

Sept. 26 RCC 13 Occidental College 9

Nov. 3

RCC 0 Cypress 0

Sept. 30 RCC 18 Fullerton 17

Nov. 6

RCC 5 Golden West 0

Oct. 7

RCC 21 Santa Ana 6

Nov. 10

RCC 2 Saddleback 0

Oct. 9

RCC 18 Chaffey 5

Nov. 13

RCC 1 Santiago Canyon 5

Oct. 9

RCC 10 Cuesta 12

Nov. 21

RCC 0 Santa Monica 2

Oct. 10 RCC 16 Los Angeles Valley 8

Jan. 15 Vs. Fullerton 5:30 p.m.

Volleyball

Jan. 20 At Saddleback 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 At Cypress 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 2

RCC 1 Irvine Valley 3

Jan. 29 Vs. Orange Coast 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7

RCC 3 Santa Ana 0

Feb. 3

Vs. Santa Ana 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 9

RCC 3 Golden West 2

Feb. 5

At Irvine Valley 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14

RCC 0 Orange Coast 3

Feb. 10 At Fullerton 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 16

RCC 3 Fullerton 0

Feb. 12 Vs. Saddleback 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21

RCC 3 Saddleback 1

Feb 17

Oct. 23

RCC 2 Cypress 3

Oct. 28

RCC 0 Irvine Valley 3

Oct. 30

RCC 3 Santa Ana 0

Nov. 4

RCC 3 Golden West 2

Nov. 6

RCC 0 Orange Coast 3

Nov. 11

RCC 3 Fullerton 2

Nov. 13

RCC 3 Saddleback 0

Nov. 18

RCC 0 Cypress 3

Nov. 24

RCC 2 Bakersfield 3

Vs. Cypress 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Nov. 6

RCC 87 Caynons 80

Nov. 7

RCC 70 San Bernardino Valley 81

Nov. 8

RCC 72 Sierra 71

Nov. 13 RCC 66 Grossmont 68 Nov. 14 RCC 98 Long Beach City 34 Nov. 15 RCC 71 Moorpark 63 Nov. 28 RCC 79 Chaffey 71 Dec. 3

Tom Gilcrest Invitational

Men’s Waterpolo

Women’s Waterpolo

Oct. 10 RCC 9 Orange Coast 14 Oct. 14 RCC 9 Orange Coast 7 Oct. 17 RCC 6 Claremont 9 Oct. 23 RCC 15 Citrus 8 Oct. 23 RCC 10 Fullerton 12 Oct. 24 RCC 11 Los Angeles Valley 5 Oct. 24 RCC 19 Saddleback 4 Oct. 28 RCC 13 Saddleback 10 Oct. 30 RCC 8 Cal Baptist 12 Nov. 6

RCC 12 Orange Coast 7

Nov. 7

RCC 8 Golden West 9

Nov. 13 RCC 12 Grossmont 10 Nov. 14 RCC 6 Golden West 16 Nov. 14 RCC 11 Cuesta 8 Nov. 19 RCC 9 Diablo Valley 8 Nov. 19 RCC 10 Golden West 11 Nov. 21 RCC 12 Ventura 13

Cross Country Sept. 12 Fresno Invitation, Fresno, CA 10 a.m.

Dec. 11 At Cerritos 7 p.m.

Oct. 16

RCC 12 Golden West 6

Sept. 19 UC Riverside Invitation, UCR 9 a.m.

Dec. 16 Vs. Citrus 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 16

RCC 8 Long Beach City 7

Sept. 25 OEW Preview, Huntington Beach, CA

Dec. 22 At El Camino 7 p.m.

Oct. 21

RCC 19 Cypress 4

Jan. 6

At Orange Coast 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 23

RCC 14 Grossmont 5

Jan. 8

At Santa Ana 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 23

RCC 10 Chaffey 6

Jan. 13 Vs. Irvine Valley 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24

RCC 8 Long Beach City 3

Jan. 15 Vs. Fullerton 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 28

RCC 16 Saddleback 7

Jan. 20 At Saddleback 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 5

RCC 15 Fullerton 4

Jan. 22 At Cypress 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7

RCC 9 Orange Coast 3

Jan. 29 Vs. Orange Coast 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 13

RCC 11 San Diego Mesa 7

Feb. 3

Vs. Santa Ana 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 14

RCC 5 Golden West 4

Feb. 5

At Irvine Valley 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 14

RCC 8 Long Beach City 7

Feb. 10 At Fullerton 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 19

RCC 14 Foothill 3

Feb. 12 Vs. Saddleback 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 20

RCC 5 Golden West 8

Feb. 17 Vs. Cypress 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 21

RCC 16 Foothill 8

11 a.m.

Oct. 10 Howard Brubaker Invitation, Irvine, CA 10 a.m.

Oct. 16 Southern California Preview Walnut, CA 11 a.m.

Oct. 24 Santa Barbara Invite Santa Barbara, CA 10 a.m.

Oct. 30 Orange Empire Championship Huntington Beach, CA 11 a.m.

Nov. 7

Southern California Championship Walnut, CA 10 a.m.

Nov. 21 California State Championship Fresno, CA 10 a.m.

Both of the water polo teams at Riverside City College have played their hearts out this season on their way to the state championships. Unfortunately, neither team was able to bring the championship home to Riverside.

The men’s team finished fourth at the state championships.

The team started off strong by beating Diablo Valley 9-8 to kick off the tournament. The Tigers then faced off against Golden West. The Tigers were narrowly beaten by the Rustlers 11-10 at the end of the first day. Golden West ended up taking home the state championship on Nov. 21 by defeating Long Beach City College 7-5. Golden West has won two consecutive state championships. Riverside finished off the season with a 20-15 record.

During the course of the season, the Tigers faced off against Golden West four times. The Tigers lost all four games. The team knew going into the state championship that Golden West was the team to beat and they almost pulled it off. This just goes to show that any team can win on any given day.

There was one bright spot in all the gloom surrounding the team’s loss in the state championships. That bright spot was Shawn Nolan. Nolan, who scored 97 goals during the season, had 11 goals in the state finals. Nolan was named to the all-state team for his hard work and determination this season.

The women’s team has a similar story to tell. The team was seeded No. 1 in the state finals after a nearly flawless season. The team’s only two losses during the regular season were at the hands, and feet, of Golden West. The Tigers had hoped to squash that statistic and bring the championship back to Riverside. Unfortunately for the team, they had no such luck.

The Tigers, who have a mass of talent on their squad, kicked off the tournament in a dominating fashion. On the opening day of the championships, the Tigers took on Foothill College. Foothill was the No. 2 seed in the northern section. The Tigers were able to pummel their way through Foothill en route to a 14-3 victory. This victory pitted the Tigers against their arch rival Golden West in the semi-finals. Golden West was seeded No. 3 in the southern section.

The Tigers fought valiantly against yet another strong Golden West team but still ended up coming up short.

The Rustlers defeated the Tigers 8-5 on their way to their finals match-up against Long Beach City College. After this disappointing loss, the Tigers were forced to settle for playing in the third place game against Sierra College.

The team utterly decimated Sierra College in that game.

The Tigers beat up on Sierra by beating them 16-8. That win solidified Riverside’s third place ranking in the state standings for the 2009 season thus giving them reason to be optimistic about next years’ season. With a 29-3 overall record , the Tigers have every right to be optimistic about next year and the years to come.

Like the men’s team , the women also have a bright spot in all the gloom because they also had some players named to the all-state team this year as well. Jaime Clark and Maria Quiroz were given the honor and distinction of being named to the all-state team for their efforts this season. Clark finished off the season with 81 goals and 42 assists while Quiroz had 39 goals with an amazing 70 assists.

Both of the water polo teams should be proud of their achievements this season because they were both able to make it to the state championships. They should also be honored with the selections to the all-state team. Both teams have every right to hold their heads up high because there’s always next year!

Viewpoints

December 3, 2009 | 19

Serving students since 1922

Dancers discuss dynamics

RCC dance program organizes this year’s fall faculty concert “Kinetic Conversations” Chanelle Williams Features Editor The “Kinetic Conversations” show gives a chance for the faculty of the Dance program at Riverside City College to exercise their creative abilities.

However, like many school programs, the program has cut on their costs for the show said Rita Chenoweth-Surman, chairwoman of the Performing Arts Department and a choreographer in the show.

“Costumes are being revised and students are using what they already have.

It’s a bare bone situation,” Chenoweth-Surman said.

There are ten pieces in this fall’s “Kinetic Conversations” that have been choreographed by faculty of the dance program, with the exception of guest performer Adam Young.

The following are descriptions about three of the ten pieces for “Kinetic.”

P i e r r o t t e Sofia Carreras Sofia Carreras usually gravitates toward choreographing ballet pieces that are dark, emotional, real and very personal.

But in the process of working

on eight other pieces outside of RCC, Carreeras felt she “needed something light so I don’t kill myself.”

The basic story of the piece is about the conquest of a sad French clown, Pierrotte, in search of someone to relate to and be happy with.

The people all around Pierotte look happy with exaggerated smiles on their faces and amidst the crowd he finds his Pierette.

She works with a large group of dancers, all of who are from the ballet repertoire class she teaches at RCC and most have had no experience dancing.

Inspirations for her pieces normally come from pictures, sounds, the dancers and music.

But this year, it was a very difficult task for Carreras to choreograph the piece.

“It’s almost 90 percent inspired by music.” Carreras said. “I almost changed the music two weeks ago because I didn’t like it.”

Carreras’ deceased mother, who aspired to be a French clown, and Carreras’ battle with cancer inspired this piece.

Summer SolsticeMark Haines Inspiration came from a strange

“It was the first time as a kid, where I realized what hate does and people ganging up on people; I was just a horrible bystander,” Haines said.

The final product for Kinetic contains a lot of fighting, tension, lust, passion, and hate.

“But I hate to use the word hate. It’s an intense word to use for the piece,” Haines said.

Haines said the dance won’t leave the audience with a pleased feeling.

It’s dark and “strangely sensual” at times but he does not mean for them to leave depressed.

However, Haines is not concerned with the audience’s response.

“I don’t think about the audience when I’m creating work” Haines said.

“If I were concerned about the way people would look at the piece, I wouldn’t have done that piece.”

Chanelle williams /features editor

Inspired movement: Student dancers rehearse the

“Threshold” piece in RCC’s dance studio. he was 10-years-old, where a place for Mark Haines.

It came from a childhood young boy was beat up because the memory of summer camp when children did not like him.

Shows for “Kinetic Conversations” are Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the RCC Landis Performing Arts Center

‘Knights’ of the silver screen duel for holy grail erene abdelmeseeh managing editor Joy, sorrow and anger are just a few of the emotions felt when audience members become enthralled in a film.

During the Knight of Shorts Film Festival there were no emotions alstered.

The 5th annual film festival was held on Nov. 22 and displayed a new array of talent.

Laughter and chatter filled Coffee Depot as the audience intently awaited for the first film to begin.

In 2004, Rene Hernandez was searching for a place to premiere his film “A Dark Tomorrow” when he heard about Coffee Depot.

He then decided to give other local film makers the opportunity to display their short films and soon his premiere had become a mini film festival.

The Knight of Shorts Film Festival has continued to be a success, proving that size doesn’t

matter.

Hernandez said that he likes smaller festivals because they appreciate film makers more than the larger ones.

Audience members are given the ability to vote for their favorite short film, making this festival more involved and entertaining for the viewers.

There were three categories of films: “Knight of The Realm’s Tournament,” shorts created by local film makers from the Inland Empire, “The Damsels Tournament,” shorts created by women, and the “Court Jester’s Tournament,” a group of comedic shorts.

Shery Shimshock, a Riverside local, attended the Knight of Shorts Film Festival for the first time this year and was pleasantly surprised by what she saw.

“I really enjoyed it,” Shimshock said. “And I really liked that they had a category specifically for films from the Inland Empire.The shorts were different from what

I’m used to, but many of them were very well done.”

Shimshock continued by saying that she noticed a few of the films portrayed hopelessness, which she felt was a sign of the times.

There were 13 shorts played throughout the course of the day, but three local films stood out among them.

“Rebourne Identity” was a parody of the “Bourne” movies put together by a group of English teachers.

It was shot in many prominent areas of Riverside, including the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, the train station and Lake Alice.

Paul Hendry, the director, said that it started off as a quick video that they made over the weekend to put on YouTube, but later decided to submit to film festivals.

Hendry went on to say that they had no formal training and that anyone can make a film if they have the right equipment.

Maybe they’re right, since they did end up winning in the local film

makers’ category.

Although they did not win, two other local film makers’ shorts caught the audience’s attention during the festival.

“Scenes from a Fling” by Edgar Muniz portrayed true, pure human relations when a relationship goes astray and a fling emerges.

This short was pulled from Muniz’s longer film “Songs for the Drowning” which follows the lives of two men in desperate situations and how their paths cross.

Daniel McCarty, the lead actor, plays Hilda, a man who has no real connection with anyone on a deeper level, but rather tries to sustain all of his relationships with sex alone.

“We didn’t want to shy away from sexuality,” Muniz said.

McCarty said that it was difficult to shoot the intimate scenes with his costar, but it was worth it in the end when the final product was complete.

Finally, “Can You Hear Me?”

by Murad Amayreh sent a powerful

message of unity throughout the world.

The film centers around two pen pals, a Katrina victim and a Palestinian war victim, and how they were able to be emotionally supportive to one another during their time of need.

“We relate to each other even though we have different backgrounds and languages,” Amayreh said. “Different parts of the world have struggles and we should help each other.”

From comedic portrayals of popular films to more serious pleas for countries to help each other, there were many messages and perspectives at the Knight of Shorts Film Festival.

Hernandez and his team will continue to bring passion and art to the silver screen as they give local film makers the chance to put themselves out there.

For more information on the Knight of Shorts Film Festival, log on to the site at http://www. knightofshorts.com.

20 | December 3, 2009

Viewpoints

Serving students since 1922

Insider

Holidays light up Downtown john kilgore Staff Writer Thousands of spectators filled with excitement and ready, gathered around for this year’s 17th Annual Festival of Lights in Downtown Riverside.

As director of property operations, Russ Kitchens knows all about the responsibilities that come with displaying animated figures, garland, ornaments and 3.5 million lights.

“We try to outdo ourselves every year and put up a few more lights, and decorations and characters,” said Kitchens.

The Festival of Lights is an attraction that does not take away from but rather highlights the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa’s $55 million renovation.

F if te en em p lo y ee s h a v e managed to combine their efforts for the past three months in preparing for the lighting and fireworks ceremony.

Mayor Ron Loveridge kindly addressed the tremendous crowd, speaking with pride about Riverside’s future aspirations.

He was followed by hotel owner Duane Robert’s countdown to the fireworks marking the official opening to this season’s annual Festival of Lights.

Starting at 6:15 p.m. the lights came to life as thunderous claps of multiple explosions took to the air making this an unforgettable fireworks show.

John Mouw and his wife, Cricket Mouw, attended on their anniversary and agreed this was a sight to see.

“There’s a lot of history here in Riverside,” John said.

“It’s awesome, the celebration of Christmas, watching the lights. Its a lot like old town Missouri with the old horse drawn buggies.”

Three stages are set to entertain the crowd and there’s a large skating rink which costs $10 an hour and $3 for skate shoes.

Further along Main Street, Santa’s house is perfect for the whole family.

There is also a horse drawn carriage ready for pick-ups.

Riverside City College had its very own Marching Tigers Band delightfully playing Christmas songs for all to listen to.

With cooler temperatures and a chilly evening, children cling, wobble and shimmy as they try not to lose their footing on the ice rink.

Parents offer smiles and shouts of encouragement as their children laugh and play.

The city of Riverside programs over 200 hours of entertainment on the Festival of Lights stage for all to enjoy.

Coming in many different forms of entertainment there’ll be attractions scheduled nightly until Jan. 3.

The Festival of Lights is the community’s chance to enjoy all the entertainment the holiday season has to offer.

For more information on the Festival of Lights go to http:// www.RiversideFestivalofLights. com.

John Kilgore / staff writer

night lights: Fireworks lit up the sky at opening night of the 17th Annual Festival of Lights in Downtown Riverside.