thecollegian Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
INSIDE
‘Diamond in the rough’ becomes a G E M by valerie smith news@deltacollegian.net
Setting new records at Delta Page 7
Tattoos: Art or just decoration? Page 2
Connecting through photos Page 5
UPCOMING Mens waterpolo plays Sierra on Oct. 2 at 3:30 p.m.
Stockton Symphony playing at Tillie Lewis on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
FIND US
A 1959 Nash Metropolitan has been restored as a collective project by the Delta College Automotive departments. Delta’s involvement comes after Auto Body Professor Larry Mariani was approached by the Board of Trustees at the Haggin Museum to participate in the restoration. The now-restored car will be part of the museum’s “Driven to Dream” exhibition will run from Oct. 3 through Jan. 5, 2014. “The Nash, in entirety, was student based, instructors shouldn’t take the credit, it was the students,” said Mariani. Advanced auto students were selected by various professors in the auto departments to participate. The project took a year to finish. “It took one year exactly, not counting the summer break,” said Mariani, “A little under 10 months.” In the Auto Body department there were various groups of students who started the car, and moved on to graduation. Cody Rose and Seth Gruebele, both current Delta students, saw the project from beginning to end. “I think it was fun learning everything, seeing it all rusty and old to the way it is now,” said Rose. The vintage vehicle was the most in-depth project Mariani has seen the students take on. “This is all about the students get a sense of persistence, how long it takes for a full restoration, but once they see the end
product and the light at the end of the tunnel they think:‘Hey, I can do this,’” said Mariani. There were hurdles Mariani and the students faced along the way, but the car went from diamond in the rough to a gem. “What happened was everything that could go wrong went wrong, so it was a lot of setbacks,” said Gruebele. The bodywork done by the students include: priming, block sanding, main paint, bodywork and buffing among other tasks. Other auto body departments handled electric and automotive tasks. Gruebele and Rose both plan on either owning their own shop or getting a job in the auto body department somewhere down the line. “I felt pretty accomplished I stayed through the whole process,” said Gruebele. Mariani said he hopes to get all the auto departments together for another possible project, perhaps an eco-friendly car. If the departments agree, it would be totally electric, run on solar power and painted with water-paint. “It’s good to intermingle auto students with different disciplines,” said Mariani. The Nash will remain on display at the Haggin Museum until its raffle on Dec. 19. Raffle tickets are $25 each. Five can be purchased for $100. Tickets are available at the museum, located at 1201 N. Pershing Ave. in Stockton.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIM VERGARA
RESTORING A CLASSIC: Students in the automotive program transformed a Nash Metropolitan from a rust bucket to a working car, now up for raffle at the Haggin Museum in Stockton.
Delays in building construction leads to lawsuit by kenneth huntley news@deltacollegian.net
Taisei Construction Corporation, the construction company building the Cunningham Math and Science replacement center, filed a civil lawsuit for $25,190,349 in June against Delta College and Kitchell Corporation. Taisei Construction alleges that because the company had no prior knowledge of a specialty HVAC system, a specialist had to be hired. The claim is that the original plans contained records of only a basic HVAC sys-
tem, not a system created by a company called Aircuity. According to Taisei Construction’s complaint, an Aircuity HVAC system requires special training and experience to install. Taisei, believing that the install was a simple HVAC, hired a subcontractor with only that knowledge, the lawsuit said. Taisei alleges that Delta and Kitchell withheld critical construction information causing slowdowns and stopping construction to await the architect or engineers’ completion of specs. Non-buildable designs also caused Taisei
to replace and rebuild parts of the project. At times, specs of the project were uncoordinated and conflicting, the lawsuit alleges. The civil lawsuit filed by Taisei is for compensation of lost money, time, manpower and property. Taisei filed a similar civil lawsuit in the Superior Court of Santa Clara County against Palo Alto Unified School District. According to a news blog put out by the Palo Alto school district, “Taisei Construction Company filed a law suit concerning
see LAWSUIT on PAGE 8
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opinion
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Students offline and disconnected by valerie lancer news@deltacollegian.net
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any students have noticed the lack of cell service and a Wi-Fi connection on campus. At first, I thought it was just me who couldn’t figure out how to log on to the school’s network. I am not tech-savvy in the slightest. I thought the phone service I had was just uncooperative with the campus network. Then I began to hear people talking about how they couldn’t receive service either, so I questioned them about their experiences. Most of them have different phone carriers than I do and
have various problems, which I do not. My biggest problem is not being able to receive or send text messages, not being able to use Wi-Fi and my phone calls dropping on campus. Other students are unable to make or receive phone calls at all. This is dangerous to students, especially in a case of emergency. We have programs set up through e-mail, text message or applications, such as TipSoft, yet we would have no way to access them until we leave campus. Who does this benefit? No one. Some text alerts inform students of crimes committed in certain buildings or stairwells.
Let’s just say a student had no service on his cell phone and couldn’t receive this alert. He could very possibly enter into the building or stairwell and get into a lot of trouble. This is a made up scenario, but it could happen to any one of us, any day. I wouldn’t want anyone being put into that situation, just as I would not want to be put into that situation myself. I am signed up for these alerts but due to my terrible cell phone reception, I might not be aware of a situation before I walk into it. As for Wi-Fi, I do think it is necessary for two reasons. First, the TipSoft app doesn’t work without Wi-Fi, and is part
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of the danger listed above. Second, if Wi-Fi worked for me on campus, I could do so much more. I wouldn’t have to rely on the hope that a computer is open in the library. Most days there are one or two available, but sometimes they are all booked. If the campus Wi-Fi existed as it did a few years ago, I could bring my own laptop and fire through all of my work anywhere on campus. I could also keep up with the news online if Wi-Fi worked properly. My major is journalism, and it is crucial that I am constantly informed with what is going on around the world.
Without the Wi-Fi, I am left itching for information until I get home. Even then, I have to go to Starbucks because I have no Wi-Fi at my house. Some students often think, because of my struggle with technology, that I just don’t know how to use the Wi-Fi at school. Rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, I have consulted librarians three different times, and had many failed attempts on my own time. I am not alone in this struggle. I share your pain, fellow Delta College students. Together, we shall unite to correct what is wrong. If no one will do anything, we will continue to struggle.
A strange addiction to ink: the symbolic and the meaningless by jermaine davis news@deltacollegian.net
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hy are people so obsessed with tattoos? What is it about having a needle with ink coming out of it that leaves permanent art on the skin that has over a fifth of Americans fascinated? Many students at Delta College have no problem displaying their tattoos. In fact, most like to show them off at any given time. As students put together their outfits in the morning before coming to campus, somehow they incorporate tattoos into fashion so visually others can enjoy the view. Publicly tattoos have become more and more acceptable, even in most workplaces. You’ll see some employees sporting nice pieces of body art that may or may not have significance. Some people get tattoos because they prefer to look intimidating and unap-
proachable, some do it merely for the pleasure of pain and then there’s a few who have “Tramp Stamps” just because their favorite celebrity has one. A so-called “Tramp Stamp” is a lower-back tattoo. Even in the corporate world many of the most successful Americans have tattoos, and some jobs will allow them to be shown, while others don’t. As an employee of a major company, it’s probably a good thing that you don’t let clients or colleagues see your arms covered with art and words. These people may begin to form an opinion on what type of person you are outside the workplace. The early days of tattooing in Egypt go back to 2000 BC when, at that time, tattoos were mainly on women to symbolize maturity or social status. In 2013, people are getting tattoos just to get them. Most of the tattoos you see on campus have no meaning or story behind
them at all. A 2010 Pew Research poll in The New York Times found that 32 percent of people between the ages of 30 and 45 have at least one tattoo. The stereotypes about people with tattoos aren’t going anywhere soon; people without tattoos will more than likely never understand the addiction that comes with it. The most judged tattoos around today are face tattoos. They just look horrific and are like a cry for help. True “inkers” usually get tattoos that reflect a moment in their lives, whether it be good, bad or terrifying. As Americans, we all make attempts to separate ourselves from the pack, but some tattoos like lips on the neck, Bible scriptures and zodiac signs seem to be common among the tattoo community. Getting a tattoo and being able to show and tell about it, allows a person to express who they are and the importance of having it. If you have a tattoo symbolizing the
PHOTO BY CHRIS HOWZE
date your mother passed away, then there’s a compelling story to tell. But if you have a tattoo of SpongeBob SquarePants, you might want to think about re-evaluating your life, along with the money and time spent on being silly.
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Mission statement The Collegian is a student run First Amendment newspaper that prides itself on its commitment to the students of San Joaquin Delta College while maintaining its independence of any outside influence.
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Comments, letters and editorials with a byline represent the opinion of the writer, solely. This paper does not endorse or
Editorial Unsigned editorials reflect the position of the entire Collegian staff.
The Collegian will reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.
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opinion
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Bound books beat ebooks despite convenience by brianna torres news@deltacollegian.net
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y friends and I always seem to drift off into tangents about random obscure scenarios, preferences or stances. One day the question came up and all of us seemed pretty divided across the board, “Which is better: Kindles or books?” I know that some people will say “Kindles are books…” But for some reason I can never put them in the same category. Books are actual tangible pieces of page-turning paper. Kindles are a more convenient, somewhat cheaper way of reading. Some of my buddies decided to go into the military over the last couple of years. I looked into their packs and most of them all had Kindles ready for their departures. In a way, I was almost disappointed; they explained that because they will be
gone for so long, it’s just easier to tote around a plethora of books without breaking your back. With college textbooks always updating to the newest most expensive edition, it would seem like you would get more for your money than just bringing it to class for the first week and then never using it again. The digital editions of textbooks have made it a lot easier for students to rent their overpriced required reading for a fraction of the cost. Some teachers are still reluctant to allow students to bring in their technology as books and other studying tools. Technology can still be considered a distraction and is easily dismissed from some classrooms. Kindles and tablets have made novels, textbooks, and whatever else is worth reading, more accessible to the masses. But for some reason I just can’t fully get on board with this easy alternative. Two years ago my grandma passed away
and my mother pages of the past; even the pages was set with the of freshly printed ink have task of cleaning this aroma that sends a out her house. smile across my face The and makes me relax. Alice in Wonderland nostalgia she What will my Kin dle discovered grandchildren find inside layers in my house when upon layers of I pass away? Flash memories and drives? Burned CDs junk was pretand DVDs? A tablet? ty overwhelmWhen the lights go ing: photos out on our laptops what from as early will we be leaving the next as the 1930’s, generation? journals and These are questions that I sketches cannot ignore and make me so of future much more passionate about paintings she keeping tangible knowledge. would never We can move forward in our get to finish search for better and cheaper and most of all there was an immense ways to make life a whole lot easier, but collection of books. the past with ink on our fingertips and There is just something about openways of searching for answers without ing up a real live book and smelling the Google cannot be forgotten.
Miley Cyrus sets new low at VMAs by chris howze
news@deltacollegian.net
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hen Miley Cyrus walked out of a giant teddy bear at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 25, she probably thought herself as a modern echo of Madonna’s legendary performance of “Like A Virgin” from the very first VMAs back in 1984. Sadly, what she thought she did and what actually ensued were two very different things. Watching her performance — if that’s what it must be called — made me feel like I was doing something so very wrong. I know Miley is now 20 and not the tween I remember from “Hannah Montana,” but I felt so inappropriate watching her twerk badly. Controversial performances are pretty much a given at the VMAs. However, Cyrus’ performance made me feel violated. For comparison, lets go back to Madonna in 1984. Her performance was racy, yes, as she walked down a giant wedding cake in full bridal attire complete with a “Boy Toy” garter, but it was also a daring and expertly calculated number. At that point “Like A Virgin” wasn’t even on the airwaves or MTV yet, so she wasn’t even sure of how its reception would be. The performance came off as genuine, with her losing a shoe at one point. She acted as if it was part of the show and chucked off the
other one. Every element of Miley’s performance felt like a huge miscalculation. Even Robin Thicke in his snazziest “Beatlejuice” attire wasn’t able to save the performance when he came out to do a duet with Cyrus of his mega hit “Blurred Lines.” Most of the audience got the feeling he was having to keep his poker face on the whole time as Cyrus violated his personal space. Poor foam hands will never be the same. I get that she was trying to do something audacious and provocative to get attention and show that she’s no longer a Disney girl, but Justin Timberlake and Kurt Russell were once Disney actors yet they never had to resort to something that felt exploitive for the sake of it. It would be something if there was anything good about the performance. The performance, though, comes off more as Billy Ray Cyrus dropped off little Miley at the playpen and just allowed her to spaz out, stick her tongue out as if she was seizing and point at things. Miley is riding off this infamy now with her opening the new season of Saturday Night Live this weekend, which no doubt will be priceless. As I finished this story, my news feed graced me with a headline that read “Cyrus poses nude for Rolling Stone.” My case stands.
Highway traffic blues
Latest construction stalls morning commutes on area roadways by eric carranza news@deltacollegian.net
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f you haven’t noticed that Interstate 5 and Highway 99 have been under construction, you must be living under a rock. But if you have noticed, you must be asking yourself: “When will they be done with it?” If you think soon, you’re wrong. Most recent news has told us that this hellhole of traffic during certain times will continue all through this year and all the way until Summer 2015. I think to myself, “Well that does’t matter to me, I barely leave Lodi,” but that’s just me. But it impacts many other people. “It’s hard, especially in the warmer months,” said Abraham Sublaban. Sublaban said he can’t wait until winter. “Then I won’t mind as much,” he said. The gas situation, though, makes him a little mad. Abraham also lives in Lodi
but, unlike myself, works in Stockton. He deals with the traffic on a regular basis. Gabriella Ruiz also deals with heavy traffic twice as much due to her commute. “I have to wake up at 6 in the morning to get to school, then after school I work,” she said. “The bad part about that is that I get out of school at 10 a.m. but don’t start work until 5 p.m. and I live in Lodi.” She said traffic is bad enough, but braking every 10 seconds because of traffic is killing her gas mileage. Others have told me similar stories about the problems traffic is causing. Many just wish it would be done already. So in the end, no one is happy about the delays. I haven’t dealt this traffic problem yet, but I’ve had my fair share of experiences with heavy traffic around construction areas. Some people have to deal with this traffic everyday, and it’s a big problem.
MORE ONLINE Columnist Brian Ratto explores the significance of the drag community in this week’s “The 10 percent,” located at deltacollegian.net.
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feature
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Association offers helping hand to farm workers by sonya herrera news@deltacollegian.net
On the Ides of March in 1991, a sacrifice was in order. A migrant farm worker opened his bi-weekly check, cut by a Stockton company. With deductions for taxes, room and board, his total pay amounted to 1 cent — for several hours farm labor. Times like these are why volunteer-run organizations such as the Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA) are needed. WFWA’s Stockton chapter has aided San Joaquin Delta College students since 1983. The chapter is currently located on 930 North Hunter Street, and serves about 25,000 members. “We started on the East Coast, with the Eastern Farm Workers Association,” said Jacob Ruff, an assistant to the chapter. Farm laborers in Long Island formed the EFWA in 1972 as a response to poor work conditions. The organization spread across the country, eventually reaching Texas. Texas workers helped form an
affiliate organization on the West Coast that would be able to serve farm laborers as they moved “up the migrant stream,” Ruff said. Today, WFWA’s major duties are to aid migrant workers, inform the community and fight against what Ruff said are injustices forced upon workers. The Stockton chapter makes weekly visits to farm labor camps. As part of an organizer training program, WFWA “camp crews” visit San Joaquin Valley farms and talk with laborers about their working and living conditions. “Every week, we visit another camp, where our members gain information firsthand,” Ruff said. Such visits were vital to uncovering a rent scam in 1996, in which the California’s Office of Migrant Services illegally doubled the rents of farm laborers. Following a steep increase in food requests, the WFWA and the Concerned Coalition of Legal Professionals (CCLP) brought the case to court. A settlement was ratified in 2004.
WFWA also uses these camp visits to sign up members, who may access benefits for only 62 cents a month. “With the benefits program, the idea is to build a base below which no one can fall,” said Ruff. He noted that many of WFWA’s student volunteers are themselves working part-time, lowwage jobs that offer scant benefits. “Census results just came out, saying that for half of the lowest-paid workers, incomes fell by a certain amount; meanwhile, the top five-percent’s income increased,” said Ruff. He is referring to the Census Bureau report released Sept. 17, which revealed that as of 2012, the bottom 80 percent of income earners were still making less than they were before 2009, while the top 5 percent of income earners had recovered their losses.
“The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer,” said Ruff, “Meanwhile, we see less agricultural jobs, less full-time jobs, less permanent jobs, and more jobs that one can’t raise a family on.” To help allay these negative impacts, WFWA delivers food baskets, offers free legal consultation via the CCLP, and participates in activism for those who cannot afford to do so themselves. WFWA sent volunteers to attend the recent California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hearing at the Stockton City Council Chambers held on June 10. Held to determine PG&E’s eligibility to raise utility rates, the meeting was scarcely noted in local media. According to Ruff, such oversight is typical in today’s world. “People are talking about Kanye’s baby and Miley Cyrus,”
Ruff laughed. “They’re not talking about why we’re signing trade agreements that result in no jobs for college graduates.” To fill this niche in local media, the WFWA issues its own newspaper, the Western Farm Worker. Its San Joaquin Valley edition has been in publication for about 30 years, and has recently returned to quarterly distribution. “We need to be putting publications very regularly into the hands of our members,” Ruff said. “So, we’re putting out the call for more students, who can learn how to put out an independent publication. All the training is on the job.” The newspaper continually needs more reporters, writers and photographers. Students who wish to contribute may contact the WFWA Stockton office at (209) 467-1193.
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feature
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Vapors provide clean alternative for kicking butts by valerie smith news@deltacollegian.net
When one thinks of the word vapor what comes to mind? Vapor, by definition, is a substance that is in the form of a gas or that consists of small drops or particles mixed with the air. When one thinks of cigarettes what comes to mind? Cigarettes, by definition, are a small roll of paper filled with cut tobacco and smoked. Cigarettes carry more than 699 different chemicals including: arsenic found in poison, methane found in sewer gas, carbon monoxide and cadmium found in batteries. Vapors are quickly becoming a new trend, as an alternative to the more harmful cigarettes. The proof comes in the opening of a new shop in Stockton, Just the Tip Vapors at 9305 Thornton Rd., Suite B. The store opened Aug. 4. Employee Michael Lopez broke down what a vapor really is. “It’s an alternative to smoking cigarettes, and literally an electronic cigarette or portable hookah,” said Lopez, 20. The ingredients found in the “juice,” which is the igniter to the vapor, contains four compounds: Profane glycol which is found in inhalers, vegetable glycerin produced from pal oil, artificial flavoring and nicotine. “There’s a reason why the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) can’t find any health problems with it, it’s because it’s a clean alternative,” said Lopez. Vapors came on the scene about seven years ago, and have become increasingly popular amongst vari-
ous age demographics. “Vaping” has also become widely accepted by numerous businesses, because the smoke emitted from the vapor device is not harmful and doesn’t cause second-hand smoke. There are different types of vapes available, depending on what type the buyer is looking for. Just the Tip Vapors owned by Ashley Davies and Nathan Grefe is the only strictly vapors shop and lounge in Stockton. They offer mechanical vapors for the more advanced smoking connoisseurs, as well as an electronic eGo-C twist for the beginners base priced at $45 out the door which includes a charger, tank, case and lanyard. Then there are the “pandas,” which are the same as blue e-cigarettes, but less harmful and with more hitting power. “Mechanicals are a more high-end vapor and has better production,” said Lopez. The shop offers over 44 different flavors of juice with more to come soon. Vendors range in location from Southern California, San Jose and Washington. “A lot of smoke shops in this area sell knock offs, and they break,” said Lopez. As far as the vape scene goes, Stockton was one of the last cities to be introduced to it. Los Angeles has had it for about two years; the Bay Area has had it for about six to eight months. “Even Hawaii got it before Stockton, and they’re smack dab in the middle of the ocean,” said Lopez. Many people have adopted vaping, over cigarettes and the switch is increasingly rising. “I’ve tried everything,” said Lopez. “The patch,
FLAVORTOWN: An assorted selection of vapors juicies at Just the Tip Vapors in Stockton.
gum, pills, Blu cigs, nothing worked. I was used to smoking a pack and a half a day, vaping is the only thing that has helped me quit and I have been clean for three months.” The nicotine level varies depending on what your selection is; Just the Tip Vapors offers zero milligrams, six milligrams, and 18 milligrams of nicotine level in all flavors of their juices. “There are no proven harmful effects of vaping, which is why a lot of people have started,” said Daisy Jones, a Just the Tip Vapors employee.
Instagram connects Stockton, Delta College students by christina cornejo news@deltacollegian.net
A land of artsy-filtered selfies and hued pictures of dogs can be found no place other than a smartphone app. Instagram has exploded as a social-media giant in the past few years, especially with the introduction of the Android version of the app last year. Now anyone with a smartphone and a love of taking photos can hashtag a picture of a public event and have others find it, like it, and comment on it. It has the greatest usage between the ages of 18 and 29. Instagram has 150 million users, many of those being local Delta College students. “I use it to get people’s attention,” said Jerome Duco. “That and because I can meet people on Instagram to make new friends.” Even searching through the hashtag for Stockton can find you hundreds of user photos and people to connect with. One student managed to amass over a thousand followers. “What gets followers is constantly interacting with people and finding ways to contact a lot of other Instagramers,” said Alex Khan. Such widespread usage has even led to several
InstaMeets around the world, where Instagramers can meet each other in person and engage in various festivities. One InstaMeet was originally scheduled for Stockton on Sept. 21 at the South Sewall Park, but has since been rescheduled to Oct. 5 due to the rain. It was advertised through an Instagramer with the username, @stocktonca, who promises product giveaways and photo challenges. “It’s definitely something worth getting if you don’t want to constantly talk face to face and be in people’s business,” said Khan.
INSTA-DOG: Alex Khan’s instagram, @LLCOOOL_K, currently has 1,166 followers. A post of his pitbull has generated 134 likes.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEX KHAN
COLORFUL EVENT: Khan’s post of the Electronic Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas on June 29, 2013 has 131likes.
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entertainment
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Grand Theft Auto releases its biggest game yet by chris howze vivilu226@aol.com
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ast week after four long years of waiting and anticipation Rockstar Games unleashed “Grand Theft Auto V.” After years of anticipation, did it live up to the hype? ORIGIN OF OBSESSION Like most people I became a fan of the controversial “Grand Theft Auto” video game series in the fall of 2001 with the release of GTA III, the first in the series to be fully 3-D. It was a mind-blowing experience. The hook of GTA has always been the level of freedom given and the chance to indulge the intrusive thoughts in everyone from the safety of their living room.
PHOTO BY CHRIS HOWZE
HIGHS TO LOWS Since III, I have played every sequel and iteration that sprouted up, with a high point being the inconceivably vast and complex “San Andreas” from 2004, but when 2008’s GTA IV was launched amidst a storm of critical praise claiming it to be one of the greatest games ever, I found myself not sharing the same sentiments. GTA up to that point hadn’t been interested on any actual sense of realism but simply fun at realities expence. I don’t want to enact a true crime, I want to be in a movie heist. IV lost sight of that, becoming so realistic in so many areas the game quickly became unbearably boring, with sluggish controls and car physics that drove as if the wheels were made of soap and the roads were ice. Cap it off with a central narrative that felt grossly disconnected from the actual game, and I started to get the feeling that maybe I was simply over the series.
So I was apprehensive about V. LEARNING FROM SUCCESS, FAILURE Thankfully in the four years between IV and V, Rockstar has learned from mistakes. I say, with sadistic glee, and immense satisfaction that “Grand Theft Auto V” is fantatic. Set in a facsimile of modern southern California, V is about the thrill of the heist and the quest of the almighty dollar. For the first time in the series you aren’t restricted to playing one character. Instead, you play three very different personalities with unique skills and traits joined by the common goal of the big score. A TRIO OF NE’ER DO WELLS And what characters you play. First there’s Michael, a former professional bank robber
J.K. Rowling announces new Harry Potter spin off film series by brianna torres news@deltacollegian.net
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was late night scrolling on my Facebook news feed and the same story kept showing up on all my friends’ feeds. Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling’s announced the preproduction of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” It is set in New York around a group of witches and wizards, 70 years before Harry, Hermione and Ron were ever waiting for their first train ride to Hogwarts on Platform 9 3/4. The movie follows fictitious author Newt Scamander and his adventures documenting fantastical beasts. This is not a prequel or a sequel of any kind. This movie can stand on its own in the Potterverse. Even though it felt more like a bad break up having to realize that Harry’s story had to come to an end, I can always come around to the idea of more from this extraordinary world. Warner Brothers contacted Rowling about this new movie idea and frankly they probably just missed the constant money flow they got with a decade of Potter films.
Rowling has taken on the task of writing the script. Books are usually ruined by the screen plays, either by additions or subtractions but the Potter series has seemed to have a solid track record with eight quality films under its belt. She wrote “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” as well as “Quidditch Through the Ages” for the international charity Comic Relief in 2001. These books are actually textbooks that fans remember existing in the Harry Potter world. If this movie does well, it could set up a whole new series based on these other novels. Rowling lives in this world, sees things how they see and goes above and beyond her attention to detail. This is what makes Potterverse such a powerful world that people around the world relate to. I just want this movie to keep with the same nostalgia that I have grown up with. Ideally it would be nice to hide some Easter eggs throughout the movie; Easter eggs are subtle hints poking fun at foreshadowing during a movie. It wouldn’t hurt if they got Robbie Coltrane to Morgan Freeman the movie, but that’s wishful thinking. Time will reveal if our expectations for this movie will be met.
living in the luxury of an apathetic retiree/family man, yearning for his former glory days of adrenaline fueled mayhem. Then there’s Franklin, a young low-time hood desperate to escape the street and gang life with ambitions of making it big Closing out this trio of ne’er-do-wells is Trevor, one of the most ridiculously hilarious and insane characters I’ve ever seen in a video game. Think Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Nicholson by way of “Breaking Bad.” I appreciate the story runs with the fact that this trifecta are all insane. In doing so, it avoids the pitfalls of the previous games. A story’s main character cannot be morose and regretful of the violent acts he commits, then run around like a maniac and bazooka a row of cars. MORE THAN A STORY What’s improved the most this time around is the gameplay, especially compared to its direct predecessor. This one is actually fun again. The cars still drive realistically but are no longer slave to an overzealous physics engine. The combat is responsive, weighty and intense. It’s a stark contrast to IV where whenever I died I’d felt justified to blame the game’s shortcomings. Here if I fail a mission, it is always my error, not the game’s. The only element of the game I haven’t gotten the chance to experience yet is the much anticipated online mode which doesn’t go active until Oct. 1. Playing V feels like a wonderful return to form. It is the most complete and overall enjoyable chapter in a nearly two-decade-old franchise. RATING: 4.5 out of 5
New Austin Powers movie in the works by justin tristano news@deltacollegian.net
F
unny man Mike Myers has announced a fourth Austin Powers. The series began in 1997 with “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” The series spoofs spy flicks such as the “James Bond” movies. The films have a talent for lovingly poking fun at the quirkiness of the spy genre, with ridiculous character names, gimmicky villains and one very promiscuous super spy. All three of the “Powers” movies were commercial successes but it has been over a decade since the last film. The challenge then for Myers and co. is to make a sequel that can live up to its predecessors. The biggest reason I can see a new “Austin Powers” movie working is with the recent resurgence of Bond movies over the last six years there is plenty opportunity for Myers to put together a decent movie spoofing the new super seriousness and gritty edge of the Daniel Craig Bond flicks. Personally when rewatching the trilogy I find they don’t hold up as much as I remember. Myers’ comedic style is hit and miss with me, with some occasionally inspired gags but undone by raunchy bathroom humor. Ironically my favorite of the trilogy is “Goldmember,” widely regarded as the weakest of the series I found it had the best writing and found myself laughing a lot more than the first two. There is a lot of potential for a fourth movie, I only wish that the idea came together sooner so people wouldn’t feel it was beating a dead horse.
7
sports
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Sloan breaking records before joining team by karina ramirez news@deltacollegian.net
Eric Sloan, 19, isn’t officially on Delta’s Track and Field team, but he has already leaped over the team’s record of 50-feet and five inches, by one inch; this feat has made him one to watch. Due to a past injury, Sloan has been training for over a year. The spring will be his comeback season. He was one of the best long jumpers on Bear Creek’s high school team. His senior year saw interest from various colleges, including the University of Nebraska. It all slipped through his hands when an accident sent him to the hospital. “I was playing around at practice and I was doing a high jump. When I went up for my jump, I just felt like a pop,” Sloan said. “My jumps coach was doing a drill that I didn’t want to do, so I went to go do another event, and that’s how I
got injured. It was pretty sad.” In the first meet of the season, Sloan ruptured his patellar tendon. He was hospitalized for four days. ”I had to have surgery that same day. I went home, and I stayed home for about like a month. I went back to school. I was on crutches and I was late to all my classes, that was kind of embarrassing,” he said laughingly. To better recover, Sloan was homeschooled for the rest of the year. Attending Delta was not part of his plan, but his chances of a scholarship diminished. “Once I got injured they just didn’t want me anymore,” he said. Sloan aspires to transfer out of state next year. Going pro is a goal, but his injury has impacted his career choices. “I probably want to major in something like sport medicine. My sports medicine doctor was cool,” Sloan said. He currently trains five days a week
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL KAIGLER
AN INCH CAN BE EVERYTHING: Sloan jumps at the Merv Smith Track Complex back in February. He has proven himself to be an athlete to watch.
with Delta’s Track team and Jumps Coach Lester Bond “I just grey shirted. I just ended up competing at some unattached meets,” Sloan said. “It was good working out
OUT OF THE GATES ROCKING: The Mustang’s volleyball team came out swinging in the team’s first game of the season against Chabot College, beating Chabot all three matches. PHOTO BY ELEANOR MAFI
Volleyball ranked high in state by eleanor mafi
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The Mustangs volleyball team is a group of young players ranked 5th in State and 2nd in Northern California, according to the California Community College Athletic Association. “It is exciting but a lot of pressure. Last year we did not make the post season play and this year we have a talented group in. The girls have worked hard they fully deserve to be ranked where they are, we have to keep getting better everyday,” said Head Coach Molly Mordaunt. On Sept. 18, the team played its first game of the season here against Chabot College. Outside Hitter Lauren Kissel had 23 kills in the game. The Mustangs beat Chabot in all three matches. It is still early in the season for the Mustangs but so far they have only lost three games. “I feel like overall we still have a lot to work on as a team. I feel like we can do a much better job communicating with each other on the court and once we get that down we will be unstoppable.
We are a young team, and none of us have played together which gives us more room to grow,” said outside hitter, Jackaul Ahloo. Opposite/libero Kamea Chock said endurance running and weight lifting help her be a stronger player. “Practice-wise I pick out what my weaknesses are and really focus on that. I try to get in the most repetition for that, for example, I feel like I am a weak hitter so I work on getting in as much quality hitting reps/swings as I can in efforts to improve,” Chock said. With so much talent on this year’s team, Mordaunt is basing her starting lineup on stats. The Mustangs will play against American River College at home at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 2. Joelise Bond, a freshman formally from Tracy’s West High School, said she already has game-day rituals. “I like to jam out to some inspiring music before I warm-up, and I pray for all my body part to be protected when I play. I also make sure I do not eat thirty minutes before a game. it is sort of a good luck ritual,” said Bond.
with them cause they are pushing me a lot to get better.” The knee injury has left no fear, believing it won’t happen again. In February, Delta will see how far Sloan can go.
Women’s soccer starts season with high expectations by jermaine davis news@deltacollegian.net
Delta Colleges women’s soccer team is looking forward to a strong start this season with high expectations on making the playoffs just like last year. With several new players added to the roster this season, the Lady Mustangs continue to have a special camaraderie that is visible when watching the team play on the field. Despite severe injuries from some of the team’s most experienced players, Delta entered the game against Butte College with a record of 2-1-2. “Even though I’m red-shirting this season due to knee surgery; I still expect the team to play hard and go far into the playoffs,” said Goalkeeper Amanda Simonich, 19. During the team’s final home pre-season game, the Lady Mustangs proved it’s going to be difficult for opponents to match the team’s quickness and ball-handling skills, as the team fought a long, hard battle of defense and missed opportunities. At halftime the score was 1-0 with Delta controlling the lead after a goal by Maha Walid Abdallah, which happened to be the winning goal. Head Coach Adrienne Sorenson is entering her 4th season this fall and has confidence in her player’s ability to make adjustments as the Lady Mustangs get ready the Big 8 Conference. “I felt like we came out just really sluggish today, the second half I felt like we got back to basics…we created some good chances and now we’re just working on consistently finishing those chances, but all-in-all I’m positive and excited,” said Sorenson. The team won’t have much time for players to recover from ailments, but judging by its relentless style of play, the Lady Mustangs will find a way to win. “We’re a little bit banged up right now, so working through some injuries I was able to rest a couple players today which was good…if we come in healthy we’ll be just fine,” said Sorenson. Their next game will be Friday the 27 at 3:30 p.m. against Sierra College at Sierra’s campus.
news
8
Issue 2 • Sept. 27, 2013 • deltacollegian.net
Stockton-based author shares personal Damany Lewis inspires RTV story to inspire readers with new book by kevin fleischman typed fifteen pages,” said Dearion, 51, in an email interview. Dearion said she shares really private things with readers that even her friends and family didn’t know. “My inspiration for writing this book was I wanted to share my personal story to many, to let them know that even though you go through a catastrophic ordeal, it is your will and determination to get your life back,” said Dearion. So far, Dearion has received positive feedback for the book, particularly on Amazon.com. “I’ve been told that I am a strong woman and that I had given them emotional strength,” said Dearion, referring to a review on the online retailer’s site. “I was touched by the words the person said. I didn’t realize when I was writing that my book would help so many people.” Dearion said she wrote her book with no particular audience in mind, but has shared her story with young and elderly people alike.
by michael johnson news@deltacollegian.net
What doesn’t kill you can make you stronger. That age-old saying is apparent after speaking with Stockton author Rita Dearion, who recently published “The Day that Changed My Life for the Rest of RITA DEARION My Life.” Dearion, whose book published Aug. 1, will host a launch party for her work on Sunday in Stockton. Based on a true story, Dearion gives her account of the triumph of an active single mother and career woman who was forced into an early retirement due to a medical condition. Dearion said she never had any intentions of writing a book, but had a premonition. “I had a dream one night that I wrote a book and that night I
“My book is a memoir, selfhelp, motivational and inspirational tool for all to read,” she said. Although she is getting recognition as an author, Dearion said she has aspirations towards becoming a motivational speaker. She first spoke for the Sistahs in Conversation and Sistahs in Harmony Christian Book Club in August. The occasion was a scholarship luncheon to honor local high-school seniors, prior to them attending college. Dearion also offers simple advice for those who want to write a book — start writing. “I tell people that ask me this question all the time, first of all you can start with the introduction, the table of contents and often some people have the title of the book before they start writing. Once you start writing share with someone you trust to give you honest feedback,” she said. Dearion will host a launch party from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 29 in The Clubhouse at Spanos West, 6226 Mokelumne Circle in Stockton.
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Thursday Sept. 19, Damany Lewis visited Delta College’s Radio Television and Film department (RTV). Lewis works at KXTV News10, the ABC affiliate in Sacramento as a general assignment reporter during the week and anchor for the weekend newscasts. His visit was to talk to students about his career, and to inspire students interested in working in the field of broadcast television after they complete their education. Lewis talked about the importance of internships stating that the first thing a news director will ask you during an interview is what kind of internships you have done. Lewis got his start by working in Market 134 for WICD ABC News 15 in Champaign, Illinois as a multimedia journalist. As a multimedia journalist, he had to be a reporter, camera operator and drive the news van. Lewis told students they would not make much money early in a the news industry career. “You will probably be working for peanuts and pret-
PHOTO BY KEVIN FLEISCHMAN
OFFERING CAREER ADVICE: Damany Lewis speaks to RTV students.
zels.” said Lewis. That did not stop him from making his dream happen. Lewis said he made about $16,500 his first year. At that point he decided he needed to move up in the ranks. Sending his portfolio out to every news station he could think of. Lewis said he did not care where the job was. “Its much easier today than when I first started out,” Lewis said. Lewis also made recommendations to students seeking careers in broadcast journalism. Lewis said when he decides to retire from the news business that he would like to work as a media consultant. But for now he loves his job and the journey to where he is now.
LAWSUIT: Construction company pursues civil complaint against Delta
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its construction of the New Classroom Building and Media Arts Center on the Palo Alto High School Campus.” When called about the lawsuit, Palo Alto Unified School District declined to comment. No further details have been given on the story. Calls and e-mails went unreturned by Taisei and the company’s attorneys. The case against Delta and Kitchell is being overseen by Judge Roger Ross at the San Joaquin County Courthouse, and is currently still in preliminary hearings. A Case Management Conference is set to be heard at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 31. The case against Palto Alto Unified School District is being heard at the Superior Court of Santa Clara County and is currently awaiting for a Case Management Conference set for Oct. 15. The plans for Delta included a four-step process, the first was to construct the new Math and Science building complex. Phase two is to move all of the professors and courses to the new building. The third step is to demolish and remove the old Cunningham building. The fourth and final step is to create a path between Cunningham and the new complex.