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Volume 110 | Issue 5
‘Celling It’: When Hard Work Pays Off GCC students participate in a prestigious microbiology conference, leading to a big win for student Andreh Fiterz By Ken Allard and Catalina Juarez This past month, students from the Biology 298 class, instructed by Dr. Shelley Thai, participated in a conference known as the Southern California American Society for Microbiology, or SCASM. One student, Andreh Fiterz, won the highest award granted to the undergraduate level, the “Outstanding Research Award.” His award not only landed him a sponsored trip to attend the National American Society for Microbiology next year, but also gave GCC the privilege of being represented at the National Conference for the first time ever. Fiterz’s award-winning research project is titled “Transposon Mutagenesis of Flagellar Biosynthetic Genes Impairs Motility and Increases E.P.S. Production in Paraburkholderia unamae.” Essentially, Fiterz studied a species of bacteria called Paraburkholderia unamae, which is incapable of causing disease and produces bioavailable nitrogen for plants such as coffee, sugarcane and corn. Nitrogen is a vital component of chlorophyll, and therefore photosynthesis. Fiterz mutated, or changed, specific genes on the microorganisms, and observed the affected physical traits. The results were that there was a significant reduction in motility, which is the ability of the organism to move around. They also exhibited an overproduction of their outer sugar coating called exopolysaccharide (EPS). Their EPS allows them to attach to surfaces. The poster is available to view in the “Biology Undergraduate Research Collaborative” display case located on the second floor of the San Gabriel build-
Photo by Guadalupe Ruiz
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH: From left to right, students Emily Burnett, Nathan Brandt, Temoc Ramirez, Preny Riganian, Andreh Fiterz spend countless hours on their research in GCC’s laboratory under the supervision of Shelley Thai, associate professor of biology.
ing. “Winning this award is a big deal for this college because we were the first community college in the history of SCASM to win the award for outstanding research at the undergraduate level,” said Fiterz. SCASM is composed of clinical and medical microbiologists, as well as students from other universities with vastly superior resource pools. “We were small fish in a big pond in the presence of research-based universities like UCSD and many more, so it was a lot of pressure,” said Fiterz. “At the same time we wanted to have fun because it was our first time collectively at a real Bio conference.”
The students who participated in SCASM included Fiterz, Emily Burnett, Temoc Ramirez, Nathan Brandt, Preny Riganian, and Maisha Rahman. A student from a community college winning the award was no lucky mistake, though. Dr. Thai and her students had been hard at work together since this past summer. Students who enroll in the Biology 298 summer course spend six intensive weeks with Dr. Thai, learning basic laboratory skills in molecular biology, microbiology and bioinformatics.
IN THIS ISSUE News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Entertainment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
[See Hard Work, page 2]
Chasing Dreams: Racing to the Finish Line AB 540 student Jennifer Cazarez shines academically, athletically By Alex Leon Contributing Writer
Photo by Rico Gutierrez
SEEKING SUCCESS: Jennifer Cazarez, center, races at the UC Riverside Highlander Invitational on Oct. 14.
The cross country and track and field office at Glendale College is a shrine to the past and a reminder to current student-athletes of what the expectations are for those that wear the uniforms. That history is not lost on freshman Jennifer Cazarez, an 18-year-old from Santee High in Los Angeles, as she gazed one day after practice at the photos and trophies that adorn the small office. She is the No. 2 runner on the women’s team that recently won its 13-straight Western State Conference title Oct. 20, finished fourth in the Southern California Championships Nov. 3 and will be gunning for its third-consecutive state championship Nov. 18 in Fresno. But beyond her success in running and in the classroom, where she carried a 4.7 grade point average in high
school and continues her academic success in college within the GCC’s Scholars Program, her daily challenges have nothing to do with being a student-athlete. Jennifer is an undocumented student who was born in Puebla, Mexico, in 1999, and came to the United States in 2008 as a fourth grader. She is very grateful to her family for the support she has received and smiled through her braces, putting her shyness to the side as she discussed her situation. “I don’t feel different or unique because I am not a citizen of the United States,” Cazarez said. “If anything, it will make me work harder. I don’t take anything for granted and my studies come first, and then the work I put in as a runner to support the team and help myself improve.” Improve. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word as to make or become better or to [See Dreams, page 2]
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‘Celling It’: When Hard Work Pays Off
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Allard MANAGING EDITOR Marian Sahakyan ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Clint Black STAFF WRITERS Carolina Diaz Catalina Juarez Vendela Lindblom Ricky Nuño Hayk Rostomyan Ellis Valdescona Photo by Ken Allard
COPY EDITOR Elena Jacobson CONTRIBUTORS Elena Jacobson Alex Leon Hope Rosemary PHOTOGRAPHERS Ivan Carlos Jonathan Camacho Carmen Fernandez Guadalupe Ruiz faculty adviser Rory Cohen rcohen@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000 ext. 5214
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TAKING HOME THE PRIZE: Andreh Fiterz wins at the Southern California American Society for Microbiology conference in October 2017.
[From Hard Work, page 1] Students also learn how to analyze and present scientific research articles in addition to conducting their own research projects. This special crop of students often went above and beyond what was required for the course. They would come in well before the start of class time, sometimes stayed hours after class had ended, and even gave up their weekends to conduct additional research. Students then must make a scientific poster of their research project and defend their presentations in a “mock” conference. “I invite the Biology faculty and the campus community to attend and listen to their presentations and inquire about their project,” said Dr. Thai. “I believe that this interaction with the attendees and the questions they ask play an important role in helping the students mentally prepare for the
conferences.” This conference is very beneficial to the growth and recognition of every student who participates. It allows the student to present their research amongst others who share the same passion career-wise, as well as network with professionals who already work within the field. “It was great,” said Emily Burnett, a student of Dr. Thai’s who wishes to major in clinical microbiology and study infectious diseases. “Being able to meet and talk to not only other students that are on a similar path, but professionals working in the field, was a very valuable opportunity. We saw potential real-world applications for research being done.” None of this could have been possible without the support from the administration of the college, in addition to the morethan-generous funding secured for them by GCC Vice President of Instructional Services Michael
Ritterbrown. “I would also like to thank Dr. Michelle Lum, our collaborator in this project, for helping to advise the students and for printing their posters,” said Dr. Thai. “If it weren’t for Dr. Thai and her supporters,” said Fiterz, “we would have never had this opportunity to show that, despite the stigma associated with conducting research at a community college, we are indeed capable of competing with universities that dedicate a multitude of resources to their research, with our limited resources.” Dr. Thai and the help she has enlisted across campus is extinguishing the stigma that community colleges face, while also potentially building a local powerhouse research program. The prestige that the Glendale program garners sets the school up for further future success. The authentic, hands-on research program gives Vaqueros
a competitive advantage over other students looking to transfer to four-year universities. This competitive advantage serves as a premier recruiting tool for attracting the top regional STEM talent, igniting a positive feedback loop of success. Dr. Thai acknowledged that the bar is now set pretty high for the next wave of students, but it’s not only about winning prestigious awards. “I am always proud of my students,” said Thai. “Their success doesn’t have to culminate to an award, but it sure is an exhilarating experience when it does.” Fiterz’s triumph can not only serve as a source of extrinsic motivation for the next group, but also as a launchpad for their own success. For if they see further than he, it is because they stood on the shoulders of giants. Ken Allard can be reached at KALLARD438@student.glendale.edu.
Chasing Dreams: Racing to the Finish Line [From Dreams, page 1] increase the value of. After arriving in the United States, Jennifer was placed in the fourth grade but had to drop down to third grade for some subjects in order for her to improve her ability to read, write and speak English. Fast-forward ahead nine years, where she took home a slew of recognition at Senior Awards night at Santee high school and was accepted to nine four-year colleges, including four Cal State and UC schools, like U.C. Berkeley. If it weren’t for some missing paperwork, she might be at Occidental College now instead of Glendale College. But the Tigers’ loss is a significant gain for the Vaqueros, said head men’s and women’s cross country coach Eddie Lopez. “Jenni is one of the most wellrounded student-athletes that has come to us in recent years and we feel very fortunate that she is part
of our team and part of our school community,’’ said Lopez. “She is a great example of where hard work can get you if you work hard despite your circumstances, and I knew early on that she was a special talent in and out of the classroom and that is why she will be our team captain next year.’’ Well rounded. The ability to deal with any situation and make the best of it. To be able to strive for excellence in and out of the classroom and be a role model for those who may struggle and help those who have trouble helping themselves. Living close to downtown is a challenge in itself but Jennifer just goes about her business and maintains her focus. He sister Leslie, 21, is a recent graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and is her role model. It would be easier just to go to school and leave the athletic part of her behind but she enjoys the challenge of running and doing well in school. That is what
thing will start over in January drives her to succeed. “The team at GCC has been for the winter and then the spring great and I really enjoy being part semester and season. Walking away from the cross of a group and working hard to be the best we can be,” she said. “I country and track & field office, run about 40 to 45 miles per week Jennifer Cazarez might wonder where she during the season, “Step by step and fits into all down from 60 dursuccess ing the summer and little by little, she is the in the photos, I feel really prepared when I hit the start- finding her place and trophies and ing line for a race. making her mark, awards that “And competshine like a working hard to do beacon for ing with someone as the best she can.” the athletes to talented as our No. 1 runner Angie Salas observe. Step is another thing that drives me, by step and little by little, she is trying to keep up with her during finding her place and making her races for as long as I can and fin- mark, working hard to do the best ishing as strong as I can for the she can. team.” Her challenges are many but if The 2017 cross country season history has a way of repeating itwill be over in just a few weeks self, her future will be bright and and then after a short break, train- nothing will keep her from reaching will start for the 2018 track ing her goals. season. Classes will continue until Alex Leon, GCC’s sports information director, can be reached at aleon@glendale.edu. mid-December and then every-
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Brewing a Brand: ‘Lager Than Life’
Adam Hiner, co-founder of Boochcraft Kombucha, and Kirk Nishikawa, co-founder of Brewyard Brewery & Taproom, speak at GCC By Ken Allard Editor-in-Chief The Business Lecture Series event held on Nov. 2, called “Brewing a Dream,” featuring two of the brightest local small business owners in the game of craft beer. Adam Hiner, co-founder of Boochcraft Kombucha, and Kirk Nishikawa, co-founder of Brewyard Brewery & Taproom, talked about entrepreneurship and their personal experiences in the rapidly-expanding craft brewing industry. Boochcraft Kombucha originated in San Diego, but the product has spread across the Golden State. Kombucha is a variety of fermented black or green tea beverages, which some claim offers potential health benefits. Hiner’s passion for health, wellness, and sustainability is what brought him into the Kombucha niche. Nishikawa’s motivations differed slightly. “Luckily for me, I have a passion for drinking,” joked Nishikawa. Boochcraft controls a unique section of the market, being the only brewery in Southern California to offer high-alcohol form of Kombucha (7 percent ABV). Brewyard Brewery & Taproom, on the other hand, offers the “common” style lager – which
was first invented in California during the 1800s. Both Hiner and Nishikawa entered the craft brewery market just as the demand for unique beer from grassroots microbreweries started to skyrocket. The number of craft breweries in America has nearly tripled since 2011, and has grown 16 percent from 2015 to 2016. Today, small and independent craft brewers account for more than 12 percent of market share in the beer industry. California leads the way nationally. As of July 2017, there are over 800 such breweries in the state, which contributes more than $7.3 billion to the economy. Despite the market explosion, cementing their place in the industry was not easy, and, as is so often the case for those chasing their passion, they met failure face-to-face along the way. “It’s that process of trying each [idea] and taking it as far as it will go,” said Hiner. “I’m still missing shots all the time.” Nishikawa echoed the same point. Starting his first business “was pretty alien and terrifying,” especially since he had little-tono experience with creating and running a company. He worked as an architect for eight years before serving as a restaurant manager
Photo by Ken Allard
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BREW: Kirk Nishikawa, right, and Adam Hiner, left, speak to a GCC audience about how they got their businesses up and running.
for four more. Hiner has a background in business management and finance, as well as extensive experience with other startups. The skills they learned in other fields proved useful. Instead of hiring outside sources for many of the intricacies of the business, they went ahead and did what they could on their own. Hiner and his fellow co-own-
ers spent nearly $900 thousand to get Boochcraft Kombucha off the ground. Nishikawa and his partner primarily self-funded their venture. When they needed additional funding, they reached out to close family members while also obtaining a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. “Whatever you think you’ll need, double it,” said Hiner. “Maybe even triple it.”
Use and cultivate your community, Hiner advises. “It’s more than building your business,” said Hiner. “It’s about building your community.” Just start, dive in and do it early. “You’re always going to be terrified,” said Nishikawa. “It’s always going to seem daunting.” Ken Allard can be reached at KALLARD438@student.glendale.edu.
Honoring the Dead, Mexican-Style, At GCC Dia de Los Muertos is a crucial way to remember those who have passed and celebrate life By Carolina Diaz Staff Writer In Mexican culture, Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a crucial day meant to honor those who have passed away. The celebration is a happy occasion. “In small towns, it is typical to drop petals of marigold flowers to create a path to guide an ancestor’s spirit from the cemetery to the altar in their relatives’ homes in case they have forgotten the way,” said Lourdes Girardi, a
Spanish professor and the Language Arts division chair. Family members make altars decorated with marigolds. In the culture, it is known as the flower of the dead. The dead are also honored with pictures, objects they loved and the food the departed loved to eat. On Nov. 2 at Glendale Community College the Spanish club and Spanish department, thanks to generous help from Associate Students of Glendale Community College, celebrated Dia de Los
Muertos in the Plaza Vaquero, according to organizers. Students enjoyed cheese and pork tamales, and pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a sweet bread roll that is traditional to the Mexican culture. Students had the opportunity to have a half or full face paint of a skull, too. “We want to bring culture to GCC, teach the students of the other celebrations different cultures have,” said Girardi. The Aztecs believed that the transition from one year to the
Photo by Jonathan Camacho
NATIVE DANCE: Performers demonstrating a traditional Aztec dance at Glendale Community College, Nov. 2.
next was a 60-day period, according to Stacy Jazan, a GCC Spanish professor. When the Spanish conquistadors came to Mexico, they prohibited the indigenous people from celebrating their traditions. They wanted to unify the land under their own traditions and beliefs. That is how they blended both their traditions and how the holiday, Day of the Dead, started. The Spanish club brought the entertainment. Adela Garcia, a student, was the one who was in
contact with the group that performed a native dance for 30 minutes. The dance, which hails from the Aztec region, is colorful and vibrant. With their colorful clothing and their gigantic headsets made out of feathers, they danced to honor the dead. “Enjoy the day, breath the fresh air, smile that you are still here,” said Cris Calvillo, member of the group Xocoyote. Carolina Diaz can be reached at ItsCaroDiaz@gmail.com
Photo by Jonathan Camacho
PAINTING FACES: A GCC student gets a Dia de Los Muertos makeover.
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Halloween Roundup: GCC Gets Festive
Glendale students gather for holiday fun By Carolina Diaz Staff Writer
Halloween, every little kid’s favorite holiday and some parent’s worst nightmare. With last minute costume ideas and bags of candy ready, everyone was getting ready to have fun Oct. 31. Halloween came from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts believed that on the 31st of October the “spirits” returned to Earth. Then Halloween started coming to America. It was primarily celebrated in Maryland and the Southern colonies. Since then the holiday has been Americanized, with costume parties, pumpkin carving, and the telling of ghost stories. The Associated Students Glendale Community College had a ‘Pumpkin Fest’ in Plaza Vaquero on Oct. 31. Giving away free
food like corn dogs, small bags of popcorn, candy and soda cups with decorative eyeballs at the bottom. “We wanted to give away free food to the students, and hand them presents, and let the students enjoy Halloween in school,” said Jessica Coompson, vice president of activities The members of ASGCC were all dressed up as different characters, such as Dodgers baseball players, a prison inmate, Chewbacca and much more. The students were happy to receive free food. Students also had a chance to win a $25 gift card if they competed either in pumpkin painting, ring tossing or mummy wrapping. “It’s fun to interact with the other students and feel like a kid again,” said Corinna Scott, mass communication major. Photo by Carmen Fernandez Carolina Diaz can be reached at itscarodiaz@gmail.com.
CATCHING EYEBALLS: ASGCC members hand out candy and Halloween themed refreshments to students.
Photo by Carmen Fernandez
HOLIDAY SPIRIT: Students participate in pumpkin painting activities as they welcome the fall holiday season.
Photo by Carmen Fernandez
SHOWING OFF: Two students dressed as an inmate and a mummy hang out in Plaza Vaquero.
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From Print to Digital: The Changing Landscape OC Register veteran Mike Tipping speaks to students from GCC’s El Vaquero By Marian Sahakyan Managing Editor Ever wonder about the evolution of media? Or journalism? Have you thought about who can claim to be a cardcarrying member of the press? Many in the media have witnessed the big, and often alarming, transition. As the field grows larger, and older journalists retire, the history gets lost somewhere between the lines as social media creeps into how reporting works. “Get it fast, but get it right,” said Mike Tipping, former Orange County Register deputy opinion editor to El Vaquero students and guests on Oct. 31. He added that good journalists and communicators learn by reading history, as “you’ll see the mistakes being made today were made before.” Tipping noted that the skills students pick up in traditional journalism classes will serve them across communications disciplines, from marketing to PR and far beyond. In his 25 year experience as a journalist and editor, Tipping has seen it all take off and change, though he remains humble about his path. During his visit, he discussed the lifestyle of a journalist, the ups and downs of print media and gave some advice to future generations of reporters. He recalled working with linotypes and teletypes to transfer information and print newspapers.
Now, we have available a pool of resources including emails, advanced computer systems and printers. In this case, all three save the production team an enormous amount of time and effort, giving them enough leeway and flexibility to focus on important things such as copy editing and fact checking. As he talked more in depth about his career, Tipping pointed out the raw truth. He mentioned that being a journalist is not easy, as it requires a lot of ethical decisions, the need face frequent layoffs, and more times than not, it requires patience and hard work. He talked about the times he had to work for a doughnut shop or as a couponer at JC Penney. All of this happened between trying to make it in the big world of journalism. Despite the fact that Tipping took breaks from journalism quite a few times during his career, he always found himself back writing anything from local politics to crime, sports and civil crime suits. The expert covered stories ranging from the investigation of notorious serial killer “Night Stalker” in the 80s to the Los Angeles Riots in the 90s. Thinking back to his favorite times as a writer, Tipping recalled what it was like to report on the 1984 Olympics, which were held in Los Angeles. After working as a copy editor for over nine years, Tipping got his career break, and as he describes it, and moved from the
Photo by Rory Cohen FROM PRINT TO DIGITAL: Mike Tipping discusses the rapid shifts in journalism and argues that the advent of digital journalism was far more of a disruptor in the industry than computer-based layout.
third floor newsroom to the fifth floor opinion department of the Orange County Register. “Information is coming to you like a firehose, you have to find the droplet that is actual news,” Tipping advised. “The desire for information is deeper than ever, so be a reliable source, get
people’s trust.” As the company went through various financial cutbacks and layoffs and bankruptcies, Tipping remained one of the valuable staff members and continued to thrive as the deputy editor of his department. Eventually, however, the layoffs hit his department
hard, and he opted to leave after a distinguished career. “Media seems to be aligning itself,” said Tipping. “Get out of the one you are most comfortable with.” Marian Sahakyan can be reached at MSAHAKY795@student.glendale.edu.
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Features
The Untold Story of Latino-Americans Documentary film examines injustices in Central and South America
By Ellis Valdescona Staff Writer The provocative 2012 documentary film “Harvest of Empire” was featured at Glendale Community College this semester to open students’ eyes to injustices the world over during a special Latinx series of events. The film documents the history of Latinos before and after World War I. In particular, it examines parts of Central and South America, with a special focus on Guatemala and Puerto Rico. “My colleague, Krysten Gonzalez, and organized the Latinx History Month event series this year and our vision for the month-long series has been to critically engage the GCC community in looking at the diversity of experiences throughout Latinidad in order to challenge stereotypes, build critical empathy and encourage solidarity among people from different backgrounds,” said Ziza Delgado, an ethnic studies instructor. The film tackled how the largest fruit company had 600,000 acres of property. In the film, journalist Juan Gonzalez discussed how the United States never taught in school that the huge Latino presence in this country is a direct result of our own government’s actions against: Mexico, The Caribbean and Central America. As a result, approximately millions of people moved from their homelands to the United States. “In times like these, we are reminded that the famous
phrase, ‘America, a nation of immigrants,’ has many restrictions,” said Delgado in an emailed interview. “The film addresses lesser known moments in the nation’s history that make important connections between U.S. imperialism and the destabilization of democratically elected governments throughout the Caribbean, and Central and South America, and that continue to shape immigration patterns today. By teaching history that many are unfamiliar with we intend to humanize those most affected by these issues and build deeper understandings of the larger historical context of trends in migration and immigration today.” During 1960s, the Guatemalan army began the systematic slaughtering of the Native Mayan population. This era was also known as “The Silent Holocaust.” The atrocities took place up until the early 1990s. “Children were often beaten against walls, or thrown alive into pits where the bodies of adults were later thrown; they were also tortured and raped,” according to the U.K.’s Peace Pledge Union. “Victims of all ages often had their limbs amputated, or were impaled and left to die slowly. Others were doused in petrol and set alight, or disembowelled while still alive.” Violence led to Guatemalan Civil War which ran from 1960 to 1996. It was engineered by Guatemalan military dictator, General Efrain Rios Montt.
In Guatemala, over 200,000 people were dead that and more than 5,000 went missing during that time because any Mayans that were opposed to Montt were killed with no hesitation, according to former Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu Tum. Menchu speaks K’iche.’ That’s the Maya language of Guatemala. Menchú Tum is a female political activist from Guatemala. She won the Nobel Peace Prize for recognition of her work in social justice and ethnocultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, according to nobelprize.org. Eduardo Lopez is an academy-award winning director who shot “Harvest of Empire.” He is known for making Spanish-language movies and famous television series, “ Línea Directa.” Emmy-Award winning director, Peter Getzels also produced the film. He has worked for BBC, Channel 4 UK, ZDF, Canal, and Discovery Channel. “As part of this series, we knew we wanted to have a film screening because film serves as a powerful form of storytelling, and analysis and discussion of media is a crucial pedagogical strategy as well as an important form of literacy necessary for all members of society to develop and improve,” said Delgado, noting that the film was their first choice “given the important and timely topic.” Ellis Valdescona can be reached at ellis81595@icloud.com.
Start Thinking On Your Career Nov. 16 event will educate and encourage students interested in media By Marian Sahakyan Managing Editor Glendale Community College’s journalism department will hold a first of its kind event, on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the GCC Auditorium. “There will be coffee and doughnuts, as well as raffle giveaways,” said Journalism instructor and adviser Rory Cohen, who organized the event. Journalism professionals will answer questions and share their experiences about how they entered the media. Journalism Day was born out of a desire and vision to host a speakers series on campus, in order to educate students and staff about the different paths journalism or communications majors could take. Cohen tapped into her
contacts in the field and reached reporters in her rolodex as far as Lebanon. The intent of the event is to inspire students already in the program and to open the doors of the newsroom to those who are interested in obtaining a degree in communications. “Let’s dispel the myth that journalism doesn’t lead to a successful career,” Cohen explained. “On the contrary, journalism is one of the most extraordinary privileges and critical roles.” A journalism degree provides enormously useful training, said Cohen, pointing to the many careers journalism majors go into. Cohen will host a panel of experienced journalists and community members, and will Skype in guest speakers from Washington, D.C. One such speaker, James Gordon Meek will be conferenced in and will discuss
his work traveling with U.S. troops and his documentary coverage of the rise of the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (known as ISIS). Journalism Day will also feature GCC’s sports department and a representative of Associated Students. They will talk about the importance of communication in small communities such as Glendale College and why storytelling matters. The event will be open to GCC students and the public. Cohen said she is expecting several students from local universities to attend, as well as local media. Instructors and staff who attend will earn two hours of flex time. Marian Sahakyan can be reached at MSAHAKY795@student.glendale.edu
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Safety, There’s An App For That Take your well-being into your own hands By Elena Jacobson Contributing Writer It seems as though a new disaster is happening every week, which leads to more than just a little anxiety about safety. Luckily, there’s an app for that! In fact, beyond helping during disasters, the Red Cross has come out with its own app, called “Emergency,” to warn people of impending catastrophes. “The allinclusive Emergency app combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe,” according to RedCross.com. “Users can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.” The app lets users monitor warnings in a certain area and also provides a functionality to add people from a phone’s contacts to see if they are near a dangerous area. It keeps track of any natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes and fires to hurricanes and volcanoes. It also has a map of nearby shelters and resources to help prepare for an emergency. Additionally, there is a toolbox included to use during emergencies, which consists of things like alarms and different flashlights. It also provides first aid instructions for specific ailments. Just as much as it helps when people are in trouble, it also helps contact friends or family to check in. It can send out messages in bulk to anyone in the phone’s contact. A user can enter their own
safety message and choose to add their current location. Further, the app allows individuals to spread the word on social media. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has come out with their own app, too. While this one has fewer bells and whistles than the Red Cross app, it has the same basic principles. The main differences is that this one only covers weather alerts. However, it has a list of resources on how to get help during disasters. These resources include lists of shelters that are open during a disaster and letting a user call those resources for assistance. Additionally, it has tips on how best to be prepared, like building an emergency kit and making a plan. As well as a wide variety of safety tips for all sorts of different scenarios. Outside of apps there is a texting program called Nixle that connects you directly to local fire and police departments. All that’s required is to text them a ZIP code and then the local authority texts back with alerts whenever necessary. They cover a wide range of things in the alerts, anything from evacuation zones to major car crashes. All these apps and programs are free to use and help keep people safe. They are available on in the Apple store or on Google’s Playstore. Nixle is available at Nixle.com. Elena Jacobson can be reached at elena51656@gmail.com
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To Protect and Serve
GCC’s police chief talks about what his position entails and the challenges that go along with it By Hope Rosemary Contributing Writer The first thing one notices when walking into the Glendale Community College’s Police Chief Gary Montecuollo’s office, is that the man has accomplished a lot in his career. His walls are decorated with badges, awards, articles, plaques and pins that he has amassed over the years. He has quite the reputation to back it up, receiving praise from his police colleagues and GCC staff alike for his affability. Montecuollo has spent nearly 30 years with GCC, 20 of which were spent teaching Administration of Justice. Montecuollo’s history with the college stretches way back, though you couldn’t tell from looking at him. He has the enthusiasm of a new hire in many ways and is described by colleagues as a man who loves what he does. His career began in the late 1980s when he earned his associate’s degree at the college. In 1995 he began his career as an adjunct professor, where he helped develop the cadet curriculum. Then, some 16 years later he was sworn in as the new chief of police. The ceremony took place on Sept. 19, 2011, which makes this his seventh year as chief. Montecuollo describes his career as ‘different than municipal policing.’ “I feel very blessed, honored,
and privileged to be here. Take the lessons [I] learned policing and apply them to the college environment.” He noted that in the wake of ongoing negative reports of police in the media, it is important to promote the campus police in a positive light, as the campus adheres to the strongest of ethics. “The person who tells the story writes the history. Every contact counts. We have to be missionaries, not mercenaries.” The chief recognized the possibilities of criminal occurrences and discussed how those events are handled in a manner where transparency is key. At the forefront of dealing with issues of criminal conduct, enforcement is key, especially when it comes to drivers around campus. “The drivers around campus are often crazy and race when they come out of the parking lot,” said Carolina Diaz, a journalism major. The issue of slowing drivers down is a top concern for campus police. “Strong enforcement can keep communities safe,” he commented. “Write a ticket, [or] give a warning. [We want] to ensure that students succeed by providing safety.” With his guidance, the school has adopted a community policing practice where students, staff, peace officers, and the cadets work together with him. “We have to protect. We have to be able to listen when people
Courtesy Photo
A LIFE OF SERVICE: Gary Montecuollo poses in this undated courtesy photo.
tell their stories. [GCCPD has] to operate according to a set of values. They are very simple, not complicated,” he went to further explain his point. “We have to afford people dignity, we’ve got to be respectful. We’ve got to be honest in our work. We have to show integrity in what we do. We have to have tremendous compassion. People need to be held accountable. It is more how we do it than what we do. And ultimately it is that interaction becomes really important.”
As Montecuollo described, the college police department operates 365 days a year and is staffed with officers, dispatchers and cadets. They try to maintain a positive and close working relationship with the City of Glendale Police Department. All of this was accredited to Montecuollo and his excellent leadership on campus. “I really like Gary,” decorated Officer Bryan Duncan said, when asked about Montecuollo. “He is
a very integral part of the police department. Worked many different assignments … all the way up to Lieutenant and then became the Chief of Police.” Montecuollo’s colleagues in the police department are quick to sing his praises, as are faculty who appreciate his response time and ability to help them understand the resources that GCCPD provides them with. Hope Rosemary can be reached at
HiCoachHope@gmail.com
So. Cal Dream House: Spanish Colonial Revival Pasadena home makes you feel like you’re in a secluded Meditteranean island, and boasts traditional charm By Marian Sahakyan Managing Editor Neighboring So. Cal cities Glendale and Pasadena both boast lovely Spanish colonial masterpieces. One home just went on the market in Pasadena, Calif, and is listed for a whopping $1,099,000.
The home was designed by acclaimed architect Wilbur C. Harrison, the Zillow posting says, and is located in the gorgeous Washington Square/Bungalow Heaven neighborhood. It’s located at 1090 Palm Ter. The 1929 Spanish colonial revival features beautiful arches, a stunning gourmet kitchen, classic
beams, and Mediterranean-style tiles in the classic burnished orange. The three bed, three bath home is 2,478 square feet on a lofty lot size of 10,763 square feet. It’s even got a guest house in the back that boasts a full kitchen and bath. That space can be used as an in-law house or a separate
Courtesy Photo / John Hart
SPANISH REVIVAL: The entryway to this splendid Spanish colonial revival features bright blue tiles that frame the doorway. A water feature sits on the side, boasting tranquil living.
office, or in today’s climate where housing inventory is scarce, can easily be rented out. The home is close to Old Town Pasadena and minutes from Downtown L.A. and Angeles National Forest. For those that appreciate the tranquility of nature, the home also features a beautiful oak tree
and lovely, secluded garden that can make anyone forget they’re in sunny Los Angeles. The listing realtor is Steve Gutierrez-Kovner with John Hart’s agency.
Marian Sahakyan can be reached at
MSAHAKY795@student.glendale.edu.
Courtesy Photo / John Hart
TRADITIONAL ARCHES: The arches in the Spanish property allow for a continuity between the rooms and a nod to a traditional era of building that is largely gone.
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Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017
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How Military Leadership Shapes Success Former GCC student turned Army officer talks about his path, which allowed him to make a difference
By Malcolm Mardling Contributing Writer This Veteran’s Day, El Vaquero seeks to honor veterans who are current and former GCC students. We caught up with Jesse Petrilla, who attended Glendale College from 2005 to 2006. He has since gone on to impact conservative politics in Orange County and the nation, was commissioned as an Army officer, and, most recently, launched a business. Petrilla credits his military service with teaching him discipline and helping him along to professional and personal success. In an interview, he talked about his experiences and shared advice with GCC students. When and why did you join, and what did you do during your time in the military? I commissioned as an Army officer in 2010 from the ROTC program at Cal State Fullerton. The Army paid for my schooling, and, upon graduation, I was guaranteed a job in the military. I started out as a tank platoon leader, and after several years switched to Signal Corps, which gave me technical expertise in communications. What memories stick out as particularly significant or life changing? Seeing the change in soldiers you help mentor is what it’s all about. The military gives you tremendous leadership training, and being able to share some of those skills and develop young men and women, and knowing you helped set them up for success for the rest of their lives, is truly rewarding. Do you have any fond memories you’d like to share?
The food in Afghanistan was quite good. I will also always remember the excitement of getting on the plane heading there, and the relief stepping off the plane coming back home. What was your transition from military to civilian life like? Any particular hurdles that you faced, and how did you overcome them? Other than deployment and training, I have always served part time in the National Guard, so I’ve always had one foot in both military and civilian life. I’d say the biggest issue I’ve had since returning from Afghanistan is having to bite my tongue when I hear people who don’t appreciate just how good they have it. How do you feel your military experiences have shaped who you are? The military definitely gave me the foundation to build a successful life on. It gave me the discipline I needed, leadership skills, and focus. By not serving, lots of young people are missing out on the many tremendous opportunities. Is there anything you miss about your time serving vs. time as a civilian? While on active duty, you don’t have to worry about what you are going to wear for the day. Looking back would you change anything about your life or decision to serve? The only things I regret in life are opportunities missed, things I didn’t do. Deciding to take the opportunity to serve was a nobrainer.
Courtesy of Jesse Petrilla SERVING ABROAD: Jesse Petrilla, second from left, poses with Afghan Army members in this undated photo.
What did you learn in your military role? If anyone reading this does choose to serve, or even if they don’t but find themselves in management positions (which hopefully most will at some point), all I can say is listen to your subordinates, especially your subordinate leaders. Just because you are put in a position of power doesn’t mean that title comes with knowledge. Don’t confuse power with knowledge. What would you want to tell a Glendale College student that you would have liked to have been told when you were at GCC? Take advantage of that Board of Governors (BOG) fee waiver. Most students will qualify, but so many don’t know about it or the other many financial aid programs out there. Same goes for when you transfer to a
university, there is a lot of money out there to pursue your higher education. What would you like to tell GCC students who are veterans? There are many programs, including some that I was previously unaware of, that provide financial support for veteran students as well as their children. The National Guard has financial aid available for those currently serving while attending school, and those who have completed time on active duty are eligible for the GI Bill as well as other benefits. What about students who are considering joining the military before finishing college, or after college? Not everyone is ready to just jump into college life. I took four years off after high school before starting at Glendale Community College. While I didn’t spend that time in the military, I recognize it is a good time to develop discipline and save up some money all while figuring out what you want to study. GI Bill benefits would then be available to pay for college. For those who are thinking about serving after college, there are programs such as ROTC which will pay for advanced degrees if you want to go after your Masters and then serve after that. Also there are options to directly commission as an officer if you already have a degree. Tell us about your time at GCC. What do you remember from it? What sticks out?
Courtesy of Jesse Petrilla A PATH TO SUCCESS: Jesse Petrilla, a U.S. Army officer, was commissioned in 2010 from the ROTC program at Cal State Fullerton. “The Army paid for my schooling, and, upon graduation, I was guaranteed a job in the military,” he says in an interview.
GCC has some phenomenal teachers. I still keep in touch with some of them. I also remember a small handful of very bad teachers who felt the need to inject their political
views into most lessons. Don’t be a bobblehead, challenge their views if you disagree with them, respectfully of course. Where are you at today, career-wise, and personally? I own a company that manufactures telecommunication equipment. I started it in my garage four years ago, and now we are in our second office after outgrowing the first one. My greatest accomplishment though is my wife and two boys. What about being active in the GOP – what do you do as someone who helps affect change in Orange County? Far too many people believe they can’t affect change, in fact, I would say this belief is held by the majority of people, and so the minority rule. After graduating, I decided to run for city council of a small city in Orange County, I won and served a four year term. I also have volunteered with a number of political campaigns and projects. While it may be easy to complain about things, it’s actually pretty easy to get involved too. I believe it’s our duty as citizens. What does being a veteran mean to you? What do you wish people knew about veterans? I’m just thankful for the opportunity to serve. I’ve had it pretty darn good. The previous generations of veterans really made tremendous and courageous sacrifices to give us what we have. I always take the time to stop them and thank them every time I see one.
Malcolm Mardling, a Marine veteran, is a dual major in aviation and foreign language. He is also a private pilot and aviation enthusiast, and reachable at MalcolmMard@gmail.com.
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Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017
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Dangerously Thin: The Toll To Be Skinny
How eating disorders permeate model culture, and how the cost to be the right size can cost young women their lives By Vendela Lindblom Staff Writer Every hour, someone dies as a result of an eating disorder. Over 30 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder today, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Society blames the media for putting too much pressure on individuals and creating unrealistic standards of how the ideal female body should look like. They blame them for only using unhealthy size zero models in their advertisements. But who is really to blame? The magazines that makes their money on advertisements or the model agencies that push these models to become a size zero? Today’s fashion industry has created an unhealthy picture of how the ideal fashion model should look like. The ideal height is between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches, and the ideal
weight is between 110 to 130 pounds, according to Better Business Bureau. A woman who is 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 120 pounds has a BMI of 17.2, which is lower than 18.5 and categorized as underweight. When Hannah was 13 years old, her model agency told her to quit gymnastics. “They pretty much told me that my legs were too big and it wouldn’t go well for me if I didn’t quit. That was when it all started,” she said in an interview, asking that her last name be omitted due to work concerns. A year later, only 14-yearsold, they put her on a strict diet and paid for her personal trainer. When she got sent to castings, companies would tell her that she could have been the perfect fit — if she only lost a little weight. As a result of getting food poisoned, Hannah ended up being hospitalized and was only able to drink blueberry soup for a couple of weeks. The day she could go back home, she was skinnier than ever, and decided to stop by her
Photo by .S /s rojasmun@gmail.com / Creative Commons
THE TOLL TO BE THIN: Over 30 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder today, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
agency to say hello. “You look amazing!” was the first words she got from her agent. She was now in perfect shape, according to her agency. Today, seven years later, Hannah still suffers from eating disorders and the feeling that she is not good enough. “I was constantly told that I could’ve been a little smaller,” Hannah said. More than six in 10 models have been asked by their agency to lose weight, according to Model Alliance, a volunteerrun advocacy group for models working in the American fashion
Photo by .S /s rojasmun@gmail.com / Creative Commons
MEASURING PERFECTION: This illustrative photo emphasizes a woman’s desire to be the perfect size. Among models, an ideal height is between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches, and the ideal weight is between 110 to 130.
industry. The requirements from today’s model agencies are unhealthy and can, in many cases, be the primary cause for eating disorders among models. They break down their confidence by telling them to lose weight and stop eating, to later admire them when they are at their most depressed and unhealthy stage of their lives. If you don’t give them what they want, they will ignore you until you do. A countless number of women today have a dream of becoming a model. Last year, 6.65 million people sat down to watch the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to admire the beautiful, skinny, smiling women walking down the runway in sparkly wings and extraordinary lingerie. Many women, especially young girls, envy these ultra-thin models and use them as “fitspo” (fitness inspiration), without knowing the consequences that it often comes with. Italy, Israel and Spain are some of the countries that have launched laws that requires models to show a doctor’s certificate that prove that they are healthy enough to work as a runway model (based on a BMI measurement). Two years ago, France joined the movement. “We want to combat the idea that an agency could urge a model to stop eating; for example, eating cotton balls to lose their appetite, to always lose
more weight,” Dr. Oliver Veran said, a French doctor and lawmaker who proposed the bill in France. Agencies that encourage weight-loss and continue to hire “dangerously thin” models will be fined up to 80,000 euros. The tragic death of the French fashion model Isabelle Caro was what triggered France to make the change. Caro, who released an autobiography called “The Little Girl Who Did Not Want to Get Fat,” became well-known after posing naked in a provocative advertisement against anorexia. On her blog “Anorexia or the hunger to live, take a step toward healing,” she described herself as “a little invisible snowflake in a strong blizzard who is fighting, fighting to finally live, despite years of suffering, and who is crying out to the entire world to say that anorexia is a hell from which you must escape while you still have time.” Caro died in 2010 after fighting anorexia for 15 years. Even though there has been a big step for a healthier fashion industry, current laws do not apply to the United States and many other countries. Hopefully, the rest of the world will adopt similar laws and the fashion industry will become a healthier and safer place to work. Vendela Lindblom can be reached at vlindbl405@student.glendale.edu.
Student Stress Is Real
There are things we should be doing for our well-being, but simply can’t By Vendela Lindblom Staff Writer I wake up at 6 a.m. to get ready for school. I get out of class at 10 p.m. When I’m not in school, you can find me in my apartment, studying for my upcoming assignments, writing essays, planning for midterms, working on presentations, and obsessing over quizzes. “Please watch any movie about world history before next class,” said one of my professors last week. When am I supposed to have time to watch a movie when I don’t even have time to eat or sleep? When I get home from school, I’m exhausted. I’m too tired to shower, too tired to eat. I can’t even have a conversation with my boyfriend because it feels like my head’s about to explode.
Even though I’m exhausted, I still can’t sleep. Because at the end of the day, I have a long list of new assignments, essays, midterms, presentations, and quizzes I must prepare for until next week, and every second I spend doing something else but studying, a wave of guilt washes over me. School isn’t easy, and you have to earn a good grade. But at what price? Anxiety is the leading concern among college students today with 41.6 percent, followed by depression at 36.4 percent, according to American Psychological Association. Thirty-one percent of college students have felt so depressed in the past year that it was difficult to function. On top of that, suicide is the third leading cause of death on college campuses. As if school doesn’t take up
most of our time, the majority of us also have a job (sometimes even a full-time job), children, and relationships – you know, a so-called life. Relationship problems are the third major concern among college students, because when are we supposed to have time for our private life? When we’re not in school, we’re busy either working our butts off, because let’s not forget about those student loans, or we’re busy trying to keep our heads above water and not get anything lower than a B, because that would be a disaster. The average college student has student loan debt of roughly $17,000. The average student with a postgraduate degree owes around $45,000, according to Pew Research Center. You may have thought that the stress will be over once you graduate, but
Photo by Ivan Carlos
KEEPING IT TOGETHER: A student appears to be using an EXPO marker to highlight his book in the GCC library.
the ugly truth is that your debt will haunt you for at least the next 10 years of your life. A good diet, enough sleep, and exercise is crucial to obtain good mental health. I can only speak for myself, but ramen noodles, three hours of sleep, and sitting down in front of my computer all day sounds more like the antithesis of that. I should
do better, but I don’t have time. I wish I had the answer for you, but surviving college without getting a spoonful of anxiety or a pinch of depression is just as likely as RedBull giving you wings. Pray for me, will you? Vendela Lindblom can be reached at vlindbl405@student.glendale.edu.
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Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017
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Making Better Decisions, One Day A Time BulletProof, a bio-hacking brand and lifestyle, host their fifth annual conference to help people make healthier choices
By Hope Rosemary Contributing Writer At 28-years-old, I am the healthiest I’ve ever been. I can say my body is only 14 percent fat, my bones are denser than 98 percent of my peers, and that I am stronger than I have ever been. I aim to be a shining example of what it looks like to lead a Bulletproof lifestyle. As a teacher and coach, I am the product of my services. The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed introduction so that everyone may take control and begin making better choices to optimize their health and wellness today. In mid October, I attended the 5th Annual Bulletproof Biohacking Conference at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium where I was at home with my amber tinted, bluelight blocking glasses wearing attendees. Even with an all access press pass I was only able to take in a small percentage of what the conference had to offer over the three-day period. From speakers to breakouts, Q&A sessions, and exercise classes, to full blown biohacking, and plenty of Bulletproof approved product samples in the exhibiter hall. Biohacking (verb, noun): (v): changing your environment from the inside-out so you have full control of your biology; using your body as your personal laboratory, finding the exact hacks that work for you. (n) The art and science of becoming superhuman (Bulletproof).
Here’s more, from the founder: “I’m Dave Asprey, CEO and Founder of Bulletproof and I’m a biohacker” (blog.Bulletproof. com). So what? What exactly is Bulletproof and why should you care? I’m glad you asked. Asprey has spent the last 15 years fine tuning what it means to be a biohacker. He paved the way with Bulletproof Coffee, a frothy latte like beverage made from mold free coffee beans, grass-fed butter, and a form of fractionated coconut oil known as Brain Octane. This event marks the start of a new Bulletproof year. Getting started, an introductory guide for Glendale Community College, much of which I have taken directly from the Bulletproof blog: “Welcome to being Bulletproof, the state of high performance where your body, mind, and nervous system work together effortlessly to help you perform at levels beyond what you’d expect.” The most important step to begin changing your body, your brain, even your career and personal relationships is the belief that you can change. Get the basics on the Bulletproof Diet. “Core principle: Learning how to effectively fuel your brain and body, while ridding your life of the toxins and bad habits that are holding you back. The Bulletproof Diet supports fat loss and muscle maintenance, all while lowering inflammation. It is also designed to help balance blood sugar and hormones, plus increase your energy levels and cognitive function.
“Bulletproof foods and drinks…exist on a spectrum – green to yellow to red: Green Zone foods: These are Bulletproof foods. Eat as many of these as possible! Yellow Zone foods: Be cautious of these. They may cause inflammation or digestive issues. See how they make you feel. Red Zone foods: These are what we refer to as ‘kryptonite’ foods, and you should avoid these as much as possible.” 10 Steps to eating Bulletproof: Eliminate sugar. Replace sugar with the right fats. Switch to grass-fed meat and wild caught seafood. Remove grains and gluten. Eliminate all synthetic additives, colorings, and flavorings. Eliminate legumes such as peanuts, beans, and lentils. Remove all processed, homogenized, and pasteurized dairy. Switch to organic fruits and vegetables. Cook your food gently, if at all. Limit fruit consumption to 1-2 servings per day. Bonus tip: Enjoy your food!” (Bulletproof Diet) Biohacking your sleep: “The largest sleep study ever conducted on 1.1 million people shows that it’s quality, not quantity that matters most!” “The basics of a good night’s sleep are free: Sleep in a pitch black room. Start winding down at least two hours before bed. Stop drinking [coffee] by 2:00
Photo by Hope Rosemary
CONFERENCE: The fifth annual conference of the BulletProof conference takes place at the Pasadena Convention Center, Oct. 13-15.
pm each day, or at least 8 hours prior to bedtime (earlier if you’re sensitive to it).” Go to bed by 11:00 pm when possible because your body creates a cortisol surge after 11 pm to keep you awake. Don’t exercise within 2 hours of bedtime, unless it’s relaxing yoga or something similar. “Your brain uses a lot of energy while you’re sleeping for critical resting, healing, and repairing functions. Following the full Bulletproof Diet is one of the most important things you can do to ensure better sleep quality over time.” To summarize: eat as close to the green zone as you can, get plenty of sleep, move, reduce your exposure to mold, and drink lots of Bulletproof Coffee. For more information, or if you have any questions, email me
or go to the Bulletproof website. I recommend starting here: https://blog.bulletproof.com/ bulletproof-for-beginners/ And here: https://blog.bulletproof. com/biohacking-made-simple31-small-steps-to-become-bulletproof/ Check them out on social media to learn more: Twitter: @bulletproofexec / @bpnutrition Instagram: @daveaspery / @bulletproof / @bulletprooflabs Facebook.com/bulletproof and Facebook.com/bulletproofexecutive Podcast: Bulletproof Radio Hope Rosemary, is an entrepreneur and business major. She is also a movement and stillness coach. Reach her at HiCoachHope@gmail.com.
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The Thrill of It All
Sam Smith walks us through what our first break-up should sound like By Clint Black Entertainment Editor Remaining true to the usual theme of drawing out any lingering emotional remains buried in the depths of a (my) recently broken heart, Sam Smith’s sophomore album The Thrill of it All debuted on Friday and once again I’m emotionally distraught. It was never my intention to
torture the general public with something as tiresome as a failed first relationship via a(n) playlist/ album again, but Mr. Smith has managed to articulate what my El Vaquero “Break Up With Summer” curation nowhere near accomplished, following my Oct. 1st split, with this highly anticipated album—preceding his own personal instance of love lost. Where I haphazardly threw together every song that seem-
‘Evil Within 2’ Delivers
Graphics improve in new version of video game By Hayk Rostomyan Staff Writer Sebastian Castellanos is back and he’s after revenge. After the events of the first game, Castellanos, a bearded ex-detective, has been on a personal mission to take down Mobius, a mysterious shadow organization. He reunites with Juli Kidman, the woman who tricked him into the horrors of the first game. She gives him an offer he cannot refuse. The game starts as you reenter the STEM machine and relive the horrors of the first game. This time, it’s to save Castellanos’ daughter, Lily. The campaign of “Evil Within 2” starts here and takes you into new horrors in Union. Union is a new world created within the mind of Lily to be a peaceful place. When you arrive to this place inside the mind of a little girl, it does not take long until you bump into the undead. It turns out a psychopath named Stephano Valentini has infiltrated Lily’s head and is having a field day creating monsters. The one negative I’ll give this game is the way it references the first “Evil Within.” Every time Castellanos says, “This is just like Beacon,” it’s like the game takes a step away from it own story to say, “Hey! Remember the first game! Something like this happened in the first game too.”
If this happened once or twice, it would have been unnoticeable, but this is a line that keeps popping up. The game play has changed a lot without really being to divergent. At the core, this plays like a survival horror game. You have to keep track of your health and ammo because these supplies are not very common. What has changed from the first game is the crafting system. Before, all you could craft were bolts for the bolt launcher. This time around, you can craft healing items and bullets for your guns. This gives you the choice of using your ammo on standard enemies or to be stealthy and hoard your ammo for boss fights. The other big change to the sandbox is the addition of a map. “Evil Within 2” introduces side quests you can tackle alongside the main story. Now that the series is not being held back graphically by the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the blood and guts look much more real. “Evil Within 2” builds on everything set in the first game three years ago. This is a recommended buy for gamers, even those who do not play horror games. Black Friday and Christmas are right around the corner, so check it out. Four out of five stars. Hayk Rostomyan can be reached at hayk.rostomyan@gmail.com.
ingly caused an allergic reaction to my tear ducts during the first half of October, Smith flawlessly delivered a meticulous examination of the post-breakup process. He has basically encapsulated my entire October post-break-up process in an album. And in quintessential Sam Smith fashion, each track boasts that one specific moment, or multiple moments, of unsolicited emotional response. The one that spurs an involuntary muscle spasm in the form of a sassy left hand snap, or when you just have to jerk your head away as if you see the lyrics of the song playing out in front of you and you can’t bare witness. Here are the lines from each song on the album that had that reaction along with my response, in GIF form. So, without further adieu— Welcome to The Thrill of it All… and back to My Breakup: Part 2! Except this time, it’s fun. There are GIFs! (Digital, Social Media versions only) Too Good At Goodbyes “And every time you walk out, the less I love you. Baby, we don’t stand a chance, it’s sad but it’s true” Say It First
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017
“I know you’re right for me. But I’m waiting for everything in your world to align with my world. I think of you while I sleep. I dream of what we could be if we grow. Together unfold.” One Last Song “And I hope it makes you feel. And I hope it makes you burn. And I hope it reminds you of how much it hurt” Midnight Train “I’ll always love you. But tonight’s the night I choose to walk away” Buning “Funny how time goes by. Had respect for myself. That river ran dry” HIM “Don’t you try and tell me that God doesn’t care for us. It is him I love, it is him I love” Baby You Make Me Crazy Ft. The Dap-Kings Horns “It wasn’t enough, but you could’ve had the guts to face me. It would have meant so much, if you’d looked me in the eye Why do I always fall for the ones who have no courage? I must see some kind of beauty in their eyes” No Peace Ft. YEBBA “All that I am asking is for a little clarity. That’s all that really matters to me” Palace “It was beauty we were making. And I know we’ll both move on. You’ll forgive what I did wrong. They will love the better
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you. But I still own the ghost of you.” Pray “There’s dread in my heart and fear in my bones. And I just don’t know what to say” Nothing Left For You “I gave him everything. Now there’s nothing left for you” The Thrill of It All “I guess I got lost in the moment. I guess I got lost in the fall. I guess I got lost in your heartbeat. In the thrill of it all” Scars “I guess I got lost in the moment. I guess I got lost in the fall I guess I got lost in your heartbeat. In the thrill of it all” One Day At A Time “I know you’re feeling weighed down tonight. And you can’t find the breaks. Every day is too long for you.You are sworn to your fate. But we got everything we need, baby. In the memories we make, In a world of reinventions. It’s never too late.” And there you have it. The break up album heard ‘round the world, personalized and simplified for your viewing pleasure. Don’t forget to head over to our online version of the paper as well as our various social media platforms for all of the appropriate accompanying GIFs.
Clint Black can be reached at cblack214@student.glendale.edu
Stranger Things 2: Binge it The Netflix original offers a slew of 80s themed nostagia By Clint Black Entertainment Editor Opening credits for Stranger Things 2–yes Stranger Things 2 like a movie sequel, which is how it’s branded rather than your average television show sequel—remain true to the heavy 80s theme the Netflix original has perfected. Reminiscent of a “Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” or “Halloween 2,” the title sequence is the epitome of modern slasher film, but you guessed it, set in the 80s. Accompanied by anticipated breathtaking cinematography that parallels the debut season, season two boasts an electrifying sound track that’ll remind your parents that they used to rock a quasi-mullet like our new favorite bad boy Billy, who seems to take most of his teen angst out on his stepsister that we’re introduced to as MadMax. The synth heavy beats supplement the tone for a meticulously constructed, and aesthetically pleasing arcade where we’re introduced to Mad Max in the form of text as the new high score on the classic “Dig Dug” arcade game, knocking the once gummy Dustin into second place, and eventually into a
Netflix Photo
BLAST FROM THE PAST: The Netflix Original series poster for “Stranger Things,” released in October.
bout of determination to court the new female supporting character. New characters are in abundance this season, along with those captivating shots, even more complex story lines, and some pretty amazing character development. Episode six alone offers a refreshingly nurturing side of Steve we didn’t see much of in S1, as well as a heartbreaking monologue from Hopper to Eleven that I won’t touch on other than suggesting a box of Kleenex and an uninterrupted setting. Preferably
alone, if you have an ugly cry. A litany of supernatural powers, bloody nostrils, unidentified mutants and monsters, and of course Eleven’s favorite breakfast food all make a cameo in the formerly quiet town of Hawkins this season, and so should you. So throw some Eggos in that toaster oven and kick up your feet for this visually enticing, and totally necessary binge. The entire first and second season of Stranger Things can be found on Netflix. Clint Black can be reached at cblack214@student.glendale.edu
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Destiny 2 Prestige Raid
Staff writer Hayk Rostomyan reviews the new game and says, “The gold bling ain’t worth it” By Hayk Rostomyan Staff Writer On Oct. 18, a month after “Destiny’s” release, Bungie released the Prestige mode of the raid. With this new mode you can get a cool golden shader for your armor and weapons, as well as a gold and purple reskin of the raid armor. However, the mere cosmetic loot is not worth enduring the stress that comes with the challenges of prestige mode. The spike of the enemy’s power level from 270 to 300 makes even the beginning sequence, where players have to run three relics to the doors, into a frustrating grind. If you’re not starving for a new shader you should skip these encounters, and head straight for the underbelly of the Cabal ship, a labyrinth of underground corridors, traps, and treasure chests. Be aware that the first three encounters change their order every week. This week’s order is: “Gauntlet, Pleasure Garden, and Baths.” The fourth and final step is the boss fight with Emperor Calus. Gauntlet: The changes in difficulty here will have you working in two teams of three. One team
will share both the Dog and the Sun platforms and the other team will share the Cup, as well as Axes platforms. What’s different in prestige mode is that every person has to be the runner, so take turns swapping with your teammates. For the people who are not runners, you need to help your partner outside by shooting an enemy Psion that spawns above them. Overall, this is challenging section can take an hour or two to get everyone on your squad used to this difficulty.
Pleasure Garden: This part is surprisingly easy. Instead of six dogs there are now eight. It will certainly take a few attempts to learn the new pattern of the beasts that run in the Pleasure Garden, however once you learn this configuration it becomes super easy. To beat this encounter you should get an x36 stack on your spores and damage your assigned beast as much as possible without killing it, then quickly run into the safe room. Repeat the first step, but this time
Are We Prepared For Rita Ora’s Return? And other questions New Music Friday had me mulling over this October
By Clint Black Entertainment Editor I recently found myself pondering over the realization that once I heard Rita Ora’s Anywhere following Gorgeous by Tswiz—wait is she TayTay now? No, that was Tyra Banks’ moniker, right? Well, whatever Taylor Swift’s new “bad girl” alter ego’s name is, although still turning out radio bangers, I’m not sure I’m getting hit as hard by her most recent comeback singles. Are they good? Of course they are, they have the production and ingenuity of ... well, a Taylor Swift song.
But, even with the small dialogue she’s been including recently, we’re kind of already expecting just another well produced Taylor Swift song. Well, on the same day Rita Ora followed up her summer anti-sad song anthem Your Song, which was met with mega success, with her new single; Anywhere. This single track sparked a realization that there is definitely something going on with Rita Ora, in the most sincere way imaginable. This most current addition to New Music Friday has proved consistent in straying away from sad songs, except this time Ora has her heart set on a romantic escape anywhere with a potential love interest as the chorus suggests, ”Over the hills and far away. A million miles from L.A., just anywhere away with you,” which is then followed with the most electrifying, yet subtle post chorus beat I never expected. Am I prepared for Rita Ora’s comeback? I recall years ago [2012], exiting my Tucson, AZ apartment and ritualistically making
my way through a new playlist en route to work. One of which specifically opened with RIP by our British bombshell. The bassheavy track was the first time I was made aware of Ora’s presence, and it clearly wasn’t for nothing. This song had a production level to get your day going, no matter if it was your least favorite day of the week—which let’s just all agree Monday takes the cake, or if the it alternatively kicked off your Friday turn up. It had that impact. A few years have passed since and although there has been undeniable success in stints like hosting Americas Next Top Model and other assorted gigs, nothing has made me question my preparedness for Ora’s return like Anywhere has. In a prior issue the theme of our playlist was “Break up with Summer,” but this week with new music from the likes of Marshmello, blackbear, Future, and Nicki and Cardi on one track, we’re going to “Fall into October” with this new and eclectic playlist brought to you by yours truly. And don’t forget to let us know what you think on our various social media platforms, what you’re listening to, or if you want anything added to the playlist! Happy listening! Open Spotify and scan the image provided to instantly open the playlist. Clint Black can be reached at cblack214@student.glendale.edu
The symbols are as follows: Dog (bottom left), Axes (top left), Guards (bottom right) and Cup (top right). Sounds easy to do, but remember, all the enemies are at power level 300 and they will melt your life bar away. Final Boss: Normally, three people stay in the Throne room and three stay in the Void room. Here the person who punches a Psion in Throne switches places with a randomly selected person in the Void. Communication is vital as one mistake can and will cause your fireteam to wipe over and over. Although we used a glitch, this part still took about two hours to complete. After this raid you’re rewardPhoto by Bungie/Creative Commons ed with either a piece of armor or a weapon at 300 power, an emkill your beast. The players on the blem, and an aura. The aura goes left and right side then gang up on away on the following Tuesday their respective beasts, in order to when the game’s weekly activikill it quickly and move on to the ties reset. next encounter. These rewards don’t offer Baths: This part plays just like much more than bragging rights the normal version of the raid and aren’t worthy of your time as except for one difference in the a student to put in the hours that mechanics. After the first damage will be taken away from studyphase on the lanterns, three of the ing. Trust me, your final will not fireteam members will have been even be this stressful. marked by the Emperor. The players who are marked need go to the middle of the stage and memorize Hayk Rostomyan can be reached at the symbol that appears to them. hayk.rostomyan@gmail.com.
A Taste of Persia in Glendale
Raffi’s Place delivers in a charming atomosphere
Photo by Hayk Rostomyan
By Hayk Rostomyan Staff Writer Raffi’s Place is an iconic Persian-Armenian restaurant in Glendale, Calif. Entering through the front doors still keeps you “outside,” as the tables start in an outside pavilion-style of dining. To avoid judging a menu by its cover, let’s turn to page one – the appetizers. The ikra, a dish made with eggplant, tomato sauce and garlic, was fantastic. It’s complemented by a nice smoked taste and was the best appetizer of the evening. Other appetizers were mediocre at best. For instance, the hummus was too dry and it seemed to miss the tahini. The tabbouleh wasn’t bad, but there was an overwhelming amount of lemon and the parsley was cut too coarsely. Good tabbouleh, which is a regional staple, benefits from a finer technique. The soups and salads section of the menu boasted at least one big hit.
While the shirazi salad was just okay (again, too much lemon), vegetarians in the crowd will appreciate the ash-e reshteh. This soup is a complex dish and a Persian new year tradition. It’s made with fresh vegetables, noodles, pinto beans and whey (kashk), and is flavored with sautéed garlic and mint. We’d go back for this one. The entrees were done right. For meat eaters, this is the reason to frequent Raffi’s Place. In particular, the lamb and luleh kabobs were both excellent platters. The meat juices enrich the sides of rice and barbecued vegetables. Raffi’s Place is a little overpriced for a student’s budget and may not be a first-date venue. The atmosphere is quite lovely, the decor tasteful, and the servers quick and efficient. The food is good, but some areas in the menu were just average. Overall rating? Three out of five stars. Hayk Rostomyan can be reached at hayk.rostomyan@gmail.com.
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SPORTS
Photo by Ken Allard
REPRESENTING IN THE FINALS: Cross country runner, Angie Salas (center), poses to celebrate GCC’s fourth place finish in the Southern California finals.
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Photo by Ken Allard
DETERMINATION: Raymond Lopez, a top runner for GCC’s cross country, participates in the Southern California finals on Nov. 3.
SPORTS
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15
Vaqueros Survive Clash With Cougars
GCC builds early halftime lead, makes defensive stand in game’s final moments to earn second win of season By Ken Allard Editor-in-Chief Glendale running back Pileak Sun took a handoff midway through the fourth quarter, bounced outside towards the sideline, and put his shoulder down into a Los Angeles Southwest College defender, blasting him into the turf like a ragdoll right in front of the GCC bench. The collision brought the entire Glendale sideline into a frenzy. Coaches and players alike, yelling, barking, cheering. Not one person sat on the bench. The hit and the ensuing celebration was more than just a display of physical domination, it exemplified something bigger. Glendale Community College football is fun once again. Seven-consecutive losses to open the season brought GCC to rock bottom. An outburst by a player directed at an assistant coach during one of their recent losses illustrated that the problems for the football program might extend beyond the playing field.
a quick three-and-out of the LA Southwest offense, then drove down the field on their opening possession for a touchdown. Quarterback Guy Gibbs hooked up with tight end Ethan Quinn on a short play-action pass to make the score 7-0. The Southwest LA (0-8 record overall) offense provided a unique challenge for Glendale. The Cougar offense worked out of a T-formation while lining up in shotgun, which allowed them to utilize misdirection handoffs and quarterback runs convoyed by lead blockers. The Vaquero defense was up to the task, holding the Cougars to only 80 yards rushing with an average of 2.9 yards per attempt. Glendale’s second drive looked much like their first. The Vaqueros marched down the field and scored on a 14-yard touchdown run by Noa Kindred early in the second quarter. The Glendale offensive line manhandled an undersized LA Southwest defensive front early on. At times the holes were so wide that one would question whether these guys were open-
Photo by Ken Allard
OVERJOYED: Daniel Gutierrez, a defensive lineman, celebrates GCC’s win.
But after coming straight outta Compton with their first win of the season on Oct. 28 and now defeating LA Southwest 28-24 in a thrilling affair, the Vaqs are all smiles. Glendale (2-7 overall, 2-3 in conference) opened the game with authority. The defense forced
ing running lanes or laying down pavement on a stretch of the 405 freeway. The Vaqs upped the score to 21-0 on their next possession when Gibbs found receiver Tyree O’Neil for an easy 17-yard touchdown pass. LA Southwest responded
Photo by Ken Allard
BIG WIN: Glendale Community College players and coaches celebrate after their 28-24 win vs. Los Angeles Southwest College on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Sartoris Field.
quickly. Quarterback Ronte’ Biggers launched a pass to receiver Kaelin Humphrey for 49 yards down to the Glendale oneyard line. Running back Trevion Thomas snuck into the endzone a few plays later on fourth and goal. The score reached 21-6 after the extra point was missed. The Cougars scored again just before halftime, taking advantage of a busted coverage by Glendale’s defense. This time it was quarterback Kenneth Coleman hitting receiver Derek Speight. A failed two-point conversation brought the score to 21-12. Both teams exchanged interceptions to start the second half. Gibbs threw a pass into triple coverage which was picked off, but was then bailed out a short time later when Augie Saucedo nabbed an interception of his own – an impressive feat for a defensive lineman. Another interception by the Glendale defense late in the third quarter, this time by Cody Taniguchi, put GCC in excellent field position. It only took one play to score, as Gibbs found tight end Randall Mincy on a 22-yard touchdown pass, which upped the
Photo by Carmen Fernandez
MEN’S SOCCER: Carlos Trujillo, a freshman and mid-fielder, competes against Citrus College. GCC tied with zero points.
count to 28-12. A questionable fumble call by the head referee and an ensuing personal foul penalty set off a string of misfortune and mistakes that put Glendale on their heels. Cougar quarterback Coleman hit Speight once more for a 62yard touchdown which brought the score to 28-18 with 8:35 on the clock. LA Southwest’s next drive ended with another long touchdown pass. Coleman again hooked up with Speight for the hattrick, this time on a 90-yard dagger through Glendale’s defense. A blocked extra point attempt kept the score at 28-24. With a potent Glendale rushing game gashing the Cougar defense, the LA Southwest coaching staff opted to roll the dice and attempt an onside kick. Once again, questionable officiating came into play. The ball was recovered by the Cougars, but, to many, the ball appeared to be touched a yard early. Nevertheless, the ball was back in the hands of a hot Cougar passing attack with just 3:36 remaining in the game. The offense carefully and
methodically marched down the field, getting to the Glendale 10yard line with 33 seconds on the clock. A pivotal sack by Glendale’s Daniel Gutierrez pushed LA Southwest back to the 20-yard line, and that would be as far as the Cougars would go. Coleman threw three-straight passes, but none of them hit their mark. On fourth and goal, Coleman tossed a last-chance attempt to the left corner of the endzone, which just missed the outstretched hands of his receiver. Anxiety gave way to celebration, and for the second-straight week, it was Glendale that was smiling at the end. Final score 28-24. The GCC offense finished with 369 total yards, 215 of which came on the ground. Daniel Torres led the team with 105 yards rushing on 23 carries. Glendale matches up next against East Los Angeles College on Saturday, Nov. 11 in the season finale at Sartoris Field. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Ken Allard can be reached at KALLARD438@student.glendale.edu.
Photo by Carmen Fernandez
WOMEN’S SOCCER: Glendale Community College women’s soccer lose 8-0 against Los Angeles Pierce College on Friday, Nov. 3.
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