The Corsair Online - Spring 2011 - Week 5

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Dr. Yunte Huang Previews his new book

Softball woes page 8

Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Dance Company

the

Page 5

Santa Monica: thirsty for its own water

orsair C

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

www.thecorsaironline.com

Volume C, Issue 19

Talking Money President Tsang discusses the budget cuts at Monday’s A.S. meeting

By Sophia Zhorne Staff Writer According to the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion people do not have access to safe water supplies. On March 8th, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment and Public Works Department, Water Resource Division, developed a plan to make Santa Monica completely self-sufficient for water by 2020.

They plan on doing this by maximizing local water supplies and conservation efforts to provide 100 percent of the city’s water demand, according to the report.

“Seventy percent of Santa Monica’s water comes from local wells and 30 percent we get elsewhere. Specifically from the Metropolitan Water District,” said Gilbert M. Borboa, Jr., P.E. Water Resources Manager.

“The plan going forward is to eliminate that 30 percent we receive elsewhere and be able to still meet the city’s demands.”

[See Water, page 3]

Don Baggett Corsair The president of Santa Monica College addresses the budget crisis on Monday, March 21 at the Associated Students’ weekly meeting.

By Juan Lopez Staff Writer Dr. Chui L. Tsang, Santa Monica College president, made a last-minute stop at the Associated Students Board of Directors meeting Monday before heading up to Sacramento. “I know what’s on everyone’s mind is the budget, and I want to at least have a chance to talk to you face to face and answer some of the questions that you may have about the budget,” Tsang said

to the eager board and students in attendance. “It affects every one of us in this room, and it affects us in a deeper way than we’ve ever experienced in the last 40 years.”

The proposals for statewide budget cuts have passed, in turn raising community college tuition to $36 per unit, but the tax extensions needed to balance the budget have yet to be passed. “If we cannot get the tax extensions, we’re going to have to see further cuts in our budget,” said Tsang, “and

$15 million just for Santa Monica College.”

One proposal that is getting a lot of traction is the raising of tuition to $66 per unit. “I don’t think there was a lot of calculation on the outset,” said Tsang about the drastic measure that could come to fruition down the road. Tsang believes that it is an outcome that is unfortunately coming closer every day.

SMC is not the only institution facing these problems, as the UC and CSU

systems are also being forced to scale back on classes and lay off employees. “If you are graduating from here and looking to transfer next year, the number of students they’re taking is less,” said Tsang.

“It’s unfortunate that you have ended up in the college at this particular time, but we don’t see anything looking better down the road for the next five years or so, until the state has worked out of this economic difficulty that it’s

[See Meeting, page 3]

Inside accident kills bundy heat

By Nathan Gawronsky Staff Writer

News . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

A&E . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Lifestyle .............6

Opinion .............7

Sports .............8

Fabian Cooke Corsair Damaged gas line at Bunday campus takes down heating unit.

At approximately 12 p.m. this past Friday, an automobile traveling southbound on Bundy Drive on the northeast side of SMC’s Bundy campus veered off the road and struck an above ground gas meter and piping that fed into the campus’ main building, cutting off hot water and heating to the entire building. Bruce Wyban, mechanical systems and energy management supervisor for Santa Monica College sent out a notice alerting faculty members that measures are

being taken to repair the lines as quickly as possible.

Nothing yet is known about the specific circumstances surrounding the accident.

Watch Commander Sargeant Merrel Pettway from West Los Angeles Police Department’s traffic division said “two units responded to a code 6 at 12:30 p.m. over two vehicles involved in an accident that caused damage to a gas line at Bundy Drive and Airport Avenue.” A police scanner code 6 means the general public must “stay out of area.”

Southern California Gas Company arrived at the scene

of the accident at 12:45 p.m. and completed their emergency repairs shortly after the street reopened at 2 p.m. According to Raul Gordillo, a spokesperson for the Southern California Gas Company, the damages were “nothing major,” but due to the above ground meter being “mangled,” the Southern California Gas Company will only be able to replace the gas meter once SMC has completed repairs to their houseline.

Speaking to Bruce Wyban, it became clear that the repairs could take a protracted amount of time. Wyban hopes to get

[See Heat, page 2]

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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March 23, 2011

NEWS

Eliminating the battlefield

By Nick Lotz Staff Writer

Sanchez, a representative from the Los Angeles Skywatch, sought to raise awareness of the hazards of “chemtrails,” allegedly released in the jet streams of commercial planes. He claimed that chemicals such as aluminum that are released in these cloudlike trails are affecting the short-term memory of the American population.

One group, World Can’t Wait, had its members dressed in the orange jumpsuits and black hoods made infamous by the

Veterans For Peace had several large signs with the slogan “Free Bradley Manning.”

Manning has been in jail since May 26, “Money for jobs and education, not for 2010, and his imprisonment and upcoming war and occupation” was the overwhelming trial have been at the forefront of many chant this past Saturday as hundreds recent anti war campaigns. gathered in the city of Hollywood to protest Another event highlighted was the the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. gathering began at noon at the intersection The group We Are Change L.A. handed out of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. signs declaring “9/11 Was An Inside Job.” Several speakers took to a podium on top Dr. Jean-Pierre Giagnoli, a representative of a truck, located at the front of the from We Are Change L.A., was very rally to speak out against the wars in outspoken in his criticisms of the 9/11 the Middle East. The crowd began attacks. He claimed he could prove in moving down the street at 1 p.m., a court of law that the attacks were an traveling west across Hollywood orchestration of the U.S. government.

Boulevard before coming to a stop Reception to the protest was in front of Mann’s Chinese Theatre overwhelmingly positive.

One on Hollywood Boulevard, west of attendee named Vassilios said, “I was Highland Avenue. against the war and after seeing the The different groups of people protest I’m still against it.” However, in attendance ranged from the some attendees disagreed with the Communist Party to Korean differing viewpoints offered.

Americans For Peace.

The Dylan from Orange County said, announcement of the U.S bombing “There’s some good messages here, Libya on the same day did little to and there’s some not so good messages deter the protestors from making their Anthony KangCorsair here that I don’t particularly believe voices heard. Veterans for Peace, one Hundreds of protestors lined the streets to protest war on Saturday in. It is what it is; you’ve got to take of the more prominent organizations, in Hollywood. the good with the bad.” He felt that had a large blimp with them which those holding signs with claims that displayed their organization’s name.

Guantanamo Bay scandals that erupted the terrorist attacks on September 11th, The protest, organized by the ANSWER during the Bush administration’s power.

2001 were a façade made the protest look Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Christine Stone, a spokesperson for the like “a joke.”

Racism), marked the 8th anniversary of the group, said that “We want to stop the crimes Other protestors were not as outspoken Iraq war. Although the primary focus was against humanity, we want to stop the war. against the message promoted by We Are the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, many We want the torture to stop. We want to hold Change L.A. other causes were promoted as well. When war criminals accountable for their crimes James Anderson, another protestor, said asked about the wars, Veterans For Peace and we want Bradley Manning freed.” he was uncertain of whether or not the member David Troy said, “We’re protesting Manning, a soldier accused of giving up September 11th attacks were an “inside more than that, to tell you the truth. Some confidential U.S. government cables to job.” He made note that he did feel they traitors edited the constitution. It used to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, was a were unconnected from the war in Iraq: a say ‘people’ and now it says ‘corporations.’” prominent figure at the protest. The group sentiment shared by many protestors.

theCorsaironline.com

No

Heat

[Heat, from page 1]

started by Monday March 21 but stresses that because of a very large purchasing process which requires specificity due to tax dollars being spent, the gas lines will most likely not be in working condition for some time.

Additionally, the job is too large for SMC to handle on an emergency basis by inhouse staff, the Southern California Gas Company will have to do their own independent assessment to ascertain the extent of the damage.

Wyban said that an underground excavation will most likely have to be completed before any formal repairs can be done in order to establish if there has been any significant damage to the underground piping.

“We have to make sure that the safety and integrity of the gas feed system is intact,” said Wyban.

Aside from a lack of heating and domestic hot water, this will not be affecting SMC students in any significant way.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 23, 2011

NEWS

theCorsaironline.com

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Reaching Japan Water self sufficiency [Water, from page 1]

By Jonathan Bue Editor-in-Chief A day after a catastrophic 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami rocked the coast of northeastern Japan, a group of five Japanese international students at Santa Monica College formed the Neighborhood Fund with hopes of helping those back at home.

This past weekend the group, now 80 members strong, raised a total of $5,500 during a twoday, eight-hour effort at Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade and famous landmark pier.

Led by Associated Students Commissioner of Publicity, Hiroki Kamada, the Neighborhood Fund is only one of several groups to emerge at SMC in the aftermath of the quake, but has manifested as the largest and most proactive thus far.

“Neighborhood Fund is not like a huge organization that gives others orders… it’s like the place people go and like, share information,” said Kamada of his group.

Of the 80 members involved in its fundraising efforts, all but eight are SMC students, and among the group’s members are those who have come from the region of Japan affected by the disasters and ongoing nuclear predicament.

Armed with Japanese candies and hand-made donation boxes, the Neighborhood Fund set out Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. capitalizing on the weekend tourist crowds that flourish throughout the promenade and pier. However, the effort wasn’t free of small hurdles along the way.

In what is perhaps a sign of the times, the student group came into conflict with another group seeking donations for the crisis in Darfur.

Additionally, much of the fundraising was met with public skepticism in light of the recent warnings of fundraising and donation scams that have emerged since the disaster occurred.

But the group was in fact working via an agreement they

Krista Bonelli Corsair SMC student Erika Ohrai stands at the Third St. Promenade to raise money for Japanese tsunami victims.

signed in which every penny raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.

John Pacheco, the Chapter Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in Santa Monica confirmed the group’s involvement with their chapter.

“Some people ignored us, some people made fun of us because we had some crappy boxes and it doesn’t look professional,” said Kamada, explaining how his group had put together everything from home.

And despite raising a significant amount of funds in such a short time, those in the Neighborhood Fund are still somber when thinking about the more than 15,000 people still missing in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.

“This is just the smallest amount of the things that we can do but I hope it might help people out there,” said Kamada.

Neighborhood Fund and its members next plan to help out with the Love to Japan club collaboration event happening on campus from April 4 to the 8 and headed by JELA (Japanese English Language Association).

For more information contact love2jpn@yahoo.com.

According to Borboa, Santa Monica College shouldn’t see any change in the water on campus. The college has been “good about water conservation,” said Borboa. An example of an effort SMC has made to keep the water usage to a minimum is by changing the football field to turf, instead of having it be live grass.

“Every drop of water that we don’t have to use is that much less water that doesn’t have to be transported hundreds of miles,” said Borboa.

Santa Monica uses 13,200 Ac-Ft (AcreFeet) of water and there is a local supply from ten different wells and reservoirs that meet at 9,500 Ac-Ft. Therefore, a gap of 3,700 Ac-Ft is still there.

“One Acre-Foot serves the need of two single family residences for one year,” said Borboa.

In order to close this gap, Santa Monica has created an outline. By partaking in a Groundwater Assessment, as well as completing a Supply and Demand Assessment of regular water and recycled water, the “umbrella” master plan hopes to bring together the existing water and close the gap.

“The goal is to have a master plan completed by June 2012,” said Kim O’Cain, Water Resources Specialist in the Watershed Management Section. “This is something we’re really excited to work on.”

Santa Monica’s Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURF) works to regulate and control the amount of water that circulates throughout Santa Monica. The dirty water that is in the sewer is controlled and comes from toilets and showers. Then there is the

storm drain system where all of the excess water after it rains and “even when it is not raining, it drains into the ocean,” said O’Cain. It causes mass amounts of pollution to Santa Monica’s Bay. People who wash their cars or who overuse their sprinklers are leading contributors to this problem.

“We’re trying to get the message out that there are ways to have a beautiful landscape and save water,” said Borboa.

Santa Monica’s 30 percent of water is imported from the State Water Project (SWP) which is located in Northern California where an ongoing three-year drought is continuing. Thus, water is limited in Northern California and the water level in the reservoirs is lowering.

“How it [the water] will change over ten years, it could be significant, it could not.

It’s our local supplies we’re looking at. We could look at other cities being involved if they have recycled water, “ said O’Cain.

The city council came to the Office of Sustainability and the Environment and Public Works Department, Water Resources Division, with this idea.

According to O’Cain, it was council driven.

A study session of what the staff wanted to entail was given to the city council on March 8th. Enclosed was the analysis of the project and budget actions. The Office of Sustainability and the Environment has been given $500,000 as an operating budget for the water plan from city council.

The money was already set aside for their use.

“Our goal is to implement this plan. This is very much in line with our internal foals and we would like to actually meet our target,” said O’Cain.

Tsang reacts to budget [Meeting, from page 1] facing right now,” said Tsang.

According to Tsang, cuts could affect anything from the Big Blue Bus partnership to the way courses are taken. Though Tsang sees the Big Blue Bus program as one of his “babies,” he stresses how the school’s board of directors will have to look at it in terms of all of the programs the school is supporting.

Course offerings that could be potentially cut include kinesiology, Music, Dance, and Art. “The college is not prioritizing any of the services at this time, because we find there is competing interest for other things,” said Tsang, “we are going to look hard at it.”

Before he set off for the state capitol, Tsang encouraged students to write and call the republicans in the assembly

and the senate to put tax extensions on their ballot. In the chance that the tax extension makes the ballot, Tsang believes that it is imperative for all students to be actively engaged in voting and pushing the government towards change. There is only a one-week window before the extension has to be voted on.

Tsang will return to host a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd at 3:00 P.M. in the main campus’ theater.

The A.S. board also approved the funding of graduation medals for this year’s graduates. The responsibility for graduation budget would usually fall to the Matriculation department, but since their budget has been cut for over a year, the Matriculation office has collaborated with the A.S. to bring the extra touch to the ceremonies.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 23, 2011

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80's Band Devo KCRW presents Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Dance Company Rocks Club Nokia

Krista Bonelli Corsair Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane company dancers Antonio Brown and LaMichael Leonard Jr. performed at the KCRW presentation of the dance company at the Broad Stage at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday March 18th, 2011.

Jennifer Martinez Corsair 80’s sensation Devo performs a headlining concert at the Nokia Club in downtown Los Angeles, Calif. on March 19th 2011. The band rescheduled their previous 2010 show which was cancelled due to a hand injury by Bob Mothersbaugh.

By Nick Lotz Staff Writer More than just a one hit wonder, Devo graced the stage of Club Nokia this past Saturday in downtown L.A. One of the most original acts currently playing today, their live show is designed to entertain any type of fan, from the casual listener to the hardcore Devo-head.

Their hit song, “Whip It,” is notorious as one of the great hits of the 1980’s.

Opening up for Devo was a band named The Octopus Project. Not only does the name stick out like a sore thumb, but also the music itself turned out to be a slightly experimental electro-rock session with feel-good Jennifer Martinez Corsair dance vibes and intricate solos.

The electro-pop band, The Octopus project open for Leaving the crowd in an amped Devo at club nokia in downtown Los Angeles, Calif. mood, the vibe was soon to be on March 19th 2011. enhanced by the headliner, who put

on an innovative and mind blowing show.

Devo’s opening number opened with an explosion of lights, video, audio, and theatrics.

Each band member sported silver jumpsuits with matching silver masks, leaving the impression that they were not perhaps an 80’s cult favorite, but giving off the portrayal of intergalactic travelers who had come to earth with the power of rock.

Devo’s sound is a mix of 80’s punk and synthetic rock, giving it a technolike appeal that fits in with the generations new-aged music.

Their shows are a psychedelic science fiction wonderland of flashing lights and videos of cartoons.

At one point the band stepped off stage for an outfit change leaving the audience entertained during their absence with a movie.

This kind of high quality performance

truly shows Devo’s experience, and that it’s clear that over the past few decades they’ve really built a legacy.

The most entertaining aspect of the show itself was watching all of the long term fans of Devo lose themselves to the music.

Lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh changed one last time towards the end of the set into his signature Booji Boy outfit, a wacky character with a high-pitched falsetto voice which Devo has become famous for.

Mark generally sings Devo’s hit “Beautiful World,” at the end of the night, and this time was no different.

This satirical ending was sort of the climax of an evening ruled by Devo’s comedic genius, a driving force behind many of their performances.

Devo will be wrapping up their tour before the end of March, playing in Houston, Dallas, and Austin Texas on the 25th, 26th, and 27th, respectively.

De Niro and Cooper deliver in Limitless

By Adam Rubin Staff Writer Ingesting a chemical with the intent of bettering one’s life is an intriguing concept that leads many Americans into doctors’ offices with the hopes of a better tomorrow.

This fascination was put to the extreme by the film Limitless, a new thriller starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro.

Cooper plays the role of Eddie Morra, a struggling alcoholic writer who acquires a rare untested pharmaceutical known as NZT. This drug allows one to access his or her entire brain at one time, as opposed to

the typical theorized 20 percent.

Morra can suddenly outthink his way out of any predicament, the first being his poverty and social status which he tackles by writing a mind-blowing book in four days, and gains sudden affluence and prominence. He learns entire languages in minutes and speaks with an eloquence and confidence one could only dream of.

Although this substance allows him to manipulate the world for his own selfish needs, the side effects of the drug are revealed when he runs out. Director Neil Burger did an outstanding job and Jo Willems’ cinematography was creative

and original. The camera angles kept the film enticing with psychedelic visuals and animated sequences distributed throughout the film.

De Niro did a convincing job of portraying the genuine hard worker who had reached his renowned status through decades of effort and preparation. Cooper was excellent as both Eddie Morra personas: the washed up failed writer as well as the drugged out manic overachiever. Andrew Howard did well for his somewhat simplistic role of the macho Russian loan shark who after taking one NZT tablet from Morra proceeds to pursue him relentlessly, leading to some

THIS WEEK AT SMC LECTURE SERIES “Dr. Yunte Huang - Charlie Chan: The Untold Story” HSS 165, Thurs., March 24 11:15 a.m.

“L.A. Acadamy of Figurative Art: Presentation for Students interested in Painting and Drawing Majors” Counseling Complex Conference Room 124 A, Tues. March 29 1:30 pm

Main Stage, Theatre Arts Complex Friday, Saturday, and Sunday March 25-27 8 p.m.

For ticketing information on events at the Broad Stage, visit thebroadstage.com

MUSIC

PLAY Metamorphoses, a play by Mary Zimmerman

extremely intense moments that kept the entire theater gasping.

The drawback of Limitless, which was rather bothersome, is that it endorsed the notion that drugs can improve one’s life in such an extraordinary way. This implication is an irresponsible sentiment to convey, as it is far from the truth. First Charlie Sheen gets a worldwide following for glamorizing intravenous cocaine use and then a major motion picture emerges that essentially states if you’re down and out, drugs can be a practical solution. Hopefully people see this prospect for what it is, a fantasy, which many have sought out to no avail.

“L.A. Chamber Orchestra: Westside Connections 2011: Music & the Mind” The Broad Stage, Thurs., March 24, 7 p.m.

“Jazz: Kevin ‘Brandino’ Brandon Quintent” The Edye Second Space, Fri., March25, 7 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENT “SMC Symphony Orchestra”

“Celebrity Autobiography”

The Broad Stage, Sun., March 27, 7 p.m.

The Edye Second Space Saturday March 19 7:00 p.m.

By Naomi Calbucci Staff Writer The Bill T. Jones Arnie Zane Dance Company performed at the Santa Monica Broad Stage this past Friday.

Jones, along with his partner and artistic collaborator Arnie Zane, founded a multicultural contemporary dance company in 1982. The new dance company transformed and modified the duet form in dance and focused on issues that helped change American dance.

The Company comprised of ten

members has performed worldwide in over 200 cities and 30 countries on every major continent. It enforces the art of dance while educating the public and the communities in which they work.

“Between Us”, a collection of dance pieces that were first created in the ‘80s, focuses on the relationship between people, especially in duet form.

Four works were performed each with unique styles and situations involving relationships. Two dances were accompanied by music, while one was silent, and the other included brief

Sustainability at SMC

By Joan Walsh Staff Writer Environmental studies students, as well as interested members of the community, crowded into a Bundy campus classroom this past Tuesday night for a talk on ideas for getting involved in improving the environment.

Sustainable Works, a non-profit environmental education organization located in Santa Monica, started off with a presentation by Genevieve Bertone, Coordination Project Manager.

Sustainable Works focuses on sustainability, resource efficiency, and community development. They have specialized programs designed for the community, students, home residents, as well as businesses to educate and introduce greening programs to help instigate change amidst the public’s bad environmental habits and to adopt new strategies. Bertone pointed out that Santa Monica College was successful in implementing solar panels and was more environmentally friendly than many other college campuses.

Not only did she discuss statistics, but she also asked students their opinions and what their ideas were for changing the environment to be more sustainable for the future.

Many of the students had similar answers such as biking to school and taking the bus, but some recommended starting a meat free day to alleviate carbons, using kindles instead of books, and having more online classes offered to mitigate the traffic jams and pollution students cause commuting to school.

Justine Rembac, the Associated Students Director of Sustainability, encouraged involvement via student government.

Rembac serves as a liaison between the A.S., Inter Club Council, and the grounds department to facilitate compliance with Zero-waste policy as stated in the A.S. fiscal policy. The policy requires all club events at SMC to be Zero-waste, which means diverting 90 percent or more of the waste produced away from the landfill.

Two students who were involved in environmental campus groups in the environmental studies class gave suggestions on how to make SMC more ecologically sufficient. The Eco-action club, organizes Earth Week and helps build community gardens. Marjonny Torres-Nativi, who runs Club Grow, does the community garden where students can grow their own food.

Their plan is to harvest a community garden on SMC’s campus which would be located near the art complex.

A large discussion surrounded a potential suggestion box in which students at SMC can give and get information on how to better conserve.

Starting this week, Sustainable Works will begin their student programs, which have peer group meetings once a week for nine weeks. The group is for individuals to learn better sustainable living through field trips, discussions, and community service.

Mr. Selby, an environmental studies professor, ended his presentation by stating that, “Americans really learned how to complain. It’s tough to get anything done. If you want to make a difference you have to become that difference.”

Selby explained how students aren’t that informed but given the right resources, could do something every day to be more environmentally conscious.

dialogue between the two partners performing. The set was decorated with simple mood changing lights that were modified to enforce what the performer was feeling.

Only one solo was performed, “Le Spectre de la Rose,” which was accompanied with an operatic melody and a solid black uniform with sequins detailed on the legs worn by the dancer.

Ashley Han, 17, has been dancing for five years and was excited to see rare works by Jones. “The show was spectacular. His style is really abstract and really different. I like how he adds humor in his pieces,” said Han.

Jones, along with Zane, choreographed all the works. He won a Tony award for his choreography in “Fela!” in 2010 and for “Spring Awakening” in 2007.

The company’s most recent project came in 2010 when they decided to collaborate with the Dance Theater Workshop. The new organization called New York Live Arts is a new type of arts organization with the goal of creating alternative ways to express creation, presentation, education, and community engagement.

For more information on Jones and Zane visit www.newyorklivearts.org.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 23, 2011

LIFESTYLE

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“I’m already dating a couple guys, but I really like the guy that just asked me out. Is he going to be jealous or more competitive when he finds out?”

By John Stapleton IV Web Editor I’m a huge champion for honesty, so yes: tell him you’re dating other guys. If anything, it’ll make him try harder to win your affection – and more of your time. If he can’t handle a little competition, why would you want him anyway? But dating multiple partners is a tricky proposition, and that’s mostly Disney’s fault Every Disney movie goes like so: boy meets girl, boy and girl get married, boy and girl live happily ever after. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And so, after growing up with this structured romantic style (despite the fact that the girl is usually barely legal, despite the fact that the hero is usually impossibly rich, and despite the fact that animals freaking talk) we assume this is how relationships work. Remember the fairy princess that wanted to weigh her options? Nope. Remember the one where Prince Charming saves the princess only to fall for her sister? No way. But remember when you were a kid, and every relationship was going to last FOREVER? That’s all Disney, and we believe it despite its absurdity.

So as adults, we have to try to reverse By Vera Hughes decades of monogamy reinforcement by Opinion Editor dating around, an activity Last time I checked, there were that allows us to sample the largest possible number of jealous and competitive “types” and prospects while sharpening guys who aren’t quite so aggressive, and your ability to since you and your guy just met, find what you there’s a fair chance you have want, and increasing the odds no idea what type he may of finding it. It’s healthy. be. Then again you JUST Each week we will be accepting questions It’s normal.

MET so he has no right for our relationship, and to be uber protective of There are, however, love advice column. Please you yet. It’s up to you some caveats. First, dating send your questions to to date as many guys as around is not sleeping corsair.website@gmail. you want; it’s one of the around. One makes you com loveliest parts of being a an empowered woman; girl in the 21st century. the other makes you easy.

Don’t jump the gun on a Secondly, honesty is of the utmost guy you don’t know yet. Plus, why importance. Don’t lie, don’t cheat, and rub it in his face that he’s not the don’t be afraid to tell one guy you’re with only person you’re interested in? It another. Finally, don’t turn into a player. seems sort of un-classy or too If the point of dating is to find someone special, don’t let a exposing to reveal that kind special one get away while you’re busy of information after only one or two juggling the others. You probably won’t dates. Give the whole thing some time find your Prince Charming on your 18th to simmer and you’ll probably figure birthday, and the first guy you kiss won’t be out pretty soon whether or not he’s the last, but you can date multiple men with worth ditching the other two for. Then it won’t matter that you were seeing integrity, and still live happily ever after.

Raw to the bone

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other guys because he won out after all.

If he’s the type of guy who will get offended by the idea that you’re not dating him exclusively, keep it on the down low. There’s no use hurting someone’s feelings so early on in the game.

If he’s alluding to other girls, feel free to play the same game, but even then I warn you that it’s not always a fun road to go down. If he’s talking openly about other girls in his life it’s either because he wants to make himself seem well liked or he’s not a super great guy.

You don’t want to be that douche-y chick that never stops talking about all the guys that like her. Discretion is hotter.

If you can understand his involvement with other girls this early on in your relationship, which you should because you’re not being exclusive either, would you want to hear about those other girls? I wouldn’t. It’s cool, but I don’t need to know.

So, test the waters first. Figure out how much you like him, and then ditch him or ditch the other guys. Isn’t that what guys do?

From Venice with hope

While much research still needs to be conducted, the Raw Foods Movement is making its way into the mainstream arena due to the numerous benefits it boasts for the body.

By Cathy Arias Staff Writer

suggests a state of great overall health.

An ideal weight, disease prevention, better digestion, boundless energy, and Of the millions of animals on the planet, a stronger bond with the natural world human beings are the only ones that are also possible advantages of this way deliberately bring heat to their food. of life.

Cooking food has its obvious benefits: Collecting research on the good that a eradicating some dangerous bacteria, raw diet can deliver proves to be difficult creating more palatable tastes and with the amount of data available on textures, and expanding the variety of people who live this way, but studies that foods we consume. have been conducted expose some flaws However, a movement fairly new in surrounding these habits. existence has given many people food A study published in the Journal of for thought. The Raw Foods Movement Nutrition tested 201 raw foodists from the is responsible for the opening of raw Netherlands and found that 38 percent restaurants dawning colorful dishes using of them were deficient in Vitamin B12, a only raw and vegan ingredients across substance essential for processing amino the country, dismissing the frequent acids in the body. image of a sad, boring family of baby The Los Angeles Times went on to carrots when the report that cooking term “raw diet” is certain foods, such as mentioned. carrots and spinach, “...many people find satisfacD o c t o r s , actually releases tion, intrigue, and adventure nutritionists, certain minerals that in a raw dining experience...” would not have been dieticians, and professionals as easily absorbed by alike all the body if they had understand the been consumed raw. benefits that consuming raw fruits and Raw milk and cheese producers have vegetables bring, like these raw “foodists” also been directly linked to a few E.coli claim. Unlike so many dietary trends and cases across the state, causing disbelief in fads, it remains a universal consensus. the movement. It is important to note that Once we dig a little deeper though, and most raw foodists remain vegan as well. discuss how “raw” you need to eat to be That is not to say that evidence doesn’t as healthy as humanly possible, the unity strongly support a diet rich in vegetables, dissipates. This also applies to raw foods legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables that go beyond fruits and vegetables like reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, dairy. and in some cases, even cancer. While a According to the Los Angeles Times, totally raw diet still seems improbable in a survey of 17 Raw Food Movement to most, many people find satisfaction, leaders, their diets consisted of 85 intrigue and adventure in a raw dining percent raw foods for an average of 13 experience and do so once in their years. This sounds like an incredible feat lifetimes, maybe even several times a to your average American, who considers week. the salsa in their burrito an appropriate You can do so at local raw restaurants serving of vegetables for the day. like the well-reviewed Planet Raw on Their reasoning for adapting such a Broadway if your taste buds are craving a hardcore change in their diets mainly new, raw kick.

Amanda Bojorquez Corsair 58-year-old homeless Santa Monica local, Michael Courtland Jr., spending his time soaking up the sun on Venice State Beach on Thursday, March 1.

By Nathan Gawronsky Staff Writer One of Los Angeles’ more idiosyncratic neighborhoods, Venice Beach, lays claim to one of the most diverse and, at times, bizarre groups of people the city has to offer. Individuals from around the world come to this beach to stroll along the boardwalk and experience the many sights and sounds it has to offer. Performers, artists, musicians, fortune tellers, and even the occasional Hollywood celebrity sightings make up but a modest fraction of the animated population here.

But there is a class among the many people here who have come to call this place home.

According to the latest homeless count taken in Santa Monica, 263 people live on the street like David Michael Courtland Jr, while another 477 live in shelters, cars and encampments.

Watching the sun descend into the Pacific, Courtland reclines on the shore, combing his hair.

“I try to keep a real nice cut on, if I can,” he says with a distinctive drawl. “I go to Super Cuts, that’s where I go.”

Courtland is 58 years old and homeless.

His clothes are a disorder of corroded, sunfaded pleather and a wool sweater that looks as though it’s made of dreadlocks. His face is bronzed and marked with incisive lines.

Originally from Ventura, California, Courtland arrived in Santa Monica a mere nine days ago.

“I’ll tell you what I did!” said Courtland. “I

came from Santa Clarita on a bus to L.A. They dropped me off at this bus depot here, where all these buses come and go, and I got off this bus that said Santa Monica. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to Santa Monica.”

Asked what he does now that he’s relocated to Santa Monica, he claims to be a playwright, working everyday on writing a new drama for a Hollywood producer. “It’s titled ‘The Fox,’ and it’s a rated R work I’m working on,” said Courtland. “I write G and PG material, but this is an R rated work about a young woman named Linda Fox. That’s what I’m writing now.”

Courtland hasn’t always been a professional writer, however. At the age of 24, he said he chose to become a professional musician and singer while living in Nashville, Tennessee. “I’ve been a professional entertainer ever since.”

Now that he’s settled in Santa Monica though, he says he has big plans for the future. “I see myself as a Hollywood film producer, making motion pictures.”

He claims to have had four film credits, two of which were “Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll,” and “The Candidate,” considered prominent films in their day. But a search for his name on the Internet Movie Data Base turns up nothing on Courtland.

With Courtland, it’s difficult to distinguish truth from fiction. He freely admits to being a storyteller, but fails to say where those talents end or begin. But living in Santa Monica, where he “just loves the weather,” he’ll have plenty of time to master his craft, and pursue his goal of being a Hollywood producer.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 23, 2011

OPINION

theCorsaironline.com

7

Nuking nuclear power

By Nathan Gawronsky Staff Writer Considering the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the tsunami that decimated much of the eastern coast of Japan last week, Mother Nature can sometimes display absolutely monstrous forms of power. So much so, that in the wake of natural disasters, our own forms of power can sometimes seem pale in comparison.

But during the days following the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, a far more lethal and nefarious disaster is unfolding, only adding to Japan’s horror.

Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors have been experiencing the symptoms of a meltdown due to damage caused to the emergency water pumps needed to cool the spent nuclear fuel.

Emergency measures have been frantically taken: trying to restore the systems that were operating before last Friday’s disasters proved nearly impossible. Injecting corrosive seawater into the reactors’ vessels and cores also failed to dovetail, causing even more damage to the already fraught apparatuses.

In light of these ongoing crises, Americans need to make a sober assessment of our own use of nuclear power to provide energy to

our society. We need to decide for ourselves if the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks associated with the means of production.

According to a recent New York Times article published March 12, 2011 (“Danger Posed by Radioactivity in Japan Hard to Assess”), the presented dangers of a meltdown are caused by the massive amounts of radioactive material that spill out of the damaged reactors. Radioactive byproducts like nitrogen 16, tritium, iodine-131 and cesium-137 are all potentially hazardous to human health, with the last especially deadly, as it has a half-life of 30 years. This means that 2 centuries would have to pass for the total amount of cesium-137 to diminish to 1%.

According to the same article, “Cesium-137 mixes easily with water and is chemically similar to potassium. It thus mimics how potassium gets metabolized in the body and can enter through many foods, including milk. After entering, cesium gets widely distributed, its concentrations said to be higher in muscle tissues and lower in bones.”

With hazards like these, which are only a few out of a long list, it’s deadly important that we face reality. Though nuclear energy is often described as an effective method for producing energy in a

“peaceful” way, the consequences following a meltdown are incredibly far-reaching. Chernobyl should have been an ominous warning enough to cause our leaders to steer our energy needs away from atomic schemes.

No doubt doing away with nuclear power is a tall order. To dismantle the plants we’ve already invested millions into is impractical no doubt costly. But what about demanding that safeguards be improved, to the extent that we can rest assured that the long term health of the land and public will not be threatened by disasters caused by Mother Nature or human error?

Events such as these only serve to build an airtight case for the pursuit of renewable forms of clean energy.

After all, what would you rather invest in, a form of power that uses the Earth’s resources in a peaceful, efficient manner? Or artificial, man-made methods, involved in the splitting of the universe’s most powerful forces, with all of the potential risks mentioned, and then some?

We must not allow a shock to jolt us to action. We live above and beyond our environmental means, and have been doing so for a very long time. Let’s fix things now, before the permanently spiral out of control.

even Google it, Shazam it; whatever application you prefer.

But we get so caught up in the awesomeness of smart phones as they keep getting smarter, it’s easy to forget the potential downsides of gluing your cheek to your iPhone.

As a society, we are completely debilitating our social skills by spending too much time talking to each other through a medium, instead of face-to-face. If you find yourself shying away from real-life conversations to hide behind your phone screen, or having a full-blown text-conversation with someone while in the physical company of someone else, check yourself.

You’re never going to have to stop interacting with people in person, so don’t let yourself get uncomfortable with it just because we are part of such a technological generation. At the very least, be aware of your cop outs and conversational hesitations. Only then can you begin to correct them.

Remember back in your “playdate” days when you had your three best friends’ numbers memorized?

You were only seven, but you could remember series of numbers pretty easily. Did you ever consider

memorizing phone numbers as a beneficial subconscious exercise for your memory? Maybe you wouldn’t have to repeat an address 972 times in your head to remember it if you had spent your life memorizing numbers instead of entering them once into your phone and never seeing them again.

Attention spans seem to be rapidly decreasing. We are a part of the Adderall generation as much as we are a part of the technology generation; may I suggest the two are related?

Today information is presented and stored so rapidly, we barely have a chance to absorb anything anymore, and it may very well be taking its toll.

Maybe we are increasing the number of people diagnosed with ADD because of the speed at which information is transmitted and how constantly we are bombarded with media. With your nose in your phone, and the constant checking of your Facebook, you’re overwhelming your senses.

So get off the meds and read a book.

Trust that your maybe-boyfriend doesn’t need another update of how boring work might be and let him get to know you in person. At the very least, give yourself the chance to be interesting and articulate.

Can you hear me now?

By Vera Hughes Opinion Editor

Think about it; do you have any friends who purposefully live life without the aid of a cell phone?

You’re probably thinking of that one existentialist guy who hates the government and refuses to “conform,” but besides him, can you think of any cell-phone-less friend who doesn’t make a big deal about it, but chooses not to spend their money on a blackberry (or any other type of cell phone)?

People are expected to have cell phones nowadays, period. If you don’t, you’re in between phones, and hating life until you renew your contract. With this new requirement comes an inescapable slavery to technology, with everyone you know constantly capable of reaching you, if they so please.

There are, of course, absolute benefits to the development of cell phone technology. Days are no longer ruined over a flat tire. You can meet anyone anywhere, with little difficulty.

You can call a friend and be instantly reminded of that song lyric you’ve temporarily forgotten.

You can

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Spring 2011 Staff Jonathan Bue Guiliana Dakdouk John Stapleton IV Sal Guerra Brian White Anisa El-Khouri Stephanie Forshee Vera Hughes Miles Arnold Neelofer Lodhy Ayla Pound Alessandra Catanese

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We’ve Got Issues One student’s struggle with the seemingly unecessary loss of an hour that happens arbitrarily every six months : Daylight saving time.

By Nathan Gawronsky Staff Writer Daylight saving time is one of those convenient fictions that we choose to decidedly ignore. Until the time comes twice a year to adjust our clocks, we carry on in our lives with the assumption that our notion of time is correct and infallible.

Here’s something to consider: Do we ever change the measurement of a foot? Have we ever changed the measurement of a liter? Some things are absolute, so given that, why isn’t time?

What do we even gain from adjusting our clocks? As far as I can see, the only thing I lost was an hour. Last week I used to wake up and have breakfast with the sun. Now I wake up and make coffee in the darkness, feeling groggy and distant.

The whole basis behind this irrational practice began with the need to unify local city times and synchronize them with train times. According to the Library of Congress, on Nov. 18, 1883, railroad men accomplished the demarcation of four time zones, and shortly thereafter people were compelled to conform to the trainman’s time, or risk being isolated to the rest of the “timely” world.

For all intents and purposes, the trains accomplished the impossible: they held a monopoly on time itself, and were able for a short while to hold the sun still, long enough for everyone in America to conform to their schedule.

Though daylight saving time didn’t officially begin here, the consequences of this date mark the first time in our history where we literally adjusted time on a national level.

I wouldn’t care in the slightest if we got rid of daylight saving time. Speaking frankly, I don’t reckon you would either. It’s utterly useless, inconvenient, and worst of all, a fiction. We’ve wisely abolished it before, and strangely enough, our society didn’t collapse!

Widespread panic didn’t ensue! America carried on, calmly and agreeably. When people realized that time wouldn’t spin out of control, and antemeridian wouldn’t suddenly switch to postmeridian, it became painfully clear that our efforts to try and “adjust” time were fruitless and asinine.

I can understand the “need” for this kind of thing, historically speaking. In the age of telegraphs, information moved at a snail’s pace, and it was extremely important to devise ways of synchronizing time between people over long distances. But today, the preservation of such an absurd practice is tantamount to changing the distance of a mile twice a year. We just simply don’t need it anymore.

Now, I know. This isn’t the most pressing and relevant argument of the day. With all of the political and social problems we’re experiencing today, it’s hard to justify getting so worked up about an hour’s difference on a clock. But just think of all the time we’ll save!

Fellow complaints and concerns from any frustrated SMC student-writers are welcomed and encouraged. Send to corsair.opinionpage@gmail.com!

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SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

8

March 23, 2011

SPORTS

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Hackett lends a helping hand

By Shanon Culiner Staff Writer If you ever decide to walk into SMC’s Athletic Department on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon, you may find yourself engulfed in a line of student-athletes. However, these young men and women aren’t waiting to speak with a coach. No, they’re waiting for a word with Cedric Hackett, Santa Monica College’s Athletic Counselor.

Student-athletes tend to have more of a difficult time with academics – juggling both demanding sports schedules with educational classes.

It’s guys like Cedric who work long hours to make sure they find a balance, whilst excelling.

The process at times can sound daunting. First, Cedric assesses where a student-athlete is personally – motivationally, and academically (pre-college characteristics).

Then, the individual must take the assessment tests, both English and Math.

From there, a student educational plan must be created entailing: course selection, schedules, financial packaging, career goals, social-integration, usage of technological resources, and academic integrity.

Being an athletic counselor in general is quite a demanding task.

Courtesy of Cedric Hackett Now, throw that position in the As Santa Monica colleges athletic counselor, Cedric Hackett creates junior college level – where studentstudent educational plans for the schools student sthletes. athletes attempt to transfer their

studies elsewhere, and the becomes even more difficult.

“I love being an athletic counselor,” said Hackett. “I just don’t have enough hours in the day.”

Cedric was a former strong safety at Ventura College where he earned a letter scholarship to Eastern New Mexico University. He later finished up at Cal State Northridge and has been working at SMC for the past four years.

Associated with the National Athletics Academics Advising Association (N4A), California Community College Athletic Academic Advisor Association (3C4A), and the National Association of Student Personnel Administration (NASPA), Cedric strives to erase all prejudices and stereotypes related to studentathletes.

“I’ve always wanted to be a helper.

I could use lived experience,” said Hackett.

Dr. Harry Edwards was an author and well-known sociologist who dedicated most of his work to understand the “Black Athlete”. He’s been a staff consultant for many professional sports organizations.

“Harry Edwards says the black dumb jock is not born, he is systematically created,” said Hackett. “My job is to promote success academically and athletically to produce a new stereotype and that is a-studentathlete-college-going-culture.”

Byron Rutherford, a former SMC student-athlete who got a full ride scholarship to Temple University for football, praised Hackett. “Come to Cedric, you can make it; anything is possible if you put your mind to it and stay on the grind,” Said Rutherford.

Rutherford was originally tested in the lowest Math and English classes. Due to hard work, accessing all of SMC’s support services, and Cedric’s guidance, he was able to achieve high levels of success both on the field and in the classroom.

“Academics count more than talent. They’re going to look at your grades. That’s the first thing they’re going to ask - how your grades?

What kind of student is he?” said Rutherford.

Damon Middleton, another former SMC student and football player who received a full scholarship to play and study at Charleston Southern University, also started out with low Math and English placement scores.

“These counselors like Cedric Hackett really help you to take necessary classes you need to take,” said Middleton.

Hackett is finishing up his doctrine at Cal Lutheran this May. His dissertation is on the experiences of male athletes in the community college system.

“I’m always proud of my guys!” said Hackett, “They were committed to the goal despite any obstacles in their way.”

Struggles continue for softball

By Wayne Neal Staff Writer It was a rough day for SMC softball this past Thursday as the Corsairs were shut out in back-to-back games against the Glendale Vaqueros 11-0 and 8-0 and were held to just 3 hits the whole afternoon.

The first game of the two-game set was called early due to the 8 run rule, which states that if the opposing team is scoreless going into the 5 th inning then the game automatically ends.

Defensively the Corsairs looked unfocused making several errors early in the game, which the Vaqueros were able to take advantage of.

The Vaqueros, led by Brandy Morin,

Samantha Dickens, and Carly Zabka, jumped out to a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the 2 nd inning and for the for the next 3 innings the Corsairs failed to produce any runs ending the game with only one hit.

The Vaqueros added 6 more runs to end the game early 11-0.

“We were just intimidated,” said Corsair catcher Samantha Bozek.

Bozek felt that their lack of motivation stemmed from the last time the two teams met in which the Vaqueros beat the Corsairs.

The offensive struggles continued for the Corsairs in the second game as they were shutout again losing 8-0 in 5 innings.

The Corsairs came out strong in the first two innings to start the game but in the top of the 3rd the Vaqueros -Shayanne King put 4 runs on the board.

However, they still failed to produce any offense only recording 2 hits.

“We played a little better defense,” said Coach Wilson after her team’s loss.

The Corsairs continued to make

“We didn’t play to our full potential at all”

routine mistakes and seemed to unravel crippling their chances to make a comeback as they allowed the Vaqueros to score 4 runs in the 4th inning to seal the game.

“We didn’t play to our full potential at all,” said 1st baseman Shayanne King.

“I’m surprised cause we are actually a hitting team.”

With first year coach Char Wilson the team is still trying to hit their stride as the season progresses.

Although the Corsairs are struggling this year the team has improved from last years winless season with 4 wins thus far.

The Corsairs will have a chance to get out of their funk and break their losing streak against Citrus on Tuesday, March 29 th at Clover Park at 2:30 p.m.

SCORES & SCHEDULES MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Upcoming: Wed., March 23 vs Santa Barbara @ SMC - 6 p.m.

Fri., March 25 @ El Camino - 6 p.m.

Sat., March 26 @ Long Beach - 6 p.m.

SOFTBALL March 17 Doubleheader @ Glendale SMC 0, Glendale 11 SMC 0, Glendale 8

Upcoming: Tues., March 29 vs. Citrus @ Clover Park - 2:30 p.m.

TRACK & FIELD Upcoming: Fri., April 1 Conference Meet @ Ventura - 2 p.m.

TENNIS Fri., March 18 @ Santa Barbara W (8-1) (6-0)

Upcoming: Tues., March 29 @ Glendale - 2 p.m.

Thurs., March 31 vs. Bakersfield @ SMC - 1 p.m.