Sports
Santa Monica College ’s women ’s tennis squad brings home a State Championship
Pg. 12
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Former student has The Voice
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Students talk brass tacks By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor
By Raven Wadley-Wright Staff Writer A former Santa Monica College student Taylor Thompson, 19, is competing alongside her sister Tori Thompson, 17, on NBC ’s series The Voice. The Santa Maria native isn ’t a stranger to performing in front of an audience. “Since we were little we performed at rodeos, in county fairs, and did national anthems, ” said Thompson. “We ’ve always performed country and Christian music. ” Some of Thompson ’s musical inspirations come from country music legends Shania Twain and Reba McEntire. “I love Shania Twain, ” said Thompson. “She ’s never had a slump, she ’s always consistent. ” In 2003, Thompson appeared on Fox Network ’s American Juniors, a spinoff of American Idol geared towards a younger audience. Taylor, who eventually won the competition, joined the five-member group with Tori, and American Juniors released a full-length album in 2004.
[See Voice, page 2]
Volume C, Issue 26
Jessica Nicol Corsair Newly elected A.S President Harrison Wills passionately expresses his desire to have more students fighting the budget cuts at Wednesday’s town hall meeting
On Thursday, May 12, two outspoken student groups hosted an open town hall meeting. The meeting ’s purpose was to educate and bring about a generalized discussion concerning California ’s budget crisis, and how it affects the Santa Monica College district. Hosted by Student Unity Project and M.E.Ch.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlan), the meeting was advertised all around the main campus on yers. Guest speakers included Mitra Moassessi, President of the Faculty Association, Connie Lemke, California School Employees Union Representative, and Mikhail Pronilover, Speaker for Student Unity Project. “It ’s really hard to be a student at this time, and I ’m really glad I ’m not a student, ” said Moassessi. “Your job is very hard, because you basically have two issues that you need to deal with. You need to deal with issues locally, and statewide. ” According to Governor Jerry Brown ’s recent California budget revision, the total Community College Apportionment Reduction will result in a decreased $400 million base reduction. However, that base reduction will be offset by $110 million by raising tuition fees from $26
[See Town Hall, page 3]
Recent decision leaves committee reeling By Nathan Gawronsky News Editor With California ’s community college system reeling from budget cuts, Santa Monica College has not been immune to the far-reaching decisions emanating from Sacramento. Due to these decisions, certain district
committees have made efforts to propose ideas that could generate and save revenue for the district; however those ideas, according to some, have fallen on deaf ears. Earlier this year, Howard Stahl, CoChair of the Budget Committee for the District Planning and Advisory Council, worked for months to draft a series of
ideas with the purpose of improving district spending. As early as January 26, President and Superintendent Dr. Chui L. Tsang had stated in a DPAC meeting, “the District has exhausted all options for reducing expenditures. ” The committee comprised different constituent groups of
[See DPAC, page 3]
SMC student honored with scholarhip By Cathy Arias Staff Writer
Courtesy of NBCUniversal Taylor Thompson, former SMC student, competes on NBC’s hit series The Voice.
Stephen Olsen, 33, of Appleton Wis., recently became the rst student in Santa Monica College history to have been awarded the highly coveted Jack Kent Cooke scholarship for his perfect academic achievements, his
monetary need, and most importantly his desire to take what he has been given and give it back to the world on a massive scale. “I think lmmaking is the way that uneducated people like to get their information, as well as with television. And I think why judge that? If you contemplate it without moralizing that, I
think making lms about things that are important is one of the best ways to educate people, ” said Olsen. Helping people understand themselves in a deeper way by means of radio shows, children ’s books, television and animation is Olsen ’s ultimate goal. “I am a pragmatist. My education is something I want to share
in whatever way I can. ” Olsen ’s inspiring story begins as a part of a poor, yet loving family in the mid west. Where he is headed is as yet unknown, but he holds in his possession packages welcoming him as a future student at Columbia University in New York, the University of Southern
[See Scholarship, page 2]
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
May 18, 2011
NEWS
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History made with scholarship Former SMC student
Amanda Bojorquez Corsair Santa Monica College student, Stephen Olsen, wins the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship award where he will receive $30,000 a year for three years towards any university on Thursday at SMC.
[Scholarship, from page 1] California, and the University of California Berkeley. He currently awaits a response from Brown University, a member of the Ivy League. The youngest of four, he had grown accustomed to his family ’s tradition of leaving home at 18. With dreams of pursuing a successful acting career, Olsen moved to New York City and lived there for seven years, eventually moving to California. He began taking several courses at SMC, hoping to improve his acting skills. Before he knew it, he was accidentally on his way to becoming the rst in his
family to work towards a degree. As the units began accumulating, he became a member of the Honor Society at SMC (Phi Theta Kappa), and then applied for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship after one of Columbia ’s admissions counselors advised him to. “I always considered myself a y in a bottle, fervent and resilient, but it was my professors who uncapped it so I could y out, ” he said. “And now that I ’m out, I want to go back in to help others out. ” Scholarship Ofce Administrator, Marcia Fierro said, “We had been trying for 20 years to get this award for a student, but we had never found one t for it. I still wasn ’t really surprised Stephen got it because he is a go-getter. He is not afraid to go and get what he needs. ” The nal decision as to which university Olsen will choose to attend depends on how much nancial aid each school will be willing to support him with. Despite this, he is thrilled to have two more years of learning and creative opportunities. When the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced his award, Olsen remembered feeling very connected with the world, but most of all appreciative. Regarding his scholarship, he said, “I felt like I had to give back; all of it. So I feel the responsibility to do very well in school, and part of that is not to have a nancial burden looming over me. ” Emotions arise in Olsen as he recalls the people he is thankful for. Conscious of his story being one to hopefully help other students, no matter what age or income level, Olsen will be holding a lecture regarding his feats in Room 140 of the Science building at 11:15 a.m. on May 24, on the Main Campus.
competes on The Voice [Voice, from page 1]
Surprisingly, the former student isn ’t a music major. “I like singing and performing, but I just couldn ’t see myself teaching it, ” said Thompson. “I just like doing it as a passion, but not as a major. ” Instead of pursing a major in music, Thompson decided to major in Journalism. In addition, during the previous fall semester, Thompson got a written piece published in The Corsair.
“The entire experience is a blessing. ” -Taylor Thompson “I actually had one of my articles published in the newspaper; my professor (Professor Sharyn Obsatz) asked if she could contribute my article to the paper, ” said Thompson. “I was actually excited. ” For now, Thompson is placing her ordinary life on hold to compete on The Voice. “I ’ve left behind a lot. I quit my job at Starbucks, and dropped all my classes at Santa Monica College in order to do The Voice, ” said Thompson. Thompson wasn ’t planning on getting involved within the competition until her mother, Tami Thompson, informed her about the open call auditions. “At first my mom was searching for a competition for Tori to compete
in, ” said Thompson. “In February, the age limit was 18 and over, so my mom told me about it. ” Going out on a limb, Thompson decided to attend the open auditions. “The night before the open call auditions, the age limit changed from 18 to 15. They also decided to allow solos, duo, and trio groups to audition, so Tori decided to go through with the open calls. ” On May 3, Taylor and Tori Thompson performed Sugarland ’s “Stuck like Glue, ” and in turn won the heart of recording artist Cee Lo Green. “They didn ’t show our first reaction in the show to Cee Lo choosing us, ” said Thompson. “We were cracking up because it was so random! We were shocked that he wanted to work with us. ” Country is the genre of music the sisters have chosen to pursue a musical career in. “We wanted Blake [Shelton] to pick us since he ’s a country artist, but I think he was holding out to see the rest of the talent that was going to perform, ” said Thompson. However, Thompson isn ’t disappointed that Green decided to pick the duo. Their critiques from the panel consisted of lines such as you guys are cute, adorable, and you remind me of the Spearmint Twins. “This entire experience is a blessing in disguise. It is stressful though, ” said Thompson. The Voice airs on NBC Tuesday nights at 10 p.m.
May 18, 2011
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NEWS
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F a r m e r ’ s m a r k e t i n s t a l l s d r a g n e t
An overall look at the netting that was put up for the first time at the farmers market located at 4th and Arizona in Santa Monica on Saturday.
By Breanna Balisteri Staff Writer The city of Santa Monica is installing safety nets at their weekly Santa Monica Farmers Market in lieu of a tragedy that occurred eight years ago, when an elderly man drove through the outdoor market killing 20 people. A rst in farmers market history, Laura Avery, the Farmers Market Supervisor, was told they had to install barriers that would “physically stop a car,, ” which no other market in the world has had to do before. In a study done by the National Transportation Safety Board, just months after the fatal accident eight years ago, the NTSB concluded that there was not an adequate barrier strong enough to stop a car. “We had the police cars out there for ve years, just blocking the entrance, ” Avery said, referring to how police were asked to use their cars as blockades after the NTSB ’s decision came out. “But then the police presence became very expensive. ” In an effort to save funds, the Santa
Monica Police Department asked the Farmer ’s Market to nd a way to keep cars from entering the market that did not involve the police department ’s deputies and vehicles to be used every week, unnecessarily tying up ofcers who could be on patrol. Avery and her team at the Santa Monica Farmer ’s Market conducted a large project, and as a result found an independent trafc engineering rm to help with the problem. “They were told to come up with a vehicle arresting barricade system that would be able to stop a car from entering a market, ” Avery said of the trafc engineering rm. The rm spent time researching what an effective barrier would consist of, and three years ago the project was ofcially given the green light. “They came up with a system which we ’re using today, called a dragnet, ” Avery said. The dragnet, as Avery described, “is like a stainless steel, chain-link tennis court net that goes all the way across the street. ” To anchor the dragnet, four-feet deep holes had to be dug into the street. Each hole can be covered by a small, removable cork. They are then attached to a steel cable rolled up in a spool.
“When a car hits this, it will go forward for only nine feet before the cables play out, ” Avery said. “Then they ’re fully extended and they immediately stop the car. ” Additionally, the dragnet system doesn ’t pose a lethal impact for the driver of a car that crashes into it. “It ’s not like hitting a pole; the driver walks away and the farmers and customers are all safe, ” Avery said. The design, which was approved by the Santa Monica City Engineers ofce, made its debut this past Saturday, May 14, with a dry run on Friday, May 13. As of last Thursday, they were manufacturing the carts, which will carry all the street closure supplies. “They ’re very heavy. One street closure set weighs about 1500 pounds, ” Avery said. Each street closure set contains one double dragnet consisting of two nets side by side, four anchor posts, and four 50pound pulleys. A group of ve-feet high by eight-feet wide barricades are also in the set. These barricades will go ahead of the nets and include signs that notify the public of road closures. To ensure that pedestrians do not walk
Paul Alvarez Corsair
through the barricade, the ve-by-eight barriers will be on both sides of the dragnet. The “impact absorption zone, ” as it is being called, will be a nine-feet-long stretch of empty space between the street and the market to protect farmers and patrons from impending danger. “We ’re working on designing a cart system, ” said Avery. “We had to build an extra storage system to store these things. ” In addition to hiring more employees, the Farmers Market staff are currently training their employees how to open and close the storage units for the carts. The dragnet system that will be used is unique to the West Coast.[Editor ’s note: how can it be unique to SM if it ’s already been used in NY?] The system originally came here from New York, where similar sets are utilized for temporary road closures due to construction on freeways and coinciding freeway off-ramps. “I believe that the installation and the utilization of these safety nets will bring condence to the people who frequent the farmer ’s market and have so for many years, ” said Lieutenant Jay Trisler of the Santa Monica Police Department.
SMC talks dollars and cents [Town Hall, page 1]
per unit to $36 per unit, bringing the net apportionment reduction to $290 million. While these cuts will result in a projected loss of $5.57 million apportionment reduction for SMC, along with a projected loss of 1,243 full time students, these cuts represent the most lenient scenario expected to affect SMC, falling under what was described as “scenario A ” during President and Superintendent Dr. Chui L. Tsang ’s Town Hall Meeting last March. Pronilover, speaking on behalf of Student Unity Project, prepared an extensive PowerPoint presentation entitled “Budget Cuts and the Future of Public Education. ” Included in Pronilover ’s presentation were gures and data illuminating, among other things, the disparity between funding for higher education versus incarceration, the amount of state revenue lost to California ’s policy of not taxing oil companies, and Proposition 13, amounting to $528 billion in lost funds since 1978. Pronilover also began to explain the system of “shared governance ” at SMC, quoted, he said, “because I ’m not sure how shared that governance is. ” Recalling a recent disagreement between the District Planning and Advisory Council ’s Budget Committee and Dr. Tsang (who is also the DPAC chairman), Howard Stahl, Co-Chair
of the DPAC Budget Committee, had for months worked to prepare various savings and revenue ideas to present to DPAC. “It went on to DPAC —it was discussed and voted on, remember with equal representation from all the constituents, and it passes, it goes to President Tsang — and he says, ‘well, I don ’t like it, ’ ” said Pronilover. The ofcial response of Dr. Tsang was that “he is returning the ideas to DPAC and the BPSC because he does not feel that they rise to the level of the severe state funding issues the District is facing. ” Eva Blumeld, Student Unity Project Representative, claimed that the purpose of the meeting was “not to demonize the administration, ” however at one point during Pronilover ’s presentation, the subject of Dr. Tsang ’s salary, which was projected at $250,000, “plus bonuses, car, and cell phone allowances, ” was described by Pronilover as “absolutely absurd. ” Dr. Tsang, who responded in a separate interview, pointed out that “on the whole, our salary range is pretty average, with the exception of the faculty; they are set fairly high. And we ’re proud of that —that is not something we want to change. ” According to Joshua Scuteri, newly elected Associated Students Trustee, “The meeting really solidied for me a lot of the anger students feel. ”
[DPAC, page 1]
SMC: administrators, faculty, classied representatives, and students. According to an article written by Stahl in the Faculty Association Bulletin from May, “As you can imagine, getting support from all these different groups is a long, involved process. ” By March 30 the proposals, including 26 ideas, were accepted by DPAC and forwarded to Dr. Tsang for review. However, on April 27, DPAC met again and Dr. Tsang returned the ideas to the budget committee. The ofcial response from Dr. Tsang stated that “he is returning the ideas ... because he does not feel that they rise to the level of the severe state funding issues the District is facing. ” Since turning down the proposals, there has been an evident polarity of opinion to Dr. Tsang ’s decision. According to Dr. Tsang, “I did not reject the ideas —I sent the list back to them; I want the committee to work a little harder, ” he said. “We ’re looking at numbers that are very large, and I want them to come up with ideas that will generate a more signicant number, with larger savings for the college. ” However, the itemized list of proposals pojected total savings (with revenue increases included) over the next three years to be as high as $17.1 million. “It ’s unbelievable, ” said Mitra Moassessi, President of the Faculty Association. “I was super frustrated by this. To me, it ’s just very heartbreaking to do that, to get a response like that. ” Understanding his decision has been
difcult for those who drafted the proposals. But for Bob Isomoto, Vice President of Business/Administration, the decision was predictable. “In general, the ideas were suggested last year; they weren ’t rejected because they ’re bad ideas, but because we ’re already working on most of them. We ’ve cut 15 percent from the 4,000 and 5,000 series, or 12 percent of our budget, ” Isomoto said, referring to supplies and materials and contract services included in SMC ’s budget. “I assert that they are not small items, and they would equal multimillions in savings, ” said Stahl. “It ’s also important to know that with all the measures on the DPAC budget proposals —not one penny comes from class cuts. ” One of the biggest points of contention Stahl and the Budget Committee had with Dr. Tsang ’s response was that when asked if Dr. Tsang had “costed out ” the items before returning them, it had been disclosed that Dr. Tsang had not. “Anybody can say, ‘I ’ll save you $20 million over ve years. ’ But what I need to see are credible, realistic, convincing numbers that can make sense. What I don ’t need is this ‘gotcha ’ stuff here —SMC doesn ’t need this ‘gotcha ’ stuff. If they have sensible ideas, I ask them to back them up, ” said Dr. Tsang. “One thing I can say is that ve years ago, we faced the same problem under very similar circumstances, ” said Stahl. “Solutions were brought to Dr. [Piedad F.] Robertson, and the solutions were rejected, resulting in a 25 percent reduction in the college. ”
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May 18, 2011
OPINION
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New Floridian law awed By Nick Lotz Staff Writer
All the trouble started when the American Academy of Pediatrics released their guidelines: topics suggested to be discussed by physicians and their patients. This list is designed to counsel parents on creating a livable and safe home environment and to provide them with ways to avoid preventable accidents. It consists of little things like “cover up electricity sockets ” and “don ’t let your kid play in a busy street. ” Plus one more, the one that pissed everyone off: “Do not keep guns in your home. Guns, especially handguns, should be removed from the environments where children live and play. ” Then, to make matters worse, a doctor in Florida refused to provide care to a patient who wouldn ’t disclose information about rearms in their household. Does that sound reasonable to you? Think before you respond, because you could be supporting the forfeit of your Second Amendment rights. At least that ’s what State Representative Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) thought. He led HB 155, the Privacy of Firearms Owners Act, which makes it illegal for physicians
to question their patients about their gun ownership. Brodeur rst claimed that the 2010 federal healthcare law would allow insurance companies to collect information about gun owners saying, “If the overreaching federal government actually takes over healthcare, they ’re worried that Washington, D.C. is going to know whether or not they own a
The bill ’s co-sponsor, Frank Artiles, went on CNN and told Anderson Cooper that the bill would only prevent doctors from refusing treatment based on gun ownership. Then, when questioned about the penalty for violating this new law (a paltry $5 million or ve years in jail) he said he felt that might have to be worked on. Marion Hammer, former president of
People have nothing to lose by talking with their doctor about gun safety. It kind of makes sense we ’d listen to them about home safety advice. gun and so this is really just a privacy protection. ” Hmm, maybe not so much. In fact, the healthcare law explicitly states that healthcare providers cannot refuse service to anyone, saying “... health insurance coverage may not be denied ... on the basis of, or on reliance upon the lawful ownership or possession of a rearm or ammunition. ”
the NRA, makes a good point. She says, “Whether or not I own a gun has nothing to do with inuenza or if I have a broken leg. ” And she ’s right. It ’s completely within someone ’s rights, as an American citizen, to own a gun. And it really isn ’t the doctor ’s business if she does. If a kid picks up a gun and shoots himself with it, then it ’s in the doctor ’s interests to know about it. But until that
happens, it really isn ’t any business of theirs. However, it is completely within a doctor ’s rights, as a business owner, to refuse service to anyone for any reason. And the Republican Party should respect that right. They are, after all, the party that protects corporate interest. People have nothing to lose by talking with their doctors about gun safety. Doctors hold the exalted position of someone we trust with our lives. It kind of makes sense that we ’d listen to them about home safety advice. Especially when it comes to infants and children. There ’s no degree in parenting; there ’s no school for parenting; people just have babies and take care of them. There are probably some people out there who would legitimately not know that they shouldn ’t keep a handgun around their kid. There are also the people who don ’t care. Maybe, it ’s time we all thought about a national rearms registry. It ’s beyond ridiculous that we don ’t have to tell anyone we own a gun. If we had a national gun registry, after someone committed a crime, all the police would have to do is look up the owner by type. They already do it in many states, why not on a national level?
Smart phone apps a meal ticket for entrepreneurs By Muna Cosic Staff Writer Let ’s agree on one fact; without applications (apps), a smart phone would be just a phone. If you have never used an app or even seen one, then you live in the Stone Age. Face it; apps rule! Whether you have an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry, you have most likely downloaded countless numbers of apps on your phone because they are either important for your everyday survival, or you want to look cool and show off what your apps can do. Those who possess the talent to invent their own apps are the entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow. These entrepreneurs, if successful, can control your smart phone usage. They set the standard for which apps displayed on your phone screen make you cool. They are the “Gods of apps, ” the new kings of cool. Their goal is to give you something to do on your smart phone besides text, stare at your Facebook wall.
These successful app inventors probably got started by hearing a phrase we are all very familiar with: “You should make an app for that! ” The simple answer is; yes, you should! Create that app if you think it ’ll boom in the app market and you might become a wealthy entrepreneur of tomorrow ’s advanced technological world. Google created the App Inventor, which enables anyone in possession of a Google account to create their own app for the Android. It ’s basic and you don ’t have to be a tech-geek in order to create your own app through the program little creativity goes a long way. “This is because instead of writing code, you visually design the way the app looks and use blocks to specify the app ’s behavior, ” claims Google Labs website. So, if you think you can make the best soundboard of farts, burps, or moronic sayings, then this is your chance to shine. Right? The App Inventor is free to use and the steps to follow are very clear for anyone who has a great app
idea. Apps created on the App Inventor can be shared with other App Inventor users, but cannot be uploaded to the Android Market at the moment. “Currently there are technical limitations preventing an App Inventor app from being uploaded to the Android Market, but we are actively working to resolve this, ” states the Google Labs website. So, once the App Inventor apps can be uploaded to the market, you will be well on your way to becoming an entrepreneur in the world of apps. The New York Times has its Top 10 must-have iPhone and Android apps, which helps smart phone users decide what ’s worth downloading. Apps like Evernote, Urbanspoon, and Soundhound are on the Top 10 list for both iPhone and Android markets. Evernote, an app that is built to work like the human memory, actually helps discover new app inventors with great app ideas. “If you build something that we think our users should know about, we ’ll add it to the Evernote Trunk, our catalog of
apps, services, and hardware that work with Evernote, ” states the Evernote website. The popular app Zedge, is created for users to produce and download content such as wallpapers, ringtones, and themes. They have reached a community of 9.5 million users for the Android Market, and get 40 million visitors per month. The best part is that they have the Zedge Discovery Network, which supports new app developers and future app entrepreneurs to get discovered. They feature their newest app invention on their Zedge Discovery Network and all Zedge users will be exposed to it. There are a number of ways to create your own app and then to promote it, but it ’s the amount of interest in the app that will make or break it. That ’s the principle of becoming an entrepreneur in any type of business. Take the risk and either celebrate your success or accept defeat, but you might as well try with so many doors open to you.
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May 18, 2011
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Quitting can lead to success Why people should think twice before judging an exaddict. Overcoming addiction in a world where drugs are so ubiquitous should be commended, not frowned upon. By Sean Breza Staff Writer It is no secret that we live in a medicated country of overprescriptions. With drugs on every corner and every street in between, many fall head first into a wicked spiral of drug addiction. Others slowly fall prey to their drug of choice as they watch their previous way of life deteriorate, only to make room for the monster they are incessantly consuming. According to The World Health Organization ’s survey of legal and illegal drug use in 17 countries, including the Netherlands and other countries with less stringent drug laws, Americans reported the highest level of cocaine and marijuana abuse. It seems most addicts do not assume that lifestyle on purpose; it just happens. Before they know it, their
recreational habits have become common practice, and a fundamental part of their mental routine. Breaking this cycle can be a hellish toll. Perhaps it is because, as Keith Richards said in his recent autobiography Life , “The toughest thing about overcoming addiction, is as a former addict you know you ’ve had your best day. ” He describes in his book that particularly during his recordings of Exile on Main Street, arguably the Rolling Stone ’s most collaborative and impressive album, heroin put him in a necessary zone. One that blocked out the monotonous aspects of every day life, allowing him to focus on the task at hand, composing legendary riffs which he managed in full force. Another famous addict who has inspired countless authors and who ’s unique writing style was said to represent an entire generation was Hunter S. Thompson. He was a self-proclaimed “helpless drug fiend. ” Hunter ’s dear friend and editor of 35 years, Jann S. Wenner, recalls in “The Life Of Hunter S. Thompson: Gonzo ” that Hunter used to always say, “without drugs I would have the mind of an accountant. ” I am
going to speculate and say that even without drugs, he could have achieved a creative and artistic approach to life, and that this definitive view of himself was simply a justification for his reckless drug-use. These pop culture icons show that drug addicts often relish their addictions. Even if they manage to combat their dependence on drugs, they will never manage to replace that way of life. Overcoming an addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. Many feel shunned from society as soon as they admit their former addictions. Perhaps because they feel that nothing compares to the highs they use to feel and how hard it was to give them up, and that very few people can truly understand that. Nevertheless, overcoming an addiction is a very respectable feat. When you hear statistics of addicts enrolling themselves in treatment facilities and how many of them actually follow through with the programs, the numbers are generally very low. So I say give those who have beat their addiction a pat on the back, extend them the extra courtesy, and
don ’t ostracize them for it. They are trying incredibly hard to become functional members of society, so why not help them out? Is that not a noble intention on their part? Robert Downey Jr. serves as an inspiration for a slingshot comeback. Downey Jr. was in the dirtiest depths of a public drug addiction, and since hitting bottom, has cleaned up and starred in series of Hollywood hits. He has informed the public that he feels like a “veteran of a war that is difficult to discuss with people who haven ’t been there. ” There should be respect for people who were strong enough to overcome something as powerful as drug addiction, and yet there is only scrutiny —negative, condescending scrutiny. It ’s a hush-hush topic, even though many people have experienced it. We live in a society dotted with addicts and recovering addicts. It seems an inherent problem for a society with almost zero possibility of a drug-free future. As a society, we need to learn to understand how to work with it, and improve the relationship between former users and their sober peers.
Humans destined to continually repeat history? By Muna Cosic Staff Writer Philosophically speaking, history is the foundation of the present, providing structure for the future. Understanding the glories and mistakes of our history and applying that knowledge to the foundation of our present would promise a more rational and accepting world, which would structure a more solid future for mankind. Instead, the world is in a constant tumult of religious, political, and economic upheavals. But to be more direct, what about all those historical disasters caused by mankind, which we never learned from or derived the crucial lesson from in order to prevent them from repeating? History is a constant cycle where the same blunders are constantly being repeated and we ’re never learning a damn lesson from it. Why? Are we so thick-headed that we refuse to learn from past mistakes? Do we truly not understand the history of mankind? What are history classes for? From elementary school to high school, history is a mandatory subject to learn and understand, yet, it seems that the subject has failed to teach students the mistakes of the past. Perhaps, we do learn our history and understand it, but simply don ’t care enough to apply it to today ’s worldly
events. Whatever the case, it seems that a lot of things happening in today ’s world could have been prevented by simply understanding the history of past events and applying that knowledge to prevent mistakes from being repeated. Remember that recent nuclear disaster in Japan, where the Fukushima Daiichi Power Station was crippled due to the 9.0 earthquake and the tsunami that followed? Well, the danger of the nuclear reactors breaking down and radiation being released into the atmosphere isn ’t enough to stop the Japanese government from shutting the plant down and reconsidering the nation ’s energy policy. In fact, according to the New York Times, the Tokyo Electric Power Company said “it will take at least six months to stabilize the plant. ” Not to mention, new earthquakes hit Japan every single day. It is still an extremely unstable area and the tectonic plate activity should be deterring the country from relying on nuclear power anymore, but it ’s not. Lesson learned? Not even a bit. Countries like China, France, Germany, India, Russia, and USA have taken nuclear safety measures due to the Fukushima disaster, but is that promising enough to ensure safety for the world?
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Can we rely on these safety measures and believe to be immune to another nuclear disaster? No. Doesn ’t the nuclear disaster of 1986 in Chernobyl teach us how dangerous nuclear power plants are and what kind of radiation exposure it can conjure? There were safety measures taken after the Chernobyl crisis as well, yet
History is a constant cycle where the same blunders are constantly being repeated and we ’re never learning a damn lesson from it still Japan repeated history. Now, with the Fukushima catastrophe on top of the Chernobyl crisis, it seems the world will never learn from these disastrous events and nuclear energy will continue to fuel the world, round and round. From nuclear catastrophes to economic calamities, history is in a constant state of repetition. “By closely examining the dynamics and threats
Spring 2011 Staff Jonathan Bue Guiliana Dakdouk John Stapleton IV Sal Guerra Brian White Anisa El-Khouri Nathan Gawronsky Vera Hughes Miles Arnold Neelofer Lodhy Ayla Pound Alessandra Catanese Patricia de Borba
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Online Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor A&E Editor Lifestyle Editor Multimedia Editor Videographer
Faculty Advisors Saul Rubin and Gerard Burkhart
that were facing the country during these previous Crisis periods, we may be able to peer into the murky fog of the future and make out the phantoms of events to come. What we know for sure is every previous Crisis had an economic and fairness dimension that provided the initial spark, triggering a series of events that eventually led to an all-encompassing war for survival, ” said James Quinn, writer for the International Business Times. Can we look at the past economic depressions, like the Great Depression of 1929, and apply those events to today, in order to prevent it from repeating? Of course! Are we doing that? No. Instead, the economy continues sliding downward, inch-by-inch, and the future for economic recovery is gloomy. The pockets of the wealthy become fuller, while the rest of us are coming up empty. Get a history book, read just a few pages and you will see how so much that is happening today has occurred, one way or another, some time in the past. Our actions become history, whether recorded in a book or not, but they leave a mark somewhere, somehow. Our history books can take us on a journey of what used to be, but they scream at us not follow the same path but to nd a new one; one with a promise of a better, safer, and accepting tomorrow.
Reporters Adam Rubin, Alexis Bishop, Ariana Masters, Biko Poindonte-Hodge, Breanna Balisteri, Carla Wilson, Cathy Arias, Hector Mejia, Jennifer Ferrada, Joan Walsh, Joel Israel, Juan Lopez, Keijo Liimataiwen, Kevin Duncan, Latasha Edwards, Luana Kasahara, Michael Canepa, Michael Miller, Moa Axelsson, Munezeha Cosic (Muna), Naomi Calbucci, Nayla Paschoa, Nicholas Lotz, Nikki Edenedo, Oscar Castillo, Raven Wadley-Wright, Sean Breza, Shanon Culiner, Sophia Zhorne, Timothy Morse, Vienna Urias, Walter Orellana, Wayne Neal, William Courntey
Photographers Alma Milla, Amanda Bojorquez, Andrew Abselet, Andrew Curry, Anthony Kang, Fabian Cooke, George Mikhail, Jamin Mathis, Jeff Coté, Jennifer Martinez, Jessica Nicol, Krista Bonelli, Matthew Ambriz, Reynal Guillen, Ryan Lamb, Sammy Soliman, Walter Altman
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May 18, 2011
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
PHOTOSTORY
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Kevin Bradley, Olan Prenatt, and Nate Sells sit on top the ramp and look at the destruction of what used to be a place to skate. Julian Larry talks on the phone as he walks across an incomplete demolition of the Lincoln Ramp located on Lincoln and Victoria in Venice on May 9. Due to a shortage of funds from Venice United Methodist Church, the ramp could not be maintained for the local skating community.
Text by Jonathan Bue Editor-in-Chief Photographs by Paul Alvarez Corsair
After eight years of serving the Venice community ’s youth counter-culture the “Lincoln Ramp, ” a popular skate ramp located in the parking lot of Venice United Methodist Church, has been removed. Even as it was being torn down, a handful of Venice youth shared their last ride on the skate ramp. Amongst the strips of plywood is the evidence of a vibrant youth counter-culture that is displayed across the nearby
church walls. Reverend Okechukwu Ogbonnaya decided to remove the worn ramp, citing a lack of funds to maintain the ramp and safety as the main reasons in doing so; some question the legitimacy of such claims. Meanwhile, the debate on whether the church ’s actions ultimately helps or harms its ’ chances to reach out to the youth community goes on. Only 19 members attended last Sunday ’s church service.
A skateboard lays in the middle of the ramp surrounded by nails and wood panels that used to hold the Lincoln skate ramp together.
A construction worker saws down a ramp that has been in this community for eight years.
“Beevo” skates the Lincoln ramp one last time before it was officially destroyed.
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“My girlfriend has a gay friend that she spends all of her time with. She even lets him spend the night. Am I unreasonable for being worried? ”
By John Stapleton IV Web Editor Hell no. I don ’t think you can justify being jealous of a gay guy that goes shopping with her or a gay guy that spends the day braiding her hair, but spending the night? Lines need to be drawn. Straight ones. I ’m not saying gays aren ’t to be trusted, but he ’s still a gay guy, which means he still has a penis, which means he can still have sex with your girlfriend – even if they both swear that it would never happen. Consider this: Would your girlfriend tolerate you sleeping with a lesbian? Of course not – your anatomy is still sexually compatible. Well so is theirs, and what ’s to stop them? It ’s not like you ’d ever suspect anything – he ’s gay! Homosexuality is the best alibi ever. If a straight guy asked you if he could spend the night with your girlfriend because they ’re old friends and he ’s very in love with someone else, would you trust him? What ’s the difference? Being a gay man means he prefers other men, it doesn ’t mean he ’s physically incapable of plowing your girlfriend. Maybe they ’re “besties ” and he just wants to try something new. Maybe she just wants to see if she can seduce a gay guy. Maybe they just slipped in the shower and fell into each other ’s bodies. Like Ian Malcolm said: “Life will find a way. ”
You know how every girl on the By Vera Hughes planet can make out with Opinion Editor other girls at parties and it ’s always an Yes. A gay guy is the sexual accident and it never equivalent of a close girlfriend. Why m a k e s them gay and are guys obsessed with the idea of it never really girly sleepovers but worrisome over c o u n t s a s a gay guy sleeping over? The cheating? The same same gossipy conversation applies to that one goes down. There night that her and boy are no pillow fights Each week we will toy get a little tipsy accompanying either be accepting questions and end up using situation. So get rid for our relationship, and their reproductive of both the fantasy love advice column. Please anatomy as it was and the nightmare, send your questions to intended to be used: you ’re just off base. corsair.website@gmail. that won ’t make him My gay guy friends com straight, ergo it ’s not are more repulsed by technically cheating, the idea of making out ergo it won ’t be worth with me than my girlfriends telling you about. Enjoy those are. If my best girl friend were sloppy seconds. asked if she would make out with OR, Let her know that you respect me as a dare, she ’d say “why not? ” her other relationships, but that In “would you rather ” situations, you ’re her boyfriend – where you have to pick which which implies priority – girlfriend you ’d have a and that since you have no threesome with if you HAD prejudices, you expect to maintain a to choose, it takes most girls about monopoly on the penises allowed in fives seconds to come up with an her bed regardless of race, religion, answer. creed, or sexual orientation. It ’s only “Stacy, because she ’s hot and we fair. She ’ll either sacrifice giggly could get over the awkwardness. ” I pillow talk to be with you, or she ’ll call would never immediately jump to any you an intolerant, bigoted monster of my gay friends when posed with and sacrifice you to keep having sex those types of questions; we watch with the guy you let sleep in her bed Gossip Girl together and Google wellthis whole time. Homophobia is formed torsos. We might spoon, but unacceptable. But so is naivety. we ’re definitely both imagining the
She S
aid. .
other person is Gerard Butler. I have straight guy friends who sleep over at my house, sans weirdness or sexual tension; no one attempts to make a move. A boyfriend taking issue with THAT? Okay. I will concede. I can understand that qualm. Especially if that guy friend repeatedly sleeps over. No matter what is or isn ’t going on between us, the boyfriend has grounds for prohibiting that type of co-ed sleepover. But with my gay friends?! I only have GAY friends. You know, Gleewatching, Lady Gaga-worshipping, V-neck-wearing gay friends. They ’re integral to my sanity, to boot; very important friends in my arsenal of support. You ’re supposed to trust your girlfriends, it ’s apart of the exclusivity contract you both “signed ” when you decided to make things official. Have you met her gay friend? Are you sincerely threatened by him in all his pink-shirted, skinny-jeaned glory? Are you a feminine guy? Would your girlfriend feasibly be into a gay guy because she already leans towards metrosexuals? Are you a metrosexual? If a gay guy is capable of stealing away your girlfriend, you ’ve got bigger fish to fry, compadre. You ’re being ridiculous. Worry about the guy who gives her sleazy glances from across the bar, or the boy who pulls a chair out for her in the cafeteria. Not her loyal, uninterestedin-her friend.
Kiss me thru the Web By Raven Wright Staff Writer Technology continues to shower the human race with gadgets that allow people the opportunity to be intimate with loved ones from far away locations, with things such as picture messaging through cell phones, web chat, and Skype. A new invention will soon be added to the list, with the capability of allowing people to kiss through the computer. With modern technology such as this, the question remains: How can any long-distance relationship fail? A Japanese graduate student of the University of Electro-
“People will lose the need to actually meet people... ” - Mallory Browne Communications, Nobuhiro Takahashi, has created an oral transmitter, which creates the allusion of kissing through the computer. The device is shaped like a hand held speaker, with a slim tube that resembles a straw, which rotates under the control of one person. While the person rotates the tube with his/ her tongue, the device records the movements that later translate to the receivers end on the computer. The individual then feels the motions of the kiss through the rotations of the tube. “The elements of a kiss include the sense of taste, the manner of breathing, and the moistness of the tongue. ” Takahashi said to Digitized
Information. “If we can recreate all of those I think it will be a really powerful device. ” Although the device translates the motion of a kiss, the most important part, being the lips, is missing. The feeling of the lips while kissing is ultimately what makes the connection. “It ’s a bad idea because all it ’s doing is keeping people from interacting personally, ” said SMC student Mallory Browne. “People will lose the need to actually meet people, lose sight of relationships, and kissing won ’t be a serious part in someone ’s life anymore. ” Despite the fact that the kissing machine lacks lips, this device can be beneficial for couples that are apart for long periods of time. “I think it goes both ways because the families of soldiers would have more intimate connections with their loved ones, ” said history major Brisa Andrade. “If it went mainstream, it would definitely kill the feeling of actually being with someone physically and kissing them. ” In the year 2011, technology has created various items that keep people connected at all times. It seems that soon enough people will have a rotating tube in their mouth; fantasizing about the person they love as if the action is a reality. “I ’m not saying it is a bad idea but I just feel that there is a lot less emotion when one kisses another through the computer rather than in person, ” said Hushun Smith, a science major. The device is still being worked on and doesn ’t yet have a set release date, so only the future will tell if people are expecting to gain pleasure from a kiss from a machine.
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Creepy, crawly, crunchy creepers By Vera Hughes Opinion Editor A cup of crickets contains only 250 calories and six grams of fat. Crickets are also rich in calcium and protein, according to worldrenowned bug chef David George Gordon, who warned the crowd surrounding the bug cook-off stage at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum ’s Bug Fair this past Saturday, “if you ’re watching your ngernails break, you ’re not eating enough crickets. ” With special guests Cole and Dylan Sprouse, the baby-faced twins who are Disney Channel tween superstars, it was a gala event, with endless kiosks selling bug-related merchandise and the ever-popular permanent exhibit The Buttery Pavilion, the Bug Fair had much to offer. The Natural History Museum ’s grounds were swarming with children of every age, many with uniform t-shirts indicating they were on school eld trips. But despite the many schoolchildren, there were still many accompanied by their bug-loving parents, and both parties were equally enthused by the plethora of creepy-crawlers. Other parents, who may not have been quite as mesmerized by millipedes, larvae, or tarantulas, could be found circling the countless vendors scattered about
the rst oor of the museum, taking up the interiors of the African Mammal Hall and the North American Mammal Hall. Many vendors sold pinned and cased exotic bugs as collector ’s items, with beautiful iridescent wings, exoskeletons, or complex mimicry-inspired patterns. Those involved in the coordination of the Bug Fair all displayed equal enthusiasm for it. This year was the Bug Fair ’s 25th anniversary and one of it ’s most popular yet. Boasting events like cockroach racing, bug face painting, bug pinning, insect origami with Robert Land, and insect art by Steven Kutcher, it was natural for curators and museum employees to be proud. The Buttery Pavilion remained busy all day, being one of the most popular attractions of the day despite its permanent residence at the Natural History Museum. Waiting patiently in line with his baby brother Ariel, six year-old Nathaniel expressed interest in the herbs growing alongside the path to the Buttery Pavilion ’s entrance. “Rosemary, daddy! Can I eat it? ” Nathaniel excitedly asked. With an approving nod from his dad, he began to chew on a small sprig of the pungent herb, and his face showed almost immediate regret. As his younger brother prodded a pillbug, or roly poly as they are
colloquially referred to, their father suggested they feed the roly poly to the butteries once they get inside. “But DAD, ” Nathaniel emphatically remarked, “they ONLY eat nectar! ” The Buttery Pavilion, according to promotional material provided by the museum, is “home to over 55 species of butteries and moths from all over North America. ” The Buttery Pavilion is a secluded and beautiful environment to observe some of nature ’s prettiest creations up close and personal. Ironically enough, the Bug Fair was sponsored by the Western Exterminator Company, a pest control service based in Anaheim, Calif. The outdoor cook-off was one of the most popular events, partly because of its Disney Channel hosts, and also because one cannot deny the appeal of watching people consume bugs. Featuring four different chefs, David George Gordon, Zack Lemann, Daniella Martin and David Gracer, the bug cook-off led to the creation of dishes like a “Bee-L-T sandwiches ” and niblets and crickets. While they may not have looked appealing to eat, according to adolescent tastetesters they were “GREAT! ” So, as it was eloquently asked by Brent the Bug Guy, one of the major organizers of the Bug Fair, “who wants to try a bug today? ”
Tsogzol Bayart Contributor Billy Collins (left) watches the tarantula on his right hand while his brother Tommy (right) waits his turn to experience how it feels to hold the spider.
No time to delay on Big Sunday By Michael Miller Staff Writer Her hands and clothes speckled with paint, Makeba Stallings of Los Angeles coaches her son Tyler on how to paint properly. Their work-inprogress, an oversized War and Peace theatrical prop, is nearly complete but there is much more work ahead. The mother and son team are surrounded by half nished set items, canvas tarps, and construction supplies. “Everybody is grateful to be contributing and giving back, ” says Stallings. “It feels good to know that you are helping. ” The Stallings are among more than 50,000 other volunteers
who took part in this year ’s Big Sunday event on May 14 and 15. Volunteers from San Francisco to San Diego participated in what has come to be, according to Founder and Director David Levinson, one of America ’s largest organized community service events. Big Sunday provided 500 projects at different locations, for which volunteers registered online. Michelle Christie-Adams is the founder of No Limits, an organization which caters to speech and language needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. “Big Sunday has been around forever in our lives and we are so grateful [ … ] This year is so special because we
are looking at all of our sets and having them refurbished, ” said Christie-Adams. At the Ocean Park Community Center, 10-year volunteer and team leader Woolf Kanter, organized and headed a barbeque for the homeless. Kanter began volunteering 10 years ago at Temple Israel ’s Mitzvah Day. “They started off small and it grew and grew and grew over the years and now they have changed the name to Big Sunday, ” he said. “It ’s done Saturday and Sunday and they do other things throughout the year. ” The work was tedious as many projects included painting, planting, building, or restoring;
Michael Miller Corsair This year’s green handprints add to four years worth of volunteer hand prints, which brighten a giant canvas at the New Horizon School Community Center in Los Angeles.
still, morale remained high on Big Sunday. “It really touches your heart! ” shouted Nadeen Sparks, a youth volunteer. Her new friend, Joanna Veregas, agreed. “You see all of the homeless people and give them the food, ” she said. “They look into your eyes and say ‘thank you. ’ I really feel like they appreciate it. ” Young people showed up in numbers for the various volunteer events. Big Sunday, as an organization, facilitated community service, but more specically community building, an aspect of the project that Naquib Shifa and his volunteer group at New Horizon School embraced with
artistic arms. “The idea is to deliver our items to the patients of local hospitals to build a bridge between the schools and the hospitals and to engender a community spirit here in Santa Monica, ” said Shifa. Both students of New Horizon School and other local community members gathered to create decorative pots for hospitalized patients. Big Sunday brings together citizens of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds with the common goal of community building. With over 50,000 volunteers working on 500 projects, Big Sunday has a substantial impact on both those who volunteer, and those who benet.
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
May 18, 2011
A&E
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The Lonely Island
By Kevin Duncan Staff Writer
Saturday Night Live ’s famous comedy hip-hop group, The Lonely Island, is back with their sophomore album entitled Turtleneck & Chain. The album dropped last Tuesday on Universal Republic Records, and features numerous guest artists such as Snoop Dogg, Akon, Michael Bolton, Justin Timberlake, and Nicki Minaj. The group is composed of Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone, all originally from Berkeley, California, and currently residing in New York City. The title track off The Lonely Island ’s new album, Turtleneck & Chain, features none other than Snoop Dogg himself. The entire song goes hard with a powerful beat, however, Snoop ’s verses only last about 45 seconds. Of course the concept of Turtleneck & Chain is completely preposterous, but the trio makes it sound interesting and are serious about it. The rst single off the album, “I Just had Sex, ” features the ubiquitous Akon, who has proudly partaken in more than one Lonely Island song. Apart from the title and lyrics, this song could have been a radio hit. The group posted the Courtesy of Universal Republic Records music video to YouTube the same day the song was released
Manchester Orchestra
By Moa Axelsson Staff Writer
In Simple Math ’s 10-track, 45 minute composition, Manchester Orchestra show off the most honest and fullling album they ’ve put out during their career. Created as a concept album reecting a family crisis, it ’s hard to think of another time when front man Andy Hull has made himself so deliberately vulnerable. In 2006, Manchester Orchestra released their debut album Like a Virgin Losing a Child, which quickly became a hit amongst indie-lovers all over America. The band has since developed and evolved throughout their second release, Mean Everything to Nothing (2009), and now they have arrived at a new level with Simple Math, released through Columbia Records, a much needed addition to today ’s indie music scene. The theme of the album is isolation and regret, which plays heavily throughout the album, starting at the very rst track. “Deer ” is a soft-spoken apology to friends, family, and Courtesy of Columbia Records fans. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is told
theCorsaironline.com back in December. Celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, and John McEnroe make guest appearances in the video providing it with over 85 million views. “The Creep ” was also a hit on YouTube with over 20 million views since late January. In the video, The Lonely Island create a new dance, called “The Creep, ” which consists of creeping up on someone at any given time or place. Guest rap artist, Nicki Minaj, joins their latest antics and ts perfectly in the song. Even Michael Bolton, known for his soft rock ballads, joined in on the fun on the track “Jack Sparrow. ” Bolton added a bold and gallant voice to the hard-core rap style of the Lonely Island, and the result was impeccable. Bolton ’s adventurous lyrics about Pirates of the Caribbean, Scarface, and Forrest Gump, were absolutely irrelevant in the song, yet astounding. “Bolton was our rst choice for [the Pirates of the Caribbean –inspired track] “Jack Sparrow. ” We worked very hard to make it happen, ” said Schaffer in an interview for Time Out New York. The Lonely Island ’s second album is a success because of the tremendous amount of effort the group put into both the music and the lyrics, thus making them the world ’s most popular comedic rap group. They are on a whole new level of musical comedy. through the eyes of Hull as he braces himself for an everchanging reality while questioning everything around him. After the opening track the record kicks into high gear with Mighty, by diving into a pool of grunge and dirty southerninspired rock, bringing the listener back to 2009 ’s Mean Everything to Nothing. The album works so well because the band has managed to take advantage of the bruised intimacy of their work, and they ’ve found a musical palette broad enough to highlight every note. “Pale Black Eye ” and “Virgin ” are alternately delicate and heavy, while “Deer ” represents the softer side of the scale. The title track “Simple Math ” describes a philosophical sensuality when Hull attempts to jump down to a deeper mental level accompanied by an abundance of string sections and a full orchestra. Manchester Orchestra with this album has proven that they are no longer a shadow of the music that inuenced them. Simple Math shows an important artistic growth and development, and is a benecial addition to an already brilliant discography.
Skateland: low budget, high quality By William Courtney Staff Writer
part of the era. Skateland successfully went beyond the party scene and was able to relate to what Skateland is far more than an ‘80s party many young adults are going through today. movie. It captures a whole generation, and The characters did a great job of inviting the reminds audiences that a good movie can audience to feed off the raw emotion of the come from a straightforward and commonly lm. They leave you with a vested interest in known theme in life: growing up. the overall story and a longing to experience The lm is set in East Texas and follows life as they know it. Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), Fernandez was a little stiff at the beginning a 19 year-old who is still trying to nd of the lm, but eventually proved to be his purpose in life. As a manager of the worthy of the lead role. Overall, he was local skate rink, Fernandez is reluctant excellent and left one guessing where his to leave his hometown, where things are ever-changing life would lead to next. comfortable and more Green steals the importantly, fun. show in a subtle Wheeler ’s friends, manner and proves easy-going Kenny to be the driving force Crawford (Taylor behind Fernandez ’s Handley) and super transformation condent bike-racing throughout the movie. Brent Burkham (Heath Despite her character Freeman), along being the youngest, with Freeman ’s onshe proves to be the screen sister, Michelle most mature. Burkham (Ashley Handley and Greene), are all content Freeman stand out on smoking, drinking, in their rolls showing and hanging out on the how important it is lake as they live in the to have good friends. moment. Most importantly, Like the characters, the their side stories are funny and lighthearted worth following, which movie slowly becomes keeps the story rolling. more serious and Skateland shows that Courtesy of Freeman Films mature, as Fernandez and his it isn ’t necessary to have friends are forced to decide their future and a huge budget or a major studio backing the at times confront their past. lm in order to be successful. It boils down First-time director and writer Anthony to good direction and solid acting. Burns, along with writers Heath Freeman There wasn ’t a dull moment throughout and Brandon Freeman, did a great job the entire lm, and just when the plot of making the PG-13 indie lm a true seemed to reach a steady point, another snapshot of the early ‘80s for a small Texas twist was thrown in. community. The clothes, music, cars, This movie conveys the uncertainties of moustaches, and even the constant cigarette life, and shows how hard it is to leave what smoking, highlights an often-overlooked some have known their whole lives.
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Jessica Nichol Corsair Global Motion World Dance Company Artistic Directors Raquel Ramirez and Sri Susilowati have put together what is known as Global Motion Dance Synapse, which includes world dance styles which includes Salsa, Mexican Folklorico, Indonesian, African, Ballet, and more.
Global Motion World Dance Company graces SMC By Sophia Zhorne Staff Writer The Global Motion World Dance Company gave a riveting performance lled with energy and passion this past weekend at Santa Monica College ’s Broad Stage. A mix of yellow, red, and green owers sat on top of the Indonesian dancers ’ heads giving the whole experience a very charismatic feel. Members of the audience ranged from parents to musicians to choreographers, with the theater nearly full on the night of May 15. The show began with an Indonesian Sunda dance, followed by a Mexican Folklorico, and a few acts later a Contemporary/Romantic Ballet, giving the show a lot of diversity. “The best way to learn a culture is through their dance, ” said SMC Dance Department Chair and Founder, Judith Douglas. “For some students, this is their heritage. To truly be a global citizen, you need to know the people ’s dance.
Dance is the oldest and most powerful form of non-verbal communication. ” Douglas has been teaching at SMC since 1974, and currently teaches two Humanities courses. With 98 students auditioning in February, only 48 made the cut and were able to perform this past weekend. Once the students were accepted, they were required to take Dance 57A (World Dance Performance) which Douglas founded and originated. Of the 48 dancers, each had to be in at least two pieces. Many of the dances on display depicted work and religion, and the Indonesian dance reected a matriarch society. Elizabeth Terschuur, choreographer of the ballet piece entitled “Wonder, ” discussed the process involved with getting her dancers ready for this show. “It took us the entire semester. Most of the dancers had never danced ballet before, maybe only three have taken it, ” said Terschuur who is currently nishing her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in choreography at UCLA.
“What was interesting to see was how much modeling and mirroring they were able to pick up so efciently. I thought it was very impressive. I think they did extraordinarily well and you should always expect people to rise above, they usually meet what you ’re hoping they ’ll meet, ” said Terschuur. Jessica Nedjat-Haiem, whose family is from Tehran, Iran, and has been dancing since 2003, had a solo in the second to last act, the Spanish Flamenco. Draped in lavish spanish-style attire, the dancer took the spotlight in a solo performance she choreographed herself. “I think the beauty of dance is that through it, you get to learn about a different culture, ” said Nedjat-Haiem. As all of the dancers lined up for their nal bow, the artistic directors and choreographers came out together with Douglas and student choreographers, ending the show by dancing on stage together. “At rst I was nervous and there ’s so much adrenaline, but feeding off the energy from the audience made it that much more strong, ” said dancer Victoria Tapscott.
SMC Film Club presents Ordinary People By Jennifer Ferrada Staff Writer The free screening of Ordinary People (2009) which took place last Friday at Santa Monica College, was the second lm featured in SMC ’s Global Film Series led by lm studies Professors Josh Kanin, and Salvador Carrasco. Ordinary People is a lm written and directed by Vladimir Perisic, a native of Serbia, and centers on a group of Serbian soldiers being taken to a desolate location without many details of what awaits them next. When Dzoni, played by Relja Popovic, along with six other soldiers arrive at their unknown destination, they quietly sit and wait only to nd out their mission
is to annihilate a group of Croatian prisoners on a bus. The screening of Ordinary People at SMC struck a lively discussion that went on for an hour and a half about the many challenging issues in the lm. The lm hit on many personal levels for student Robert Soto, who served in the U.S. Air Force. “All the things they were doing were so familiar, like the constant waiting with only your thoughts to keep you company, ” said Soto. Professor Kanin feels the lm ’s mostly quiet and slow setting, debunks the traditional combat movie stereotype. “Viewers get a sense that once you get through basic training and get out into the eld wherever you ’re stationed to ght, it ’s really very boring because
most of the time you sit around waiting for something to happen, ” said Kanin. Professor Carrasco, who had the privilege of meeting director Perisic, explained that at rst the lm had no script, or professional actors. There was a 20-page synopsis to get things rolling, but it was mostly created as they went along. When the character Dzoni is ordered to kill the rst group of Croatians along with his crew, his reluctance is made evident as he refuses to look at the Croatians while shooting. Those in the audience all had a different reaction to the lm ’s ending, which consisted of Dzoni just sitting down drinking coffee. “I didn ’t really experience the change with him, ” said
Dustin Brown. Brown felt that the director made the lm so hands off, that in the process he kept emotions out. Shayna Muller felt the opposite. “When he was sitting there he was just completely desensitized, ” she said. “It ’s like now it ’s done and that ’s why he barely reacted to another gunshot in the distance. ” With all the different reactions to the lm, positive or negative, Carrasco believed it accomplished its point, which was to not set off indifference. The lm Ordinary People proved to be a unique interpretation of soldiers being faced with their own moral choices. “It ’s quite universal about the human condition, ” said Carrasco, “It ’s a deafening quietness. ”
THE WEEK AT SMC May 19
May 20
“Opening Reception: Emeritus College Student Juried Art Exhibition I ”
“ ‘LA MODE 2011 ’ Fashion Show ”
“Global Film Series: ‘Anne Frank Remembered ’ ”
Emeritus College Art Gallery
The California Market Center
H.S.S. Room 165
Main Stage Theatre Arts Complex
5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
8 p.m.
“Preview: Urinetown ”
“Jazz: Myungo “Synapse Jackson Quintet ” Dance Theatre Contemporary Dance Ensemble ” Edye Second Space Broad Stage 7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
For ticketing information on events at the Broad Stage, visit thebroadstage.com
May 24
May 21 “Urinetown ’ ”
Main Stage Theatre Arts Complex
8 p.m.
“Opening Reception: 32nd Annual SMC Student Photography Exhibit ’ ” SMC Photo Gallery Drescher Hall 6 - 9 p.m.
“Jazz: Lionel Louke Trio ”
“L.A. Acoustic “Green Screens Festival: In the are Growing ” Spirit of Woody Guthry ”
Edye Second Space
Broad Stage
Bundy 123
7:30 p.m.
3 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
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Photos by George Mikhail Corsair The Santa Monica College Women’s Tennis team poses for pictures at the water fountain closest to the Main Campus library at SMC yesterday. The team recently won the state championship in both the team, singles, and doubles competitions.
STATE CHAMPIONS By Miles Arnold Sports Editor After a dominating year of conference play and a strong playoff run, the Santa Monica College women ’s tennis team capped off a near perfect season this past weekend by winning the California Team, Singles, and Doubles State Tennis Championships for the rst time in SMC ’s history. “It feels great! ” said co-captain Gwendolyn Kaufmann. “We ’ve worked hard all year to get here and it paid off. ” This is the rst state title for head coach Richard Goldenson who began his quest at SMC 11 years ago. “I guess this shows I know what I ’m doing, ” joked Goldenson after the match. “This has been our goal since the end of last season so I ’m happy for the girls. ” The Corsairs, who have played the whole season with a great deal of condence, admitted they were a little nervous before their matches but seemed to settle down as the afternoon progressed. “Once I got on the court and started warming up I felt ne, ” said Krystal Hansard, who cruised to what looked like an easy win as she defeated Sierra College ’s Nathalie Davis in straight sets 6-2 and 6-1 for the rst win of the afternoon. “I was a little stressed before my match, ” said co-captain Jutta Collet, “but I think that we were so condent that it wasn ’t that big of a deal for a lot of us. ”
The center court match-up of the team championship featured SMC ’s top ranked Katerina Mozolyuk and Sierra ’s talented Kelsey Chrisco, who had met two weeks prior in Ojai where Mozolyuk beat her en route to the tournament championship. The outcome this time was no different as Mozolyuk, who was just named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association ’s (ITA) Rookie of the Year, once again beat her opponent in straight sets 6-2 and 6-0. Collet did not have such an easy road to
and took the rst set 7-5. “I just kept ghting, ” said Kaufmann after the match. “I was really nervous during that rst set and I really didn ’t calm down until coach came and talked to me. ” In the second and nal set up 5-2 with all her teammates looking on, Kaufmann dropped a soft shot over the net just out of the reach of Sierra ’s Ariana Pardis to win the set 6-2 and clinch the rst ever Women ’s Team State Championship in the school ’s history.
“This could be the start of something big. ” -Joe Cascio, SMC Athletic Director victory in her win against Sierra ’s Cortnei Chance as the two went back and forth in the rst set before Collet nally won it 7-5 which clearly deated the condence of Chance as Collet went on to win the second set 6-2. With all the other matches complete, it was up to Kaufmann to win her match to clinch the title and avoid doubles as they had done for all of the playoffs. After a rst set that was similar to Collet ’s, Kaufmann once again showed a lot of emotion on the court as she had to battle back after being down early. However as she had done the week before in the third round against Grossmont she battled back
“This could be the start of something big, ” said SMC Athletic Director Joe Cascio following the match. “This is our rst state title in a while. ” In the individual singles nal, Mozolyuk, for the third time in four weeks, was paired up against Grossmont College ’s Jazmine Ortiz, who didn ’t make it easy on Mozolyuk. The match went three sets with Mozolyuk losing the second set 6-7 before securing the title with a 6-3 win in the third set. The doubles team of Krystal Hansrad and Criss Rodriguez easily defeated Grossmont ’s top raked duo of Jazmine Ortiz and Sharon Riebstein 6-2 and 6-1 to complete the “Triple Crown. ”
For coach Goldenson, this marks the end of a successful season with a talented group of women that accomplished all the goals they set for themselves. “They are self-motivated and very serious, ” said Goldenson. “They never got too excited after matches and stayed focused all year. ” He added, “I have people come up to me after matches and tell me what great people these women are. They really are a pleasure to coach. ” Looking down the road, Goldenson is ready to build a “dynasty. ” “We have four players returning and some talented recruits coming in next year so I feel pretty good about the future, ” said Goldenson. There are four potential recruits on Goldenson ’s radar that t the mold of tennis player that the coach looks for. “They have to study hard and get good grades, ” said Goldenson, “self-motivation is important, ” he added. “They have to be motivated to get to this level of tennis. ” As a coach he believes that it is the job of he and his coaching staff to provide the opportunity for self-motivation by stepping back and letting the players play their game. “We have to create that positive environment for them, ” said Goldenson. As far as getting the word out about SMC tennis, Goldenson says their accomplishments speak for themselves. “We got the number one singles player in the state, we ’ve got the number one doubles team in the state, and we have the number one team in the state. ” Far Left: The women’s tennis team shows off their new championship t-shirts on campus in Santa Monica. Right: Jutta Collet returns the ball to Sierra City College at the teams state championship match in Fresno Calif., on May 12.