The Corsair Vol. C Issue 16

PHOTO STORIES

ONLINE

Fashioning Fashion: A look into fashion from the past at LACMA.

The Corsair basketball team’s season comes to an end and a chef’s unique marketing strategy.

Page 12

Page 7

See thecorsaironline.com

the

Corsair

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

www.thecorsaironline.com

Pirates Kill Local Couple

THIS WEEK News

Volume C, Issue 16

2-3

The Big Blue Bus is expecting many changes this spring.

Students can check schedules on their cell phones.

The 2011 Homesless Count results are in. The findings are similar to 2010’s findings.

Courtesy of St. Monica Catholic Church Californians Jean and Scott Adam were killed last week by pirates in Somalia.

4-5

Opinion

An analysis of how the Egyptian revolution showcases how powerful the Internet can be.

By Sophia Zhorne Staff Writer

Why parking tickets in Santa Monica are such a pain.

“Every camera is placed with safety and privacy in mind,” he added.

Cadena described the surveillance system’s purpose to have three main components: deterring future crime, monitoring for crime and case investigation.

“SMC greatly benefits from the CCTV system. I believe a good deal of the campus’ sense of safety is due to the camera system,” said Cadena.

“In a sense it all comes down to safety,” added SMC Police Sgt. Jere Romano.

Romano explained that one form of unwelcome visitor they are keeping an eye out for are “office creepers.”

Office creepers are thieves who covertly enter work areas to steal valuable equipment. A recent situation occurred

Jean and Scott Adam boarded their yacht, “S/V Quest,” some 10 years ago and set sail to accomplish their holy mission in life: to distribute Bibles across the world.

Last Tuesday they were killed by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman, giving Americans a wholly different perspective about safety overseas.

Scott Adam retired in 2001 and together with Jean decided to delve into the deep waters of the sea, a life-long goal they shared.

As members of St. Monica Catholic Church, where Jean sang in the choir, the two set sail to practice and preach Catholicism for nearly a decade.

After allegedly separating from other boats, the Adam’s were shot by pirates. Accompanying the Adam’s on their journey was Seattle couple Phyllis Macay, 59, and Bob Riggle, 67. The couples were on their way to Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa bordered by Somalia in the southeast. They had been on their way to refuel when pirates attacked.

Jean often updated her family and friends of their adventures and locations they would be going to via the Adam’s website called

[See Cameras, page 3]

[See Pirates, page 3]

Reading for pleasure in the digital age.

A professor’s sympathetic view on a hot campus issue: smoking.

Sports

6

Coach Jerome Jenkins gets named Coach of the Year.

Everett Brown uses his confidence to succeed on the court.

Lakers or Clippers?

8-9

A&E

Topher Gracie and Anna Faris take us back to the 80’s.

After a four year absence, Bayside is back with their fourth album.

Dr. Jean Gebman discusses how space launch will cease to exist.

Kamau Daaood brings us into the spirit of Black history Month.

Lifestyle

10-11

The LA Derby Dolls tear up the rink.

Coconut water grows in popularity.

Is virginity a second-date worthy topic?

Visit thecorsaironline.com

This is a QR Code, if your phone has a camera and internet capabilities, simply load any code-scanning application and take a picture of this image.

SMC is watching Jamin MathisCorsair A student studies as the CCTV camera records nearby activity. The cameras are located on every campus at Santa Monica College.

By Adam Rubin Staff Writer Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are recording activity on a 24-hour basis on every campus at Santa Monica College.

The cameras have assisted with catching criminal activity in cases dating as recently as last Wednesday, February 23.

The first cameras were set up 20 years ago following an incident involving a student entering the bookstore with a handgun.

The camera collection has accumulated over the years and now totals up to 300 cameras district-wide, according to SMC Police Officer Ruben Cadena.

“Although it may seem like a lot, it really isn’t. Your average department store houses approximately 100 to 200 cameras,” Cadena said.

Arts & Entertainment

Lifestyle

Opinion

Styles for Smiles LA Derbie Dolls

Lap Band

By Naomi Calbucci Staff Writer

By John Stapleton Web Editor

By Carla Wilson Staff Writer

Something lost, something gained. This is what Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated star Amy Brenneman learned as she dared to say what no one in her family would admit: that the plastic hand puppet her brother had been controlling all her life with was in fact just plastic. The illusion that bonded her family together came undone as the 10-year-old refused to submit to her brother’s demands and broke the spell of in-

Before Saturday, I knew as much about roller derby as I did about fashion shows – which is to say that I knew women were involved and that they would be performing in some kind of entertainment capacity. I also knew that I would have no idea what was actually supposed to be happening. But wafer-thin women strutting down a catwalk in outlandish outfits has a significantly different (read: less) appeal than roller skating teams of hel-

It’s quite alarming when one day you look at yourself in the mirror and don’t recognize the person staring back at you.

It’s also terrifying to watch your body morph into a mass of undulating blubber that squishes out the sides of the pants you can no longer fit.

That’s fat my friends, and it ain’t pretty.

When you reach a body mass index (BMI) of 38 it’s probably time to re-think that donut

[See Smiles, page 8]

[See Derby, page 11]

[See Lap Band, page 4]

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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March 2, 2011

NEWS

theCorsaironline.com

homeless count shows no improvements

By William Goldstein Staff Writer

On the night of January 26, 2011, Santa Monica conducted its annual streetby-street enumeration of chronically homeless individuals. Two hundred volunteers and city staff echoed their thoughts across the Santa Monica district, 226 linear miles, to conduct a thorough authoritative analysis of the homeless population.

On February 28, the results were addressed in a presentation at the Santa Monica Civic Center.

Maggie Willis, senior administrative analyst of the City of Santa Monica’s Human Services Division, led the presentation regarding the count.

She began by stating that none of the statistics would be possible without the many people willing to collect the data, “the strong presence of our impressive local service providers, civic minded community members who allowed us to cover every block, every alley and every street in the city.”

The resulting presentation is intended to provide an understanding of how the numbers were collected and how they compared with the 2009 and 2010 results. The homeless street population, shelter and institutions, jails, motels, hospitals, and encampment populations were all collected.

The data presented concluded that homelessness decreased 18.9 percent between 2009 and 2010 and 25 percent between 2007 and 2010. The population is nearly static between 2010 and 2011.

The 2007 homeless population was 999. In 2009, the total was 915, an 8 percent reduction over 2007.

In 2010, the total was 742, an 18.9 percent reduction over 2009 and 25 percent reduction over 2007.

And in 2011, the total is 740, which sustained the reduction of previous years. This includes a street homeless population of 263, a shelter and institutions population of 426 individuals, and 51 cars and encampments.

The street count identified no entire families to be unsheltered. Of the sheltered population, 101 (24 percent) were identified as members of families.

The council believes it is the help of the local community and officials that will help decrease homelessness. It is through shelter and housing resources that give homeless individuals the opportunity to live in an apartment or home, if they choose to.

Willis said, “the city continues to promote permanent housing, using a housing principle to quickly move people from the streets to housing.”

In Santa Monica there are currently over 450 shelters and transitional housing beds, and approximately 400 permanent supportive housing beds, totaling about 850.

Almost 300 permanent supportive housing opportunities are available to disabled homeless individuals and families, plus 58 emergency, transition and “safe haven” beds reserved for mentally ill individuals. Santa Monica officials say it is crucial to serve those who

Sabine Barkhou Contributor A homeless man makes himself comfortable and prepares to sleep on the streets of Santa Monica.

He is only one of a reported 740 homeless people in the city.

are chronically homeless, especially the mentally ill and substance abusers.

The Council’s goal is to use television and newsletters to inform the community on the causes and impacts of homelessness.

In addition, the Eviction Prevention & Re-Housing Assistance Program aids in serving low-income Santa Monica residents who are at risk of losing their home due to the financial crisis.

“We will need to see a significant shift in the types and intensity of services

offered by providers as well as shifting funds to focus on housing placement and retention,” said Willis.

Ocean Park Community Center Executive Director John Maceri, who primarily focuses on foreclosures, job loss, and medical expenses, said how difficult the journey would be to eliminate homelessness by 2012. He said, “with the sustained effort, it’s hard work, I don’t think we should fool ourselves.”

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 2, 2011

NEWS

theCorsaironline.com

3

Big plans for Big Blue Bus

By Jacque Loewy Staff Writer The City of Santa Monica plans to redevelop its existing Big Blue Bus (BBB) transit line. The $6.9 million project budget provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), along with stimulus funds, will include several upgrades to the current 360 bus stops beginning this spring.

Newly renovated bus stops will feature a BBB service map with time-tables and a map showing local attractions within walking distance.

Canopies will be added to stops and there are also plans to implement a new system for riders to track bus arrival times via the use of an ID number on their cell phone.

In addition, the plan includes the construction of one high-volume bus stop with 1,000 daily stops and the renovation of four existing shelters where only signage will be changed to match the new stations.

BBB Customer Relations Manager Dan Dawson noted that bus drivers have been monitoring the number of student riders. When you show your student ID upon boarding the bus, the driver records that a student has boarded “via a special tally key.”

After combining the counts from each bus, the BBB is able to accurately estimate the volume of students riding the bus.

This method allowed them to allocate appropriate attention and

funds efficiently when planning the redevelopment of SMC stops.

Francine Pares, a representative for the BBB, confirmed that SMC will receive high-volume stops at the main campus, Bundy campus, and AET campus. The main campus will also add high, medium, and low-volume stops at nearby Pico Boulevard intersections.

High-volume stations will receive extra amenities, including extra seating in proportion to the expected higher volume of riders.

In compliance with Santa Monica’s clean environment initiative, highvolume stations will also feature recycling containers and LED lighting powered by solar panels.

Lorcan O´Herlihy Architects (LOHA) was chosen to head the renovations.

Individuals from LOHA inspected all 360 Santa Monica bus stops, evaluating the volume of traffic at each in order to appropriately allocate funds.

Santa Monica’s goals for the newly designed BBB stops are an affirmation of the city’s position at the forefront of environmental consciousness. Locally recycled materials will be used for the redevelopment.

The new stops are expected to reduce air pollution and congestion through the utilization of alternate energy and by providing more information for riders.

The purpose of the modern designs at the stops is to increase the ambiance of Santa Monica by creating a more inviting stop, encouraging “would be” commuters to use the transit system.

CCTV at SMC [Cameras, from page 1]

where the cameras assisted in the arrest of such a felon.

On Feb. 17, an individual entered an office and stole a wallet. His entrance into the building was captured on a CCTV camera.

This footage in combination with an eyewitness report led to the identification of the suspect and his arrest last Wednesday.

During the first week of school on 17th St. and Pico behind A & R Textbooks, there was another crime caught on camera.

A domestic -Sgt. violence situation ensued where a male assaulted his girlfriend and a motorist notified the SMC police. At that time, an officer monitoring the CCTV cameras was able to zoom in and direct officers with a description of the suspect and scene.

Romano believes CCTV cameras provide a clear advantage. “Those that can have access to it in a time when it is really needed are removed from the incident, they don’t feel the danger.

They can actually focus on what they are doing and try to capture as much information as they can to give to units in the field.”

If and when a crime is captured on film, the police respond promptly

by raising awareness of the incident through bulletins and notices, as explained by Facilities Manager Greg Brown.

Brown said, “If we can educate people with awareness then similar incidents may be avoided.”

Depending on circumstances, police may respond with an increase in patrol and the footage archived for investigation.

A l t h o u g h the cost of the entire CCTV system was not determined, the dispatch center’s recent enovation Jere Romano rfrom analog to digital system was roughly $500,000, according to Brown.

The cameras exact placement choices could not be disclosed at this time for security reasons. Brown did state, though, that they are not placed in all classrooms because “Faculty and students feel uncomfortable about being observed during the instructional process.”

Sgt. Romano addressed one assumption surrounding surveillance cameras, “People try to take the negative connotation that it’s just about guilt. The cameras can be a safe guard to prove someone of innocence. It’s about innocence too,” he said.

“It all comes down to safety.”

Sabine Barkhou Contributor These new buses now stationed at the Big Blue Bus Depot in Santa Monica will soon be used throughout the city.

Sabine Barkhou Contributor This is the current bus model being used by the Big Blue Bus system.

Two Santa Monica locals killed near Somalia while on mission trip [Pirates, from page 1]

www.SVQuest.com. One of Jean’s last entries, which seemed to express some foreboding stated: “Djibouti is a big refueling stop. I have NO [sic] idea what will happen in these ports, but perhaps we’ll do some local touring. Due north is the Red Sea where we plan to tuck in when winds turn to the north.”

Ed Archer, the choir director and a teacher at St. Monica Catholic High School knew Jean and Scott before they were married. Archer recalls eating dinner on the yacht during a choir party, adding that Jean had sung in the choir since what he believes was in the ‘90s.

Archer and other members of the choir performed music for the Adam’s at their wedding.

The last time Archer saw the Adam’s was in December around Christmas.

Archer had been following them on their website throughout the expedition.

Conspiracies are rising as to the motive of the pirates. One speculation is that the Adam’s were used as a symbol of revenge by the Somali pirates.

Recently, the U.S. Federal Court sentenced Abduwali Abukhadir Muse to 34 years in prison only two days before the “S/V Quest” was hijacked.

Earlier this week a Somali pirate told an Associated Press reporter in Somalia that pirates would target Americans in retaliation for the sentencing.

The pirate, who identified himself by the name Hassan, said Americans would

suffer “regrettable consequences,” according to an LA Weekly blog.

Maj. Gen. Buster Howes, commander of the European Union anti-piracy force, told AP this month that some of the inflicted horrors used by pirates are: tying hostages upside down and dragging them in the sea, locking them in freezers, beating them and using plastic ties around their genitals.

“Just know that the community is devastated,” said Archer. “I can’t get them out of my head. It’s been difficult and this is a very difficult time for everyone.”

Saint Monica’s Catholic Church rehearsed Thursday night and had a prayer service for the Adam’s afterward. Jean and Scott are survived by their two children, Drew and Brad.

“They loved the experiences they were having with the people they were meeting and the places they were going,” said Scott Stolnitz, a longtime friend of theirs, told CNN. “We asked them once if they ever looked forward to living on land again, and they both, believe it or not, said ‘no,’” he said.

Stolnitz continued, “They were not proselytizing evangelicals and were using their Bible mission as a way to break the ice in the Christian community, particularly in the Pacific.”

Adam’s family members are requesting that donations be made out to the St. Monica Catholic Church Music Program. The family has also asked for cards to be sent to the church.

Their address is 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 2, 2011

OPINION

4

theCorsaironline.com

About time to stop demonizing smokers

By Sharyn Obsatz Santa Monica College Professor of Journalism and Communications The most powerful person in the most powerful nation was powerless against nicotine addiction. He smashed through racial barriers but struggled for years to break the cigarette habit. President Barack Obama finally quit smoking last March after many quit attempts, according to a Feb. 8 Associated Press report.

President Obama’s battle exemplifies why we at Santa Monica College need to stop demonizing and shaming smokers.

It’s counter-productive and stems from a lack of understanding about the addiction. A person’s first few cigarettes cause permanent changes in the human brain that can ensnare even the highest achievers.

As an ex-smoker, this is my plea for empathy and my message of encouragement for those hoping to quit.

Yes, we know it’s bad for us, and yes, we would quit tomorrow if it were easy.

“You can still be a good person,” said SMC student Simone Kuyumcuoglu, 23, a nutrition major from Sweden who smokes. Like many of us, she succeeded in quitting for a time, then relapsed.

SMC actively recruits international students, whose tuition bolsters the college’s finances. Many international students come from countries where smoking is more common and accepted.

“If you want me here, accept who I am,” Kuyumcuoglu said on a recent afternoon, one of about 50 smokers on the sidewalk near Pearl Street. She feels judged, noting that people seem more forgiving of marijuana smokers than cigarette smokers.

Fellow SMC student and cigarette smoker Joey Bachrach, 19, a psychology/ business major, also is tired of condescending comments. “You’re an underage drinker. I guess that’s just as bad,” he said.

Too few people understand how smoking changes the brain. Smoking is not a moral failing, it’s symptom of chemical dependency, according to researcher Dr. David P.L. Sachs, whom I interviewed in 2005 for my master’s thesis.

Nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Smoking floods the brain with nicotine, causing the body to grow extra nicotine receptors in the thinking, emotional, and pleasure reward areas of the brains. That creates a “new normal” for smokers, making it tougher

for them to concentrate and calm down when they don’t have enough nicotine for those receptors.

Genetics can impact the degree of nicotine dependence, with some brains adapting more quickly and completely to its presence, hooking that smoker more thoroughly.

Only about 10 percent of smokers are not physically dependent on nicotine.

These rare social smokers can have an occasional cigarette. I was heavily addicted and would wake up an extra hour early to smoke a few cigarettes before work.

Here’s an interesting article on tobacco dependence featuring Dr. Sachs: http:// www.oralcancerfoundation.org/tobacco/ butt_stops_here.htm For those who want to quit, I can share some advice I found helpful when I finally succeeded in quitting at age 33, thanks to a one-week stay at the Center for a Smoke-Free Life (http://www. napavalleysmokefree.org/): 1. Don’t listen to people who say, “You’ll quit when you’re ready.” Like any addiction, you will never feel 100 percent ready to quit. Maybe more like 55-45 percent ready.

2. It’s OK to use nicotine replacement

Lap Band: fat and farm fresh [Lap Band, from page 1] with the crème filling you’re knocking back or the supersized double cheeseburger combo you’re wolfing down after hitting the drive-thru on the way home from the bar.

Americans are fat. We eat too much, exercise too little and make excuses in between.

Been there, done that. In fact I was doing just that when my weight ballooned by 100 pounds during a 4-year period (seriously, 100 pounds) from shoving too much garbage into my pie hole.

Being 5’10” and somewhat athletic, I was pretty lean most of my life. I can’t say I was entirely healthy but I could at least run up the stairs to my apartment without needing oxygen.

Once I was at my heaviest and at my wits end I began to research weight loss solutions, including the Lap Band.

The Lap Band is an adjustable device used to restrict the amount of food you can consume at any given meal. It is surgically placed around the upper portion of the stomach (stoma), where smaller portions of food travel and digest more slowly, creating a longer lasting feeling of fullness.

The “Band” is one of several surgical weight loss solutions currently being advertised and offered at weight loss centers and hospitals around the country. It is a reversible and

safer alternative than Rouxen-Y (Gastric Bypass) and the Vertical Sleeve where 85 percent of your stomach is cut away leaving a banana shaped tube, which also functions by limiting food intake.

Call it a quick fix or even desperation; the bottom line is people are going under the knife to cut the fat.

The problem is some people don’t prepare themselves for life after gastric banding or even other types of bypass surgeries.

Not only do

might lose weight but people end up being unhealthy,” says Lucy Edson, Program Director of Whole Health Weight Management, a medical weight loss center in Santa Monica.

“They [bypass procedures] are effective for people to lose the weight initially, but I’ve seen quite a few people who’ve had these procedures, that after 5 to 6 years begin to regain their weight,” Edson continues.

Not everyone experiences complications, in fact the Lap Band has a fairly good success rate, however with any bypass procedure it is important to know what to expect while adapting to a complete overhaul of your eating habits for the rest of your life.

Achieving a healthy weight without surgery is possible. Janet Ryan, an actress living in Los Angeles, found an approach to beat the bulge that was healthy and long lasting.

Illustration by Jhosef Hern Corsair “I lost you have to immediately 65 pounds [with Weight change how and what you Watchers] and was at my ideal eat, there are problems that weight. I never felt better. can arise including band Diet and exercise is the key. slippage, stuck food, nausea, It’s really about good habits.” vomiting, dumping (the worst) What works for some malabsorption and in many doesn’t work for everyone. If cases regaining most of the you choose the Lap Band or weight in a few years time. another bypass procedure “People going into these it is important to do your surgeries don’t anticipate some homework, be informed and of the complications. A lot of above all, be healthy. The these procedures don’t allow stranger in the mirror is you to absorb good nutrients waiting to get to know you in food. In many cases you again.

lozenges or patches. They will help your body and mind function more normally while you break the psychological habit.

Quitting cold turkey is not more virtuous than using medical help.

3. After quitting, you can never have just one more cigarette, because those extra nerve pathways will always remain in your brain, lying dormant, just waiting to get activated again. In my 20s, I used to quit and then just bum a cigarette or two, rationalizing that it was better than smoking a pack a day. But if you smoke just one cigarette and flood your brain with nicotine, it will reignite those neurotransmitter pathways and you’ll crave cigarettes as bad as you did the first day you quit.

If you are a non-smoker, consider yourself lucky. Be supportive of smokers as they struggle to quit.

We don’t give asthmatics a hard time about needing their inhalers. We don’t ridicule diabetics whose bodies need insulin. Why then do people judge smokers whose brains have grown accustomed to nicotine?

Instead of shunning smokers, SMC should get serious about the help it offers students, faculty and staff members who have tried to quit and failed.

Demanding Internet

By Nathan Gawronsky Staff Writer What began with daring insolence in Tunisia rapidly spread like droves of locusts to Egypt.

Soon enough, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, Morocco and Algeria’s people also came together in epic proportions to protest their oppressive regimes, massive unemployment, political nepotism and virtual abolition of civil rights.

One major problem that haunts these massive displays of civil unrest is the attempt made by governments to stifle or to swiftly cut off access to the World Wide Web. Which begs the question: Should the Internet be considered an essential human right just as food, clothing and shelter are? I happen to think so. And though we may not need the internet to survive the way we need water or food, life in the Information Age is dependent on the internet for a number of obvious reasons.

According to a BBC World Service poll released March 8th, 2010, four out of five people around the world agree on the issue that having access to the Internet should be a safeguarded human right. And the reason is simple: Today, connectivity is equal to expression.

“The Internet is a medium,” said Arvind Ganesan, Director of business and human rights for the Human Rights Watch Organization in Washington, D.C. “People should have a right to express their opinions on the net,” he said.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reinforces Ganesan’s statement.

It states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless

of frontiers.”

We should be outraged at many of the circumstances that have led to the revolutions we’re seeing sweep across the Middle East.

When their governments and dictators hinder peoples’ access to the Web, we should be appalled at such audacious attempts to conceal their corruption.

What makes the Web worthy of being an inalienable human right is its ability to give every individual on this planet a platform to communicate with the world. We should consider ourselves blessed to live in a time when six billion people can express themselves in a matter of moments!

The Internet is our safeguard against tyranny, and our united voice against oppression. More so, it has made it possible to usher in a new era of transparency in the dealings of governments. One case in point is whistleblower and enfant terrible Julian Assange of WikiLeaks.

Assange is living proof that with courage, determination and ingenuity, normal people can reveal extraordinary things with the World Wide Web. The implications of organizations like WikiLeaks are far reaching, but can be summed up as simply as this: Those who intend on working in the shadows of obscurity and secrecy will be exposed, and their secrets are not safe.

Perhaps the most pressing reason for universal access to the Internet is the concept of emancipation of information.

Surfeited with knowledge, there is little we cannot achieve.

If every person on this planet can be guaranteed access to the Web, this would help ensure that everyone is given the equal opportunity to enlighten themselves and break free of the quicksand of ignorance. And no one will argue that an educated person is better equipped to deal with the harsh realities of life.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 2, 2011

OPINION

theCorsaironline.com

5

Reading: a thing of the past?

Amanda Bojorquez Corsair Santa Monica College student Brandon Derrick reads the novel “Winnie the Pooh” on his Apple iPad in the SMC Library on Saturday Feb. 26, 2011.

By William Courtney Staff Writer The modern day world is filled with technology that gives readers access to books, magazines, and newspapers all over an electronic interface.

Many of you have probably heard of the Kindle, iPad, and the Nook, because lets be honest, who hasn’t?

Yet, these devices are most likely not going to encourage people to read more.

At first glance, it might seem cool to read on the Nook or the Kindle.

You might look quite dapper walking around with your chic new technology but the effect wears off within an hour of use as you realize that reading an eBook or regular book, is still just reading. Shiny compact glass isn’t going to suddenly turn you into a “reader”. eBooks aren’t an efficient way to promote reading in the younger generation, in fact it will probably lessen the amount of reading kids do in the future.

From an early age reading is considered something we have to

do, even a synonym for schoolwork.

Other technologies, like video games or television, are more alluring to kids because they offer a break from school related activity.

According to Business Week’s website, the average child spends almost 8 hours a day using electronic media devices.

A Kindle would fall into that category, but I’ll give you one guess as to what that kid’s favorite piece of technology ISN’T. If kids are already using electronics this much, why give them another option?

While some say the Nook, iPad, and Kindle are great reading devices; the user also has access to the Internet, games, and music.

While this versatility was meant as an educational benefit, it actually backfired.

“With all the different options people are more likely to get distracted,” said James O’Sullivan, a freshman student at SMC. If kids grow up reading like this, who knows how much reading they will actually be doing. It probably won’t be good if kids grow up learning how to read from websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Even though the Kindle and the older version of Nook use E Ink technology, which is apparently comparable to reading from a piece of paper, the iPad and the newer version of the Nook have a full color screen.

I can’t be alone in thinking that reading on a computer screen results in headaches and boredom.

Since we are forced to interact with computers and read from computer screens on a regular basis, it seems frustrating to subject yourself to even more retinal abuse when you decide you want to read something for pleasure. Doesn’t that destroy the idea of “pleasure” in the first place?

For all of us who believed the tangible book might disappear, I think we’re safe for at least a little while longer.

Keep in mind that it’s a lot harder to destroy a tangible book than it is an electronic one.

Corrections for Volume C, Issue 15: On page 12 of the Corsair’s last issue, false information was printed stating an “application to be processed, and in the meantime relies on his wife for income” in a caption accompanying George Mikhail’s photograph of the men’s basketball game. The photograph featured Corsair basketball star A.J. Harris. Harris is not married, and does not rely on his wife for income. This was a technical error and we apologize for any inconvenience to Harris and his family.

the Corsair Visit thecorsaironline.com for more coverage of sports, entertainment, news and media.

The Corsair encourages Letters to the Editors. They should be no longer than 250 words and must be signed by the writer. corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com

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

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

Faculty Advisors Saul Rubin and Gerard Burkhart

We’ve Got Issues A forum for frustrated Santa Monica College Students to vent their school related concerns

By Shanon Culiner Staff Writer As I neared my 06’ Cadillac CTS parked on a residential street near SMC’s main campus, I noticed that dreadful, small, rectangular-shaped piece of paper dangling from my windshield - a parking ticket!

Though I was given a two-hour limit, which I’m still positive I adhered to, the total amount of my fine came to a whopping $64. Since when has the city of Santa Monica been so interested in cleaning out my wallet?

Sixty-four dollars! That’s a fancy dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel!

Four shares of Yahoo stock! One hundred and twenty-eight apple pies from McDonalds! A 3-unit course at Santa Monica College!

The minute you turn away, blink an eye, or go over a single minute on your meter, a meter maid has already written a ticket and disappeared, leaving you with a hefty fine.

I’ve even turned away from school and missed class because I was afraid of receiving a parking ticket. Way to go Santa Monica, now you’re dissuading students from attending for fear of overzealous parking enforcement officers.

According to USA Today, Santa Monica was one of the cities to raise its parking fines. In 2009, the fine boosted from $40 to $50. Presently, the parking fine sits in the mid-sixties.

I get the feeling those numbers will only increase.

Listen, I completely agree on obeying rules and laws, but can’t the city of Santa Monica find other (more productive) ways to increase revenue for its government? I know, maybe an NFL team you can tax the hell out of? Legalize and tax Marijuana? But seriously—can we have an NFL team?

Maybe it’s not just the city’s fault.

As a student, I decide to park on the street because I’m not willing to deal with the chaos in the school’s “lack of available parking”. If I do venture into SMC’s parking garages, I’ll be sure to carry my trusted helmet and sword.

“OMG!” said former SMC student and Business Administration major Taryn Spivack. “The fact that I lived twenty-minutes away from school, but had to leave an hour before my classes just to hopefully find a spot was absurd.”

I have an idea: What if Apple develops a new application called, “Meter Maid Tracker”? Okay, cool, sounds good.

Reporters Adam Rubin, Alexis Bishop, Ariana Masters, Bennie Leggett, Biko Poindonte-Hodge, Breanna Balisteri, Carla Wilson, Cathy Arias, Damieon Miles, Eric Rodriguez, Hector Mejia, Humberto Mendez, Jacque Loewy, Javier Blas, Jennifer Ferrada, Joan Walsh, Joel Israel, Juan Lopez, Keijo Liimataiwen, Kevin Duncan, Kimberly Berg, Kristian Watto, Latasha Edwards, Luana Kasahara, Michael Canepa, Michael Miller, Moa Axelsson, Monique Kaminskaya, Munezeha Cosic (Muna), Naomi Calbucci, Nathan Gawronsky, Nayla Paschoa, Nicholas Lotz, Nikki Edenedo, Oscar Castillo, Raven Wadley-Wright, Sean Breza, Shanon Culiner, Sophia Zhorne, Tiffany Hernandez, Tim Horner, Timothy Morse, Vienna Urias, Walter Orellana, Wayne Neal, William Courntey, William Goldstein, Zineb Hafiz, Zuly Hernandez

Photographers Alma Milla, Amanda Bojorquez, Andrew Abselet, Andrew Curry, Anthony Kang, Don Baggett, Fabian Cooke, George Mikhail, Jamin Mathis, Jeff Coté, Jennifer Martinez, Jessica Nicol, Krista Bonelli, Matthew Ambriz, Reynal Guillen, Ryan Lamb, Sammy Soliman, Walter Altman

Advertising Consultant Lisa Anderson corsair.admanager@gmail.com Computer Consultant Agnius Griskevicius Graphic Design Jhosef A. Hern Classified Ads: Daily Bruin (310) 825-2221 1900 Pico Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90405 Room: Letters and Science 172 Phone: (310) 434-4340 First copy of the Corsair is free, each copy after is 25 cents.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 2, 2011

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SCORES & SCHEDULES

Coach of the Year:

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Orange Coast def. Santa Monica 28 - 26, 25 - 21, 25 - 22.

Upcoming Wed, March 2 @ Moorpark - 6 p.m.

Wed, March 9 vs Long Beach @ SMC - 6 p.m.

SOFTBALL Upcoming Thurs, March 3 @ Mt. San Jacinto - 3 & 5 p.m.

Fri - Sun, March 4-6 @ Golden West Tourney - TBA

Jerome Jenkins George Mikhail Corsair Head Coach Jerome Jenkins addresses his team during a timeout Saturday in their playoff game against L.A. Harbor at Santa Monica College.

By: Tim Morse Staff Writer Santa Monica College Men’s Basketball coach Jerome Jenkins has been named the Western State Conference South Division coach of the year after an exciting twenty-win season with the Corsairs.

Jenkins downplayed the individuality of the award, saying, “It’s a great honor but I don’t really take too much into personal accolades.

It’s all about the team.”

In just his third season as head coach, Jenkins led the Corsairs to a 20-7 overall record with a stellar 10-2 in conference record.

Just three seasons ago when Jenkins took over, the Corsairs had an overall record of 9-20 and finished last in the WSC South Division going an abysmal 1-11.

They improved the following season by three games to get to 12-15, but still finished second to last, in conference, going 4-8.

The biggest improvement, however, came this season when the Corsairs clinched the conference title for the first time since 1999.

The Corsairs season came to an end this past Saturday falling short in the playoffs to L.A. Harbor College on Saturday by a score of 6671.

“I wouldn’t have been able to have been in this position if it weren’t for the hard work of the team.” said Jenkins, “It’s a great testament to my players.”

SWIMMING Upcoming Fri, March 4 vs.

Bakersfield/Ventura/ Pierce @ SMC - 2:30 p.m Fri & Sat, March 11 & 12 @ Cuesta Invite - All Day

TENNIS Santa Monica def. Santa Barbara 7-2 Upcoming Tue, March 3 vs Glendale @ SMC - 1:00 p.m.

Tue, March 8 @ Bakersfield - 2:00 p.m.

Don’t confuse Brown’s confidence with cockiness

By Shanon Culiner Staff Writer Everett Brown, all of five-foot nine inches of him, is as confident as they come. After watching his play one immediately forgets about his height and can find themselves easily drawn in after listening to him speak.

“My confidence came from within,” said Brown. “It’s from everybody telling me what I couldn’t do. I’ve been self-motivated all my life.”

He added, “I had certain amount of struggles that may have contributed to the fact that I’m so confident, but I refuse to let anyone tell me what I can’t do or that I’m not good.”

“Everett’s one of the most confident players on the court,” said teammate and soon to be San Diego State Aztec Deshawn Stephens. “Like if Ray Allen were to come in the gym and challenge everyone in shooting, Everett would believe he’s supposed to win

that.”

Brown already holds Santa Monica College’s single-season record for most 3-point shots made.

“You knew Everett has that talent. I think individually he’s one of the top shooters in his conference,” said Tony White, Everett’s mentor and founder of the nonprofit for student-athletes, Los Angeles StudentAthletes.

“Mr. White” as most have come to know him as, had taken Brown under his wing and helped him both on and off the court.

“He’s like a son to me,” said White whose son Jelany White, point-guard for Hawaii Pacific University, played with Brown for legendary coach Willie West at Crenshaw high school.

“He’s a survivor; comes from a humble background. He’s intelligent, book-smart and his street-cred is incredible. He epitomizes what a student-athlete is,” said White. “I hope Everett graduates. That’s the

ultimate goal; who knows where basketball will take you.”

Having dribbled his first basketball in preschool around the age of four and started playing organized basketball in eighth-grade, it’s no wonder that basketball has become a significant part of Brown’s life.

“You could probably break my game down to a T and you can probably very clearly be better than me…but, if we stepped in between those lines, there’s no way you can ever be able to tell me that you can beat me,” said Brown.

“Everett’s a talker. His talking is his confidence. In the backyard, he’ll say something like, “I’ll score five 3-point baskets from deep” and then he’ll do it. That’s the type of mentality he has.

Confident,” said White.

Today, Brown takes on the role as a leader for the SMC Corsairs. Basketball has not only been a motivation for finishing up

school, but a way of life.

Brown is well on his way to a Kinesiology degree, but basketball looks to be a definite in his near future. Currently, Brown is being approached by many of the NCAA D1 and D2 programs such as: Portland State, Cal State Northridge, and Long Beach State.

“I want to go to the next level and hopefully be as successful there as I have been here as a player and try to backdoor into a professional career…but if that were not to work then of course I want my degree,” said Brown.

The future is wide open for Everett Brown.

A standout basketball player with a silkysmooth release, his drive and confidence separates him from the pack.

“This season, it’s been amazing; wonderful,” said Brown. “I really feel like I have fourteen brothers,” he added, “we bump heads, but after it’s all said and done we have each other’s back. We’ll go to war for each other.”

Corsairs make early exit

By Wayne Neal Staff Writer The Corsairs snapped a 10 game winning streak and made an early exit from the playoffs on Saturday night with a 71-66 loss at home to the Los Angeles Harbor Seahawks despite winning the previous two meetings during the regular season.

SMC was led by guard trio, A.J Harris, Lee Larks, and Everett Brown who ran the run-and gun offense to some success against L.A. Harbor in the first half as both teams seemed to find the rim early.

Despite the Corsairs jumping out to an early lead, L.A harbor did not let the game get out of hand and kept pace with the SMC offense.

The Seahawks were stingy on the inside, which gave the Corsairs an advantage as they were able to get their 3-point shots off with ease.

Leading the way was guard Everett Brown who ended the first half with 12 points and was 4-of-10 from the field, but all 4 of his shots were crucial 3-pointers and.

Also scoring for the corsairs were A.J Harris, who had 7 points, and Lee Larks who scored 11 points all in the first half.

After a solid start, SMC seemed to fall flat by the second half, missing their last 6 shots and allowing the Seahawks to gather their composure.

The Seahawks were led by Kevin Dawson, who had 13 points, Dennis Hardwell with 6 points, and Sheldon

[See Playoffs, page 7]

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Anthony Kang Corsair

#20 Matt Sinclair fades away for the jumpshot over the defenders of L.A Harbor during Saturday night’s state playoffs basketball game at Santa Monica College. Santa Monica, Calif.

A good run for the Corsairs [Playoffs, from page 6]

George Mikhail Corsair

(Above) Head Coach Jerome Jenkins instructs his players during a time-out.

(Right) Gary Rodgers, a sophomore, forward for the Santa Monica College Corsairs dunks the ball during the playoffs at SMC.

Allen who contributed with 5 points.

They would go on a 7-0 run to go into halftime down only by 7. The Corsairs struggled at the end of the half as they would finish 7-of-21 from 3 point range as a team and 15-of-33 from the field overall.

They continued their shooting struggles out of the break and the Seahawks took advantage making a 5-0 run at the 15:00 minute mark.

Neither team could gain a clear advantage and the game would go down to the wire.

Corsairs Star player Deshawn Stephens finished 0-for-2 on the night after having fouled out with 4:30 remaining.

Leading the way for the Seahawks down the stretch was Marlin Ramos who hit 2 back-to-back clutch 3-point shots to give the Seahawks the lead with 3:00 minutes to go.

The corsairs would respond with some clutch 3-pointers of their own by Matt

Sinclair and Everett Brown to tie the game up at 64, they would both finish the game in double figures.

However, Ramos would again make some clutch 3-point shots to put the Seahawks up by 5; he would finish the game as the Seahawks leading scorer with 23 points.

“The coach told us we were giving them way too many 3’s, and leaving them wide open,” said Ramos after the game. ” I just made all the 3-pointers that I could”.

LA Harbor sealed the game on free throws when the Seahawk’s Dawson made both his attempts to give L.A Harbor a 71-66 victory over SMC. After the game, a disappointed coach Jenkins felt the team had panicked down the stretch and took some ill-advised shots but was proud of the team’s accomplishments.

“We had a great season,” said Jenkins.

(Left) A SMC fan cries after a loss by of the Corsairs against Los Angeles Harbor College in the lobby of the SMC Pavillion.

George Mikhail Corsair

George Mikhail Corsair

(Left) Freshman Lee Lark, a guard for the Santa Monica College Corsairs, makes a two pointer during the playoff game at SMC.

George Mikhail Corsair

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Style For Smiles Celebrates Their 11 th Anniversary [Smiles, from page 1] -nocence.

Brenneman is among five other celebrities who shared personal stories dealing with the theme of Growing Pains for the 11th annual Style For Smiles event that took place at the Santa Monica Performing Arts Center on Saturday February 26, 2011.

Style For Smiles is an organization founded by Cha Cha Weinstein and Marla Michaels that raises money for four specific charities, CHIME Institute, MADISONS Foundation, THE CHILDRENS LIFESAVING FOUNDATION, and Eisner Pediatric &

Family Medical Center- that are aimed at helping children in need by inviting celebrities and recognized public figures to share personal and inspiring stories.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the CHIME Institute presented five individuals, all in the entertainment industry, who’ve reached out to the audience through their touching stories.

Diana Lang, a personal friend of the coordinators, has attended this event for the past six years and proudly supports their cause.

“All the performances were amazing but two particularly stood out to me- the handicapped girl and the woman who spoke about her childhood puppet,”

said Lang.

The CHIME Institute is a non-profit organization with the goal of supporting all children through high academic teaching.

Though it started small, CHIME has drastically expanded over the past 20 years. “We started with one child, and now we have over 700 children that stay in our program from birth to 14 years.

CHIME is continuously aware of what is important- the children,” said Michaels.

A special performance was given by legendary guitarist/ singer-songwriter Stephen Stills who also shared a personal experience he had in 1960 Nicaragua.

“I saw a jeep pass right by me loaded with a machine gun. I took a half step and felt a piece of rubble hit the back of my neck. I turn around and that’s when I realized they were shooting at me!”

First time attendee Heidi Baldwin enjoyed the evening and was inspired by the performances.“I loved every performance but Zachary’s poem on love lost struck out the most to me,” said Baldwin.

Over the span of 11 years, SFS has raised over 1 million dollars for these charities.

For more information and ways to donate to any of the following charities please visit www.styleforsmiles.org

Topher Graces The Screen to Take Us Back to the ‘80s

By Stephanie Forshee News Editor While the ‘80s are easily an obvious subject of mockery, “Take Me Home Tonight” keeps it authentic and comical. It has everything you can hope for from an ‘80s film, minus Molly Ringwald. There are Batman cars, outrageous bangs and the ridiculous and typical single-night-of-adventure scenario that only that decade could pull off.

After nearly four years on the shelf, even bigwigs Topher Grace and Anna Faris weren’t initially enough for studios to foot the bill on this film that was first titled, “Kids in America.” Although some of the jokes can get lost in translation, you’ll leave the theatre feeling like you really did just see a movie that was filmed in the ‘80s because the acting is so spot-on; they don’t poke fun of the era but embrace it.

Actor and producer Grace (Matt) is the typical nerdy, offbeat and charming guy he plays in just about every movie. Howerver, he’s fun to watch as the MIT grad whose life has amounted to working at the less-thanprestigious Suncoast Video. When he runs into his perfect, blonde Barbie high school crush Tori (Teresa Courtesy of Rogue Palmer), he of course acts as a customer in order to

impress her with his make-believe job at Goldman & Sach’s.

The plan works and she invites him to cool-kid Kyle Masterson’s party. With the help of his ambitious and popular sister (Wendy) Anna Faris and best friend (Barry) Dan Fogler, he might just get the girl of his dreams.

As you might expect, the characters experience a hell of a party filled with deception, car theft, sex and cocaine.

Faris actually steps out of her box a bit in this role.

She doesn’t play the dumb blonde you’ve seen reruns of before. She’s quirky and funny but seems to have genuinely branched out.

Palmer is irresistible in her role. She’s not as well known as her other cast mates yet but this film is going to help change that. Fogler seems to have made a smooth transition from Broadway into film with his role.

The cast is talent-packed and Michelle Trachtenberg even makes an appearance as the gothic (and constantly high) girl. The acting is pretty rad as are the killer outfits and the music. The soundtrack will be available in stores March 29.

If you’re guilty of renting “The Breakfast Club” or “Pretty in Pink” a little too frequently, you’re totally going to love “Take Me Home Tonight.”

Bayside Returns to the Music Scene with “Killing Time”

By Juan Lopez Staff Writer After three years since their last album, some help from former Pixies producer Gil Norton, and a new record label, Bayside is back with their fifth album, “Killing Time.”

The alternative punk band that formed in Brooklyn in 2000, have gathered a cult following so devoted the band sells hoodies on their website with “CULT” emblazoned on them.They are known for catchy, singalong, punk anthems full of angst and those are not hard to find on “Killing Time.”

The album kicks off fast and strong, treading familiar territory, with “Already Gone” and leading into single “Sick, Sick, Sick.” These two openers are a good way to set the layout for the rest of the album.

The speed soon detours into the mid-tempo “Mona Lisa,” which brings the band to a different sound.

Bayside has been more than just partial to pop melodies, even borrowing from ABBA in the past with their 2007 single “Carry On.” They continue to blend those melodies with a punk frame and delivery, while

developing their sound further.

With songs like “It’s Not A Bad Little War” and “The Wrong Way,” with lyrics like, “You’re the type of girl who puts on cyanide perfume/then asks for kisses on the neck from every boy in the room,” Bayside shows that they are still a solid punk band and far from going mainstream.

Amidst all of the high energy tracks, “On Love, On Life” sticks out as the slow, contemplative song that almost seems obligatory on punk albums these days, piano chords included.

The album has a slight pop edge, using melodies that sound like more familiar hits. In the title track, you could almost expect them charging mid-song into a punk cover of Britney Spears’ “Hold It Against Me.” “Killing Time” may not be their album that converts many more members into the cult, but it is definitely one that will appease the devout.

Bayside has joined the Vans Warped Tour four times in the past, amassing a larger following at each stop.

This year they are co-headlining Hot Topic’s Take Action Tour with fellow former Victory Records label mates Silverstein.

Courtesy of Wind-up Records

THIS WEEK AT SMC DANCE

PLANETARIUM SERIES

“Articulating Bodies: Language, Motion, Meaning.”

“Winter Hexagons, Galaxies & Equinoxes”

Main Campus Gym 104

John Drescher Planetarium

Thursday March 3 10:30 a.m.

Friday March 4 7:00 p.m.

MUSIC “Bob Sheppard Quintet Jazz Series” The Edye Second Space Friday March 4 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

“Lea Salonga”

“The Colburn Orchestra with Michelle DeYoung”

The Broad Stage

The Broad Stage

Saturday March 5 7:30 p.m.

Sunday March 6 4:00 p.m.

LITERARY SERIES

WORKSHOPS

“Psaltery and Serpentines”

“Performance Anxiety Workshop

by Nora Chiang”

Main Campus HSS 165

The Edye Second Space

Tuesday March 8 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday March 8 11:15 a.m.

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Dr. Jean Gebman Lectures About NASA’s Final Flight

Reynal Guillen Corsair Senior engineer Dr. Jean Gebman from the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, fields questions before his presentation entitled “First in Space, but Losing the Race” on February 22, 2011 in the Santa Monica College Science Building Lecture hall.

By Timothy Horner Staff Writer It symbolizes the most amazing feet of humankind, a stronghold in hearts of all Americans, a staple of sixties popculture, were talking about NASA and last Thursday our longest lasting space

shuttle, ‘Discovery’ set off on its final flight, beginning the end of our beloved space program.

Dr. Jean Gebman gave a lecture at Santa Monica College two days prior to the launch outlining the many ways we can learn from the amazing history of our space program that is sadly concluding

Kamau Daaood the Poet

By Alexis Bishop Staff Writer Kamau Daaood stood up and spoke strong; with clear words and a deep voice he brought the crowd in and out of excitement, wonder, anticipation, and relaxation. A spoken word artist, a community arts activist, a man who mystically fuses a blues guitar with the shaking of a rattle and the humming and patting of his legs, Daaood brought words of wisdom to everyone at the Theatre Arts Main Stage at Santa Monica College.

As a part of the events being put on by Santa Monica College for Black History Month, Daaood was brought in on February 22nd to celebrate and speak on the importance of African Americans on a college campus, and their contributions to this country through his poems.

Anyone could attend this event, as it was free, and many took advantage of this. The theatre filled up quickly with classes, school clubs, and curious individuals.

Christopher Pittman, an SMC student who had never attended a spoken word event before, was greatly pleased with his decision to experience the poetry and music of Kamau Daaood. “I came on my

own accord,” said Pittman, “I learned a lot.

It shows how people express themselves mixing music and emotions.”

Daaood’s rhythmic voice, full of soul and feeling let go of simple and valuable messages such as, “take time and give it to others”. He performed with two of his friends, Munyungo Jackson and Dexter Story, who were equally expressive as they hummed along and constantly picked up new instruments to add another aspect to Daaood’s poems.

The beats they made with all of the various instruments, from pots and pans, to Peruvian box instruments, all created a different mood to each poem. Everyone was equally enthused, and never knew what exactly the artists would do next.

Everyone was entertained and focused in the best way, as Daaood made the crowd listen and more importantly, think.

The supervisor at the Santa Monica College Bookstore, Nelson Sawyer, is responsible for assisting in bringing Daaood to the campus having done so in the past.

Sherri Bradford, the program leader and counselor for the Black Collegiate Program at SMC, knew that she had to bring back such an influential and fascinating man to speak to the students.

Krista Bonelli Corsair Kamau Daaood speaks poetry and sings a few verses of song accompanied by soothing drum beats at The Theatre Arts Building’s Main Stage at Santa Monica College on February 22nd.

as far as manned missions go.

According to NASA’s website, after ‘Discovery’ is retired there are two more manned missions scheduled, one in April and then ‘Atlantis’ in June, but after these are through there are no more scheduled for NASA. This is the first time over the 60 years of our space

program this has happened and the reason is simple; we no longer have a shuttle.

How is it possible we could have gone from six manned missions to the moon in the sixties to today where were we don’t have a shuttle anymore? “The balance of the political and the physical sciences” was key in how we made it to the moon said Dr. Jean Gebman Dr. Gebman went on to explain that after the Russians got one up on us with Sputnik, the nation was in a unique predicament, but through an alignment of various political, economic, and scientific factors the goal President Kennedy set to make it to the moon in nine years was attainable. With the whole nation on his side, the space program took logical steps toward that goal.

According to Dr. Gebman, there was openness as to what NASA was up to, as everything they did the American public saw on television. In essence, there was no room for error as the entire world was watching their every move and because of this openness, important decisions were made by qualified scientists and engineers rather than businessmen and politicians.

Dr. Gebman mentioned that at its height with the Apollo missions there were 400,000 people working toward putting a man on the moon. He feels that we can use their legacy as a blueprint for problem solving today and proof that individuals can work across business, interest group and political lines. We have many complicated problems today that could use the organization and focus the space program has showed gets us to the moon and back.

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I’ve been on a few dates with a guy and want to get serious. But I’m a virgin, and I don’t want that to scare him away. When should I tell him? Should I tell him at all?”

By John Stapleton IV Web Editor The great virginity debate hinges on two (questionable) truths: The first is that guys are terrified of virgins because they’re inexperienced, and when it comes to sex, inexperience can often be synonymous with awkward, disappointing, and messy.

The second is that guys are stoked about virgins because they are inexperienced, and when it comes to sex, inexperience can also mean curiosity, wonder, and getting to teach – and who doesn’t want to walk a girl through all the ins and outs of the old in-and-out? She’ll remember her first time forever.

But therein lies the rub: The fact that she’ll never forget you is usually what makes us apprehensive about being a girl’s first. There is an unspoken understanding amongst men that taking a girl’s V-card automatically turns her into a stalking, love-crazed lunatic, and that the juice simply isn’t worth the squeeze.

But none of this matters, because how a guy reacts to your intact purity is secondary to what you want to do with it, which is something you need to decide for yourself and explain to him explicitly you can always error on man’s obligation to obey.

Whenever you’re ready, tell him what your sexual experience is, what you want it to be, and at what pace you want to get there. This way, as you continue

to cruise your physical relationship down the Ecstasy Expressway, you don’t have to worry about when you should start pumping your brakes, whether or not the stop signs are clear, or if road conditions are too slippery when wet for excessive speeds.

There is no rule for when it’s safe to drop the V-bomb, but the sooner you get those road cones up, the sooner he can learn how to safely and soundly navigate your dangerous curves.

When you tell him, he’ll either think fun! or he’ll think run! which is all the response you really need.

If he’s worth being with at all, he’ll respect your wishes whether he’s helping you explore or preserve your sexuality. If he wants to violate your traffic laws, you can impound his ass.

And if he splits, he didn’t deserve a license to ride your roads in the first place.

By Alessandra Catanese Multimedia Editor Let it happen naturally. Your virginity is none of his business, especially if you have only been on “a few dates.”

That would be like telling him the bean and cheese burrito you ate last night gave you massive diarrhea-- he didn’t ask.

If you think this relationship is going anywhere meaningful, it shouldn’t matter.

You are a woman and that’s all that really matters when it comes to having sex with men.

When getting to know someone intimately, things like this usually come up in time, when you’re ready to have sex. The fact that you are worried about telling him tells me that you have yet to develop a real relationship with this guy, and furthermore, are not ready to have sex with him.

If you get to know each other better and if things go well, being a virgin will make no difference. The right

She S

aid. .

guy will respect you enough to want to make you comfortable and happy.

If you’re not ready for sex yet, there are other ways to “get serious” without intercourse.

Let him know you’d like to please him, but aren’t ready for the whole nine yards just yet. Build your boundaries with him, openly, and if he respects them, then I’d say you have a keeper on your hands.

Also, consider that telling him now might give him the wrong idea. Why would you tell him that unless you’re trying to suggest you want him to take your virginity? Do you want to send that message? And if you do, don’t you think it might be a little early?

Don’t get me wrong, losing your virginity is probably one of the most disappointing moments in life. There is way too much hype about something so insignificant.

Women especially put losing their V-card up on such a high pedestal, that when it finally happens you almost feel let down. Unless you get to the point where you’re 31 years old and still a virgin, its never too late to wait.

Now, if you build a special relationship with this guy, and really get to know and trust each other, losing your virginity can be very special.

It may not be the first time, but having sex with him later will mean a lot more than telling him you’re a virgin now.

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Femme brutale on the rampage [Derby, from page 1] -meted badasses intentionally crashing into each other for a battle of banked-track supremacy. If you’re looking for an exhilarating show of modern femininity, skip the dainty birds and check out the dirty ones.

The Los Angeles Derby Dolls is a competitive roller derby league comprised of over 150 skaters representing women from every walk of life.

They are teachers, lawyers, students, businesswomen, and housewives, and range in age from Gen-Y to geriatric.

But these women, united by a hunger to compete, become something a little more ferocious – part athlete, part rock star – when it’s game time at the Doll Factory.

The basic concept of roller derby is easy enough to understand: during consecutive 60-second “jams,” two “packs” of five girls each skate together on a circular, banked track.

Each pack sends a designated team member, called a “jammer”, out ahead of the fray to circle around and break through the packs from behind. The packs travel clustered together while simultaneously trying to push their jammer forward as they attempt to prevent the

opposing team’s jammer from getting through. Each time the jammer breaks through

and yes, people come to watch the wrecks. Forget bumping into each other or holding

notwithstanding, falling on a hardwood floor at high speeds looks terrifically painful – to

Brian White Corsair Hometown LA Ri-Ettes face off against Gotham Girls Roller Derby from New York in a non-champion match this past Saturday.

the opposing team’s pack, they score a point.

Basically, it’s like NASCAR without the protection of a car,

hands across the track, these women are out for blood.

Think shoulder checks and body blocks. Protective gear

say nothing of the skaters toppling and rolling over the fallen. And yet, despite the combative intensity, it

becomes immediately obvious that brute strength alone won’t win a jam. “[Roller derby] is a thinkin’ man’s game,” says team cocaptain and LADD all-star, Haught Wheels. “Some [fans] are there for the social aspect, others for the spectacle, but I believe that most people come to watch roller derby because it is an intricate sport.”

And an exciting one at that.

Roller derby is a very fastpaced, high-scoring sport, where the scores are so dynamic that it’s impossible to determine who will win until the final whistle blows. The thrilling pace, brute savagery, and smart strategy create a trifecta of tension that makes roller derby one of the most entertaining women’s sports available.

After watching the L.A. Riettes smash other women to pulp on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine these women doing anything but roller derby, and yet the sport is just a voluntary part of their busy lives. When she’s not laced into skates, Haught Wheels becomes Sheila Noonen, an 11-year high school literature teacher who spends her free time book clubbing.

“We are all highly competitive,” she says, “both on the track and in life.”

Crazy for coconut water Tax Tips

By Cathy Arias Staff Writer It was that last shot of Patron... or wait, did I seriously have another Rolling Rock after that? Wait...where am I?! Yup. I’m never drinking again.

Ever.

Oh, the thoughts that run through your head after a night of partying a little too hard. They’re endless, pretty similar, and always seem to lead to the same conclusion: no more drinking, for a while at least, and what the hell can I do to get out of bed today and be a functioning member of society?

Well, lo and behold poison’s newest antidote: coconut water.

Highly refreshing, it poses a natural way to kick that nasty hangover goodbye.

In 2010, the coconut water industry made $50 million in the United State alone, and National Public Radio reports that only six years earlier, that number neared zero.

It is evident that coconut water has recently gained a strong following. Not to be mistaken by coconut milk, the water is derived from a young form of the tropical fruit as opposed to milk that forms once matured, it attracts consumers with its extensive and impressive list of health benefits.

Times magazine amusingly deemed the juice “a preferred method for treating a hangover.”

This claim is attributed to the water’s thirst-quenching effects as a result of its high electrolyte content of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, making it an effective way of re-

hydrating a body quickly. To put that into perspective, your typical sports drink contains only three electrolytes.

The chemical construction of coconut water resembles that of human blood plasma so closely that the isotonic liquid has been used as a substitute for standard emergency protocol rehydration solutions in dire cases.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense to replenish your body after a night of intense, dehydrating binge drinking with a refreshing glass of the stuff.

Coconut water’s nutritional originality

Zico line. Health conscious celebrities like Madonna are also following suit.

The drink contains no fat, a low calorie count (about 46 calories per cup for those religious calorie counters out there), and significantly low sugar levels compared to most drinks out on the market that are not water or naked teas.

Beverages such as sports drinks, sodas, and fruit juices are often sweetened by using high fructose corn syrup, an ingredient known for its strong correlation to illnesses such as diabetes and obesity.

Coconut water on the other hand is sweetened by nature’s goodness.

The booming product has followed a pattern similar to most trends and has acquired numerous rumors on its road to stardom; it allegedly cures colds, bladder infections, glaucoma, tuberculosis and even cancer.

The list goes on, yet there is no sufficient scientific evidence to support these claims.

As of now these rumors are just rumors, however it is possible that future research will reveal further positive effects coconut water has on the human body.

Although it may not be the next cure for cancer, the next time you are laying in bed thinking you’re close to death and that maybe taking a shot every time someone fist pumped on the Jersey Shore wasn’t such a good idea after all, grab some coconut water so you have a chance of getting to work by one.

“A preferred method for treating a hangover”

-Time Magazine

and constant production by palm trees attracted the eyes of business investors such as Mike Kirban, co-founder of VitaCoco, and Mark Rampolla, founder of Zico. VitaCoco and Zico have remained top competitors from the initial introduction of the product to the U.S. VitaCoco and Zico are only two of the many brands of coconut water available in stores.

Other brands include O.N.E, Naked, Amy and Brian, and Taste Nirvana. The Coca Cola Company has picked up on the hype surrounding the tropical drink and has invested $15 million in the

As Spring quickly approaches, so does the deadline to file taxes. Use these helpful tips to stay on top of things!

$ Remember to file your taxes by April 15!

$ Companies such as H&R Block allow students to go online or meet with professionals to discuss filing taxes free of charge. $ Different types

of credit can lower taxes or refund money so make sure you use the correct one.

$ The sooner tax

forms are filled out, the sooner you get your refund!

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

March 2, 2011

PHOTOSTORY

12

theCorsaironline.com

Pinkies up and dollars down Local private-chef, Christian Navarro, plays host to friends and fans of his food through mouth watering treats.

The best things in life are free – and that includes savory, fauxbreakfast burgers.

Just ask private caterer and chef Christian Navarro. Last weekend, Navarro hosted a small event in the heart of Woodland Hills where he grilled free/pay-whatyou-want burgers. The meaty delectable held the obligatory patty, caramelized onions, thick slices of pork belly, and an egg cooked at 63 degrees, all wrapped and contained in a large baguette.

Inspired by the famous burgers from “Father’s Office,” Navarro added his own style and flair to the meal, dubbing it a “Mother’s Office” sandwich. “Because mom will let you do things dad won’t,” Navarro joked.

“

This isn’t the first time Navarro’s hosted an event in which he’s cooked for practically no cost. One of his first professional events was a benefit in the Philippines for cerebral palsy, and he also likes to volunteer at least once a month for the LA Food Bank. “I think there’s a certain depth of doing something like that,” he said.

Navarro’s culinary career started when he was young, first learning how to cook rice. Now in his sixth year of cooking professionally, Navarro caters private parties and events – but never forgetting what really matters.

“It’s all about good food and friends, so that’s how it is,” Navarro said.

You can add Christian Navarro on Facebook, or follow @ HauetSkillet on Twitter to get updated on the latest friendly gourmet experience.

Chef Christian Navarro holds his signature burger selection for the free event Burgers and Beats 2.0 in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“

Written by Ingrid Rosales Contributer Photography by Brian White Photo Editor

Because mom will let you do things dad won’t.

-Chef Christian Navarro

Chuck beef burger patties cooking with sliced cheddar melted for Chris’ recipe.

Gary Altounian smells the fresh batch of caramelized onions prepared by his friend.

A new take on breakfast; beef patty, cheddar, caramelized onions, pork belly, tooped with a poached egg and spinach.

A patron gets ready to enjoy one of the Bugers and Beats creations.