CORSAIR
volume 104 issue 9 • october 31, 2012 • santa monica college
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
FiRST COPY OF THE CORSAIR IS FREE, EACH COPY AFTER IS 25C
corsairs round up vaqueros
Eat Street drops card fee after Corsair investigation Elizabeth moss & Andy riesmeyer Staff Writer & News Editor
Sam Herron Corsair Santa Monica College football players run through a sign made by their cheerleaders before SMC’s homecoming game on Saturday at Corsair Field. After a slow start, the Corsairs rallied to defeat the Santa Barbara Vaqueros 41-27. photostory PG. 6 • homecoming game PG. 12
Fans survive 13-hour “Horrorthon”
David J. Hawkins Corsair Six horror movies were presented at the Seventh Annual Dusk-To-Dawn Horrorthon at The Aero Theater in Santa Monica. The movies that played were “Hellraiser,” “Motel Hell,” “The Devil’s Rain,” “Christine,” “The Living Dead of Manchester Morgue,” and “The Manitou.”
alex vejar Staff Writer Newly crowned Mr. Horrorthon Steven Wong made his way up to the stage of the Aero Theater to receive his prize: A wearable cardboard box covered in Funyun chip bags, a DVD of 1997’s “Dangerous Ground,” a soda cup and an ear of corn on a string. A first dance with the Corn Gorn was in order. This bizarre scene was the epitome of the Aero Theatre’s 7th Annual Dusk-To-Dawn Horrorthon. The event attracted everyone from die-hard horror movie fans to people who just want to do something unique for Halloween. The movie line-up for the night had something for everyone. If you like inanimate objects coming to life and killing people, 1983’s “Christine” is for you. If it makes you giddy to watch the undead use blood of the innocent to regenerate, 1987’s “Hellraiser” is a good choice. Ancient Indian medicine men being birthed out of a woman’s back catch your fancy? You needn’t look any further than 1978’s “The Manitou.” Grant Moninger, creator and organizer of Horrorthon since 2006, is a programmer
for the American Cinematheque, which owns the Aero Theater. He decides what movies are going to be played during the marathon every year. “It takes me hundreds of different lineups until I find the right balance of spooks and scares, laughs, freak-outs, gore, chills and magic,” Moninger wrote in an email. He also made sure the films were available in their release print. Even though the movies are the main event of Horrorthon, Newt Calkins gives a different reason why he likes coming back every year. “The crowd is very vocal. They’re chatty, they’re really hyped up and by the end of the night, it’s like we’re all friends,” he said. Short films comprised of various clips from movies, commercials and other sources are shown before each feature. Horrorfest veterans yell out certain lines from shorts they were familiar with, including an old Red Roof Inn commercial and a video of a gopher that repeats the name “Alan.” Moninger collaborated with his brother David to program the short films. “We find odd bits from movies we see, things we discover online, things we remember from our past--we find them all over,” Moninger said. “We don’t edit it
together until the evening before.” To introduce the short films and rile up the crowd, Moninger came out and yelled “Who wants candy?!” and tossed various types of treats out into the crowd. Other giveaways consisted of movies on DVD and Blu-Ray, books and costumes. Costumed volunteers from the Aero also helped to keep the crowd awake during the 13-hour movie marathon. Randy Wyatt, who was in charge of candy distribution, heard enthusiastic “candy from Randy” calls from the crowd. Another volunteer was dressed as a Gorn- a creature from the Star Trek television series--who’s job was to hand out candy corn and edible ears of corn. He was aptly nicknamed “The Corn Gorn,” a new addition to this year’s Horrorthon, Moninger said. Horrorthon first-timer Chris Johnson stayed awake through all six movies, saying he maintained good energy throughout and didn’t nod off once. “It was awesome,” said Johnson. “I’d do it again.” When the final film ended, half of the original audience was still in attendance, proving how far true horror fans will extend themselves for their love of the genre.
A small purple sign next to the cash registers at the Santa Monica College cafeteria’s Eat Street restaurant notified patrons of the $0.20 surcharge added to credit card purchases under $3. The fee—raised earlier this semester from the $0.10 charge implemented earlier this year—was said to cover the processing fees imposed on the business for the card. As of Friday morning, that sign has been removed and the fees are gone, after a Corsair investigation found that Eat Street was in violation of a California Civil Code and unlawfully collecting fees from customers. California Civil Code 1748.1 states, “no retailer in any sales, service, or lease transaction with a consumer may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means.” Management at An Catering, the group that operates Eat Street, was notified of the violation and at first dismissed the accusation. Management proceeded to phone legal council who confirmed that they were in violation of the civil code, according to Victor Cardet, Director of Operations for An Catering. They then elected to remove the fee. The service charge, which applied to purchases made under $3, was meant to balance out the cost of processing credit card transactions, which is 16 cents through their processor First Data. “I think it’s a mistake,” said Hannah An, owner of An Catering. “The goal of that is not to take advantage.” She says that Eat Street does not know as of yet what it will do to make up for costs. According to Cardet, in lieu of the service charge, Eat Street could place a general price hike, or add an extra fee to all purchases, whether credit or cash. The fee could be anywhere from $.05 to $2, he said. An Catering wouldn’t release how much money was made off of these unlawful sales. But here’s the math: If a student purchased a drink at Eat Street once a day, four days a week, it would amount to $25 in fee surcharges per school year, per student. “I’d be asking for my money back,” said Harto Hizkia, an SMC student. According to the civil code, a retailer in violation is liable to refund any cardholder who makes a written request for the amount and “shall be liable to the cardholder for three times the amount at which actual damages are assessed. The cardholder shall also be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the action.” California is one of 10 states including Florida, New York, and Texas to adopt a policy prohibiting retailers from adding credit card surcharges. “I don’t really mind,” said student Ryan Sassonnian, adding he would be willing to pay up to $2 extra for a meal. “It’s not the end of the world,” he said.
the c orsair • thec orsaironline.c om • 19 0 0 pic o blvd. santa monica, ca 9 0405 •(310) 434-4340