VOLUME 103 ISSUE 6 MARCH 28, 2012
Young author preaches definition of freedom. Pg. 9
PHOTO BY MICHAEL PRICE
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2|CONTENTS
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
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The Santa Monica College photography department’s spring camping trip was held last weekend in Big Sur, California. A stream in Lime Kiln State Park is pictured. Guy Mokia Corsair
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NEWS|3
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Two-tier blowback Feist also noted that the chancellor’s office does not want SMC to go through with the plan, and is currently exploring a range of legal options. Louise Jaffe, SMC Board of Trustees member who voted in favor of the plan, believes that the proposal is not only legal, but is the cheapest option students have to take classes they need at a community college that faces budget cuts. “Students need classes!� said Jaffe. “Why else come to SMC? They need to move forward with their education, whether it’s transferring or getting an AA degree.� Jaffe further stated that the tragedy stems from the state’s inability to fulfill its responsibility to the people, the students, and the community. Since 2008, SMC has cancelled more than 1,000 class sections, according to the SMC’s Public Information Office. In 2012, $11 million were cut off public higher education funding. If the November tax initiative proposed by Gov. Brown fails, community colleges risk another $5 million budget cut in 2012-13. Jaffe said that the state’s failure to appropriately subsidize public education for the past four years has compelled SMC to cut classes. Students have to opt for other options to get classes if they cannot afford to wait another semester. According to Jaffe, Students gather on the library steps to hear speakers from the Student the other options Organizing Committee and Associated Student leadership last available for students Thursday. are far more expensive
Zoryana Melesh Staff Writer The two-tier tuition system approved by SMC’s governing board earlier this month seems to be on shaky legal grounds, according to Paul Feist, spokesperson for California Community Colleges chancellor, Jack Scott. Scott requested the state Attorney General’s Office to check the legitimacy of the SMC two-tiered tuition system last Thursday, according to scpr.org. Feist has expressed his concern over the plan’s legality, according to the LA Times. Feist believes the plan may not comply with the education codes, as the state does not allow students to be charged differential fees for the types of courses SMC offers during summer and winter sessions. “The chancellor’s office in the past has opined that the two-tiered fee structure is not permitted by education codes,� said Feist in an email sent to the Corsair. “The chancellor’s office is concerned about the effect such an arrangement would have on low-income students.�
Photos by Michael Price Corsair Students gather support in overturning the Board of Trustees edict to implement contract education, increase fees and create two-tier educational system at this community college. The Student Organizing Commuttee and AS leadership are trying to gather support to overturn the Board of Trustees implementing of contract education, stop fee increases and creation of a two tiered educational system at SMC.
than the two-tier plan of $200 per unit. Students can currently take classes at UCLA extension or other private colleges which are at least $800 per unit, said Jaffe. Jaffe also addressed students concern that this measure will become a permanent solution instead of a temporary measure. “That’s at the heart of the concern,� Jaffe said. “The state has already largely stopped its funding. Making California Community Colleges inaccessible to students won’t solve anything.� Jaffe stated that international students are the reasons why SMC, unlike other community colleges, is still able to offer summer and winter sessions. International students pay $275 per unit as opposed to the $46 per unit paid by in-state students. “We know that having students pay different fees will not be a problem because we are already doing it
now,� says Jaffe. As to whether the proposal is illegal, Jaffe says that the education codes pertaining to the differential fee option is neither explicitly permissive nor explicitly forbidden. The main problem is at a national and state level, not the SMC Board of Trustees, according to Jaffe. If the college does not receive the funding it should, the Trustees are not to blame. “The real tragedy is that higher education in California has been cut so severely that access is being curtailed,� said Feist. “California must come to terms with the consequences of this disinvestment, and support solutions that will allow all students to achieve their educational goals on time.�
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4|NEWS
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Significant Donation Hopes to Lessen Blow of Class Price Hikes Justin Hinton Staff Writer
After hearing of Santa Monica College’s new summer and winter class price hikes, Los Angeles resident Daniel Greenberg, chairman and chief executive of Electro Rent Corp., and his wife Susan Steinhauser, an attorney and civic activist, gave a $250,000 subsidy to SMC earlier this month. The scholarship is aimed to help alleviate some of the financial burden the two-tier tuition plan places on students. Dr. Chui L. Tsang, SMC Superintendent and President, said to the Corsair that the allocation of Greenberg and Steinhauser’s donation has yet to be specified with the donors. Tsang has discussed with his Board of Trustees counterparts some ideas they will be submitting to the donors in regards to the criteria for the scholarship. As far as the yet-to-be set standards for the scholarship, students—under the proposed criteria—would need to meet both a financial and scholastic merit. Students would be expected to meet the Board of Governors Fee Waiver, be in good academic standing, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and at least be part-time students. With regards to the application process, Tsang said it would be “as simple as possible.” Students will be able to “register through a link” on SMC’s website. The big question is how many students will the $250,000 donation help finance? “The scholarships will be in the $300 range,” said Tsang. “There would be around 300 scholarships for the summer and an equal amount in the fall.” Dr. Tsang reiterated that there was no confirmation yet on these numbers, but he is hopeful that this is how the funds will be allocated. Aside from Greenberg and Steinhauser’s subsidy, other donators have also been contributing to SMC’s funding. According to Tsang, SMC Associates, a support group for the college, recently donated $5,000. With regards to the new price increase taking effect this coming summer, Tsang said that the contract education is an “attractive choice” for students in a state that has held back on providing funds to community colleges. “We created a new program that is selffunded in addition to the state-funded program,” Dr. Tsang said. The two-tier system would allow students to take the harder-to-get-into classes, such as English and Math courses, during summer and winter sessions. The plan has gained nationwide attention and has raised more than a few eyebrows among students. According to SMC’s Public Information Office, “since 2008, [the] state has cut funding to community colleges by 23 percent.” Budget cuts have caused SMC to lose some 1,100 class sections over the last four years. Tsang said that times are tough for the California Community Colleges, which are suffering major cutbacks as the state’s deficit reaches a critical junction. Santa Monica College, one of California’s leading community colleges— not to mention a home for some 30,000 students—is feeling the brunt of these cutbacks in a major way. Tsang said that donations such as the Greenberg and Steinhauser’s $250,000 subvention will provide some form of financial relief to SMC students who are in need of financial support to pursue higher education.
$25 million SMC campus to open in Malibu Nadine Weiland Staff Writer Malibu residents taking classes at SMC will soon be able to save the drive all the way to Santa Monica. After more than 30 years, SMC will open its doors in Malibu with a 25,000-square-foot campus. The $25 million project will begin to operate by the end of 2014, according to SMC officials. “The objective is not to take students from the main campus to Malibu,” said Katharine Muller, chair of the Academy of Entertainment & Technology department at SMC, and a part of the team planning the new campus. “The objective is to serve the residents of Malibu, so that they don’t have to come all the way to the main campus.” The new facility, to be located in Malibu’s Civic Center, will have computer-equipped classrooms, a 100-seat lecture hall that can be used for events, two general education classrooms, and a small interpretive center. A parking structure holding 194 spaces will be constructed inside the campus. SMC has been offering a few evening classes in Malibu for the last two years at Webster Elementary School in the subjects of art, music, geology, and photography. Those classes will be moved
to the new campus. Students will also be able to take several other classes during the day. “We are not planning for this to be a fullservice site where students can get every course that they need to get their degree,“ said Muller. Muller adds that research has been done on what classes students from Malibu are taking at SMC and what seems to be a good fit given the environment of the new campus. The Legacy Park near the campus construction site, which is used as an outdoor living and learning center to reduce pollution impact and improve water quality, will be available to SMC students as an educational facility. School officials are still in the planning process, but classes such as marine and environmental science, geography, geology, art, music, film, and other general education classes are under consideration. According to Muller, students will still have to take classes in Santa Monica in order to finish their degree and earn the credits they need to transfer. “We know that we want to have very highvalue classrooms,“ said Donald Girard, vice president of the marketing department responsible for the government relations of the project. “What that means is that we
want to have a good science lab, we want to have a good art lab, and so forth.” The planning of the project began in 2004 when Measure S, a bond for specified school improvements, was approved at the District’s election, according to the facility planning of the Board of Trustees. Measure S will fund $25 million for the building of the new campus. The facility will have a 25-year contract lease with several five-year options to renew; the lease will cost an estimated of $4.4 million in total. According to Girard, the new campus will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, a Green Building Rating system, to guarantee minimum negative environmental impacts. In 2008, the SMC Board of Trustees authorized to provide $2.5 million of bond funds to the City of Malibu for the construction of a wastewater facility. The campus is planned to be environmentally friendly. The project will be going through the process of the California Environmental Quality Act, a statewide policy of environmental protection. According to Girard, once the act passes the actual building of the facility will start in around ten months.
Student dies of injuries from motorcycle street racing accident
Student Frank Gauthier, 22, died March 12 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle street racing accident.
Andy Riesmeyer Staff Writer Santa Monica College student Frank Gauthier, 22, died March 12 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle street racing accident last month at the intersection of Pico Boulevard and 20th Street in Santa Monica. Sgt. Richard Lewis of the Santa Monica Police Department said that according to statements made by witnesses, Gauthier and a friend, also an SMC student, were splitting lanes at upwards of 50 mph along Pico Boulevard. Gauthier’s bike then slammed into a Ford Expedition that was making a left hand turn at 20th Street at around 12:20 p.m. Gauthier’s friend, an international student from Morocco, was uninjured. His name has been withheld pending the outcome of the investigation. According to Lewis, the district attorney is proposing manslaughter charges as a result of the incident. Gauthier, an international student from France, studied business and worked at the SMC bookstore for the past two years. According to bookstore operations manager, Elease Juarez, Gauthier was a respectful employee. “He was quiet, but he had a lot of friends,” she said.
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Jeff Coté Corsair
News of Gauthier’s condition reached the student body shortly after the incident on Feb. 22. “When we found out who it was people were very upset. People were crying in the hallways,” Juarez said. “Everyone was hoping he would pull through.” Juarez stated that Gauthier was involved in a motorcycle accident last July but still attended work that day. “A car had cut him off. I told him to go to the doctor and get checked out,” Juarez said. “He was nervous about worrying his mother, so he waited until he had recovered to tell her about it.” His mother, who was unavailable for comment, attended a memorial at the Cayton Student Center on March 16 organized by bookstore employees and friends in honor of Gauthier. Police said that alcohol was not a factor in the crash and that the driver of the SUV was not injured. Gauthier’s is the first death of an SMC student since April of 2011 when James Henrey Freimann was killed in a traffic accident on the way to a friend’s house.
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OPINION|5
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Vanessa Barajas Staff Writer Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly after the atrocities of World War II, states that, “everyone has the right to education.” It is wrong to deny a student an education that offers a successful future. Yet, the system governing Santa Monica College has been forcing students into the lifestalling decision to not attend school. “I have had a number of students tell me that they just cannot afford these classes anymore, and are no longer going to attend school because of the prices,” says Jeremy Newman, a student support clerk for the SMC’s financial aid office. In recent years, SMC has undergone a number of enrollment fee increases, causing students to struggle to afford a higher education that was meant to be “equally accessible.” Classes at SMC were $26 per unit in 2007, and have since increased to the current $36 per unit. Those $10 might not seem like much to some people, but to students taking multiple-unit classes, the numbers add up. Students pay additional fees to receive support services such as the student ID card, Associated Students membership, and health services, which can add up to nearly $50. This is not including the parking decal required to have access to on-campus parking, which costs $85 during spring and fall semesters, and $45 during winter and summer sessions.
Newman confirmed SMC’s plans to begin the new contract education plan. Effective this upcoming summer and winter sessions, SMC will be charging $200 per unit on classes with mandatory credits which most students need to transfer or graduate. This could make a single class cost anything from $200 to $1,600, depending on the number of units it has. “Regular classes will remain at $36 per unit [for the time being], but these high demand requirement classes, whichever ones are decided upon, will cost students those $200 per unit,” says Newman. International students, who pay $235 to $275 per semester unit to begin with, are not likely to stay quiet on the subject. SMC international student Xiaoting Lin isn’t taking the new proposal to increase class prices well. “I am not happy about this,” says Lin. “Prices have already been high before and I will protest. I won’t pay that.” Superintendent and president of SMC,,Dr. Chui L. Tsang says on SMC’s online college governance page, “Our campus boasts one of the largest international student populations of any community college in the nation—2,800plus from more than 100 countries. They enrich our campus and give our American students firsthand knowledge of the culture,
Illustration by Jhosef Hern
Education becoming an elite privilege
politics and art of the world.” If Tsang is interested keeping the campus “enriched” with the diversity of the world, he should not allow the international students to face such a financial hardship. He should also realize that this would likely steer a segment of that demographic of students away from SMC. In addition to the fee increases, students that are currently part of the Board of Governors fee waiver, the Pell Grant, and other such forms of financial aid, will not be able to use any of these methods to pay for the affected classes. The $200 per unit classes will need to be paid in full from each student’s pocket. This unfair new proposal has caused opponents, mainly students, to speak out against this injustice. The Santa Monica College Student
Organization Team has gathered a group of student supporters to protest against the new prices, planning on making their voices heard to the Board of Trustees. “I came out of high school thinking of going to a community college to save money because universities are so expensive,” says SMC student Kayleigh Wade, a member of the student organization team. “Now, there isn’t going to be a difference. I should have just gone to Cal State Long Beach. It’s like education is now for the elite.” Tsang also goes on to say on SMC’s online college governance page, “Santa Monica College is committed to global responsibility and awareness— educationally, environmentally, and economically.” So it is the student’s responsibility to become aware of the economic injustices that are being made against them, and stand up for their rights to an equally available opportunity of education for all, not only for those who can afford it. Tsang should be able to understand the importance of community college to a student, having attended a community college before transferring to Stanford University, according to his SMC online profile. As president, he should be defending students in this battle, not voting for a budget that requires students to pay something they cannot afford. The Board of Trustees meeting to decide the new proposal will be held on April 3, at 7 p.m. in the business building.
`LA firefighters slowing down due to budget cuts When someone started abruptly knocking at her front door, Yvonne Camacho jolted out of her bed and ran through two rooms to answer. It was her neighbor, yelling “Call 911!” As Camacho walked forward, she could see part of her neighbor’s home in flames. Soon, her cell phone was in her hand, and an emergency service was on the line. As Camacho gave the dispatcher her address, the dispatcher needed more directions. “Cross streets weren’t enough for her,” Camacho said. “I was in a panic, I couldn’t think straight enough to sit there and give her step-by-step directions to my home. We were talking for nearly five minutes when all I could think of is ‘don’t you have some sort of navigation or tracking device— why aren’t you here yet?’ I was extremely frustrated.” It was 15 minutes before the firefighters finally arrived. The fire was partially extinguished, but by then the fire had begun to spread towards the second half of the house. What was wrong with the dispatch system? Why did they need such precise directions? And could they have been quicker on the scene? If they had arrived sooner, much less of the home would have been lost. Camacho made this call on March 4, 25 miles east of Santa Monica. However, similar incidents seem to be popping up all over Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Times, just a few days later on March 7, a woman waited nearly 45 minutes for Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to arrive after a machine had sliced off her finger and mangled the rest of her hand. Firefighters said the alarms never rang
Illustration by Jhosef Hern
Lissette Gomez Staff Writer
at the firehouse just a mile away from the injured woman. In the end, so much time was lost that the woman’s finger could not be reattached. Officials claim that aging equipment is to blame for frequent technical and dispatch failures. But they don’t seem to be doing much about it. These so-called routine repairs can take months to fix because of a smaller maintenance crew, downsized due to the budget cuts. Because there are fewer fire fighters now, they are forced to travel miles across cities to respond to emergencies. This delays critical help, and produces more fatigued firefighters. There seems to be more than just one issue. It’s not just the dispatch system, the lack of fire fighters, the lack of a maintenance crew, or even the huge budget cuts carrying all the blame. The delayed response time seems to be the ultimate result of all of those issues combined, causing a disastrous effect on the city of Los Angeles and all of its surrounding communities. Los Angeles cannot afford LAFD budget cuts. Angelenos are the ones who suffer with every delayed reaction. And if a massive fire were to strike Los Angeles County without a capable fire department to control it, where would the city be then?
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6|PHOTOSTORY
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Joe Thorpe, a trainer of forty-ďŹ ve years, measures the height of the jumps before Albrecq and Uncle Jack start training on the practice course.
Brittany Albrecq jum
Ribbons hang all throughout the Sovereign Place Barn, where Albrecq and Uncle Jack train out of.
GRAND PR
Brittany Albrecq stands with Union Jack outside the stables. Albrecq has been training with Union Jack since the fall of 2011.
Union Jack has a snack of carrots.
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PHOTOSTORY|7
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
STORY BY ANDY RIESMEYER & NATHAN GAWRONSKY PHOTOS BY PAUL ALVAREZ JR.
mps with Union Jack during a training exercise at Los Angeles Equestrian Center last Friday in Burbank, Calif. Albrecq describes jumping as “like you’re flying.”
IX: WHERE NEW BLOOD MEETS WARMBLOOD Grand Prix show jumper Brittany Albrecq, 18, focuses on a jump barrier she’s swiftly approaching. Through piercing blue eyes, she sizes up the distance and counts the steps until she’ll need to signal her horse, a 1,500 pound warmblood named Union Jack, to leap. Seconds before a would be impact, the command is given with a kick of a heel and the rider and massive horse soar over the barrier, clearing it by inches. “It feels like you’re flying,” Albrecq says of show jumping. “It’s an amazing feeling when you go around clear, it’s probably one of the best.” She trains Union Jack at the LA Equestrian Center in Burbank, where he lives with over 800 other horses in a 72 acre complex behind the Hollywood Hills. Both Albrecq and Union Jack made the transition into Grand Prix level competition in the fall of 2011. “You’re competing at the top level of show jumping, against professionals who have been in the saddle for 40 years,” she says. Riders who participate in this type of show jumping can clear barriers as high as 5’3”. “There’s a lot more pressure, and it’s much more expensive.” According to Albrecq, Union Jack is classified as a warmblooded horse because he’s a mix between a heavy draft horse and a thoroughbred. He spent most of his life in Belgium before coming to America with the help of the Albrecq family last year. An assistant trainer at the center said that horses like Union Jack can sell for up to $65,000 on international markets. Albrecq and Union Jack train on a course six days out of the week where they practice on a course constructed by her trainers that includes jumps of varying heights. “When I can’t ride for multiple days, I get really restless,” she says. “I just want to be out here; I need to ride.” Though he’s unable to speak, Union Jack’s unique personality is obvious while they’re training. Sometimes he gives Albrecq a friendly push with his nose when they’re walking in the stable together, almost teasingly. “He knocks me around sometimes–it’s an abusive relationship,” she says, jokingly. “But I love him.” Albrecq and her horse share a special bond. “I talk to him all the time,” she says. “On good days I tell him how cute he is, and when I’m having a bad day I talk to him about what’s been going on with me. He’s like my therapist,” she adds.
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8| ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
“Miss Representation� exposes sexism in American media and politics Peter S. Cheng Staff Writer In a crowded 100-seat screening at the Santa Monica YWCA last Wednesday night, a visibly angry Suzanne Wayman Harris stood and shouted, “In my experience the U.S. is the most sexist country in the world—I’ve lived here six years and I’m constantly thinking ‘I can’t believe I just heard that!’� Harris, born in England, explained that she has lived in the Far East and Europe, and is deeply disappointed by the U.S. She has great concerns about raising her daughter here. Harris was not alone in her sentiment, as many of her mostly female audience members seemed both enlightened and disturbed by the facts presented in the documentary. The YWCA presented the film in conjunction with the online radio program “Broad Topics� and The Commission on the Status of Women. Jennifer Siebel Newsom wrote and directed the feature-length documentary “Miss Representation� with the intention of shedding new light on an old problem: The consistently unfair representation of women and girls in U.S. media. In a pre-written statement, read by event co-host and Director of Youth Development Veronica Castro Sabaghi at the YWCA last week on Wednesday, Newsom said: “I made this film to inspire us all to be agents for change.� Many Americans accept that sexism, like racism, is deeply rooted in our culture and politics, but may not realize the extent to which it exists today. Newsom used commentary from celebrities like Rosario Dawson and political figures Nancy Pelosi, as well as ordinary people, to modernize and personalize the issues discussed. “Miss Representation� began on a silent black screen with a quote from author Alice Walker displayed in bold white letters: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.� The film played out as a series of commentaries
“The Hunger Games� victorious at the box office
Samantha Perez Staff Writer
“The Hunger Games� phenomenon hit theaters this weekend, raking in $155 million in domestic theaters. If you have followed the hype surrounding the film however, its success should come as no surprise. The novel of the same name, by Suzanne Collins, was a best-seller, and has developed a culture of devoted fans who pre-ordered tickets a month in advance, selling out dozens of midnight shows across the country. Directed and co-written by Gary Ross, the film’s adaptation stars the beautiful and talented Jennifer Lawrence, Josh
Research Subjects
Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. These young actors have developed strong acting resumes, and their films have garnered the attention of fans and critics alike. “The Hunger Games� is set in a future era where the Capitol controls the 12 Districts of Panem. Every year the Capitol chooses a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district, for a total of 24 tributes, and throws them into a battle to the death—24 go in, but only one comes out alive. At the heart of the story is District 12’s Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), who volunteers for the games in place of her sister. The District’s male contribution is Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), who has kept his
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sexism The by celebrities and people explaining their experiences and opinions on sexism. commentaries were broken up by short vignettes of provocative images and statistics flashing under the narration of Newsom. Many of the documentary’s clips and statistics focused on how poorly women, who make up 51 percent of the U.S. population, are represented in government. This lack of representation was portrayed to be both a cause and effect of the lack of positive role models and beneficial policies for women. One of the most eye-opening comments in the film came from ninth grader Urenna, when she explained how she started worrying about her weight in the fifth grade and is still doing so now. National news anchor Katie Couric follwed up by saying that many people have become conditioned to a point that those of average size are afflicted by “Body Dysmorphic Disorder,� defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a type of chronic mental illness in which you can’t stop thinking about a flaw with your appearance—a flaw that is either minor or imagined.� One segment of the film showed how a magazine ad of a model is digitally enhanced, step-by-step, removing all blemishes and creating and unrealistically thin and sculpted body. Newsome expressed that media consumers are constantly bombarded by these distorted images. “Miss Representation� did an efficient job of presenting a wealth of information without ever coming across as dry or preachy. The controversial subject matter and star-studded cast of commenters, spliced in with images of sex and violence, did not hurt the movie’s appeal. Since it’s premier at the Sundance Film Festival last year, the film has been aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network and is currently being screened at select locations throughout North America.
love for Katniss a secret ever since they were kids; that is, until the Games. There is no need to be a fan of the books in order to enjoy the movie. “The Hunger Games� is emotional, suspenseful, and immensely exciting. Through stunning visual effects and art direction the audience is transported to the majestic Capitol of Panem. C a r e f u l l y choreographed battle scenes keep the guys interested, while the romance between Katniss and Peeta keeps female viewers swooning. Thanks to casting director Debra Zane, “The Hunger Games’� ensemble serves justice to its printed precursor. Fans of the novel have been vocal about how well each actor brings these literary characters to life.
Child Care Wanted
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Jennifer Lawrence is true to the role of Katniss, hardly ever smiling but always asserting her strength. The role is physically demanding, and Lawrence takes every hit with grace, never backing down from the challenge. Josh Hutcherson brings unbelievable likability to his character Peeta—reminding the audience that they are watching innocent children, despite the barbarity of the Games. Though Gale (Hemsworth) is rarely seen during the film, he delivers his role well, and we can expect to see more of him throughout the trilogy. Enthusiasts can relax in knowing that the script follows the book as closely as possible. Writers Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, and Billy Ray keep the book’s essential details intact on the screen. “The Hunger Games� makes for a great movie experience and seeing as the hype isn’t going to die down anytime soon, it’s better to hop on the bandwagon now before you’re three movies too late.
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WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Student Book Signing: “Freedom in Cage” Peter S. Cheng Staff Writer Santa Monica College student Parsa Peykar is like a modern day renaissance man, wise and mature well beyond his 20 years of age. Peykar, the son of a former professional soccer player, has achieved success as an author after releasing a children’s book late last year. Growing up fairly wealthy in his native city of Tehran, Iran, Peykar explained that his aspirations were to follow in his father’s footsteps, and that writing was actually not his first career choice. First choice or not, on Thursday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Peykar will be signing copies of his book “Freedom in Cage,” on the SMC quad as part of the Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebration. The book signing marks the second debut of his literary calling. The first press of “Freedom In Cage” was completely self-financed, and Peykar sold all 100 copies at the official release on Nov. 20, 2011. All profits were donated to the “Child Foundation,” a non-profit international charity based out of Portland, Ore. Peykar remembers writing trivial poetry at the young age of 12, but the difficulties of immigrating to the U.S. inspired him to take his craft more seriously. At the age of 14, Peykar arrived in America with minimal knowledge of English, and began working in order to help his family with all the things he once took for granted. According to Parsa’s 22 year-old brother Pouya, poetry and literature have always been popular in the Peykar family. Pouya first noticed Parsa’s writing when Parsa was in high school. “I was amazed by his words, he’s mature for his age,” Pouya says. Even though he is the older brother, Pouya says he is always learning from Parsa. Pouya went on to explain how Parsa was just like any other kid back in Iran, but changed after emigrating.
“Freedom in Cage” is a collection of 20 short stories written in Farsi. Each entry contains its own moral message. Peykar says the overall theme of his book is “the definition of freedom,” and warns of the dangers of being overly complacent. Even though he feels free, the young author realizes that “all humans are somehow not free,” and that there is always more progress to be made. One of Peykar’s favorite entries is “Guilty Person,” a story of an innocent man on trial. In the story, a judge asks a man to present himself to the court. “I am human,” the man replies. When the judge asks who birthed him he replies, “the soil.” When asked what his crime is, he simply states, “honesty, purity, respect for women,” and this questioning goes on until finally the accused is asked if he has any final requests. The man’s only request is freedom, which the judge thinks deeply about before sending him to prison. Like the title of the book itself, Peykar likes to use this type of paradoxal writing to express emotions that can be hard to describe in literal terms. Each story in “Freedom in Cage” is accompanied by a basic graphic provided by 20-year-old Hirad Sabaghian, also from Tehran. When Sabaghian read the book, he appreciated its simplicity and moral clarity, which is what he tried to portray with his images. Sabaghian said that he tried to keep his illustrations “unified and simple; that allows the viewer to concentrate on the value of the stories and not get caught up in too many details.” Peykar plans to translate his book to English this summer. He thinks the message has a universal appeal and will make just as much sense in English, though some of the cultural references will have to change. Peykar is also working on turning the story “Guilty Person” into a short film, and has already completed his second Michael Price Corsair book of short stories, “The Scream of Silence,” which Peykar recently had his book of short stories, entitled “Freedom in should come out later this year on the first anniversary Cage;” published entirely in his native language, Farsi. of “Freedom in Cage.”
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10|HEALTH + LIFESTYLE
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
“Pink Slime”
Rennet:
The bovine enzyme cheese-eaters eat every day backlash prompts
Faye Crosswhite Staff Writer Thousands of years ago, shepherds and farmers made a mistake. In order to transport their drinking milk, they stored it in sacks made from the stomachs of sheep. After being stored for some time, it was found that the resulting concoction was no longer milk, but had instead separated into solids and liquid, or curds and whey. It was with this mistake that the use of animal rennet in cheese production entered the collective stream of consciousness, and grew to become the practice still routinely used today. “Rennet, or rennin, contains protein-digesting enzymes, [or] chemical catalysts that speed up metabolic reactions,” says Santa Monica College biology Daniela Berzuini Corsair professor Thomas Chen in an Rennet, a complex of enzymes produced in mammalian stomachs for milk digestion, is often used in cheese e-mail. All infantile mammals are born production. with this enzyme, as it is most effective as a milk coagulant, Employees at Andrew’s Cheese Shop in Protection, the production of genetically and allows animals to properly digest their Santa Monica say that while a select few engineered rennet began over 100 years ago. mothers’ milk. of their cheeses are made with plant-based “In 1874, a Danish chemist, Christian “[Rennet] is found throughout life’s major rennet, the majority of their products domains and kingdoms, from bacteria to contain animal rennet because, “it makes a Hansen, founded a laboratory in Copenhagen and commenced the first mammals, because all living things must be better product.” able to digest proteins,” says Chen. Andrew’s products are boutique European commercial production of rennet from calf In traditional cheese production, farmers and American cheeses, and are often made and adult cattle stomach,” according to the extract rennet from the stomachs of calves from very low-production farms. article. and lambs, and use the enzyme to coagulate “We know the cows and sheep that produce As time passed and the process was milk from which various cheeses can be the milk for our cheese,” says Colleen, an perfected, more cheese producers began to made. Andrew’s Cheese Shop employee who Though this process may sound slightly declined to provide her last name. “We know use artificially-created rennet. barbaric, young mammals are reportedly the cheese-makers, and they never slaughter Though it may be slightly unnerving to not slaughtered solely for this purpose. animals specifically to extract rennet for the realize that the production of cheese relies Animal rennet is used in most cheeses, cheese. It’s always a byproduct.” but for strict vegetarians opposed to its Despite the regular use of animal rennet on an enzyme traditionally found in bovine consumption, certain cheeses contain non- in gourmet cheeses, in recent years, the and lamb stomachs, there are alternatives animal sources of rennet. world has taken a turn toward genetically available for the discerning eater. Thistle, for example, is a popular source engineered rennet, as the process is often Vegetable and plant-based cheeses like of rennet that is frequently used in the far less expensive and time-consuming than Humboldt Fog, La Serena and Brazos production of Mediterranean cheeses. extracting the enzyme from plants and Select are entirely vegetarian, and often use When the enzyme is derived from a plant animals. like thistle, the resulting taste of the cheese is According to an article from the European raw milk as opposed to that which has been Commission of Health and Consumer altered for cheese production. often very light and floral.
Daniela Berzuini Corsair Owner Andrew Steiner of Andrew’s Cheese Shop.
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response Alfredo Diaz Staff Writer Last week’s announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture, that schools would have alternative options for lean finely textured beef, set off a media frenzy that prompted scores of grocery chains to stop selling the beef. Businesses such as Kroger, which operates Ralphs and Food4Less, Safeway, which operates Vons, and Target, have all said they would stop selling the chemicallytreated beef. “Pink slime” refers to lean finely textured beef that has been treated with ammonium hydroxide, which supposedly gives it a pink hue and foamy texture. The USDA claims that lean finely textured beef is safe, but consumer concern is driving supermarket chains to pull the product from their shelves. Critics claim that eating the treated beef is unsafe, while others do not see any health concerns. “It’s just ammonia and water,” said Jim Oltjen, specialist in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. “It helps kill bugs and bacteria. It’s no more exciting than what we do on a carcass routinely when we spray it with organic acids. It’s a really weak vinegar solution, so that’s been done for years. Nobody ever seemed to get excited about a little vinegar sprayed on it.” Ammonium hydroxide is a naturally occurring compound in all plant and animal life. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s website, the FDA approved ammonium hydroxide as a “generally recognized as safe” food additive in 1974. It is a common ingredient in many processed foods, and has also been approved for use in other countries. “There is no evidence in the available information on ammonium hydroxide that demonstrates or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect a hazard to the public when [it is] used at levels that are now current, or that might reasonably be expected in the near future,” according to the Select Committee on GRAS Substances. Aside from the ammonia issue, critics claim that lean finely textured beef is unsafe because it contains fillers, which may include parts of the cow like connective tissue. Critics also allege that ammonium hydroxide is added because these other parts are more susceptible to pathogens. Chains such as Whole Foods claim that their beef has always been free of ammonium hydroxide. “We don’t use it in our meat, and we haven’t ever,” said Beth Krauss, a spokesperson for Whole Foods. “Our quality standards require no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives. Ammonia [is] the main ingredient that’s not acceptable, according to those quality standards.” Almost all of Whole Foods’ meat production is done inside the stores, according to Krauss. “The vast majority of ground beef that we sell is ground in-house from whole muscle meat, Krauss said. “We grind it several times a day to maximize freshness, and anything that is ground outside of the store is tested for ammonia before it comes to us.” “Pink slime is a misnomer,” said Oltjen. “[There has been] a lot of excitement over naming some ground beef trimmings as slime.”
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HEALTH + LIFESTYLE|11
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Vegan chef and author Chloe Coscarelli shares cooking secrets Susanna Svensson Staff Writer As the last attendee stepped into the room, only crumbs were left on the small table once stacked with vegan minicupcakes. Those who got there early had the chance to choose between red velvet, vanilla and chocolate. Topped with a generous layer of frosting and decorated with sprinkles, the flavorful treats left everyone wanting more. Winner of Food Network’s 2010 “Cupcake Wars,” vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli has become an influential part of the culinary world. But how does she get her desserts perfectly moist without using any eggs or dairy? “The answer is vinegar,” Coscarelli said, of a trick she learned at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York. “I use it in every single one of my cupcake recipes. You add just a little bit of vinegar to the cupcake batter, and it reacts to the baking soda and makes them really moist, and you get these fake eggs.” Currently touring to promote her new cookbook, “Chloe’s Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way,” Coscarelli held a free question-and-answer session and book signing at the 3rd Street Promenade Barnes & Noble in Santa Monica last Tuesday. “All events are free to the public,” said Shane Pangburn, community relations manager at the Santa Monica Barnes & Noble. “Occasionally we require book purchase at the signing, but it’s a local author, and we didn’t want to turn people away that are friends and family.” The seats in the room filled quickly, causing the Barnes & Noble staff to add more chairs. “It’s a big crowd,” Pangburn said. “This is about as much as we can handle. I have the number to 140.” A whole section in the audience was filled with Coscarelli’s old classmates and friends from Santa Monica High School and UC Berkeley. “We came to support,” said Julia Lembrikova, who has known the chef since junior high school. “There are, like, 15 of us. I remember she cooked in Berkeley for one of the other girl’s birthday. A vegan cake—it was amazing.” The author described the process of writing her book as “grilling.”
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“It took me about two years to write, but there was a lot of cooking involved,” Coscarelli said. “It’s a lot of trial and error. Every single one of the recipes, I tested 20, 30, 40, 50 times.” The event kicked off with a game of questions about vegan cooking, led by the author. Three volunteers competed for a gift certificate to Scarlett Cupcakes, the Pacific Palisades bakery that provided the cupcakes for the evening. After a seven-minute question-andanswer session, the book signing began. Coscarelli greeted her fans with a smile, and took her time to pose for the camera and attempt to speak with each person. “This was definitely a big crowd,” Coscarelli said afterward. “People knew that I was from here. It was teachers, family [and] people from my community.” Also, in attendance at the event were New York Times bestselling authors Lisa Bloom, who wrote “Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a DumbedDown World,” and Rory Freedman, who co-wrote “Skinny Bitch.” “I love both of their books,” Coscarelli said. “They are good role models for me as authors, and they have both given me a lot of help and guidance.” “Her book is great,” said Bloom. “I actually did the blurb on the back. I have about 50 vegan cookbooks, but this is one of my tops because it’s easy [and] accessible to everyone.” Marlinda Karo, who has been a vegan for ten years, attended the event to get her book signed. Brightly colored postit notes stuck out from the pages of her book. “I’ve tried all the recipes that have postits on them,” Karo said. “Most of the ones I’ve tried are quick and easy.” Another fan in attendance was Delphine Yougurtjian, a florist born and raised in Los Angeles. “I watched Chloe win ‘Cupcake Wars,’” said Yougurtjian. “I find her very inspiring.” For those considering going vegan, Coscarelli recommends to go easy. “You know every single meal that you eat vegan is better for your body, better for the planet, and so if you can just take it meal by meal and make choices as you go, that’s a really good way to ease into it,” Coscarelli said. “I wouldn’t think of it like this all-or-nothing scary thing.”
No formal admission to CSULB required
Chloe Coscarelli signs a copy of her first book, “Chloe’s Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way,” at Barnes & Noble on March 20. The vegan chef and author won “Cupcake Wars” on Food Network in 2010.
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12|SPORTS
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
BY SARKIS EKMEKIAN • PHOTO BY ASTA KARALIS
CORSAIR
VOLLEYBALL •TEAM CAPTAIN• GRADE LEVEL: SOPHOMORE. HOMETOWN: SAN DIEGO, CA. MAJOR: BUSINESS MARKETING POSITION: OUTSIDE HITTER
HOW DID YOU GET INTO VOLLEYBALL? By being around volleyball while growing up around the beach and playing for leisure. I started playing on the junior varsity team my freshman year in high school. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT VOLLEYBALL? It is a precise game and has momentum. The best team doesn’t always win, the team that plays the hardest and uses the momentum does. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SPORTS MEMORY? Winning the CIF Southern Section championship for my high school during my senior year.
WHAT CAME AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I went to Grossmont College for a year, and then transferred to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. While out there, I got hit by a drunk guy on a jet ski who was going against traffic. I was in a wheelchair for a while, and the doctors were saying I might not be able to play again. Then I moved back to San Diego to recover. My recovery took about two and a half years. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS? Sean Rosenthal is one of the most inspirational players out there, because he never played on an organized team, he just played on the beach and became an Olympic athlete. WHAT IS ON YOUR MUSIC WORKOUT PLAYLIST? T.V. on the Radio, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and old school classic rock. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO DURING YOUR FREE TIME? I like reading the newspaper and getting news online. I don’t like watching T.V. as much, but I like watching documentaries; anything that’s not the Jersey Shore, or reality T.V.
WHAT IS YOUR DAILY ROUTINE LIKE? I have class in the mornings until about 11 a.m. and then I hit the gym. I try to incorporate more muscles and mix it up by trying new techniques. I do a program called The Ultimate Yogi, which was developed by my assistant coach, Yariv Lerner, and it has played a huge role in optimizing my ability to perform. WHAT DO YOU DO BEFORE EVERY MATCH? I focus on getting a good stretch, and try to focus and mentally prepare myself. DO YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW A STRICT DIET TO STAY IN SHAPE FOR VOLLEYBALL? IF SO, WHAT DOES YOUR DIET INCLUDE? I try to stay as healthy as I can. I get in veggies and cut down on sugars. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS JUST STARTED PLAYING VOLLEYBALL? Remember to have fun with it; don’t treat it too seriously like a job. Always have fun. WHAT ARE YOU PLANS AFTER SMC? I plan to transfer to Loyola Marymount University to pursue my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. •••
“I would describe Connor’s volleyball talent as aggressive— he’s a go-getter,” said head volleyball coach John Mayer. “He jumps really well, he’s a strong kid. Volleyball wise, he’s just a talented, athletic guy. And in terms of outside of volleyball, he’s a fiery competitor, and he’s very aggressive. He’s a natural leader and he’s very vocal about it. Guys naturally follow him because he’s not afraid to step up, and I think that’s one of his best qualities.” Read the full profile on Connor at the Corsair Online
Corsairs lose doubleheader but remain vigilant to the end Henry Crumblish Staff Writer
Carrie Jesenovec Corsair
The Corsairs women’s softball team Santa Monica College infielder Iliana Hernandez (21) attempts to tag out a Glendale player at second base. SMC lost both games of a double hearder to Glendale lost the first game of the double header College 17-2, 15-3. 17-2, and though they appeared Jamie Kenyon to keep the rally alive on offense. determined to exact vengeance on the Kenyon delivered, and hit a single that sent Rivera Vaqueros, they fell 15-3 in the second game. home, giving the Corsairs their first run for the day. Though the Corsairs lost the conference double The Corsairs ended the inning 8-3, eventually header to the Vaqueros, who were ranked #4 in the state, they showed great improvement, and delivered going on to lose the second game 15-3. While the game may have been a loss, the day was their best effort during the course of both games. not without a sense of victory. The Corsairs wore In the second game, Samantha Rivera hit a lead new black and pink jerseys designed by Jocelyne off single for Santa Monica, giving the Corsairs the Ferrufino, marking their support for their “Strike out momentum early in the game. However the Vaqueros quickly snatched it back in Breast Cancer” event. The Corsairs honored their head coach’s mother the second when, with two outs in the inning, Brandy Debbie Bales, a breast cancer survivor of six years, Morin hit a triple, batting in three runners to make with a gift basket and a ball the entire team had the Glendale lead 4-0. In the bottom of the third, the Corsairs looked signed. In addition, the Corsairs also raised money primed to strike and shift their fortunes. After a walk for breast cancer research from donations throughout in favor of the Corsairs that sent Arlene Garcia to the game. Rivera was three for three batting at the plate. first, Rivera continued her trend of strong hitting, Kenyon pitched a good game, despite not having and got on base. substitutes, and having to pitch the entirety of both Following a Vaquero error, the Corsairs then stole a games in the double header; she was a central part of base that put runners in scoring position on second and third. After the steal, Marissa Machado was both the offense and defense. The Corsairs have another conference game at walked to first base. home next week, where they look to win and keep With the bases loaded and no outs, it was up to their playoff hopes alive.
Lum and Liu Lead SMC Swimmers at Quad Meet
Luana Kasahara Staff Writer
The Santa Monica College men’s and women’s swim team had their third Western State Conference meet of the season at LA Valley College last Friday, with SMC’s Michelle Liu grabbing first place in the 200-yard individual medley, and anchoring the 200 yard freestyle relay team for another first place. SMC’s Jeff Lum won the 200-yard individual medley, Ahmed Mathlouthi won the 1000-yard freestyle, and both swimmers led the men’s 400-yard freestyle relay team to first place. Overall, both the men and women’s teams from SMC came in second place at the quad meet. Ventura College scored 115 total points to come in first place within the women’s division. The Corsair women scored 54 combined points to come in second place, while College of the Canyons placed third with 26 points, and LA Valley College placed fourth with 19 points. The Ventura men also won first place, with 103 total points, while the Corsair men scored 68 combined points for second place. College of the Canyons and LA Valley College tied in the men’s division with 34 total points to take third. SMC swimmer Liu won first place in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:13.84; she also competed in the 200-yard freestyle relay and 200yard medley relay. The women’s 200-yard freestyle relay team comprised of Liu, Katya Shatalova, Tracy Vassallo and Patty Salgado, came in first place with a time of 1:46.19. Meanwhile, the women’s 200-yard medley relay team, that included Juju Allison, Juli Giner, Liu and Sam Lambour, came in second place at 2:01.29, just behind Ventura College’s team who had a time of 1:58.39. Shatalova and Vassallo came in second and third place for SMC in the women’s 500-yard freestyle. Shatalova completed the race in 5:31.64, followed by Vassallo at 5:37.15, and Salgado clinching third place in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 57.78 seconds. SMC’s winning men included Mathlouthi, who swam the 1000-yard freestyle and came in at 10:11.74, and 1:40.16 in the 200-yard freestyle, SMC’s Lum timed in at 1:58.37 in the 200-yard
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individual medley to nab first place. Both were part of the men’s 400-yard freestyle relay team that included Michael Carden, Lum, Aaron Clements and Mathlouthi, who added points with their first-place finish at 3:18.77. Clements also got second place in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:21.24) and third place in the 200yard individual medley (2:01.56). Carden, at 49.47 seconds, came in second place in the 100-yard freestyle. According to SMC’s head coach for the swim teams, Steve Contarsy, the team is a month away from the championship, and needs to train harder. “One of the goals of the program is designed to have the athletes train hard, and get tired during the training,” said Contarsy. “Then they learn how to race while they are tired. The team had a lot of best times today, and I’m really pleased with that.” The upcoming WSC Championships are scheduled for April 18-21 at Cuesta College, and the State Championships will be held on April 25-28 at East LA College. “They [East LA College] got two championships back to back, and they are going to get tired, so they have to learn how to perform while they are tired,” said Contarsy. “And that’s exactly what we are doing, and we’re doing well.” Contarsy also said that even though the men’s 400yard freestyle relay team got first place, he is not satisfied with all the results. “That was a good relay, not the best time, but it was a solid relay,” said Contarsy. “That relay is going to compete at the state level.” The Corsairs host their next swimming meet at home, and it represents the last chance for the swimmers to fine-tune their skills before the WSC Championships that will be held at home on Friday, April 6. -Diving BriefSMC’s Noah Nevins won the three-meter diving competition in the men’s division with 220.10 points, and third place in the one-meter diving competition. Nevins, a former gymnast, has been the only diver representing SMC this year. “He just got to work out a little on his gym lines,” said diving coach Eduard Gorodetsky. “I hope he’s going to make a stay, that’s my goal.”
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