The Corsair Vol. D Issue 14

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 VOLUME D ISSUE 14

MEET THE PRESIDENT cover photo by amanda bojorquez

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2|CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

EDITORIAL STAFF Jonathan Bue············· Editor-in-Chief c o rs a i r. e d i t o r i n c h i e f @ g m a i l . c o m Nathan Gawronsky·····Managing Editor c o rs a i r. m a n a g i n g @ g m a i l . c o m Cathy Arias········· Life & Health Editor c o rs a i r. l i f e s t y l e p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Regan Dyl····················· News Editor c o rs a i r. n e w s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Juan Lopez··················· A & E Editor c o rs a i r. c a l e n d a r p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Muna Cosic················Opinion Editor c o rs a i r. o p i n i o n p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m William Courtney··········· Sports Editor c o rs a i r. s p o r t s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Hector Mejia··········Multimedia Editor c o rs a i r. m u l t i m e d i a @ g m a i l . c o m Anisa El-Khouri··············Photo Editor Amanda Bojorquez··········Photo Editor c o rs a i r p h o t o e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m Jenya Romanovsky··········· Copy Editor Chris Aquino··················· Copy Staff c o rs a i r. c o p y e d i t s @ g m a i l . c o m Roger Morante················ Web Editor David J. Hawkins····· Web Administrator c o rs a i r. w e b e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m Nathalyd Meza··············Design Editor Genesis Baltazar············· Design Staff Alfredo Avila·················· Design Staff c o rs a i r. d e s i g n t e a m @ g m a i l . c o m W R I T E R S Amber Antonopoulos, Vanessa Barajas, Eva Boguslawski, Jay Be Brookman, Aubryanna DiStefano, Maria Dimera, Morgan Doyle, Alyson Feldman, Janae Franklin, Jonathan Ghattas, Tabetha Harris, Myles Johnson, Luana Kasahara, Samanta Kubon, Jahnny Lee, Keijo Liimatainen, Zoie Matthew, Michael Mejia, Ashley Metcalf, Wayne Neal, Tatianna Paredes, Michelle Ponder, Melanie Rudkiewicz, Katherine Ruiz, Fatou Samb, Valerie Serrano, Mia Shilpi, Mai Sims, Ryan Sinko, Christina Sziatinsky PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Alvarez, Chris Alves, Marisa Bojiuc, Jojo Cheung, Jeannie Cole, Ryan Cook, Reynal Guillen, Tiahna Hale, Cristina Maxwell, Marie Perez, Scott Smith, Silvia Spross, Lisa Weingarten, Michael Yanow, Sequoia Ziff FAC U LT Y A DV I S O R S S a u l Ru b i n Gerard Burkhart A d I n q uiries : corsair.adconsultant@gmail.com

Claire Apana Contributor David Wright, news correspondent for ABC World News Tonight, checks his phone while his crew prepares for his live report at a gas station destroyed by the Santa Ana winds in Pasadena, Calif. on Dec.

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NEWS|3

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

new smc policy change:

three repeats and you are out

by Christina Sziatinszky . staff writer

new smc policy has students worried

Tensions arose last Monday as the AS board of directors held their final meeting of the fall semester, where possible plans for the spring were discussed.

Two members of the board argued over ideas concerning the End of Semester event. AS president Harrison Wills, who opposed an earlier event which was later on passed by the Board, was in favor of the End of Semester event.

Marjohnny Torres-Nativi, the person in charge of SMC’s sustainability, questioned Wills’ motives for making such a decision.

“How is this event different, or why is it that you’re voting for one and not for the other?” he said. “Because it appears to be completely the same thing.”

“I haven’t even taken a position on this yet, I’m still learning the facts on this as you are,” responded Wills.

“This event does not include sparkling cider and a red carpet event. I felt the red carpet event represented an exclusive hierarchy.”

Aside from event planning, board members lost a colleague during the meeting. Luis Gomez made the decision to step down from his position as the Inter-Club Council’s Vice-Chair for personal reasons.

“I’m really bummed out that Luis is stepping down, because he’s pulled off great ICC events,” said Leslie Estrada, the head of activities. “He has his reasons, and I know he’s making the right choice for himself.”

They plan to find a replacement Vice-Chair when the spring semester begins. Students are encouraged to apply.

Estrada was also excited to share her brainstorming ideas, and has high hopes for the upcoming spring semester.

“I’m spending my winter session planning out some really fun and exciting things for the spring,” said Estrada. “In the works may be a farmer’s market, a fun environmental day, singing competitions and more!”

The student government assured that they will do everything in their power to make the upcoming semester a fun and exciting one.

by Myles Johnson . staff writer A new course repeat policy taking effect summer of 2012 in California allows students to enroll in the same course a maximum of three times as opposed to before when students could repeat at will. The policy is not exclusive to SMC. The new state regulation will affect 112 California Community Colleges.

By allowing students to repeat a class more than three times, SMC would not receive any funding from the State, which does not account for the fourth enrollment. As a result, teacher and faculty payrolls for the extra courses taken come directly out of the district’s coffers.

“It hurts us financially if we let somebody who we weren’t funded for take a fourth enrollment. The state is tracking down on us because we’re not getting paid for the extra fourth enrollment, so basically not getting money for a student’s head counts,” said Amy Dworsky, Santa Monica College counselor.

Exceptions and approvals can be granted with good reasoning and explanation as to why a fourth enrollment is necessary. If a student withdraws or does not pass a class in which they enrolled three times, he or she has a chance to enroll in that same course with a petition .

Petitioning for special considerations must be submitted to the counseling office with no guarantee of approval. A talk with a counselor is recommended beforehand, as he

o

or she may advise the student to re-take the placement test or take a prerequisite course.

“The college is still under the old policy for the spring enrollment, however, students with two W’s and a fail will have to submit a petition for special consideration,” said Dworksy.

“It will benefit the college in terms of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) status; you get certain money from the district, and with fourth enrollments you wont get that money,” said Hackett.

SMC Guidance counselor Cedric Hackett is also aware of the new enrollment policy changes, as well as the new waiting pool rather than a waiting list that will be in effect for winter and spring.

According to SMC’s website, the waiting pool is different from the waiting list, in that instead of there being a select few who make it onto the waiting list, all of the students who enrolled but were unable to add are given the choice to enter into a waiting pool. If a spot in the class opens up, those students are notified by email, and must enroll before the spot closes.

Class fees are also going to be due sooner for the winter session.

According to a mass email sent out

by SMC to students, fees will be due

by Dec. 19, and any classes enrolled into after that date will have to be paid for by midnight on the same day as enrollment.

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OPINION|5

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Minorities targeted by injustice

By Vanessa Barajas . Staff Writer

Illustrations by Jhosef Hern

Throughout history, many laws, for example the Jim Crow policies of the south, have been established that restrict minorities in certain areas of life.

This attempt to prevent the success of minorities because of the positive results and influences it might have on the rest of society can be seen in Arizona’s recent passing of HB 2281, banning schools from teaching classes that are deemed “divisive,” as is alleged by a Mexican American studies program at Tucson High Magnet School.

The objective of all Ethnic Studies classes is to highlight the achievements, resilience, adversity and accomplishments of minorities throughout history.

According to a recent Los Angeles Times article titled “Arizona educators clash over Mexican-American studies,” the Mexican-American Studies program at Tucson High Magnet school is accused of “framing historical events in racial terms ‘to create a sense of solidarity’ promoting groupthink and victimhood.”

In the article, Arizona School District Superintendent John Huppenthal sat in on a Chicano Literature class at Tucson High Magnet and interpreted the message of the class as giving the students the sense of being an oppressed race, and accusing Caucasians as oppressors, having a “toxic” effect on students.

Santa Monica College professor Jaime Cruz has taught ethnic studies for six years. His view on ethnic studies brings into perspective the importance of ethnic studies classes, and being aware of the accomplishments and contributions of minorities throughout history.

“Prior to 1950, the Los Angeles Unified School District contributions to people of color wasn’t highlighted. As immigration policies were set in place, classes became more diverse, but the curriculum didn’t change,” explains Cruz. “The curriculum wasn’t reflective of [minorities] or what they had been through.”

Cruz explains how in the past, there have been laws directed toward minorities such as Jim Crow laws, that segregated people and created struggles for those of color in the 19th and 20th century.

“Once you understand how laws shape the realities of people of color, you can understand the ways in which they live,” said Cruz. “Why is there an income gap? Why are there gangs?”

Huppenthal, previously a politician as a member of the Arizona State Senate before becoming superintendent,

has been a sponsor for many senate and house bills, such as HCR2049 Immigration Enforcement, HB2752 Illegal Aliens; Domestic Terrorism, and HB 2751 Immigration Law; Appropriation.

This recent bill of contention, HB 2281, states in Section 15-112 of Prohibited Courses and Classes, that a school cannot include courses that, “promote the overthrow of the United States government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group, or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.”

“Ethnic studies are misunderstood. With ethnic studies courses, specific individuals are discussed such as Southeast Asians, Asian-Americans, Chicanos, African-Americans.

Courses are designed to give attention to different groups,” Cruz said.

The other question is why the overthrowing of the government would ever be feared as a class objective in an ethnic studies literature, history or social studies course? A case could be better made for that in a history course on the American Revolution.

Huppenthal is not an educator but a politician. He does not have the credentials to dictate how a school curriculum should be taught. “You need to be an educator to be able to criticize the way programs function,” said Cruz.

Lorenzo Lopez, Mexican-American Studies teacher at Cholla High Magnet School, was not wrong to think: “The academic success of our students is a threat, a danger to the status quo,” he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

“There is empirical data that shows the academic success—the matriculation onto higher education, higher standardized test scores, higher graduation rates. Those successes are why we are being singled out,” Lopez said of Latin people in education.

If this Mexican-American studies program has been targeted, then will we see other minorities such as AsianAmericans, African-Americans, Native Americans, gays and lesbians, and women programs singled out next?

How far will we let government bureaucrats go on in restricting minority groups that have formed for support, education of their background and empowerment.

Will we soon allow all ethnic studies programs to fall under the scrutiny of such laws?

The death of the printed word

By Jay Be Brookman . Staff Writer Laptops. Netbooks. Smartphones. iPads. eReaders.

As more and more people become familiar with these electronic devices and use them in their everyday life, they are realizing something profound: anything that can be read on paper in a book, newspaper, or magazine, can be read on any of these portable electronic devices. Does that mean that these older forms of print are going the way of the dodo?

The issue is important to people, and there are arguments that can be made for continuing to print in paper forms despite the advantages of these new electronic devices that are taking their place. Coming up on the holiday season, we’re seeing skyrocketing sales of Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iPad, and the continued steady climb of laptops, smartphones, and other portable devices that can take the place of “ink-on-paper.”

Santa Monica College student and Anthropology major Tracy Brack is one person for whom printed books are still a necessity. “When reading and studying, I need to be able to flip through the book in a way that I can’t with an electronic version of the book.”

Other reasons why we may continue to see ink-on-paper are the limitations of battery power, for example during a crisis when there is no power for electronic devices, or even in a less extreme situation like while camping.

Some people find that reading a book is more comfortable in bed, while others have problems with sunlight glare off the screens of their devices while trying to read outside.

While these are all legitimate concerns, it is clear that technology is quickly advancing to address every one of these problems. Within the next few decades, traditional

printed material will become a smaller and smaller percentage and finally bottom out. There will always be a certain percentage of the world’s information that remains printed on paper, but we can expect to see that be a tiny fraction of an almost completely digital information age.

E-Readers like Amazon’s Kindle are designed for the sole purpose of replacing ink-on-paper print. Using a technology they call “E-ink,” the Kindle overcomes many of the above-mentioned problems, because it’s designed to be a dedicated reader that mimics all the advantages of normal ink-on-paper, yet still gives all the advantages of being digital. Its battery usage is so tiny that it provides over two months of reading before needing to be recharged. And it is so light and thin that it weighs as much as a magazine yet can hold the equivalent of hundreds of books worth of material. The advantage is clear.

Of course some people will always be nostalgic for the feel of a good book in your hand. But then again, when cars first came out, some people lamented that everyone would miss the “clip-clop” of horse hooves. People will always have some sentimental feelings of nostalgia for oldfashioned things, but in the end, that doesn’t stop technology from progressing.

So we don’t have to say goodbye to printed materials, but in the not-too-distant future, they will surely become more of a relic than a normal part of everyday life.

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6|PHOTOSTORY

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF

Photos and Story By Amanda Bojorquez Corsair Associated Students President Harrison Wills attends Alpha Gamma Sigma meeting on campus at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif. on December 6. His attendence of this specific meeting was important due to the fact that AS/AGS member DJ Davids was being expelled from AGS.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of a “leader” is “A person who has commanding authority or influence.” Santa Monica College’s current Associated Students President, Harrison Wills, fits the definition.

Through his ability to maintain personal relationships with SMC students and faculty, Wills is still able to sustain his political position.

“He’s nice, and genuinely interested in helping students on campus, and is very passionate about what he does,” said second year SMC student Hertz Alegrio. The Green Party,

sustainability, organic-lifestyles, and political empowerment of students are only a few of the many causes that Wills is enthusiastic about.

A native to North Carolina, Wills moved to California ten years ago to attend Malibu High school. Wills has been featured in movies such as “Stick It,” where he played the role of a skateboarder who challenges the main character Haley Graham. Harrison is also a naturalist, and can be found checking out nature related books and taking hikes. Along with other activities, Wills enjoys playing soccer

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as a forward left wing. “I don’t have a lot of time to play soccer now, but I am really fighting for SMC’s Men’s Soccer program,” he said. “I hope to play next year for fall semester if I am still around.”

As a strong advocate of students free speech and provoking thought, Wills has been actively supporting the Occupy LA movement, and participated in the last night of protests at the Los Angeles City Hall.

“The easiest way that people give away their power is by thinking that they have none.”

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PHOTOSTORY|7

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Harrison Wills photographed along with AS members Joshua Scuteri and Marjhonny Torres-Nativi recovering an abandoned couch off of Pearl and 20th street in Santa Monica, Calif.

Harrison Wills photographed shaking hands with Health Association President Michael Nedjat-Haiem in SMC cafeteria on Dec. 5 in Santa Monica, Calif.

Wills clutches a paddle-shaped medallion made of Maori material from New Zealand given to him by his father.

AS President Harrison Wills photographed taking plastic bottles out of a non-recyclable trash can on Pico street on Dec. 6 in Santa Monica, Calif.

harrison wills smc ’ s associated students president FOR EXTENDED COVERAGE VISIT US ONLINE

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8|A + E

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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“I’M IN” LAUSD Campaign at Fred Segal’s in Santa Monica

By Mel Rudkiewicz . Staff Writer

Entering the red carpet event at Fred Segal’s for the “I’M IN” Los Angeles Unified School District campaign, casually dressed guests were immediately greeted by music and culinary aromas wafting through the air.

On Thursday evening, Dec. 1 at the Fred Segal store on Broadway in Santa Monica, guests were provided an array of foods and refreshments offered through the “I’M IN” campaign, sponsored by Ecomom and Fred Segal Santa Monica.

The culinary experience

by LAUSD Executive Chef Mark Baida, and accompanying student Photos by Chris Alves Corsair chefs treated each Actress Izabella Miko enjoying the vegatable manicotti and tomato-basil maranra at the "I'M IN LAUSD" guest to their health event on Thursday, Dec.1. conscious creations. these too being part of the food program.

“On the nutritional The program has been implemented in LAUSD cafeterias since side, everything is whole grain, at least 51 percent,” said Dennis Berrett, Director of Food Services for LAUSD. The aim of the September 2011.

Baida said: “most importantly we wanted to introduce [students] Food Services Branch being, “Nourishing Children to Achieve to a culturally diverse menu, as LA is a culturally diverse city.”

Excellence.”

The “I’M IN” campaign is attempting to ensure students are He stressed how important an education was for students to enjoy many diverse meals, as many may not travel outside LA taught the benefits of nutrition.

From the red carpet outside, Actress Izabell The new and Miko entered and mingled. During the improved menu speeches, Miko, who fully supports the cause, offered for commented on how strongly she believes in LAUSD students is created by choice, and to be able to make that choice to Mark baida eat healthy. Also confirming her support of this Excutive Chef. campaign was Kristen Segal, granddaughter of Fred Segal.

On the lower level, guests sampled garlic hummus with whole wheat pita chips, and fresh salads of quinoa and vegetables, Farmers Market salad and Greek salad. The dishes were all served in ready-to-go packs.

Upstairs, chicken pozole, Indian-style vegetable curry, manicotti with tomatobasil marinara and Ancho-chili chicken with vegetables were served.

“We’ve tried to have an international menu,” said Berrett. Servings were given by chefs dressed in full attire, as they discussed ingredients and answered questions. “You won’t see a greasy slice of pizza or a hotdog around campus any more.”

Chilled on ice, refreshments of Vita Coco coconut water and Bai iced tea were provided,

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Impro Theatre

Unscript Jane Austen

By Zoie Matthew . Staff Writer In 2003, Dan O’Connor and some other members of the Theatre Sports improv group decided that creatively, it was time for a change.

“We wanted to form a theatre company that wasn’t an improv troupe, and that would do theatre that just didn’t happen to have scripts,” artistic director O’Connor said. “Because all of us wanted the challenge to do theatre differently, and we also had this long experience in doing improv.

And some of the people in the company were writers. So there was a real push to do something that combined all of our talents.”

And thus was formed the Impro Theatre Company, a group of classically trained actors who specialize in a special breed of improv. For each performance, they create a full-length piece of theater in the style of one of the masters.

“It’s not parody. We’re not parodying Tennessee Williams or Shakespeare or Jane Austen,” O’Connor said. “We’re trying to do something as close to them as possible without repeating any of their storylines or characters.”

The Edye Second Space at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Campus lets you experience their critically acclaimed “Jane Austen: Unscripted Series.”

In it, O’Connor and the rest of the Impro gang will attempt to create from scratch something resembling one of Austen’s romantic tales of the English gentry.

“We came up with Jane Austen as a kind of perfect writer for us to improvise,” O’Connor said. “Because everybody kind of knows who she is, it’s a really understandable world, and it’s also entertaining even if you’ve never seen Jane Austen.”

For the performance, the performers dress in costume from the time period, but work with a small and malleable set due to the performance’s unpredictable nature. The set consists of only a chez lounge, a few regency chairs, and a writing desk that doubles as a pianoforte.

“Because a lot of times the heroine or one of the ladies will play piano,” O’Connor explained. “So if one of the actresses wants to play pianoforte, or she gets endowed as being talented at pianoforte, she will sit down and mime playing and the sound effects improviser will throw a piano track on.”

O’Connor said that the performances have no set structure, and no presupposed characters at all. It’s 100 percent raw improv.

“As soon as you have a format, people start to think about things and takes them out of the moment,” he said. “So with all of the unscripted styles that we do, there’s no prep and there’s no set characters and there’s nothing repeated.”

To prepare themselves for the task of emulating such prolific writers on the spot, the company had to work hard to learn their stuff. As difficult as all this preparation may sound, it’s is exactly the kind of challenge that O’Connor and his fellow company members revel in.

“It’s kind of like a kid playing cowboys and Indians,” O’Connor said. “It’s so much fun. It’s taking all the stuff I learned in college, all the things I learned in acting school and acting class, and all of these great writers and styles that I dig, and getting to make it up every night which is terrific. And we all are the writer, actor, and director once the show starts. Everybody is wearing all three hats.”

“Jane Austen Unscripted” is showing at the Broad Stage until December 13th. For tickets and show times, visit the Broad Stage website or call 310-434-3200.

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A + E|9

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

NaNoWriMo memoir 50,000 , 30 words

By Mia Shilpi . Staff Writer

days

#6: The Final Chapter

On December 1st, pancake houses and coffee shops across America played host to TGIO Parties – “Thank God It’s Over.” After a month of enforced writing and daily typing, it’s a relief to sit back and revel with fellow writers and not worry about hitting that daily word count.

This is the time to start comparing stats, whether writers met the challenge, if they hit the word count, or finished the book. Alas, I have fallen into an ironic situation of meeting and exceeding the word count at more than 60,000 words this month, but still not finishing the challenge. Why? I wrote a novel, but when I stalled on it I also worked on a different story, and by the end of the month, both were hovering around the 30,000 mark (and both are still growing).

But all is not lost. Most writers will, after a few days’ rest, continue writing their novel, finishing whatever they couldn’t in November and typing up loose ends, editing their works, and polishing their novels if they hope to publish it. Many will also start preparation for Script Frenzy, the April script-writing sister challenge to NaNoWriMo’s November novel madness.

National Novel Writing Month may be over, but the muse never sleeps, and I will keep on writing my book. In the mean time, enjoy a small portion of the fruits of my labor:

illustration by: David J. Hawkins

Excerpt from Mia's NaNiWriMo I was standing on the roof of the bagel shop when I saw Lupe, tying someone to a lamppost. Drug thugs, from the looks of them, and from the little white baggies he was taking from their pockets.

“Don’t we have police for that?” I called out.

He looked up at me and smirked as I started hopping down fire escapes and landing a few yards away. “It seems the kind thing to do, removing temptation from their path.”

“Good grief, you even sound like a priest,” I said as we started walking away, ignoring the gagged cries from the thugs as the sound of sirens neared.

“I am ordained,” he said smugly.

“Online, you agnostic ass,” I said, rolling my eyes, before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the slipscreen, the interface already opened to the reports from Frisco.

“Another one?” he asked.

“Sort of,” I said, showing him the picture that was flying across the digiscape even now as we spoke.

It was a small mountain of food, emergency rations – the kind and amount people around here would kill for, preserved leftovers with insignias from both the Second Civil War and World War III.

Lupe whistled, impressed, and I zoomed in on the image until it showed the little gold bracelet in the center, nestled on top of a box of protein biscuits. It perfectly matched the mysterious little bracelets sitting on our own wrists now.

Beneath it was a note:

Lupe, Zorra:

I may not be able to keep the streets safe, but at least I can keep them fed.

--Leon

Lupe burst out laughing, and said, “I guess everyone has their own way of helping.”

I rolled my eyes, before turning my ear towards the sirens.

“Two blocks, let’s go,” I said, dragging him away. We adjusted the masks on our faces and I pocketed the slipscreen, and just as the police hovercrafts rounded the corner, Lupe and I had already vanished into the shadows, the city of angels hiding us under her wings.

On-Campus Events Dec 10, 2011

Festival of Student's Films HSS 165 @ 6:30-8:30PM End of semester screening of student films produced by members of the SMC Filmmakers Association (Free) (310) 434-4588

Dec 12, 2011

SMC Concert Chorale The Broad Stage at SMC Performing Arts Center on Santa Monica and 11th @ 7:30-9:30PM 1st performance of the SMC Concert Chorale composed by renowned composers Jeffe Huls and John Rutter. ($10.00) 310-434-8266

Dec 9th-11th

A Chrsitmas Carol

by Charles Dickens Santa Monica College Main Stage Showtimes vary by Charles Dickens. Adaptation

by Janie Jones. Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns the true meaning of the holiday season while visiting his past, present, and future in this classic tale. ($12.00-$15.00) 310-434-4319

Dec 17

Fashion and Beauty Extravaganza Smashbox LA @ 9:30AM-9:30PM Enjoy a charity fashion and beauty event! Over 10,000 giveaways, live entertainment, and a nonstop fashion show.

(Free) project2011.com

New Years Eve Events!!

New Year’s Eve Countdown Bash Universal City Walk-Hollywood 9:00PM-12:30AM

www.citywalkhollywood.com Citizen’s LA Downtown Art Park @The Medallion The Medallion-334 S. Main Street LA,CA @ 6:00PM-11:55PM downtownartwalk.com

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10|HEALTH + LIFE

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

A greener Christmas season

By Valerie Serrano . Staff Writer With this year’s holiday season, one can expect the usual array of fancy gifts, festive greeting cards, wrapping paper, and extensive meals. But many people fail to consider the possible environmental effects of the waste produced by these celebratory practices.

According to the Recycle Works website, household waste increases by more than 25 percent from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that all the waste produced by food, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons adds up to an additional one million tons of waste per week being dumped into landfills each holiday season.

Lisa Weingarten Contributor With the apparent resurgence of retail sales, according to MarketWatch.com, Gift-wrapping paper, along with shopping bags, contributes to four million tons of trash in holiday sales have already been high this year, as shoppers spent a record $52.4 the U.S. alone says Recycle Works. billion over the Black Friday weekend, up 16.4 percent from 2010. Cyber Monday did not fall short either, as the amount of online transactions increased 36 percent Worldwatch Institute also stated that consumers in developed countries like the U.S. are from last year. All of this invariably leads to more waste. According to Recycle Works, responsible for 222 million tons of this waste, or nearly the same quantity of food that is the total annual trash from gift-wrappings and shopping bags in the U.S. weighs up to produced in all of sub-Saharan Africa. four million tons.

As a result, Worldwatch Institute offers ten tips to help reduce the amount of food Lisa Burns of the Santa Monica College EcoAction Club recommends that instead of waste during the holiday season, such as planning menus according to necessity and buying gift wrap and gift bags, one should consider making them out of newspaper and creating shopping lists in advance, controlling portion sizes, and making the most out other recyclable materials. of leftovers.

The organization illustrates that sticking to shopping lists reduces the risk “Be creative,” says Burns. “Google for instructions. The club made our very own gift of impulse buying, or the purchasing of excessive quantities, particularly since stores bags, and they came out very beautifully. The club is also going to have a gift exchange use holiday sales to entice buyers to spend more.

Moreover, the season of indulgence soon, and the gift must be a recycled gift, something that is lightly used, homemade, and often promotes plates piled high with more food than needed.

Simple tricks such as wrapped in newspaper.” using smaller serving utensils or plates can encourage smaller portions, reducing the “Since the economy is bad, instead of buying gifts, consider giving gifts of service, such amount left on plates.

Properly stored leftovers can be preserved for future meals, which as cleaning a friend’s house, giving a certificate for dance lessons, or cooking dinner for a minimizes food waste. loved one,” says Genevieve Bertone, director of sustainability at SMC. Pertaining to overall waste, Cal Recycle recommends to “reduce, reuse and recycle.”

The waste produced by wrapping paper and shopping bags is not the only remnant of According to the Cal Recycle website, waste reduction or prevention is the preferred the holidays being dumped into landfills; holiday cards account for considerable waste approach to waste management, because waste that never gets created doesn’t have as well. Recycle Works, which recommends sending electronic holiday greetings, claims waste management costs. Reusing materials saves money, energy, and natural resources. that 2.65 billion Christmas cards purchased in the U.S. each year could fill a ten-story Recycling, which the Cal Recycle website defines as “the practice of recovering used football stadium. materials from the waste stream and then incorporating those same materials into the Large quantities of food are wasted each holiday season as well. According to Mlive. manufacturing process,” reduces the amount of energy needed to build consumer goods com, Worldwatch Institute, an independent organization focused on promoting a out of new materials, which helps reduce emissions and protect the planet’s ecosystem, sustainable society, an extra 5 million tons of household waste is generated each year in both during the holidays and throughout the year. the U.S. from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, including three times more food waste.

A Pract i ca l G u i d e fo r the Urban adventurer

Exploration #6: Hollywood history at Bronson Cave Taking into consideration its looks alone, Griffith Park’s Bronson Cave would incite little more than an apathetic “oh, that’s kinda cool,” from the average hiker. However, it’s just this generic appearance that has made the cave the perfect canvas for over 80 years of television and movie history.

According to a 2003 Los Angeles Times article, the Union Rock Co. founded the quarry surrounding the cave in 1903. However, the cave’s actual origin is a little iffier.

Some say it was made for cinema, drilled into the hill for the 1922 movie “Robin

.

By Z o i e M at t h e w P h o t o s By C l a i r e a pa n a

Hood.” Others say it was just leftover from quarry work, and that the rocky fruits reaped from it used to make roads and railroad tracks in San Pedro.

But there’s no question as to what it was used for after that. The cave’s popularity as a filming location exploded, and since the late 1910s it has been dolled up to look like a mine shaft, a jungle cave, an alien prison camp, and maybe most famously, Batman’s lair in the opening credit of the 1960s television series.

It was featured in a number of movies, ranging from the 1956 John Wayne western “The Searchers,” to “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” to 2002’s “The Scorpion King.”

You’ll see it pop up all over television too, in “The Undiscovered Country” from the “Star Trek” series, “The Adventures of Captain Marvel,” “Gunsmoke,” “Power Rangers,” and more.

Its popularity still hasn’t died down. According to IMDB, just this year a movie called “The Ghastly Love of Johnny X” was filmed there, although I’m not sure exactly what the movie is about, as this was the only description offered: “They Sing! They Dance! They’re Juvenile Delinquents from Outer Space!”

As it is rather small, I wouldn’t recommend you go out of your way for this one, but if you’re in the area, and if you’re a movie buff, it’s definitely a go-to spot.

Even if you’re not a motion picture aficionado, the views of the Hollywood sign are pretty killer too.

Plus, there are some cool potential rock climbing spots. Though one 1985 Los Angeles Times article I came across said that a number of teenagers have been stranded and injured while scrambling, and one hiker was even killed. So have fun, but be very careful!

Exploring supplies:

-Hiking shoes, if you plan on rock climbing -A flashlight

Directions:

Turn onto Canyon Drive from Hollywood Boulevard, enter Griffith Park, and continue past the playground and the first parking lot all the way to the road’s end, where you will find a second parking lot.

The trail is an upward inclining driveway with red painted curbs to the right of the lot. Walk for about a quarter of a mile, and you will see the cave.

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HEALTH + LIFE|11

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

SMC’s charity efforts bring holiday cheer

By Katherine Ruiz . Staff Writer

Scott Smith Corsair The “Wish Tree” located in the cafeteria on the Santa Monica College campus, is one of several charity drives happening during the holiday season.

That time of year has come once again.

As the fall semester winds down, and winter break is finally on the horizon, the holiday season is a time often focused on spending carefree time with friends and family.

For those in the mood to give back this holiday season, Santa Monica College offers many ways to lend a hand to those in need this holiday season before the end of the semester.

The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services department at SMC runs the Wish Tree on campus, which has been running for at least six years.

“We put up a tree in the cafeteria, and we hang ornaments which are colored in by the students’ children. They have wishes in the back of them of what they would like to get for the holidays,” said Debra Joseph Locke, organizer for the Wish Tree.

“Either staff members or students who then purchase the gift for the child pick up those wishes,” said Locke. “They wrap them and then bring it back to the EOPS office.”

A mini-party will be held on campus on Dec. 10, where those who have donated gifts can watch the children open them. “[Students can] read them Christmas stories, and do arts and crafts,” said Locke, as she explained the joy that participants bring to underprivileged children and their family members. “At the end of the event, we give out the gifts. The last two years we have had a Santa give the gifts out.”

Another charity-driven program occurring on campus during the holiday season, and throughout the year, is the Career Closet, which contains professional business attire. If business students do not have clothes suitable for interviews or presentations, they can turn to the Career Closet, located in room B220 of the business building. Not only does the Career Closet have clothes to offer, but also handbags, ties, and even shoes.

“We get clothing from stores, charity resources, business advisory boards, faculty,” says Lorrie Ivas, the Career Closet coordinator.

Business students are allowed up to six items out at a time, or more if requested. For those with clothing to spare, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Career Closet.

Taking the time this holiday season to help out those in need, whether in a local soup kitchen or on the SMC campus, can make a difference in someone’s life, and brighten their holiday.

Barefoot running offers possible benefits

By Chavi Gourarie . Contributor Running happens too fast for the ordinary scoffing at the idea of running barefoot observer to catch all of its nuances. But slow before deciding to give it a try when the the touchdown moment to eight seconds, coach explained the benefits. and it becomes as graceful as a ballet, and Baietti says he felt the positive effects as enthralling as a surfer poised at the tip of immediately. He discovered that running wave. As a runner’s bare foot touches down barefoot improved his speed, form and to the ground, landing on the balls first and technique, and that it felt incredible. Baietti then slowly hugging the earth with the arch continues to run either barefoot or in before lifting off back into the air again, the Vibrams, and sings the praises of barefoot unity between man and Earth is palpable. running, maintaining that it engages new The bare foot is a symbol of liberation, muscles and tendons. and along with other potential benefits, Others are more skeptical about the value barefoot running carries the allure of of barefoot running. Sports professionals freedom and possibility. In recent years, and experienced runners often point to barefoot and minimalist running has risen appropriate running shoes as the single in popularity. most important factor in injury-free In “Born to Run,” author Christopher running. The foot is an elaborate and McDougall makes the case that the human sensitive machine encompassing the being evolved not to walk, but to run. ankle, heel, arch, and ball. Not every foot For years, evolutionary biologists were is shaped the same, and supporting or stumped by a bipedal structure which protecting the weaker elements of the foot left humans both slower and weaker than is particularly important in a high-impact most four-legged jungle animals. Experts sport like running. have wondered how people have not only “It took me two years to learn to run with survived on skinny little legs, but thrived. the right form,” says Garrett Hamilton, The answer is the marathon. An upright ultra-marathoner and manager of Santa structure fosters easier access to oxygen, Monica specialty running store Top to allowing humans to run long distances, Top. “Barefoot running is a fad; minimalist albeit at a minimal pace. A person can running is a trend.” outrun a deer by sheer persistence, by Hamilton, who has fitted hundreds of jogging steadily until the exhausted animal customers for running shoes, and has heard reaches the limits of its own speed. Today, their tales of both woe and triumph, claims it is rare for people to engage in persistence that barefoot running is not for everyone, hunts, but running is still innate in human and that it can be a disservice to tout its nature. benefits without recognizing the damage Blake Baietti is listed as a backup it can do. It might be a winning technique quarterback for the Santa Monica College for someone who grew up without shoes football team, and is a personal trainer at in a village, but it presents dangers for an a Miracle Mile gym in Los Angeles. He American urbanite running on concrete. wears Vibram Five Fingers, glove-like However, even skeptics agree that barefoot shoes shaped to the contour of each toe, running on a beach is good for everyone, which look more like a second skin than whatever their running form or level of actual shoes. He wears them to work and experience. Wet sand molds to the shape to school, and on recovery runs during of the foot, and will respond to any arch training. that meets it, forming both a cushion and “They’re a part of me,” Baietti says of his a springboard for the next step. Running distinctive shoes. on sand provides the value of liberating After high school, Baietti served in the the body of its modern inhibitions, and National Guard before attending Cuesta strengthening new muscles without the College in San Louis Obispo. Now an SMC dangers of unforgiving concrete. student, he plans to pursue a career as a In Santa Monica, where the beach is just strength conditioning coach. At Cuesta, a bike or a bus ride away, locals can readily he once noticed the track coach running go for a mind-freeing run in the sand, barefoot on the track. feeling the earth embrace their bare feet FOR EXTENDED VISIT US “You’re not a cave man!” Baietti told him, before takingCOVERAGE each step.

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12|SPORTS

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2011 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

ATHLETE

OF THE

smc football ends on a high note

WEEK

Hattaya Viriyanont

corsair basketbal l shooting guard Photo by Jeannie Cole

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden Major: Broadcasting Greatest Sports Memory?

“My greatest sports memory would be in the year of 2005, when my Swedish team won the Championship where I made seven three pointers to help get us the victory.”

Who influences you and why?

“My High school coach from Sweden (Anto Dogic), he was like our “Coach Carter” with many inspiring speeches and helpful talks.”

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

“I’d have to say MJ [Michael Jackson], even though he’s not with us, just because he’s influenced a lot of people and is still the King of Pop.” Favorite Family Tradition?

“Back home in Sweden my family used to get together on Christmas and open gifts, but just being able to have family time is what I love most.’’

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

“To be invisible, I just think it would be cool.”

Plans after SMC? “Transfer to another school, hopefully in New York and play basketball at a high level.”

Favorite hobby outside of sports?

“Listening to music and just relaxing.”

Favorite genre and artist?

“I love to listen to any Hip-Hop and R&B songs, but I really like Drake’s songs and vocals.”

If you could play any sport outside of basketball, what would it be?

“In Europe everyone knows how to play soccer, so I’d play soccer if not basketball.”

Before the game, what do you do? “ I listen to music and visualize what I need to do on the court and just put all my focus on one thing.”

When did you first start playing basketball?

“I was 12 years old and my mother wanted to get me involved in sports, and basketball happened to be my sport.”

Lady Corsair’s shooting guard Hattaya Viriyanont averages 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds a game, and looks forward to help improve her teams 2-5 record.

The 5’6 shooting guard is a threat from the three-point line and has no problem with passing the ball, averaging 4 assists a game. In their previous game, Viriyanont scored nine points in their 64-51 loss to Laney College. The team’s next home game is on Dec. 22 against Santa Ana.

Michael Yanow Corsair Santa Monica College Head Coach, Gifford Lindheim, leads his team in a chant after their 32-21 victory over conference rival West L.A. College on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Corsair Field in Santa Monica, California. SMC is crowned Pacific Conference champions after going undefeated in conference play.

by marisa bojiuc + wayne neal . staff writers After two decades of football at Santa Monica College, the Corsair football team won the 2011 Pacific Conference Championship by beating their rival, West Los Angeles.

The conference win brought a lot of emotions on the field for both freshman and returning players. The last time the SMC football team had won a conference was in 1991.

“It’s been more than just wins. Coach Gifford changed the culture and environment of football at SMC, and has put the students first,” said Athletics Director Joe Cascio.

Securing a spot in the conference championship game was no easy task. Last season they finished with a 4-6 record overall and sixth in the conference. “We basically turned it around,” running back Myles Johnson said “I think it was progress this season.” Johnson was voted first team all-conference, and finished the season with 1215 all-purpose yards.

Through the first four games, the Corsairs were still searching for their identity, which was apparent after Santa Ana defeated them 53-27. In the following week against San Bernardino Valley, they made numerous mistakes, ultimately blowing an early 14-0 lead, allowing them to score 34 unanswered points on their way to a 40-35 loss.

“We became more of a team after that game,” said tight end Aaron Boesch, speaking on their turn around after the San Bernardino defeat. Boesch, who was also voted first team Pacific conference, finished the season with 24 receptions for 360 receiving yards, adding four touchdowns. Following the loss, the team became closer, which

showed in the following weeks as the Corsairs pulled off one win after another en route to their heated matchup against conference rival West L.A. “I didn’t think that we were going to win, but we came back. We were losing at half time. The coaches told us to keep our head straight, don’t stress, and stay focused,” said freshman wide receiver Ralph Gordon. After some halftime inspiration, the Corsairs made a second half comeback, winning 32-21.

Head Coach Gifford Lindheim was named the 2011 American Division Pacific Conference Coach of the Year, leading the Corsair football program to an 8-3 record and a conference championship. Having taken over as interim head coach in 2009, after the late Coach Robert Taylor was relieved due to recruiting violations in 2010 and 2011, coach Lindheim has set his own standards.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in a very short time. I am happy for the players that put their faith in what we are trying to build,” said Lindheim.

One of the most noticeable talents has been offensive tackle Alexandru Ceachir, the most improved and recruited player for the past two seasons.

Coming from Moldova after graduating from high school with raw experience in football, his goal of playing American football has become a reality. With a multitude of scholarship offers from universities across the country, the big decision is in sight.

“Everyone wants the NFL, but I want to be safe. During my Division 1 career, I want to stay healthy and be safe, so when I get to the NFL I can

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play however many years I can,” said Ceachir.

Ceachir credits coach Lindheim, coach David Banuelos, and defensive coach Steven Garcia for having helped him with feedback and words of encouragement. His advice for the incoming class of freshmen players is to “listen to the coaches, and no matter what is going on in practice, during the game the team should be one family and united,” said Ceachir.

Freshman quarter back Alfonso Medina, from Venice High School, played against wide receiver Ralph Gordon from Westchester. Both players have bonded to become a football family.

After this year’s success Gordon barely wanted the season to end. “My first season here and we won the Pacific Conference. It was exciting to me. We stayed focused, we worked hard through the season, and we deserved to win,” said Gordon. He finished the season with 11 receptions for 124 receiving yards.

“We had a lot of inspirational players on our team, they might not have said much but the way they played, it inspires you to play harder,” said Medina, who finished the season completing 196 of his 324 pass attempts with 2457 passing yards adding 27 touchdowns.

Next year’s SMC football team is expected to be even more talented. “We had a great season, but we still have unfinished business,” said linebacker coach Lee Lowe. Even though the Corsairs did not win the American Championship Bowl game, this season is the start of an up and coming football program.

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