March 10, 2010

El Vaquero March 10, 2010

National

Glendale College

Day of Action sparks protests against education cuts.

Story page 6 / Photo by Peter Moyes

2

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

www.elvaq.com

NEWS

Glendale Community College

editor in chief

Richard Kontas

NEWS EDITOR

Isiah Reyes

FEATURES EDITOR

Agnes Constante

SPORTS EDITOR

Chloe Vignolles-Jeong

STAFF WRITERS

Sarkis Adajian Eric Bourse Oswaldo Diaz Brandon Hensley Laura Lacy Sara Purington Gerard Santos

Vanessa Aguirre Liz Cameron Jennifer Elbe Kate Krantz Jocelyn Orellana Carol Santos Michael Skaf

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Edgar Sanchez Peter Moyes Louis Roche Jr. Edgar Santacruz Production Manager

Jane Pojawa

design adviser

Charles Eastman

faculty adviser

Michael Moreau

mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 551-5214

advertising

Jeff Smith

jsmith@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext. 1427

El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. To submit an idea or an article, e-mail the editor at editor@elvaq.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

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By Isiah Reyes

EL VAQUERO NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

T

he board of trustees covered subjects ranging from the college cafeteria to talks about the advisory hiring committee for college president during its Feb. 22 meeting in Kreider Hall.

Ricardo Perez, vice president of student services, said that there are currently seven candidates in the running for the president’s position, which is now held on an interim basis by Dawn Lindsay.

An open candidate forum will be held today from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

Also at the meeting, the Glendale College Foundation showcased its plans for raising money for the campus.

Henry Hull, executive director and president of the foundation, talked about raising money through the annual appeal. “[The annual appeal] involves writing a letter to a whole bunch of folks asking them to reinvest in the college… and that [has] generated over $10,000 to date for us,” Hull said.

The other idea, called the President’s Circle, asks donors to make an investment of $1,000 or more. This will in turn make them a part of the exclusive circle. Hull admitted that during this tough existing economy, it might be difficult to garner new members.

However, Hull said, “We have 16 members at the moment, so we have [$16,000] of unrestricted money.”

The other special presentation focused on the cafeteria’s ability to sustain itself financially.

“If you look historically at the cafeteria, we’ve been running a deficit since 1991-92,” said Ron Nakasone, interim executive vice president of administrative services. “That was the last year the cafeteria was selfsufficient.”

Nakasone added that almost every college with a cafeteria faces similar operating deficits.

He said that it is unlikely that the cafeteria could become selfsufficient because, unlike fastfood chains that rely on parttimers paid minimum wages, the college cafeteria has 10 full-time employees and a manager.

In addition, Nakasone stated that the cafeteria workers are paid $15 to $16 an hour with full retirement and medical benefits, so it is very difficult to reduce costs.

As a result, the college needs to subsidize the cafeteria’s operations.

Another reason that was pointed out as to why the cafeteria is running at a deficit is because of the increased competition.

The restaurants across the bridge in front of the college have been a magnet to students because of the variety of food and low prices available at Quiznos and The Flame Broiler.

A new layout for remodeling has been considered for the cafeteria to quicken the pace of the lines to get students in, out and on the go, which should attract students who have tight schedules.

Nakasone said that menu and portion sizes have been adjusted to try to bring in more customers.

In addition, the cafeteria has been serving different styles of food such as Asian and Middle Eastern.

Debit and credit cards have been introduced in the cafeteria to keep up with the times. Also, product inventory has been reduced and better deals have been struck with vendors to keep costs down.

Nancy Jordan, manager of food services and a culinary arts instructor, brought up a concern of her own.

“One of the biggest challenges I have is the signage for the cafeteria,” Jordan said. “On a daily basis I talk to my classes and a lot

of the students don’t even realize that we’ve got an upstairs grill or a downstairs food court because there’s absolutely no signage.”

A partnership between the culinary arts and the cafeteria is being planned, which may lead to remodeling the kitchen area to accommodate the new culinary students.

As a last resort, eliminating all available food on campus and sticking with only vending machines is a possibility. There are no state regulations that specify that a community college must serve food.

Nevertheless, trustee member Armine Hacopian reassured that “[the trustees] are committed to providing food for [the students]; whether it’s outsourced, insourced… we do want you to have food on campus.”

In addition to the cafeteria, board financial reports and schedule updates were discussed.

Of the 12 items on the consent calendar, one of them was met with strong opposition from Lilya Avagyan, student trustee and president of the associated students governing body.

The non-resident tuition and capital outlay fees for the 2010-11 year displeased Avagyan because students have to pay an extra $5 on top of the $181 per unit fee that they already pay.

The next board of trustees meeting will be held in Kreider Hall on March 15 at 5 p.m.

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Isiah Reyes can be reached at isiah_reyes@elvaq.com

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Presidential Hiring, Food Services Top Board Agenda

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El Vaquero

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

3

NEWS

More Than 500 Scholarships Available

By Agnes Constante

EL VAQUERO FEATURES EDITOR

I

t might take hard work to make money, but with a GCC scholarship application, it’s hardly any work.

Students who submit applications by this Friday may qualify for some of the $300,000 available in scholarship funds.

Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and have completed 12 units at the college to be eligible. Transferring students who have met these requirements may also qualify for additional awards to help pay for costs at their transfer institutions.

Susan Borquez-Dougherty, the scholarship program manager, said she would like to see more students apply for scholarships offered at the college.

“Just by filling out one simple application that takes you 20 minutes, you have a chance at getting money to help you [pay] for school,” she said.

By completing and submitting one application, students are

automatically considered for all scholarships that match their eligibility criteria.

More than 500 scholarships are awarded to students each school year. Award amounts range from $200 to $3,500.

Despite the current economy, Borquez-Dougherty could not say whether she expects the number of applicants this year to surpass that of previous years.

“Many students don’t know that we have a scholarship program,” she said.

Of the estimated 18,000 students attending GCC, fewer than 800 submitted applications last school year.

Information about scholarships has been posted on the college’s Twitter and Facebook to help spread the word. Flyers have also been posted around campus highlighting the simple scholarship requirements.

Borquez-Dougherty also makes presentations in student development classes to encourage students to submit applications.

“When I go to classrooms

I always say, ‘Who wants free money that you don’t want to work for?’ And everybody raises their hand,” she said.

Psychology major Sally Morgan, who was a scholarship recipient for the spring and fall of 2009, said that students “should definitely apply [for the scholarships] because it’s only going to take you 30 minutes.

“Even if you get $200, you’re going to get $200 for [filling an application] for 30 minutes, where if you were to work, you only get paid $8 an hour or $9 an hour.”

Since no essay is required, “It’s an easy application,” she said.

Morgan used her award in the spring to pay for books she needed in the summer session.

She allocated the award she received in the fall to help pay for school this semester.

Student Allan Beglarian has applied for the scholarship each semester since he began attending GCC. He said he has applied for the scholarship for four semesters.

“Every time I applied I was awarded something,” he said.

His awards helped him cover the cost of books and transportation.

When asked whether he thought students should apply, Beglarian said, “Absolutely.

If you have the need … you’ll probably get something.”

There are many scholarship categories available to match the diverse student body of the college. Some are specifically designated for disabled students, nursing students, single parents, those belonging to certain ethnic groups and those who want to become teachers.

Other awards are designated for students pursuing certain majors, including nursing, business and aviation.

Scholarships are funded by outside organizations and private donors. Organizations include the Patron’s Club, comprised of retired GCC employees, which raises funds throughout the year to provide 50 scholarships to students. Some private donors

include employees at the college.

Applications are reviewed by donors, who set the criteria for their scholarships, and the scholarship committee, composed of college faculty and staff.

Students wishing to apply must complete an online application on the GCC scholarship Web site. A letter of recommendation from an instructor, staff member or counselor must also be submitted online for applicants.

Awardees will be notified by regular mail in July. Recipients will also be posted on the main page of the scholarship Web site.

More information can be obtained by calling Susan Borquez-Dougherty at (818) 2401000 ext. 5591. It is preferred, however, that inquiries be made by visiting the J.W. Smith Student Center (located to the left of the Sierra Madre building on the second floor), sending an email to susand@glendale.edu or visiting www.glendale.edu/scholarships.

Agnes Constante can be reached at Agnes_Constante@elvaq.com

Associated Students Throw Welcome Back Barbecue

Photo by Edgar Santacruz

RELISH?: Christine Artizada, 23 a biology major, and Callasandra Doan, 26 a pre-pharmacy major, enjoy the food at the welcome back barbecue.

By Liz Cameron

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

E

nergetic music played and free popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs were in abundance Feb. 23, as representatives of the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC)

mingled with the crowd in Plaza Vaquero while sporting the school colors.

“I came to see what this was all about since it was my first year back,” said Leonard Fox, 27, a business major. Fox and his friend Jeric Escano, 17, an undecided major, attended for the

first time the barbecue that was held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Escano said he “heard the music and saw the ASGCC shirts and was curious.”

Throughout the crowd marooncolored shirts of the student government attracted people to Plaza Vaquero.

Warren Vaughn, 19, a business major and George Chaney, 19, a public relations major, won the Krispy Kreme doughnut eating contest and received reusable hand bags that contained a Frisbee disc, a drink cup with straw, pen and pencil. “I usually participate ‘cause it’s fun. The last time, they had an egg toss contest and I lost,” said Vaughn, as he talked about his experience attending last semesters barbecue.

Students, teachers and staff came ut for the event and watched contestants compete in doughnut eating and balloon popping races.

On the field in the plaza, partners formed for the contest raced back and forth sitting on chairs to pop balloons placed underneath them; people crowded around both sitting and standing on the grass to watch.

“We give them the knowledge and power, but what are we doing for them outside of the classroom,” said Student Activities Coordinator and ASGCC adviser, Tzoler Oukayan, as she talked about wanting the students to “feel part of the campus” and making them feel connected to the college, which was the goal of the event.

Campus Activities Committee Vice President Yna Mokhtarians, 18, hosted the event for the first time last semester and decided that since it went well, they would repeat the event with help from various committees on the student government.

Senator of Campus Relations Ani Karapetyun, 19, an international relations major, said that they host the barbecue to let students “know we’re here for them, because of them and [we] represent the student voices.”

The ASGCC has five different committees: Administration, Finance, Campus Activities, Campus Relations, and Campus Organizations. They meet every Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the J.W. Smith Student Center, room SC 208, to establish budgetary expenditures, review policies and coordinate programs and services that benefit the entire student body.

For more information on ASGCC call (818) 240-1000 ext.

5783 or visit www.glendale.edu/as.

Liz Cameron can be reached at liz_cameron@elvaq.com

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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NEWS

Campus Continues to Debate Smoking Plan

By Jocelyn Orellana EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

I

n 2008, a city ordinance banned smoking in Glendale in front of most public places, businesses and apartment buildings; GCC was left off of this list.

There are signs around campus that warn students not to smoke near entrances and windows.

But some no-smoking signs fail to mention the distance you are supposed to stand from these areas.

There is a California law that restricts smoking within 20 feet of all doors and operable windows in public buildings. Smoking is also restricted near all air intake vents that pull air into the cooling and heating systems for campus buildings.

“We enforce that law and GCC also has ‘no smoking’ areas throughout the campus,” said Campus Police Chief Steven P. Wagg. “The current ‘no smoking’ areas are located near where food is served and eaten, like the upper Plaza Vaquero next to the cafeteria and food court, San

Raphael Plaza area adjacent to the San Raphael Building and the immediate area around the Milky Way Café.

“If someone is caught breaking the no smoking rules on campus, the college police officers issue a verbal warning. They would let the person know what California law they are breaking and also tell them about the current GCC regulation regarding the ‘no smoking’ areas. Their name would be taken and recorded in the college’s database.”

If the same person is caught breaking the rules again, the campus police officer would issue a citation. The current fine is $35, which would be considered an infraction. About 15 to 20 warnings have been given during the past several years.

Some students don’t like passing through clouds of smoke when walking from class to class.

“I understand that smokers have the right to smoke, but school is a shared campus, and I personally dislike the smell of it,” said criminal justice major

Nathaly Ballesteros. “I don’t think it should be banned. There should just be designated areas on campus where people can smoke.”

There has been much commotion about the issue of whether smoking on campus should be banned or not.

The Associated Students of Glendale Community College conducted a survey in 2008 in which many students voiced their opinions about the issue. A total of 1,025 students participated in the survey. Out of the 807 nonsmokers who took the survey, 413 were against a complete ban on smoking versus 394 who opted for a complete ban, according to the Student Affairs Office.

Out of the 218 smokers who participated in the survey, 105 chose to have some sort of change to the present conditions as opposed to 113 who chose to continue with the status quo.

ASGCC, along with other clubs on campus, has organized surveys and petitions during past semesters in hopes that the voices of the student body would be

recognized by the Administrative Affairs Committee or Board of Trustees.

The Administrative Affairs Committee is involved in the process of making decisions regarding day-to-day and longrange planning and policies for the college. These lead to recommendations, which the Superintendent/President carries forward to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

Administrative Affairs has recently approved a policy that will designate smoking areas on campus where smokers will be able to light up without the worrying about getting warned or cited. This policy will tentatively take effect by the fall 2010 semester.

Jocelyn Orellana can be reached at jocelyn_orellana @elvaq.com

11% = n o change to

existing policy 38% = total ban 51% = some change to existing policy

SHOULD RULES BE CHANGED?: A poll taken by the student

government in 2008 indicates that a large majority on campus favors either a total ban on smoking or at least a change of existing policy. To cast a vote for or against campus smoking, visit www.elvaq.com

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

5

NEWS

Students Say Farewell to Chemistry Prof

By Laura Lacy

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

F

or the students of Professor Larry Byrd, the traditional gold watch retirement ceremony just wasn’t enough.

They knew this professor of organic chemistry was worth at least one more celebration and on Feb. 27, Byrd got his personal homage.

Students from the beginning of Byrd’s 35-year career up to this past year attended the banquet. By the time the food was ready to be served, the banquet hall was filled with people who all had great respect, admiration and affection for Byrd.

“It doesn’t get much better than this,” said Executive Director of the Glendale College Foundation, Lisa Brooks, on the attendance at the event.

At the entrance of the banquet hall on a long white table sat a book put together for Byrd by his students. The book consisted of dozens of pictures of the professor, his coworkers and his pupils throughout Byrd’s career.

The book was organized as a token of the students’ affection and a gift of thanks for Byrd. It

also gave a remarkable portrayal of what it was like to be a student in that class. “The whole year was an adventure,” said Manik Hatsakorzian, a 2007 graduate, on studying with Byrd. “He makes the whole year memorable.”

One coworker whose image could be found in those pages more than once was David Davenport, another chemistry professor. Davenport referred to Byrd as “one of the most generous and helpful people I’ve ever worked with.”

An emergency committee of previous students who congregated especially for the occasion organized the event. One member, Sevada Chamras, now a Chemistry professor himself, reminisced on Byrd’s teaching style. “His teaching was perfect.

By far the best I’ve ever had.”

The committee formed together on what was a tight schedule because they know the importance of honoring Byrd.

Most of the attendees admitted to owing Byrd for the success of their career. It was felt amongst many of Byrd’s former pupils that his teaching practices were key to their accomplishments.

Math Teacher Wins Prize for Excellence

By Sara Purington

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

C

ontinuous commitment and dedication throughout nearly 20 years of teaching at Glendale Community College has earned mathematics professor Sid Kolpas the Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.

The award is given to community college faculty members who exhibit the highest level of commitment, excellence in teaching and outstanding performance in professional and campus activities.

Kolpas’ 2 1/2 years of unused sick days are just one example of his high level of commitment to teaching and to his students.

This year he is the first professor from Glendale and only the second math professor to ever win the Hayward Award. He is also a nominee for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Professor of the Year Award.

Receiving this prestigious award has left Kolpas thoughtful.

“I have a mixture of pleasure and guilt,” said Kolpas. “There are so many deserving teachers. But I’m gratified.”

After receiving the award for excellence in education, Kolpas said, “I better act like it,” which demonstrates his humble commitment to teaching.

“I don’t like being called a professor. What does it mean to profess?” said Kolpas. “I think teacher is better. Teaching is like an art.”

His peers, who nominated him for the award, feel as though he already acts like it.

In his letter for Kolpas’ nomination, John Queen, a political science professor, said, “He is recognized as one of the most outstanding teachers in the history of our college… He would quickly get to know each one of his students on a personal basis, [See Kolpas, page 6]

“Organic chemistry is not an easy subject,” said Patty Attajaroon, one of Byrd’s students in 2008, “but Dr. Byrd did more than just teach the students.

He gave us a comfortable environment to learn.”

Byrd was most remembered for his humor and witty style of teaching. His energy and passion could draw in the students in ways they never would expect in the study of organic chemistry.

Throughout his career, Byrd’s teaching talents have been recognized by numerous organizations. Byrd accepted the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1994 and 2001, and the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2005. He also was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 1996. His students, however, will always remember him as “The Organic King.”

At the end of the banquet, Byrd was given one last honor. After the presentation of the plaque, Brooks took the podium. Much to Byrd’s surprise, Brooks had more to say than just a recognition piece.

Due to her efforts and Byrd’s excellence in teaching, there is now a chemistry scholarship in Larry Byrd’s name.

Laura Lacy can be reached at laura_lacy@elvaq.com

Photo by Vanessa Aguirre

BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY: Larry Byrd’s legacy is honored with a banquet and chemistry scholarship for Glendale students.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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NEWS

Pershing Square Packed on National Day of Protest

By Edgar Sanchez

EL VAQUERO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Cover Story The streets roared as thousands of protesters, including some from Glendale College, gathered near Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles on March 4 to protest the recent education cutbacks, higher fees and elimination of school programs.

An estimated 2,000 protesters began to rally around 3 p.m.

They began their march on Hill Street chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho! Budget cuts have got to go!” Protesters marched to the governor’s district office in the Ronald Reagan Building.

Gov. Schwarzenegger may not have been on hand but if he were he would have heard 19-year-old Taylor Bloom from Susan Miller High School say, “We don’t want minimum wage jobs like flipping burgers, we want to go to college, but how can we go to college when they increased the cost by 30 percent?”

Several students, teachers and

community activists spoke at the rally, from students angry about high fees to teachers who had been laid-off or were challenging increased class sizes.

Aliyah Moran, a teacher at Manual Arts Senior High School and a member of the United Teachers of Los Angeles said, “I was inspired to become an educator, having committed teachers who believed in me.

“As a new teacher my goal is too inspire my students to reach their educational goals, but we need to give them that opportunity to actually reach them. How are we going to do this? By fighting back, once again. I want them to know that even if they face challenges they need to stand up and demand their educational rights.”

“Cut the bull, not the budget,” said Luz Porhon, who works for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and represents the Academic Professionals of California union.

A program endangered by cutbacks, the EOP works with the California State University

Photo by Peter Moyes

STOP THE INSANITY: Angry protesters rally near Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles against the recent education cut backs.

system to serve low-income and educationally disadvantaged students.

Kelsey Rechetnik, a Cal Poly Pomona English literature major, was moved to protest over steep tuition increases. “Tuition was $900 and has risen to $1,600,” she said.

GCC student Susie Sanchez

said, “High tuition fees and the cost of books has me unable to attend college this semester.”

The rally was mainly organized by labor unions and student government leaders. Some of the main organizers of this rally were the California School Employee Association, United Teachers Association and the United

Auto Workers.

As the day ended on this educational protest rally, demonstrators left saying, “Education is a right, not a privilege.”

Edgar Sanchez can be reached at edgar_sanchez@elvaq.com

Math Teacher Wins Hayward Award for Excellence [Kolpas, from page 5]

their goals, and give them personal encouragement and feedback throughout the semester.”

This is not the first time Kolpas’ exceptional commitment and dedication has been recognized. He has received more than 30 awards in the past 20 years, including being named one of the top 100 professors in America.

Interim President Dawn Lindsay described Kolpas as a “dedicated and caring professional …He is a true ‘academic’ always working to improve the working experience… We are not only fortunate to have him at Glendale, but are very proud of all he has achieved and continues to give back.”

“I love community college,” says Kolpas. “So much is going on.”

Kolpass taught 20 years full time at Glendale College while participating in a hefty amount of activities, programs, volunteering and other teaching.

He is currently the Governance Review chair, a Science Lecture Series contributor and is a member of the Math Development and Student Affairs committees.

These are just a few of Kolpas’ current involvements.

Kolpas has also written several grant proposals for Glendale College which have garnered more than a million dollars.

Kolpas is a member of numerous associations like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, California Math Council and American Math Association. He has also taught at other schools including Occidental College, Cal State L.A., and at high schools and junior highs.

He has also written and contributed to four books, and this exhaustive list of achievements continues with Kolpas’ mentoring, supplemental instruction and weekend review classes. He is also involved in other volunteer projects in the community.

“We call him Mr. Superman,” said Alex Aleshkevich, one of

Kolpas’ calculus students. This nickname demonstrates that Kolpas’ students recognize how much he does for them.

In his office Kolpas has a stack of handouts of a photocopy of an old arithmetic book and pom-poms to be used in his next class.

“I try to be different,” he said. “It takes a lot of work.”

Kolpas is also always available to his students. “I have e-mail, instant messaging, Facebook, I’m worse than my students,” said Kolpas.

“I wish I could be [19] again,” Kolpas said, “I feel like I’m [19].”

Kolpas’ commitment and dedication to teaching has been recognized by his peers, superiors, and students. Now this commitment has been recognized on a larger scale. On March 1 in Sacramento Kolpas received the Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.

Sara Purington can be reached at sara_purington@elvaq.com

Photo by Edgar Sanchez

AND THE WINNER IS... Mathematics professor Sid Kolpas is shown holding his Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2009

7

FEATURES

‘Yes, We Can’ Lecture Honors Black History

By Agnes Constante

EL VAQUERO FEATURES EDITOR

A

n energetic assembly of students participated in “‘Yes We Can!’ ‘Yes We Did!’ ‘Yes We Will!’,” an interactive lecture celebrating Black History Month, on Feb. 25 in SC 212.

The hour-long lecture showcased readings, poetry and songs reflecting the journey of black culture throughout U.S. history.

Ethnic Studies professor Kerry Lee Riley introduced the lecture with a song and by encouraging the crowd to enthusiastically recite the lecture title, “Yes we can! Yes we did! Yes we will!”

Troy Davis from the counseling center contributed to the early part of the lecture by facilitating a discussion about the history of Black History Month and racism in today’s society.

“We don’t want to forget our past history and the blood that was shed on the floor for the future generations,” he said of why Black History Month is celebrated. “So it is important that not only African-American people, but Americans in general be familiar with the history because it is American history.”

The roots of Black History Month can be traced to the early 20th century, Davis said. He explained how Carter G. Woodsen, an educator and historian, campaigned for the celebration of a Negro’s History Week in 1925.

Woodsen successfully instituted the celebration in the second week of February in 1926.

Black History Month is observed every February.

Davis talked about racism in society today by questioning the racial implications of Obama’s presidency.

“Because we have a black president is racism over?” he asked.

Davis also explained the onedrop rule and how it plays a role in racism today.

“If you have one-sixteenth of blood of, in this instance, of an African-American person, you have to identify with the ‘socially less desirable race,’” he said.

“What makes you think that [the president] identifies as black?

The question itself is from racist ideology.”

Many in the audience disagreed that racism has come to an end, and one person said that racism

seemed to be “more apparent” with Obama in office.

Davis also discussed other evidence of racism in America by bringing up the interracial couple in Louisiana that was denied a marriage license in October 2009.

He also talked about a recent ghetto-themed party organized by fraternity students at UC San Diego that mocked Black History month.

Following Davis’ presentation, computer science instructor Sandi Sheffey recited a poem entitled “Gwendolyn Brooks” by Don L. Lee. Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African-American to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1950. “[Lee] wrote many volumes of poetry during the ’60s and the ’70s,” Sheffey said. “Much of his writings were in black dialect and slang.”

Deborah Kinley from the Garfield campus also recited poetry, including “In the Depths of Solitude” by Tupac Shakur and “The Debt” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

“Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote in Standard English, and he also wrote poems and plays in what we would call ‘black dialect,’” Kinley said of the poet.

Sheffey and Kinley recited other poems during the lecture, including “When in Rome” by Mari Evans, “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou and “I’m Not Giving My Black Back,” a poem written in black dialect by an anonymous author.

Toward the end of the presentation Riley sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” written

by James Weldon Johnson, which in 1937 came to be known as the Black National Anthem. He also asked students to remember the “African-Americans who came before us, whose shoulders we stand upon” by saying the names of “African-Americans who have led us thus far on this journey.”

Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Rosa Parks were among the many names students called out during the moment of remembrance.

The lecture concluded with the students and faculty present singing and clapping to a famous gospel song, “This Little Light of Mine.”

With much participation in the discussions and songs, audience members demonstrated enjoyment of the presentation.

Photo by Jennifer Elbe

YES WE CAN: Computer science instructor Sandi Sheffey and Deborah Kinley from the Garfield campus are pictured wearing Abayas, traditional African-American clothing.

Business marketing major Jonathan Stinson had only positive things to say about the lecture.

“It was very good,” Stinson said. “I liked the whole thing because it touched on different aspects and … [the professors] incorporated us into the lecture.”

He also said he was glad to see that people of different ethnicities were present during the lecture and that there should also be more presentations on the histories of other cultures. “‘Yes We Can!’ ‘Yes We Did!’ ‘Yes We Will!’” is part of the first Social Science/Humanities

lecture series for the spring semester. The next lecture will be held on March 25 and will examine the extent of slavery in America today versus slavery before the Civil War. Agnes Constante can be reached at Agnes_Constante@elvaq.com

Women’s History Month Comes to College With Range of Events

By Laura Lacy

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

O

nly a century ago women in this country were fighting for their basic human rights, but America in 2010 dedicates an entire month to the impact of women on society.

March marks the 22nd annual Women’s History Month celebrated here at Glendale College. This school has commemorated women’s triumph and struggle in class studies, plays, film screenings and guest speakers since 1988.

The theme this month will be Images of Real Women.

Opinions on how women have and still do represent themselves and what they need to do to establish a better image will be discussed in many of the presentations. Student points

of views are encouraged in these open discussions.

The majority of events consist of in-class explorations of these topics that visitors are invited to. A schedule of these events is posted online at www.glendale. edu.

One of the presentations this month is titled “Human Trafficking in Los Angeles: A Call to Action.” This interactive Social Science/Humanities Lecture Presentation will be held on March 25. The event is to be led by Taja McKinney-Zisler from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking in Kreider Hall.

The main topic of the evening will discuss how many women, men and children are working in Los Angeles against their will.

In the past, this school’s efforts, shown in lectures, performances, debates and videos

have represented a unique campus-wide collaboration for Women’s History Month.

From influential politicians, such as former California Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, to revolutionary writers and educators, such as Joan Brumberg and Jean Cunningham, this campus has had many exceptional speakers in former presentations.

Though these events may be in commemorate the efforts of women, men are more than welcome to celebrate by giving speeches or offering any educational opportunity with any event plan. “We welcome male speakers as well,” said Professor Peggy Renner of the history department. “These events aren’t limited to just women.”

[See Women, page 8]

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

www.elvaq.com

FEATURES

‘Symmetry and Learning Center Offers Tips Beauty’ Equates on Improving Writing Skills Math With Art E

By Liz Cameron

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

By Jennifer Elbe

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

M

ath, symmetry, quadratic equations and beauty were found under one roof during the Science Lecture Series’ first presentation.

The lecture was held Feb. 23, in the Santa Barbara building before a standing room only crowd.

GCC’s Sid Kolpas, a professor of mathematics, introduced Tom Voden, a math professor at Glendale. Voden spoke on the group theory in mathematics, a description of symmetry and beauty.

Voden holds both a master’s and doctorate degree from UC San Diego. He spoke on concepts of mathmatics, and the applications.

To put this into layman’s terms it’s the math behind beauty.

“Art and science are more alike than different,” said Voden.

“Our language for describing symmetry allows us to see truths about nature we haven’t seen before.”

Voden spoke of Evariste Galois, a French math genius who lived from 1811 to 1832, changed the whole game with simple rearrangement or permutation of the set of numbers. The act of simple shuffling, changing of order. It is what makes, (mg)h = mh(g), equaling the same solution. Voden demonstrated the theory with the visual aid of a cardboard square. With every rotation and flip the corners would realign themselves thus

providing a visual example of how (mg)h = (mh)g.

What makes this relatable to everyday users who aren’t mathematicians, is what it will allow the individual to do. With an iPhone application a person can solve a Rubix cube in just a few strategic moves. While the application is at best a cute little trick, it does successfully demonstrate how wide spread and long reaching Galois’ theories are.

The lecture showed how music, art and math are more closely related than previously believed.

Frédéric Chopin demonstrated this with the use musical notes and rhythm. This point was illustrated by the transposition and inversions of a 12-tone harmony. The notes would reset themselves once the end was reached. This is similar to the way time resets itself going from noon or midnight to one in the morning or in the afternoon.

In the closing remarks of the lecture Voden quoted Aristotle, “The mathematical sciences particularly exhibit order, symmetry and limitation; and these are the greatest forms of the beautiful.”

The next lecture in the series will be held on March 23. It will feature Professor Rick Guglielmino of the physics department.

Jennifer Elbe can be reached at jennifer_elbe@elvaq.com

Events for March [Women’s, from page 7]

Also in the past the school has held numerous plays to celebrate women’s history.

Several years ago faculty performed in a memorable piece titled “Women’s Life in the 1950s.” The play told of the daily struggles and efforts of the common day woman in America during that era.

The school would love to support any other plays or performances such as that this

year as well.

The school is soliciting additional participation. If any student is interested in developing a learning opportunity that would highlight the history of women this month, students are asked to email plans to Jessica Gillooly at gillooly@glendale.edu.

Laura Lacy can be reached at laura_lacy@elvaq.com

veryone wants that “A” on an essay, but everyone also knows how difficult it can be to get all the details correct, especially when you have writer’s block.

Even for English majors writing can be a challenge, and practice can be the difference between a “C” and an “A.” With help from instructors in an informal environment for approximately 80 minutes, students can be confident with their work. Through the Learning Center workshops, they can strive to be better writers.

Faculty and staff are also welcome to attend any of the workshops available, where they can receive FLEX (a requirement for all faculty to participate in growth activities) or CPGU (campus professional growth units that can be used towards salary advancements) credit.

There are various times and dates for the sessions so that anybody attending can have flexibility with

their schedules.

Shant Shahoian, an English and humanities professor, and coordinator of the Learning Center, is holding a workshop on how to identify and avoid nine common logical fallacies in the back room of the English Lab, AD 238, this semester. On Monday, from 2:30 to 3:40 p.m., students have the chance to learn about Hasty Generalization, Post Hoc (Ergo Propter Hoc), Strawperson, Ad Hominem, Two Wrongs, False Dilemma, Slippery Slope, Appeal to Tradition and Appeal to Popularity through PowerPoint presentations.

Shahoian started the workshop series in the fall 2009 semester, after he found that the students he taught needed extra help in improving their writing skills.

He took over the workshop series from Denise Ezell, an English professor and former coordinator of the Learning Center. He got the idea from “The Brainchild,” as Shahoian calls her, after she started the series back in 2007.

Ezell was modeling the idea

from other colleges’ workshop experiences.

Shahoian said that only the students he taught asked for the extra help in writing, and those outside of the classroom never approached him with the same concerns. With enough students interested in learning through the workshops, he discussed continuing what Ezell started with other colleagues. Receiving their approval to continue in his planning, he kept the workshops running at Glendale.

Faculty member Nancy Getty, an instruction and reference librarian, attended the “Logical Fallacies” and “Structure in Formal Essays: The Thesis, Topic Sentences, and Transitions” workshop in the past and said, “It was disappointing they weren’t better attended.”

Getty believes that people don’t usually go to the workshops unless it’s mandatory. She found that attending the “Logical Fallacies” workshop was new [See Writing, page 9]

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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FEATURES

Grammar Lecture Makes the Rules Clear

By Carol Santos

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

tudents and faculty gathered at Kreider Hall at noon on Feb. 25 to listen to a presentation by author and columnist June Casagrande entitled “Grammar in Real Life.”

Casagrande writes the weekly “A Word, Please” grammar column for the Glendale NewsPress. She has also written “Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies,” “Mortal Syntax” and the upcoming “It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences.”

She has worked as a feature writer, community news reporter and city editor for the Times Community News, a division of The Los Angeles Times.

About 85 people attended the presentation in which Casagrande explained how some people fear their incorrect use of grammar.

“Grammar isn’t a list of crimes written by academics,” she said.

“Grammar is a description of how words are customarily used in culture. Grammar is mechanics and dynamics used effectively with elegance.”

Some people argued that grammar should not be based on how our culture uses and misuses it, but Casagrande countered, “If we didn’t base our grammar on how our culture misuses it, we would be saying that as, ‘Thou art eroding our mother tongue.’ This language evolves from erosion and misuse.”

For those who would like to improve their grammar, she recommended “Garner’s Modern American Usage,” “The Associated Press Stylebook,” and “The Chicago Manual of Style.”

Casagrande presented a mini quiz testing the audience on various common grammatical errors, such as the difference

Learning Center [Writing, from page 8]

and interesting because she had never before put the information in the context as the instructor explained.

“The instructor uses and takes examples from the students, making the experience relevant. The back and forth participation is a good way to involve participants.

The teaching was excellent,” said Getty. She found that although the attendance was low, it was beneficial because it created an almost one-onone environment, and with informal teaching, it was “an ideal way to get help with writing.”

Getty said their method of teaching is interactive and

affective and thinks that more people should attend.

In addition to the “Logical Fallacies” workshop, there are others that focus on different aspects of writing. “Finding the Main Idea” will be held March 18 from 5:30 to 6:40 p.m., “Outlining” is March 22 from 2:30 to 3:40 p.m., On March 23 two workshops will be offered, “Pronoun Case” at 10:30 to 11:40 a.m. and “MLA Requirements” from 6 to 7:40 p.m.

For more information, call the Learning Center, at (818) 240-1000 ext. 5341.

Liz Cameron can be reached at liz_cameron@elvaq.com

Have you seen our magazine?

www.

gccinsider.

com

Print edition coming in June!

between using “who” and “whom,” “should of” and “should have,” and “I” and “me.”

Most of audience participants picked the correct answers.

Casagrande advised not to worry about things such as splitting infinitives, using “whom,” and ending sentences with a proposition.

Student Tyler Durivan, who attended the lecture for extra credit in his English 101 class, said, “I came to learn more about grammar, and I learned a lot of stuff I didn’t know before.”

While some came to fulfill extra credit in their English classes, others came for entertaining and informative speech. Student Julie Greenburg said, “I attended the presentation because it seemed interesting. The overall outcome was very effective.”

Photo by Edgar Santacruz

Carol Santos can be reached at carol_santos@elvaq.com

GRAMMAR IN REAL LIFE: June Casagrande, a columnist for the Glendale News-Press, explains how the rules of style differ from the Associated Press to other style manuals.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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FEATURES

Staying Healthy Chess Club Revived on Spring Break

By Kate Krantz

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

By Eric Bourse

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

M

any students across campus are already planning out their spring break, but few may actually be preparing themselves to stay healthy.

Although cases of swine flu have been decreasing, “the majority of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza, ” according to the Feb. 26 weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control.

“We estimate that more than half of the population remains vulnerable and the likelihood of a Third Wave of H1N1 is real,” said Ashley Wetmore of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

College students are considered to be a high risk group for swine flu because many have not had the H1N1 vaccine.

“It’s important to remember that college students are especially vulnerable when traveling and participating in large group activities,” said Wetmore.

“I’m not concerned about getting H1N1,” said Trevor Martin, 23, film major. “I haven’t felt the need for a vaccine. I just drink orange juice every morning.”

Despite the dangers of H1N1 not being a concern for many college students, swine flu has killed 10,837 of those infected in the United States according to flucount.org.

Many college students have not been vaccinated due to concerns about the vaccine itself.

Popular talk show hosts such as Glenn Beck and Bill Maher have repeatedly stated on their programs that people shouldn’t take the vaccine because it isn’t safe. 62 percent of Americans told an NBC/Washington Post poll that they would not take the vaccine at all.

“This flu vaccine is made as flu vaccine is made each year, by the same companies, in the same production facilities with the same procedures, with the same safety safeguards,” said CDC director, Dr. Thomas R. Friedman.

Universities such as Cornell and Washington State had some of the biggest swine flu outbreaks in the country last year. About 700 students at Cornell became infected with the virus and one student died.

Washington State University reported that more than 2600 students became infected with swine flu and a few cases of seasonal flu. Hundreds of schools across the country closed for weeks to help slow down the spread of the virus.

Students that feel sick after returning from spring break should not come back to school.

Testing for swine flu is not done on campus.

“It’s important that you stay home and call your doctor if you have flu-like symptoms,” said Jessica LoGuercio, administrative assistant at the health center on campus. “If you have H1N1 flu, you can risk spreading it.”

Students can lower the risk of getting sick and stay safe this spring break by following these tips from the CDPH: 1. Receive the H1N1 flu shot.

Vaccines are widely available and are free. However, it takes about 10 days for the vaccine to become effective.

2. Wash hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water isn’t available. The mouth should always be covered when a sneeze occurs.

3. Students should stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone to avoid spreading germs.

4. Fruits and vegetables in a diet can help the immune system.

5. Continue to stay active during spring break.

6. Getting plenty of sleep helps the immune system and keeps the mind focused.

T

he new Chess Club has kings, queens, pawns and rooks. Now all it needs is more members.

When Ricardo Barragan began school in spring 2007, the chessboard was like a dead battlefield, without players or a club. It wasn’t until last semester that more and more students began using the chessboard for daily noon matches.

Since it was first painted in 2003, interest has revived in the life size black and white chessboard.

Barragan, now the club president, formed the club at the beginning of this semester along with Vice President Michael Gurule, Treasurer Dietrich Diller, Secretary Steve Zadoorian and Inter-Organization Council (IOC) representative Chris Simpson.

The club’s Web site moderator is Adam Kharatian, and the adviser is Geography professor Betty Lenninger.

“The Chess Club is a club to teach patience, critical and analytical thinking, and inspire passion,” said Barragan.

According to Barragan, the intended atmosphere of the club is to accept and welcome everyone, not just those interested in chess.

It is an opportunity to meet new peers as well as to network and create friendships with students who could benefit each another in the future.

“You don’t have to be a

straight-A student to play chess. com, former GCC student, and It’s anyone’s game,” said Diller. original painter of the chessboard In order to establish the club, in 2003, a new white knight and students held tournaments last black king will be donated this semester to select the cabinet semester. The new chess pieces members. After each position was will replace the worn out trash determined, the club registration bags the club has been using as and constitution was sent to substitutes. the Student According to Center Office Barragan, chess (ASGCC), and matches will thus the club be scheduled was formed. depending on “At the skill level. “We beginning, we classify people all met because as beginner, of chess and intermediate, now we’re amateur and good friends advanced. We and growing will pair them as a group up until people every day,” feel comfortable said Gurule, enough to go referring to the up to the next formation of level,” said the club.

Barragan.

— Dietrich Diller By the A n y o n e Chess Club Treasurer first day of interested in rush week, 55 joining The students had signed up and the GCC Chess Club, can contact list continued to grow from then Barragan at ricardotb01@gmail. on. Rush week (Feb. 21 to Mar. com or Gurule at mike_gurule67@ 5) is a two-week event on campus hotmail.com. The chess matches when all of the clubs set up booths take place on the chessboard, lavished with flyers and posters located in a “No Smoking” zone, to promote their clubs and recruit on the Sierra Madre Patio. The members. club will meet every Friday from For future activities, Simpson 1 to 2 p.m. in AD 205, though said the club plans to arrange meetings are subject to change. pizza sales, human chess and fourFor more information sided chess matches on campus, on the Chess Club, visit as well as tournaments with other glendalechessclub.webs.com. community college chess clubs.

With a lending hand of the club’s sponsor, Micha Greasby, the Kate Krantz can be reached at marketing director of Inkydoodle. kate_krantz@elvaq.com

“You don’t have to be a straightA student to play chess.

It’s anyone’s game,”

Students with questions can call the CDPH H1N1 flu hotline at 888-865-0564. Visit www. cdph.ca.gov for more information on where to receive H1N1 vaccinations.

Eric Bourse can be reached at eric_bourse@elvaq.com

For more photos and online exclusives, visit www.elvaq.com

Photo by Kate Krantz

CHECKMATE: Chess club members, from left to right: Dietrich Diller, Adam Kharatian, Ricardo Barragan, Michael Gurule, Steve Zadoorian, Raul Cruz and Chris Simpson.

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

11

FEATURES

Speech and Debate Team Hosts Tourney

By Isiah Reyes

EL VAQUERO NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

C

owboy-themed line dancing and a Western-style skit performed before the Saturday night awards ceremony defined the second annual speech and debate tournament held at GCC on Feb. 20 and 21.

College teams from San Diego and as far as El Paso, Texas showed up to compete in Glendale’s “Golden Cowboy Swing” competitions which included informative speaking, prose, poetry, persuasion and impromptu.

Glendale was the host school for the first two days of the three day tournament. The third day of the tournament was held at Cal State L.A. GCC students did not participate at the Glendale competitions. However, Sally Morgan, president of the GCC speech team, was a finalist for persuasive speaking at the Cal State L.A. competition held on Feb. 22.

“Each school gets the chance to host their own tournament, and we thought it would be fun

to make it a theme and have activities based on that theme,” Morgan said. “And because we are the Vaqueros, we just thought we should adopt a cowboy theme.

“So we started that last year and we plan on doing that every year so that people can really feel like its GCC and not just another regular speech tournament,” Morgan said.

Schools that do host the event do not go above and beyond to promote their theme as Glendale does, according to Morgan.

The first place winner for impromptu speaking was Mat Swanson from Cal State L.A. Second place went to Rebekah Bell, from Biola, and third to Maurice Cunningham from CSU Long Beach.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” Bell said. “[The Biola team] is very small but we have a good team and we’re doing very well.”

Three participants for the impromptu competition were from Cal State L.A., including Swanson, who said, “It’s very rare for a school to have three competitors [to break] in the same event.”

In addition, Swanson said,

“Glendale is awesome for holding tournaments. I hope you all keep doing it.”

Janet Harbin, from California Baptist University in Riverside, participated in the oral interpretation competition. She distinguished the many types of competitions that are held during the tournament.

“I think a lot of people, when they think of speech and debate, they only think of the ‘great debaters,’ but it’s actually a lot more than that,” Harbin said. “They also have different things, like if you’re interested in drama or acting … or you can do monologues or duo’s with another person.”

The first place winner for the program oral interpretation competition was Andy Kwon with first place, followed by Jackie Mark in second place. Third place was awarded to Jorge de Leon and all three participants were from CSU Long Beach.

The top three rankings for the informative speaking competition were Michael Oliver, from Mt. San Antonio College, winning first place. Andy Kwon in second and Kristie Rohwedder, from Arizona

Photo by Richard Kontas

YEE-HAW!: Matt Grisat, from left, Daniel Ramirez, Jimmy Gomez as Lady Gaga and Jung Min Park perform a skit before the award ceremony.

State University, in third.

The basic requirements vary between the competitions. If the speech has a 10-minute requirement, such as persuasive speaking, then the student must use at least 10 sources and have the basic structure which includes an introduction, stating the problems, causes and solutions to the topic.

Participants can lose points if the topic has been done an excessive number of times or if the solutions to a problem are

not realistically achievable. Also, speaker points are awarded for speaking style and voice clarity.

The next speech tournament held here will be in February 2011.

Morgan said, “I think it was an honor to be able to run a twoday tournament for other schools and have over 200 students here and still be able to go the next day [to Cal State L.A.] and perform and be able to reach the finals and win.”

Isiah Reyes can be reached at isiah_reyes@elvaq.com

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Shells, Prisms

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

A new art show at the Glendale College Art Gallery.

The crowd mixes with the artists at the opening.

Annetta Kapon stands in front of four of her works.

‘Light blue, yellow, red, blue, pink plaster stack’

by Alice Clements.

Alice Clements discusses one of her plaster stacks.

‘Photograms’ by Annetta Kapon.

‘Shells, Prisms’ runs through April 24th.

The Glendale College Art Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from Noon to 6 p.m.

For more information: www.glendale.edu/artgallery Photos by Peter Moyes

Attendee enjoys works by Annetta Kapon.

‘Binoculars’ by Annetta Kapon.

Maya Lujan stands beside her sculpture ‘Spatial Intervals.’

‘Spatial Intervals’ by Maya Lujan.

Elizabeth Bryant stands next to her work ‘Moon Gate.’

Annetta Kapon and Elizabeth Bryant as shot through Elizabeth’s work ‘Moon Gate.’

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWS

‘Heavy Rain’ Catches PlayStation by Storm

By Oswaldo Diaz

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

A

fter a much-anticipated wait, developer Quantic Dreams released the critically acclaimed, “Heavy Rain” on Feb. 23. The PlayStation exclusive title revolves around the lives of four seemingly unrelated characters who are somehow connected to the murders of the “Origami Killer.”

“Heavy Rain” is not your ordinary video game. It has no fail screens, no game-over and there is no right or wrong way of playing it. The story unfolds depending on the decisions you make with each of the characters in the game.

Unlike “Mass Effect 2” where these decisions are clearly either positive or negative, “Heavy Rain” runs the whole spectrum from positive to negative responses. This gives the player plenty of conversation options and story paths each character can take.

This concept may defy key aspects of most video games, let me give you an example. After leaving the apartment of a female suspect you just interviewed, a man barges in and you hear her scream. A moral decision arises, to either help her or walk away.

You decide to help and a fight starts. The game transitions into an interactive cut-scene where it prompts you to press or move the joystick at specific moments which translate into you either winning or losing the fight.

You lose the fight and leave the apartment. The story continues, but the repercussions of the decisions you took will carry on with you through the rest of the game. So you ask, “What if I had done something differently?”

This is where “Heavy Rain” blossoms.

Throughout the game the decisions you make, regardless of how insignificant they may be, have repercussions in the future of your character. Although the main plot does not change, the path you take depends on the way

you decide to play it.

The game is slow-paced with more dialog and cut-scenes than actual game-play in the sense of walking around and exploring.

The controllers take some getting use to; moving your character around is especially frustrating at first, given that you propel your character forward with the R2 button. Frame rate issues and awkward camera angles are the only two other issues that are noticeable.

The game deals with a variety of mature themes such as death, abandonment and fatherhood, among others. This seems to add depth to your experience as the game becomes propelled by recognizable human emotions. A deeper bond is created between you and the characters because the decisions you make are entirely your own.

Although some may argue that “Heavy Rain” has a high re-play value, I found myself so consumed by the way my story and characters turned out I did not wish to play it again, at least not for a while. One run through is fulfilling enough to keep you thinking about your experience for weeks to come. This is why I would recommend anyone who is interested in the game, but does not have $60 to purchase it, to rent it first.

Give the game a spin, maybe the whole interactive drama idea is not your cup of tea. With a campaign lasting roughly eight to 10 hours, you will have enough time to beat it and decide if it’s a game you would like to own.

Now that being said, you would be the proud owner of a game that will steal the spotlight this year plus a potential Game of the Year contender.

“Heavy Rain” is a thrilling and absorbing video game.

The voice acting and character animations are done so well it’s hard not to get emotionally attached to certain parts of the game. Developers need to take the risk and create innovative games like “Heavy Rain,” instead of re-working already popular

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game titles. “Heavy Rain” does something unique and pushes the video game industry forward further establishing the medium as an art form.

Sony has already announced downloadable content for the game in the form of episodes featuring the rest of Heavy Rain’s cast. Each episode will be available for $4.99, and will take place either before or after the original game. For details, visit http://heavyrainps3.com.

For its excellent graphics, gripping story line, re-playability and innovative approach, “Heavy Rain” gets five out of five stars.

Oswaldo Diaz can be reached at oswaldo_diaz@elvaq.com

COME IN FROM THE “RAIN”: Who will be the Origami Killer’s next victim in this revolutionary new action game?

Bon Jovi Proves ‘The Circle’ Is Unbroken 27 Years Later

By Sarkis Adajian

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

wenty-seven years after their first album was released, Bon Jovi is still able to sell out enormous arenas and put on performances of the highest caliber.

Held on March 4 at Staples Center, the audience was slowly filing in as the stage was being set for the performance. The band had fans waiting for the much-anticipated concert to get going. The sold-out crowd of 19,874 were all on their feet.

The stadium lights were suddenly shut off, and the spotlight was beamed directly at the stage. As the crowd started to cheer, Bon Jovi hit the stage and immediately started performing.

The Staples Center was as loud as I have ever heard it. The arena was buzzing with energy.

Bon Jovi started the evening off with a couple tracks off of its new album, “The Circle.” The new songs had a throw-back feel, kind of like being at a rock concert in the early 1980s with a cigarette lighter in your hand.

The old-school rock atmosphere set the mood for the entire evening.

After each song that lead

singer Jon Bon Jovi performed, he seemed to be more and more energized. The 47-year-old rocker from New Jersey had enough oomph to put singers half his age to shame.

The night really began kicking into high gear when they started performing the oldies. Greats like “Bad Name” and “It’s my Life” threw the crowd into a complete frenzy. The entire crowd was on their feet singing along with the music. Bon Jovi had come into Staples Center and took complete control of their fans.

On top of the brilliant performance, the special effects on stage were as high-tech as can be. The numerous television screens that were constantly moving provided lighting effects left the fans in awe. The images on the screens would break up into a hundred different pieces, then join together and become one massive television screen.

The singing is the major part of a concert, but the special effects are what separate the good concerts from the bad. Bon Jovi was able to supply his fans with both.

Hours had passed, and the band began to sing what the crowd thought was their last song of the evening. Fans could not

have been anymore wrong. Bon Jovi walked off the stage, but the cheers did not stop. The result of those cheers was exactly what the crowd had hoped for. They came back on stage and played not one, but a four song encore. Talk about going out with a bang.

One message delivered by Jon Bon Jovi himself stood out more than anything else that evening, and that message was simply, “It’s time to move from ‘me decade’ to ‘we decade.’”

Basically meaning, we must all unite in this world instead of selfishly trying to put others down. The simplest messages carry the biggest meaning. In a night of unforgettable music, Bon Jovi was able to deliver powerful words.

Only a seemingly immortal band can put on a performance one will be talking about for many days that follow. Bon Jovi delivered like they have been delivering for nearly 30 years.

The nationwide tour continues Thursday through July 30. Tickets can be purchased directly from their website, www.bonjovi. com/tour.

Sarkis Adajian can be reached at sarkis_adajian@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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Tim Burton’s ‘Wonderland’ Is Wonderful

By Sara Purington

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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here is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger!

Some say to survive it, you need to be as mad as a hatter. Well luckily I am.”

Put on your 3D glasses and get ready for another journey down the rabbit’s hole. But this time it’s director Tim Burton’s version of Wonderland starring Johnny Depp. If you’re expecting a modern remake of the original Disney version of “Alice in Wonderland” (1951) that you grew up with, then prepare for something surprisingly different because this is actually a continuation of the first film.

You will still find the white rabbit, Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and a few other recognizable characters and scenes. But this time around it’s a whole new adventure to Wonderland with some new characters and a very different story. In typical Burton (“Edward Scissorhands,” 1990) style, he takes us down his own twisty and windy path to Wonderland.

The movie begins with a young version of Alice describing to her father a dream she had about dodo birds, blue caterpillars and a white rabbit, but is reassured by her father that it’s all just a dream.

The next scene takes us 13 years into the future where Alice can’t seem to quite fit into the stuffy real world of corsets, stockings and marrying lords.

Alice Kingsley, played by newcomer Mia Wasikowska, seems to walk around in an almost dreamlike state with her pale skin and sleepy eyes. People even describe her as “easily distracted” as she daydreams about things like flying. She soon finds herself once again falling down the rabbit’s hole. This is Alice’s second time to Wonderland and this is the biggest plot twist from the first movie. Throughout the movie it’s difficult to connect the fact that this is her second trip to Wonderland. For some reason she doesn’t remember exactly ever being there before except in her dreams. There is a constant debate between Wonderland inhabitants

on whether or not she is “the” Alice.

The world of Wonderland, as seen through Burton’s eyes and 3D glasses is beyond anything imaginable. Burton does a brilliant job of creating a whole new world, from the Red Queens castle, to the decaying wastelands, to the mushroom forests. Everything seems to be planned to the last detail as you can see the drool dripping from a dog’s mouth or the tiny specks on a butterfly’s wings. It is an absolute pleasure for the eyes.

Burton brings in his quintessential look of spindly branches of trees and colors that are just slightly off like the greenish bluish tint to the grass.

Then there is the Cheshire Cat who seems to just ooze with poise. His huge turquoise eyes and matching stripes exude with the coolness instead of the goofy and silly original version. The images of the movie, from the scenery to the costumes, draw you in and almost capture more of your attention than the plot.

This modern CGI world of Wonderland is somewhat different than the original animated version, which seemed to have no real plot or story line except for following a young girl around Wonderland as strange things happened to her. The new Wonderland still holds true to being trippy and dreamlike and has its fair share of surreal creatures. But, unlike the nonsensical Wonderland of the original, this sequel seems to follow a logical line of reasoning and an actual plot. Even the hookah smoking caterpillar with his incessant questioning of “who are you?” eventually makes a point. Unfortunately, even a reasonable plot doesn’t mean an interesting plot.

Luckily the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp, oh yes!) comes along to help the movie with its somewhat tiresome plot. With Depp’s dilated green and orange eyes, white face, orange hair and garish costume, the Mad Hatter is a change from the previous character of Jack Sparrow. The Mad Hatter, who plays a leading role, is one you can’t help but love even in his madness. Depp once again does a brilliant job shaping

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska, explores the wacky Wonderland brought to life in Tim Burton’s latest movie.

an unlikely character all the way down to the stained finger tips.

To add some more fun, the classic trio of Burton, Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (The Red Queen) reunite once again as seen in “Sweeny Todd,” “Corpse Bride” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to add another whimsical movie to their bios.

The movie also introduces some new characters like Stayne the Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover, “Back to the Future” ) who is a random minion of the Red Queen and is out to get Alice, but he seems to just fill the role of another bad guy. And like typical Disney, there was another lovable talking dog.

Of course it being a Disney movie, “Alice in Wonderland” has its fair share of life lessons and learning to be yourself and accomplishing the impossible.

The story line follows the atypical plot of Alice facing her fears and doing something she doesn’t think she can. If you’re beginning to wonder if she makes it and if there is a cheesy ending where she achieves her dreams, remember it is a Disney movie.

“Alice in Wonderland” is rated PG for fantasy/action violence involving scary images and situations and for a smoking caterpillar.

Opened March 5 nationwide.

Directed by Tim Burton; screenplay by Linda Woolverton; based on the book by Lewis Carroll; Dariusz Wolski, director of photography; edited by Chris Lebenzon; music by Danny Elfman; Robert Stromberg, production designer. Running time: 108 minutes.

WITH: Mia Wasikowska (Alice Kingsley), Johnny Depp (Mad Hatter), Helena Bonham

Carter (Red Queen), Anne Hathaway (White Queen), Crispin Glover (Stayne the Knave of Hearts), Matt Lucas (Tweedledee/ Tweedledum), Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry), Absolem the Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman).

Sara Purington can be reached at sara_purington@elvaq.com

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Life’s a Dream in Sci-Fi Spin on Classic

By Vanessa Aguirre

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

A

Japanese futuristic sci-fi spin brings a classic Spanish play to life.

Director Edward Douglas puts a new twist on Pedro Calderon de la Barcas’ “Life is a Dream.” Giving his costume and set designers creative freedom, Douglas hopes to serve up a new theatrical experience for audiences.

“I’m looking forward to the process,” Douglas said. “The way the story is laid out ... it works.”

De la Barca, considered a “Latin” Shakespeare by some, wrote during Spain’s golden age (1580 to 1680). The story deals with the conflict between predestination and free will, and is based on the common theme of honor.

Originally set in a mythical

version of the Kingdom of Poland, this three-act play shows the influence of Lope de Vega, utilizing a form he perfected, the “comedia.” A mix of comic and serious elements, the play stays true to the dream-like feel set by de la Barca.

The play’s main character, Segismundo, is imprisoned by his father King Basilio at birth, because his astrology studies have given him reason to fear his son will bring dishonor to his family, and in the end the downfall of the King.

Set in what is thought of as the traditional Spanish view of honor over pride, Calderon explores the power of two contrasting forces, free will and determinism, in shaping ones destiny.

In the subplot Calderon addresses the problem of honor and vengeance when Rosura and her servant Clarin, seek revenge

on Estolfo, Segismundo’s cousin, who has dishonored her by courting her then leaving.

Aside from challenging his crew to create unique sets, costumes and weapons, Douglas is also using original music composed by Chris Lowery.

Students are buzzing with anticipation, “I can’t wait to see what they have in store,” said Hagop Nagarian, 18, a child psychology major. “The theme is out there, but if they can pull it off I’m sure it will be fun to watch.”

“I think it will be very interesting to see, maybe with a Lady GaGa feel to it,” said Isabel Urena, 20, a psychology major. “I haven’t been to any plays since I’ve been at GCC but I’m really excited about this production.”

Auditions for the production of “Life is a Dream,” translated and adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz, brought forth an array

of new talent.

As you walked into the auditorium, the mood was light with anticipation in the air and fresh faces in every corner.

After filling out a short form and having their head shots taken, those auditioning found a spot on the lobby floor, animated and ready to give it their all.

They were all asked to prepare a one- to two-minute classical monologue and be prepared to read from the script.

Among the fresh faces was 19-year-old Kahleena Smith.

Although new to GCC, Smith is no stranger to the stage. Actively involved in her high school theater program, she hopes to continue her work throughout her stay at Glendale.

The cast list has been posted, and major roles assigned. The cast, a mix consisting of a 50/50 split of new faces and returning

members, is expected to make a splash this spring.

“I’m very, very happy with the cast,” said Douglas.

Apart from the out-of-theordinary sets and costuming, this production also features a fight sequence that is sure to keep the audience at the edge of their seat.

With that in mind, be ready to think outside the box, for this performance is anything but cookie cutter and pushes the imagination to new bounds.

The play opens on April 29 and will run through May 16 in the Studio Theatre.

For more information contact the theater department at (818) 240-1000 ext. 5612.

Vanessa Aguirre can be reached at vanessa_aguirre@elvaq.com

‘Captain EO’ Returns to the Magic Kingdom

By Jocelyn Orellana EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he “King of Pop” is brought back to life at Disneyland Parks’ Tommorowland Theater in the return of the Captain EO show.

After a 13-year hiatus, Disneyland has revived the 17-minute interactive space opera directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The stunning effects, coordinated by executive producer George Lucas, are brought back to life with new and improved sound and picture.

The audience gets to enjoy the original production as a whole new experience.

In 1986 Michael Jackson made his debut as Captain EO at Disneyland. Entertaining us with intricate dance techniques and his gift of lyrical storytelling, Jackson portrays Captain EO as a true hero, who has come to change the world. Sadly, the show was dropped in 1997 and replaced by “Honey I Blew Up The Audience.”

Hundreds of fans gathered at the front gates of Disneyland on Feb. 23 (some as early as 6 a.m.) waiting in

anticipation to once again be able to enjoy the newly renamed “The Captain EO Tribute.”

In the story, EO and his crew of aliens are sent on a mission to deliver a gift to the “Supreme Leader” in the humid, rotting metal world, where he is captured and sentenced to 100 years of torture by the wicked leader.

Captain EO and his crew then break out in an entertaining performance that sends out an important message. He’s come to change the world and make it a better, more beautiful place. With his power of elaborate choreography and captivating voice, Captain EO transforms the unappealing henchmen into stunning performers who dance along with him. The wicked witch gets a taste of the Captain’s gift as well, but we don’t want to give too much away.

Although they chose to eliminate the use of the laser side effects, they did manage to sneak in a new feature.

They decided to keep the hydraulic effects that were used on the previous show.

This, in effect, makes the

film 4-D now, by combining 3-D and physical effects that are synchronized with the film.

While Captain EO sings “We Are Here To Change The World,” the ground below the audience begins to move up and down to the beat of the music. The audience has no choice but to move along with the rhythmic beat of the song.

“We don’t know how long it will be showing,” said Disney crew member Adriana Acosta, 20. “It’s all in the hands of the fans.”

There’s no telling when Disneyland will pull the plug on the Captain EO Tribute again. So for those Michael Jackson fans that have not yet experienced this blend of music and images, it’s a perfect time to go catch it. Captain EO will take a new generation of fans on a journey to the stars.

For more information on the Captain EO Tribute show call Disneyland Park at (714) 781-4565 or visit www.disneylandpark.com.

Jocelyn Orellana can be reached at jocelyn_orellana @elvaq.com

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Michael Jackson is back from 1986 with the Captain EO tribute at Disneyland.

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

17

SPORTS/ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Michael Sherwin, the Designated Student

By Chloe Vignolles-Jeong EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

A

s Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Lasorda once said, “There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens.”

Glendale baseball player Michael Sherwin is the type who makes it happen.

Now we’re not talking about a kid who straight out of high school went to play for the Dodgers or the Yankees, or even a minor league team, we’re talking about a kid who has more than just talent and athleticism. He has smarts as well.

Sherwin, a California native, began his baseball career back when he was just 4 years old on a little league team known as the Rangers. Outfield was his spot.

He went on to attend Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, and continued to play baseball as an outfielder. He excelled in the classroom as well as on the field.

That’s where his story begins to unfold itself.

He began to catch the attention of several major league teams his freshmen year, but during his sophomore year he injured himself while pitching. He sat out of baseball his junior year and senior year in high school, but he continued to play sports.

During his senior year he joined the volleyball team.

Sherwin graduated in 2008 with a 3.3 GPA, but due to his injuries he lost all scholarships he had earned during his first two years in high school. Remarkably, he was recruited by both the Cincinnati Reds and the Florida Marlins, but they both lost interest after his injury.

However, even with the minor setbacks and the injuries, Sherwin overcame his injuries and demonstrated that he had passion for the game and continued to play at the college level.

Now an honors student and starting first baseman, Sherwin carried his study habits and baseball talent from high school into college and continues striving for excellence.

This semester he’s taking 18.5 units and has a cumulative GPA of 3.5. And as if that wasn’t enough pressure, baseball season is in full swing.

And it’s conference play now.

Every game, every inning, and every out counts more than ever.

How does he do it?

“I have the natural ability, love for the game and I like the challenge,” said Sherwin.

Natural ability? Yes. At 6 feet 6 inches with a good arm and the ability to play for the majors, you can say he has the talent.

Love for the game? Another yes. Sherwin has suffered major injuries such as two concussions, a hyper-extended elbow, compressed vertebrae, pinched nerves and a car accident that put him on the injured list in the 2009 season. These type of injuries would keep some players from ever stepping foot on the field again.

And the challenge? Well, you can say it’s a challenge. The team practices Monday through Friday from noon to about 5 p.m.

Add the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday games into the schedule and you can say it’s almost a fulltime job.

For most, it’s all about being the best player out there, the one who has the most RBIs or who pitches the perfect game, but for Sherwin it’s slightly different.

“I pride myself in being educated,” said Sherwin, and indeed he should.

The counselors aren’t the only ones impressed with Sherwin’s academic and athletic success, so is head coach Chris Cicuto.

“It’s good to see a kid like that who is extremely successful off the field and have some success on the field, especially after not playing for such a long time.”

Sherwin hadn’t played for two years on a team, and with the injury in the ’09 season it made it difficult for him to get back up to where he used to be. After a few months with physical therapy and rehab with the school’s athletics trainers, he felt like he was ready for the new season.

“We didn’t know how he was going to be, he hasn’t played in quiet a while. We gave him a couple of shots and at first it wasn’t very pretty, but eventually after two or three games he proved himself,” said Cicuto.

And without a doubt Sherwin proved himself. He got his first hit at Moorpark College in the 10th inning. He also hit a home run against Rio Hondo College to help the team earn a 6-5 victory.

And to prove that Cicuto

has seen both the athletic and academic side, Sherwin has a special connection to the coach.

“His first class at Glendale, he took my health class and watching the scores were just ridiculous, 95s and 98s on every test.”

Sherwin quickly took the major role on the field, being a team leader.

And a great one, too.

He sets an example for the freshmen on the team, and any other athlete for that matter, to be successful both on and off the field.

“The guys look up to him and when he starts saying, ‘Hey this is how we want to do things,’ he starts getting the troops behind him, guys are following him, which is great for us.”

That’s the kind of athlete any coach would want. And any professor as well.

Sherwin isn’t too sure about his future in the major leagues, but two things he would like to do once he graduates from Glendale is to attend UC Irvine and continue playing baseball.

Photo by Chloe Vignolles-Jeong

FIELD OF DREAMS: First baseman Michael Sherwin handles 40 hours of practice, three games a week, and is a full time student... all while maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

In addition, he also plays basketball, recreationally, and one thing he wishes he played is football, as the quarterback.

Sherwin takes pride in his accomplishments, but is particularly encouraged by the support he receives from his coach.

Cicuto said: “Everyday he

grows, and as a coach it’s really exciting to see that. Great example for our guys. He’s a good young man. [I’m] real proud of him.”

Chloe Vignolles-Jeong can reached at chloe_vignolles@elvaq.com

‘Spontaneous Fantasia’ Offers an Extraordinary Experience

By Sarkis Adajian

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

J.

Walt Adamczyk stands in front of his audience like an orchestra conductor and delivers an animated performance.

The mind-blowing fastpaced movement of various designs, extravagant colors and 3-D animation leaves viewers astonished in the “Spontaneous Fantasia” production now in the planetarium.

The earth seems to be in the palm of his hands, and the solar system is his never-ending playground as Adamczyk brilliantly displays an original masterpiece. With just the use of his hands, Adamczyk is able to put on a live performance one must witness to appreciate.

He starts off with a simple display with fast-moving lines swirling overhead. The simple strokes of color and design are presented with classical music also composed by Adamczyk. The simplicity of

the performance is also its most intriguing factor. Adamczyk is able to capture his audience, and keep them interested.

The most spectacular performance of the evening is “The Omni centric Universe,” by far the most challenging and detail-oriented live animation I have ever seen. The precision needed to pull this display off is extraordinary but Adamczyk makes it seem like a walk in the park.

Not only were there colors and unusual designs floating overhead on the magnificent dome, but there was a meticulous animated display of how the earth was formed.

Adamczyk was able to draw the audience in and show step-bystep how the earth was formed and how it came to be what it is today, all accompanied by music that he had composed. With the touch of his magical hands, Adamczyk puts on a presentation that I urge you to see.

The closing act made me admire the time and effort

Adamczyk put into the whole performance. The colors of the rainbow filled the dome and the upbeat music had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats as Adamczyk threw glow sticks into a crowd that flashed them from their wrists.

Viewers should be blown out of their seats by this performance.

The three performances are as different as can be, but each one is equally unique.

After entering the planetarium all sense of reality must be put aside, and one must have their creative juices flowing. Adamczyk leaves his audience asking for more.

“Spontaneous Fantasia” will be performed three more times during the semester on March 27, April 24 and May 22.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets. com for just $10 or at the door for $15.

Sarkis Adajian can be reached at sarkis_adajian@elvaq.com

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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SPORTS

Basketball Team Misses SoCal Playoffs

By Mike Skaf

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

his past season, the players of the men’s basketball team showed their willingness to compete and never give up to finish the season 14-14 overall and 5-7 in conference play.

The season ended on Feb. 20 with a 100-89 loss at Bakersfield.

The team was also on the bubble, meaning that they had a chance of making the playoffs depending on the performances of other teams. They were one of the last teams to be eliminated from the postseason. The state takes the top 20 teams and they were ranked number 21.

“I was disappointed for my players that they didn’t get a chance to experience the playoffs.

But we can look at ourselves in the mirror and say that we gave it our best shot,” said Head Coach Brian Beauchemin, who finished his 31st season at Glendale College.

The Vaqueros also lost four close games to tough teams in their conference. Glendale lost by two points to Citrus at home which was the second overall ranked team and lost by two points to West Los Angeles.

But they showed their ability to never back down and give it their all each and every game. “If we could have won one of those close games we probably would have gotten into the playoffs,” said Beauchemin.

But this season showed the effort of this group of young men.

The defining moment for this team was the two point loss against Citrus. “That game showed our determination,” the coach said.

As for individual honors this season, Deonte Wyatt, starting guard/forward was named to the all conference first team by leading the Vaqueros with 15.3 points per game both overall and in conference play. “Deonte was very important for us. He led our team in a number of statistical categories,” said Beauchemin.

Narbeh Ebrahimian, starting guard was also named honorable mention by being the second leading scorer for the Vaqueros with 10.8 points per game overall and 11.5 in conference play. But his coach was more impressed with what he did on the defensive end as well as being an example for his team.

“He exuded aggressive toughness, guarded the opposing teams best player each and every

Photo by Richard Kontas

HONORABLE MENTION: Vaquero starting point guard Jose Garcia drives toward the basket during the Annual Tip-off Tournament in November.

night. He worked hard and he was an example for every other player to work just as hard,” said Beauchemin.

Jose Garcia, sophomore starting point guard was also named honorable mention this past season, leading his team with 4.5 assists per game. Not only was he important for his team’s offense but was also a great leader.

“Garcia is a very tough player, got beat up night in and night out doing the bulk of the ball handling. He is a much defined leader and everyone looked up to him to be that leader,” said Beauchemin.

Besides those three players, Beauchemin was happy with the way his overall team played.

“This was a team that played their roles and that’s why we had success. Everybody had the ability to accept their roles and play as a team,” he said.

As for next season everyone is looking to improve and help the team. “As a team we have to show up to practice every day give 100 percent so that we can get better every day,” said Ebrahimian.

Beauchemin is also looking to improve his team in different ways. “We want to improve. Our objective as a coaching staff is to get players that do what we

want. We want our players to improve both in basketball and academically,” said Beauchemin.

Although Beauchemin didn’t win as many games as he wanted to this past season he taught his team an important life lesson that went way beyond basketball.

“Never stop competing.

Challenges will always be there. Whatever happens always compete,” he said.

Mike Skaf can be reached at mike_skaf@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

19

SPORTS

Golf Team Looks Ahead to New Season

By Gerard Santos

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

F

or head coach Greg Osbourne the two previous seasons for his men’s golf team have only served as stepping stones to success for his new young group of players.

The Glendale College golf team went from struggling this season to being ranked fifth in the state, all the while competing against a very tough schedule.

A former Glendale College football player and golfer and a California Lutheran University hall of famer, Osbourne began recruiting golfers from local high schools last year in hopes of

transferring them out to four-year universities. The result has been a level-headed group of disciplined golfers who, although striving to outplay each other, have a bond this season.

Nate Sheffield, a California Lutheran University transfer, and former center for the College of Canyons basketball team, towers above his teammates at 6 feet 6 inches. The 26-year-old is nicknamed “Pops” on the team for his seniority and experience.

“I’m not the best on the team,” Sheffield said. “But I’m doing my best to help out the team as much as I can.”

Nick Quintanilla, the team’s No. 1 player, is spending his first

year at Glendale and plans to transfer to USC. Quintanilla is confident that the team will make both the regionals and state, and isn’t afraid of rallying the team with his enthusiasm to practice.

Joe Boonnopponkul from El Camino Real High School is also one of the many first-year players that Osbourne recruited. He is hopeful that his coach will guide him to a scholarship at a local university, and says that the whole team is disciplined and dedicated to keep winning. During the Orange Empire tournament on Feb. 1, Osbourne “had the team practicing at 5 a.m. while the other schools were asleep,” Boonnoppornkul said. Glendale

went on to win the tournament.

Bernard Leon, also a freshman, is nicknamed “The Mayor” by his coach and teammates because of his lifelong aspiration to someday become one. When asked about how each individual’s competitive streak affects the team, Leon said, “We all drive to beat each other and be number one, but when we go to a match we all wear GCC uniforms. I feed off the guys to push myself to become better.”

Erik Stratton is a USC transfer hopeful who is also spending his first year at Glendale College.

Stratton claims that the friendly competition within the team builds chemistry, and that is why the team is off to its best start since

Osbourne took over the team.

A good way to judge the young core’s talent level at this point though, is to compare them to their hall-of-famer coach. “I will know that they’re good and consistent enough to make it to state when they finally beat me,” Osbourne said.

For now though, they will face College of the Canyons on Monday and compete in the North/South Invitational on March 21.

Gerard Santos can be reached at gerard_santos@elvaq.com

Lady Vaqueros Beat Renegades in Softball Melee

By Eric Bourse

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he sun warmed up the field to an ideal 64 degrees. That was until the icy cold winds gave both teams and the fans at the Glendale Sports Complex the chills for the duration of the 2 1/2-hour game.

Despite the cold weather, the Lady Vaqueros and the Renegades were involved in a heated slugfest.

Both teams combined for a total of 14 runs but it was the Vaqueros who emerged as victors with a score of 8 to 6.

“Hitting the ball saved us. Our defense was weak,” said head coach Dave Wilder. “We made some freshman mistakes out there.”

The Renegades were the first to strike in the game with a 10 lead in the top of the second inning. However, the Vaqueros were quick to respond and tied the game at the bottom of

the second.

The Lady Vaqueros then turned up the heat in the third inning. The Renegades allowed Glendale to load up the bases after their infielder dropped a throw. Lexi Hernandez, Rachel Allen, Melissa Sanchez and Brittni Spear all scored runs for the Vaqueros.

Unfortunately for the Vaqueros, the Renegades quickly retaliated in the top of the fourth inning with a barrage of hits and got back into the game now only down 5 to 4.

The Lady Vaqs’ will to win would not be challenged in the bottom of the fourth inning. Allen and Sanchez were able to quickly get on first and second base with singles.

Spear extended the Vaqueros’ lead to four with a high flying double to the outfield. An errant throw to second base on that same play allowed Spear, Sanchez and Allen to score three runs.

Photo by Jennifer Elbe

OOPS! SHE DID IT AGAIN: Vaquero Brittni Spear hits a double to extend Glendale’s lead to three and help seal the victory.

Despite the great display of offense by the Vaqueros, their defensive woes continued.

Bakersfield scored two runs to bring the lead down to only two in the top of the seventh inning.

The home team started to become restless and the away team looked like they had a chance to tie or get the lead.

However, Vaquero pitcher Jennifer Meza was able to seal the victory in the seventh inning with two strikeouts.

“I’m just glad we came

through with the win,” said Meza.

“We could have played better defense to make it easier for us.

The most important thing for us is to continue to improve step by step.”

“If we played better defense, Meza wouldn’t have had to pitch such a long game,” said Wilder.

“The length of the game hurt her pitching.”

The game was stopped for five minutes when infielder freshman Brittany Morrison of the Renegades injured herself

after attempting to catch a line drive toward second base and landed on her left shoulder. The game resumed when Morrison was able to walk off the field without assistance.

The Vaqueros will play next at Citrus College at 1 p.m. on Thursday. The next home game is a double header against L.A. Valley College starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Eric Bourse can be reached at eric_bourse@elvaq.com

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Mens Tennis Slammed by Mt. San Jacinto

By Mike Skaf

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale’s men’s tennis team gave it their all and never backed down against the number two ranked team in the state, Mt. San Jacinto, despite losing 9-0.

The afternoon started with the Vaqueros losing all of their singles matches. There was one match that stood out in particular with Glendale’s Paul Negapetyan putting up a strong effort in his match against Mt. San Jacinto’s Bruno Reich. The final score was 6-4, 5-7 and 8-10, with Negapetyan losing in 3 sets.

Head coach Bob MacKay was happy with the way his team played overall. “I think it is one of our best performances of the season. We played well at times and we just have to play a little better but I’m happy with them,” he said.

The Vaqueros Emanuel Haug was also content with the way his team played and he knows that they gave it all they could.

“The team was fighting hard and everybody was trying to give their best,” said Haug.

The team started off strong going 3-1 in their first four matches but they have dropped their last five falling to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play. But MacKay isn’t too worried.

“The teams we played at the beginning of the season weren’t

the caliber of teams that were playing now. Were playing the best teams,” said MacKay. The Vaqueros are facing teams like Mt. San Jacinto, which is very strong, and is trying to improve along the way. Haug is using this experience of playing the top teams to his benefit.

“Mt. San Jacinto is one of the top teams in the state and you can see what you’re up against, compare and make adjustments,” said Haug.

As for turning around the season, coach MacKay is looking to get back on track to win conference games that will hopefully help his team get into the Western State Conference tournament.

“We go back to league play next week,” said MacKay. “We have to go to Bakersfield and beat them. We go to Ventura which is going to be awfully tough. Then we have to come back and beat Pierce and Santa Barbara. These are matches we have to win in the second half of the season.”

This team is not giving up yet despite their record. Haug has some big goals for the rest of the season that will hopefully improve the Vaqueros record. “Everyone has to compete and play at their level and that everybody has to be ready to play and stay healthy so that we can finish strong,” he said.

But MacKay lives by one

Photo by Louis Roche Jr.

“IT’S NOT HOW YOU START, IT’S HOW YOU FINISH”: Glendale’s Emmanuel Haug returns a serve during Thursday’s match against Mt. San Jacinto College.

important philosophy not only for tennis but a life goal: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

The Vaqueros next matches are on Friday at Ventura College and Tuesday at Santa Barbara College. The next home match is

against L.A. Pierce College. All games start at 2 p.m.

Mike Skaf can be reached at Mike_Skaf@elvaq.com

Women’s Tennis Squeaks Past Rio Hondo

By Gerard Santos

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

Photo by Gerard Santos

WHAT A RACKET!: Lady Vaquero Sarah Aguilar returns a serve against Rio Hondo on Feb. 25.

he Glendale College women’s tennis team played host to Rio Hondo College on Feb. 25 and convincingly posted a 5-4 victory.

Three wins in singles and two in doubles was the difference for the Lady Vaqs.

The previous match against Rio Hondo on Feb. 9 was cancelled due to rain, making this the first time the two colleges have played each other this year. The win gave Glendale an overall record of 3-4 with a conference record of 1-2.

The match began with Glendale splitting the six singles matches, including a dominant 6-1, 6-0 performance by Lady Vaquero Sarah Aguilar (No. 1 ranked in singles).

Gabby Gottlieb of Rio Hondo was on the losing side of the singles match

against Aguilar.

“I just couldn’t handle some of her hits,” Gottlieb said. “Her serves and backhands are very strong.”

Glendale’s Mineli Ebrahimi (No. 3) posted a 6-3, 6-1 win over Anahit Dedeian while fellow Vaquero Alexandra Tzvetanova (No. 4) dropped Cindy Morales 6-4, 6-3.

Vaquero Brianna Hayes (No. 2) fell to Rio Hondo’s Maggie Lei 6-4, 2-6 and 6-1. Vaquero Sindi Concebida (No. 5) lost to Andrea Rodriguez 6-1, 6-3. Glendale’s Mayra Alvarez-Ramos (No. 6), dealing with a hamstring injury, lost to Esther Tapia 6-3, 4-6 and 6-2.

The Vaqueros’ teamwork was evident in winning the first two doubles matches. Aguilar and Ebrahimi won 81, while Tzvetanova and Hayes posted an 8-5 win. The final doubles point was not decided until Sindi Concebida and Alvarez-Ramos won over Lei

and Tapia due to injury default. This gave Glendale the edge in a 5-4 score overall for the afternoon.

Head coach Bob Donaghy said that despite the team battling injuries like Alvarez-Ramos’ hamstring, they continue to train hard with a variety of workouts.

“We frequent the fitness center to do rehabilitation for our injuries,” Donaghy said.

The Vaqueros continue Western Conference play with matches against Ventura on Friday and Santa Barbara on Tuesday. Both matches start at 2 p.m.

Gerard Santos can be reached at gerard_santos@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

21

SPORTS

Hall of Fame Honors Alumni Athletes

By Brandon Hensley SPECIAL TO EL VAQUERO

W

hen Rene Gonzales stood at the podium Saturday night as a member of the Glendale College Athletic Hall of Fame, it wasn’t as if it had been a long time coming. Gonzales had been hard to track down, and sports information director Alex Leon managed to get a hold of him just this year.

“Alex invited me down the campus a few weeks ago and said, ‘This is what this is about,’” Gonzales said of Leon, who also coordinated the ceremony. “When I looked at the names on the walls and the accomplishments, I said, ‘This is pretty cool,’ and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Perhaps it wasn’t so surprising that Gonzales was hard to get a hold of. Being a journeyman Major League Baseball player required that he always be on the move.

Gonzales joined Karoline Tomicich, Ralph Turner, the 1976 men’s cross country team, and Bill and Ethel Gallagher as Glendale’s 2010 Hall of Fame inductees inside the J.W. Smith Student Center.

Gonzales played under Steve Coots at GCC in 1979 and 1980, and was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1982. His career spanned 13 seasons as an infielder with seven different teams, including the California Angels. In 2009, he managed the Helena Brewers, a minor league team in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Gonzales said only when he became a manager “that I realized the time and sacrifice that my coaches put in, so I said I’m going to have to go back and thank every coach I’ve ever had for the time they put in, so right now I want to say thank you very much.”

The fabled 1976 cross country team could be remembered for several things. The Vaqs went undefeated that season and won the Southern California and state championships. It also marked the first season of Tom McMurray, the now legendary coach and 2008 Hall of Fame inductee.

McMurray cited the group’s famous work ethic, and joked that the “illegal” Sunday practices were their idea. “They talked me into it,” he said.

“We ran because it was fun,

Photo by Louis Roche Jr.

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED: The Glendale College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee held its annual Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Student Center. The 2010 inductees included, from left to right: Rene Gonzales for Ourstanding Athletic Achievement in Baseball, Ethel Gallagher for Meritorious Service, Karoline Tomicich for Outstanding Athletic Achievement in Tennis, Rick Van Rensselaer of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team for Outstanding Team honors, Mike Zois of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team for Outstanding Team honors, Harry Hull, President of the Glendale College Foundation and 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame Emcee, Mark Hilton of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team for Outstanding Team honors, Jon Cory of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team for Outstanding Team honors, Ron Palmer for Pillar of Achievement in Tennis and Track, Jim Steinhouer of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team for Outstanding Team honors, Mark Byrne of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team for Outstanding Team honors, Tom McMurray Coach of the 1976 Men’s Cross Country Team, and Ralph Turner for Outstanding Athletic Achievement in Track and Field.

but mainly it was fun to be with each other,” said Jim Steinshouer, who spoke for the team.

Tomicich, the lone female inductee, was a standout tennis player for the Lady Vaqueros beginning in 1999. She was an All-American in singles as a sophomore in 2001, and finished that season ranked seventh in state.

Her presenter, former coach and current athletic director Terry Coblentz, talked about how Tomicich took a year off in 2000, but when she returned the next season she vowed to become an All-American. Coblentz didn’t believe her at first, but it happened.

“It’s her heart that makes her stand out,” Coblentz said, and called Tomicich “the best tennis player we’ve ever had.”

“I cherish the time I spent here at GCC,” Tomicich said. “I have such amazing memories from my classes and the tennis team, but the memories from this special day will surpass and stand out from the other ones.”

Turner, a track and field phenom, set a Glendale record of 20.7 seconds in the 220-yard dash in 1963, a record that still stands. He was an All-American

and was named athlete of the year that season as well. He went on to BYU and set the school record for the 220-yard dash in 20.52 seconds.

A badminton player in the 1940s, Palmer came to Glendale initially as a pole vaulter in track and field, but, “That quickly was dispelled when the first year I was here I did one foot less than what I did at Hoover High School in my senior year.”

So he played tennis instead, and that turned out OK. He won the Western State Conference and Southern California singles championships in 1951 an went on to success at the University of Redlands.

Palmer’s badminton career wasn’t close to being over, however. He was ranked No.1 in the country overall in1958 and represented the U.S. as part of the Thomas Cup team that year as well, and again in 1961.

“Glendale Community College started me on my athletic journey and I’ll always be grateful for the years I spent here,” Palmer said.

Closing out the evening was the induction of Ethel Gallagher and her late husband Bill, who passed away last year. They

moved to Glendale from New York in 1951, and raised a family drenched in maroon and gold.

Bill was a founding member of the Glendale College Foundation in 1983 and the Hall of Fame committee. Ethel has been a longtime member of the Patron’s club, which raises money for scholarships for students. All seven of their children eventually attended Glendale.

Presenting Ethel was Jim Sartoris, former football coach and men’s athletic director. “The athletic department would not be the athletic department without the support you’ve given it,” Sartoris told Ethel.

Ethel received a minute-long standing ovation, then spoke in

www.

front an audience that included three tables of her sons, daughters, granddaughters and grandsons, and in-laws.

She spoke of a life spent being involved with her kids playing sports, including Vaquero athletics. “For 32 years, I sat on benches, but don’t feel sorry for me because I love sports,” she said.

Of her husband, she said, “I know he’s smiling down on all of us.”

For more information on the Glendale College Athletic Hall of Fame visit: http://www.glendale. cc.ca.us/index.aspx?page=320.

Brandon Hensley can be reached at brandon_hensley @elvaq.com

elvaq.com

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Track and Field off to a Running Start

By Carol Santos

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

J

onathon Alpizar could not stop smiling. Out of breath and walking around to regain feeling in his tired legs, he was still in disbelief.

The Vaqueros had just dominated the men’s 4,000-meter distance medley in the Western State Conference Relay event held at Ventura College Feb. 26.

Though the sun was shining at noon when the activities started, the clouds promised rain. This did not stop any of the athletes. Scattered around Ventura College’s stadium, runners stretched and warmedup before competing in a series of track, field and relay events.

The Glendale team placed third or higher in sixteen events.

“I just went for it,” said Alpizar of the distance medley. “Coach Lopez said to go fast and I kept at it for the second lap.” With the help of Harold Tabora, Rico Gutierres and Francisco Quijada, Glendale came in first for the event, in 10 minutes, 24 seconds.

The Lady Vaqs did not disappoint either, coming in first as well in the women’s 4,000meter distance medley. Brianna Jauregui, Samantha Bogatz, Rosa Del Toro and Nina Moore won the event, in 12:24.

The lone Lady Vaq in the javelin event, sophomore Shannon Azizi, had confidence in her performances in the future.

“I threw the javelin 98 feet

11.5 inches”. I didn’t get the penetration, but I got the height.

But don’t worry; it’s coming,” she said. Azizi also competed in women’s 400-meter hurdles, finishing in second place.

Sophomore Christopher Santoyo competed in men’s pole vault, clearing 13 feet, 6 inches, placing fifth.

“I had some technical difficulties, like the pole didn’t extend,” he said. “I had a good run but felt I could’ve done better.”

Though the team performed well, most felt there was still room for improvement. Moore said, “I felt like I could’ve gotten better times [in the races].” She participated in the women’s 4x1600 relay and came in second place.

Glendale placed first in men’s 110 meter hurdles (Christopher Farmar, 15:33), women’s 800 sprint medley (Carissa Porter, Alin Jabourian, Samantha Bogatz, Melissa Sanchez, 1:34), women’s 4x800 relay (Caitlin Kelly, Marrissa Tessman, Laura Pleumer, Diana Sanchez, 8:05), men’s 4x800 relay (Neil Jones, Ricky Avila, Francis Herrera, Miguel Flores, 8:05), women’s 3,000 meter run (Karen Rosas, 10:32) and women’s high jump (Carissa Porter, 4-10).

The next event is the Northridge Relays on Saturday at 9 a.m. at CS Northridge.

Visit www.elvaq.com for exclusive slideshow coverage.

Carol Santos can be reached at carol_santos@elvaq.com

Photo by Richard Kontas

A STEP AHEAD: Lady Vaquero Samantha Bogatz leads the pack in the women’s 4 x 800 relay Feb. 26 in Ventura.

Vaquero Sports Summaries Scores

Baseball:

Men’s Tennis:

Feb. 16: lost to Ventura 11-8 Feb. 18: lost to Ventura 12-0 Feb. 19: defeated Rio Hondo 6-5 Feb. 23: lost to Oxnard 17-1 Feb. 24: defeated El Camino 18-7 Feb. 26: deafeated Mt. SAC 9-1 Mar. 2: defeated Santa Barbara 8-2, 5-0 Mar. 3: lost to Oxnard 8-5 Monday: defeated Bakersfield 4-0

Feb. 16: lost to Santa Barbara 7-2 Feb. 23: lost to Pierce 5-4 Feb. 25: lost to Pomona 8-1 Mar. 2: lost to Ventura 8-1 Mar. 4: lost to Mt. SAC 9-0

Women’s Tennis:

Feb. 16: lost to Santa Barbara 7-2 Feb. 18: defeated Allan Hancock 9-0 Feb. 23: lost to Santa Monica 9-0 Feb. 25: defeated Rio Hondo 5-4 Mar. 2: lost to Ventura 8-1

Softball:

Feb. 17: lost to Antelope Valley 5-0 Feb. 23: defeated Pierce 8-0, 9-1 Feb. 25: lost to Oxnard 4-1, 7-1 Mar. 2: lost to Santa Barbara 10-2 Mar. 4: defeated Bakersfield 8-6

Baseball:

Men’s & Women’s Track and Field:

Feb. 18: competed in the Ben Brown Invitational Feb. 19-20: competed in the Cerritos Invitational Feb. 23: competed in the WSC Relays

Upcoming Events

Thursday: at Mission 2 p.m.

Mar. 13: vs. Mission at GCC* 1 p.m.

Mar. 16: vs. Citrus at GCC* 2:30 p.m.

Mar. 18: at Citrus 2:30 p.m.

Mar. 20: vs. L.A. Valley at GCC* 1 p.m.

Mar. 23: at L.A. Valley 2:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis:

Softball:

Friday: at Occidental Distance Carnival 6 p.m.

Mar. 13: at the Northridge Relays 9 a.m.

Mar. 19: at the WSC North/South Meet at Moorpark College 1 p.m.

Friday: vs. Ventura at GCC 2 p.m.

Mar. 16: vs. Santa Barbara at GCC 2 p.m.

Mar. 18: at Allan Hancock 2 p.m.

Mar. 23: at Santa Monica 2 p.m.

Men’s & Women’s Track and Field:

Thursday: at Citrus 2:30 p.m.

Mar. 16: vs. L.A. Valley at GCC**1/3 p.m. (DH) Mar. 18: at Mission 2:30 p.m.

Mar. 23: at College of the Canyons 1/3 p.m.

(DH)

Men’s Tennis: Photo by Jennifer Elbe

RELAY THIS MESSAGE: Vaquero Francis Herrera maintains his lead in the 4 x 1600 relay at Ventura College on Feb. 26.

Today: at Cypress 2 p.m.

Mar. 12: at Ventura 2 p.m.

Mar. 16: at Santa Barbara 2 p.m.

Mar. 23: vs. Pierce at GCC 2 p.m.

* = baseball home games are played at Stengel Field ** = softball home games at played at Glendale Sports Complex, 2200 Fern Lane

For more information visit: www.glendale.edu/athletics/

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

23

Calendar On Campus women’s history “Educating Women: The Revolution’s Legacy for Women” — History professor Peggy Renner will speak today at 10:15 a.m. in AU 116.

“The Body Project” — The book

by Joan Jacob Brumberg will be discussed by Beth Kronbeck of the history department Thursday at noon in Kreider Hall.

“Why Women Work” — The Speaker will be English professor Francien Rohrbacher. Thursday 0:15 to 11:47 a.m. in AD 217.

Friday Flix: “A Women Under the Influence” — The film by John Cassavetes will be shown

Friday at noon in SG 329.

events Persian New Year — Sponsored by the Persian Student Association. This event will feature food, music, arts and cultural displays.

Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the San Rafael Plaza.

clubs Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society — The club’s first general meeting will be held today from noon to 1 p.m. in CR 137 and Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. inLB 222. All are welccome.

workshop

Finding the Main Idea — The Learning Center presents a free workshop that will help students sharpen their reading comprehension skills. March 18 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in AD 238. For more information, visit www.glendale. edu/learning center or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5333.

Logical Fallacies — The Learning Center presents a free workshop on how to avoid nine common logical fallacies. Recommended for English 101 and above. Monday from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. in AD 238. Students are encouraged to register for all workshops at http://secure.glendale.edu/lcwrkshp/allworkshops. asp. For information, visit www. glendale.edu/learningcenter or

call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5333.

art gallery “Shells, Prisms” — Art Gallery.

This group art exhibition features work by Elizabeth Bryant, Alice Clements, Annetta Kapon and Maya Lujan. The exhibition runs through April 24. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.glendale.edu/artgallery or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5663.

music Jazz Concert — Presented by the Stan Kenton Alumni Band. The group performs at schools and festivals promoting jazz music

and discussing the importance of the jazz heritage in America. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Tickets are $22 and $15 for students. For more information, call (818) 240-1000, ext. 3074.

Kenton, who died in 1979, was an innovative jazz band leader and composer. Trumpeter Mike Vax, who played with Kenton’s orchestra in the early 1970s, has led the Alumni Band on tours and recordings.

elections ASGCC — Voting for changes to the ASGCC Constitution will take place March 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero. All students are encouraged to vote.

Around Town events Glendale Noon Concerts — The free concerts are in the Chapel at First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St. On March 17, singer and songwriter Lindsay Tomasic performs acoustic music along with her four-piece band.

Featured are rich vocals, thoughtprovoking lyrics, and unique instrumentation. From 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. A light lunch will be available for $6. For more information, visit www.lindsaytomasic.com.

Friday Night Family Fun: Picasso, All Mixed up — Norton Simon Museum of Art, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Draw, cut and paste as you make portrait collages inspired by Pablo Picasso. Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event is free with paid museum admission ($8, $4 for seniors 62 and over, and free for students with IDs). For more information, visit www.nortonsimon.org or call (626) 449-6840.

Glendale Farmers Market — 100 block of north Brand Boulevard, between Broadway and Wilson. The Glendale Farmers Market features fresh-baked breads, farm-fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, flowers and plants.

Every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call (818) 548-3155.

hours vary. For more information, visit www.lacma.org or call (323) 857-6000.

exhibitions

theater

The Ulysses Guide to the Los Angeles River — Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. This exhibition features art inspired by the L.A. River. Now through May 30. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Museum hours vary. For more information, visit www.pmcaonline.org or call (626) 568-3665.

“Awake and Sing!” — A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., presents the Clifford Odets play Saturday through May 23. Directed by Andrew Traister. The economic ravages of 1930s New York threaten to destroy the strong ties that bind the Berger family. Saturday through May 23. Admission prices and show times vary. For information, visit www.anoisewithin.org or call (818) 240-0910.

Urban Panoramas: Opie, Liao, Kim — The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. This exhibition features three photographers who apply a panoramic approach to explore specific cities. Now through June 6.

Museum hours vary. Admission is free and parking is $10. For more information, visit www.getty.edu or call (310) 440-7300.

American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life, 1765-1915 — Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. This exhibition includes 75 paintings that tell stories of American life. Now through May 23. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for students. Museum

“Kiss Me Kate” — Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St. This Cole Porter classic takes its inspiration from Shakespeare as it recounts the backstage and on stage antics of two feuding romantic couples during a touring production of “The Taming of the Shrew.” Now through April 3.

Admission prices and show times vary. For more information, call (818) 244-8481.

dance Celebrate Dance 2010 — Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. Pre-

sented by executive producer Jamie Nichols, this show features a line-up of nine dance companies.

Saturday at 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary with discounted tickets available for students at the box office. For more information, visit www.alextheatre.org or call (818) 243-2539.

comedy Comedy Night — Crown Bar, 7321 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Join Jay Davis from The Laugh Factory and Adam Hunter from “The Last Comic Standing” as they host an evening of stand-up comedy every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Admission is free with a two-drink minimum purchase. For more information, visit www.crownbarla. com or call (323) 775-3281.

music Black Rebel Motorcycle Club — House of Blues, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. The band is on tour for its latest release, “Beat the Devil’s Tattoo.”

Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. For more information, visit www.houseofblues. com or call (714) 778-2583 isney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand

Ave., Los Angeles. Featured pianist is Lars Vogt performing works from Edvard Grieg. March 20 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For more information, visit www.laphil.org or call (323) 850-2000.

Hope — Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Presents violinist Daniel Hope. March 20 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For more information, visit www.alextheatre.org or call (818) 243-2539.

wellness Meditations for a Happy Life — Shoseian Whispering Pine Teahouse, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale. The Kadampa Meditation Center California presents meditation classes Sundays from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. with instructor Sandy Schulman. Admission is $12 per class. For more information, visit www.meditateinla. org or call (323) 223-0610.

Free Yoga in the Park— Runyon Canyon Park, 2000 Fuller Drive, Los Angeles. Free yoga lessons every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (323) 666-5046.

Compiled by Tina Hagopian

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

Photo by Richard Kontas

GETTING A JUMP ON THE SEASON: Lady Vaquero Shannon Azizi clears 8 feet, 5 inches during the Ventura Relays on Feb. 26. See related story page 22. Check out www. elvaq.com for exclusive slideshow coverage.