San Jacinto Times Should I drop or should I not? Vol. 21, No. 12
The Student Publication of the San Jacinto College District
Feb. 21, 2011
www.sanjacintotimes.com
Sticking with a class can be a tough decision By WILL STEWART San Jacinto Times
Dropping early in the semester isn’t something that is on every student’s mind, but it should be. Many people have had that ‘one bad class’ that played to their disadvantage from the very start that has dropped their GPA. One can usually tell it almost instantly when entering a class. Either by the teacher being hard to understand, or maybe their Blackboard site that is never updated. Dropping classes is not difficult and can benefit one’s college career if used properly, but remember it should be used sparingly. Dropping a class can easily be done online on the school’s SOS website. To drop a class, log on to your SOS site and click on the “My Student Records” section of the page, then on to “My Registration” which should be the first button near the top of the page. Then click on “Step 5. Register, Add or Drop Classes” where it will then ask what term you are currently in. After the term is selected, a list of the classes you are taking during the chosen semester should be at the bottom. Find the class you want to drop and open up the scroll down window and select “Drop Course.” There should be a percentage refund on the cost of the class being dropped if it’s being dropped early in the semester. To finalize, click on the “Submit Changes” button at the bottom of the screen. Though, if the class in question is College Prep, the SOS website cannot drop the class, it must be done manually. The assigned counselor must be notified of one’s intention’s to drop a College Prep class and finalized in Enrollment See DROP on Page 5
Individuality top priority for this prof Graphic by Chris Shelton
Aiman ace at imparting wisdom on students By CHRIS SHELTON San Jacinto Times
Boy Scout troupe located in Third Ward and also works with Ronald McDonald’s House, Texas Children’s Hospital, Marathon Kids and the 2011 Texas Med 5K at Ben Taub Hospital. Mr. Aiman stated that he enjoys being involved with organizations that “teach citizenship and civic duty.”
If you’ve been to San Jacinto College North you might have seen him around campus. It’s pretty hard to miss a white guy with long dreadlocks sporting a dress shirt and a tie walking around. His name is not just “that guy with the hair” as some students refer to him as. He is Professor Professor Aiman enjoys teachEdwin Aiman and he teaches ing philosophy and its related Philosophy at North Campus. If you courses because “[it] is the most stuck with your initial surface judgpractical of any subject you can ments you would never guess that he study because it has applications is an avid Mixed Martial Arts fan, and implications in everyday life. loves 80s hip hop (the golden era of The trick is to get students to see hip hop, with artists like KRS-One that, while the benefits of a philoand Public Enemy) and enjoys cult sophical education might not movies of the 70s. appear immediate, the critical In Professor Aiman’s class, the thinking skills developed will objective is to teach students to think reverberate for years to come independently and break any albabeyond the classroom experitross that confines students to the vice ence.” of close-mindedness. His courses attack broad themes including misogOne example Mr. Aiman uses is yny, racism, and classism using Immanuel Kant’s Categorical diverse elements. For instance, JeanImperative, which in layman’s Jacques Rousseau's Discourse on the Photo by Chris Shelton/San Jacinto Times terms, says that the validity of Origin of Inequality attempts to one’s actions should be judged by explain how savage man began to Professor Aiman points at a sign bearing a personal motto. how positively or negatively it accept alienation and inequality. He also used more recent examples like would affect society if all citizens committed the same action. For instance, If Bryon Hurt’s documentary Beyond Beats and Rhymes which explores misog- banks, lending agencies, investments firms, insurance companies which handyny and homophobia in hip-hop. ed out faulty loans and packaged them on Wall Street, and irresponsible individuals that accepted loans that they could not possibly pay back practiced the What Mr. Aiman is proud of, is that he can have a positive impact on the Categorical Imperative, maybe the ensuing economic down turn in 2008 lives of young people, either through his extensive community service or his would have been avoided. They would have known their actions were unsuswork at San Jacinto College. He is an alumni advisor and active participant tainable if many others used similar judgment. with the local chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a Coed Service organization at the University of Houston. This group is affiliated with Yellowstone Academy, a See AIMAN on Page 5
Opinion
The riots in Egypt will affect the world. Page 2.
Career encouragement
Music
Reviews of recent album releases Page 3.
Just for fun Play Sudoku, crossword: Page 5.
Photo by Michael Deats/San Jacinto Times
Students observe Shell Federal Credit Union during the career expo at San Jac Central.
Comm. Day set for April By JOSEPH ENG San Jacinto Times
On Thursday, April 14, San Jacinto College will be hosting its annual Communications Day. High school students and college students with an interest in pursuing Mass Communications (such as news anchor or radio DJ) as a career choice are invited to attend. The Event will take place in the Slocomb auditorium from 9 am to 11 am. The event includes contests with prizes and several guest speakers. There will be three major stars guest speaking, headlining with Richard Justice from the Houston Chronicle. If you would like to meet any of these three people in person as well as ask them questions, you are encouraged to attend.
Opinion/Commentary
Potential birthright law is a terrible idea By MARIA CHAVEZ San Jacinto Times
February 21, 2011 San Jacinto Times • Page 2
People look at the United States as the land of opportunities. They don't see that with the choice of immigrating to a different country comes the price of being picked on for not belonging. They leave their homes, their families, and their life long friends to start anew, just to rightfully have a successful life that may not be close to a choice in their own countries. Recently in politics, Arizona and Oklahoma have brought up very controversial subjects in legislature. Arizona has been in the spotlight for a while now and now they believe, along with Oklahoma, that any child born to illegal immigrants in the United States shouldn't be granted this "birthright citizenship" that has been given to infants since the 14th amendment was established. Has the legislature forgotten that we all come from illegal aliens? That those who weren't born here, when the country first started, became citizens through naturalization and then their children received this rightful birthright citizenship? Has legislature ignored
the fact that these newborns aren't at fault for what their parent’s didfor the fact that they weren't there when their parents decided to migrate to the States? What are the many reasons as to why Arizona and Oklahoma government representatives believe that these innocent children who know nothing of the world that lies ahead shouldn't have citizenship if not have been parented by somebody in the States legally? Is it fair to take away certain rights that have been promised by the Constitution of the United States of America? The 14th amendment states that anybody “born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." Why is it that all of a sudden they want to take these rights from children who have done absolutely nothing? They're practically blind when it comes to knowing what illegal and legal means. They don't know that their parents did wrong by crossing into the States. The children shouldn’t have to suffer for being born into a country that’s not their parents’ home country. They should be able to live in this country like any other child who has either one or both parents as legal citizens.
The birthright citizenship should be available to all those who are born here. Even if their ancestry says they are of another nationality, their homes will reside here in the United States- they’ll know nothing of being homed by another country. They’ll see the States as their only country and only feel the connection to their parent’s home country by their parents. What is Arizona and Oklahoma scared of? What makes them believe that these infants, who are barely seeing the light of day, should be charged with a crime they haven’t committed? If it’s because they can later make their parents legal residents, then they need to look at the fact that they’ll have to wait 18 years and even then, they might just get tired of living here and move back to their own country, leaving all this behind. Is it the job percentage? It’ll be years before these infants will be able to work and hopefully (something we all wish for) by then the economy will be a little better off than what is now. There is no reason the legislature of Arizona or Oklahoma should take these rights away. They should not have the power to take away those three precious things that the constitution once gave us: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Footbrawl: money battle looms in NFL By MICHAEL VASQUEZ San Jacinto Times
MCT Campus
Riots should be cause for alarm, even in the U.S.
Protesters confront police in El Arish, Egypt.
By JOSEPH ENG San Jacinto Times
The year is 2008; United States president Zod has just successfully won his eighth election with a landslide vote of 90 percent of voters – for the eighth time. Under his policies, minorities and religious advocates have no ability to vote or complain. Criticism of his office or of him is illegal, with punishment varying from fines to life in prison. The federal police have authorization to use any amount of force deemed necessary, including lethal action. The local media is controlled by Zod, the commerce and ‘free market’ is controlled by Zod. The United States is a completely autocratic nation that is led by this man. Zod has promised reform for the last thirty years, but so far has delivered nothing – and in many cases has regressed on those basic freedoms promised during his first tenure of office. Zod’s economic reforms have failed as well. The unemployment rate officially states it is below seven percent, but the unofficial unemployment rate is significantly higher and reaches as high as thirty percent for youth and people that have recently finished college. No one is hiring new employees, and in order to sell anything you must have a special license. You are freshly out of college and unemployed. You have not been able to find a job in several years, and as a result you make your living selling fruit and vegetables on the street in order to earn enough cash to survive. The federal police have just confiscated your produce for attempting to sell it without a license on the street. Without that fruit you have no source of income and you do not have enough cash to last more than a month. That’s a pretty bleak scenario, but as bad as it sounds, this very situation sparked riots in three
countries, Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen. All three countries are – though there is a definite possibility of this verb being changed to the past tense in the near future – autocratic nations. Each nation has been under the control of the same ruler for around thirty years, with no real free elections to potentially remove them from office. Political reform in all three nations has stagnated and the scene is rife with corruption in the ailing economies. It started in Tunisia, an African country largely thought to be stable by foreign investors. Mohamed Bouzizi was an unemployed graduate that sold fruit and vegetables in order to make a living in the town of Sidi Bouzid. Police confiscated his produce due to EDITOR
Maria Chavez
MANAGING EDITOR
San Jacinto Times San Jacinto College Student Publications
Michael Deats
DESIGN/WEB EDITOR Chris Shelton
ASSISTANT EDITORS Amanda Sowa, Joseph Eng CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Harrison Lee
CIRCULATION Cristal Calvillo
ADVERTISING Sara Quintana
ADVISER Fred Faour
his lack of a fruit vending license (required in order to sell produce in Tunisia). In anger and protest the man set himself on fire and sparked riots throughout the streets of the city. Youth in revolt, frustrated from over thirty years of empty promises of political freedoms and poor employment opportunities, took to the streets of Tunisia in protest for nearly a month. Eventually caving into political pressure, then president Zein Al Abadine ben Ali was forced to flee the country as dissent and sustained riots threatened to bring the nation down. Soon the political dissonance spread into the nations of Egypt and Yemen, and for the past month riots and protests have been a common sight in the two nations. Riots have largely died down in Tunisia and Egypt as reform steps in. On February 11th Egyptian president Mubarak resigned amidst growing unrest. This allowed the military to step in and suspend the constitution and parliament for six months until elections can be held to determine the new leaders. However, civil war is threatening to break out in Yemen as southern providences are seeking secession to distances themselves from the government’s pro-American actions. Nearly half the population of Yemen falls below the poverty line of $2 a day and it is believed that Yemen’s oil wells (responsible for a vast majority of export in the nation) will go dry in the near future. Tired of having no voice in hard economic and political times, the people of the three countries have desperately turned to their last option, violent protest. As bleak as the fantasy United States sounds, it is merely a work of fiction. Yet, for something fictitious, millions of people have lived in that country for decades.
The San Jacinto Times is published weekly by the journalism students at San Jacinto College Central, 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77505. Opinions expressed herein are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the staff, its adviser, the administration or the Board of Regents. The Times encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be in good taste, accurate, free from libel, malice or personal controversy. Letters must be limited to 200 words in length. Letters submitted without the author’s signature will not be accepted.
Many fans of the NFL are unaware of the tragedy that may strike the season of 2011. There have been talks of a labor strike coming from the players if certain demands are not met. It seems the Players Union is in an epic battle with the NFL regarding benefits and wages towards the players. Basically the owners around the league have an agreement with the Players Union. When disputes break out the players have the right to strike. To counteract this move, the owners reserve the right to lock players out. This means anyone in the Players Union is not allowed to take the field. Besides obvious reasons that no football in 2011 would not go well with the fans, it would also hurt the league financially. Right now as we speak, the NFL brings ratings that any other professional sport could only dream of. The reason this keeps the league afloat, is because the massive amount of money they make off the networks is nothing compared to the money collected at every game. Forty percent of all the money made on game days across the league is pocketed by the NFL. This year despite losing the season, the Bengals contributed seventy-eight million dollars to this percentage. This was one of the worst teams this season. Yes, even worse than Houston. So that being said, just by multiplying that by thirty-two and then that number by sixteen will give you an idea why the league needs to have teams on the field by August. If you have ever seen the movie The Replacements, then you know how crazy teams might get to suit out players. The last time this occurred was in 1987. Among the complaints for the players include health benefits, revenue division between players and the owners, and even an eighteen game season. Owners complain that sixty percent of their revenue is spent on player salaries and excess funds. This is the polite way of them saying hospital bills for injured players. One major concern for fans is that if a lockout does occur how many games it will take until our teams are playing with our actual players. Imagine seeing some guy going deep for a pass that hasn’t played football in years. If you ever had thoughts of playing in the NFL, perhaps this could be a window of opportunity for you. On a more serious note as fans we don’t make a big enough difference in the revenue numbers to have a say in this matter. It seems to have your voice heard in this argument you must at least contribute a billion dollars. This whole ordeal must be wrapped up by March third otherwise we will face a labor lockout. The lead representative of the Union was quoted saying that a lockout seems imminent. The main problem is that both sides seem to be doing too much talking and less action. If you are an NFL fan, I would advise following the progress of this football battle royal.
The staff reserves the right to edit the letters for accuracy without altering the general meaning. Letters can be e-mailed to fred.faour@sjcd.edu. Letters must include name and phone number for verification. The online edition of the Times is available at www.sanjacintotimes.com.
Advertising space is available for $5.00 per column inch. Special rates are available. For news tips and information on advertising, contact the Times at 281-4782752.
Around campus Espanol Norte
Lunes, Febrero 21
• Critica del Nuevo Artista Excepcional, 9 a.m, Galleria del Norte (Lunes a Viernes)
Martes, Febrero 22 • Junta del club de Rotaract, 1:30 p.m., NSTC S215
Miércoles, Febrero 23 • Tercera lectura anual de Africano Americanos, 11:30 a.m., NSTC S200 • Reunion de la sociedad de WEBB, 1:15 p.m., NBCB C1026
Jueves, Febrero 24 • Ceremonia de introducción de LEX, 3 p.m., NFAB 103
Viernes, Febrero 25 • Reunion del club de Anime, 12 p.m, NTEC A1025 • Concierto de Viernes gratis de las bellas artes, 12 p.m., NFAB 103
Domingo, Febrero 27 • Evento de ayuda financiera, 12 p.m., NILC 108
Central
Lunes, Febrero 21 • Junta de Preparando el camino, 11:30 a.m., CSTC 210 A/B
Martes, Febrero 22 • Evento de inscripción para el club de VYNE, 11:30 a.m, CILC Lobby • Junta de TSEA, 1 p.m., CSCI243 • Estudio de biblia de BSM, 1 p.m. edificio de BSM • Junta del club de VYNE, 1:30 p.m., CSTC 210 A/B • Junta de GSA, 2:30 p.m., CADM 204 • Gimnasio Abierto ( traer su identificación), 5 p.m., Auxiliary Gym
Miércoles, Febrero 23 • Lonche gratis de parte de BSM, 11:30 a.m., edificio de BSM • Estudio de biblia de BSM, 1 p.m., edificio de BSM • Junta del club de VYNE, 1:30 p.m., CSTC 210 A/B • Junta de la sociedad de anime, 2 p.m., CADM W112 • Gimnasio Abierto (traer su identificación), 5 p.m., Auziliary Gym
Jueves, Febrero 24 • Café del alma de parte de BSM, 11 a.m., edifico de BSM • Inscripción de futbol dentro del colegio, 6 p.m., Gym 110 • Reunión del club de filosofía, 2:30 p.m., CADM W106
Sábado, Febrero 26 • Reunión de la sociedad de juegos, 12 p.m., CSTC 210 A/B
Lunes, Febrero 28 • La Oficina de vida estudiantil presenta: Evolution- The Aging Process, 9:30 a.m., Student Center • Junta de Prepara el Camino, 11:30 a.m., CSTC 210
Sur
Lunes, Febrero 21 - exposición de arte de Hush por Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine arts building - Junta de SGA, 3 p.m., Cuarto 4202 - Junta del club de tenis, 3:30 p.m., Tennis Courts - Junta del club de artes marciales mixtas, 8:30 p.m., Gym Martes, Febrero 22 - exposición de arte de Hush por Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine arts building - Música por Zane Williams, 11:30 a.m., Student Center Atrium - Junta del club de Writer’s Block, 6 p.m., Cuarto 3200 Miercoles, Febrero 23 - exposición de arte de Hush por Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine arts building - Junta del Estudiante de la biblia de becas, 11:30 a.m., Game Room -Junta de la sociedad de WEBB, 2:30 p.m., Cuarto 1131 Jueves, Febrero 24 - exposición de arte de Hush por Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine arts building - Junta de Phi Beta Lambda, 2:30 p.m., cuarto 2208 -Asociación de los estudiantes veteranos, 3:30 p.m., superior de las escaleras del centro de estudiantes. Viernes, Febrero 25 -exposición de arte de Hush por Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine arts building Lunes, Febrero 28 - Junta de SGA, 3 p.m., Cuarto 4202 -Junta del club de tenis, 3:30 p.m., Tennis Courts - Junta del club de artes marciales mixtas, 8:30 p.m., Gym
Festival time once again BY JANNETTE MARIN San Jacinto Times
It's that time again! The South by SouthWest Music and Media conference celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011. There is going to be showcases of hundreds of musical acts from around the globe that you won't want to miss. This annual event is held in Austin, Texas and it is a great way to meet people that love to do what also interests you. The interactive, film, and music conference is an awesome experience and gives everyone the opportunity to network with important and dynamic speakers that are already in film or music professionally. If you love music or film and have projects ready, then why wait? Now is your chance to set up meetings and express your ideas. The SXSW Film conference is a
creative environment build for talented and smart audiences, so the people get to be the first ones to watch hundreds of independent movie trailers that are shooting for the big screens. For all musicians the SXSW Music conference is also a great way to interact with legendary keynote speakers and meet people with music histories. Networking is the main goal; many people try to search for any projects they would like to share and be discovered. This event offers more than enough networking and entertainment for any age group. Every night SXSW Festival is going to hold many parties. For example, the film opening party welcomes anyone to enjoy drinks, listen to great music, meet with friends, and have fun making new ones! Bands are going to play in bars, clubs, and other stages for everyone to
dance and shout to the rhythm of the music. Award winning South Korean band "Apollo 18" will play their popular post rock and hardcore music. Adam & Alma the young electro duo from Sweden will also be performing, as well as Jet Queen Band and hundreds of other bands you would love to watch perform live! Danny Guzman, vocalist of the Jet Queen Band says, “This is awesome! Definitely something you want to do when you get the opportunity.” So pack your bags for a few days and invite your friends for a road trip you won’t forget, and enjoy this superb and spectacular event! SXSW Week Schedule: March 11-20 Interactive: March 11- 15 Film: March 11-19 Music: March 16-20
Reviews Local band good enough to have a Cosmic Sound BY GREG STARKS San Jacinto Times
Baytown's own Cosmic Sound, formerly of Ghost Mountain fame(another great local band) has come tearing out of the gate with his first solo release VHS Vision. This record is a clear front runner in the local Houston electronic scene. Every track is a hit, and is totally self produced by Stephen Farris. I have had the pleasure to both see him live and meet/hang out with him. He is a really cool guy with boat-loads of natural musical talent. If you haven't heard his previous
work with Ghost Mountain, it is him and his friend from high school who raps. The music production is outstanding as well and is a definite favorite of mine too. The track that stands out the most to me is Bear Auras. It begins with an almost ethereal synth line then breaks into a funky slap-bass and keys jam. It has vocal samples galore talking about corona discharges and auras over Jesus's head. A definitely different take on electronic pop music but it works, and it works well. I don't know if the album is in stores, but I'm sure if you want it bad enough, you'll find away to get your mitts on it.
Arcade Fire blazing a new trail with new release BY GREG STARKS San Jacinto Times
Indie-rock heavyweights Arcade Fire return from Montreal with their third studio album The Suburbs. This record is great; it has everything you'd want from a great indie rock band- male and female vocals, lots of different instruments and rockin' beats. Now I don't usually keep up with the Grammys, but they know whats up in this case. This record won the 2011 Grammy for best album of the year. I personally own their other two albums as well and I am more than
Thirty-six years and twenty-eight albums later, Motörhead is still going strong. Even in recent years the band has stayed quite busy with touring and time spent in the studio. Therefore, it came as no surprise when Motörhead released their latest installment to their already massive discography earlier this month. As a long-time Motörhead fan, I was very excited when picking up my copy of The World is Yours. The cover art maintains the trademark icon while at the same time the music maintains its trademark sound. When I popped the new CD into my car stereo, I was very pleased with the opening track Born to Lose, which really got me pumped for the rest of the album. However, despite the excitement of the first three tracks and the album’s fantastic production,
Progressive thrash metal behemoth, Helstar needs no introduction within the Houston metal community. Deriving heavy influence from bands such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Helstar delivers a nostalgic yet powerful sound. Originally formed in 1981 by guitarist Larry Barragan, Helstar has led a very successful career, releasing several great albums and performing with bands such as Anthrax and Megadeth. For nearly 30 years they have dazzled audiences with their fast riffs and high pitched vocals. Earlier this month, I attended a Helstar show at Numbers Nightclub in downtown Houston. The show was celebrating the release of their new album, Glory of Chaos. When I entered the venue, I was pleased to see large crowds of eager fans banging their heads and moshing to the
This super-group consists of: Money Mark, from Beastie Boys fame, Tommy Guerrero, former member of the skate crew Bones Brigade, and Shawn Lee, whose solo music has been featured on television shows such as Lost, Eastbound and Down, Life, and even CSI Miami. This self titled masterpiece fuses the trio's talents seamlessly. The majority of the album is funk centered, but many other aspects fly in and out throughout the album. It is apparently obvious that these three had an absolute blast recording this record. The song titles are pretty funny, for instance the first
Monday, February 21
• Outstanding New Artist Review), 9 a.m., Galleria del Norte
Tuesday, February 22 • Outstanding New Artist Review), 9 a.m., Galleria del Norte • Rotaract Club Meeting, 1:30 p.m., NSTC S215
Wednesday, February 23 • Outstanding New Artist Review), 9 a.m., Galleria del Norte • Third Annual African American Read In, 11:30 a.m., NSTC S200 • WEBB Society Meeting, 1:15 p.m., NBCB C1026
Thursday, February 24 • Outstanding New Artist Review), 9 a.m., Galleria del Norte • LEX Introduction Ceremony, 3 p.m., NFAB 103
Friday, February 25 • Anime Club Meeting, 12 p.m., NTEC A1025 • Fine Arts Friday Free Concert, 12 p.m., NFAB 103
Saturday, February 26 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, February 27 • Financial Aid Event, 12 p.m., NILC 108
Monday, February 28
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, February 21
The World is Yours gets progressively weaker with each track. The music becomes very repetitive about midway through and I realized that three songs had passed without me noticing a change. As the disc was inching closer to its finale, I was surprised to hear that the final track was an acoustic version of Ace of Spades, which brought an end to the monotony of the album’s previous songs.
Thursday, February 24
As a whole, The World is Yours is not a terrible album; it just falls short of its predecessors. There is just no comparison here to the albums that made Motörhead the awesome band we all know and love (such as Ace of Spades and Orgasmatron). But with the band’s current momentum, I don’t see them slowing down anytime soon (unless Lemmy kicks the bucket), so you can still expect plenty more Motörhead in the near future.
sounds of Houston’s finest. After enjoying all that Helstar had to offer that night, I immediately purchased a copy of Glory of Chaos without hesitation. After listening to the CD, I must say that this is easily my favorite Helstar album since their 1989 classic, Nosferatu. It’s good to hear that, James Rivera’s voice, the main muscle behind the band’s success, remains triumphant and unchanged after all these years. Alma Negra, the album’s 9th track is by far the most impressive on the album and also the best received by critics, including myself. Finally, as a way to pay homage to legends of metal’s past, the album includes covers of Animal Magnetism by The Scorpions and Saxon’s Heavy Metal Thunder. Both songs make up the cherry and whipped cream topping for an already delicious metal sundae. In short Glory of Chaos is a burst of adrenaline that hooks the listener from start to finish.
Lord Newborn and The Magic Skull, supergroup? BY GREG STARKS San Jacinto Times
North
pleased with the way this record turned out. My top pick is definitely Rococco, a song about modern kids in big cities who think they know it all, or as they are more commonly referred to as, “scene-sters.” I believe that as Win Butler (front man and Houston native) grows older, he realizes that most of the people who bought his records were the subjects of this song. Perhaps that was the motivation to do things slightly different on this album. It is still Arcade Fire and still a great record. I definitely recommend that you lend it an ear as soon as possible, you won't be disappointed.
Band among one of Houston’s loudest and oldest BY MATT ADAMIAK San Jacinto Times
8 DAYS A WEEK
• Prepare the Way Meeting, 11:30 a.m., CSTC 210A/B
Masters of heavy metal showing no signs of rust BY MATT ADAMIAK San Jacinto Times
February 21, 2011 San Jacinto Times • Page 3
track is titled A Phase Shifter I'm Going Through. A phase shifter is an effects pedal designed guitars and basses, if you didn't know. Theres also a track called Escape From Prism and one called Revenge Of The Fillet O' Fish. If you are familiar with the general feel of a “jam-band” album then you kind of know what to expect from these three. Although, the sheer originality of this record will leave you wanting more. I haven't seen anything saying these guys will release another colaboration, but I truly hope that they do because there is nothing else like this record out there. So broaden your musical horizons a little and have your mind blown by Lord Newborn And The Magic Skull's self-titled release as soon as possible.
Tuesday, February 22 • VYNE Recruiting Event, 11:30 a.m., CILC Lobby • TSEA Meeting, 1 p.m., CSCI 243 • BSM Bible Study, 1 p.m., BSM Building • VYNE Meeting, 1:30 p.m., CSTC 210A/B • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., CADM 204 • Open Gym (Bring Your ID), 5 p.m., Auxiliary Gym
Wednesday, February 23 • BSM Free Lunch, 11:30 a.m., BSM Building • BSM Bible Study, 1 p.m., BSM Building • VYNE Meeting, 1:30 p.m., CSTC 210A/B • Anime Society Meeting, 2 p.m., CADM W112 • Open Gym (Bring Your ID), 5 p.m., Auxiliary Gym
• BSM Soul Cafe, 11 a.m., BSM Building • Intramural Soccer Sign Up, 6 p.m., Gym 110 • Philosophy Club Meeting, 2:30 p.m., CADM W106
Friday, February 25 • No Scheduled Activities
Saturday, February 26 • Gaming Society Meeting, 12 p.m., CSTC 210A/B
Sunday, February 27 • No Scheduled Activities
Monday, February 28 • The Office of Student Life Presents: EvolutionThe Aging Process, 9:30 a.m., Student Center • Prepare the Way Meeting, 11:30 a.m., CSTC 210A/B
South
Monday, February 21
• Hush Art Exhibit by Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine Arts Building • SGA Meeting, 3 p.m., Room 4202 • Tennis Club Meeting, 3:30 p.m., Tennis Courts • Mixed Martial Arts Club, 8:30 p.m., Gym
Tuesday, February 22 • Hush Art Exhibit by Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine Arts Building • Music of Zane Williams, 11:30 a.m., Student Center Atrium • Writer’s Block Meeting, 6 p.m., Room 3200
Wednesday, February 23 • Hush Art Exhibit by Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine Arts Building • Student Bible Fellowship, 11:30 a.m., Game Room • WEBB Society Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Room 1131
Thursday, February 24 • Hush Art Exhibit by Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine Arts Building • Phi Beta Lambda Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Room 2208 • Student Veterans Association Meeting, 3:30 p.m., Top of Student Center Stairs
Friday, February 25 • Hush Art Exhibit by Ann Wood, 8:30 a.m., Black Box Theater, Fine Arts Building
Saturday, February 26 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, February 27 • No Scheduled Activities
Monday, February 28 • SGA Meeting, 3 p.m., Room 4202 • Tennis Club Meeting, 3:30 p.m., Tennis Courts • Mixed Martial Arts Club, 8:30 p.m., Gym
February 21, 2011 San Jacinto Times • Page 4
Professor shares his knowledge By ASHLEY ALLYN San Jacinto Times
Struggle with understanding and making a passing grade in Science? Professor Paul Barron is at San Jacinto Central to help! A lot of students have a phobia of learning any form of Science in general. Well, Mr. Barron explains the facts of Science in a clear and understanding way. Wouldn’t you love to actually look forward to going to your Science class? From his knowledge to his humor-Mr. Barron will keep you interested and enthused to learn! Q: What classes do you currently teach at Central? A: General Zoology BIOL 1413, General Botany BIOL 1411, Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 2401 and Anatomy & Physiology II BIOL 2402. Q: What college did you graduate from? Degree (s) you received? A: I graduated from Midwestern State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I also graduated from MSU with a Master’s Science in Biology where my thesis was Carbohydrate Composition of the Hemolymph from Two Families of Spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae and Araneidae). Published a portion of that work in the Journal of Carbohydrate Arachnology.
Analysis in Hemolymph of Selected Lycosid and Araneid Spiders. 1999. Journal of Arachnology 27:550-552. http://www.americanarachnology.or g/JoA_free/JoA_v27_n2/arac_27_02 _0550.pdf. I also worked on a Ph.D. in Entomology at Texas A&M but ended up “all but dissertation”. I was admitted to candidacy in 2002 completing over 100 hours in Entomology, Biochemistry and Genetics courses including: Insect Physiology, Insect Toxicology, Acarology, Principles of Phylogenetics, Quantitative Phylogenetics, Insect Transgenesis, Biochemical Genetics and Genomics. My research centered around the molecular genetics techniques of creating differential expression libraries from the Lone Star Tick while blood feeding. Sequenced and analyzed results as well as verifying expression patterns. We cloned two genes whose functions remain unknown and attempted studies to ascertain those functions. Q: What is your favorite part about teaching? Getting students over their biology phobia. A lot of students have had miserable experiences in various biology classes and I’m deeply interested in connecting biology to them in a meaningful and positive way. Seeing students get interested is the greatest reward.
Q: The strangest thing that has happened in one of your classes? A: Last summer there was a young bird trapped above the ceiling tiles in the Frehls building. The bird was trying to get out through one of the lights and as it was reaching through, a student saw it and let out a blood curdling scream. We had heard some scratching but an animal reaching through a light like that would freak anyone out. Mix in the scream and we were all totally freaked out. Q: Do you have a favorite animal or insect? A: I’ve been fascinated with spiders and insects since I was a kid. I used to keep them in terrariums and go out looking for them constantly. We had over 10,000 spider specimens in the collection and over the course of two summers, I looked at and verified the identification of all of them compiling a catalog of them for my major professor, Norman Horner. Over the years I have collected 1000’s of spiders, insects, ticks and mites. Q: What is your favorite place to vacation? A: I love Australia! My mother immigrated there in 1995 when she got married to an Australian. I’ve been four times and my fiancée and I will be honeymooning there later this year. It is a fascinating and beautiful country.
most famous artists from France between the 1860s and the early 20th century. Manet, Monet, Renoir, van Gogh are just few of the finest Impressionist and PostImpressionist artists whose
paintings will be showcased for a limited engagement. The exhibit will take place at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Beck Building. A timed-entry ticket, which includes general museum admission, is needed. For adults, admission is $20 and for children, seniors, and students, admission is $15. Admission is free for children 5 and under, though a ticket is needed to enter the exhibition. On Thursday general museum admission is free and tickets are available for a lower price, $15 adults, $10 children, seniors, and students. For more information visit www.mfah.org or call 713-639-7300.
National Gallery coming through town
The T he most thrilling thr illing part-time job b you’ll ever have. The T The Texas ex Air Guard is looking for individuals to serve part-time as Tactical a actical Air C ontrol Party Party (TACP) (TAC P) Airmen. Airmen. Serve Serve your your country country and and community community part-time, part-time, Control close l to t home. h Call C ll 11-8 80000 TO-G O G O-AN O ANG or visit i it GoAN G ANG.com G t find to fi d outt if you y 1-800-TO-GO-ANG GoANG.com takes. have what it takes.
By PRISCILA ZARAZUA San Jacinto Times
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is travelling to Houston featuring some of the
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Just for Fun
February 21, 2011 San Jacinto Times • Page 5
AIMAN
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS 1 Grew older 5 American __: Pacific territory 10 Employee protection org. 14 Chore list heading 15 Old Geo model 16 Carrot or turnip 17 Legendary spring that creates spring chickens? 20 Garment border 21 “I’ll treat!” 22 Three, in Turin 23 College concentration 26 Pungent salad green 27 Mighty long time 28 Stat for Mariano Rivera 29 CEO’s degree 31 Ford classics 33 Carvey of “Wayne’s World” 35 Karaoke singer, usually 38 Grammy revoked from Milli Vanilli 42 Polite “Ready to go?” 43 Linger in the tub 45 Start to melt 48 Bordeaux brushoff 50 Paranormal showman Geller 51 “Fresh Air” airer 52 Rear end 55 Political aficionado’s station 57 Absorbed, as a cost 58 Circular cookie 59 Stable tidbit 60 Portland Trail Blazers’ home 66 Good fortune 67 Cursor controller 68 Diabolical 69 Fawn’s father 70 Campfire remains 71 Name that can precede the first word of 17-, 38or 60-Across DOWN 1 DOJ division 2 Bit of baby babble
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Level: 1
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SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
3 Academic URL ender 4 Hawaiian who sang “Pearly Shells” 5 Inbox junk 6 Magnate Onassis 7 23-Across opposite 8 Atmospheric layer 9 Car sound system 10 El Dorado gold 11 Justice replaced by Sotomayor 12 Souped-up ride 13 Aegean capital 18 Time in office 19 “I agree, however ...’’ 23 __ school 24 Part of U.A.E. 25 Dick’s storybook partner 26 Caravan creature 30 Girl group with the 1986 #1 hit “Venus” 32 Spring blossom 34 Admin. aide 36 Pointy tool 37 Like a lion’s coat 39 It “comes on little cat feet,” in a Sandburg poem
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit
2/21/11
By Angela Olson Halsted and Doug Peterson
2/20/11
Saturday’s Puzzle Solved
www.sudoku.org.uk
© 2011 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
DROP
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(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
40 Campbell’s product 41 Fictional plantation 44 Reunion group 45 Entangles 46 Decline to participate 47 Grapefruitflavored diet drink 49 Academic sports org.
2/21/11
53 Detective Wolfe and an emperor 54 “Obviously!” 56 Throat bacteria 59 Tip jar bills 61 Heart test letters 62 Suffix with Canton 63 Anticipatory time 64 Trivial point 65 Drink by a dartboard
Services. Even though the last day to drop a class in the spring semester is on April 15th, there are advantages for dropping classes early, like a refund of a percentage of the cost of the class. Dropping a class shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially since the six drop rule that states any undergraduate is only allowed to drop a maximum of six classes before graduation. Dropping a class can be very beneficial, freeing up time to hang out with friends or do homework. Also, one less thing to worry about as a bad grade in dropped class does not affect one’s GPA. So if your grades are failing and it’s near impossible to bring the grade back up to snuff, then the only possible thing to do is to drop the class. There are a few rules of thumb that can help decide if a class can be passable and not worth one of the precious six drops in college. One being,
As of the spring semester, students at San Jacinto College North can take Philosophy, Logic, (which Professor Aiman wants to emphasize transfers to a four year university as a math reasoning course!), Ethics, and the recently added World Religions. Now students can complete their associate’s degree in Philosophy without transferring to the South or Central Campuses. Students are also offered the opportunity to join the newly created Philosophy Club. Meetings for the club will be held biweekly and interested students can email Mr. Aiman at edwin.aiman@sjcd.edu. The vision Mr. Aiman has for the club is, “A student run organization that can grow and encourage students to embrace dialogue about important issues and current events that have philosophical implications or applications. I also want to offer a forum where several students can enter into philosophical debate that they might not be able to in their other classes.” Students also have a positive view of Professor Aiman’s teaching. The comment that students continuously leave is “the class requires the student to be open minded.” So if students remove themselves from the caves that blind them from certain truths their experience in Professor Aiman’s courses will be rewarding and enlightening.
don’t drop if the material is easy, even if the teacher is very unpleasant, do not drop the class. If one already has a firm grasp on the material being discussed, just reading the textbook should be good enough to pass most, if not all tests. Though, if you don’t know the course, understanding the professor clearly is key. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to learn from a teacher who has an accent thicker than Mississippi mud. This does not mean that one should drop a class if the teacher speaks a slight deviation of the American language. What is meant is, if only three out of ten spoken words can be understood, and then drop the class immediately. Do not be afraid to drop a class that has a good friend in it, they will defiantly be able to understand and you can always hang out with them after class. It’s a tricky decision, but if used correctly with these rules of thumb, dropping a class early in the semester can not only save one’s GPA, but maybe even a small chunk of money.
February 21, 2011 San Jacinto Times • Page 6